Kathryn's Justice

by Marianne Spitzer

  Nick's lips tightened, and Kathryn continued. “I didn’t understand what he did to me or what he forced me to do to him. I didn’t know what sex was not that what happened could be misconstrued as sex. It was pure evil and abuse. However, I was there so I felt I must be bad and wrong like he said. I did whatever he wanted knowing my mom and Pam could die, and I carried immense guilt about my dad’s death. I thought I killed him.”

  Kathryn took a deep breath and leaned forward placing her forehead on Nick’s leg. She could feel his hand run up and down her back. She felt safe with him. She could continue to talk.

  She scrunched her eyebrows as she looked at him. She reached for his hands and said, “When I finally told my mom what happened, she found me a great therapist, and I worked through a lot of my issues. Mr. Waters never touched me after the end of the school year. It’s possible he chose a new girl, and I hated to think he was hurting someone else, but I was glad it wasn’t me. I felt guilty for feeling that way, too. My therapist helped me to understand why I felt guilty and after a few months of medication to help with my panic attacks and some group therapy, I felt much better. I was nearly sixteen then and like most teenagers, I felt invincible. I pushed the fear and ordeal to the back of my mind. I got good grades, went to college, found a great boyfriend and was enjoying life.”

  She dropped her head and began to sob. Her shoulders shook with her sobs, and Nick ran his hands up and down her arms, but kept his promise. He stayed silent to let her think and talk. She looked at him again and said, “Then mom was diagnosed with cancer.”

  Nick reached up and wiped the tears from her face.

  She tried to smile at him, but the corners of her mouth vibrated as if they had run a marathon. She took another deep breath and said, “You know I dropped out of school to take care of mom. We thought she would get better, but it was horrible and the tumor returned. It took her fairly quickly. I thought I could take solace in that. I refused to go back to school. I wanted no part of taking care of people any longer. I thought I failed, and somewhere in the back of my mind the six-year-old child in me thought I killed my mom.”

  Kathryn fought back her sobs at the memory and continued.

  “James thought getting married would be good for me. I wouldn’t be alone. The panic attacks returned, and I went to the same therapist I saw when I was fifteen. What I was going through was understandable. I was doing well with therapy and didn’t need medication, but James told me I was too needy. He told me he needed more space. He packed and left me while I was shopping. I was alone and needed a job. Doc hired me on the spot. I used my inheritance from my mom to buy this house, and here I am. You need to know all this because if I am the type of person James said I was and you want to leave, please do it now. Don’t wait a year. I can’t go through that again.”

  She dropped her head again afraid to see the look in his eyes.

  “My turn?” Nick asked.

  She nodded.

  “Please look at me.” She lifted her head, and he said, “Kathryn Wright, what you went through no one should ever experience. If that man were still alive, he should be shot several times and die slowly like the scum he is. When you lost your mom it was only natural that memories from your past would surface. You needed time and love. Perhaps at that time you weren’t as strong as you are now, but the woman, I see, is incredible. Doc doesn’t hire anyone without thinking it over for a couple of weeks. You’re the only female in the hospital that can put Joey Coyle in his place with a few words. You are good at your job. You are the only person Doc trusts with the morgue on your own. Everyone else needs to work with a partner. I have seen your compassion when a family comes to identify an accident victim. There are more facets to you than I think even you know about and each one sparkles. James was an idiot, and if you let me, I’ll stay with you as long as I can.”

  A hundred thoughts ran through Kathryn’s mind. He knew all or most of her secrets. He knew the ones that could affect their relationship, and he’s still here. She threw her hands around his neck, and he pulled her close to him. She wanted to stay in his arms forever.

  “Plus,” he whispered, “If you ever do feel like you need some drug to make you feel better, I know where they keep the keys to the drug cabinet.” He grinned at her.

  Why does he always know exactly what to say to make me smile even under stressful situations? I could fall in love with Nick if I were sure he might fall in love with me, too. She thought.

