Sucker Punched: A KT Morgan Short Suspense

by Kathryn J Bain

  2:09 p.m.

  Jonah pulled to the curb in front of the off-white, two-story home owned by William Seidel. He had an hour until he needed to pick Matthew up from baseball practice. KT had gone off with a friend, so he chose this time to visit Mr. Seidel.

  A white Buick was parked in the circular driveway. The place was immense with massive oak trees and a rose garden that wrapped around the front of the house. A tall wrought-iron fence surrounded the property, but the gate was open. Jonah sucked in a deep breath. This wasn't really his thing, but if it kept KT out of the situation, he’d do it. After a minute of staring at the house, he walked up and knocked on the door.

  He could hear light footsteps on the inside. Mr. Seidel answered, his eyes red and swollen. He stared at Jonah for a moment, then tilted his head back. His jaw went rigid.

  “What do you want?” he barked.

  “I just wanted to talk to you about my sister and what occurred.”

  The old man looked like he might slam the door in Jonah’s face, but then his features softened, and he moved aside, allowing Jonah entry into the living room.

  Pictures of kids, a pretty woman, and the same man (all clearly taken years ago) hung on the wall over a fireplace. There were also a couple photographs on a piano under a large window. Jonah’s heart jumped to his throat when he caught sight of pictures of the deceased children.

  “Your sister shouldn’t have opened that window.” Mr. Seidel picked up a picture of the kids with their mother. He ran his fingers over their faces.

  “I agree.”

  “I’m still not sure she wasn’t involved.”

  “I know she isn't. She’s real tore up about this.”

  “So, says you.”

  “She’s a former Marine. She’s made it her life’s mission to help others. That’s what she was doing, helping someone on the side of the road.” Jonah paused for a response. When he didn’t get any, he added, “Half a dozen people would have done the same thing.”

  “Except apparently she knows how to unlock windows.” After a beat, Seidel let out a sigh. “Want some coffee? Got one of those single serve makers, but I’m not sure how to use it. Stefania…” He choked. “She got it for me.”

  Sadness swept over Jonah. He knew the man’s pain from when he’d lost his parents. “Is there anything I can do for you to help?”

  “Nothing short of bringing our family back will help.”

  Jonah spun at the sound of a woman’s voice. His heart about jumped from his chest. Behind him stood the woman KT thought responsible for her sister’s death.

  2:18 p.m.

  Clarice stared at the guy in the living room. Luck was staring her right in the face. “Weren’t you with the woman the police were questioning?” she asked.

  Daddy nodded at the man. “This is her brother.”

  The man held his hand out to her. “Name’s Jonah Frederickson.”

  After a second, she accepted his handshake. His nose was straighter than his sister’s. Other than that, the family resemblance was clear. Unlike his sister’s confidence, this man’s unsteady gaze made his anxiety obvious.

  “I assume the police told you I wanted to speak with your sister,” Clarice stepped between him and her father.

  “No. Just a coincidence that I dropped by.”

  “I wanted her information to apologize for slapping her. If she had nothing to do with this, then I imagine she feels bad enough.”

  “She didn’t, and she does.” He raised an eyebrow.

  “Please, tell her I’m sorry.”

  “I’ll do that.” Jonah Frederickson turned back to Daddy. “KT asked that I leave her number in case you wanted to speak with her.” He handed a business card over. “She’s staying with me for the next couple of days.”

  Daddy placed the card on the kitchen counter.

  “I’m not sure he’s ready for that yet.” Clarice wrapped her arm around Daddy’s bicep.

  Jonah nodded. “I’ll be going.”

  “Thank you for coming by.” Clarice walked him to the door.

  Jonah paused at the door, then turned and looked straight at Daddy. “Hopefully, the police will find this purple-eyed girl KT helped get into that house before too long.”

  Clarice froze. Her pulse raced. The man rushed out to his car.

  “Is anything wrong?”

  She hadn’t heard her father walk up behind her.

