Blessed are the Merciful (12 page)

That same day, Officer Seth Coleman entered police headquarters, escorting a handcuffed man. He paused at the desk and said to the sergeant, “Bill, this is Mr. Cummings. He was caught stealing groceries at Weberly’s Market. Do you have an empty cell, or should we put him in with someone?”

“We can give him private accommodations,” the sergeant said. “I’ll take him back and lock him up. We can book him after you see the chief.”

Seth frowned. “Pardon me?”

“Chief Bennett told me he wanted to see you whenever you came in. I guess since it’s lunchtime you could go eat then see him when you come back.”

“Well, if he wants to see me, he comes before my stomach. I’ll see him now.”

When Seth entered the chief’s office, Bennett rose from behind his desk and said, “Seth! I was hoping you’d come in before the end of your shift.”

“Sergeant Gunderson said you wanted to see me.”

There was a glint in Bennett’s eyes and a smile curved his lips. “Yes. Sit down.”

Seth eased onto the chair in front of the desk. Bennett returned to his desk chair and leaned forward with eagerness etched on his face. “Seth, I have some wonderful news for you!”

“Well, sir, I sure could use some of that.”

“About half an hour ago, a messenger from the state prison delivered this letter to me from Warden Miles.” Bennett picked up a white envelope from his desk. “He says in here that before Jake Wilson was hanged this morning, he asked to talk to him. Wilson confessed to Warden Miles that it was he who stabbed Lawrence Sheldon to death. He didn’t want to die with it on his conscience.”

“Well, what do you know!”

“Wilson told Miles that Sheldon had arrested him on a minor charge a couple of years ago, and Wilson did six months for the
crime. He hated Sheldon for it, and when the opportunity came, he stabbed him in revenge. Of course, that wasn’t the reason he was in prison. He’d murdered those two women two days previously in the Rittenhouse Square district. There were witnesses to those killings, if you remember the story, and Wilson was hunted down and arrested three days later … the very next day after he murdered Sheldon.”

Tears misted Seth’s eyes. “Sir, this is the best news I’ve had since I heard that jury foreman say ‘Not guilty’!”

“Well, soon everyone will know. Warden Miles is going to tell the story to a reporter for the
Enquirer
, and Wilson’s confession will be on the front page of tomorrow morning’s edition. That should settle anybody’s doubt about you. So let me ask you something.”

“Yes, sir?”

“Since everybody in Philadelphia will know by noon tomorrow about Jake Wilson’s confession, will you stay on the force and forget the deputy U.S. marshal idea?”

Seth didn’t reply immediately, then he said, “Chief, I very much appreciate that you want me to stay, but I really want to go ahead with those plans. I just feel it’s what I’m cut out for.”

“Well, I sure hate to lose you, but I understand, son. A man has to do what a man has to do.”

“I’m glad you understand, sir.”

“But if for some unforeseen reason you should be turned down by the U.S. marshal’s office, will you consider staying?”

“You’re persistent, sir. I’ll say that for you.”

“I know a good lawman when I see him. If you were in my shoes you’d feel the same way about Officer Seth Coleman.”

“Thank you, sir. If I get turned down, I’ll make my decision then. If by then I still think I should leave Philadelphia, I might ask you to recommend me to a police department in another city. But, sir, please know that I deeply appreciate your wanting me to stay.”

When Seth Coleman arrived home that afternoon, he found a letter in his mailbox from the Chief U.S. marshal’s office in Washington, D.C. Its contents thrilled him, and he wanted to share the news with someone. He had thought of his friend Adam Burke earlier, wanting to let Adam know about Jake Wilson’s confession. He would go to Adam’s apartment and share both bits of news with him.

Seth pulled his buggy up in front of Adam Burke’s apartment and climbed down, then saw Adam coming down the street in his open buggy.

“Hello, Seth!” Adam said with a wave. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

“I have some good news to share with you.”

“All right. I’ll put away my horse and buggy and be right back.”

Moments later they entered the apartment, and Adam directed his friend to sit down in the parlor. “All right. Let’s hear this good news.”

Seth scooted to the edge of his chair. “I know you keep up with what’s in the newspapers, Adam, so I’m sure you’re aware that Jake Wilson was hanged at the state prison this morning.”

“Wilson’s hanging has something to do with your good news?”

“Yes, as strange as that sounds. Before they took him to the gallows this morning, he confessed to the warden that it was he who stabbed Lawrence Sheldon to death!”

“What? Really?”

“Really. It’ll be in tomorrow morning’s
Enquirer
, but I wanted you to hear it from me before you read about it in the paper.”

“Seth, this is great news! I can’t tell you how happy I am for you! This will shut the mouths of all those doubters. You can finally have some peace about this thing.”

“Believe me, that’s going to feel good. I … ah … I have some other
news to share with you. I’m going to leave Philadelphia.”

“To do what?”

“I’m going to become a deputy U.S. marshal. I sent an application to the office in Washington, and I’ve been accepted. Just got my acceptance letter in the mail today. I’m to report in at the Washington office on September 3 to begin my training.”