  “Hey,” Nick said. “Didn’t you say we have dessert?”

  “Yup. Strawberries, pound cake, and whipped cream.” She stood to walk into the kitchen.

  “Whipped cream, hmm. You’re lucky I promised just to snuggle tonight.” His eyebrows wiggled several times making her laugh.

  They settled back on the couch and fed strawberry shortcake to each other and laughed. Kathryn pushed all the bad memories back in her mind where they belonged.

  ~ * ~

  Nick was a gentleman and true to his word. They snuggled on her bed and slept in each other’s arms until her alarm woke her.

  She hit it with her hand, but it kept ringing. It was too early and then she realized it was her cell phone. She reached for it, and it fell on the floor. She tried to grab it and fell out of bed.

  “Hello,” she said.

  Nick woke with a start and yelled, “What the hell are you doing on the floor. Are you okay?”

  She nodded, and Doc’s voice came through her phone. “Is that Nick I hear?”

  “Umm, yeah. What’s up Doc?” Kathryn asked.

  “I was calling to see if you could come in an hour early. We have another shooting victim coming in as soon as Coyle and I get to him. You might as well have Nick come in early, too.”

  She could hear the smile in his voice when she answered, “Will do, sir. I’ll be there soon.”

  Her mind raced. Did they find Greg? They must have. I doubt if it’s another shooting victim. It has to be Greg. Glad I have this knowledge before Doc gets back.

  She looked up at Nick, “Good morning. I fell out of bed after I dropped my phone. I have to go in early. Doc heard your voice and said you might as well come in, too. Doc said there’s another shooting victim.”

  Nick jumped out of bed and helped her to her feet. He grabbed her and kissed her with such passion she wanted to forget about work.

  He leaned back and winked, “I only promised to be good last night. C’mon we need to shower and get to work.”

  “If we shower together, we’ll never get in early.”

  He laughed and pulled her hand walking toward the bathroom.

  Chapter Twelve

  Kathryn hummed on her way to work. She never liked shower sex, but that wasn’t full intercourse. It was more like a heavy high school petting session while nude and dripping wet. The shower left her alert, awake, hoping for a quick day and a long night with Nick.

  The morgue was dark when Kathryn arrived. Once the lights were on, and she changed, she checked the log. There was a call at four that morning for a death at what she knew to be Greg’s address.

  “What an odd time to call unless the police had been there for quite a while, but then they usually call for the coroner as soon as they determine the death is suspicious. A temple shot is suspicious. I’ll find out soon enough,” she mumbled as she prepared the room for what she knew Doc would need.

  She heard the elevator chime, but not the service elevator. She looked up expecting to see a police officer or perhaps Greg’s family member or friend. It was Nick.

  She pushed the button and allowed him in the room. “Hi, what are you doing down here?”

  “I checked in early the way Doc suggested. My boss told me to check in down here. Are you here alone? Do I check in with you? You could tell me what to do. It might be fun.” He winked at her.

  She smiled. “Knock it off. Be respectful. You woke me up nicely this morning. Anything else can wait until tonight.”

  “Tonight? Hmm, your place or
mine?” He drummed his fingers on his thighs as he stood and looked at her.

  She giggled at him. “Does it matter?”

  “Yeah, you have more food and left over spaghetti. You also have half a can of whipped cream.”

  She blushed. “Okay, my house.”

  They heard the service elevator and Doc hurried in. “Glad to see you both. Nick, I left Coyle to watch the van. Go get the body, please?”

  “Sure Doc,” Nick answered. “What about Coyle?”

  “Coyle’s suspended,” Doc said as he disappeared into his office.

  Nick and Kathryn shrugged at each other and Nick hurried to the van’s parking spot.

  Kathryn stuck her head in Doc’s office. “I made coffee. Would you like some or did you have enough already?”

  “I could use a cup, thanks.”

  When she set the coffee cup on Doc’s desk she asked, “Is it out of line for me to ask what happened with Coyle?”

