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

that’snot my department, since I’m in the Welfare division, but when Iget back to the office, I’ll make some calls to our CorruptionDepartment on your behalf.”

“Thanks, and one morething. How big is FDLE? I mean, do you have a lot ofresources?”

“We do. Think of us as theFBI, but only for Florida.” That was exactly what I wanted tohear.

“Great. Any chance I canmeet with you and the FDLE guys tomorrow?”

“I’ll try to set it up,”was all she could commit, but I took it as a positive sign that themeeting would be on, so I immediately headed to Kinko’s to makecopies of all my evidence for what seemed like the hundredth time.When I got home, there was a message from Sue Ann confirming anappointment with her and agents of the corruption department forthe next day.

At 10 a.m. of the following morning, I droveto the FDLE’s offices in West Palm Beach. Entering the building, itoccurred to me that I was beginning to lose track of all theagencies I’d visited and all the “authorities” I'd shared my storywith. Though I had been a meticulous note taker throughout myinvestigation, keeping organized spreadsheets of everyone I hadspoken to and what had been said, the images of this building andthat sergeant were beginning to merge. The FDLE’s offices lookedabout the same as the rest.

After I was ushered intoanother interview room, I was quickly joined by Sue Ann and twovery serious, tough men from Corruption. Agent Peter Nimitz and hispartner impressed me with both the power they exuded and theprofessionalism with which they carried out our meeting. However, Ihad now learned not to get too hopeful too soon.

“You have done quite a jobhere, Mr. Goldman,” Agent Nimitz remarked. “I congratulate you onyour persistence and your research abilities. From here, we’llpresent your case to our bureau chief and he’ll decide if we’lltake it.”

I nodded my head.

“However, I will tellyou,” he continued, “we have a big problem with prostitution cases.It takes a number of agents and massive resources to build a casethat will stand up in court. Usually we prefer to tackle crimes ofa higher nature, such as drugs or gangs.”

“Well,” I said, “I’ve donethe best I can.” I paused before remembering FBI Agent Jones’words, “But there are children involved.” My eyes met both men. Idecided a little Jewish guilt might go a long way. “Audrey hasthree children and they need you. Agent Nimitz, you would be a heroto those kids.”

“AgentNimitz already is a hero,” his partner interjected, glancing overat him. He then began to rattle off several huge crime rings AgentNimitz was responsible for busting. I nodded in appreciation beforeadding, “Then I have come to theright man.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

The Return of the Spencer County PD

March 13, 2010

With all the doors that had closed, reopened, andthen closed again, I found that, instead of losing hope, I wasgaining focus. I was more determined than ever to keep on top ofall my contacts, to continue my search for more hard evidence, andto make sure I was no one’s doormat. I knew my experience withAudrey had hardened me a bit, but it had also strengthened myresolve. And I was not about to sit around and wait for a call fromthe FBI or the FDLE. Instead, I decided it was about time to putany concerns for my own safety aside and call the Spencer CountyPolice Department, regardless of their ties to Royce and, byextension, Audrey.

On Tuesday morning, I dropped Johnny off at schooland spent the entire car ride home psyching myself up for the phonecall to Spencer County. By the time I was back in my home office,phone in hand, I was ready to finally make the call I should havemade from the beginning. I made the call without worrying about theconsequences.

The phone rang, and rang, and rang. With each newring I could feel my own nervousness start to creep back in. I wasseconds away from hanging up the phone, when a voice came on theline.

“Spencer County PD, how may Idirect your call?” The woman’s voice had a touch of southernsweetness that was very disarming.

“Yes, well, I have somesignificant information on a large prostitution ring operating inSpencer County, and I was hoping you could connect me with someoneI could speak to about it. Someone in VICE.”

“Of course, one moment please,”she said, immediately transferring me to another line.

“Lieutenant Ferraro,” I heard. Itook a deep breath knowing that this was it, there would be noturning back. I slowly exhaled and again began my long story thatI’d told so many times before. At no point, however, did I give himmy name.

“I want to meet with threepeople,” I said. “The head of the VICE department, a long-timedetective, and the head of Internal Affairs. And Captain Santos inparticular must not know of this meeting,” I said. This was theonly way I would feel safe because of Captain Santos’ friendshipwith Royce.

“Sir,” Lieutenant Ferraro asked,“How did you get this information?”

“I’m married to the madam,” I saidquietly, knowing that would be enough. It was. He immediately putme on hold and when he returned, he said he would work on puttingthings together and that the head of Internal Affairs would becalling me soon.

“Thank you,” I said, and hung upthe phone. I felt a mixture of relief and excitement. Oh, my God,I'm so glad I did it, I thought... Oh, my God, what have I done?Would there be some sort of retaliation? Would my lifeless body befound in the Everglades? Or would there be, most unbelievably ofall, an actual investigation?

I felt I needed to calm down, so Iheaded downstairs for some food and some mindless television beforeplanning my next course of action. Fortunately, some of the mostmindless TV comes on in the afternoons and so I took advantage ofthe oxymoron known as the entertainment news program “AccessHollywood” that was being re-aired from the night before. Thefeatured story focused on the socially redeeming job that is thepaparazzi. Apparently, another scandal had been revealed thanks toone of the more tenacious paps who had uncovered the story aftersnooping through a celebrity’s garbage. I was all set to sneer