A Changed Life (24 page)

“Is he up yet? Det. Westphall questioning the doctor treating Michael. Dr. Donaldson replied, “He’s beginning to come around, but still a bit groggy.”

“My partner and I need to question him.”

“Due to the injury he sustained to the back of the head, I can’t give you a guarantee on how lucid he will be. It may be difficult for him to answer your questions detective.”

Det. Lewis answered, “We will take our chances doctor. We’ve waited long enough and we have a warrant.”

My vision was blurry as I opened my eyes. I was struggling to focus on my surroundings. On top of my pounding headache, I took notice that my hand was handcuffed to the bedrail. My door flew opened, and two people walked in along with who I could only assume to be my doctor. The woman was scowling at me, while the other in his cheap suit smirked.

“Hello, Michael, I’m Dr. Donaldson. I’ll give you an exam, and then I will leave you with these two detectives who are here to speak with you.”

“My head hurts.”

“I’m sure it does. You suffered two blows to the back of your head, resulting in a serious concussion. You have twelve stitches in total. Your ribs are not broken, just bruised. They may be tender and should heal in several weeks.”

“Gee, thanks doc, is that all?” My doctor ignored my comment and left me with the detectives.

“Enjoy your nap?” the male detective asked me.

“You’re fucking hilarious, dude,” was all I managed to say, earning yet another dirty look from the woman.

“I’m Detective Westphall and this is my partner Detective Lewis. We are here to place you under arrest for the sexual assault on one Nicolette Elizabeth Vanelle, and the physical assault on Clayton St. Clair. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say, can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Michael St. Clair, do you understand the rights I have just read to you?”

“Yes,” I replied.

“With these rights in mind, do you wish to speak to me?”

I remained silent as I understand what was happening.

“Mr. St. Clair, I will ask you again, with these rights in mind, do you wish to speak with me? We can talk now or down at the station.”

“I understand and will talk to you now,” I responded. The detectives began questioning me, when they were interrupted by my lawyer.

“Do not say another word, Michael. My client will not be answering any questions today. I need to see the warrant.” Detective Westphall handed over the warrant and waited while my lawyer perused the document.

“John, I will cooperate with the cops. I have nothing to hide.”

“Michael, you don’t understand what you are saying right now.”

“Yes, I do, John. Once I explain this misunderstanding, all will be cleared up.”

Detective Lewis began to speak, “Mr. St. Clair, you are being charged with sexual assault, and are being accused of raping Nicolette Vanelle, on the evening of December 12
^th
, 2008.”

“I didn’t hurt Nicolette. I love her. She is my life. I would never hurt her for anything in the world.”

“Ms. Vanelle gives a different account on the events that took place that night.” Detective Lewis continued to question me. My answers were the same, telling the detectives I loved her, and would never hurt her. I went as far as saying that it was our first time together. I explained that anytime we argued, she would run away to avoid talking with me.

The night on the boat was no different. I was taken by surprise and never expected her to hit me.

“I forgive Nicolette, and we will move on from this unfortunate mishap.

Detective Lewis put her hands up in shock on how I calmly explained my version on the night in question. “Mr. St. Clair, you call raping a young girl a mishap?”

“I did not rape Nicolette! We had a fight, and things got out of hand. Now release me from this handcuff.”

“I’m afraid we can’t do that, Answered Det. Westphall. First thing in the morning, you will be taken into police custody.” They walked out without saying another word to me.

“Amy, I don’t believe this guy. He actually is going to try to play the mental card. If he thinks that what he did to that girl was consensual, then we have one mixed up individual on our hands. St. Clair is more dangerous and delusional than we thought. Keep security on his door. No one is to be permitted in without approval, from either me or you. I don’t care how many lawyers his rich father has on retainer, no one is to enter this room.”

I was wide awake and feeling better after another hot shower. This time I didn’t scrub off all my skin. Dr. Jonas was waiting to speak with me, as I came out of the bathroom.

