Dangerous Mercy: A Novel (40 page)

CHAPTER 44

Adele sat in her living room, still dressed in the red velour warm-up suit she wore when she took her morning stroll around the block.

Isabel set a cup of coffee on the side table and then sat next to Adele. “So what’s the verdict? Where do you want the Christmas tree?”

“I think we have to put it in front of the window. It’s going to be exquisite, and it would be a shame not to share it with passersby. But I’ve decided I would like some lights outside too. I wonder if it’s too late to get a professional to outline the house. And maybe even my crape myrtles.”

“I’m sure it isn’t,” Isabel said. “There are several companies that put up Christmas lights. But a lot of landscapers are getting into it now. Maybe you should ask Noah if he does it. You know the quality of his work.”

Adele brought her hands together. “What a wonderful idea.”

“You want all white lights?”

“I think I’d prefer to mix them. Maybe colored lights on the house and white lights on the trees. I’m open to suggestions.”

Isabel smiled. “When I get back from the grocery store, we can talk about it some more. Do you want me to add anything else to dinner tonight?”

“Zoe and Pierce love your pot roast, carrots, and potatoes. Why don’t you add fresh green beans and Parker House rolls? Those are Grace’s favorites.”

“What about dessert?”

“Pierce is bringing lemonade bread pudding.”

“Wonderful. That’s
my
favorite.” Isabel perused her list. “I might be a while. We’re out of almost everything.”

“I’m going to relax with the new issue of
Better Homes and Gardens,”
Adele said. “Maybe I’ll get some Christmas ideas. And I’m going to stay dressed in my warm-up suit. I’m beginning to get quite comfortable with my casual attire. Why are you smiling?”

“It’s just neat to see you adjusting to a different lifestyle.”

“You mean more relaxed.”

Isabel nodded. “I’m really glad you let me come back here and work for you. It’s so much better this time.”

“It is indeed.” Adele pretended not to notice the flushing of Isabel’s cheeks. “Go. I’ll be waiting to help put everything away when you come back.”

Isabel rose to her feet. “All right then. See you in a bit.”

Adele picked up the magazine and began perusing it the way she always did. She loved getting the big picture of what was in it and then going back and reading the articles that appealed to her.

She heard Isabel’s car drive away.

A few moments later, there was a knock—but not at the front door. She sensed someone behind her.

“Adele, don’t be scared. It’s me.”

She turned just as Murray walked around the couch and sat in a chair facing her. He had grown a beard. His bright red hair was neatly combed. He looked rather handsome dressed in khakis and a navy blue golf shirt.

She put her hand on her heart. “To say this is a shock would be putting it lightly.”

“I know,” Murray said. “I didn’t know how else to do it with Isabel living here. I wanted to talk to you before I turn myself in.”

“You’re turning yourself in?”

Murray nodded. “I want you to know why, since you were instrumental in my decision. But first, let me say how sorry I am for the way I treated you. It was inexcusable. You’d been nothing but kind to me. I never meant for you to get pulled into my mess.”

“I realize that. Have you come to terms with the wrong of what you did?”

Murray linked his fingers. “Yes. Something you said wouldn’t leave me alone. You said that by killing the four people who’d hurt me, I’d left a whole string of
living
victims—just like me.”

Adele nodded. “I remember.”

“I realize now how right you were. All I could think about was getting even. I wanted my victims to beg for mercy, but I had no intention of giving it, just like they didn’t give it to my dad or to me when we were desperate. But by doing the same thing to them, I became just like them—cold, indifferent, and heartless.” Murray cracked his knuckles. “But the real victims are their loved ones. I sentenced them to a life of anger and bitterness and unanswered questions. I know what that feels like. That’s the last thing in the world I wanted to do—especially to Jeanette’s two little boys.” Murray put his head in hands. “What have I done, Adele? I murdered five people. I’ve ruined so many lives. I’m sorry. I really am.”

Adele’s heart was moved by the genuine remorse she sensed in Murray. “You may not believe this, but I have firsthand experience with what you’re saying.”

“You? How? You’ve never killed anyone.”

“I have—but with words. I told you before I haven’t always been the person you see today. After I lost my baby, I lashed out at everyone. I behaved despicably. I cut people down. I stomped on self-esteem. I inflicted wounds that only God will be able to heal.”

“I have trouble believing you were ever that bad.”

“I was. It wasn’t until I finally came to the end of myself and realized what I’d become that I turned to God and let Him fix me.”

“Not even God can fix me. Not now. Not after what I’ve done.”

