Sacred Trust (29 page)

Mercy watched his expression carefully. “You really believe that?”

“Yes, I do. Do you think I'm crazy?”

She thought for a moment, then shook her head. “No. I think I'd like to believe it myself. But what about my grandmother? Mom believed she wasn't a Christian. If you don't believe she went to heaven, do you think she's in hell?”

“Do you know for sure she was not a Christian?”

“Mom's pretty sure. That's why she didn't want Grandma's heart to stop. She wanted her to have another chance.”

Lukas leaned forward. “Mercy, before your grandmother died, she spoke to me and told me to let her go, that she was ready. Only God can know for sure, but I had the impression she was at peace, just like Mom was when she died.”

Mercy's eyes filled again with tears. “But you can't know for sure.”

“As I said, only God can know for sure. I'm still learning to trust God during the times I have doubts, and I still fail, but God has proven that He has our ultimate good as a goal. Otherwise, there would have been no Christ, no death, no Resurrection.”

Mercy glanced at Lukas. “You know, you seem to be a very honest person, especially with yourself. It's an admirable quality.” She shook her head. “Thanks for telling me about your experience in Kansas City. I hate what they did to you. I hate politics.” She sat in silence for a while, then looked back at Lukas. “Do you know why Theodore has custody of Tedi?”

“You were hospitalized for depression, and he used it against you in court.”

Her eyes widened. “See what I mean about small towns?”

“Where were you hospitalized?”

“Lakeland in Springfield. My father had just died of alcoholic cirrhosis, and Theodore and I were going through a nasty divorce at the time.” Mercy leaned forward to check Tedi, then sat back. “Another woman.” She glanced at Lukas to judge his reaction, hesitated, then continued. “I wasn't just hospitalized for depression, I was forcibly committed for attempted suicide—which was a setup.” She kept watching Lukas.

He held her gaze. He'd heard most of this—after all, as she'd said, the gossip mill was alive and well in Knolls. He'd like to hear the truth from her.

“I was depressed,” she said.

“Who wouldn't be? You were going through a horrible experience.”

“I suppose you overheard Theo's announcement about one of the beatings I received from my father. I had never come to terms with that. Also, Theo had run up some whopping bills during our marriage, and I was working all the shifts I could in E.R. so I could pay them off. When I caught Theo with the other woman—she dumped him after the divorce—I guess you could say I got a little depressed.”

“Amazing that you would have such a reaction,” Lukas said drily.

“But I didn't attempt suicide. What I did do was take a couple of extra Valium just to kill some of the pain. Unfortunately, in my drugged state I decided I needed help for depression and went to see the wrong doctor at the wrong time. He was a friend of Theo's.” She spread her hands, as if the rest was obvious. “It was a divorce-court tactic. That doctor is out of practice now—he lost his license two years later for unprofessional conduct with a female patient. That's the kind of people Theo makes friends with. Unfortunately, there are a lot of corrupt people like that in the world, and they haven't all had their hands slapped yet for their corruption.” She looked down at the comb in her hand, then raised her eyes to meet Lukas's gaze. “Thanks for getting all this stuff together for me. The comb, the bed, the scrubs—I appreciate it.”

“Hey, it was my pleasure.”

Mercy smiled. “Sorry if I sound as if I'm wallowing in self-pity. I guess I just wanted you to know the truth.”

“I already know the truth. You're the kind of physician who was willing to answer a disaster code when no one else cared, and you spent your own money—which you probably couldn't afford—to help people in need.”

She leaned back, as if to get a better look at him in the dim light. “Wow. Do you speak at motivational seminars?”

“I just tell it like I see it.”

“I've been called a man-hater.”

He reached up and felt the stubby growth of hair on his face. “I've always considered myself a man. You've never been hateful with me.”

“You're…different.”

“Would you have gone to so much trouble to treat Clarence Knight if you truly hated men?”

She seemed to think about it a moment. “I like Darlene. I admire them both because they want so badly not to be a burden on society.”

“I don't think anyone likes the injustice you've experienced at the hands of Theodore Zimmerman. Anyone would be distrustful of men if he were a typical example. I hope he isn't.”

“Would you think I was horrible if I told you I enjoyed socking him in the mouth tonight?”

“Only if you would blame me for wanting to do the same.”

She grimaced. “I'll pay for that moment of glory, though.”

“Do you think he'll file charges?”

“And cut off his gravy train? No way. Why else do you think he's keeping Tedi?”

“Maybe that's why he treats you so badly.”

Mercy frowned, and Lukas continued. “Male pride. Have you always been the main provider?”

Her frown deepened. “All except for the first couple of years of the marriage.”

“I realize this sounds archaic, but I believe most men still feel as if they should be able to support their families.”

He cleared his throat. “The remark you made to him about your insurance covering Tedi's expenses made him angry, I could tell. If he feels dependent on you, he'll take it out on you, and maybe even Tedi.”

Tedi stirred, as if in response to the sound of her name. Mercy stood and leaned over her daughter. “Okay, honey?”

“Yeah, Mom,” Tedi said hoarsely. She raised her head and looked around the room, her dark eyes apprehensive. “Is Dad here?”

“No.”

Tedi relaxed and lay back.

Mercy reached down and brushed a tendril of long, dark hair back from her daughter's face. Lukas marveled at how much alike the two looked. Tedi's eyes even held the same wary sadness in them as Mercy's did.

“Tedi,” Mercy said softly. “Do you want to talk about why you were in that barn?”

