There Was a Crooked Man: A Psychological Thriller

by Katrina Morgan

  Katie leaned over and gave Nick a kiss. “I am.”

  Blake handed Nick the cell phone. Nick was incredulous. “Me? You want me to film it?”

  “No one else is here. Giovanni was supposed to help, but he’s working a big accident out by the highway.”

  “Jesus Christ.” Nick held the phone up and lowered it again. “I’m sorry, Katie.”

  “Me too. Let’s get this over with."

  Nick filmed as Blake read her Miranda rights being and placed her in the backseat of the car. Blake unlocked the handcuffs and put his siren on top. When Katie smiled bravely from the back, Nick wanted to throw-up.

  “Now what?” Nick handed the phone back to Blake.

  “We send it to WSVA, the Savannah station, anonymously.”

  “Can I go with you?”

  “Give us a couple hours, and then you can head up. I need to get her processed.” Blake didn’t use the siren and planned to sneak out of town, but Katie’s friends were out on the street, waving and calling out encouragement. “Hang in there! It’ll be all right!”

  Colleen even jogged along with the car for a half block, keeping her eyes locked on Katie, lending quiet strength.

  Katie slid low in the back seat more humiliated than she’d ever been in her life.

  Three hours later, Katie lay curled in a ball on her cot. She hadn’t expected a jail uniform and scratched at the thick, yellow material. She prayed as she’d never done before and hoped Cassie would put in a good word for her.

  Chapter 66

  Katie’s arrest hit the news at five p.m. “Kathryn Werner, believed to have disappeared from Savannah three months ago, has been arrested for Identity Theft.” Jack caught the tail end of it on his way home from work.

  Jack’s fist slammed the steering wheel. “Fucking bitch! Serves you right! I’ve got you now!” He pulled into a small sports bar, found a stool, and watched the broadcast. He smiled when he saw her in cuffs.

  He laughed aloud when the crazy woman news anchor, Lindsey Shepard, tore into Katie’s reputation. “We believed her. We felt sorry for her and wondered what could have gone wrong. And what do we find? She’s been hiding out along the Florida border all this time. This woman took on the name of her deceased client.” A picture of a smiling Cassie filled the screen. “What kind of sick person does that?” People were encouraged to call in and tweet. Most responses were ugly.

  Jack giggled, and the people sitting nearest to him scooted away.

  The guard rapped on Katie’s cell. “You’ve got visitors.”

  Nick, Blake, and Tanja had driven up to see her. She couldn’t touch them through the visitation glass, but their faces and voices gave her courage.

  “There are news vans parked outside already.” Tanja preened. “I’m sure Hollywood will be calling soon.”

  A roar went up on Saturday morning when Jack showed up in the jailhouse parking lot. “Mr. Werner! Can you tell us what you’re thinking? Mr. Werner! Why are you here?”

  “I want to see my wife.”

  Unfortunately for him, Katie had listed him on the “No Visitation” list, and he was refused entry. Jack fumed and killed ten minutes in the restroom, before walking back out to his car. The media didn’t know he hadn’t seen Katie. “No comment,” he stated to the reporters who were yelling out questions.

  The three Kane brothers had a quick meeting. “This is getting out of hand,” Scott said. The other two agreed. “Jack’s a loose cannon.” The three brothers made eye contact.

  “We’ll keep an eye on things. If it starts to unravel, we fix the problem.”

  Business was booming in Bluff Creek as reporters scurried there to get the back story and the dirt on Katie. The townsfolk didn’t say much, but what they did was positive.

  “Girl worked her arse off. Never sick, never late. I got nothin’ else to say.” Colin glared.

  Colleen and Mark refused to give an interview.

  Skinny Tom scowled at the camera. “Girl made everybody feel special. We like her. I don’t care what you say.” His towel flipped back and forth, and the retirees could be heard voicing their agreement in the background.

  They found Silver Linings and Latrice Copley. “She was fantastic with our patients. I personally hope she comes back soon.”

  It was extremely disappointing to reporters who would have enjoyed dragging Katie through the mud and exposing her as a cheat, a fraud, and an all-around despicable person.

