There Was a Crooked Man: A Psychological Thriller

by Katrina Morgan

  Katie nodded, seeing the plan more clearly. She twisted her hair around a finger, thinking through the pitfalls. “Let me borrow your phone. I’ll call Nina and put things in motion. It screws up the story if my phone shows I called her first.”

  When Nina’s phone switched to voicemail, Katie launched into her story. “Hey, Nina. It’s Katie. My phone is out of juice, so I’m calling from my friend's phone.”

  Cassie nodded encouragement, waving her hands to keep Katie talking.

  “I need a favor. Can I borrow your uncle’s car on Friday? I’m scheduled to see him anyway. My check engine light’s on, and I need to run a thousand errands. I’ll take him with me, and it’ll be like an adventure. Call me when you get off work. Thanks!”

  When Katie hung up, Cassie gave her a high-five. “See? We’ve got this!”

  “I’m glad you think so. Now, I’ve got to get the papers back from the post office. Shit. Where can I hide them ‘til Friday?”

  “You’ll need proof of address and some of the money, too.”

  At Katie’s confused look, Cassie explained, “New Driver’s license. Driver’s test.”

  “Driving test? Are you kidding me?”

  Cassie shrugged. “Brand new license means test and fees.” She directed Katie to her desk, “Open the middle drawer. There’s a recent social security pay stub. Take it as proof of address.

  Katie opened the drawer and stuffed the paper into her tote. “Fine. One more thing to hide.”

  Cassie was relentless. “Go to the post office, and get the envelope. Drive it to Mr. Parker’s. Hide the envelope at his house, so the documents are where you need them on Friday.”

  Katie smiled. “Great idea. I’ve got to go right now, or I’ll never have enough time. Wish me luck!” Katie yelled, already on her way out the door.

  “Bring the license next time. I wanna see how I look!” Cassie laughed, infused with energy now that a plan was falling into place.

  Katie drove to the post office, mailed Gertie’s stack of Christmas cards, and retrieved the envelope. She headed straight to Mr. Parker’s, kissed him on top of his messy head, and hid the envelope way back under a couch cushion when he wasn’t looking. Alzheimer patients were notorious for moving items to unusual locations. She doubted Nina would look there either. She turned on a movie, locked him safely inside, and skidded out of his driveway.

  Katie drummed her fingers on the steering wheel, willing Nina to call. Sometimes, prayers are answered, and her phone came to life, announcing an incoming call.

  Nina had no problem with Katie borrowing the car. “He’ll love seeing the Christmas displays!”

  Chapter 20

  Friday morning arrived, and Jack naturally questioned Katie’s day, “So, where are you going again? You ran through your schedule so fast, I lost track.” He sipped coffee and waited.

  Yeah, right. You enjoy questioning me, you bastard. Katie’s forced herself to be pleasant. “I’m taking Mr. Parker to get his license plates and registration today. They expire next week, and Nina forgot to renew them online.”

  “So, she naturally asks you to take time out of your schedule to fix her mistake.” Jack slapped his coffee cup on the table, and Katie went on high alert. “You’ve got to stop letting people walk all over you, Katie.”

  His comment was laughable, but Katie kept a straight face. “I’m scheduled there anyway. Nina likes me to drive his car occasionally. Otherwise, it just sits.”

  “Why can’t she drive it, or better yet, sell the thing?”

  “She works all day and takes care of Mr. Parker every night. The car will probably go to her when he passes away.”

  “So, it’s an asset?”

  Katie shrugged.

  Jack nodded once, now admiring Nina’s tactics. “You’ll be home at the normal time?”

  “Yep.” Katie scooted out the door, afraid her face would betray the lie. She was early to Mr. Parkers, which worked out well since his shirt was fastened wrong, and he couldn’t find his shoes. Retrieving the folder from the couch cushion, Katie rushed Mr. Parker out the door. “Mr. Parker and Cassie are out for the day.”

  “Out for the day. Out for the day,” he repeated.

