100 Ways to Solve a Murder-Chapter 93: The Calm Before the Storm IV

Continuation

Sometime 21 years ago.

It was 3 days later when Kevin Martin decided to visit the Murdoch’s residence and to see the toddler himself.

They climbed upstairs towards her bedroom, and Carl knocked on the door softly.

"Sammy." He called, entering her bedroom slowly. The redhead sat on the moss green-carpeted floor, stacking blocks.

Her head turned to look at her grandfather, with a familiar smile but her expression changed when she saw the stranger behind him.

Kevin entered the room, observing the child. Her room was clean, organized, there were toys here and there, nothing unusual for a child.

Carl kneeled beside his granddaughter,

"This is Dr. Kevin Martin." He introduced him.

The toddler looked up at the strange man, and she stuck out her lower lip, big green eyes narrowed at him. Clearly hating the stranger already.

Carl gave Kevin an apologetic look,

"She doesn’t really like strangers." He says, "It’s a natural fear for children this age." Kevin said, and Carl nodded somewhat unconvinced.

It’s not just because of age, he knew, it was the fact that she doesn’t trust anyone easily.

Kevin approached slowly, keeping close to her but not too close.

"Hi." He greeted her, and she turned her back to him refusing to acknowledge his existence.

"I’m Kev. How have you been doing Sam? Cool blocks. Can I play too?" The doctor asked. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

She ignores him again, and for hours not bothering to even look at him.

The young doctor goes home in defeat, he’ll try again next time.

This went on for weeks, but he’d witness her do jigsaw puzzles-- inverted. – assemble brown cardboard shapes without the pictures – because it was more challenging.

He’d seen her form rows of sponge numbers which are in actual fact, mathematical formulas.

...

Kevin Martin’s usual visits were during playtime, which he spent giving her puzzles to solve, or playing chess with her, drawing and finger painting--there was a range of games she’ll play. It took him months to at least have the child look at him. But one day Kevin visited Murdoch’s household earlier than usual, just in time for Sam’s piano lesson with her grandma.

Her small fingers hit the notes perfectly, earning a kiss from her Nana and most of all a cookie. She did show signs of social awkwardness akin to autism, but she was comfortable enough to interact with people who were familiar with her. It may just be a matter of feeling safe, Kevin thought. She was far from trusting that’s for certain.

Kevin watched amused, standing next to Carl in the parlor.

Kevin arched a curious brow, "Cookie?" He asked. "Yes. We bribe her with sweets like other children. Donuts are her favorite though. Bavarian." Carl revealed.

A wide grin spreads on Kevin’s face, "That sounds perfect," he states, an idea in mind, as he watched the girl eat the cookie happily.

2 days later Kevin walked in her playroom. She ignored him, like usual. Until she noticed the box in his hand, no, she smelt the familiar scent. Kevin smiled in victory, the expression on her face said it all, her focus now on the box in his hand, the toy plane was left forgotten.

"You want some?" Kevin asked. And she responded for the first time. She nodded her tiny head. Maybe milking the reaction was too much, but he couldn’t help it. 2 months he had observed her, and a box of donuts was his ticket to success.

"Sorry, I can’t hear you," Kevin said, playfully. Sam frowned, turning her back to him indignantly.

Kevin scowled, fuck, he berated himself for pushing too hard. He should have settled for the nod and gave her one. But no, he had to push. Now he lost her.... Or maybe not?

The little girl sneaked a peek a time or two at the box, Kevin noticed. Maybe he could still win this battle, he thought.

Kevin opened the box, as he sat on the floor, legs crossed. He faked a yawn. He ignored her, eyes at the yard outside. And he dug his fingers, taking a donut out of the box. He ate it, ignoring the pouty look on her face, he licked his fingers when he finished. Alright, he knew what he was doing was absolutely immature, but he could see her expression reflecting on the window glass.

She looked on the verge of crying. Grief-stricken. She wanted that donut, badly. Who would have known her weakness was sweets?

He ignored her still, dug his finger again in the box pulling another, this time he turned his head just enough that his face faced hers. His mouth was wide open, holding a donut on the way to his mouth.

"You want some?" He asked again. Sam nodded eagerly, too eagerly. He nearly broke into a laugh, but that would be unprofessional.

"I can’t hear you." He said, she frowned. "Your choice, this is the only Bavarian left." He added looking at the box, sadly. She tilted her head at the stranger, who in her mind had become the familiar stranger.

Kevin looked at little Sam, "I know you can understand me perfectly, you’re a clever kid. But you gotta learn to tell us what you want. You gotta say it." he told her determinedly.

A long awkward silence came upon them.

Kevin sighed, "Okay." He said defeated after getting no response from her, ready to take a bite from the donut.

A small voice made his eyes widened,

"Yes, I’d like a donut please," she said.

Kevin nearly choked on his own saliva. Did he just hear that right? He looked at her, gobsmacked.

"I’d like to have that donut, please." She repeated, looking him straight in the eyes. The toddler didn’t just speak words, she formed whole sentences. And the English accent had caught him off guard.

"Okay," Kevin replied, flabbergasted. He handed her the donut which she took willingly. And happily ate.

"You can speak," Kevin muttered shocked, watching her devour the donut.

She tilted her head at him, amused at the man she will be calling ’donut man.’ from then forward.