Riddle (9 page)

He stopped talking and took a sip of his soda. Then taking a breath he continued. “I think after a while we would have broken up. In a lot of ways she was having a rebellious moment. I was flattered that a popular and beautiful cheerleader was interested in me.” Shaking his head he laughed harshly. “It’s funny the things that seem important when you’re young.”

“You aren’t exactly old,” Grace said softly.

“Sometimes I feel very old. Sometimes I feel as though I’ve lived a thousand lifetimes.” Forcing a smile he said, “But enough about me.”

Grace studied him closely. There was something about Kort that touched her heart. She had a hard time believing he could have killed anyone, especially a girl he loved. “I guess this is our bare our souls evening.” She picked up her drink and held it out for a toast. “Here’s to us and better futures for both of us.”

Kort grinned broadly then; a genuine ear to ear grin. “To us and better futures.” He tapped his cup against hers and they each took a sip of their sodas.

They chatted about Grace’s car and her job at the diner, Kort’s job, and Grace’s new apartment. A group of teens came in and gathered around a table near the front of the restaurant while they were eating. “Frankly I wouldn’t want to be a teen again,” Grace said softly as she took a bite of her pizza.

“It was not the best time of my life,” Kort agreed.

After they finished eating Grace asked to see his phone. Turning it on, she went to his contacts. “We can’t have you walking around without anyone in your contact list. Do you mind if I add my number?”

He chuckled. “I would like it very much.” He pulled his parole officer’s card out of his wallet and handed it to Grace. Then he remembered Norma’s number and dug the paper out of his pocket. “And can you add these too?”

“Sure. Let me show you how to do this.” Leaning across the table she added her own number then picked up the paper with Norma’s number. “Okay what’s the name of this person?”

“Norma,” Kort took another sip of his soda.

Grace’s fingers hesitated a moment. Something about the fact that it was a woman’s number bothered her. “Relative or friend?”

Kort studied her as she leaned over the phone her hair falling forward and covering her face. “A very old friend.”

Grace’s fingers flew over the keyboard as she regained her composure. As she finished entering the information she smiled up at him. “Here you go!” Then she began to explain some of the other features of the phone. Kort’s head leaned close to hers as he tried to absorb what she was saying. Her hair smelled like apples and he found he kept inhaling the scent. Suddenly she smiled up at him. “It may seem confusing but you’ll get used to it. And there’s a booklet with directions in the box.”

“I appreciate it.” He studied her eyes and for the first time noticed that they were a strange coppery green color. He almost commented on the oddity before catching himself.

Grace sat back in her chair. “We both have to get up early tomorrow so I guess we should get going.”

Kort gathered the trash and deposited it in the can on their way to the door. Grace was aware of the owner’s eyes following them and she turned and flashed a bright smile. “Thanks so much for an interesting evening. The pizza was great even if you are one of the rudest people I’ve ever met.”

The man’s mouth dropped open and he stared as the door closed slowly behind them. Looking at one another they burst out laughing. “What was that about?” Kort asked as they walked to the truck.

“He pissed me off,” Grace giggled as she climbed into the truck. “I hate rudeness. And I hate people who are judgmental.”

Kort leaned against the door and grinned at her. “You must be a lot of fun at parties.”

She shoved lightly at his chest. “Oh hush!”

Shaking his head Kort went around the truck and climbed into the driver’s seat. Starting the engine he said, “I hope I didn’t offend you. I was just joking.”

“No you didn’t offend me. Did I embarrass you?”

“Not at all. The expression on the old man’s face was priceless.” Glancing at her out of the corner of his eye he added, “I guess I better be prepared for things like this to happen.”

Grace frowned, “But you shouldn’t get used to it. It’s wrong. Even if you had done what they say you did, you served time and have been released. He doesn’t have the right to be nasty.”

Kort didn’t say anything. He continued driving and the rain started again. The windshield wipers clicked rhythmically leaving streams of water running down the sides of the windshield. Grace studied Kort’s profile in the headlights of passing cars. Not for the first time she wondered if he might be guilty of murder. Although he’d been incredibly kind to her since their first encounter she was smart enough to know killers didn’t walk around advertising their guilt. The truck stopped at a red light and Kort turned to find her staring at him.

He smiled wryly. “The question is always there, isn’t it? Did I do it? Could I do it again?”

Grace’s face grew hot. “I’ve thought about it.”

Kort nodded. The light changed and he began driving again. A vein throbbed in his temple and Grace noticed it. Maybe she should be concerned or even frightened but she wasn’t. “For what it’s worth I’ve thought about it but I just don’t see it. I think you got railroaded and from what I have seen almost this whole town got on that train. Even if you were the biggest juvenile delinquent in town you should have had a fair trial. It’s almost as though they didn’t want it to be anyone else. Did they investigate at all?”

