The Accomplice Game

My wife said two men had assaulted her. But the crime lab found three male DNA profiles in samples taken from her body. I hadn't had sex with her that day.

As the police pressed her for answers, her account began to get vague. Chapter 1 I was half asleep when the phone rang. I glanced at the digital clock on the living room wall.

It was almost one in the morning. My wife still wasn't home. The phone kept ringing, the screen showing an unknown number.

In the dead silence of the night, it sounded especially shrill.

Uneasy, I answered. “Hello, this is Detective Timothy Burke with the New York City Police Department's Special Victims Division.

Am I speaking to Frank Graham, Andrea Lawson's husband?” “Yes.” “Is this a good time to talk?

Is anyone else with you?” “I can talk.” His voice was steady. “I'm sorry to inform you that your wife, Andrea, has been involved in an assault case in our jurisdiction.

Her life is not in danger, but we need a family member to come in and assist us.” “All right.” “Please go to Eastmere Medical Center immediately.

A female officer will be waiting for you at the entrance to the emergency observation unit on the third floor. She'll explain the situation when you arrive.

Please keep this private for now to avoid causing your wife further distress. Thank you.” I asked for more details, but Detective Burke wouldn't answer.

He only repeated that I needed to get to the designated place at the hospital as soon as possible. We would discuss everything else in person.

I still had questions, but he'd already hung up. When I called back, I got a busy signal. My heart hammered so hard it felt as though it might burst out of my chest.

A terrible sense of foreboding rose from deep inside me. I rushed to the hospital, frantic. I identified myself.

Before I could see my wife, a male officer in his early thirties came over. “I'm Detective Burke.

I spoke to you on the phone.” I fought to contain my anxiety and keep my voice steady. “How is my wife?” “Try not to worry. Her life isn't in danger.

A female colleague of mine is with her in the lounge.” “Was she…?” I made a vague gesture, struggling to get the words out.

Detective Burke nodded and motioned for me to follow him down the hall. “Yes. I'm sorry. Your wife was sexually assaulted.” “Where? When?

Do you have any leads?” I couldn't stop my voice from shaking. I had a thousand questions. “We've only just begun investigating.

Your wife's examination is finished, and she asked to see you. Please come with me.” The door was gently pushed open.

My wife was huddled in the farthest corner of a couch, wrapped in a beige blanket. Almost every strand of hair was hidden beneath it.

Only her blank eyes showed, seeming to stare at an invisible stain somewhere on the ceiling. Now and then, a tiny, uncontrollable shudder rippled through the blanket.

She was trembling with fear. I wanted to go over and hold her, but the female officer taking her statement gave me a look, signaling me to stay to one side.

Her voice was gentle. “Could you describe them again? The people who…assaulted you.” My wife sniffled.

She seemed to be crying. “How many were there?” the officer asked. “A moment ago, you said you thought there were three. Is that right?” My wife lifted her head out of the blanket.

Chapter 2 There was a dark bruise beside her eye. Her injured lips were purple, cracked, and peeling.

They moved several times before she managed the faintest whisper. “Yes…no…” My heart clenched. “No…it was two…yes, two men…” I leaned against the cold wall, digging my nails into my palm.

A sharp pain shot through my chest. I could barely stay on my feet. So there had been two. I couldn't bear to imagine how much my wife, the woman I cherished, had suffered.

Andrea saw me and held out both hands, breaking into sobs. “Honey…I'm sorry…” I rushed over and held her, reassuring her softly. “Shh. There's nothing to be sorry for.

This wasn't your fault.” A nurse came in. “Emergency contraception. She needs to take this.” The sight of the box set Andrea off again.

Her eyes filled with terror, and she bristled like a frightened cat. “Poison!

I won't take it, I won't, I won't…I won't!” I checked with the nurse. “This medication is still effective if she takes it within twentyfour hours, right?” “Yes.” I considered that. “Then let's hold off.

I'll find a way to get her to take it tomorrow.” Once she heard she didn't have to take it, Andrea calmed down.

As I patted her back in a steady rhythm, she actually drifted off to sleep. By the time the medical staff had settled her in a private room, I was exhausted.

But Detective Burke's questions kept coming.

He seemed determined to get to the bottom of everything. “What time did you finish work?” “Six.” “What time did you get home?” “Around ten thirty.” “Oh?

Why so late?” “I'd arranged to play mahjong with some friends I hadn't seen in a long time.

I would have stayed even later, but I was worried about my wife, so I left fairly early.” “Just out of curiosity, what were the stakes?” I was a little surprised by the question, but answered honestly. “Two hundred dollars if the tile you discard lets another player win.” Detective Burke raised his eyebrows.

I wasn't showing off. Everyone at the table was part of the local business community, after all. Play for too little and people would laugh at you.

I'd even put my Audi keys on the table as collateral, worried I wouldn't have enough money in my digital wallet. The Audi was only one of my cars.

There were several more expensive ones in my garage, but the Audi was my favorite. Understated. Nothing flashy.

It suited me perfectly. “Did you call your wife between leaving work and getting home?” I checked my call history.