  Saturday afternoon Don, Maggie, and Skinny Tom drove up to visit. “Hang in there, Katie. The whole town’s on your side.

  “Nick’s back in Bluff Creek running interference with the media, but he’ll be back tomorrow.” Maggie smiled, and Skinny Tom nodded and told her the retirees were waiting for her return. “They’re bored without you.”

  “Montgomery will be here in about an hour,” Don said.

  “I can’t afford a lawyer.”

  “We’ve got it covered. You need good legal counsel. I’ll have his butt if he gives any less.”

  Katie hung her head and whispered, “Thank you. I’ll find a way to repay you.”

  “We know you will.”

  Montgomery Causely had seen the media coverage and was ready for the press, “Kathryn Werner is my client, and we’re preparing for court.” His air of professionalism and three-piece suit were notably distinguished.

  Katie was taken to a stark white room and placed on one side of the table. Montgomery entered, sitting on the other side. “Ms. Werner, I’m Montgomery Causley.” He held out his hand.

  Katie took in his stark white hair, handlebar mustache, and deep southern drawl, and accepted his handshake. “I can’t tell if you come across as a Southern gentleman or a grandpa, but I’m glad you’re here.”

  He’d heard plenty about Katie. As he took in her demeanor, Montgomery decided she lived up to the glowing testimonies. “Well, I’ve got seven grandchildren and a soft place in my heart for ladies on the wrong side of the law. Just don’t tell the state prosecutor.”

  Montgomery opened his briefcase and pulled out papers. “First, you need to get familiar with the law. Your arraignment’s on Monday. You don’t have to go.” His eyebrows lifted.

  “What do you think?”

  “The media is crazy. Yesterday you were a monster, but the tide is changing. No one can point to any harm you’ve done. I think it’s in your best interest to go to court.” He glared at her prison jumpsuit. “We don’t want you filmed in a corrections uniform. Can anybody bring you some nicer clothes?”

  Katie nodded. “If you get word to Maggie or Tanja.”

  “Fine. The prosecutor’s going to start by using all kinds of legal jargon. Don’t let it rattle you. You sit up tall and look straight ahead. Understand?”

  “Yes.”

  Montgomery plucked a paper out of his bag and began reading the charges word for word. “You are charged with Aggravated Identity Theft under Federal Statute 1028a, Title 18.

  “Georgia laws concerning identity theft vary depending on how the information was used.” “It is overall punishable by imprisonment for not less than one year and no more than ten years. The prison term can be reduced or paid as a $10,000.00 fine if the violation does not involve the intent to commit theft or appropriation of any property. We’ll argue some of those items later.”

  Katie grew deathly pale.

  “You okay?”

  “No. It sounds awful.”

  “As I said, it’s just jargon. But you need to hear it all.” He cleared his throat and continued to read verbatim, “It is considered Aggravated Identity Theft if the person uses any data for the purpose of obtaining employment. They have you on that one.”

  “You’re right. They do.”

  “All we’re going to do is enter a plea of ‘Not Guilty.’ This is not where we argue, show your value, or try to strike a deal. All we do on Monday is say….” He waited.

  “Not guilty.”

  “The judge will set a date to hear motions, a
nd possibly a trial date. Bail will be set. Then we get busy proving how wonderful you are and how you didn’t intend to be malicious, etc.”

  “Mr. Causely?”

  “Call me Montgomery.”

  “Montgomery, I don’t want anyone to pay the bail.”

  “Your husband, right? I got an earful from Blake and Nick, so I’m aware of the situation. Are you sure you want to stay in jail?”

  “Yes.”

  “We should put your request in writing. Could come in handy later.”

  Katie nodded.

  “Once the arraignment is done, we’ll work through what to do about your husband. What’s his name? Jack?”

  “Yes, and let’s not beat around the bush. I want a divorce.”

  Montgomery pulled at his mustache. “I think a restraining order first. We’ll leak the information to the press, ensure your safety. Once that’s firmly in place, bail can be paid, and you’re out of here until trial. Sound good?”

