The cab pulls up in front of the police station, and Liz pays the driver before going around to help Natasha get out.
Her friend looks smaller than usual and there is a gray cast to her skin Liz hadn’t noticed at the hospital. But there’s no stopping her, so she just helps, slamming the door and waving at the driver.
Liz follows Natasha through the doorway and to the front desk where she leans on the counter waiting for the officer to hang up the phone.
“No, he won’t be back on until tomorrow. Yes, that’s right. Thank you.” He hangs up the phone and takes in the two girls. “Can I help you ladies?”
Natasha nods. “Yes, I’m here to see Detective Lewis.”
He shakes his head, “I’m sorry ma’am, she’s busy at the moment. Do you have an appointment?”
“No, no appointment, but I need to see her now.” Natasha repeats quietly but firmly.
“Are you the lady who called earlier?” he asks, getting it.
“No,” Liz tells him, “That was me. I was trying to keep her in the hospital.”
“I need to see Detective Lewis.”
Shaking his head in frustration, “I’m sorry ma’am, that’s just not possible.”
“Why can’t you just tell her I’m here.”
“I will, as soon as she comes out.”
“And how long will that be?”
“I don’t know. When she does.”
“And in the mean time she’s questioning the one guy I know didn’t attack me. How would you feel if that was you in there?” she frowns at him.
“What are you talking about, lady?”
“How would you like to spend an evening being interrogated about a rape you didn’t do while a witness who could clear you was cooling their heels in the lobby? Wouldn’t you rather …” suddenly all the colour just falls from Natasha’s face and her eyes roll back as she collapses in a heap on the marble floor.
“Natasha!” Liz drops to the floor, cradling Natasha’s head.
The officer comes out from behind the desk. Liz looks up. “Is there someplace she can lay down?”
“You said she was in the hospital?”
“Yes, she’s the one who was attacked at Christie. Look, the floor is cold. Can we find a chair for her or something? She has to talk to Detective Lewis. If she can talk to Lewis, I can convince her to get back to the hospital.” Liz looks earnestly at the young officer. “Please?”
“Here, let’s get her off the floor.” He helps Liz carry Natasha to an empty office, and settle her into a high backed swivel chair with arms.
The officer goes to find Lewis.
Natasha opens her eyes as the door closes behind him. “It worked, huh?”
Liz stares at her. “I can’t believe you faked that.”
“Not fake, I just stopped holding myself together and let go. Guess I’m in worse shape than I thought. Sitting is better anyway.”
“Look, Nat, we have to get you back to the hospital.”
Natasha sets her jaw, shaking her head. “Not until Boris is out of trouble.”
“He’s a big strong boy, and in case you haven’t noticed, you’re sick as a dog.”
“I’m not sick, I’m hurt. And Boris did not hurt me, I’m telling you, and I won’t be able to rest if I’m worried about Boris.”
“But you can’t know …”
“Yes, I can. We had a big fight, right. Who hit who? I hit him Liz, he didn’t raise a finger, don’t you get it? He would never hurt me on purpose. Never.”
The door opens and Lewis comes into the room.
“You look as though you should still be in the hospital Ms. Panov.”
“Natasha.”
“I don’t understand what you’re doing here. You couldn’t identify your attacker, so we’re following leads. You need to let us do our job and you do your own by going back and getting well.”
“It wasn’t Boris.”
Lewis lightens up, “Look, I understand you want to help but you didn’t see the man who attacked you, and we need to follow up all leads. That sad fact is that most attackers know their victims. They attack people they know. You were probably hit on the head so that you couldn’t make an identification.”
Natasha holds up her hand. “I know all that. And Liz told me much the same thing but I know it wasn’t Boris. I’ve been trying to figure out how I know it and I’ve just now figured it out.”
Lewis crosses her arms, clearly skeptical. “Why do you think it wasn’t Mr. Horvat?”
“Because I know what he smells like. Look, you have to understand, Bo is my best friend. We’re together all the time. I know what he smells like when he’s just had a shower and I know what he smells like when he’s had a few too many or he’s stinking up the world after an all nighter. It was not Boris who attacked me, it was somebody who smells different. You have to let him go.”
Lewis cocks her head, “What kind of smell?”
Natasha frowns. “I’m not sure. Just that it wasn’t Bo. It was somebody else and you need to catch the guy. Look I don’t want the asshole to get off, but I want it to be the real asshole in jail.”
“It would help a lot if you could give some idea.”
“I don’t know, I’ll think about it. Look, the nurse said they did a rape test when I was still out of it. Can’t you check the DNA or something?”
Lewis nods, “Yes, Ms. Panov, we can and we will. Your Mr. Horvat is providing a sample right now, but it will be weeks before we have results.”
“So he’s giving you a sample? Volunteering it, right?”
Lewis nods. “Why can’t you just let him go then? I know it wasn’t him. Why won’t you believe me?”
“Victims are often unhelpful when they’re in an abusive relationship.”
Natasha looks at her.
“Oh. I get it.” Sighs deeply. How does she do this? Fidgeting, staring intently at the floor, “I’m not in an abusive relationship. Boris is my best friend. It’s the most important relationship I have but that’s what it is, friendship. And I’ve never heard of an abusive friendship.”
Lewis frowns, “That’s not what everyone else thinks.”
“I know. I kind of wanted it that way. But Boris and I are not involved romantically and never will be. Because I’m gay.”
Lewis nods. “Ah.”
Liz looks confused. “But, everybody saw you kiss Boris.”
Afraid to even look at Liz, Natasha answers quietly, “Uh, no. Boris kissed me. Boris was trying it romantic. That’s why I decked him, ’cause he kissed me and didn’t let go.”
“All the more reason he should be a suspect.” says Lewis.
“You don’t know him. He’s big and he looks tough but he’s the sweetest guy I’ve ever met. If it was Boris, I would know.”
“I’ll cut him loose for now, but he is still very much a suspect. You can be sure that if the DNA evidence says different–.”
“It won’t,” Natasha says.
“Alright. Wait here.” Lewis leaves to see about Boris.
“I’m sorry, Natasha. I didn’t realize,” Liz says Liz.
“Yeah, I know.”
“We can still be friends, though, can’t we?”
“Sure we can. Um. Have you ever known anybody gay before?”
“Well, Not officially. I’ve got an uncle who might be, but he’s not saying, it wouldn’t go over well in a small town.”
“Well, I was stupid enough to come out to my parents when I graduated from high school. My mom couldn’t get me on a plane fast enough to the farthest away school she could think of. So. I just decided not to be anything. Celibate. It was like fate to meet Boris because we just clicked, you know?”
“Well,” smiles Liz, “Of course it was fate. He’s Boris and you’re Natasha.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Boris thought it was funny.”
“Uh, um, does this mean you’re coming out of the closet?”
“Yeah. Everyone at school assumed Boris and I were a couple, and that gave me some protection, but if it hurts Boris it’s gotta stop.” Natasha rubs her eyes with her sleeve. “It’s my fault he’s in here. Even though it was kind of accidental I… guess I’ve kind of lead Boris on. I know that’s no excuse but, oh I’m too tired and everything hurts. So tired.” Natasha’s head droops back on the chair. Asleep.
