Duplicity - A True Story of Crime and Deceit by Paul Goldman (surface ebook reader txt) 📗

about my conversations with both Sergeant Kowalski andAgent Tobias.

“Wow, that sounds good.What’s next?” Bob asked.

“Well, they really didn’ttell me anything other than the fact that they know Royce, but Imade an appointment to go there tomorrow and meet with one of theiragents.”

“Uh, Paul, I wouldn’t dothat if I were you.”

“Why not?” I asked, unsurewhy Bob would discourage it.

“Well, because Royce knowsthe Spencer County Captain. They’re friends, Paul. Or maybe morethan friends.”

“You’rekidding!”

“Let me tell you whathappened,” Bob continued. “About a year ago, Audrey wasn'treturning Tommy on Friday mornings as our custody settlementdictated. So, I called the Spencer County PD and had them do a‘welfare check’ at Audrey’s trailer to see if Tommy wasalright.”

“And was he?”

“Yes, but then thefollowing Friday she pulled the same thing again. She didn’t returnTommy and so I called in for another welfare check. Once again,Tommy was at the trailer with her and fine, but the next day I gota call from the Captain of the Spencer County PD instructing me to‘stop harassing Audrey Munson’.”

“I don’tunderstand.”

“Unless he's benefitingfrom her services, there is no way Audrey knows the Captain of theSpencer County PD, so she must have called Royce and had himcontact one of his buddies on the inside.”

“I’m glad you told methis. There’s no way I’m walking into that police stationtomorrow.”

“Exactly. You’re going tohave to find another way,” Bob advised. I agreed and hung up. Itried to think of possible alternatives, but I came up withnothing. Uncertain about how to proceed, I once again turned toTerri for guidance. I sent her the following email:

Here is what’s going on: I’m having adifficult time. The Palm Beach police, said they did NOT know herfrom her photos, and even "passed the buck" to the other policedepartments, saying there wasn’t enough activity in theirjurisdiction.

And the Spencer County police, unbelievably,they know Royce, but it seems he’s a personal friend of theirCAPTAIN. So, I don’t think I'll get anywhere with them, and itmight even be dangerous for me. My trial is three weeks from today.Can I get another reading with you?

Within minutes, mycomputer beeped to signal a new email, a quick response from Terri.She wrote:

Paul, you still need to pursue the policedepartments - go right to vice. Also, the phone records in courtwill help a lot. There is no other reason for her to be making allthose phone calls to men and the bullshit she gave you aboutneeding time free with no questions asked.

Though her message was direct, I was lookingfor more. I set up another reading with her for the following week.With my divorce trial less than a month away, I couldn't afford towaste any time.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Hard Evidence

September – October 2009

In keeping with my promiseto stop Audrey's heartless victimizationof innocent men, and her illegal prostitutionring, I effectively organized a team ofprofessionals whose varied backgrounds and occupations allcontributed greatly to my search for the true Audrey. Adam, mylawyer, was the realist, the empiricist, and the one person whoknew my legal rights and boundaries; Joyce, my privateinvestigator, was my blood hound, tracking Audrey’s scent at everyturn to provide the evidence that Adam so adamantly required; andfinally, there was Terri, who consistently provided me with themost substantial guidance even though many people believe hercalling is lacking all substance. I know that there is a clear linebetween those who do believe, and those who do not, but Terri’sreadings had removed all doubt for me, especially after thesensational fourth reading.

September 28, 2009: The Fourth Reading

TERRI - Make sure your lawyer uses the term "con artist." I don'tthink anyone has ever confronted her before.

PAUL - Probably not.

TERRI - I am going to tune into Audrey now. OOOOH, she's asociopath. She feels she's omnipotent. Oh my GOD, she is so splitfrom her true self. It's like wallowing around in sludge. It's likeshe has no emotions.

PAUL - Well, if you are a hooker for ten years, that might do itto you, don't you think?

TERRI - No, the other way around. She had no emotions, so shebecame a hooker. Paul, I'm getting a caution for you, to be reallycareful. I feel there are mob connections.

PAUL - Yes, I know. Tony Sawgrass has mob connections. BobThompson's private eye told me that.

TERRI - You have to make it look as if you're only looking for adivorce. It needs to appear to be a coincidence that all the othershit is happening to them.

PAUL - What was the year she met Royce, and how did theymeet?

TERRI - She has known him for years. They met in a bar.

PAUL - Same question about Tony Sawgrass.

TERRI - A friend introduced them, so he could expand theirbusiness.

PAUL - Audrey had an outside voice mailbox that she called fivetimes a day. Why did men call that number? A magazinead?

TERRI - Referrals. Person to person referrals from Royce or Tony.They would tell their people, "Call this number and she'll get backto you."

PAUL - Interesting.

TERRI - Oh, I see her death again, being killed by atrick.

PAUL - When?

TERRI - I don't know. I'm not very good with dates. GOD I see aviolent, violent death.

PAUL - In a hotel room?

TERRI - Yes.

PAUL - Is he strangling her?

TERRI - No, a knife. He's cutting her up.

PAUL - Oh GOD.

TERRI - I’m going to show this to her. Hang on… Oh GOD, she'sdelusional! She thinks she's protected somehow. Why? Hang on.Because the police are getting paid off, and are turning theirheads, since they're looking for more violent crimes and drugs. Ifthey would focus on the prostitution, they could get the drugdealers too because prostitution and drugs go hand in hand. Cocaineand pot. Some of the cops are on the take, so she feels protected.Now I'm going to show her how she can change this. Hang on… I'msorry, Paul. She doesn't want to heal. Your job now is to stop herfrom continuing to prey on others. Audrey really doesn't care aboutanyone, including her kids. She's incapable of feeling, which isreally sad.

PAUL - I'm sad for her.

TERRI - Yes, but being sad isn't going to serve you. The bestemotion that you can have is non-judgment, pity, andcompassion.

PAUL