Dangerous Mercy: A Novel (30 page)

“She did.” Zoe pushed the envelope through the mail slot on the front door, then brushed her hands together. “It’s none of our business. I really hate that we missed her though.”

“Not to worry. The lemonade bread pudding will keep in the cooler,” Pierce said. “Let’s go to Target and finish our shopping. We can come back later.”

Zoe turned and took Grace by the hand and helped her down the steps. “I’m positive Adele told me she had Isabel checked out weeks ago. Why do you suppose she’s hired a PI?”

“I don’t know,” Pierce said. “But I hope he told her she’s playing with fire by hiring the men from Haven House.”

CHAPTER 31

Adele stepped carefully across the black-and-white checkered floor at Scoops, sat at a round red table, and then leaned her cane against an empty chair. It seemed crowded for four o’clock in the afternoon. She glanced out the window at the digital numbers displayed on the bank. Ninety-nine degrees. Was it any wonder this place was busy?

Red ceiling fans whirred overhead. The entire back wall was covered with a painted mural of the quaint shops along
rue Madeline
—an amazing likeness of the buildings and overhanging galleries lush with blooming plants, greenery, and flowers.

The walls on either side of Scoops were painted red, and each featured poster-sized framed photographs of happy, adorable children eating a variety of ice-cream delights.

Along the front of the store, colorful bins of small toys and trinkets were strategically displayed next to a glass freezer showcasing two dozen flavors of ice cream.

She studied a mother with three small children and admired her patience with the messy fidgeting.

Murray arrived at the table carrying two red bowls, each containing a tall mound made of five scoops of banana-cinnamon ice cream smothered in slices of fresh banana and topped with hot butterscotch, pecans, and whipped cream. The peak was the two-inch end of a banana, topped with more whipped cream and a cherry.

Adele put her hands to her mouth and started to laugh. “We really did it, Murray. Banana Mountains. How am I ever going to eat all mine?”

“I promise you”—Murray sat across from her and handed her a spoon—“nothing’s going to waste. Eat as much as you want, and if there’s any left, I’ll take care of it.”

She realized people were staring. “Are we the only ones here who got this?”

“No. Half the people in line ordered it. I think it’s so impressive looking, it always gets a double take.”

Adele ate the cherry and then took a bite and savored it. “Oh my. This is heavenly.”

“Or as my generation would say, it’s to
die for
.”

Adele enjoyed bite after bite, feeling completely comfortable with Murray’s silence and hoping he wasn’t dwelling on his grandma Sophie’s death on this very day eighteen years ago.

“I like being with you,” Murray said. “I haven’t had time to make new friends.”

“I’m sure it must be difficult to start over.”

“Yeah. It is.”

“Where do young people go these days—to meet other young people?”

“I’m not into bars,” he said. “I prefer social networking. There are a few gals I like talking to online. But it’s hard to have any privacy at Haven House. Once in a while I take my laptop to Boucher Bookshop, where I can get free Wi-Fi. I can access the Internet that way without someone looking over my shoulder.”

“Where do you keep your laptop?”

“In my backpack. It’s called an iPad. It’s really small. I bought it used, right after I bought the truck. I couldn’t believe how much technology had changed since I’d been away from it.”

Adele waved her hand. “Goodness, everyone I know uses computers these days. Zoe and Vanessa couldn’t do without theirs. Even Noah said he kept all his financial information on computer when he had his landscaping business.”

“I don’t know how people ever managed a business without them.”

“Tell me again exactly what it was you did for a living.” Adele felt her face get hot. Would he remember that he’d never told her?

“I was a computer systems analyst. I helped businesses set up their individual computer systems and keep them current.”

“Can’t you go back to doing that?”

Murray put a big bite of banana in his mouth. “Not really. I’ve been out of it too long. I’d need to take a refresher course to learn how to implement the current technology. I loved it though. Speaking of loving it, isn’t this Banana Mountain amazing?”

“It’s terrific. Better than I even imagined.” Adele put her hand over her mouth and giggled. “I just might finish mine after all. I won’t want to eat for a week.”