  Lindsey Shepard, who’d started the media rant and the Twitter firestorm, was the first reporter to change her tone. By Sunday morning, she was asking different questions.

  “Why would such an obviously sweet young woman feel the need to do these things?” Clips of positive interviews with Katie’s previous clients and people from Bluff Creek were peppered throughout the segment. “Why would she feel she had to take on her patient’s name? Run? Try to start over?” The questions had all eyes on Jack again.

  Colleen and Josh arrived at the jail simultaneously with Aunt Susan and a woman Katie had never met. Using multiple visitation phones, the four talked at once. “I needed a ride. So, me and Ethel here broke out of the assisted living complex,” Aunt Susan explained.

  “Mom took me to McDonald's.”

  “They almost didn’t let Josh in. I guess you’re limited to three visitors.” Colleen ran a hand through Josh’s jet-black hair as she talked.

  “Know how people stop being crooks?” Aunt Susan talked over the group, “They straighten themselves out!” Susan cackled, and everyone groaned.

  Jack slumped in his chair, having finished off most of a bottle of Jack Daniels and a whole pack of Marlboro. He’d pulled the shades against the reporters camped outside the house. He’d unplugged the phone too, which was unfortunate as the Kane brothers needed to talk.

  Tim Kane went to Jack’s house after dark, circling the property to make sure reporters were gone, and there was no outside security. He met an inebriated Jack at the door. “Just checking on ya, Jack.” Tim spied a camera mounted by the stairs and stepped back out of sight. “We don’t need any trouble, Jack.”

  Jack swayed on the porch. “Miserable bitch. Katie doesn’t know about you guys.”

  Tim leaned away from Jack’s whiskey breath, but now had an idea of how to make Jack disappear, in an accident, if necessary.

  That evening, the guard came to Katie’s cell again. “Girl, you got more visitors.” He led her to the overly bright visitor’s station. Another sheriff rested against the wall, arms locked watching and listening.

  Lindsay Shepard held the visitor phone, ready to talk.

  Katie recoiled. “What do you want?”

  Lindsey tapped the receiver gently on the glass, begging Katie to pick up her end.

  Katie reluctantly picked up the phone and waited.

  “I want to interview you and hear your side of the story. It might help others, Katie.”

  Katie sighed. “Maybe you’re right. I need to talk to my lawyer first. And the Morrisons. I owe them an explanation.”

  “I’ll see what I can do,” Lindsey agreed. “I want to do this as soon as possible.”

  Nick came later in the evening, and the media thronged around him.

  “Mr. Connelly! Did you know Kathryn before she left Savannah?”

  “Nick! Over Here! What are your intentions?”

  He waved but said nothing. Nick handed the guard an outfit Tanja had picked out for Katie’s court appearance.

  Katie told him about not paying bail, the restraining order, and Lindsey Shepard’s request. “What do you think?” Katie asked.

  “The interview might help. Montgomery’s right about the restraining order, too. You should have done that a year ago.” Nick immediately apologized, “Sorry. That wasn’t fair.”

  “You’re not wrong. I thought about it several times. But I knew a restraining order wouldn’t have stopped Jack. Besides, the road I chose took me to you.”

  They each placed a hand on the glass, touching as much as they were able.

  As he was leaving, Katie asked if he would contact the Morrisons. “I have a feeling they’re going to hear from Lindsey Shepard, but I’d rather they hear from someone I care about. Please ask them if we can meet.” Katie rattled off their phone number.

  No one slept well that night.

  Chapter 67

  On Monday, the guards led Katie to a changing area and stood directly outside while she dressed. She donned modest black pants, a white dress shirt, a black sweater, and no makeup. The guards patted her down and transported her to court.

  Katie studied the sea of faces. Many, like her, had been arrested over the weekend, and the courtroom reeked of desperation.

  The bailiff entered and announced, “Chatham County District Court is in now in session. All rise for the Honorable Joseph Knowles.” His voice reverberated in Katie’s head, and her knees shook.

  The judge acknowledged the courtroom over his glasses. “Be seated, and we’ll begin.”

