There Was a Crooked Man: A Psychological Thriller

by Katrina Morgan

  “What happened?”

  “I left Jack, and I’m trying to start over. He’d have never let me simply walk away.”

  The women spent ten minutes talking as fast as humanly possible. There was a lot to discuss: Katie’s get-a-way story, the media, the police, and Jack.

  “Reporters are still calling here from time to time, hoping I’ve got new information,” Aunt Susan said, “And I’m getting damn sick and tired of it, too.”

  “I can’t tell you where I am yet, just in case, but soon. I’m making a new life. I’ve made friends. I have a job and my own apartment. I’m happy, Aunt Susan.”

  “I can hear it in your voice. Be careful, Katie. Jack’s still a loose cannon.”

  “I know. I need more time. And then I’ll make it right.” Looking at the minutes left on her phone, Katie reluctantly ended the conversation, “I’ll call you again soon.”

  “I love you!”

  “I love you more.”

  Katie hung up and bawled.

  Jack showered early Monday morning, taking even more care than usual with his appearance. He was prepared to defend himself and convinced the questioning would go quickly.

  Renewed following the conversation with Aunt Susan, Katie woke up Monday morning and started baking.

  “As promised!” Katie marched into the store and handed Skinny Tom a plate full of chocolate-chip cookies. He made a big show of smelling them and set the plate as far away from the retiree table as possible. “These are mine, so ya’ll keep your hands off!”

  “How come he gets cookies?” Craig grouched.

  “He gave me coffee in my time of need.”

  “Well, I can fix your truck anytime,” Thad offered.

  “That ain't nothin’ You’d screw it up anyway. Me?” Jarrod continued, “I’ll carry your groceries upstairs next time.”

  Craig leaned back on two legs of his chair. “Hell, I’ll shoot all you bastards and save Annie the trouble.”

  Katie grinned. Where else could I find these priceless men? “Since you’re all willing to help, maybe I’ll make you a plate of cookies too.”

  “Each? We each get cookies?” Craig thunked his chair back down, waiting for her reply.

  Not willing to lose Skinny Tom as an ally, Katie shook her head. “I think you’ll have to share.”

  Tom grinned and ate one of his warm cookies.

  Katie waltzed out the door, pleased with how things were going.

  Jack sat, listening to the auditors outline their concerns. He said nothing unless asked a specific question. He knew the ruse--get him talking, and he’d give away more than intended and hang himself in a noose of his own making.

  Although she wasn’t scheduled, Katie headed toward Tipsy’s Monday afternoon. She walked in as Colleen slammed the phone down in disgust.

  “Dammit.” Colleen fumed. “I hate days like this! Lorraine has to leave early to take her mom to the doctor. The nursing home doesn’t keep up with things, and her mom’s got another urinary tract infection. I could handle being one server down, but the other girl, Lisa, called in sick, too.” Colleen threw her towel. “I have to be home by three for Josh.”

  “Who’s Josh?”

  “My son.”

  Katie swiveled her head toward Colleen. “You have a son?”

  “I do, and he’s the most amazing little boy in the world.” Colleen pulled up a picture on her phone and showed it to Katie. “He just turned eight.”

  Katie recognized Down’s Syndrome features. She smiled. “He’s special.”

  “Damn straight he is.”

  Katie didn’t ask any questions, which earned her big points. Colleen cocked her head and filled in the blanks voluntarily. “His dad hit the road three days after he was born. Said he couldn’t handle a child like that. Asshole. We weren’t married, so I sent him on his way. Been Josh and me ever since. Well, and Colin. He adores his grandson.”

  “Your mom’s gone?”

  “Yeah.” Colleen sighed. “She died before Josh was born. Cancer.”

  “My mom’s gone, too. I’m sorry. Is there anyone else to help with Josh?”

  My brother, Conner, and his partner, Shane, but they’re down in Tampa running Tipsy McQue’s Two.”

  “Wow. I didn’t know there was a chain.”

  “Yeah, pretty cool, but we don’t get to see each other often.”

  Katie nodded, understanding what it was to miss family. “It sounds like you’re in a jam. I can come in this afternoon and help.”

