Blessed are the Merciful (7 page)

The foreman rose and replied, “We have, your honor.”

Shagley looked at Seth Coleman over his half-moon glasses. “The defendant will rise and face the jury.”

Coleman stood up, and Burke stood with him.

“Mr. Foreman, what is your verdict?” the judge said.

The foreman looked directly at the defendant. “We, the jury, find the defendant, Seth Coleman, not guilty.”

A rumble of approval moved across the crowded courtroom. Seth’s knees felt watery as he breathed a sigh of relief and turned to his attorney. “Thank you, Adam. You did an excellent job defending me.”

Adam patted Seth on the back. “I was only doing what an attorney is supposed to do. You are innocent, and you had to be declared so.”

“No!” came a woman’s voice from the group around Jack and Thelma Sheldon. “No-o-o! That man killed my cousin! He ought to hang!” Others in the small group joined her protest, railing at the jury.

Judge Shagley banged his gavel on the desk, shouting, “Order in this court! Order, I say, or I will have this courtroom cleared and those causing the disturbance will be arrested!” Shagley ran his gaze over the crowd then looked toward the defendant and said, “Officer Coleman, you have been duly tried in this court of law and have been found innocent of the murder of Officer Lawrence Sheldon. You are free to go.”

The judge banged his gavel on the desk and declared the court adjourned.

Police chief Mandrake Bennett and most of the off-duty policemen hurried to Seth Coleman, congratulating him and saying they knew he was innocent. Other officers went to the Sheldons and talked to them in low tones.

Chief Bennett and the officers who had first gone to Coleman went to the Sheldons and spoke words of sympathy for the loss of their son. When the last officer walked away, the Sheldons headed for the table where Coleman and Burke stood talking to the two guards who had escorted Seth to the courtroom every day.

The couple halted a few steps away, waiting for an opportunity to speak. Seth was standing with his back to them. The two officers shook Seth’s hand, saying it looked like the Sheldons wanted to speak to him. Adam stayed close by his client’s side as Seth turned and looked at Jack and Thelma Sheldon, who were moving toward him with tears in their eyes.

“We would like to speak to you, Mr. Coleman,” Jack Sheldon said. His features were haggard and pale.

“Certainly, sir.”

“You know who we are, of course,” said Thelma, blinking at her tears.

“We’ve never been formally introduced, but I know you’re Lawrence’s parents. I want you to know how sorry I am that he was taken from you. You have my deepest sympathy.”

Jack Sheldon took a step closer to him. “My wife and I are Christians, Mr. Coleman. We are taught by God’s Word to forgive those who trespass against us. Even though it’s hard for us, we want to tell you that we forgive you for killing our son.”

“Just hold on here,” Adam said. “May I remind you that Seth has been tried by judge and jury, according to the law, and that appropriately and legally he has been found innocent of the crime? Both of you should agree with the verdict and conduct yourselves accordingly. Your concern should be to see the real killer tracked down and brought to justice.”

“Thelma and I believe, Mr. Burke, that Mr. Coleman is guilty, in
spite of his acquittal by the court.”

Seth met Jack’s teary gaze with steady eyes and said, “Mr. Sheldon, I did not kill your son. Yes, we had an argument. I disagreed with the way he handled an elderly man he brought to the station, but I didn’t kill your son.”

“And the court has agreed to that, Mr. Sheldon,” Adam said. “That settles it, no matter what you believe.”

“Mr. Coleman, Thelma and I just want to tell you that we forgive you for killing Lawrence.”

Seth drew a sharp breath. “Mr. Sheldon, there is nothing to forgive. I did not kill your son.”

“Let’s go, dear,” Thelma said. “We’ve told him we forgive him. There’s nothing more we can say.”

Jack gave his wife his arm, and they left the courtroom.

Adam laid a hand on Seth’s shoulder and said, “I’m sorry, but don’t let their attitude throw you. You know you’re innocent, and you’ve been duly exonerated by the court. That’s all that matters. If those people refuse to accept it, that’s their problem.”

