There Was a Crooked Man: A Psychological Thriller

by Katrina Morgan

  Jenkins interrupted, “I checked local hospitals. There’s nothing. Zilch. Nada for a Kathryn Werner or Jane Doe for Friday or Saturday.”

  Thomas pressed her point, “We should consider previous medical records.”

  Hopkins wrote it on the whiteboard

  Darrow stepped in to handle the next part. “How about work? Who talked to the boss?”

  Randy Fairchild, who was anything but with his dark hair and roly-poly body, spoke up, “Cheyenne McMathews is the supervisor at Comfort Keepers. Katie’s worked there for four years. Always on time. Clients love her. The boss stated the husband called yesterday. He also drives by the office occasionally. I didn’t get the impression McMathews cared for him. She said Katie tended to look drained on Mondays. I pushed to get more detail, but she didn’t have anything to add. I got a list of Katie’s patients from McMathews and tracked them down.” Fairchild thumbed through his notes.

  “Talked to Mrs. Gertrude Taylor. She thinks Katie’s a saint. She didn’t like Jack, who stopped by yesterday. Talked to Mr. Reginald Parker, the man’s got dementia. Bad. He smiled at Katie’s name but never said a word. His niece, Nina Parker, says Katie is a godsend. Amanda Stokely said she and Katie were just ending their sessions, but that Katie is an excellent caregiver and always pleasant. She clearly didn’t care for Jack either, after he stopped there yesterday, too. She has no ideas as to Katie’s whereabouts.

  “The Morrisons—Bob and Julie—hired Katie for six months as an in-home assistant for their daughter, Cassandra. They lost their daughter last year and were still pretty broken up over her death. Bob and Julie couldn’t say enough nice things about Katie. They even pulled out pictures of Katie and Cassie together.”

  The room grew quiet as the officers took in the last sentence.

  Randy continued, “I met with a few other clients Katie had visited over the summer. They were all temporary gigs, and none of them have seen or heard from Katie.”

  Hopkins scrubbed at his face and glared at the room. “What are we missing?”

  Darrow stood to add more detail. “Hopkins and I talked to the aunt, Susan Garrison. She made a few insinuations about Jack too. Otherwise? Nothing.”

  Hopkins remembered another angle. “Get in touch with the in-laws.” He gave the order to the room at large. Hitting the table with his hand, he yelled, “No one walks into a doctor’s office and simply vanishes.”

  Greer flashed him a smile, appreciating the fist to the table move.

  Jenkins muttered into his lap. “The only one acting weird is the husband.”

  All heads nodded.

  “Okay, so we agree the husband is obsessive, but is he our only suspect?” Hopkins ticked events off on his fingers, “Jack makes an insane amount of phone calls trying to find her. He goes to the doctor’s office, the lab, and the mammogram department. He goes to see all her clients and even manages to get the story on TV. He has the life insurance and the banking accounts--not her. He doesn’t act like a guy who harmed his wife.”

  “Maybe he’s covering his tracks?” Jenkins asked

  “Maybe she left him,” Thomas offered.

  “What else do we have? What does that leave?”

  Jenkins chimed in, “The cab company? I watched the video you sent twice today. I got the supervisor on the phone, but he was vague. He said he was at home and didn’t have the routes in front of him. He made noises about requiring a warrant due to privacy issues.”

  Hopkins wrote cab company on the board too. “We need more information.” He pointed to the board. “Jenkins start adding to the warrant reports. Get the DA back on the phone. We need access to all medical records.” He paused, made eye contact with the female officer, and snapped his fingers twice. Remembering her name, he yelled out, “Thomas. Help him get that as soon as possible, and report to Darrow.”

  Jayla smiled, pleased he’d remembered her name.

  Jenkins scribbled and nodded.

  “Ten o’clock news is on,” Fairchild announced, and they turned as a group toward the tv. Mouths opened, and eyes widened at the breaking news story and the additional details concerning Kathryn Werner.

  “How the hell did they get those interviews?” Greer shouted and spun around to glare at Hopkins.

  Hopkins' ears turned a bright shade of red. “We must have been followed.”