  “Seriously?”

  “I’ve got nothing going, and I need the money.”

  “Hmm.” Colleen considered the restaurant. “We’re not overly busy on Mondays. Think you can handle the four tables there by the window?”

  “I may not be as fast as Lorraine, but I can do it.”

  “Mark can handle the rest, and Colin will run the bar. He’ll complain the whole time, but you watch how much fun he has.”

  “What time should I be here?”

  “Two to seven? Josh and I can come back in then and help close things down.”

  It wasn’t easy since Katie hadn’t learned the menu, but she smiled a lot and only messed up one order. She watched the door but was more discreet. She also made $57 in tips, which she didn’t have to share because no one was bussing, or behind the bar. Katie mentally promised herself half of all tips would go into the bank.

  Disgusted with his day, the fucking auditors, and life in general, Jack stopped at the liquor store on the way home. He was out of smokes and Jack Daniels. He needed both to get through the evening.

  The third drink found him raging aloud, “God damn bitch!” He kicked a kitchen char and headed to the den and the cabinet Katie had refinished. Yanking out all the items she’d carefully collected for her patients, he carted them to the fireplace and set them aflame. He poured another drink and watched the fire.

  Chapter 53

  On Tuesday, Nick swung by the Crested Iris to visit with his mom. Maggie went into full matchmaker mode, “The new girl waited on your dad and me last night at Tipsy’s. She was a little flustered but did a nice job.”

  Nick nodded noncommittedly. Annie intrigued him. Just that morning, he’d gone to the General Store, in hopes of catching a glimpse. She’d been bargaining with Skinny Tom about using the washer and dryer she’d spied in the storeroom.

  “It sure would be nice to do laundry here versus going to the laundromat on the other side of town.” She’d turned her green eyes on Skinny Tom.

  The old-timers were listening intently, and Nick grinned at Tom’s red face.

  “You’ve always got a load of towels sitting there. I’ll wash ‘em for you, and you’d never have to worry about it again.” She negotiated sweetly, and Nick had known Skinny Tom wouldn’t say no.

  “Sounds like a good deal to me,” Jarrod called out.

  “Let her use the damn thing,” Thad yelled.

  As Tom was saying yes, Katie caught sight of Nick. She stiffened and hurried through the rest of the conversation. “So, we’ve got a deal? You’re the best.” She pecked Tom on the cheek and ran toward the door. “See ya’ll!”

  Nick had turned aside, embarrassed. Annie obviously wanted nothing to do with him, and he had no idea why.

  Jack looked at the clock and sighed. He’d spent three hours in meetings with the auditors, just as he’d done Monday. The auditors appeared to be buying his story, but there were still twenty-eight contracts to review. At this pace, these meetings were going to take days. It had been a week since Captain Greer had stood in front of the media, discussing Katie’s voluntary disappearance. And here I sit listening to these idiots while Katie gets further away.

  Katie walked into Tipsy’s as the Tuesday breakfast crowd was thinning. Lorraine was there, which was perfect. “Colleen mentioned your mom’s in a nursing home.”

  Lorraine looked up, surprised. “Yeah. She’s got dementia and had a stroke a year ago. She needs care all day.”

  “
That’s got to be hard. Is the nursing home nearby?”

  “In Brunswick. So, maybe fifteen minutes or so. Why?”

  “Well, it sounds like they’re shorthanded. Colin promised me a couple of days here, but I’ll barely make my bills.”

  “You don’t want to work there. It smells bad, and the workers are grumpy-ass people.”

  Katie shrugged. “I think I’d like it.”

  Katie drove the busier streets of Brunswick. She noted there were more upscale shops: a jewelry store, a spa with an attached boutique, clothing stores. No bookstores, which was good. She found the Silver Linings nursing home on the outskirts of town. She personally thought it was a hokey name but couldn’t afford to be choosy.

  As Katie entered the building, she was assailed by the smell of urine, antiseptic, and depression. Katie concentrated on breathing through her mouth and walked up to the reception desk. “Do you know if they’re hiring here?”

  The young woman’s surprised expression was comical. “Are you kidding? Let me call the supervisor.”

