Duplicity - A True Story of Crime and Deceit by Paul Goldman (general ebook reader .TXT) 📕

“Well, the thing is, whenwe were working together, I asked Bill to get me some businesscards, which he did. He got two boxes, but kept one for himself,which always seemed odd to me.”

“Are you saying BillTownsend has a bunch of business cards with your name on them?” Irepeated, hoping I’d heard him correctly.

“That’s what I’msaying.”

“This is too much! So, hegoes to bars, picks up women using your name to protect his marriedidentity, and even gives them your cards.”

“That’s what I’mthinking.”

“That is incredible,Charlie. Any chance you have his number?”

“No, but you can look upDouble C Construction and get their number. It’s a hugecompany.”

“I will. Charlie, I can’tthank you enough.”

“No problem. Goodluck.”

I hung up the phone amazed by the constanttwists and turns I was uncovering. I did a Google search for DoubleC Construction and wrote down the office number with every intentof giving Bill Townsend a call in the near future. I experienced anew determination to get to the bottom of Audrey's illegal, doublelife. With that satisfying feeling, I resolved to call Joyce withthis new information.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

A Public Investigation

Mid-September, 2009

As morning slipped seamlessly into earlyafternoon, Johnny and I ended our rather intense game of good guys/ bad guys on the front lawn with a consensus that good hadappropriately won. Though we’d spent close to an hour carrying outthe modern version of cops and robbers, after six hold-ups and fiveprison breaks, our need for nourishment trumped all devotion to thetriumph of good over evil. Besides, I’d promised him a lunch of macand cheese and tater tots, a menu no diminutive police officercould ever pass up. So we headed into the house, and, like the goodguy I was, I started the water boiling for the mac and cheese.“Johnny, why don't you set the table?” I asked, handing him someplates and napkins. Then the phone rang.

“Hey, Paul, I just gotyour message. What’s up?”

“Hi, thanks for gettingback to me, Joyce. I know I filled you in on the information I gotfrom Charlie Watson, but I also have some information from aninside source that our person of interest will be joining some ofher female co-workers at a hotel for a convention on Friday withthe purpose of making themselves available, at a price.” I wasdoing my best to veil my word choice in the presence of Johnny, butone glance in his direction proved that he was still lost inthought.

“Really? Interesting? Andhave you revealed this source to me before?” Joyce asked, alwaysthe investigator.

“No, I think I’ll keepthat identity anonymous for the time being, but I was hoping youcould have one guy follow her at eight in the morning, as we’vebeen doing, and then add another one at four and a third at six,” Isuggested, staring at the pot of water, waiting for any sign of aboil. “I just don’t want to lose her.”

“You got it,Paul.”

Our conversation ended with a promise thatJoyce would contact me with feedback as soon as possible, and I inturn would seek out the Bill Townsend whom Charlie Watson hadmentioned for any leads. Then, I poured some milk, stirred in themacaroni, and turned to check on my table setter.

The following Friday nightfound me on pins and needles. I left the phone alone, mindful ofJoyce's instruction not to call and interrupt any surveillance.While I was waiting for her to call, I couldn't keep the thought ofoverweight conventioneers grasping crumpled hundred dollar billsand leading Audrey up to their rooms. I was imagining videosurveillance capturing money exchanging hands. Before my mind couldjump to the next scene, I was saved by the ring of the phone. Itwas eleven o'clock.

“Well, did she go to thehotel?” I asked, not at all attempting to mask myanticipation.

“She did go to a hotel,but not the hotel where they were having theconvention.”

“I don’t understand,” Ireplied, hoping Joyce had found something, anything.

“Here’s what happened. Shedropped off Tommy at Bob’s house around six, went to the grocerystore, bought some groceries, and put them in the trunk of her car.I took this as a good sign, perhaps she was preparing for her nightof work with the girls.”

“Definitely a good sign,”I agreed.

“She then drove back toher Jupiter apartment and, instead of parking her car in herassigned spot right behind her building, she parked it in anotherparking lot about a quarter mile away. Then, she walked back to herapartment, but instead of going upstairs right away, she walkedaround her building twice while talking on the phone. Finally, shewent up to her apartment.”

“Really?” I asked,confused by both her choice in parking and exercise. “Do you thinkshe thought she was being followed?”

“Maybe. But then, herparents showed up around eight-thirty. They brought in food andluggage, as if they were planning to stay for the night. I told myguys to hang out until ten and, if she didn’t come out, to end thesurveillance. At around nine-thirty, she exited the apartmentdressed in high heels, tight jeans, and a form-fitting top.”Picturing Audrey in my mind, I felt disgusted. Joyce continued, “Iwas thinking, great, now she’ll go to the convention. But shedidn’t. She drove two miles down the road to the Royal Comforthotel, drove up to the valet, and talked for at least five minuteswith him as if she knew him well. Then, she drove to the parkinglot and sat in her car for twenty minutes. We saw her answer a callon her cell phone, get out of the car, and walk into the hotel,directly to the bar. My guys were right behind.

“She walked into the barand all the staff members greeted her by name. Then, she walkedright through the bar, through a door into the kitchen, and cameout a few minutes later with a cup of hot tea and sat down at thebar. Within twenty seconds, two men approached her, obviously cluedin to the situation. She started to talk with them and her bodylanguage made it very clear that she was propositioning them,trying to get them excited. While she was talking, she would leanin very close and stroke and squeeze their arms.”

“The concierge must havecalled around and found two guys who