  “No, just making sure he’s gone.” She closed the front door. “You shouldn’t have let him in. If his sister was responsible for killing Stefania, he could be involved as well.”

  Daddy nodded. “I didn't expect you to come by this afternoon.”

  “I was concerned when you left the station. Thought I'd better check.”

  “And where’s your child?”

  “You didn’t act like you wanted to see her, so I didn't bring her.”

  “I want to.” He walked to a small table in the corner of the kitchen. “I’m assuming she has your eyes.”

  “She’s twelve-years-old.” Clarice placed her hands on her hips. “You can’t think she had something to do with this. Besides, anyone can tint their eye color these days.”

  “I want to see my grandchild.” His mouth turned into even more of a frown, like when she was a child, and he’d accuse her of doing something to Stefania.

  Clarice hated his games. Accuse without accusing.

  “Tell you what,” Daddy’s shoulders relaxed, “how about you two come for dinner.” He pulled out his money clip and handed her a fifty-dollar bill.

  “Still like fried chicken from down the road?” Clarice asked.

  “Yeah.” He got up and picked up the card with the woman’s phone number. He stared at it for a second, then walked it to the fireplace mantle in the living room. “Say about six?”

  “We’ll be here.”

  He turned and plodded back to the small table in the kitchen. She picked up the card. Thick card stock. She ran her fingers over the raised lettering. KT Morgan. NSC (National Security Consultants). She’d heard of them before. They were the organization who’d saved a group of hostages in the Middle East a year or two ago.

  This woman could be more dangerous than she first thought. But even those who worked for important agencies had people they cared about. Like a brother who lived nearby. What’d he say his name was? Frederickson? Hopefully, he was a homeowner here in White Springs.

  She glanced over her shoulder. Dad stared at the wall. She pulled out her cell phone and shot a picture of the card before tiptoeing out the front door.

  3:23 p.m.

  Jonah pulled the car to the curb. The boys were still practicing. He got out and headed their way. Matthew was on deck. Jonah recalled playing ball as a kid, dad there, cheering him on. Dad had been a coach, even with his busy schedule with the State Department. Then after his death, his uncle took up the slack.

  Sadness swept through him at the thought of neither of his parents being at his wedding. At least KT was going to make it. So far. Something in his gut told him these killings could be the excuse she’d use to leave.

  Matthew walked up to the plate. He caught Jonah’s eye and smiled. He swung at the first pitch. Strike. His bat connected with the second, and the ball flew over the first baseman’s head. Matthew dropped the bat and took off running. He raced around first, then second. The right fielder tossed the ball to the pitcher who missed. Matthew made it safely to third.

  Jonah gave Matthew a thumbs up. He knew how hard it was not having a father around. While his own father had died, Matthew’s remarried and started a new family, and the current wife didn’t want any reminder of his former life. That was okay with Jonah. He didn’t mind taking on the roll.

  The next batter struck out, and Matthew didn’t make it any further. After that, the coach called the practice, they huddled together and yelled, “Go Tigers!”

  Matthew came running over. “Did you see my hit?”

  “I did. That was great.”


  They climbed into the car and headed home.

  “Where’s KT?” he asked.

  “Visiting with a friend.”

  “Oh, I was hoping she’d see me play.”

  “You can tell her about it later.” Jonah’s phone buzzed as he pulled into the driveway. He glanced at the screen. “Hey, Sis.”

  “We’re almost back,” she yelled.

  Jonah could hear the roar of a motorcycle over the line.

  “Do you need me to get anything for dinner?” she asked.

  “No, we got it covered. Having shrimp.”

  “Sounds good.” Her voice was so loud over the phone, he held it away from his ear. “What happened at the Seidel’s?” she asked.

  “Hold on.” He got out of the car with Matthew. “Go get a drink and a snack. You deserve it.”

  Jonah waited until Matthew was inside before he answered. “I got the purple-eyed girl in before I left, but that woman showed up. She apologized for slapping you, but I don’t think it was sincere.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You remember cousin Carl?”