“Hi, Nicolette, how are you feeling today?”

How can I even begin to answer her question? I sighed and simply said, “My body is still a bit sore.” Anything else would have been a lie. My heart was broken and my mind was still reeling from what has happened to me.

“It will take a few weeks before all the tenderness subsides. If you are feeling up for a talk, I wanted to discuss a few things with you if I may?”

Shrugging my shoulders, “Okay.”

“As I have explained to you, Nicolette, we took many samples from you on the night you were brought into the hospital. We collected blood, and semen samples from you. Your fingernails had Mr. St. Clair’s D.N.A. under them, along with hair and fibers from him.”

I sat quietly and listened to Dr. Jonas give me a detailed account of my rape, like it was the most natural topic to discuss.

“Nicolette, he didn’t wear a condom. You will have to be tested for S.T.D’s along with a pregnancy test. When was your last menstrual cycle?” My mind went blank. I think I said before Thanksgiving, but it was just a blur to me.

“Nicolette, I have to make you aware that you could be pregnant if you were ovulating at the time of your attack. We will just have to wait until it is the right time to test to be sure. I would like to put you in contact with the Rape Abuse and Incest National Network also known as R.A.I.N.N. You would be able to get some help and support by a professional counselor. Do you know the organization I’m referring to?” she asked.

I replied, “Yes I do.”

“Do you have any questions you’d like me to answer?” Fighting back the tears I knew were going to fall if she didn’t leave soon, I just shook my head no.

“I’ll let you get some rest.” Dr. Jonas, giving me a sympathetic smile as she exited my room. I took the card and the information packets Dr. Jonas handed to me.

I began to silently cry as I held the brochures in my hand. How did I get here? A few days ago I was blissfully happy, and now I’m in the hospital recovering from being raped.

I want to scream at the top of my lungs as to why this happened, but I have no voice. Shoving it all away, I try to close my eyes and sleep when I hear raised voices outside of my room. My parents were arguing again, no doubt about me. I put my head phones on and blasted my I pod to drown them out.

“You did what, Christina?”

“I had to call Jack. He had a right to know, Mason!”

“Christina, you can’t even begin to comprehend the catastrophic mistake of what you’ve done by calling my brother. Oh my god! Jack is going to be out of his mind and lose all control.” Just then the look on my mother’s face explained it all. My father could feel his presence slowly approaching him. Turning around my father faced dark brown piercing eyes of Uncle Jack, glaring back at him with anger and coldness.

Not one word was spoken between the brothers when Uncle Jack, lunged forward at my father pinning him to the wall. My mother cried out to stop him, but her efforts were futile against the brawny man that stood before her.

“How could you let this happen to my girl? How could you?” His voice was menacing, while still clutching my father’s throat.

“Jack, get your hands off of him!” My mother screamed at Jack. Security officers were rushing toward them. My mother explained the “
misunderstanding”
to the security guards, and they were allowed to remain in the hospital. My father fell to the floor gasping for air, as Jack just tightened his fists. Standing back on his feet and supported by my mom at his side, dad just let out some calming breaths. Trying to keep her voice down from the now curious onlookers that were in the hall. Mom tried to reason with Uncle Jack.

“Jack, I didn’t call and tell you about Nicolette, so you could fly out here to beat the hell out of your brother. What the hell is wrong with you?” My mother asked, and slapped his chest.

“How did you expect me to be, Christina? You all avoid my calls for days, and then when you finally do call me, I’m told that my beautiful girl has been raped by some animal. How the hell did you think I was going to react? You should know me better than that.”

“I didn’t think this way, Jack,” My mother answered.

“If you thought I was going to be anything else, than you don’t know me at all woman. I love that girl more than my own life!” After the hallway brawl, all three left the hospital to speak in private. They had put a large enough show on already, and didn’t want to call any more attention to themselves.

“Mason, I need to see Nicolette. She needs to know that I’m here.”