“I imagine Isabel will enjoy the break from cooking and can get caught up on something else.”

Adele picked up a slice of banana with her spoon. “Murray, since you brought up Isabel, you should know she quit.”

“I didn’t even realize she had given notice.”

“She didn’t. We had some differences we couldn’t resolve. She thought it best if she left.”

“Pretty unprofessional to leave with no notice,” Murray said. “Isabel always seemed tense. It was obvious she didn’t like me.”

“She had trust issues, hon. It was difficult for her to accept that I allowed strangers into my home.”

“Me?”

“It wasn’t just you. She was uncomfortable with Noah as well. What I thought to be hospitable, Isabel considered to be reckless. I don’t think we would ever have come to terms on it.”

The corners of Murray’s mouth curled. “You’re not afraid of me, are you?”

“I should say not.”

“I could be a serial killer, for all you know.”

“And I could be the Queen of Hearts from
Alice in Wonderland
. Off with their heads!”

Murray laughed. “You’re a fun lady. I like being with you. Would you believe me if I told you it was my birthday?”

Adele arched her eyebrows and managed to put a questioning tone in her voice. “You’re serious?”

“Yes. I’m thirty today. I haven’t celebrated my birthday for a few years. But it’s nice being here with you.”

“Well, forevermore! Happy birthday, Murray.” She reached over and squeezed his hand. “I’m so glad you decided to share it with me. Thirty is somewhat of a milestone.”

“It’s also a reminder that the clock is ticking and I haven’t done anything with my life yet.”

“There’s still plenty of time to do anything your heart desires.” Adele leaned forward and looked into his eyes. “You’re smart. And you already have a profession with computers. You just need to brush up. If you want to get your life back, it’s right there, just waiting for you.”

“I do want my life back. I’ve had some serious pain to deal with, but today I’ve put that behind me. I’m ready to move on.”

“That’s the spirit,” she said. “If there’s anything I can do to help, you know I will.”

Isabel’s words instantly came to mind.
Just be careful. Find out who these men are before you invite them to sit down at your table. And please don’t feel sorry for them and give them money.

“You’re sweet to offer, Adele. But you’re already helping me—just by being a friend and letting me work for you.”

If he was after money, wasn’t that the perfect opening? So much for Isabel’s overactive imagination.

“I like being with you, too, Murray. I don’t have many friends in Les Barbes. I lived in Alexandria all my life until six months ago. I’ve outlived most of my family. And so many of my friends have died now.”

“But you have cool memories of the adventures you had with Alfred. Do you realize how lucky you are?”

“Indeed. But nothing in my life was luck. It was all a blessing from God.”

“What about the loss of your baby? And Alfred’s sudden death? Were those from God too?”

“He certainly allowed them. He used them as opportunities to bring me into a personal relationship with Him. That part was a blessing.”

Murray put a big bite of ice cream into his mouth and didn’t say anything.

“I know you struggle with God, perhaps even blame Him for the troubles you’ve had.”

“You’re right. I don’t trust God. Not after what He threw my way.”

“A lot of bad things happen in this life. God allows them, but He certainly doesn’t enjoy seeing us suffer. He’s there to comfort us and guide us through it.”

“Really? Where was He, I wonder, when my dad lost his job at fifty-three and no one would hire him? When my parents went bankrupt, lost their home, and had to move in with me? When my mom died of a heart attack from the stress? And Dad put a bullet through his head to end the humiliation?”

Adele felt her throat tighten with emotion. The reality seemed so much worse hearing it from Murray than it did getting a report from Danny.

“I’m sorry you’ve had all that heartache,” she said. “I don’t pretend to know exactly how you felt. But I know how I felt when I lost the baby. And when I lost Alfred. I was desolate.”

Murray lifted his eyes. “I could’ve handled it. But my parents were so bitter and depressed. Living with their pain, day in and day out in a one-bedroom apartment, was torture for all of us. I slept on the couch for six months and hated going home.”

“Did you have anyone to confide in?”

