Duplicity - A True Story of Crime and Deceit

by Paul T. Goldman

  They replied that they wished there were more people like me, and warmly wished me well. I got out of their car and slowly walked back to mine. I wondered what they might now be saying behind closed doors. In any case, it was in their hands now. The die had been cast and I couldn't undo what I had done.

  On my drive home I sensed that something had changed. My secret meeting with the Spencer County police left me feeling different, altered, and completely unsure of where I should go from here. When I got home, I put a call into Terri Lynn and began my fifth reading with her.

  March 21, 2010: The Fifth Reading

  TERRI - It feels to me like something has shifted.

  PAUL - Really? What?

  TERRI - Because investigation is underway, Audrey might be arrested and therefore safe, not killed. Here's the thing. Her death by that trick has gone from me seeing it clearly happening, to me seeing that she's no longer in that situation. By going to the police, you may actually have changed her destiny.

  PAUL - Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I mean, is she now going to prey on innocent men for the next twenty years?

  TERRI - No, no, I don't see that. I think she's going to get a lot of time. I'm hearing the word "conspiracy." That charge brings it to a higher level of prosecution. Or, she still could get killed, just not in that way. Her negative karma is still overwhelming. Let's see what else is going on. Audrey picked you because she thought you were weak, and she thought you were stupid.. You had assets, and were totally blown away by her. So, the thing is, you've turned into "The Wrath of Khan." All along, you had what I would call "quiet strength," but your strengths were like pillars of steel. Since you're never in EGO, you never find a need to tell anyone else how strong you are. Understand?

  PAUL - Yes.

  TERRI - In some ways, though, you were a little bit of a victim, and you are a victim no more. You are totally empowered now. Right?

  PAUL - I would say so, yes.

  TERRI - So, you have got the change in you, going from a victim to becoming empowered. That's a story in itself, your transformation. I mean, I can see you growing horns from your ears, meaning, you are the sweetest, nicest guy, but don't screw with me. So, what she did was she f**ked with the wrong person. And here she is with all these hugely powerful, don't screw with us men behind her, and ended up picking one, who was a "don't screw with me" man, but she read you wrong, totally wrong.

  PAUL - That's for sure.

  TERRI - Hang on... a possibility. What I see happening now, is that the organization which is behind her, and she may or may not even have knowledge about it, once the shit hits the fan, they're not going to come after you, they're going to come after her!

  PAUL - Well, I'm glad Johnny and I are not in any danger from Royce.

  TERRI - No, and do you know why you're not in danger?

  PAUL - No, why?

  TERRI - Because she has painted you as such a wimp, to him. "He's just a house painter. He's done well for himself so I'm going to take him to the cleaners" is what she told him. She really painted you like a "nebbish," and you're not, oh my GOD you're not. You're scary. I mean you are. You are scary in your empowerment. I mean this is a really huge turning point for you, too.

  PAUL - Terri, I found a fax from Albert Chang to Royce asking for a status report on a passport and visa, and a photo of an Asian girl, in Royce's garbage. On the top of the fax was Chang's email address, and when I put it into Google, up popped a countrywide Christian organization. Can you tell me what this all means?

  TERRI - The girl is a prostitute from Southeast Asia. They get existing prostitutes and ask them if they want to come to the U.S. and make a lot more money. They give them new identities, and bring them in. Royce is only one pimp of many. This ring is nationwide. There is so much business, they can't keep up with it. They need more and more girls. The base of operations is in England.

  PAUL - Is Royce the head of it?

  TERRI - No, Royce isn't smart enough. The owner is a corporation inside another corporation inside another. Behind it all is the mob.

  PAUL - I don't know what to say. You said all along this was big, and now, months later, there is proof. Wow.

  TERRI - Yeah.

  PAUL - Terri, my court date is next week. What do you see as the outcome?

  TERRI - Victory for you. Court will rule in your favor. Also, I am being shown the bigger picture.

  PAUL - What's that?

  TERRI -The bigger picture is not only about your divorce. The bigger picture is the fact you're going to be able to make all kinds of information about this woman and her character PUBLIC, to save other men from her. Getting everything into the public record is key. Give your trial documents to each guy who she's involved with.

  PAUL - I will.

  TERRI - That's the bigger picture, the protection you can bring to others.

  PAUL - I accept that responsibility, gladly. Terri, I haven't heard anything from anyone lately. Can you tell me, are the local cops, the FBI and IRS on the case?

  TERRI - Everybody's on it. It's like this net closing around her. I can see it.

  PAUL - I hope you're right. I will admit to being a little impatient.

  TERRI - Patience. Be in surrender. You are such a divine spiritual being, with a much higher purpose than even you are aware of. And you need to be more in "allow." You did a lot of homework, and you want instant notification that your homework has come to fruition. Everybody else involved needs their opportunities for growth, too, and you are preventing them from having their opportunities for growth by being on "push."

  PAUL - Can you give an example?