  Katie continued calling herself Cassie in hopes Mr. Parker wouldn’t create a problem at the DMV. That’s all she needed—him to unexpectedly have a lucid moment and call her Katie.

  She held his hand as they worked their way through the line. Jack called, and she fumbled her papers and phone. The waiting area was noisy, confirming her story. Mr. Parker wandered away, and Katie yelled his name. “Mr. Parker! Over here. Come stand by me.” It was enough to convince Jack, and he hung up satisfied.

  When her turn arrived, Katie laid out the necessary documents: Cassie’s state, I.D., birth certificate, social security card, and paystub. “I’d like to get a driver’s license, please.”

  The clerk tapped in the name Cassandra Anne Morrison. “This is your first license?” She frowned. “Nothing from another state?”

  Katie launched into her story, “I was in an accident and spent eight years in recovery. To go from a wheelchair to a driver’s license is a wish come true.” Katie beamed.

  The clerk smiled, “Wow. Good for you. Let me set up the testing. It’ll just take a minute."

  Mr. Parker tried to pull away again. Katie handed him a set of keys. “Can you tell which one of these is for the house?”

  He fiddled with the keys, studying each one.

  Katie shrugged at the clerk. “My uncle has dementia, and I help take care of him.”

  “He drove you here?”

  “God, no!” Katie laughed, coming up with a quick answer. “My cousin dropped us off.” Katie pointed at the Walmart across the street. “She walked over there to do some shopping.”

  The clerk nodded. “You’re all set. You’ll take the Rules of the Road test first.” She pointed towards a door. “Afterward, come back here.” She winked in encouragement.

  Katie pulled Mr. Parker along with her. She gave him a form and a pen. “Can you fill this out, Mr. Parker?” As he sat puzzling over the paper, Katie answered questions concerning speed limits, road signs, and how to handle a spin. Fifteen minutes later, she let out a relieved breath when she heard the test results. “You only missed one. That’s good.”

  Katie paid the thirty-two dollar fee and went back to the license area. She waited for the clerk who’d helped her earlier.

  The woman checked the exam. “Great. I’ll set you up for the driving portion.”

  “The what?”

  “The driving portion. You’ll drive with an officer to show you can properly handle a vehicle.”

  Katie leaned in closer. “Umm.” She looked around nervously. “I can’t leave my uncle by himself. He’ll wander away. Can he ride with us?”

  The clerk frowned and went to find her supervisor. They agreed that due to extenuating circumstances, Mr. Parker could sit in the back seat, so long as he remained quiet.

  Minutes later, a uniformed police officer called her name. “Number 132--Morrison.”

  Katie hurried over. Seeing his badge, Katie thought of the laws she was breaking—fraud, impersonating Cassie, identity theft. Sweat popped out on her forehead.

  The Driving instructor tucked his clipboard under his arm. “Nervous?”

  “Yes.”

  “Don’t worry. It only takes about ten minutes.” He shot a puzzled look towards Mr. Parker.

  “Sorry, he has dementia. I can’t leave him alone. The supervisor said it’s all right if he rides in the back.”

  The instructor frowned. “I’m not sure. Don’t you have someone else with you?”

  “We did.” Katie rolled her eyes. “My cousin dropped us off to go shopping. She was supposed to be back by now. Please don’t make me wait in line again.”

  The instructor glanced at the twelve people waiting and agreed. “Fine. He sits in the back and can’t help you.”

  Katie buckled Mr. Parker into the
back seat and climbed behind the wheel, gripping it so hard it was a wonder it didn’t crack. She drove the route, used her signal, backed up, and manipulated a nearly perfect example of parallel parking.

  Mr. Parker abruptly asked, “Can we get a toy at the store today?”

  Katie looked in the rear-view mirror, “Sure we can, Uncle Parker.”

  The officer smiled. “You passed. You can go get your license.”

  Katie took the eye test, waited for her picture, and paid out another nineteen dollars. At ten minutes before noon, she was as legal as a person using a false name could be.