  A beautiful woman with ebony skin and long straight hair pulled back in a colorful scarf came out of a back office. “I’m Latrice Copley, the administrator here. How can I help you?” She talked fast and looked at her watch.

  “I’m Anne Morrison.” Katie held out her right hand. “I’m new to the area and wondered if you’re hiring.”

  Latrice looked at Katie over her glasses. “Really? No one seems to want to work here.” She glanced briefly at the receptionist, who quickly found numerous tasks to keep herself busy. “Do you have any experience?”

  Katie answered as close to the truth as she dared, “Well, I cared for an elderly uncle who had Alzheimer’s and helped a woman who’d had a stroke. My cousin was in traction for six weeks, and I helped him. I’m good with people.”

  Latrice harrumphed, but she was as desperate for a warm body as Katie was for a job. “Come on back. Let’s get more details.”

  She wrote down Katie’s pertinent information. “Anything else we can add? Do you know how to bathe or shower a patient?”

  “No, but I’m willing to learn. Oh, and I’m certified in CPR.”

  It seemed to clinch the deal, but Latrice had one more question. “You’re sure you can be here at seven-thirty a.m.?” At Katie’s nod, Latrice offered her first smile.

  They agreed Katie would work Monday through Wednesday from seven-thirty to four-thirty. “You’ll be cleaning rooms, helping patients get dressed, and transporting them to and from lunch and activities. The nurse’s aides do the rest. We’ll give you more training, when possible.”

  The pay wasn’t great-- $9.00 an hour, but Katie didn’t need much.

  “If your background check comes back clear, you can train this Thursday, and we’ll get you on the schedule.”

  “Just so you know,” Katie rushed to explain the security flag.

  Latrice raised her eyebrows and gave Katie a once-over from head to toe. “Huh. We’ll let you know.”

  Katie drove back to Bluff Creek, hopeful.

  Latrice called at three. “Well, other than being dead, your report is clean.”

  There was a pregnant pause that Katie rushed to fill. “I’m fighting with them all the time. I’ve filled out enough paperwork to kill a few trees. Please, I need a job.”

  There was a long silence. "Please,” Katie whispered once more.

  Latrice caved to the request, as much due to Katie’s plea as to her own need to fill a position. “We’ll need another form of I.D.”

  “I have a new bank count and lease agreement. Will those work?”

  “You bring those on Thursday and submit to a drug test, and you’re hired.”

  “Thank you, thank you, thank you! You won’t regret this, I promise.”

  “You’ll need nursing scrubs. Basic white pants, work shoes, and a medical smock.”

  Katie was fairly certain she’d seen such things at Goodwill. She texted Tanja’s to see if she wanted to tag along.

  Tanja responded, Meetcha at 6?

  They found what Katie needed, and Tanja handed over a twenty-percent off coupon. “I was saving this for myself, but I think you need it more.”

  Katie opened a nearly empty wallet. “You know me well!”

  Jack studied maps on the computer. “These are too fucking small.” He needed more detail and ordered a four by four map of Savannah, and another one showing Georgia, South Carolina, Louisiana, and Florida. He’d track Katie down. I can research despite the frickin’ auditors. What I do on my own time is none of their business.

  Katie rushed into the General Store on Wednesday morning and pulled out a chair at the old-timer table. “Ask me what’s new?” Her youth and enthusiasm were a powerful balm for tired, achy bodies.

  Craig beat Jarrod to the punch. “I’ll bite. What’s new?”

  Katie couldn’t sit still in her chair. “I have not one, but two jobs! Pretty cool, huh? Now I can save some money and make some real plans.” She spent ten minutes answering their questions and noticed Nick had come in for coffee. He was visiting the store each morning, and she suspected it was on purpose.

  “Hey, Annie.” He waved casually and started a conversation with Skinny Tom.

  Katie gave a small wave. He’s not so bad. The woman in her was flattered, but she kept her distance. Jack was charming, too, Katie.

