Dangerous Mercy: A Novel (21 page)

Why should she give in to the what-ifs that had bothered her since her conversation with Murray? As far as she could tell, Noah was a good and decent man. A creator of beauty. A man who worked with the earth and didn’t mind getting his hands dirty. Any thought that he might have killed Flynn Gillis was pure speculation. The sheriff let him go. Obviously there was no evidence. Who was she to entertain such thoughts?

She sighed. Zoe had decided not to bring Grace over. She said it was because having a toddler there would be too much for Adele when Murray came to fix the dishwasher. Obviously, Zoe was honoring Pierce’s insistence that Grace be kept away from the men at Haven House. Zoe would never volunteer that information and would likely be embarrassed if she thought Adele knew. Better to say nothing and plan to keep Grace on another day.

All this suspicion was dizzying. She hated that she was feeling suspicious of Noah simply because others were. Perhaps Danny’s investigation would revive her initial feeling that Noah was a good person, worthy of her trust and her business.

But if Danny couldn’t dispel the doubt—what then?

The doorbell rang. She got up and went to the door, surprised by her almost giddy response to seeing Murray on the porch, toolbox in hand. How fond she had grown of this young man.

She held open the door and let him in. “I’m so glad you could work me in.”

“I’ll always work
you
in, Adele. You’re my favorite customer. And you feed me well.” He laughed and patted his middle. “I think I’ve gained a little weight since I started working for you. So what’s your dishwasher doing?”

“Nothing. It won’t go on.”

“Let me take a look.” Murray turned and went into the kitchen.

“It amazes me that you know how to fix things,” she said. “It takes a certain mind.”

“I was just born that way. I could fix things even when I was a kid.” Murray sat on his heels and began fiddling with the dials.

“I’ll bet you were a happy child.”

Murray glanced over at her, a smile on his face. “What makes you say that?”

“I don’t know. You have a cheerful, boyish side that I like. Though I never had a grandson, I often imagine what it might have been like.”

“Grace is like a granddaughter, though, right?”

“Oh yes. Loving her satisfies something that nothing else has. Didn’t you tell me you were an only child?”

“Uh-huh. I always wanted a younger sister. Don’t really know why.”

“After your parents died, did you have extended family?”

In the silence that followed, she could almost hear the door to Murray’s past slam shut. Why wouldn’t he let her in?

“Aha, here’s the problem,” he said, raising his voice slightly. “You need a new switch.”

“Is that an easy thing to fix?”

“Pretty simple. I’ll probably have to order the part. But if I have it sent overnight, I could put it on tomorrow afternoon.”

“That’s such good news. I’ll pay the shipping, of course.”

Murray put a screwdriver back in his toolbox and stood. “Why don’t I go order the part right now?” He glanced at his watch. “If I hurry, I might still be able to catch the noon buffet lunch at Haven House.”

“No need to rush. Have lunch with me,” Adele said. “That way we could visit. And you could relax before you go back to work.”

“I don’t want to put Isabel out. I don’t think she likes me.”

“Isabel’s not here, hon. She went to Peter Gautier’s funeral.”

“I didn’t realize she knew him.”

“She and Gautier’s daughter Renee went to high school together.”

“Small world,” Murray said. “In that case, thanks. I’ll take you up on your offer, but I don’t mind making myself a sandwich. You don’t have to wait on me.”

“Nonsense. It would be fun to serve you.”

Murray removed his New Orleans Saints cap, his face almost as red as his hair. “That’s really sweet of you. You’re always looking out for me.”

“I’ve grown fond of you, Murray. I enjoy your company very much. I’m hoping we might try another adventure. I haven’t had a banana split since Alfred passed, and Zoe told me Scoops makes something called a Banana Mountain. Maybe some afternoon when you’re not too busy—or maybe even a Sunday—we could go indulge ourselves—if you’re not embarrassed to be seen with an old woman.”

“Of course I’m not embarrassed to be seen with you. You’re fun. I would think it would be the other way around. It’s not every day that a dignified, refined woman like yourself would lower the bar and hang out with the likes of me.”

“I don’t believe that God has a bar for measuring social status. I certainly don’t.”

“Are you serious?” Murray’s blue eyes widened, his freckles pronounced from exposure to the sun. “What would your friends say? It’s one thing for me to go with you to pick out a computer. A social outing is entirely different.”

“I’m eighty-six. I can do what I want. You’re like the grandson I never had. And I don’t see that it’s anyone’s business if I want you to accompany me to the ice cream parlor, do you?”

“Not really, no. But we’ll hardly be inconspicuous in my old truck. It’s certainly not sophisticated.”

Adele chuckled. “That’s what made our last adventure so much fun. I thought it was great riding up high and getting to see the world from a whole new perspective. I rode in the back of that Rolls-Royce for over forty years. Never could see much.”

“You’re a hoot, you know that?” The corners of Murray’s mouth twitched. “I’m game. Let me check to see what I’ve got on tap this week. I’ll make some time.”