  Katie willed herself to sit quietly, awaiting her name. It took an hour. “The State of Georgia vs. Kathryn Anne Werner.”

  She and Montgomery stood facing the bench.

  “Does the defendant have counsel?”

  “She does, your Honor,” Montgomery answered in a loud, clear voice.

  The judge nodded, and the State Prosecutor stood to read the charges. “Kathryn Werner, you are charged with Aggravated Identity Theft….” He read the exact words Montgomery had shared on Saturday.

  The Judge looked at Katie. “Do you understand the charges placed against you?”

  “I do your Honor.” Her hands trembled.

  “How does the defendant plead?”

  Montgomery answered, “The defendant pleads not guilty your Honor.”

  Judge Knowles reviewed his calendar. “Date for motions is set for January seventeenth. A trial date with a jury of your peers will be established at that time. Due to flight risk, bail is set at two-thousand dollars.”

  The gavel banged once, and Katie jumped at the sound.

  She was back in jail, wearing the hated yellow uniform, and worrying about her future.

  “You got more visitors.” The guard unlocked the cell and led her to the communication area again.

  Katie was tired and shuffled behind him. Her face flushed with shame when she saw Bob and Julie Morrison sitting in identical chairs on the other side of the wall. Lindsey Shepard was there, too, but wasn’t allowed to film. She sat behind the Morrisons, taking notes.

  Bob and Julie Morrison hesitated and then picked up the phone on their side of the glass. Katie did the same. She squeezed her lips tight and waited.

  “Why’d you do it, Katie? How could you drag Cassie’s name through this?” Julie asked.

  Bob glared at Katie, unmoving.

  “It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I loved Cassie as a friend, as a sister. Cassie wanted me to do it, take her name, start over. Neither of us considered the consequences.”

  “What do you mean, Cassie wanted you to?” Bob allowed his anger to spew out.

  The Morrisons repeated Katie’s answers due to their incredulity at the situation. It allowed Lindsey to get a feel for both sides of the conversation.

  “Cassie figured out I was in trouble at home. She’d seen the bruises, multiple times. Remember when you two took me to the Emergency Room?”

  “The ER?” Julie stopped and rubbed her temple. “When you fell in Cassie’s room?”


  “I didn’t fall there. Cassie made up that story. Jack, my husband, had broken those ribs.”

  “Your husband broke your ribs?” Bob’s ears turned red.

  Oh, this is good, Lindsey scribbled notes.

  “Why didn’t you tell us? Why lie?” Julie asked.

  “If I’d told you or the ER doctor, it would have ended up in a police report, and then what? Jack would have found a hundred different ways to make me pay. Anyway, Cassie had enough of me hiding. The ER visit was the last straw for her, and she began to plan and made copies of her documents.”

  “Cassie made copies of her papers? Not you? Why would she do that?”

  Katie shrugged. “I didn’t know she was doing it. I swear. She gave me the money from her savings account and even wrote a letter explaining she’d knowingly given the documents to me. I still have her note begging me to use her name.”

  “Cassie did it? You didn’t steal her ID?” Bob asked again.

  “I’d never disrespect you, or steal. You can read Cassie’s letter.”

  Bob shook his head, even as a slow smile grew. “My girl always did have spunk.”

  “Yes, sir, she did. More than me. I’d have never done it on my own. She insisted she could keep living through me.”

  The statement reduced Julie to tears, and, on cue, Bob patted her shoulder.

  “Ahhh, Katie.” Julie wiped a hand down her face. “How are we going to get you out of this mess?”

  “I’ll find out more in the next week. It’s not horrible. I didn’t rack up debt. I have two jobs and was saving money. All opposite of what an actual identity thief would do. There’s hope the state prosecutor may be willing to deal.” Head tilted, Katie looked at them through the glass. “Some of that may depend on you two.”

  “Well, we sure as hell aren’t pressing charges.” Bob glanced over his shoulder to make sure Lindsey heard him and wrote down what he’d said. “If you’ve got the letters from Cassie, then we believe you. It wasn’t the smartest thing, but I can see how the ball got rolling. We’ll do our best to help any way we can.”