  Jack had been chewing on the notion that maybe Katie hadn’t left Savannah. By the time his workday was done, he’d half-convinced himself she was still in the city. He drove through a McDonalds and then headed to Mr. Parker’s house. Hell, she could be taking care of him, still getting paid, and no one would know. His niece wouldn’t care if Katie stayed there.

  At 6:10 Wednesday evening, Jack parked his car and polished off his French fries as he watched Mr. Parker’s house. A car pulled in the driveway, and Jack sat up, peering out the windshield. Not Katie. “Shit!” He smacked the steering wheel in frustration.

  He watched the woman go into the house. Lights came on, but no one else went in or out. After fifteen minutes, he gave up, cruising slowly past the house and trying to see inside. He inhaled a cigarette and headed home.

  Katie sailed through her training day at Silver Linings. “You’re a natural with the patients,” Latrice commented, mentally congratulating herself on hiring Katie.

  Jack spent Thursday night in front of Gertrude Taylor's home. He smoked, ate more fast food, and watched the street. He got home late, disappointed there’d been no sign of Katie. The maps hadn’t arrived, either. He mixed a drink and threw his clothes on the floor.

  He left work early on Friday and followed Katie’s boss, Cheyenne. He stayed a few cars behind her as she picked up her kid from daycare, drove through an ATM, and stopped to get groceries. Jack parked a row over, waiting. Cheyenne finally exited with a full shopping cart. “About time.” Jack crumbled his take-out bag and followed her to an older section of town. Jack was disappointed to see a darkened house. He parked and was settling in when he saw a curtain pull back. Jack drove away quickly. “That’s all I need is her calling the fucking cops.”

  Katie worked a busy shift Friday night. She never quit moving and was grateful. It kept her from thinking too much. Instead, she told anyone who would listen about her new job at the nursing home.

  As she drove home later, she sang, “Happy birthday to me. Happy Birthday to me.” She’d just turned twenty-eight, and no one in town could know.

  To make this new life stick, she’d be celebrating Cassie’s birthday in February instead.

  Chapter 54

  Jack spent Saturday morning doing laundry and grocery shopping. “God damn, Katie. These are your chores, not mine.” He slammed the door on the dishwasher and jabbed at buttons. “This is bullshit.” Grabbing his keys and wallet, he headed for the car.

  If she’s not in Savannah, then Atlanta makes sense. He spent the drive remembering every place he and Katie had ever visited in the city: restaurants, parks, a mall. Where
would you go, Katie?

  He drove straight to Aunt Susan’s, silently seething at all the phone calls between her and Katie. Susan would help Katie. Of that, he had no doubt. Parking nearby, we watched the house and wished for a drink.

  Ten minutes passed, and pissed off he was getting nowhere, Jack got out of his car and circled around the house. Sneaking up to the patio door, he peered inside just as Susan entered the kitchen. She puttered around, unaware she was being watched. Jack hurried to the front door and banged on it with his fist. He was positioned immediately in front of the entrance, ready to check for clues---an extra pair of shoes, Katie’s purse, anything.

  Susan looked out the peephole. Spying Jack, she put the chain on the door before opening it the few inches allowed. “What are you doing here, Jack?”

  Jack tried to see around her. Susan moved, blocking his view.

  “I need to know where my wife is staying," Jack stated. "I know she's called you."

  Susan didn’t bother to answer, and Jack tried another tactic.

  “It’s been too long. What if something happened to Katie?" he whined. "If she wants to leave, fine. I’m just worried at this point.”

  “My ass, you’re worried.” Aunt Susan put her hands on her hips. “You want her back like a toy you’ve lost and need to get back in the box.” Susan shut and locked her front door.

  Jack sped away. I didn’t expect much from the old bitch anyway.

  Parking in front of Katie’s previous apartment complex, Jack scrutinized each person going in and out of the buildings. He sat for over an hour, hating the place as much as he had when he and Katie had been dating.

  Giving up on that angle, Jack went to the City Palette restaurant. He sat at the bar, not seeing anyone who even closely resembled Katie. Her friend, Renae, was still working there, though. He sent a friendly wave in her direction. Loser, Jack thought. Still working the same dead-end job, in the same run-down, POS restaurant. He sent a friendly wave in Renae’s direction.