Adele saw a spark in Murray’s eye—something she couldn’t quite read. Was he agreeing to the outing just to please an old woman itching for adventure? Did he feel sorry for her? Or did he enjoy her company as much as she enjoyed his?

CHAPTER 22

Late Monday afternoon, Vanessa Langley hung up the phone and fought back the tears that threatened to turn her mascara into black streams. When she and Ethan opened Langley Manor as a bed-and-breakfast, it never crossed their minds that they would ever have to deal with cancellations on this scale—or a murder on the property. And now she was getting calls from well-meaning friends who questioned whether it was safe for Carter to be staying out there while the killer was at large.

“Mom, what’s wrong?”

Carter’s voice startled her, and she quickly wiped her eyes and pasted on a smile, then turned around. Her son’s cheeks were flushed and sweaty and his mop of strawberry blond hair windblown. Angel sat next to him, panting.

“Where have you two been?” she said. “I asked you to stay close to the house. I want you where I can see you.” An image of Flynn Gillis’s dead body lying in the bayou popped into her head.

“I was out back, throwing the Frisbee for Angel.”

“Good.” Vanessa brushed the hair off his damp face. “I baked peanut butter cookies. Would you like some?”

“Yes, I’m starved! I could eat a hundred thousand million.”

Vanessa chuckled in spite of herself. “How about two—and a glass of milk? I don’t want to spoil your dinner.”

Carter flashed a jack-o’-lantern grin. “When’s the last time
I
didn’t want dinner?”

“You have a good appetite, all right. But that’s partly because you have a mother who spaces out your snacks.”

“Can Angel have
her
cookies too?”

“Sure.”

She followed Carter into the kitchen.

He raced to the pantry and took out the familiar green and white bag and gave two dog treats to Angel. “Mom, where’s Noah? He loves your peanut butter cookies.”

“He’s not here right now. Use the hand sanitizer, please.”

Vanessa poured Carter a glass of milk.

He cleaned his hands, and then, with his elbows, he lifted his upper body onto the counter and took two cookies out of the cookie jar. “When is Noah moving into the yellow house?”

“I don’t know, Carter. It’s not finished yet.”

“Mr. Jack said he would have it all done by this time next week. That’s only seven days. That’s even before my birthday.”

“When did you talk to Jack?” Vanessa turned and held his gaze. “Carter, did you go to the caretaker house? You said you were out back, throwing the Frisbee.”

“I went there
before
I went out back,” he said sheepishly.

She took him by the hand, led him over to the table, and sat facing him. “A half-truth is just a different way of telling a lie.”

“Sorry.”

“I wish I didn’t have to keep you close to the house,” she said.

“Then why
do
you?”

Vanessa studied his innocent face and questioned whether she should tell him. How could she not? People were talking. He was bound to find out. Wouldn’t she rather he heard it from her?

“Carter, when you were at day camp the other day, something happened. I haven’t said anything to you because I don’t want you to worry. But now I think it’s more important for you to know so you’ll obey me about not roaming the property until I give you permission.”

“What happened?”

“Angel found a man’s body down in the bayou. He was dead. Sheriff Prejean said someone killed him.”

Carter’s bright blue eyes were round and wide. “Did someone
shoot
him?”

“No. Someone choked him.”

“Who did it?”

“Well, that’s just it, sweetie. We don’t know yet.”

Carter went over and sat on her lap. “You think he might hurt
me?”

“I think he probably just wanted to hurt Flynn Gillis. That’s the dead man’s name. But until we know more, I want you to play close to the house, where I can see you. I mean it.” She gently squeezed his wrist. “Do you understand?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“You’re not to go outside without Angel.”

“I know, Mom.”

“If you disobey me again, you’ll have to play indoors.”

His gaze met hers, lines forming on his forehead. “Have any
kids
been killed here before?”

“No.” She wet her thumb and wiped a speck of dirt off his cheek. “Daddy and I think the bad man is gone. But until we’re sure, I need you to do what I ask. Do you understand?

He nodded. “Why do you look sad?”

“I’m just disappointed. Another couple just canceled their reservation.”

“Oh, man. That’s a bummer.”

Vanessa forced herself not to smile at her son’s sincere attempt at empathy.

Carter broke a cookie in two and stuffed half into his mouth. “Why do people keep doing that?”

“I think, before they stay here, they want to know as much as Daddy and me about why the dead man was found in our bayou.”

“Because whoever hurt him might hurt them?”

“They’re being careful, Carter. Just like we are.”

“But Noah will protect us. He showed you the slave’s tunnel so you could get away from that bad man.”

Vanessa blinked, but the tears came anyway.

“Mommy?” Carter cupped her face in his hands.

Vanessa resisted the impulse to turn away. She swallowed the ball of emotion that tightened her throat and struggled to find her voice. “I … I’m fine, sweetie. Even mommies have days when too many things go wrong. This has been that kind of day.”