  Dr. Graydor dropped his head into his hands and rubbed his forehead.

  He looked back up at Kathryn and said, “I’m sure you checked the log. We got a call about a death. It was another murder similar to the others.”

  Kathryn forced herself to catch her breath for a surprised effect. “Oh no, sir. It’s terrible.”

  Doc nodded. “His sister found him after she hadn’t heard from him. She let herself into his apartment. Jackson called me when he saw the murder was similar. Coyle was on duty, and we went to the scene. While I was doing my prelim eval, he decided to comfort the grieving sister. She’s a beauty. Blonde, blue eyes, just his type. He began to hit on her with his movie idea saying it would take her mind off her grief. She started to scream, and her husband showed up. He punched Coyle and Coyle fought back. He broke the guy’s nose, and the poor girl was in hysterics. Fortunately, the paramedics had been called because when she dialed 9-1-1, she didn’t say her brother was dead just hurt. They took care of the man’s nose and took both to the hospital. They are up in the E.R. right now. The hospital should fire Coyle, and they may, but they usually suspend someone first.”

  Kathryn dropped in a chair across from Doc’s desk. “That’s ridiculous even for Coyle. He needs a job without human contact. Usually they send people without good interpersonal skills to our department, but I couldn’t work with him. Maybe a tiny office somewhere with piles of paperwork. They could lock him in all day.”

  Her comments made Doc smile. “Kathryn, you’re a gem. You can bring a smile to the worst situations. I’m glad I hired you.”

  “So am I.” She stood when she heard the buzzer. “That must be Nick with the body. I’ll go.” She rushed out of the office.

  Doc called from his office, “Don’t store the body. Get it ready for immediate further eval. Detective Wayne will be here soon.”

  “Sure thing,” she called back.

  Nick helped her place Greg’s body on an autopsy table. He whispered, “Coyle is madder than a wet hen. Any idea what happened?”

  She nodded and whispered, “He hit on the victim’s sister with his movie line. She freaked out. Her husband hit Coyle. Coyle broke his nose. Both are in the E.R. now.”

  Nick whistled quietly.

  “His suspension could end up getting him fired. He’s a pervert,” she said.

  Doc stuck his head out of his office and said, “Nick, can I have a word?”

  “Sure thing, Doc,” Nick said as he stripped off his surgical gloves and walked into the Doc’s office.

  “Don’t look at me like that, I’m not going to suspend you, too.”

  Nick breathed a sigh of relief and nodded.

  “I have just one thing to say to you. You know Kathryn’s only family is her sister. She has no one else on her side. Except me. You hurt her, and you’ll answer to me. Understand?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Okay, you can get back to your regular duties.”

  Kathryn moved away from the wall next to the door where she listened to their conversation. She smiled knowing both men were looking out for her.

  Nick waved as he hurried toward the elevator. “I’ll text you about lunch.”

  She waved and smiled back.

  ~ * ~

  Doc walked into the morgue area and spoke to Kathryn. “Let’s get a skull x-ray first thing. Mr. Hadden died of a single gunshot to the temple. We’ve seen this before. Jackson wants the bullet if I can retrieve it. Looks like we have a serial killer running around.”

  Kathryn gasped her reaction honest this time. “What? Do they think it’s a serial killer?”

  Doc nodded slowly.

  Kathryn’s mind took off on its own while she x-rayed Greg’s skull. Serial killer? They think I’m a serial killer? I didn’t expect to receive the Mayor’s Citizen of the Year Award, but a serial killer? I do a service. I perform executions that aren’t legal in this state. Maybe when they finally put the pieces together and realize these men were child abusers, they’ll appreciate I did a service for the children. I’m not a hero, but I’m certainly not a serial killer.

  She rushed the x-ray to radiology and waited for the film to be developed. She silently fumed while smiling at everyone she saw. As usual, the radiologist finished with anything Doc sent up quickly, and she was back in the morgue just as Detective Wayne stepped off the elevator. She slipped the x-ray on the light viewer and sat back down at her desk. Kathryn was confident she would hear enough of their conversation to know where the investigation stood or if it were stalled.

