Cut Too Deep (52 page)

Miller and Don escorted Hadley into the restaurant’s kitchen. Customers and staff had been cleared out.

“You two will need to give a statement. Can you meet me at the station? I’ll be right behind you.” They both nodded. “Miller, there’s a ton of press out front already. I called Antonio. He and Armonno will be here soon to escort you out. ”

Miller thanked the detective. Hadley looked through the door to see Harold Duwatski being escorted away in handcuffs.

They spent hours at the station recounting the details of the evening. At one point, Miller threatened legal action if they continued asking the same questions repeatedly. Once free to go, Hadley refused to go the emergency room, much to Miller’s annoyance. He thought she needed stiches. His hand didn’t appear to be broken and he conceded, knowing he wouldn’t convince her.

Hadley fell asleep on the way home. Miller carried her from the car all the way to the bedroom and tucked her in. He undressed and slid under the covers with her, drawing her body close. Knowing Duwatski was locked away eased his mind, and he drifted to a sound sleep for the first time in weeks.

M
iller awoke to the sound of Hadley’s distant tears. He wandered into the living room to find her on the couch, her hair wet from a recent shower. Tears streamed down her face. She quickly wiped them and pointed the remote at television.

“Look, they know who I am.”

Miller turned his head and saw cell phone footage from last night along with the headline.
Is Miller Genetti’s mystery woman and Harold Duwatski’s accuser one in the same?

He went to her and sat down. When he tried to take the remote from her, Hadley refused.

“No, I want to hear what they’re saying.”

“It will only hurt you.”

Hadley ignored him and continued to stare at the television.

The reporter annoyed Miller. He knew her, and she was a leech when pursuing a story.  “Harold Duwatski was taken into custody last night after an altercation broke out in a public restroom at a popular downtown eating establishment, involving Duwatski, Miller Genetti, and this woman.” A photograph from Meadowbrook appeared on the screen. “Now identified as Hadley Walker, a SoHo resident, and the woman seen groping Miller Genetti during a recent charity event at Meadowbrook. While police are not confirming Ms. Walker is Duwatski’s accuser, witnesses from the restaurant are claiming she is. This story begs the question…are the charges against Duwatski part of a love triangle gone very wrong? Or perhaps, the accuser in this case is truly scorned by Duwatski and seduced Mr. Genetti when the well ran dry. Stay tuned right here for the latest details as this bizarre case continues to unravel.”

Miller swiped the remote and shut off the television. He threw it at the wall. It shattered into bits of flying plastic.

“I can’t watch anymore, and neither should you. It’s trash. I have a good mind to file a lawsuit.”

Hadley stared at the floor, silent.

“I want to tell my story. Right now.” He looked at her with doubt. “I’m serious. What do I have to lose? The only way to squash the rumors is to tell my side of things. Let everyone know exactly what that monster did to me.”

“If that’s what you want to do, I’ll call Sophia and have her make the arrangements.”

“It is.”

At every turn, with every new challenge, Hadley continued to amaze him.

Detective Don McAllister stood in front of members of the press at a wood podium. He briefed them on the arrest of Harold Duwatski and announced an arraignment hearing would take place the following morning. Then, he introduced the victim.

Hadley’s trembling fingers gripped the edge of the podium. She leaned forward toward the bouquet of microphones. Sophia Harper stood at her side. Her dry throat made it hard to swallow. Don handed her a bottle of water. After a small sip, she gave it back and returned to the microphones. Hadley hadn’t prepared a speech, but knew she couldn’t discuss the specifics, like the photos and videos or the human trafficking evidence.

“My name is Hadley Walker. I was born Hadley Natalia Rosanov. I was orphaned at eight-years-old and placed in foster care. Harold Duwatski was assigned to my case by the state of New York to act as the guardian of my estate. I was sixteen-years-old the first time I went to see him. For the next five years, he raped me, sodomized me, and abused me. I’ve heard speculation that because I didn’t speak out sooner, I must be a scorned lover and that I had an affair with a married man and now I’m angry.”

Hadley inhaled a courageous breath.

“Well, I am angry. I’m angry that this is the first assumption people make when a woman claims sexual assault. That, as a society, we blame the victim. I didn’t turn him in sooner because he used his power over me to manipulate me, to convince me no one would believe me. Did you hear me? That
no one would believe me?
After close to four years since he’s touched me, when I finally find the courage to speak out, the media proves him right. No one
believes
me, but rather throws out unfounded accusations. Why now? Many of you wonder. In the words of a very good friend, if I can reach at least one other victim, it will be worth it. If one person hears my story and speaks out, or fights back, so they don’t have to live with haunting memories, then every moment of hell that man put me through will have been worth it. My name is Hadley Walker, and I am not afraid.”

Hadley walked away from the podium. Sophia took her place, denying requests for further questions.

Miller put his arm around Hadley and guided her into the station. From behind, the reporters threw out questions, begging for details about their relationship, questions that went unanswered. Her past may be public, but Miller would assure their present remained private.

Hadley, Miller, and Sophia sat in a crowded courtroom awaiting the arrival of Harold Duwatski. The media presence was substantial. Hadley welcomed them, especially after reading this morning’s headlines saluting her courage and taking aim at Duwatski’s character.  It was what Hadley wanted. The more press the better. When her name first released, her only worry had been she would lose her new position with the ballet. Sasha had spoken with the board and assured Hadley her spot was safe.

Duwatski shuffled into the court room in an orange jumpsuit, his hands and feet shackled. His nose was taped, his eyes black and blue. Hadley smiled at the sight. He was finally where he deserved to be. She felt proud in being the one to put him there.

Hadley heard a woman sobbing from behind her. She turned her head and recognized Harold’s wife from the news. Her smile faded. As happy as it made Hadley to finally have justice, his wife was devastated. She was as much a victim of his shameful crimes as Hadley had been.

Duwatski stood before the judge with his attorney at his side. After an opening statement and a few verbal exchanges between counsels, the judge asked Harold Duwatski how he pled. His answer was, “Not guilty.”

There had been a minute part of Hadley that had hoped he would plead guilty, but she wasn’t shocked he didn’t. With the mountain of evidence against her former guardian, Harold still believed he would get away with it, that no one would believe Hadley.

Harold’s attorney asked to exercise his client’s right to a speedy trial. After a few minutes deliberating, the case was added to the court docket. Barring any delays, his trial would begin on November eighteenth.

Miller and Hadley lay naked in bed, their legs intertwined, her head on his chest, his fingers stroking the smooth skin on her arm.

“When is you’re birthday,” Hadley asked.

“April twenty-eighth. When’s yours?”

She glanced up annoyed. Due to his spying, Hadley knew he didn’t need to ask, but she played along. “February fourth.”

“I knew that.” She pinched his side. “Ouch!” Miller laughed.

“Do you think the trial will be over by then? Sophia said it could take months.”

“I’m honestly not sure.”

“I hope so. I hate the thought of his involvement in another year of my life. He’s already had almost two decades.”

Miller hated the thought as well.