“So tell me, was this application sent in because you wanted to get away from the doubters here who still thought you killed Sheldon?”

“Well, it helped to put it in motion, yes. But actually I’ve wanted to get into that branch of law enforcement for some time. I’m really happy about it.”

Adam smiled. “Then I’m glad for you. Guess I should fill you in on what’s happening with me.”

“What’s that?”

“Well, Philipa and I are going to move our wedding date up about a month because we’re moving to North Platte, Nebraska.”

“Nebraska!”

“Yes, sir. I took a trip out west right after I graduated from Harvard. Those wide open spaces have beckoned to me ever since. It’s been my dream to go out there somewhere and set up my own law firm.”

“Well, a man should follow his dream, Adam. That’s what I’m doing by becoming a deputy U.S. marshal. So tell me more.”

“I’ve been in contact with the chairman of North Platte’s town council. He tells me the town is on the grow but has no law office. The people have to go all the way to Grand Island—one hundred and twenty miles away—to get legal help. That’s where I’m going to open my own law firm.”

“Sounds like quite the adventure. I hope you and Philipa will be very happy in North Platte.”

“Thank you.”

“Guess we won’t be seeing each other anymore, Adam, but I’ll make it a point to see you once more before I leave for Washington.”

The sun was rising when Joseph Mason stepped onto the front porch of his mansion and picked up the morning paper. He waved to a neighbor a few yards down and turned to go inside.

Upstairs in the master bedroom, Nancy Mason was seated in front of the mirror at her dressing table, applying the last touches of rouge to her cheeks. The powder and rouge didn’t completely hide the pallor of her skin, but it did help some. She was feeling better than she had the last couple of days and was looking forward to her busy day. The Masons were not only on the board of directors at the Philadelphia orphanage, but Nancy worked one day a week as a volunteer. That was Nancy’s greatest joy—the highlight of her week. She only wished her health would allow her to put in more time there.

“Ready, Mother?” Rachel asked from the open bedroom door.

Nancy laid down the rouge brush and smiled at her daughter’s reflection in the mirror. “I’m ready.”

They locked arms and headed down the wide hallway toward the winding staircase.

Joseph entered the kitchen, newspaper in hand and drew a deep breath. “Ahh … Millie,” he said to the middle-aged cook, “it sure smells good!”

“I hope it tastes as good as it smells, Mr. Mason.”

“Well, if it doesn’t, it’ll be the first time!”

“Good morning, Daddy, Millie!” Rachel said as mother and daughter entered the kitchen arm in arm.

Millie returned the greeting over her shoulder as she stood at the stove, transferring scrambled eggs from a skillet into a bowl.

Joseph laid the morning’s edition of the
Enquirer
on the table at his usual place and said, “My, don’t my girls look gorgeous this morning! You could almost pass for sisters.”

Mother and daughter smiled at each other as the family sat down
at the table and Millie began filling their plates.

“Honey, you’re not eating this good food with much enthusiasm,” Joseph said after a few minutes. “Are you having a bad day?”

“Mama, maybe you’d better not go to the orphanage today,” Rachel said.

“Oh, I’m fine. The last couple of days have been a little rough, but I’m better today. My appetite isn’t back yet, but I’ll be able to go to the orphanage.”

Joseph looked at her questioningly, but Nancy smiled at him and said, “Really, honey. I’m fine.”

He gave her a tentative smile, then filled his mouth with scrambled eggs and unfolded the newspaper. The headline caught his attention:

“Well, look at this!” he said, holding up the paper so his wife and daughter could see the bold print.

“Well, isn’t that something,” Rachel said. “Who was it, Daddy?”

“I don’t know. Let me see here …”

“I’m so glad to hear this,” Nancy said. “So many people around here have spoken their doubts about Officer Coleman’s innocence, in spite of the jury’s verdict. I’ve never felt he did it.”

“I have to admit I had my doubts, Mama,” Rachel said. “It was—”

“You remember that man who killed the two women in the Rittenhouse Square district back in July?”

“Is he the one?” Rachel asked.

“Sure is. Jake Wilson. They executed him yesterday morning at the state prison, but before they put his neck in the noose, he confessed to the warden that he was the one who killed Officer Sheldon. It was a grudge thing.”

“Well, that should put a stop to the talk that officer Coleman got away with murder,” Nancy said. “Just goes to show you we humans are but frail creatures quite capable of error.”

S
ETH
C
OLEMAN ARRIVED AT THE POLICE
station that same morning for duty. He passed through the double doors and headed down the hall. When he rounded a corner, there was a crowd of officers gathered in front of Chief Bennett’s office, some in uniform and others in street clothes. Bennett was standing in the doorway.

Suddenly every man turned and looked at Seth, and they all began applauding. Chief Bennett threaded his way through the press while the applause grew louder.

When the noise settled down, Bennett said, “Officer Coleman, when the news of Jake Wilson’s confession reached your fellow officers, they gathered here to show you their support.”