  TERRI - Like the detectives. Detectives like to get the bad guys, and the bad girls. But they're not going to move until they absolutely and positively have a solid case. They don't want to get to court and have it thrown out. That happens. Their growth, their development of their potential, now needs to take place. It might take some time. You have done your work. Now, let me tell you a little about life and reincarnation. This is so critical. Please remember it. We come into our life with SOME pre-set obstacles. Usually we’re born into somewhat of a dysfunctional family. We develop negative patterns of behavior, then we continue to repeat those negative patterns of behavior into adulthood until we recognize them and can act on them. To change them. We can heal ourselves. That is empowerment. We can either be a victim or we can become empowered. Those are the only two choices. As a victim, we blame everybody else, and we never take responsibility for our own actions or the situation in our life. As an empowered person, we look at obstacles as opportunities for growth. And you have always done that. Look what you’re doing with this horrific heartbreak. I’m being told by the universe to give you a huge pat on the back.

  PAUL - Wow. I don't know what to say. I only did what I felt had to be done, to protect myself and my beloved Johnny. And I don’t know if I could have done it alone, without your advice, and friendship. I thank you for all your help.

  TERRI - My pleasure, Paul. Keep in touch.

  And with that, I hung up the phone. I looked up Interpol on the internet and emailed them Albert Chang's fax, the receipts, the photo of the Asian girl, and the Christian information. I was a man not only empowered by action and understanding, but also with the knowledge that I would soon have my day in court.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  The Divorce Trial

  April 5, 2010

  Even before I pulled up to my father’s house, Johnny was cheering for Pop-Pop and trying desperately to unbuckle himself from his booster seat. His legs kicked the back of my seat in a flurry of uncontrollable excitement while I announced what he already knew. “Here’s Pop-Pop!” As usual, my father was waiting on his front porch for the first sign of us, eager to sweep Johnny from the car and race him into the house. My father and Johnny shared the same wide smile and curious nature, and they were what parents could never fully be with their own children-- buddies.

  My primary reason for relocating to
Florida was so that my son would know his grandfather and I never regretted that decision for a second. Johnny loved my father dearly, and my father adored him too. There were few things that warmed my heart more than listening to their very long and interesting conversations, or the way Johnny would follow my father around on walks, his hands crossed behind his back with his head nodding, just like Pop-Pop was doing. Johnny was Pop-Pop's greatest admirer, and his eager mimic.

  Before I could turn the car off, my father had swung the door open and scooped Johnny out of his seat and into the air.

  “How’s my little man?” he asked, setting him down on the ground while crouching down himself to meet Johnny’s eyes.

  “He’s great!” Johnny cheered before he cocked his head to the side and smirked in knowing anticipation of what would come next.

  “But is he fast?” my father asked, returning the smirk and raising an eyebrow.

  “Ha!” was all Johnny offered before spinning around to face the house and bolting for the door, my father hot on his heels. I closed the car door behind me and smiled with the knowledge that, no matter what happened today, the most important things in my world were right here.

  Inside the house, I greeted my stepmother Helen, who had anticipated our arrival in our favorite way. She had something warm and sweet in the oven with the aroma filling the house. I had always liked Helen, and was happy my father had found someone after my mother passed. With everything I’d been through, I was still hoping for as happy a marriage for myself. Helen caught me up to speed on everything that was new with them, while my father showed Johnny an old magnifying glass he’d discovered in the garage, an instrument that would no doubt get put to good use during the day ahead. Not wanting to interrupt the fun, I gave Johnny a big hug and kiss and told him I’d see him later.

  “Okay, Daddy. I’ll take care of Pop-Pop and I’ll see you later.”

  “I love you, kiddo,” and I hugged him again before heading out the door and back to my car. The courthouse was about ten minutes away.

  The drive over found me wondering how the divorce trial would play out. I knew Adam and I were well prepared on our side, but I couldn’t help feeling nervous about what her lawyer might be up to. Would he simply argue that we had a normal marriage that’d gone wrong like so many others, entitling Audrey to half my townhome? Or, was there something else? Since they made no attempt to settle, I was afraid they might have something up their sleeve.

  I looked up to find that the car had driven itself to the courthouse while I had been thinking. Hurrying up the courthouse steps, I kept scanning the area for familiar faces. Entering the building, I went through security and headed to our designated room, where Mia O'Shea and her cameraman were setting up in a corner. I had called her two days prior and begged her to be at the trial. Mia saw the pleased and surprised expression on my face, flashed me a quick, knowing smile as if to say “I told you I would come, and I did,” and returned to her preparations.

  I continued into the courtroom and realized I was walking right toward Audrey. Our eyes locked at exactly the same time and we both froze. She was dressed in a very long, conservative navy dress that sought to expose nothing, especially her true persona on a typical Saturday night. She also had her hair pulled tightly behind her head and, to complete the effect, she was even sporting mousy, wire rimmed glasses which we both knew she only needed for driving. Clearly, she was trying for the prim and proper “librarian look.” She gave me the once over, then haughtily and theatrically spun around and made her way to her chair.

