WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW? Caught by phone at his L.A. office (he's there or New York or Sacramento or Walnut Creek), private eye Nick Montano was in the midst of a $70 million fraud case involving a movie studio. But if you want to find out if your spouse is cheating, about a business partner before you make an investment, maybe discover pre-surgery if a doctor has been sued before, or if that sports memorabilia or medical device you're thinking of buying is genuine or counterfeit—Nick can ascertain that for you too.

When he isn't away at offices or traveling to unravel some mystery, Nick can be found at home in Lafayette, or maybe glimpsed on Mt. Diablo Boulevard driving his black and Silver Mercedes.

He can be helpful in custody battles or harassment or violence in the workplace, too. Among many, he handled the Jerry Garcia estate case and the Margaret Lesher investigation—remember the Orinda publisher who was camping with her new husband and was found dead in the lake? About that case, Nick only says: "There's no statute of limitations on murder."

At home, Nick serves on the board of directors of Youth Homes of Contra Costa County, which provides shelter for abused kids aged 6-18. And before becoming a licensed private investigator two decades ago, he trained for five years on the Clayton Police Force. Got troubles? Call Nick at 1-800-732-ISPY.