Pumpkin Spice ⭐

11 - Jail Visit

**STEVE POV**

It was a few days after I took Autumn to the hospital when I found her knocked out and something wasn't sitting right with me about this person that had in custody Karli Morgenthau. I mean I guess a homeless person who is stealing from her pumpkin patch is an easy target but honestly too easy.

I was arriving at the jail where they were holding her, and I was lucky she was willing to see me and answer some questions I had. I knew I was supposed to be investigating Olivia and her disappearance but honestly, I had to check out this lead for Autumn too.

Autumn was cleared to leave the hospital and was already back to work much to everyone telling her to relax. She was banished to working behind the counter, not lifting anything and just ringing out customers. John had become more caring and attentive to Autumn, which I found to be guilty. Guilt for leaving her, guilt for kicking her out of his truck, guilt for what...I don't know, just guilt.

I parked and walked into the jail, signing in using an alias just in case someone wanted to question me on why I was here. I didn't want to look guilty about coming to see Karli. I walked to the plexiglass window and just waited for Karli to be brought in. She came in and sat down, we picked up the phone receivers.

"Do I know you?" Karli asked and I shook my head.

"No, I'm I private detective and I'm here investigating about the attack on Autumn Walker." I said and she instantly panicked.

"I don't know if I should be talking to anyone. My lawyer...well public defender told me not to say anything." Karli said and went to hang up.

"Karli, I just want to hear your side of the story..." I panicked trying to get out before she hung up. She slowly put the receiver back up to her ear.

"No one believes me..." She trailed off.

"I will listen to whatever you have to say." I said and she sighed. She looked down at the table.

"Well first off, I should start off by saying I didn't hurt Autumn. She seems nice and I would never want to hurt her." Karli said and I gave a small smile.

"I believe you Karli, I just need to know if you know what happened and why you had the shovel." I questioned.

"Okay so I didn't see much. I was hanging out in the woods, I have a camp in there. I stay there because before Olivia went missing, she would always find me and give me apples, pumpkins, baked goods, food from the kitchen in the shop. She took care of me." Karli started to explain.

"Why didn't you just talk to Autumn? She might have helped." I said.

"I was just so scared to ask. I didn't know what to do it just seemed easier to go in after everyone was gone." Karli said and I just nodded.

"Karli, I need to know everything you saw and everything that happened." I said.

"Okay so I was walking on the path, I knew Autumn had just left. Only then I saw the lights come on the path and I heard an ATV coming. Well, I quickly walked off the path and hid in the woods. I tripped on the lights so when I saw Autumn stop, I knew that's what she was looking at. She did hear me once but didn't see me, she thought it was just an animal. As she went back by the ATV to write something in her phone, I saw someone come out of the shadows. I thought about screaming for her to watch out, but I didn't want to be discovered either. I watched this person hit her, drop the shovel and then run away. They had their face covered and were in all black. I didn't see who it was." Karli explained.

"Why did you pick up the shovel?" I asked.

"You wouldn't understand..."

"Karli." I said.

"I needed the shovel. I didn't think anyone would be looking for it and I needed it. I need it to put my fires out before I'm seen, and I throw dirt on the fire." Karli explained.

"Why didn't you call 9-1-1 you said that Autumn had the phone in her hand."

"I was planning to, but I heard you come yelling for her. So, I took the shovel and ran back into the woods." Karli explained and I sighed.

"So, you didn't see who did this at all?" I asked and she shook her head looking down.

"No, I don't know who it was. It was so dark, the lights didn't light up much and then with the lights out it was darker." Karli said and I just nodded. I looked at her and sighed.

"Karli, I'm sorry you were arrested for this, and I believe you. Someone has been trying to frame Autumn since this all started with Olivia's disappearance." I said and she shook her head.

"She wouldn't have hurt Olivia, she loved Olivia." Karli said and I nodded.

"That's what I've been hearing. Do you have any ideas on who could have done it? You seemed to have known Olivia well." I said and she shook her head.

"No everyone seemed to love her. I mean I used to hear her and John fight but what married couple doesn't have arguments." Karli said and I nodded in agreement.

"Well, if you think of anything else, please give me a call. I left my card with the officer. He said he would give it to you with your stuff." I explained as she nodded.

"Steve, can you tell Autumn I'm sorry. I would like to talk to her if she could ever find it in her heart of hearts to do so." Karli said and I gave a small smile.

"I'll see what I can do but I can't make any promises." I said and she nodded.

"Thank you, Steve, and thank you for listening to me and believing me." Karli said.

"I will do what I can to get you justice." I said and she smiled as I hung up the receiver and left the jail. I sat in the car and just got to thinking about what this meant now and who was after Autumn.

No matter who it was it didn't matter, I felt the urge to protect her. And that's what I was going to do.