“Just the girl I planned to marry.” Murray bit his lip and seemed lost in thought. “Our relationship was never the same after my parents moved in with me. We had been talking about getting married, but when I surprised her with an engagement ring, she gave it back the next day. Said she loved me but my family situation was just too
oppressive,
that she couldn’t handle the gloom and doom. She broke it off—just like that. I felt like half of me was gone.”

“I’m so sorry, Murray. I really am.”

“Yeah, me, too. After my parents died, I tried contacting her and found out she had gotten married. She didn’t waste any time.”

“Is that what caused you to enter the homeless lifestyle?”

Murray shook his head. “Not exactly. I got so depressed when I realized I had no chance of ever getting her back that my performance at work slipped even more. I made a big mistake that cost us a valuable client. Long story short, I got fired. I tried to explain what I was going through. The big boss didn’t care that the bottom had fallen out of my life. My performance had been slipping for months. She needed a good systems analyst—and that was no longer me.”

Adele didn’t know what to say and decided just to listen.

“I was in no shape to find another job. Plus, there was no way I’d get a good reference. I just stayed in my apartment and cut myself off from everyone and everything. I had used up my savings to bury my parents, but I still had my 401(k). It didn’t last long. My truck was repossessed, and I was evicted from my apartment. Truthfully, I didn’t even care.
That’s
when I entered the homeless lifestyle.”

“You’ve suffered a great deal in your young life, Murray. But perhaps turning thirty is a good time to change directions. You’ve got all the makings of a bright future.”

“Yes, today is a turning point. Now I can get on with my life.” Murray sat quietly for a few moments, a faraway look on his face. Finally he looked up. “Thanks for listening. It felt good getting that out. I’ve never told anyone before. I hope it didn’t depress you.”

“No. I’m looking at it from
this
side of the pain. I’m very sorry you had to suffer all these things, but it’s over now.”

“I’d really appreciate it if you kept this between us,” he said.

“Of course I will. There’s no reason anyone needs to know your personal business.” Adele took a bite of ice cream. No wonder Murray had been reluctant to talk about his past. “I’m not going to quit working on you to make peace with God, though. He can make all the difference in how you go forward.”

“Trust me, God doesn’t want me any more than I want Him.”

“Oh, I beg to differ,” she said. “I think God’s been trying to get your attention for a long time.”

“He got my attention. The question is: Did I get His?” Murray almost sounded amused.

Adele studied him, wondering what he meant but not wanting to debate the sovereignty of God. All in good time.

“Well, here’s to a wonderful future.” Adele held up a spoonful of ice cream, and Murray did the same. “I wish you every perfect blessing. Happy birthday, Murray.”

CHAPTER 32

Adele leaned back in the passenger seat of Murray’s truck and enjoyed the ride along Ascension Boulevard. This main thoroughfare was lined on both sides with mature live oaks draped with Spanish moss. Beyond the expansive green lawns stood elegant antebellum homes owned by the Les Barbes Historical Society and open to the public.

Murray turned onto
rue Evangeline,
its quaint double-gallery houses now shops of all kinds. Above the shops, the galleries were thick with potted trees, plants, and flowers, and some were furnished with tables and chairs and used by eating establishments for guest dining.

“Les Barbes is truly a beautiful little city,” she said.

Murray glanced over at her, wearing a pleasant smile. “I grew up in Lafayette. But I remember my parents bringing me over here when I was a kid. They were Cajun to the core, and Cajun culture was becoming popular around the country. Les Barbes was just starting to take its place in all that. Today its economy is about fifty percent tourist driven.”

“It’s lovely. The Cajun influence is much stronger here than in my hometown of Alexandria. That’s where Alfred and I were married—at Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral—and we lived in Alexandria until Woodmore House was built. That was Alfred’s wedding gift to me.”

“Some wedding gift.”

Adele smiled. “I’ve always been blessed with more lavishness than I deserve. In my younger days, I took it for granted. But since Alfred set up the foundation, I’ve been very much involved with what I have and how the wealth is being distributed. My fortune is a gift from God, and I feel a responsibility to share it where it can do the most good.”

