* * *
After the neighbor arrived to take care of the baby, Kate drove to the station. Her shift was over, and she spent the next half hour filling out paperwork. When it was time to write up the report for her last call, she weighed her options carefully. Finally she decided to write that the woman claimed to have fallen down the stairs, but that in Kate’s opinion, she appeared to have been severely beaten. She knew these words would protect the woman if her husband were to ever see the report.
When she finished her paperwork, Kate spent a few minutes chatting with the other officers before she clocked out. She headed to the parking lot and started up her Honda, but kept it in park while she debated her next steps. She still wasn’t accustomed to the graveyard shift and her body was begging her to go home, pour herself a glass of wine, soak in a nice hot bath, and then go to bed. Instead, she drove to the hospital, hoping that Melanie Martin had been admitted and that Kate would have another chance at trying to convince the woman to file charges against her husband.
When she got to the hospital, her uniform opened all the right doors, and she was led directly to Melanie’s room. The nurse informed Kate that the patient was being kept overnight for observation and would probably be released later in the day. Kate thanked the nurse and then entered the room. At first glance, Melanie appeared to be sleeping, but as soon as Kate crossed the room, her eyes flew open. Kate had the distinct impression that this poor woman probably never allowed herself a good night’s sleep: that she spent her life in a state of constant vigilance.
“Good morning, Mrs. Martin. Do you remember me from last night?”
“Yes, Officer, and you can call me Melanie.”
“Thank you. May I sit down? I’d like to ask you a few more questions about last night.”
Kate saw the look of resignation in the woman’s eyes before she responded. “Look, I realize that you know what really happened last night, but like I told you then, I won’t press charges against my husband. He’s too powerful. He’s a huge player in this whole old boy’s network that’s running the justice system in Chatham County. He’s close friends with judges, the mayor, even the governor. They play by their own rules, and they will never turn against one of their own.”
Kate pulled the guest chair next to the bed and sat down. “I promise I won’t put any of what you tell me into a report, but maybe there’s some other way I can help you.” She paused, memories flooding her mind. “I know what you’re going through, Melanie. My father abused my mother. I know how a woman can feel trapped. But if you talk to me about it, maybe together we can figure something out. I really want to help you.”
Melanie looked down at the bed sheets, not meeting Kate’s eyes. “I’ve never told anyone about this. I feel like such a failure.”
“That’s how your husband wants you to feel, but it’s not true. He’s the failure. He’s the one who can’t control himself.” Kate waited, letting her words sink in. “How long has the abuse been going on?”
Melanie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Kate could tell the woman was struggling to decide whether to speak out about the violence she was living with. Finally Melanie opened her eyes, and her gaze was steady. “Since about six months after we were married. He was a perfect gentleman while we were dating. I occasionally saw a hint of a temper, but he was never physically abusive. The first time it happened, I was so shocked, and then he was so apologetic afterwards. I didn’t think it would ever happen again.”
“But it did.”
Melanie crossed her arms, rubbing her hands up and down her forearms as though to warm herself. “Yes. It’s not usually as bad as last night.”
“Have you been hospitalized before?”
Melanie hesitated before answering. “Twice. Once with a broken arm – I told them I slipped on some ice. And once with cracked ribs – that time I said I had fallen off a horse.” She smiled sadly. “I haven’t been on a horse since I was twelve.”
“Then there’s a history there, Melanie. Your previous injuries would help to support your accusations.”
“There isn’t going to be an accusation. It’s not just what Carl does for a living or who he knows. It’s who he is. He’s sworn to me that if I ever tried to leave him, he would track me down and kill me and our baby.”
“Do you believe him? Do you think he would actually kill you and his own child?”
Melanie’s eyes filled with tears. “I think he’s capable of it. And I’m not going to take the chance.”
“Has he ever hurt the baby?”
“Not yet.”
Kate reached down and took Melanie’s hand. “You know it’s only a matter of time. Eventually he’s going to lose his temper with your child. And even if he never does, she’ll still be exposed to his violence towards you. Do you want her to grow up in that kind of environment?”
“I just want her to grow up, period. As long as I stay with him, I can try to protect her. If I leave him…” Melanie shook her head. “I can’t take that risk.”
Kate opened her mouth to reply, but stopped when she heard a sound behind her. Before she even turned around, she knew who was there. The fear on Melanie’s face told her everything.
Kate pushed back the chair and stood, turning to face the man she had seen a hundred times on TV and in the newspaper. She watched as he took in her uniform and then turned to his wife, manufacturing a look of concern on his face. “Darling, are you all right? I got home and Jackie was there with the baby. She told me you fell down the stairs. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there.”
He turned to Kate and extended his arm. “Officer, I’m Carl Martin. May I have a word with my wife alone, please?”
Kate ignored his gesture. “Actually, sir, I’d like to have a word with you first. May we step outside?”
She waited, watching as he hesitated. She could tell he wanted desperately to know what Melanie had told her. Finally, he turned and she followed him out of the room.
Kate pointed to an empty waiting area. “We can go in here, sir.”
“What is it, Officer? I’d really like to be with my wife.”
Kate stood her ground, leaning close to the man, getting into his space as though he were just another common criminal. “You and I both know what really happened to your wife. She did not fall down the stairs. You did this to her.”
She saw the fury in his eyes. “Did she tell you that?”
“No, she denies it. She’s sticking to her story, but I know she’s lying. The injuries she has are inconsistent with falling down stairs.”
The district attorney’s mouth curved into a vulgar smile. “And you’re some sort of medical expert, are you?”
“I have eyes, and I’ve seen enough domestic abuse cases to recognize one when I see it.” Kate jabbed her finger at the man. “I don’t care who you are. If you ever touch her again, I will haul you in.”
“Try it, and I’ll have you thrown off the force so fast you won’t know what hit you.” His hand reached out to touch her shield. “Officer Bynum, badge number 4033. I think I’m going to have a little chat with your supervisor about your insubordination.”
“You do that, sir. And I will tell him what really happened last night. That you beat your wife so badly, she could have died.”
“I will deny that and my wife will deny that. You have no proof. The best thing for you to do is to forget about last night and go back to your little beat – while you still have a job.” He leaned forward, his breath hot in her face. “You do not want to mess with me. I will crush you.”
He turned and stormed out of the waiting room. Kate sank into a lounge chair, clasping her hands together to keep them from shaking. God, what did I just do? she thought. My first year on the force is going to be my last.