Melissa took diligent notes, interjecting with questions when she needed something clarified, and as she talked, Jamiegained confidence. The story was just as Cass had heard it in the dorm, so it was a relief she hadn’t thought to seek, hearing the consistency. Melissa coaxed more specific details from her, and though Jamie blushed, she pushed through, describing exactly where Sig’s hands went, where he’d left bruises, and confessing that he hadn’t worn a condom.
Melissa’s brows lifted at that, expression turning eager before she smoothed it. “When you showered,” she said, “did you—”
“No,” Jamie said, hastily, cheeks red, “I didn’t, like, clean up in there.”
“Okay, good. That’s good.”
Melissa asked a few more questions, jotted a few more notes, and then folded her hands together on top of the table. “Let’s talk next steps. I have your statement here, and we’ll obviously go find Sig and get his version of events.”
Jamie groaned, and Melissa held up a hand.
“It’s normal for the man in this situation to claim he did nothing wrong. We’re expecting that, which is why my partner and I will bring him down to the station and really grill him. The most important thing right now is to establish that you had physical contact with him, and that he left bruises on your body, and hopefully DNA. You’ll need to go to the hospital and have a rape kit done.”
Cass braced herself for Jamie to refuse, but she nodded instead. “Okay. What does that involve?”
“It won’t be fun,” Melissa said, face apologetic, “but it won’t be any more invasive than a pap smear. The nurse will check under your nails, too, and photograph your bruises.”
Jamie nodded again, and chewed at her lip.
“I’ll give you a ride,” Melissa offered, her smile kind. “Walk you through it. Okay?”
Jamie tugged her hoodie sleeves down over her hands and stacked them one on top of the other. “Okay,” she echoed, faintly.
From under the notepad, Melissa produced an official police form, and slid it across to Jamie along with a pen. She angled the pad so Jamie could read her tidy handwriting. “Here’s an official statement form. Write down exactly what happened—you can refer to the notes here if you need to—and then sign and date it. I’ll be right back.” She stood, and caught Cass’s eye. “Cass, can I have a word in the hall?”
They didn’t just go into the hall, but to the very end of the hall, well out of earshot should Jamie get up, cross the conference room, and press her ear to the door. When they were alone, Melissa turned to her with her hands propped on her hips, her expression sharp and serious now, all traces of gentleness gone.
“Okay. What’s the deal?” she asked.
Cass could have played dumb.Jamie just told you the deal. But it was more than a little flattering to be pulled aside and looked to for the real story.
“Do you believe her?” Melissa continued. “She seems credible, but is she honest in general?”
“She is, and I believe her.” Cass sighed. “And, really, the whole thing’s my fault.”
Melissa’s brows shot up in a silent demand for an explanation.
“Sig’s a rich wanker. Really, I knew that all along, but he’s popular, everyone flocks to him.” She made a helpless gesture and Melissa nodded.
“I know the type.”
“I didn’t reallywant himwant him, you know? But he invited me to this party, and everyone who’s anyone in the art program was going to be there, so I went. Jamie wassuper excited about it. She said if I went, and I made a good impression, then maybe I could invite her along next time. Jamie really liked Sig. She had a boyband crush on him.”
“I’m failing to see how this is your fault so far.”
“I’m getting to that. I went to the party last weekend, and I was there only half an hour, and had three sips of punch, and my head wasswimming. I could barely stand up. I felt like I’d drunk a whole fifth of vodka.”
Melissa’s brow furrowed.
“I went outside, and I called Shep to come and pick me up.”
Her expression cleared with relief.
“He said I was drugged, not drunk.”
“Christ,” Melissa muttered.
“And he’s convinced it was Sig who did it, but there were loads of people at the party, and I said anyone could have done it. I didn’t want to accuse anyone of something without proof. Which is why”—she winced— “I didn’t tell Jamie what happened when I got back to my dorm the next day.