  With the driver’s license in hand, a jubilant Katie made two more stops. She coaxed Mr. Parker into a local post office, where she made a photocopy of the license to show Cassie. She mixed it with other items in her tote and re-mailed the license and documents to her PO box.

  Next, she headed to a satellite branch of The First Bank of Atlanta and deposited the remaining cash from Cassie into her savings account.

  Once back at the house, Katie propped Mr. Parker in his favorite chair and read him The Night Before Christmas. He recited some of the passages--proof old memories were still in his head.

  He was so pleased with himself, Katie read it a second time. He had, after all, unknowingly helped through a scary day.

  Chapter 21

  The following Tuesday, Katie headed to the Morrisons. She let herself into the house and called out a greeting. No one responded, and she heard Julie crying in their bedroom, and Bob’s muffled voice consoling. Katie tiptoed to Cassie’s bedroom, shocked to find her slumped in her bed. Katie hurried over to pull her into a sitting position, propping her into place. “I leave for a few days and look at you--slouched on the bed, hair a mess,” Katie jested.

  Cassie rallied at the sound of Katie’s voice. “Did you get the license?”

  Katie dug out the copy from her purse and waved it triumphantly in the air. “Look how good you look.” Katie handed over the paper.

  Cassie studied it in earnest. “You changed my eye color.”

  “I had to--yours are brown, mine are green. Lucky for me, the lady never even compared the information to the State I.D.”

  Cassie smiled. “This is great, and you’re right, I look fantastic all things considered.” Surprisingly, tears sprang to Cassie’s eyes. “I wish I could run away with you, and we could be friends forever.”

  Katie reached in and hung on to her friend while they both grieved. Grabbing tissues, Katie handed a pile to Cassie. Once they’d regained their composure, Katie gave Cassie a present. “Merry Christmas!”

  Cassie took her time opening the gift, savoring her last moments. She pulled a filigreed music box free of its container. “It’s beautiful.” She opened the lid, and the timeless chorus from Mariah Carey’s “Anytime You Need a Friend” filled the room.

  Katie leaned in to hear it better, and for a moment, the tiny mirror caught their heads together. Their eyes found each other. “I love you, Katie.”

  “I love you, too. You’re the best friend I could ever have.”

  Katie slipped out when Cassie fell asleep and called Aunt Susan on the way home.

  Susan answered at once, “Hey there, Katie-girl.”

  “Hey, back at you.”

  Aunt Susan heard the ache in Katie’s voice and pounced. “What’s going on, sweetie?”

  “Oh, Aunt Susan, I’m so sad.” Katie filled in the gaps from their last conversation about Cassie. “I’m losing her, and she’s the only friend I have.”

  “I’m so sorry, baby. Losing someone you love is hard. Why dont’cha come see me? Then I can give you a proper hug.”

  That was Katie’s undoing, and the sobs came. “I will.” She sucked in air loudly. “Christmas Day. I promise.” A hiccup escaped.

  Katie tried to listen to Christmas carols after she hung up, but they felt pretentious. She jabbed the radio off and lowered her window, letting the chilly air whip through her hair. The oaks lining the streets were bare of leaves, their skeletal branches jutting skyward. The Forsyth fountain was shut down and covered—no longer jetting water into the air. It added to Katie’s depression.

  At seven a.m. on December twentieth, Katie’s cell phone vibrated across the nightstand. Seeing the Morrison’s number, Katie braced herself and answered, “Is it Cassie?”

  “She passed away last night. We were with her the whole time.” Bob’s voice caught.

  They spoke for a few more seconds with Katie stumbling for the right words. “I loved her so much. I love you and Julie too.”

  Jack had been brushing his teeth when the phone rang and stood in the bathroom doorway, listening. Laying the toothbrush on the dresser, he crossed the room and sat beside Katie. He patted her back and pulled her closer.

  Katie stiffened, waiting for the “I told you so,” or even some sexual comment. When they didn’t come, and Jack simply held her, she was grateful. Sometimes, he was strong enough to be the man she needed.