My wife had called at five thirty to say she was having dinner out and I shouldn't worry about her. I'd called her at eight thirty.

She'd said she was feeling down and wanted to talk with her friends a little longer before coming home.

Detective Burke considered this. “When you got home that night, your wife wasn't back, but you didn't contact her. You'd only called at eight thirty.

Weren't you worried?” I was getting angry. Was he treating me like a suspect? Andrea had been in a bad mood lately. She often stayed out until eleven or midnight.

Ask one question too many and she'd go crazy over the phone. Yes, I was a traditional man. I'd rather put up with a woman's tears than her hysteria.

Besides, there were cameras everywhere these days. The city was actually quite safe. I really hadn't been that worried. Later, I'd been so tired that I'd drifted off.

I explained all this to him.

Chapter 3 Then I added, “My wife isn't the type to bring her bad moods home.” “Can anyone confirm you were home between ten thirty and one in the morning?” I thought for a moment. “The security guard downstairs in our building.

I gave him a cigarette when I got home, and I didn't go out again. He should remember.” “How is your marriage?” “Good. Our friends and family all know how much I love my wife.

Every holiday, birthday, or anniversary, I buy her a designer bag or designer jewelry.

I've never missed one.” Detective Burke gave no indication of what he thought. “How often have you been having sex lately?” I considered it. “A fairly regular two or three times a week.” He didn't look entirely convinced.

His gaze seemed to hook into me. “When was the last time you had sex?” I thought back. “This Wednesday.” “Just to confirm, you didn't have sex on the day of the assault?” “That's right.” “I'm sorry.

We have to ask detailed questions in sexual assault cases. I hope you understand.” I nodded. He turned to his colleague and spoke quietly. “Focus on their social connections.

Anyone with a history of sex offenses, acquaintances who've had trouble with either the husband or the wife…” That was the end of the questioning for the time being.

The next afternoon, the same two officers returned. My wife suddenly said she'd been in terrible pain all over the day before, especially in her head.

She might have remembered it wrong. She thought there had been three attackers. Three or two—it hurt me just the same. I didn't really care about the number.

I only wanted her to get better soon. Detective Burke narrowed his eyes. “Ms. Lawson, please think carefully.

How many people were there?” Then he said they'd obtained the surveillance footage. There had been two attackers, not three.

I interrupted. “Are you sure it was two?” “The footage is quite clear. From beginning to end, there are only two people. We can't rule out other accomplices, though. Ms.

Lawson, do you remember being assaulted before or after this incident?” The crime lab's results showed three male DNA profiles in samples collected from my wife's body.

Unfortunately, none of the profiles matched anything in the database. The female officer spoke gently to my wife. “Try to think back again.

Whether there were two or three, what did each of them look like?” Andrea bit her lip and shot me a quick glance, so distressed she was on the verge of sobbing. “You're certain there was DNA from…three people?” she asked quietly.

The officer nodded. “Yes. Do you remember something?” Andrea shook her head. “My head still hurts.

I can't remember clearly.” “It's all right,” the officer reassured her. “Take your time.” Standing beside her, I spoke as though it took a great deal of resolve. “Honey, don't worry.

Don't think about me. Tell them anything you remember.” Andrea looked at me. There seemed to be tears in her eyes.

She gave an almost imperceptible shake of her head, as though she'd reached a decision too. “I remembered it wrong before.

I think it was just two.” But what about the third person's DNA? Everyone was looking at Andrea now.

Chapter 4 Detective Burke fixed Andrea with a sharp gaze. “Is there something you need to tell us?” Andrea spoke. “The third person's DNA…is probably my lover's.” I gave a violent shudder and stared at her in disbelief.

Her profile was rigid, her eyes vacant. There was a martyr's despair about her. “I…I've been having an affair.

For a while now.” My wife went on in a flat voice, as if she were reading someone else's script. “That afternoon, I made an excuse to go out. I met him, and we had sex.

Then he left. Afterward, I felt so tired that I fell into a deep sleep. When I woke up, it was already eleven at night. I hurried to get dressed and go home.

I never imagined that on the way, I'd run into…something like that.” My heart jolted. I felt a jumble of emotions.

Detective Burke's gaze was intense. “Why didn't you tell us this yesterday?” Andrea frowned, a trace of embarrassment showing on her face. “I'm a woman.

How am I supposed to talk about something like this?” “What's your lover's name?” Andrea shook her head. “I don't want to say.” Detective Burke's expression was stern. “This is a criminal investigation.

You can't just tell us this person exists and then refuse to tell us who he is.” Andrea bit down hard on her lip.

She still insisted that her lover had nothing to do with any of this, so there was no need to give his name.

Finally, pushed too far, she broke down sobbing. “My husband hasn't even said anything! Why do you have to dig into every last detail? Haven't I been through enough already?

Do you have to humiliate me in front of everyone too?

Your priority should be catching those two rapists as soon as possible!” Detective Burke's sharp gaze swept over Andrea. “We want to catch the suspects as soon as possible too.

But Ms. Lawson, you're lying.” I felt a jolt of alarm