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

saw thetestimonies of the ex-boyfriends and their individual accounts ofdeception by Audrey, and Bob’s testimony, which came at the end ofthe day. There was no time left for Joe, Miles, or me. I wasdisappointed. I had plenty to tell the court, including theincredible story of how Audrey, on those rare nights all three ofher children were with us, made Tommy sleep on the laundry roomfloor instead of his bed, with only a towel for a blanket. When Iasked her about this, Audrey would simply shrug and reply, “Oh, helikes it there.” Sure.

The case was delayed untilthe court had a free day. Forcing the delay was exactly Audrey’slawyer’s intention, and he claimed to be busy on any open day thejudge found on his calendar.

In the end, the trial would not be resumeduntil April 28, three months later. This meant three more months ofchild support paid by Bob, three more months of arguing withAudrey, and three more months of Tommy’s risky exposure to hismother. Bob was livid, while Audrey was seen laughing with herlawyer shortly thereafter.

A few days after the trial, I returned to theJupiter Police Department where Agent Hunter had given me so muchhope. He had told me about Audrey’s association with a known drugdealer, about Audrey’s rap sheet, and then he informed my lawyerthey didn't have the resources to pursue the investigation. Ireturned to the police department to request a copy of AgentHunter’s file with Audrey’s rap sheet included, but I ended up witha lot more.

Entering the lobby, I approached a very youngand distracted receptionist and asked if I could speak with AgentHunter. When told that he wasn't there, I asked to speak with hisboss, or whoever was in charge of the VICE department. She thendirected me to a red phone hanging on a nearby wall, which I pickedup.

“Sergeant Callahan, may Ihelp you?” the serious voice asked.

“I hope so. Are you thehead of the VICE department?”

“Yes,” he answered grufflyas images of a perpetually frowning man formed in myhead.

“My name is Paul Goldmanand I’m the complainant in the Audrey Munson prostitution ring caseand, since that case is now closed, I was wondering if you couldgive me a copy of the file.”

“What closed case?” thesergeant asked, his seriousness now sounding more like anger. “Thatinvestigation is ongoing.”

“Really?” I said, elatedby the unexpected news.

“Yes.”

“Well, in that case, canyou tell me what’s going on?” I asked, excited to know that a doorI had thought was closed was still open.

“No,” he said flatly. “Ican’t give you any particulars. Our procedure is to update thecomplainant, you, every thirty days.”

“I see. But Agent Hunterhasn’t done that,” I said.

“Well, I’m doing it now.I’m telling you the case is ongoing.” Sergeant Callahan couldn'thave been less forthcoming or cordial, but my excitement overlearning that the case was still open prevented his gruff mannerfrom dampening my spirits.

“Sergeant, can I call youevery thirty days, if I continue not to hear from Agent Hunter?” Iasked.

“You can,” SergeantCallahan responded with a sigh, “but I’m expecting a resolutionwithin thirty days.” Given the simplicity of his statement, I tooka moment to process exactly what he had just said. Was he reallysaying that he had enough on Audrey to arrest her in a matter ofweeks? They had been investigating for the last six months, so thatmade sense to me.

“Thank you, Sergeant.Thank you so much. I know you can’t tell me particulars, but you'veactually told me a great deal.” I triumphantly hung up the phoneand left the station completely transformed. Practically skippingdown the front steps, certain that “resolution” had to mean“arrests,” I let myself imagine how they might go about bringingAudrey and Royce in, what their mug shots would look like, and howI would finally celebrate her undoing.

Once again, the roller coaster took a nosedive. Two weeks later, Agent Hunter sent me the followingemail:

Due to a lack of investigative evidenceregarding crimes occurring within our jurisdiction, we are closingthe case. Please feel free to contact me if and when you have anyinformation relevant to crimes occurring within the City ofJupiter.

After reading the email, I sat back andwondered how many times I had let my hope get the best of me. Myinvestigation was as much a roller coaster ride as my marriage toAudrey. There were so many moments during the investigation when Iwas certain a breakthrough had occurred, only to learn that nobodywas willing to commit the necessary resources, that nobody wouldconnect the dots with the mountain of evidence I provided. JupiterPD was simply the tail end of the parade of incompetents, or worse.I decided it was time to reevaluate my position and what I hadreally accomplished. Then the phone rang.

“Am I speaking with PaulGoldman?” the voice of an unfamiliar woman asked.

“This is Paul. Who'sthis?” I answered.

“This is Sue Anne Nortonfrom the FDLE, the Florida Division of Law Enforcement. I waswondering if you could tell me about Audrey Munson.” Her breathingwas heavy and I heard the sound of a car door shut. “I’m at hertrailer now, have rung her doorbell twice, but she refuses to openthe door. I know she’s home because her washing machine is on andthe trailer park manager saw her five minutes ago. I’m leaving now,to go back to my office, so let’s talk while I’m driving.”Disbelieving the timing of the call and the new twist in thisnever-ending roller coaster, I sat back in my seat and began toonce again relay my story.

Sue Ann was from the FDLE’s Welfare FraudDivision and she was investigating Audrey for fraudulently applyingfor and receiving welfare. Audrey had claimed she was indignant,owned no assets, and, although she disclosed the $400 monthly childsupport from Joe Munson, failed to disclose the $1,200 a month inchild support income she received from Bob Thompson. When Bob’slawyer discovered this, he personally contacted the Welfare peopleand brought them up to speed on Audrey’s actual earnings and knownassets, which were her car, her trailer, and her fifty percentinterest in the California townhome. Based on this, Sue Anncalculated that Audrey owed the Welfare Department $11,000.

After I corroborated everything Bob’s lawyertold her, I began to explain my prostitution evidence to SueAnn.

“Actually, Paul,