Tedi lay there for a moment without replying, almost as if she hadn't heard the question. Then she said, “I can't.”

“Can't?” Mercy touched her daughter's face. “You mean you're afraid to?”

Tedi didn't reply.

Mercy's face tightened. She glanced at Lukas, then back at Tedi. “Are you afraid of your father?”

Tedi's eyes filled with tears. She nodded slowly. “You can't say anything to him, Mom. Please. I don't want you to go back to the hospital, and I don't want to have to stop seeing you.”

“Is that why you didn't want me to try to get custody?”

Again Tedi hesitated, then nodded.

Mercy touched Tedi's shoulder. “The bruises, honey. Did your dad do that?”

Tedi's face contorted with more tears. “Please don't ask me, Mom.”

Lukas saw Mercy's fist clench, but her voice remained gentle as she spoke to her daughter. “Are you afraid he'll do something like this again?”

No answer.

“I can't let that happen, honey.”

“Don't say anything, Mom. Please. He only gets mean when he's drinking and…sometimes I get mad and sass him. Then I'm scared.”

“Did you sass him tonight?”

“No, but Julie…she told him something I said.”

“Which was…?”

“That you supported us.”

Mercy closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then glanced meaningfully at Lukas. “That's my fault, Tedi. You've heard that from me. I'm sorry.” Her face puckered again, as if she might cry.

“It's not your fault, Mom.” Tedi's voice was indignant. “They fought about it, and I knew I had to leave until Dad got sobered up. I fell asleep in the barn, and then I woke up in the dark, and the bee stung me, and I got really scared and started to cry, and I swelled up and—”

“Shh.” Mercy's hand shook as she stroked her daughter's hair. “You're okay now. You're here with me, safe in the hospital.” Her voice had lost some of its calmness.

“Mom, please don't tell Dad I told you. He got mad when that counselor guy, Nick, told him I wanted to live with you.”

Mercy grew still. “The counselor told him?”

“Yes. That was why I called you and told you not to take Dad to court.”

Mercy was quiet for a moment. “Do you still want to come and live with me?”

“Mom, I can't. Dad will ruin your practice and send you back to the hospital, and he won't have anything to lose, because if I live with you—”

“He can't ruin my practice, and he can't send me back to the hospital.” Mercy's voice shook now as badly as her hands.

Lukas reached out and touched her shoulder gently. She stiffened and glanced at him, then took a deep breath and let it out.

“Tedi, all that happened five years ago, and it was because an evil man lied about me. He can't do that now. And your father can't get my license revoked.”

“But he says—”

“He's trying to scare you. I can't take the chance that he'll hurt you. I'm taking him to court.”

“No, Mom!” Tedi's hoarse voice was loud enough to get the attention of the nurse at the desk. “Please! I'll be good. I won't sass him anymore. I don't want you to take him to court.”

“Why not?”

“Because…because I don't want him to hurt you because of me…and I don't want him to hurt me. I'm scared.”

Once again Lukas touched Mercy's shoulder. For another moment she stood, looking at her daughter.

“Tedi, I won't do anything that will get you hurt.”

“You won't tell Dad what I said?”

“Of course not.” She reached down and tucked the blankets up around Tedi's shoulders. “I'm going to stay with you tonight. Try to get some sleep.”

“You'll be here in the morning?”

“Yes, I'll be here.”

Tedi raised her head and looked over the side of the bed at Lukas. “And you won't tell Dad what I said?”

“No, I won't tell him what you said.”

Tedi lay back, relieved.

Mercy leaned down and kissed her daughter's cheek. “Sleep tight.”

“And dream good dreams with all my might…” Tedi said, reciting a poem her mother must have taught her when she was little.

“And when the morning brings the light…”

“Everything will be all right.”

 

Theo wished he had a drink, but with Gordon sitting in the chair across from him, watching him like some prison warden, a little liquid comfort would have to wait. For the fifth time, Theo picked up the phone and dialed the number of the hotel where their prospective clients were staying. At last someone picked up, a very sleepy someone.

“Harrison speaking. Is this an emergency?” came a man's raspy voice.

“Well, sir, there was an emergency tonight with my little girl,” Theo said, “which is why I was unable to join you at the Lion. This is Theodore Zimmerman. I'm sorry about the lateness of the hour, but I just got here from the hospital emergency room. My daughter nearly died.”

The man's voice softened. “What happened?”

“Well, it seems she was stung by a bee, and she had a bad reaction. She's fine now. I just left her with her mother at the hospital, but I'll be going back over to get her in the morning. I'd like to be able to meet with you if you can find it in your heart to give me another chance. I know this has been inconvenient for you, but I'm sure you understand how important my own little girl's life is to me.”

There was a pause while Mr. Harrison consulted with someone else in the room. “Okay, Mr. Zimmerman, we have another meeting early in the morning, and we leave early afternoon. Why don't you just meet us out at the property at…say…ten-thirty?”

Theo grimaced. He had planned to pick Tedi up between nine and ten in the morning, but this could work out. “Yes, I'll be there at ten-thirty. Thank you for giving me another chance. See you tomorrow.”

After he hung up, he turned back to Gordon. “Still think this whole thing will blow up in our faces?”

Gordon had stopped fidgeting. “Century 21 has them first thing in the morning, though.”

“Don't worry. This is a great deal for them. They could expect to pay twice as much as we're asking.”

Gordon shook his head. “We've been through this before. Maybe if they were from the East Coast. And we're asking many times what we paid. No one around here would pay that much.”