“I can see that,” Murray said. “I doubt I’ll ever be rich, but I made good money as a computer systems analyst. I hope to get back to it. I should be able to make a good living.”

“Would you like to marry and have a family?”

Murray nodded. “For a long time, I was bitter that my fiancée broke off the engagement and bailed when I needed her most. But starting today, I’m putting it all behind me.”

“I’m so glad to hear you say that. Turning thirty does seem like the perfect time to start fresh.”

In the next instant, a red car with out-of-state plates pulled out in front of them from a side street and Murray slammed on the brakes.

Lord, help us! Send angels!
Adele prayed as she was thrust forward, her seat belt holding her securely, her eyes clamped shut in anticipation of a collision.

Instead the car stopped short of a crash, and Murray pulled the truck over to the curb, his face flushed, his hands shaking.

“You okay?” he said faintly.

“Yes. I … I think so. I didn’t think there was any way to miss that car.”
Thank You, Lord.

Adele felt something roll on the floor against her foot. She looked down and saw a can of spray paint.

Murray snatched it and stuffed it under his seat. “Sorry about that. Your purse fell over too. Here, let me get it for you.” He reached down and picked up her purse and handed it to her, along with a tube of lipstick and a compact that had fallen out. “There you go.”

“Thank you, hon. Looks like we’re both fine. That was close.”

“I’ve got to be on my toes every second with all these tourists. Half the time, they have no idea where they’re going.” Murray gripped the wheel with both hands and turned to her. “You want to keep going, or did that do you in?”

“I’m fine. I’d like to continue our drive, if you would. I hope that sun won’t be in our eyes the whole time.”

“I can fix that.” Murray pulled down her visor and then his own. A piece of paper fell into his lap.

Adele saw the words
In Memory of Jeanette Elise Stein
printed on the front and realized it was a memorial folder from her funeral.

“You went to Jeanette Stein’s funeral. No wonder you’re dressed so nicely.”

Murray’s face was suddenly crimson. “I didn’t say anything because it’s hard to talk about. Her death really touched me. Maybe because my ex-fiancée is her age, and I have some idea what Mr. Stein is going through. Why would anyone want to hurt someone like her? I mean the woman had two little babies.”

“The Bathtub Killer has a twisted mind. We can’t understand his reasoning, so there’s no point in trying.”

“In a strange way, going to her funeral helped me to accept my own loss.” Murray looked over at her, his eyes glistening. “It’s been a long time coming, but I’ve finally accepted that I’m not going to get her back.”

“That’s one good thing that came from this present tragedy. I’m so glad you can finally put yours behind you.”

Zoe rang the doorbell at Adele’s a third time. “She’s not home,
cher
. Must be having dinner out.”

“I’m so disappointed,” Pierce said. “I really wanted to surprise her with the lemonade bread pudding. I doubt I’ll get a chance to see her until we have another day off together. Oh well.”

“It’s unlikely she would’ve taken Isabel out to dinner,” Zoe said. “Then again, she’s so generous I wouldn’t put it past her.”

“Maybe she’s just expanding her horizons like we suggested.”

Zoe rang the bell again. “She would’ve mentioned it to me.”

“I think that’s a stretch. She’s not going to check in with you if someone asked her over for dinner—or took her out. I kind of hope she decided to join that neighborhood mah-jongg group. It’d do her good.”

“I think so too. But Adele didn’t seem interested.”

“Maybe she changed her mind.” Pierce put his arm around her. “It takes time to acclimate. This was a very difficult move. She was totally self-contained at Woodmore—like living in another country. Being out in the real world again has to be a culture shock.”

“I suppose you’re right.”

“We’ll call or come back later, depending on how Grace holds up. Let’s go to Louie’s and have a steak burger.”

Zoe laughed. “A fine Cajun you are. Every chance you get, you want a burger.”

“I get my fill of Cajun cooking in my own kitchen. Going out for a steak burger is a treat.”

