“I understand, Sarge.” Mary talked to Deputy Jonathan as they stood Wilbur up and said, get him dressed and then read him his Miranda rights.”
“What am I being arrested for,” He yelled out angrily.
Mary said, “Right now, we are taking you in for several charges, including rape.”
“I didn’t rape her! Tell them, Claire!”
Claire looked at me and she knew if she said it wasn’t rape and that it was consensual sex, our marriage was over. My wife was not a complete idiot and remained silent but continued to cry uncontrollably.
Mary gave her a robe, took her by the arm and whispered into her ear, “Honey, it’s going to be alright. Come with me and I’ll fix you up.”
The Interview
Mary brought Claire downstairs into the family room, brought her a warm washcloth and wiped her tears as Claire sat there with her knees against her chest and arms wrapped around them. Shaking, she sat trying to comprehend the whirlwind of activity over the last thirty minutes.
“Are you okay? Can I get you anything?” Claire just shook her head and sat there ashamed, scared, and sobbing.
“Look Claire, this won’t look good for you or your husband but maybe I can help you here. I’ll do a field interview with you which means you won’t have to come down to the station. The last thing I want to do is embarrass you or Sergeant Carter.”
“Thank you, Mary. What’s going to happen to Wilbur?”
“Right now, they are taking him to lockup. They will interrogate him and compare your stories. So, you need to be honest with me and I’ll help you, okay?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Okay, how did Wilbur get into your home? I mean, if he didn’t break in, how did he end up in your bed?”
That question made Claire squirm in her chair and couldn’t look at Mary. All the guilt and embarrassment finally became real and something she would have to face. She really did not want to answer that question because it would clearly reveal her adultery.
Mary saw her hesitation and pressed her for an answer. “Clarie, I’m here to help you sweetheart. I understand how hard this is, but you need to work with me. Now, how did he get into the house? Did he force his way in?”
In a voice so low Mary had to lean in to hear her response, “No, it wasn’t like that. He came into the house with me.”
Mary dramatically sat back in her chair, and let that statement sink in, making sure Claire felt the heaviness of her statement. She then knew for certain that Claire was having an affair with the councilman, Wilbur, the man everyone thought was going to be the next mayor. The macho jerk that thought he was god’s gift to women and overall, an asshole.
She sighed, leaned forward and continued. “So, you let him in and there was no break in. Is that correct?”
“Yes,” she answered with her head looking down at the floor, hating herself for her betrayal. Claire put her head in her hands and started sobbing again. “Yes, I let him in.”
“Thanks Claire, I know this is hard but that’s helpful. Your honesty may have already helped the councilman with your testimony.” Mary was good at her job, and made Claire feel a little at ease knowing she was helping.