Kort pulled in to the motel parking lot and parked the truck. “Not as far as I know.” He turned to look Grace full in the face. “They questioned students and teachers but most of the questions seemed to be about my relationship with Desiree.”

Grace shook her head. “You must have had a lousy lawyer.”

The remark made Kort laugh bitterly. There was no smile on his face as his described his court appointed attorney. “He thought I was guilty too. He kept trying to get me to take a plea, say I was guilty, and do whatever time I was given. “

“What did your parents say? Couldn’t they afford a lawyer for you?”

A strange expression crossed Kort’s face and even in the dim light from the motel sign Grace could see he was torn. “I think my mother wanted to get me a lawyer but my father told the judge he couldn’t afford one.” He stopped speaking and Grace sensed there was more he wanted to say. “They adopted me when I was a baby. They’re white. Good solid Methodist people who took in a poor little Indian boy whose mother was a drunken drug user abandoned by her boyfriend when he found out she was pregnant.” His voice had grown cold and hard. For a moment Grace could see the angry young man who had been accused of murder. If that was what the court saw then she could almost understand why he had been targeted.

Instinctively she reached out and touched his arm. “I’m not going to say I’m sorry. That’s trite. But what happened to you is wrong. I’m glad you were able to pull yourself through and somehow remain a nice guy; because you are a nice guy. You have been extremely kind to me and I appreciate it. Don’t let these idiots drag you down. Get out of this place as soon as you can. There’s a whole world out there where you can make a difference.”

Kort laughed softly. “You mean get in my truck and drive until it breaks down? I wish I could Grace. I’ve thought about it since before Desiree was killed. In fact we had talked about it. Her parents would never have allowed her to be with me and she hated it here as much as I did. It was as hard for her to be the perfect cheer leadier, church going, “A” student as it was for me to be the outcast. But whoever took her life took that away from both of us. We might not have stayed together in the long run. But we both wanted out of Riddle.”

“You’re not a teen aged high school student any more Kort. You can get away. Take some time and think about it. Maybe that’s what Desiree would have wanted. At least one of you should get out.”

He placed his hand over hers and squeezed softly. His hand felt enormous over her small one. “Thanks Grace. I do mean that. But for right now I can’t go anywhere. So I just have to face what comes and hope I can handle it.”

Slightly embarrassed Grace slipped her hand from under his. “That’s a beginning. I better get this stuff upstairs and get some sleep. I have an early morning, and so do you.”

They got out of the truck and Kort insisted on carrying her bags to the lobby. Neither of them noticed the young man watching them from his darkened car at the side of the building.

Tony frowned as he watched Grace suddenly hug Kort. “What the hell is she doing with that killer?” he muttered to himself.

Although Kort offered, Grace insisted on taking her purchases upstairs by herself. Kort didn’t notice he was being watched as he got back into his truck and headed home. He didn’t notice the car that followed him either. He was going over his conversation with Grace and wondering how someone who barely knew him could believe in him more than the people who had known him almost all of his life.

The car slowed as Kort pulled into the garage and sped off as the garage door lowered behind his truck.

Chapter 13

As he stepped into the house the scent of cooking drifted from the kitchen. His mother sat on the couch watching the news on the television. She looked up as he came into the room. For a moment Kort thought she had been crying as she wiped at her eyes.

“Are you okay?” he asked uncertainly.

She stood up and responded sharply, “I could ask you the same thing.”

Kort stopped short and raised his hands questioningly. “What’s wrong?”

“That Norma has called here at least five times looking for you. I made dinner. I was worried. You could have called.” Her hands fluttered nervously and she spoke so quickly Kort struggled to follow what she was saying. Suddenly he understood she had been concerned. It never occurred to him that she would give a second thought to where he was. “I’m so sorry,” he said sincerely. “I never thought, I mean. I should have called. It was wrong. I had no idea you would cook…” his voice trailed.

She strode toward the kitchen. “I’m foolish to think things had changed.”

Kort followed her. “Mom. Please.”

She stopped short and turned to face him, her lower lip quivering. “You haven’t called me Mom since you were a little boy. It was always Mother or Ma’am. It was like you took a part of you away; as though you stopped loving me.”

Stunned Kort stared at her. “But Father told me that I had to stop being a mama’s boy.”

“Father! Father!” She spat angrily. “He wanted a little soldier to follow his orders and rules.” She sobbed and sank into a kitchen chair. “I wanted a child to love and be loved by. I wanted a baby who I could give a good life to.”

Kort stood hesitantly. He had never seen this side of his mother. “I don’t know what to say. I thought that was what you wanted. You changed, I didn’t.”

Her hands continued moving in the air like a small trapped bird as she searched for words. Instead she burst out, “There’s dinner in the oven.” With that she fled up the stairs leaving Kort staring after her. As if to add to his confusion the house telephone began to ring. Gritting his teeth, he closed his eyes tightly and counted slowly to ten. The ringing of the telephone continued and he couldn’t drown it out.