It was early afternoon when Adam Burke entered the office of the Benson, Smith, and Walters law firm. Secretary Jill Hawkins smiled at him. “Good afternoon, Mr. Burke. Mr. Walters is in Mr. Smith’s office, and they would like to see you.”

“All right, Jill. I’ll go see them in just a minute.”

As he headed for his own office, Jill called after him, “Mr. Burke?”

“Yes?”

“Let me be the first to congratulate you. I know it was a tough case.”

“Thank you, Jill. It was a tough case, but that fine officer of the law can now have his badge back. That’s where my pleasure lies. He’s innocent. Now he can get on with his life.”

Adam entered his office, laid his briefcase on the desk, and went
directly to Bradley Smith’s office. He paused at the door, knocked, and called, “Better wake up in there, I’m coming in!”

Smith and Walters were bending over the desk, examining some papers, when Adam entered. Both turned away from the desk, smiling broadly.

“Wake up, eh?” said Eric Walters. “Who can sleep on the job around here?”

Bradley Smith offered his hand first, and as Adam clasped it, he said, “Congratulations, Adam! I happened to run into Lance Rankin and another reporter on the street a few minutes after the trial was over. From what they said, you’re going to be a hero in tomorrow morning’s edition.”

Adam shrugged. “All I did was defend an innocent man.”

It was Eric’s turn to shake Adam’s hand. As he did, he said, “I commend you, my friend, on a job brilliantly and professionally done. If you keep up this kind of work, it won’t be long till Mr. Benson will offer you a partnership in the firm. For sure he’s going to be very happy when he gets back from New York and learns of your victory in this case.”

Bradley chuckled. “Yes, sir, Adam, soon that sign on the door out there will say, Benson, Smith, Walters, and Burke, Attorneys at Law.”

At quitting time, Adam Burke went to the stable down the block where he kept his horse and buggy and headed for his apartment. The air was still hot and humid as the sun lowered toward the horizon. The buggy’s top was down, and the breeze felt good on Adam’s face.

While driving home, he relived the scene in the courtroom when the jury foreman read the verdict. This was indeed the most important case of Adam Burke’s career, and he had won it. He hoped Philipa—and her parents too—would be proud of him. Especially her father.

After a courtship of more than a year, Adam had asked Philipa Conrad to marry him. She now wore his engagement ring, and the wedding was planned for the third Saturday of October.

As the buggy rolled along the streets of Philadelphia, Adam thought of how fortunate he was to be engaged to the only daughter of Philip Conrad III. To marry into such a prominent family of attorneys was quite a feather in his cap.

Philip Conrad had established the Conrad law firm some thirty years ago. Philip II—now retired because of ill health—had inherited the firm upon the death of his father in 1855. Philip III had taken it over upon his father’s retirement some thirteen months ago, and the firm was doing better than ever under his leadership.

Adam turned the last corner and headed toward his apartment building. Philipa’s parents were happy that she was marrying a successful Harvard law graduate. Today’s victory in such a highly publicized case would surely make them even happier that Philipa was going to bring Adam into the family.

He took a deep breath as he drew near the apartment building. Things couldn’t be any better. All of his dreams were coming true.

A
DAM
B
URKE SMILED TO HIMSELF AS HE CLIMBED
the stairs to his apartment. Bradley Smith’s words echoed through his mind: “Soon that sign on the door out there will say Benson, Smith, Walters, and Burke, Attorneys at Law!”

He inserted his key in the door and moved inside the apartment. Though a partnership in the firm was attractive, he had one burning desire. Upon his graduation from Harvard Law School—which his mother had not lived to see—Uncle Sidney had taken him on a trip to California. Adam had fallen in love with the West and had promised himself that once he was established as a successful attorney, he would go there and set up his own law firm.

He went to the small washroom at the rear of the apartment and splashed water on his face and ran a comb through his hair. Maybe tonight—with today’s victory as a springboard—he would reveal his big dream to the woman he loved.