“Did you pray and ask Jesus to help you?”

She hadn’t. Normally that was the first thing she would do. She took one of Carter’s hands and pressed it to her cheek. “I didn’t. I don’t know why either. Maybe that’s what’s wrong.”

“I always pray like you showed me, and Jesus always helps me when I ask Him.”

“Me, too.” She brushed the hair out of Carter’s eyes and managed a smile. The last thing she expected today was spiritual counsel from her not-quite-seven-year-old.

Lord, why didn’t I come to You with this? Is it because I’m still angry with Ethan? Help me to handle this so that I don’t scare Carter and so that it doesn’t divide Ethan and me. And please take care of the bed-and-breakfast business. We can’t keep taking these financial hits and expect to survive.

Zoe sat with Pierce and Grace, having dinner at the table in the kitchen at Zoe B’s. She took a spoonful of seafood gumbo, blew on it, and then put it into her mouth, savoring the shrimp.

Pierce seemed to study her. “I’d like to win the Copper Ladle again this year, but don’t you just know that Marie Nadeau is working overtime, trying to top my gumbo?”

“I’m not sure that’s possible.” Zoe took another bite.

“You seem preoccupied tonight,” Pierce said.

“Do I?”

“Zoe, don’t punish me because I don’t want you-know-who around those men at Haven House. I’m just being a responsible dad.”

“I know. I think you’re overreacting.”

“Be that as it may, I would be wrong not to speak my mind.”

“It was embarrassing backing out of my offer to leave Grace with Adele. The woman’s very astute. I’m sure she’s starting to figure things out.”

“That’s probably a good thing. Adele knows we love her. She won’t blame us for being protective.”

“Except that it undermines her judgment.”

Pierce’s eyebrows came together. “That’s not my intention. But the fact is, Adele is tenderhearted and a bit naive. She would likely invite Jack the Ripper to stay for tea.” He reached over and put his hand on hers. “That’s part of what’s so endearing about her. But I’m just not wired that way. I’d rather be safe than sorry. Deep down, you know it’s the best thing for Grace.”

Their daughter beamed and pointed to herself. “I Grace.”

“Yes, you are.” He tilted her chin. “And Mommy and I love you most of all.”

“I talked to Vanessa just before we came downstairs for dinner,” Zoe said. “They had three more cancellations today. Right now, their occupancy is less than fifty percent.”

“Unreal.” Pierce shook his head. “Let’s just hope they can afford to stay in business until Jude figures out if Noah’s innocent.”

“
I wish you would stop saying
if.
All the suspicion around Flynn’s murder has done irreparable harm. I would never have thought in a million years that you would doubt Noah on any level—not after he saved our lives.”

“Noah’s a good man. He’s not a perfect man. I have no idea what his relationship was with Flynn or what might’ve happened between them.”

“Noah said he didn’t do it. I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.”

“You make it sound so simple, Zoe. Do you think if Noah killed Flynn he’s going to admit it to you or to anyone else?”

Adele sat at her computer, thinking back on the enjoyable lunch she’d had with Murray. What had happened to this young man to cause him to end up under a bridge, penniless and homeless? He certainly hadn’t given her a hint and seemed to shut down completely anytime she tried to get him to talk about his parents.

Not that it was any of her business. But she really was fond of Murray. Was it so wrong to want to know what had caused a bright, skilled, polite young man to withdraw from society? Murray was neither helpless nor a freeloader. He was hardworking, honest, and considerate. So was Noah, for that matter. Entering the homeless scene had been a choice for both men—why? Each was so capable of taking care of himself.

Lord, I’m such an unlikely person to befriend these men. And yet You’ve allowed our paths to cross for a reason. Help me not to judge them but to show them Your love and kindness.

Adele held the gold cross that hung from the chain around her neck, her mind wandering back three summers ago when Zoe came to her and confessed her darkest secrets. How different her life would be now if she had judged Zoe instead of reaching out to her.

Adele’s cell phone rang and brought her back to the present.

“Hello.”

“Adele, it’s Danny. I’m in New Orleans and would like to pass on what I’ve got so far on Noah Washington.”

“Oh good. Let me go to my room so we can keep this conversation private.”

Adele walked down the hall and into her bedroom. She closed the door and sat in her overstuffed chair.

“Okay, Danny. I’m listening.”

“Looks like Noah was telling the truth about losing everything in Katrina. He lived in the Ninth Ward with his wife, Rachellyn, and teenage daughters, Tasha and Teena. According to the police report, their home was flooded, and the four of them waited on the roof for rescuers. When the floodwaters covered the roof, they clung to a heavy wood beam that floated by. His wife and daughters couldn’t hold on and were swept away.”

“How dreadful.” Adele paused for a moment, remembering how it felt to lose a baby and wondering how a person could cope with losing his entire family. “What happened to Noah?”