  Jack tipped her chin up, brushed her hair back from her face. “When’s the funeral?”

  “Day after tomorrow. It’s not like they haven’t had time to prepare. They’re going to do the last respects and service in one day.” She wiped her tears.

  On the day of the funeral, Katie dressed more carefully, choosing a modest black skirt and a plain blouse. She pulled her hair into the elegant chignon she used to wear and minimized the makeup.

  At the church, she waited behind a group of young adults who had formed a circle around the Morrisons. Katie recognized most of them as older versions of the photographs Cassie had placed around her room—friends from high school who’d drifted away. They’ll feel bad about that, Katie sympathized, knowing guilt to be a withering emotion.

  The group thinned, and Katie moved forward. When Bob and Julie saw her, their composure crumbled, and they opened their arms. Katie walked into their welcoming hug full-force, and the three rocked as they had so many times in their kitchen.

  “I’m so sorry,” Katie's voice cracked.

  Julie pulled Katie closer. “We could never have gotten through it without you.”

  Katie embraced them both once more before moving toward an empty seat. As the music began, Cheyenne, Katie’s boss, slid into the pew. She bumped hips with Katie, so she’d make some room.

  “I’m gonna be late for my own funeral someday,” Cheyenne whispered.

  Katie skootched and leaned in for a hug. “You’re right, but I’m glad you’re here now.”

  A slideshow whirled on a screen near the altar, and Katie sat mesmerized, getting to know the little girl her friend had been. She watched in amazement as Cassie turned cartwheels, and rode daredevil style down the street, pedaling fast, with both hands in the air. There was a shot of her with new braces. Another of her dressed in a purple dress ready for the eighth-grade dance. That one got Katie, and she swallowed a sob. Cheyenne dug for Kleenex.

  The priest stood. “Our reading is from Psalms Chapter 139, verses 13-14. For you created my innermost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well.”

  Afterward, Julie climbed the stairs toward the altar as if working her way towards the very gates of hell. She stepped on a stool behind the lectern, wiped away tears, and opened the Bible.

  In a voice, stronger than Katie expected, Julie explained, “I’m reading from Matthew and the story of Jesus and the children. ‘So, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”’

  “Cassie gave us that--a short kingdom of heaven right here on earth. She brought joy to us every day. The greatest compliment any of us can give Cassie is to be like her—selfless, fun, and full of life regardless of circumstances.”

  Julie vi
ewed the congregation and ended her eulogy, “God bless Cassie. She’s at peace and no longer in pain. I hope we can find the will to move forward without her.” With a fresh slew of tears streaming down her cheeks, Julie staggered back to her seat. The congregation concentrated on their shoes, their knees, their hymnals, anywhere but Julie, unwilling to look grief so fully in the face.

  Bob shuffled forward, pulling at his tight collar. Katie instinctively understood his speech would be the hardest. She gripped Cheyenne’s hand hard enough to leave half-moon circles from her nails.

  Bob cleared his throat twice. “Julie and I are blessed. We are. We had twenty-four years with an angel.” He pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his face. “We were given a miracle when she was born and watched her grow. Even after the accident, she was so strong--so willing to give life another chance.” He sniffed into the microphone. “She never complained. Isn’t that amazing? She was a joy to us. She still wanted to be a young woman, listening to crazy music, getting her ears pierced half-a-dozen times, and doing bizarre things with her makeup.”

  Relieved chuckles drifted through the sanctuary.

  “She wanted to fix her hair and be pretty.” His eyes found Katie, and he pushed his lips together and nodded a few times. “I wanted to say something profound, but I keep picturing my little Cassie tucked in for the night. We’d say our prayers, and then she’d beg me to tell her a story.” Bob stepped back a foot or so, licked his lips, and gathered himself. “Because I can’t get that picture out of my mind, I’m going to borrow a few words from Winnie the Pooh. “‘If there is ever a tomorrow that we are not together, there is one thing you should always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart, I will always be with you in the heart.’”

  They were the perfect words for Cassie. And Katie.

  Chapter 22