  Today's fake persona didn’t matter, I thought to myself. I had plenty of video tapes from Joyce capturing her usual ensembles for a night out, like the tight jeans, high heels, and skimpy top she donned while propositioning two men at the Royal Crown Hotel. Even more, I could always present one of the pictures I found on my computer illustrating the white, leather handkerchief she tried to pass of as a skirt while modeling for Royce, proudly holding a bottle of personal lubrication. She may have wanted to appear innocent in court, but I was more than prepared to show how far from an innocent victim she actually was, that in fact Audrey was a financial predator, in addition to being a common whore and a madam to boot. I proceeded to my seat.

  Adam was already waiting for me at our table. He was going over his notes while waiting for me to arrive. My job was to keep the exhibits organized and hand them to him on demand, and I was happy to have something to occupy my nervous energy.

  “Are you ready?” I whispered, sitting down beside him.

  “I couldn’t be more ready. How about you? Feeling okay?”

  “I’m a little nervous. Did you see her get-up?”

  “I know. What a ruse. Don’t worry, the judge will see right through that, especially after we get done with her,” Adam reassured me.

  “I hope so. Did you see the TV camera? I can’t believe Mia actually showed up.”

  “Honestly, neither can I. This is all looking really good for you, just don’t get nervous. This case is ours to win.” I must have been doing a bad job at concealing my uneasiness. I took a couple of deep breaths and glanced in Audrey’s direction. She was also seating next to her attorney, Peter Walton, and she was smiling and nodding as he whispered in her ear. On the floor next to her seat slouched a cheap, Wal-Mart purse, a stark contrast to her $500 designer bag that Joyce videotaped Audrey carrying when she was dressed for work, or meeting with her girls.

  “All rise,” the bailiff boomed.

  I joined the rest of the room in standing. The judge entered, took his seat, and immediately called for Peter Walton to begin his opening statement.

  “Your Honor, this is the story of a typical marriage gone wrong. We want half the equity in Mr. Goldman’s Florida houses. In addition, because of Florida’s “presumption of gift” statute, we claim that the California house was a gift from Mr. Goldman to Ms. Munson, and we want half of it as well. We also want half the money in his business and personal checking accounts. And finally, we want Mr. Goldman to pay my client’s legal fees.” When he finished, Walton sat down. He and Audrey were clearly pleased with his performance.

  I let out a sigh of relief as their strategy was all about demands, and devoid of any complex legal bases Adam might not have prepared for. With a nod from the judge in our direction, Adam rose from his seat and uncovered the written timeline which he had drawn on a chalkboard to explain to the judge what had really happened in our marriage. When I saw the timeline, my nervousness left me. Wow, I thought, any fool could see that this was not a “typical marriage gone wrong” at all. This was a diabolical plan to make a naked grab for my assets after only thirty-five days of living together. Furthermore, this woman who pretended to be my wife was actually a working prostitute the whole time. Game over, I thought.

  “Your Honor, we will show that Ms. Munson married Mr. Goldman solely for his money, and defrauded him before the marriage by telling him she was caring for her grandmother in Cocoa Beach. She created two fictitious entities and used them to steal money from Mr. Goldman during the marriage. She had a boyfriend on the side during their entire marriage and, although this is a touchy subject, it appears her boyfriend is also her pimp, Royce Rocco, and Audrey Munson is a working prostitute.”

  With those words I looked over at Audrey for any sign of a reaction, but there was none. This was real. This was a court of law. Audrey had just heard herself accused of being a prostitute, now and forevermore in the public record. How could she have absolutely no reaction? I wondered. What a conniving actress this one is. Her face was completely expressionless.

  My lawyer continued, “Mr. Goldman and Ms. Munson spent only fifty-six days together as man and wife and we will rebut the presumption of gift statute regarding the California house.” With that, succinct and direct, Adam returned to his seat and crossed his arms. He flipped open his notepad, and said to the judge, “My first witness is Mr. Andrew North.”

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

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

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

  “Objection, Your Honor. The investigative report is from Taurus Investigations and this person says he’s from Magnum Investigations,” Walton stated without looking up from his papers.

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

  “Objection overruled, please continue,” Judge Andrews instructed.

  As Adam continued with his questions, Walton objected at every turn. At first I was really pissed off, because it seemed to me that he was interrupting any chance of Adam developing a rhythm, but with Judge Andrews overruling every one, I felt more at ease with our progress. The questions Adam asked and the answers Andrew provided created an accurate picture of the real Audrey and, with the testimony coming to a close, Adam ended with one final question.

  “Did you overhear Royce Rocco tell a male patron at the Horseshoe Nightclub on November 2, 2009, in regards to Ms. Munson, quote ‘Offer $250 and see if she’ll take it’?”

  “Yes,” Andrew said firmly. That's great, I thought. That makes the evidence that Audrey accepted payment for sex part of the public record. Not only that, any future victim of Audrey could use that testimony at his divorce trial as well, clearing his property of any of Audrey’s predatory claims.

  Our next witness was Thomas Sanborne, another private investigator I hired after Joyce kept losing Audrey. He was a large, gruff-talking man, and I believed him when he promised me that he would not lose her. Plus, he was cheaper than Joyce.