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

I might find,never guessing that they would be even more telling than her phonecalls. Returning home, I scoured the deposit slips and theircorresponding bank statements dating back to early 2007, before wewere married. I found some interesting transactions and more than afew eye-opening purchases. One purchase in particular was verytelling, and I emailed it to my lawyer along with my analysis ofAudrey's cash deposits, which averaged around $3,000 per month:

Adam, attached is a copy of Audrey's cashdeposits. In total, they come to over $40,000. Furthermore, I haveattached her bank debit charges for February 22, 2007. Thesecharges were made in Las Vegas. Audrey spent $1,515.76 at NeimanMarcus, $1,112.63 at Jimmy Choos, then $632 at Southwest Airlines.Over $3,000 spent in one day. There are no charges for food, nocharges for hotels. Probably paid for by the tricks. Still believeshe is a stay at home mom who lives on $1,600 a month childsupport? Still think I’m delusional? Paul.

Within minutes, my computer alerted me to anew email. It was Adam.

Good job, Paul. Few people can afford JimmyChoos. Our case is now pretty much complete. The fake trips to takecare of her grandma in Cocoa Beach, the Florida Health Companycheck scam, the phone logs, and the cash deposits. We areready.

I read the email twice,basking in the progress we had made and the strong position wewould surely hold over Audrey in court. So, motivated by the recentturn of events, I decided it was time to approach some more copswith the new evidence and my renewed confidence. I called theJupiter Police Department and asked to speak with an agent in theirVICE department. Like Sergeant Kowalski and Agent Tobias beforehim, I explained to Agent Hunter the nature of my suspicions andthe details of my private investigation, and arranged to meet withhim the following day. Given my previous experiences with theauthorities, I kept my expectations low, simply hoping thateventually someone would take on the case. When I met Agent Hunterthe next day, I believed I finally found that person.

Agent Timothy Hunter was as formidable in hissize as he was intimidating in his manner. He talked tough, seeingno use for euphemisms or small talk, and with his closely shavedhead, and piercing blue eyes, he was everything I expected a VICEcop to be. We exchanged the briefest of introductions, and Ifollowed Agent Hunter into a barren interview room. I began mypresentation, starting with a brief retelling of what I said on thephone the day before, and quickly proceeded to give him the firstof my supporting documents.

“Herethey are, Agent Hunter. The pre-August 1st documents showing that Audrey Munson is a liar and a conartist, and the post-August 1st documents, which prove she’s the madam and working prostituteof a large prostitution ring.” After relaying the details to somany different people, my words now sounded rehearsed, but I satback in my cold, uncomfortable chair and awaited hisreaction.

“Well, Mr. Goldman,” hesaid gruffly, his eyes still examining the documents, “you’ve gotmy interest.” I smiled and thumped down in front of him the bestproof of all, the bank statements.

“Now, here are the bankstatements for the term January 1, 2007 to August 10, 2009, whichshow over $40,000 in cash deposits, and purchases of very expensiveclothing in Las Vegas, which is totally inconsistent with someoneon the limited budget of a stay-at-home mom.” Satisfied with mypresentation, I sat back and watched for his response, but heignored me, intently examining the bank statements instead. “Youknow, Agent Hunter, all I ever wanted was a wife and family for meand my son, and this woman conned me from the beginning, scammedme, and then turned out to be a hooker. I guess you can tell I’m abit angry, but I’m also determined.”

“Mr. Goldman, the workyou’ve done is very impressive,” he said, looking up at me for thefirst time since we began the interview. “You’ve saved me months ofwork. From what I see, this is a very large prostitution ring withinterstate connections.” His eyes returned to the bank statements,while rubbing the back of his neck. “I’ll meet with you againtomorrow.”

“Absolutely, Agent Hunter.And, thank you.” I left the police department feeling reaffirmedthat things were starting to really come together. This was notjust more information and hard evidence, this was real progress,real action. With the same optimism, I returned to the policedepartment the very next day and once again asked for Agent Hunter.This time, however, he was already waiting for me in the interviewroom with papers of his own on the table.

“So, what do you think,Agent Hunter?” I asked, after I sat down.

“Mr. Goldman, I took yourpaperwork home with me last night and examined it carefully. Fourhours later, I had five pages of notes written on legal sizedpaper.” His eyes were fixed on me firmly. “This is more than atwelve girl prostitution ring. I got the green light from mycaptain to begin the investigation, and its case is numberC-75978.” I fumbled for my pen to write down the number,disbelieving what I was hearing. This was actually going to be acase. I couldn’t believe this was happening. Agent Huntercontinued, “Mr. Goldman, do you know what a MATRIX reportis?”

“No, what isit?”

“It’s a report thatdetails everything about a person: where they live, where theywork, who their associates are, etc. When I began a search ofAudrey Munson, a name came up as an associate of hers. A man by thename of Jimmy Chow.” He paused and looked at me for any sign ofrecognition. I just shook my head, so he continued. “Jimmy Chow isa known drug dealer I put away a few years ago.”

“An associate of Audrey’s?A drug dealer?” Somehow I had never considered drug use as part ofthe equation, though I had learned enough to not rule anything outat this point. I sat back in my chair and threw up my hands indisbelief.

“Yes, and there’s more.Audrey Munson does have a rap sheet in other states.” Now AgentHunter was the one to sit back in his chair, crossing his arms andhe continued to read my every reaction.

“Holy shit!” was myreaction. Though Agent Hunter didn’t go into any more detail, thatwas enough