“Nonsense. He did a pretty good job on Moses after he murdered the Egyptian in anger. And King David, who had an affair and then had the woman’s husband killed. And Peter, who sat outside the place where Jesus was being tortured and denied he ever knew Him. And scores of others, just like us.”

“Us?” Murray’s eyebrows came together. “Don’t put yourself in the same category as me.”

“I’m a sinner, hon. We all are. The Lord’s system of justice is different from ours. He’s holy, and we’re not. He—and only He—can fix each one of us, no matter what we’ve done. If we let Him.”

Adele reached over and picked up the Bible on her end table. “It’s all in here. God can do wonders in people who realize they need Him. Tell Him what you just told me. You have a repentant heart. What you don’t have is hope and a future. That’s in here too.”

“You sound so much like Grandma Sophie.”

“Probably because we know the same God. Here, it’s yours.” She held out the Bible. Her heart leapt when he took it.

“
I wouldn’t know where to begin,” Murray said.

“My favorite is Psalm 139. If you read it as if you’re the one talking, I think it might give you a whole new perspective.”

“Okay. What else?”

“The gospel of John. After that you’ll be so hungry for more that you won’t need to ask.”

“You know they’ll take this away from me when I turn myself in.”

“Then I’ll go through proper channels and make sure you get another. Take it. Go someplace quiet and read with an open heart before you turn yourself in.”

Murray thumbed through the Bible. “What if I don’t get anything out of it?”

“God’s Word never returns void. It’s an adventure like nothing you’ve ever experienced. You’re on the right track. Stay on it. I promise you’ll find real joy. I know I did.”

Murray’s eyes were suddenly blue pools. “They’re not going to let me post bail. Once I’m behind bars, I’ll either get the death penalty or life in prison without parole. So I guess this is good-bye.”

“For now. But whether I’m here or in heaven, I’ll be doing what I’m sure Sophie’s been doing—praying that you’ll come to know the God we know.”

Murray stood, the Bible tucked under his arm, and was quiet for a moment. “You haven’t asked why I didn’t leave you at the cemetery.”

“I don’t need to know. But you risked getting caught when you took me to the emergency room. You must’ve had a good reason. If you want to tell me, I’d like to hear it.”

Murray opened his mouth to say something, then couldn’t seem to find his voice. He pushed his hands deep into his pockets, a tear trickling down his cheek.

Adele pushed herself to her feet. She stood next to him, her arm around his waist, and pulled him close. “I love you, too.”

“I … I don’t know if I can do this by myself.…”

“You’re not by yourself, Murray. Not now. Not ever.”

… a little more …

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• A Note from the Author

• Discussion Guide

A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. (Ps. 51:17
TNIV
)

Dear Reader,

I loved Adele in this story! She was the kind of fearless, trusting, merciful Christian I wish I could be—that I hope to be.

When she reached out to Noah and Murray, even the raised eyebrows of her closest friends did not deter her obedience. She had never forgotten God’s mercy to her, and she didn’t hesitate to extend it to those who needed it most.

I loved that she didn’t see herself as superior to Murray, not even when she knew his crimes, but rather came alongside him as a fellow sinner who empathized with his broken and contrite heart. Don’t you know he must have been amazed and touched by that?

Few of us will ever engage in such dangerous mercy. But how often do we miss chances to minister for God because we live in fear, not of being physically harmed or financially exploited, but merely of being ridiculed or looking foolish?

If Adele had not trusted her discernment and the God who gave it to her, if she had not reached out to Murray without regard to social class or peer pressure, he might never have come to a place of repentance. Or have been open to the hope that God could free him from the prison he had created with his obsessive desire for revenge. In the end, the spiritual good far outweighed the risks.

As Adele pointed out, mercy is always a little dangerous. It can be rejected or exploited. But mercy is for the needy—not the worthy. Our job as forgiven sinners is to receive it abundantly and extend it to others. Easier said than done, especially if our spirits are fearful or judgmental.

Adele faced the extreme. Most of us never will, and certainly we should exercise good sense in reaching out to others. But God puts opportunities in front of us where we can show mercy to those who are hurting, who’ve made mistakes and bad choices. Are we open to it? Adele challenged me to be a better reflection of Him. I never ever want to forget the mercy God has shown to me—or fail to offer it to others.

Whew! This was quite a ride. But we haven’t heard the last of Adele Woodmore, the Broussards, the Langleys, or the characters at Zoe B’s. Join me in the series finale,
Relentless Pursuit,
where we will discover more secrets of Roux River Bayou. I promise it will be an exciting and satisfying ending to this trilogy.

I would love to hear from you. Join me on Facebook at
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www.kathyherman.com
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In Him,