Swearing under his breath he answered the kitchen phone. “Yes.”

Norma’s voice came over the line, soft and filled with concern. “Kort? Are you all right? I’ve been trying to reach you all day. I was worried.”

Taking a deep breath he responded as calmly as possible. “I was at work Norma. You knew I was going to work.”

She must have sensed the tension in his voice because she didn’t say anything for several seconds. Then she continued speaking, an edgier tone in her voice. “I know. I wondered if you wanted to go and get a cell phone and maybe grab a bite to eat.” When he didn’t immediately respond she went on. “Your mother was worried too. No one knew where you were.”

While part of him felt guilty another part of him was angry. He had spent years in prison, every minute of his day observed and dictated by others. “I’m sorry Norma. I had some errands to run and I got a phone.”

The tension on the line grew thicker as they each tried to think of something to say that was less confrontational. Norma broke first. “No I’m sorry. I have no right to expect you to report in to me or anyone else. I’m sure you’ve had enough of that. I was only worried because so many people are angry that you’ve been released.”

Kort ran a hand through is hair and took a deep breath. “I understand. It’s just been a long day.”

She continued, her voice soft and sweet. “I know and I am so sorry. Can I treat you to dinner to make up for upsetting you?”

Hesitating only a moment Kort told her he had already eaten. “My mother actually cooked.” He didn’t mention Grace although he wasn’t certain why he was avoiding it. Perhaps Norma’s reaction at the diner earlier in the day was at the back of his mind.

“Oh. Well that’s nice. How about after work tomorrow? I’m off and I’ll make dinner for us at my place. You haven’t seen it yet.”

Guilt finally overran annoyance and Kort agreed. “Unless I work very late or my mother has something planned.” He tried to leave himself an out just in case.

“Oh come on Kort. She can spare you for one night.”

Sighing heavily he agreed. “I’ll call you when I get home and cleaned up. It should be around six or so.”

Norma’s voice brightened and he could see her smile in his mind. “Great! Oh and give me your cell number so I don’t bother your mother again.”

Laughing he told her he didn’t even remember it. “I’ll give it to you tomorrow night.”

“I’ll hold you to that. I’m really looking forward to dinner.”

Kort heard a door open upstairs and realized his mother was on her way down to the living room. “Me too. But I really need to grab a shower and lay down. I’m worn out.” As he said good-bye his mother came into the kitchen. Hanging up the phone he turned to face her.

Before he could speak she held up her hand. “I apologize. I don’t know what came over me. Do you want some dinner or have you eaten?”

Part of Kort wanted to reach out and comfort her but another part remembered the anger and disappointment of his early years. When his father had punished him harshly, when he brought out the belt, the nights he was sent to bed early; all those memories still cut through him. She had done nothing to stop it. If she had loved him she should have spoken up for him. “I had some pizza but I wouldn’t mind something to eat. It smells good.”

She nodded and began to put food on a plate for him. Although he didn’t think he was hungry when he saw the slice of pot roast, his favorite as a child, his mouth watered. Everything on his plate were his favorites from his youth. He realized then she had prepared the meal for him and was surprised she remembered the foods he had enjoyed so much when he was little. She filled both their plates and they sat at the kitchen table eating silently at first.

Finally Kort spoke. “Thank you. This is wonderful.”

“Better than pizza,” she responded gruffly.

Her tone made him laugh. “Much better than pizza. I won’t forget to call if I am going to be late from now on.”

“Well don’t expect this every night. But this is a night to celebrate. You are home, you have gotten a job, and this is a new chance for you to make your life right.”

Kort chewed thoughtfully. “I’m surprised you remember my favorite foods.”

Without looking up she said softly, “I haven’t forgotten anything.”

Part of him wanted to ask what she meant but he put the question aside. They ate the remainder of the meal in silence. When they finished and she stood to clear the table he helped her. It had always been one of his chores to help her and he fell into it as easily as if he had never left.  After the dishwasher was loaded and the leftovers put away he turned to say good night.

“Kort it’s not any of my business but I will tell you I don’t like that Norma. When you were…” she hesitated as if searching for a comfortable way to describe his incarceration, “…away she would call often. At first I thought she meant well but after a while it seemed strange. Be careful. People in this town don’t forget.”

He was surprised. He had always thought she didn’t care for Norma but his conversation with Norma had led him to believe things had changed. He nodded. “Don’t worry Mother. I’ll be careful.”

Wiping her hands on a dish towel she told him good night and left him standing in the kitchen not quite certain what was happening. Exhausted, he made his way upstairs to his bedroom and took a quick shower before tumbling into bed. He was asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow. Across the street a dark car pulled away slowly a few minutes after his light went out.