Seth Coleman stood before Mandrake Bennett in the chief’s office, his heart light for the first time since he had been arrested and jailed for the murder of Lawrence Sheldon.

Two police captains and three lieutenants looked on as Chief Bennett opened a desk drawer and took out a shiny badge. He pinned it on Seth’s shirt, saying, “Officer Coleman, it is with great pleasure that I return this badge to you.”

The other policemen applauded, and Bennett gripped Seth’s hand. “I’m plenty glad to have you back, son. You will report for
duty tomorrow morning at the regular time.”

“Yes, sir,” Seth replied, a wide smile on his face.

Bennett reached into the drawer again and took out a holstered revolver with a belt wrapped around it. “You might need this, too.”

There was just one dark cloud over Seth’s joy as he drove his buggy through the streets of Philadelphia toward the boardinghouse where he lived.

Bettieann.

He had been very close to asking Bettieann Ralston to marry him before he was arrested. His mind went back to the day he was jailed …

Seth Coleman sat on the cot in his cell, his face buried in his hands. He heard footsteps echoing down the corridor, and a guard appeared with Chief Mandrake Bennett at his side.

Seth moved up to the cell door and looked at Bennett through the bars. The guard told the chief to tap on the steel door when he was ready to go, then he walked away, leaving the two of them alone.

“I want you to tell me the truth, Seth. Did you do it?”

Seth looked the chief straight in the eye. “No, sir, I did not. Lawrence and I didn’t get along, as you know, but whoever those witnesses are who said I stabbed Lawrence, they’re mistaken. I was home alone when Lawrence was killed. I didn’t do it.”

“I believe you.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Now, what about a lawyer?”

“I have one, sir, a young lawyer named Adam Burke. He was here a few minutes ago and assured me he’d do everything in his power to see me acquitted. I’m just … I’m still in shock, sir. I just can’t believe I’m locked up in this jail and have to face a judge and jury for something I didn’t do.”

“Well, you keep your chin up, son. I believe you’re innocent and that justice will be done.”

“I sure hope so, sir.”

“You just believe it, son. Now … I hate to bring this up, but I’m sure you know that it’s department policy that until the trial is over I have to put you on suspension without pay.”

“Yes, sir.”

“When you’re acquitted and back on the force, you’ll receive all of your back pay.” With those words, Bennett reached through the bars, shook Seth’s hand, and walked away.

It was early afternoon the next day when two fellow officers, Ray Downs and Cliff Palmer, came to see him.

When they were about to leave, Seth said, “Fellas, I need a favor.”

“Name it,” Palmer said.

“You know Bettieann …”

“Sure. How’s she taking this?”

“That’s where I need the favor. She hasn’t been here yet. Could you guys drop by her house and tell her that I really need to see her?”

“What’s her address?”

“314 Baker Street.”

“We’ll go by there right now,” Downs said.

As the officers headed down the corridor, a guard came toward Seth’s cell and said, “Your attorney’s here to see you, Coleman.”

Adam Burke had more questions about the case, and Seth felt even more encouraged than when he had talked to Burke the first time.

It was late afternoon the next day when a guard approached the cell and said, “You’ve got a couple of visitors to see you, Coleman. Since they’re not policemen, I’ll have to take you to the visitor’s room.”

Seth followed a guard to a small booth where he was told to sit on a straight-backed chair. A barred window showed him two chairs on the other side. A few minutes later, the door on the other side
opened. Seth saw the same guard enter, and behind him came Claude Ralston and his daughter.

Seth stood to his feet. “Bettieann! Oh, I’m so glad to see—”

The look on her face stopped him cold.

“When you two are ready to leave,” the guard said, “just rap on the door. Remember, ten minutes at the most.”

“We won’t need that long,” Claude said. “In fact, we don’t even need to sit down.”

He moved up beside Bettieann and said, “Seth, this poor girl hasn’t eaten or slept for nearly two days. I brought her here so she could tell you what she has to say, and that’ll be the last you ever see her. Go ahead, honey. Tell him.”