  They all quieted down to watch the broadcast

  Katie was glued to the TV, too.

  The reporter recapped the earlier story showing the medical center, her car, the wallet. Added information rolled, and Katie watched footage of her old apartment move across the screen. She swallowed twice when the interviewer asked Renae questions, but when Aunt Susan’s face filled the screen, Katie’s frame folded in on itself. She perched limply on the bed, concentrating on every word. Her hands covered her mouth, and tears slipped down her cheeks as Aunt Susan made eye contact with the camera.

  “She’s exceptional. Please, if you’ve seen her or something suspicious, call the police. Katie, wherever you are, I love you. Stay safe.”

  Katie reached toward the screen, laying her palm against Aunt Susan’s face--making invisible contact. Katie rocked herself, fully understanding she couldn’t call or see Susan for a very long time.

  After the broadcast, Darrow shrugged. “Well, they did some groundwork for us.”

  Thomas spoke up, “What the aunt said about Katie staying safe seems odd, doesn’t it?” She narrowed her eyes, thinking it through.

  A whole new discussion with Jack being the prime suspect started up again.

  Thomas stood with hands on her hips. “I still say Katie left. If Jack’s as big an asshole as everyone is saying, I sure as hell wouldn’t stick around.”

  Hopkins didn’t argue. “Jenkins call the D.A. and add the cab company and medical records to the warrants. I want the rest of you back here by 8 a.m. sharp. We can’t do anything else tonight.”

  Jenkins saluted smartly and picked up the phone.

  Chapter 37

  The investigative team shuffled into the precinct office Sunday morning, heading for coffee and their own cubicles. Thanks to the warrants, new information was tricking in through downloads and attachments.

  Thomas commandeered a corner cubby to access medical records, and, hopefully, get Katie’s doctor on the phone.

  Fairchild and Jenkins—an utterly opposite mix; one short, one tall, one brown, one neon white-- looked at banking in more depth. Unfortunately, the bank servers were all updating before the workweek began, and they couldn’t access a thing. Hopkins and Darrow drove off to see the owner of the Red Cab Deluxe company.

  The morning segment of Savannah Live aired the Kathryn Werner story, and Katie groaned aloud when her picture flashed on the screen.

  WSVA, the station which had first aired Katie’s disappearance, had pulled their best investigative reporter, Lindsey Shepard, into the mix. The waspish woman was notorious for alluding to the suspicions police and lawyers couldn’t express. She raised her voice, made subtle references, and demanded resolution. “Where is Kathryn Werner?”

  “Shit.” Katie watched Lindsey’s eyebrows do calisthenics across her forehead and worried the disappearance was turning into a bigger story than she’d ever intended.

  She hoped her quasi-disguise was enough to fool the public, the police, and an overly interested Chad. She had more reason than ever to buy the truck today and get herself out of town.

  Katie called the local cab company and watched the clock, needing to be done with this next phase before Chad came back on duty. His interest in her could potentially ruin her plan.

  Katie was at the motel curb when the cab pulled up at nine. She hopped into the back of the car and rattled off the address. Looking out the window, she noticed an apartment complex along the route. With bright red flags fluttering in the breeze, a sign advertised, “Furnished Studio for rent. Immediate occupancy.” She scribbled the name on a scrap piece of paper. This could be the icing on the cake.
r />   The driver slowed as he turned into a quiet street with a row of ranch houses.

  Katie yelled from the back seat, “No! Don’t stop. Go around the block.”

  The cabbie looked in the rear-view mirror, confused.

  “Sorry. I’m trying to buy a truck. If the owner sees me get out of a cab, he’ll know how much I need it and want more money.”

  The cabbie gave a half-smile. “Can’t look desperate, right?”

  “Exactly, even though I am,” she confessed.

  The cabbie gave her a conspirator’s wink.

  “There’s a spot. Park there. I’ll walk back and see if I can make a deal. Can you wait?”

  The driver nodded and yelled out last-minute encouragement, “Good luck!”

  Darrow and Hopkins pulled into the Red Deluxe Cab Company parking lot just after 9 a.m. They were directed to a corner office, tucked as an afterthought into the garage. The owner, Caleb Robinski, ambled in, shoving papers off chairs and gesturing the officers toward the seats.

