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

to send my mind reeling. He finished our meeting with apromise to be in touch as the investigation progressed, and awarning that I should be careful not to make my own motives knownto Audrey. According to him, she was dangerous.

Returning to my car, I was still grapplingwith the news of Audrey’s rap sheet. Terri was right. This was big.And it would get bigger.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

The Breakthrough

Friday, November 2, 2009

With the Jupiter Police Department conductinga full investigation, and the useful advice provided by both Adamand Terri, I turned to the one area where our efforts had beenstalled: my private investigator, Joyce. There was no doubt in mymind that Audrey was an actively working prostitute who was helpingto run a large ring, which is why I was becoming more and morefrustrated over not being able to witness, photograph, or recordany of her actions lending credence to that knowledge. I wasdetermined to find something on Audrey that I could use as proof,and Bob Thompson provided the information that would lead me toit.

The Friday morning that Igot the call was like every other morning in that it found mesipping coffee, reading the paper, and pretending that Audrey andher antics didn't consume most of my thoughts. When the phone rang,I knew that it had to be either my father or Bob Thompson. No oneelse would call before 8 a.m. It was Bob Thompson, and he made noattempt to conceal the fact that Audrey consumed his thoughts too.“Hey, Paul. I’m heading out to bring Tommy to school, but I wantedyou to know that I got a call from Audrey last night telling me tokeep Tommy until Monday.” I could hear Tommy singing happily in thebackground, clearly content to be with his father.

“Well, in that case, Ithink I may try another go at following her. I have to tell you,though, I’m beginning to lose hope of ever getting irrefutableproof.”

“Don’t, Paul,” Bobencouraged. “There's an arrogance about these people, and thatmeans they’re bound to make a mistake. We just have to hope we’llbe lucky enough to have someone there to videotape it.” And Bob wasright. I had to try again. I thanked Bob for that info, and calledJoyce.

“Hi Paul, what’s up?”Joyce answered, with the sound of shuffling papers in thebackground. I was in the kitchen cleaning up after breakfast whenthe sound of drawers opening and closing reverberated down the hallfrom upstairs. Johnny was getting dressed for school.

“I got a call from BobThompson this morning and he told me that Audrey called him andtold him to keep Tommy until Monday. I know we haven’t had muchsuccess, but why don't we give it one more try and see if we cancatch her in the act tonight. Do you have someone who can followher beginning around five o’clock?”

The shuffle of little feetcoming down the stairs meant Johnny had finished dressing and Ineeded to end the call.

“My guy is on anothercase, but he’ll be free at five. I’ll tell him to go right to herapartment.”

“Thanks, Joyce. I’ll talkto you later.” I hung up the phone and turned to see Johnnystanding in the doorway, wearing a bright green Celtics t-shirt myfather had given him, red shorts, and a beaming smile.

“Ready to go,Daddy.”

I spent the rest of the day thinking aboutwhat Joyce was going to uncover, or not. That night, after pizzaand a movie with Johnny, I crawled into bed early, keeping my cellphone close by while I slept. Around midnight, it rang.

“Hey, Joyce, how’s itgoing?” I was bleary-eyed but immediately awake, knowing Joycewouldn't call this late if she didn’t have something substantial totell me.

“Prettygood, Paul. Actually, really good. We’ve had quite a night.” Icould hear the excitement in her voice, knowing she too was eagerto find something on Audrey after so many failed attempts. “Audreywas at her apartment at five when our guy got there and stayeduntil eight when she left with her daughter. She was dressed to themax, which told us that she was probably going to drop her daughteroff somewhere before continuing on to hook. She did drop herdaughter off at school for some function, and then drove on to herparents’ condo on Huntington Island. She was there for about anhour before leaving at 9:30 for her ultimate destination, anightclub called ‘TheHorseshoe.’ However, shemust have thought she was being followed, because she drove rightpast it, traveling an additional four miles north before making aseries of U-turns and a dozen or so half turns before ending backon Main Street and the club.”

“Uh huh,” was all I said,eager to hear the story continue.

“She entered the nightcluband met up with Royce, as well as two other men who my guy thoughtwere pimps, and two girls. They all sat at one table and the liquorwas flowing. The place was packed, and lots of men were approachingthe girls, which meant my guy couldn’t take any pictures, since hewould have had to get extremely close to the suspects. He stoodright next to Royce. Around 11:30, one of the other men approachedRoyce, asked him a question, and my guy overheard Royce say, ‘Offer$250 and see if she’ll take it.’ Then she danced with this guy,kissed him, and put her cell phone number into his cell phone. Theyleft shortly afterward in their separate cars with my guy followingAudrey to the next town, where he lost her. Being late, they werethe only two cars on the streets, so my guy couldn’t follow tooclosely. After he lost her, he drove back to her apartment andconfirmed that she had not returned home.”

“Wow,” I said, after shefinished. I pictured the events as Joyce recounted them andwondered if that was a typical Friday night out for Audrey. “So,what do you think Joyce. Is that it? Is that enough to convince ajudge she’s a hooker?”

“I’ve had a lot of courtexperiences in these types of cases and it should definitely beenough to convince a judge.”

“Great, Joyce. That’sgreat. Thanks, and good night.” I softly closed my cell phone,wanting to believe so much that Joyce was right, that it would beenough. I knew, however, that Adam would be the one