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

direct, Adam returned to his seatand crossed his arms. He flipped open his notepad, and said to thejudge, “My first witness is Mr. Andrew North.”

The judge nodded, the bailiff ushered the witness infrom the hall, and the game was on.

Our first witness was the private investigator hiredby Joyce to tail Audrey. “Mr. North,” Adam said, rising from hisseat and walking toward the witness, “would you please state forthe court your name and your employer?”

“My name is Andrew North, and Iwork for Magnum Investigations,” Andrew stated confidently. It wasclear this was familiar territory for him.

“Objection, Your Honor. Theinvestigative report is from Taurus Investigations and this personsays he’s from Magnum Investigations,” Walton stated withoutlooking up from his papers.

“My firm was hired by JoyceFoster, the owner of Taurus Investigations, as a subcontractor,”Andrew clarified without missing a beat.

“Objection overruled, pleasecontinue,” Judge Andrews instructed.

As Adam continued with hisquestions, Walton objected at every turn. At first I was reallypissed off, because it seemed to me that he was interrupting anychance of Adam developing a rhythm, but with Judge Andrewsoverruling every one, I felt more at ease with our progress. Thequestions Adam asked and the answers Andrew provided created anaccurate picture of the real Audrey and, with the testimony comingto a close, Adam ended with one final question.

“Did you overhear Royce Rocco tella male patron at the Horseshoe Nightclub on November 2, 2009, inregards to Ms. Munson, quote ‘Offer $250 and see if she’ll takeit’?”

“Yes,” Andrew said firmly. That'sgreat, I thought. That makes the evidence that Audrey acceptedpayment for sex part of the public record. Not only that, anyfuture victim of Audrey could use that testimony at his divorcetrial as well, clearing his property of any of Audrey’s predatoryclaims.

Our next witness was Thomas Sanborne, another privateinvestigator I hired after Joyce kept losing Audrey. He was alarge, gruff-talking man, and I believed him when he promised methat he would not lose her. Plus, he was cheaper than Joyce.

“Mr. Sanborne, please tell thecourt how you first came to meet Mr. Goldman,” Adam begancasually.

“Mr. Goldman came to me and askedme to investigate two fictitious name entities, FLHC and FSSL. Fromthe Florida department of business, I learned that the two wereregistered by Audrey Munson on January 22, 2008.” Mr. Sanborne wasjust as direct as Andrew. He was every bit the pro he claimed hewas when I hired him.

“Thank you, Mr. Sanborne. Did youat any point begin surveillance on Ms. Munson?” Adam asked, walkingback toward our table.

“Objection, Your Honor. Accordingto this report, Mr. Sanborne was not the actual investigator thatnight.”

“Mr. Sanborne, were you the actualinvestigator that night?” Judge Andrews inquired, peering over atthe witness.

“No, I was not. One of myemployees was,” he confirmed.

“Is this employee here today?”Walton asked, tilting his head in condescension.

“No. However, I was in constantcontact with the investigator by phone and GPS tracking. I knewexactly where he was at all times.”

“Objectionsustained,” Judge Andrews ruled, governed by a law requiring thatthe actual investigator need testify. As a result, the surveillanceof the tricks Audrey turned at Boca Bay at 10 p.m. and MissionGardens at midnight on Saturday, November 23, 2009 wereinadmissible, and a blownopportunity. Sanborne was dismissed and I was furious. I had paidSanborne close to $10,000 for his work, work which was now worthnothing. How could he let this happen? And how could Adam missthis? I gave Mr. Sanborne a menacing look as he walked out of thecourtroom, considering a possible new lawsuit against him fordereliction of duty. Glancing over to Adam, I mouthed “How?” Adamshrugged apologetically and called our next witness, Bob Thompson,to the stand.

Determined to overcome his glaring omission, Adambegan his careful questioning of Bob, who was a criticallyimportant witness for us. “Please state your name and relationshipto Ms. Munson.”

“My name is Robert Thompson and Iam the second husband of Audrey Munson,” Bob said, leaning forwardin his seat.

“How long were you married, sir?”Adam asked. He was now standing close to Bob and his tone was soft,no doubt to put him at ease.

“Four months,” Bob said with anod, glancing over at Audrey.

“Mr. Thompson, why did you divorceMs. Munson?” Adam again asked softly, speaking as if they werehaving a casual conversation.

“I just couldn’t trust her. Icaught her in lie upon lie upon lie, concerning all areas of herlife.”

“Did Ms. Munson ever ask you toput her name on your assets?”

“Yes, after two months ofmarriage.”

“And what assets were those?” Adamasked, turning away from Bob to face Audrey and herlawyer.

“Stocks, and other things,” Bobreplied, now looking from Adam to Audrey, and backagain.

“Thank you, Mr. Thompson,” Adamsaid, turning back to Bob with a nod. He was dismissed with nocross examination from Walton. Again, I felt another, small pointhad been scored for our team. Our case was building, a pattern wasdeveloping, and I was trying to forget the Sanborne investigationdebacle. It also seemed like the testimonies were moving swiftly.Adam was already moving on to our fourth witness,Audrey.

The bailiff summoned her to the witness stand. Audreystood slowly and gently pressed her dress. She quietly approachedthe witness box, her face doing its best to look innocent andvictimized. I suppressed my impulse to laugh outright at thisperformance.

Our first line of questioningfocused on Audrey's contribution to our marriage. “Ms. Munson, didyou contribute any money toward the down payment of the Californiahouse?” Adam asked.

“No, but I contributed in otherways,” she responded, in a voice that was much softer than I’d everheard from her.

“Oh, how so?” Adam asked, matchingher air of innocence.

“I looked for the house with Paulonline, and I attended the closing.”

“I see,” was all Adam had to say,knowing full well that, legally, this was not a contribution atall. Next to come was Adam's focus on Audrey’s defrauding me duringour engagement. I handed him one of Audrey's bank statements. “Ms.Munson, please take a look at your Bank of Florida statement fromFebruary 22, 2007, during your engagement period to Mr. Goldman.Please read these items to the court,” Adam instructed, pointing tothe words before her. Audrey leaned in and squinted, apparentlyforgetting that she was wearing glasses:

22 February, 2007: Merchant purchase Neiman MarcusLas Vegas - $1,515.76. 22 February, 2007: Merchant purchase JimmyChoo Las