  He listened to their story, nodding when they got to the missing woman. “I saw something about that on the news. What’s it got to do with Red Cab Deluxe or me?”

  “Two of your cabs showed up at Cooper Medical Complex yesterday. We need information on those pickups.”

  Caleb rubbed his stubble-covered chin. “I’d have to go look those up, but it seems to me there may be some privacy issues.” He stayed stubbornly in his chair, not accessing the computer, and certainly not looking through any paperwork.

  Detective Darrow sighed and pulled out the judge’s orders. “We got a warrant.”

  It was all legal, but Caleb took his time reading the order, enjoying their annoyance.

  Hopkins had had enough. “It’s in order. You can see we’ve covered the bases. A woman is missing. Pull up the damn records.” He narrowed his eyes, took out his notebook, and wrote down Caleb’s name. He leaned across Darrow to see the cheap brass nameplate to ensure he spelled Robinski correctly.

  Caleb got the message and scrolled through reports on his computer. “Here we go. Two calls to Cooper Medical. Denny picked up a client. Tom waited, but no one came out, so he left.”

  “And where did Denny go with this customer? Was it a man? Woman?”

  “957 Hidden Lake Court.” Caleb frowned. “I have no idea where that is. Twenty-five- dollar fare, though, so it was a long ride.” He stood up abruptly and opened his door, yelling out to the garage, “Is Denny here?”

  One driver answered, “Yeah, I saw him by the coffee machine.”

  “Get him in here!” Caleb slammed the door.

  Hopkins nodded his approval. “So, two calls, but only one fare?”

  “Yeah. Denny will know more.” Caleb drummed his fingers, anxious to get the cops out of his office as fast as possible.

  Their cruiser in the parking lot wasn’t doing him any favors. He looked out the window and cussed, “Goddammit! The news people followed you.” He pulled the curtain closed.

  Darrow shrugged. “Bound to happen, everyone’s trying to find this woman.”

  Hopkins pulled out his phone and typed in the address Caleb supplied.

  Katie was talking with the truck owner. He’d been waiting just inside the door when she knocked. “Are you Anne, the woman who called?”

  Katie nodded.

  “I didn’t see you pull in. Where’s your car?”

  “Oh, I got a ride from my brother. He’ll be right back. You’re Rob?”

  He nodded moved toward the truck, not paying attention to her answer. He already saw dollar signs. Katie walked around the vehicle, running her hand along the frame where rust peeked through. She frowned and leaned back to get a better look at the bashed-in passenger door. “This is more than a ding, Rob.”

  “Well, I did have a fella hit me months ago. Neither of us wanted to fight over the insurance and deductibles. I mean, the truck’s twelve years old.”

  “That’s what I’m worried about.”

  “It runs great. Tires are in decent shape.” He kicked one for emphasis.

  Mirroring Rob, Katie kicked the tires too, sucking in her breath over her jammed toe. To cover herself, she bent down to look under the truck for fluids—a tip she’d read on Kelly Blue Book, yesterday.

  Rob dug in the glove box, pulling out receipts for oil changes and the tires he’d purchased three years prior.

  Katie crouched to look at the tires again, running her hands across the tread. “How many miles are on these?”

  “A little under twenty-four thousand,” Rob mumbled low under his breath.

  “I don’t know, Rob. I’m afraid it’s too old and banged up.” She eyed the rust around the wheel wells. “And there’s what? A year left on these tires? It makes me nervous.”

  Rob waxed poetic about the truck, “I loved this truck. In fact, I bought a newer one just like it.” He pointed at a new silver Durango in the driveway. He started the older truck, revving the engine for emphasis.

  “Can we take it for a test drive?”

  Denny opened the door to Caleb’s office, pushing his skinny frame through. “You want to see me?”

  Hopkins took over. “You had a rider yesterday--a pick-up from Cooper Medical. Went a long way. Hidden Lake Court?”

  “I remember. The lady said her car had broken down, and she needed to get home.”

  Darrow took abbreviated notes.