  When Detective Wayne pressed the buzzer, she pushed the remote to open the doors.

  “Good morning, Detective Wayne. Doc’s been waiting for you in his office.” She did her best to smile a realistic smile. Kathryn fought the urge to let her feelings of being labeled a serial killer come to the surface.

  “Good morning, Miss Wright,” the detective replied.

  “Kathryn please,” she smiled.

  “Kathryn.” He nodded and walked toward Doc’s office.

  Doc met him at the doorway. “The x-ray’s back. Let’s take a look at it first.”

  Kathryn could hear the switch on the light box click on. “Just what I figured,” Doc said. “The bullet has completely mushroomed. I don’t think it will be of any help.”

  “Maybe not,” Detective Wayne said. “It does tell us all the bullets most likely came from the same gun.”

  Kathryn worked on the forms in front of her while listening to every word.

  “Some young cop at the crime scene this morning said he thought it was a serial killer. Do we have one on our hands, Jackson?” Doc asked.

  “I’d feel more certain if we knew what kind of gun we were dealing with, but with all these similar bullets, I’d say yes. Also, all of the men had some run-ins with the law. The charges vary somewhat. One was arrested for domestic abuse, but the charges were always dropped. We have one that was charged with child sexual abuse, but skated out of a trial when the victims were too terrified to testify, one whose kid wouldn’t testify against him. Each of these guys skirted around the law and should have been put away for decades.” The detective leaned against the wall and rubbed his left index finger across his chin.

  “Maybe one of the victim’s or a family member finally wanted justice their own way.” Doc suggested.

  “Could be, but all the other killings make me wonder if we don’t have some sort of vigilante on our hands. You know someone out to right the wrongs of society. With the bullets, it could be an ex-cop’s gun, and they’re out to get the guys that couldn’t be put away.”

  “You really think that’s possible?”

  “Nah,” Detective Wayne answered. “Probably some psycho with an odd killer complex.”

  Kathryn gritted her teeth and pressed her lips together. She wanted to leave the room and find a place to scream, but she could do that later. Now she needed to listen.

  Doc shook his head. “So how do you find someone like that? It could be anyone.”

  “Patience and detective work
. Eventually, they all make a mistake. This character seems to like killing in clusters. We’ll find him. Had one once that used moon phases. Let me know if you find anything else.”

  A slight smile crossed Kathryn’s lips. I won’t make a mistake. Thanks for the info.

  “Gotta run, take care, Tim. Have a good day, Kathryn.”

  Kathryn looked up and smiled. “Thank you. You, too detective.”

  She took a cleansing breath when the elevator doors closed taking the detective to whatever was next on his agenda.

  Doc finished his exam of Greg and Kathryn placed him in cooler number two and cleaned up. She returned to her paperwork glad that the morning went as well as it did. She decided if they wanted to label her a serial killer so be it. She knew what she was, and that was all that mattered.

  ~ * ~

  Nick must have had a busy morning because he never texted Kathryn before lunch. She meandered to the cafeteria and ordered a small side salad, bowl of fruit, and ice tea. If she was going to have leftover spaghetti for dinner and who knows how much whipped cream, she decided a salad would be best for her.

  She mused over what Doc and the detective said. She felt safe, but she was still going to refrain from executions for a while. Try as she might to think of a good plan when to start again, her mind kept going back to Nick and the whipped cream.

  Nick walked up behind her and whispered, “What are you thinking about?”

  “Whipped cream,” she stammered and felt her face turn red. She added. “We ate all the strawberries last night and I need to get something to go with the whipped cream.”

  He pulled a chair next to hers and placed his sandwich on the table. He sat and leaned close to her. “I’ll bring dessert tonight. Something that doesn’t need whipped cream. Maybe chocolate cake. We can use the whipped cream later.”