  “Two-finger Carl?” She laughed.

  “Only ’cause you broke three of his fingers so bad he never used ’em again.”

  “That’s what happens when you touch things you shouldn’t.”

  “Yeah. Anyway, you remember that gleam he’d get in his eye when he was looking at them young girls? Kind of like you knew he was thinking something, and it wasn’t good.”

  “I remember it.”

  “That’s how she was. Her words were nice, but her eyes said she was full of it.”

  “Logan did some digging on her,” KT said. “She’s suspected of ID theft. She was also the last person with an old woman who died up north. The coroner ruled it a heart attack. The children seemed to think money and jewelry were missing, but they hadn’t visited the woman in more than a year, so no one could say for sure when they disappeared.”

  “You sound skeptical.”

  “That’s my nature,” KT huffed a laugh over the line. “I’ll see you in a few.”

  When Jonah walked into the house, Matthew was digging through his backpack.

  “What’s wrong?” Jonah asked.

  “I need to make a poster for school tomorrow, and I forgot to bring my markers home.”

  “Let me get the baked potatoes going, then we’ll go get some.”

  Five minutes later they were heading out to the car when a motorcycle pulled up to the curb with two people. KT got off the back and handed the helmet off to Thunder who drove.

  “Co-o-ol.” Matthew stared.

  Thunder climbed off, wearing jeans, arms full of tattoos, and a faded t-shirt of a Grateful Dead concert. “Jonah, hear you’re getting hitched.” He held his hand out. “Congratulations.”

  “Thanks. Thunder, this is Matthew. Matthew, Thunder.”

  “Thunder? Is that really your name?” Matthew’s eyes were wide.

  He shook Matthew’s hand. “Been called that for so long, not sure I got another name.”

  “I like your motorcycle.”

  “Well, maybe one day I can give you a lift. But for now, I’ve gotta head out.” He turned back to KT. “Good seeing you again. Let me know if you need me.”

  “I will.”

  They watched him get on the bike and ride off.

  “Do you think Mom would let me get a tattoo?” Matthew looked up at Jonah.

  KT laughed. “Maybe when you’re older.”

  “How was your ride?” Jonah asked.

  “Nice. Hated everything that had changed in Lake City. Henry’s drive-in is gone. Used to have the best burgers. Too many national chains now.”

  “It was also a good place for the kids to hang out. They’ve taken all those away so now there’s nowhere to go.”

  “Yeah.” She exhaled a loud breath. “So, where you guys headed?”

  “To the store. Seems the kid’s got a school project and needs some supplies.” Jonah placed his hand on Matthew’s shoulder. “Would you like to join us?”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  They all hopped in the car. Matthew leaned forward from the backseat and asked KT about the motorcycle, his voice excited. Jonah hoped when he got older, he wouldn’t ask for one. Karen was too overprotective for something like that. Jonah wasn’t even sure he liked the idea.

  He waited a second for a white van to pass before pulling from the driveway.

  3:46 p.m.

  Clarice glided through the back door to the house they were staying in. A bag of burgers hung from her hand. The brother’s house hadn’t been hard to find. And when she’d driven past, he and his sister were getting into a car with a young boy.

  Hers or his?

  What did it matter, if she cared about his safety?

  “Food’s here.” Sophia came rushing into the kitchen. “I’m starved.” She was wearing the expensive teal shirt Clarice had given her earlier.

  Haley rushed in from the back. Clarice dropped the bag on the kitchen counter, and Haley opened it.

  “There’s only three burgers in here.” She stared into the bag.

  “That’s because Evenie and I have dinner plans.” Clarice cupped her daughter’s chin in her hand. “Your grandfather wants to see you.” She spun around. “It’s just a matter of time until we’re living the life of luxury. A nice home, a pool.” She bumped her hip into Sophia’s who laughed.

  When Evenie didn’t react, Clarice asked, “Aren’t you excited.”

  Her daughter simply nodded.

  “So, you guys get to eat high and mighty, and we get burgers again.” Haley sneered at the flat burger in her hand.