“I love Louie’s steak burgers.” Zoe smiled wryly. “But I’ll settle for a salad. I want to drop those last five pounds so we can get serious about working on that little addition to our family.”

“I
am
serious.” Pierce winked and patted her behind.

Zoe laughed. “You need to help me lose five more pounds.”

“I will. Okay, Gracey Racey”—Pierce lifted Grace onto his shoulders—“let’s race Mommy to the car and help speed up her metabolism.”

Adele looked out the passenger-side window of Murray’s truck and took in the sights around Les Barbes.

“This reminds me of Sunday drives I used to take with Alfred. After we wandered around the countryside, we would end up in Alexandria and drive through the neighborhoods.” She turned to Murray. “You’re awfully quiet. I guess my chattering doesn’t give you much room to comment.”

“That’s not it. I’m just enjoying listening to you. I learn a lot about you in bits and pieces. I wish I had known you before.”

“Before what, hon?”

Murray turned onto
rue Madeline
. “I just realize how much I’ve missed Grandma Sophie. She was there for me in ways my parents couldn’t be. I mean, they tried. But with both of them working long hours and even weekends, it was Grandma Sophie I spent the most time with. Her dying hit me harder than either parent. I guess, in a way, she was both a mother and father to me.”

“Perhaps it was your age, too,” Adele said. “Twelve is fragile, even without something traumatic to deal with.”

“I was never the same after that,” Murray said. “She caught the flu from me. I was convinced I killed her.”

“But you know better now.”

“Sure. If God’s in control, then
He
did it.”

“Murray, we live in a world where germs thrive. You weren’t responsible, and neither was God.”

“Then who was?
Someone
has to take responsibility!”

Adele was taken aback by his harsh tone. The poor young man was still hurting terribly. She remembered all too well what grief was like.

Lord, he needs You. Help me to say the right thing.

Murray’s face was red again. “I’m sorry. I … I didn’t mean to snap at you, Adele.”

“You don’t have to apologize. But maybe it’s time you talked more about your grandma Sophie’s death. It’s obvious to me that you’re still hurting a great deal.”

“There’s nothing more to say. She died of the flu. And I gave it to her. I have to live with that.”

“But you don’t,” she said. “If only you would let the Lord have your pain. He wants to take it away.”

“That’s big of Him.” Murray’s face grew taut, his expression dark. “He’s in control and caused it—and now He wants to come to the rescue and take it all away? What kind of sick God is that? That’s like a father abusing a child and then expecting the kid to warm up to him—and trust him.”

“No, Murray. It’s like a father allowing his child to live in complete freedom, while He follows at a safe distance. And, when the child gets hurt, picking him up and taking care of the injury. There’s a big difference.”

Murray’s jaw clenched. “I don’t see God the way you do. I’ve been through this a thousand times in my mind. And I don’t think He cares about anyone but Himself.”

“Goodness gracious, Murray. He died in our place so we can live with Him forever. Whether or not you believe Jesus’ death has the power to save you, how can you possibly see it as caring only about Himself?”

“He sure didn’t care about
me.
I lost everything.
Everything!
You still had your fortune. I know you went through a lot. But you didn’t lose everything. So don’t judge me.”

Adele grew increasingly uncomfortable with Murray’s agitation. Why was he twisting the conversation into something she never intended?

“I’m not judging you,” she said softly. “I’m honestly trying to understand your pain. The last thing in the world I want to do is upset you.”

A minute passed without either of them saying anything. Adele wondered if their lovely afternoon was going to end on a sour note. Should she have refrained from telling him that God wanted to take away his pain? What good was friendship without honesty?

Finally Murray said, “I have an idea: Why don’t we go to the rookery and watch the flocks of birds come in to roost?”

Adele didn’t sense any anger in his voice. It was as though the unpleasant exchange hadn’t happened.

“I’d really like that. I’ve never been.”

He smiled, the tension gone from his face. “You’re in for a treat. I’ve gone down there a few times. It’s quite a sight.”

Adele settled into her seat and enjoyed the ride. Murray was complicated. But someone had to draw him out.