  “Can you describe her?” Hopkins demanded

  Denny didn’t answer right away.

  “A lady disappeared from Cooper Medical Center yesterday. It may have been your rider. Anything you can give us will help.” Darrow smiled to disarm Denny.

  “The one on the news?” Denny perked up. He could work this angle, maybe even get on the news himself. He suddenly remembered all sorts of details. “She didn’t say much, kinda stayed slumped in the back. I figured she was pissed about the car. She had on nice clothes--white shirt and black pants.”

  “Can you remember anything else about her appearance?

  “White lady, maybe thirty years old. She wore glasses. Her hair was pulled back tight in one of those ponytail things—blond, maybe.” He glanced off to his right, trying to remember more.

  Darrow and Hopkins gave each other questioning looks.

  Denny rambled on, not noticing. “Decent enough neighborhood, but took some time getting there. Traffic was heavy. She paid cash, which was good. She even said thank you. Most people don’t give a rat’s ass. Don’t even so much as say goodbye.”

  “Did she go inside? It was a house, right?” Hopkins asked.

  “Yeah, one of those older ones with a big porch and lots of windows on top. What do they call those things? Dormers, that’s it.” Pleased with his vocabulary, Denny kept talking, “I kinda watched her in the mirror for a few seconds. Not a bad looking woman. Ya know how it is.” He had the good grace to blush.

  “But did she go inside?” Hopkins leaned forward, pushing for information.

  “I’m not sure. I wanted to get back to the city. She walked right up the sidewalk and headed for the porch. Seemed like it was familiar. After that, I turned the corner and was gone.”

  Hopkins and Darrow stood.

  “Thanks.”

  “You’ve been a big help.”

  “You think it’s the missing lady?” Denny asked.

  “Maybe.” Darrow shook Denny’s hand. Hopkins was already halfway across the garage, phone out, calling the station. As the detectives exited the building, two reporters yelled out questions.

  “Did Katie take a cab?"

  " Is there evidence of a possible kidnapping?”

  Darrow and Hopkins answered in unison. “No comment.”

  Denny waited until the cops were gone and sauntered out, ready to share his story.

  Chapter 38

  Hopkins finally got through to Fairchild and had him on the phone. “I want you to go see Jack. I want a new face, another police officer, putting pressure on him.”

  �
��I’m already on my way. Greer had the same idea.”

  Hopkins gestured to Darrow to drive and dialed Jenkins next. “Add this new stuff to the whiteboard: Cab driver Denny, possible appearance changes for Kathryn, 957 Hidden Lake Court.”

  Darrow purposely took a few wrong turns. Hopkins raised his eyebrows at the missed directions.

  “News. Watching for news vans,” Darrow mouthed.

  Hopkins nodded and let Darrow handle the navigation.

  Katie and Rob drove the truck around the block, and she tensed as they passed the still waiting taxi, but Rob didn’t notice. She covered herself by flipping on turn signals, the wipers, radio, and the air conditioner. The last one was a necessary feature in Savannah, particularly today, with the temperatures already teasing ninety.

  When she tested the turning radius and brakes, there was a strange sound. Katie whipped her head toward Rob. “What’s that noise?”

  “It hasn’t been driven in a while. The brakes are just a little stiff,” Rob assured her.

  “And the vibration I feel in the steering wheel?”

  Rob shrugged. “Same thing. It’s just reacting to the brakes.”

  Katie wasn’t so sure and looked at Rob suspiciously.

  “You drive it every day, all those things will disappear. We ain’t driven this thing in over three weeks--ever since we got the new truck.”

  As Katie drove back to Rob’s house, the vibration and noise stopped. She needed this truck badly and had to believe Rob. “Would you take fifteen-hundred?”

  Rob acted offended, “No way. I've had three other calls this morning. Maybe eighteen-fifty.”

  “Fifty dollars? Come on, Rob. There’s got to be more wiggle room here.”

  “Eighteen-hundred.” He sounded less sure.

  “I’ll give you seventeen-hundred. Cash. Right now.”

  “Eighteen-hundred.” Rob reiterated.

  “Nope. Seventeen-hundred cash. That’s my best offer.”