  “We’re just having fried chicken.” Clarice’s good mood suddenly broken between her daughter’s lack of enthusiasm and Haley’s complaint. “And you had steak at my sister’s.”

  “Yeah, but I’m sick of burgers.”

  “I’m sick of your whining.” Clarice’s voice lowered. “If you don’t like it here, you’re free to leave.”

  “Maybe I will.”

  “And go where? Back out on the streets? Getting a bit too old for anyone to want you.”

  “The police might. I saw earlier there’s a huge reward for any information on the killing of those kids.”

  Clarice rushed at Haley. She backhanded her twice. The teen dropped the burger to the floor. The top bun bounced off. Haley raised her hands to her face, to ward off any other blows. Clarice shoved her back against the counter and pointed a finger in her face.

  “If you think I’ll let you ruin this for us, you’re wrong.”

  She turned to Sophia pressed against the wall. “And what about you? You thinking of talking?”

  “No,” she muttered.

  “Good.” Clarice turned back to Haley. “If you think dried burgers are bad, imagine having bologna the rest of your life. You were just as involved as the rest of us.”

  The room filled with silence.

  “Do you think it's safe to take Evenie to see her grandfather with this woman around?” Sophia shoved a fry into her mouth with a trembling hand.

  Leave it to her to divert everyone’s attention.

  “We’ve got no choice. He wants to see her.” Clarice finally turned her glare away from Haley “And don’t worry, eventually you’ll be eating steak instead of burgers.”

  “Here, here.” Sophia raised her hamburger in salute.

  Meredith came in. She glanced at all four. “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing,” Clarice said. “Just explaining the facts of life.” She walked to the living room, purposely stepping on the hamburger bun on the floor.

  5:18 p.m.

  Clarice headed back to Frog Hollow. She huffed a laugh.

  “What’s so funny?” Sophia asked.

  “Used to be an A & W over there. It was my sister’s favorite place to eat when we were kids.” Clarice grinned. Poetic justice for it to be gone also. “A lot of boring places gone.” Including the p
ool hall where Evenie’s father had dumped her when he found out she was pregnant.

  She parked a block from the yellow house with black trim. “Make sure you keep a close eye. I don’t want anyone leaving without knowing.”

  “Okay.” Haley climbed out of the back of the van with Sophia following. Once the girls were out, Clarice pulled from the curb and headed east. Six blocks over, she pulled into the driveway of the home where she’d grown up. She turned to Evenie, who stared at her cell phone.

  “You ready?” Clarice said.

  “Yeah.” Evenie slid the phone into a small purse next to her.

  “Don’t blow it.”

  “I won’t. How do you plan to deal with that jogger? Watching her isn’t going to keep her from testifying against me.” Her accusatory tone matched her narrow eyes.

  Clarice thought for a second, then pulled out her cell and glanced at the business card she’d taken a picture of earlier. She dialed the number.

  “This is KT Morgan,” the woman answered. Several voices could be heard over the line.

  “Ms. Morgan, this is Ms. Seidel. I met your brother earlier. I'm William Seidel’s daughter.”

  “How may I help you, Ms. Seidel?”

  The voices dimmed in the background then a door closed.

  “I just wanted to call and apologize for my outburst earlier,” Clarice said. “I told your brother but thought it would be better if I called. I was really out of line.”

  “It’s understandable. I let a killer into your sister’s house.” Her voice was low and raspy, like it had passed through a grater.

  “Yes, but that doesn’t give me a right to hit you.” When KT didn’t respond, Clarice added, “I just wish they’d find the people responsible. I can’t figure out who would do such a thing, especially to the children.”

  “Human nature is hard to understand.”

  “Your brother mentioned some purple-eyed girl.”

  “Yeah, dark purple eyes. A lot like yours.”

  “Well, it wasn’t me you let in. Besides, I’m sure you know, contacts can change an eye color on anyone.” She waited for her words to sink in. “You can’t believe I had something to do with my sister’s murder.”