Read Online Dangerous Mercy: A Novel by Kathy Herman - Free Book Online

wanted to set up a day and time when we could go over to Best Buy and pick out a laptop. I’m totally flexible.”
    “I have tomorrow afternoon free. I usually keep Friday afternoon open for jobs that can’t wait. There haven’t been any this week, so why don’t I put you down?”
    “Splendid.”
    “Have you decided where you want to put the computer?”
    “Yes, there’s an empty corner in my den. I picked out a cherry computer desk that should fit nicely. It will be delivered in the morning.”
    “Sounds great,” Murray said. “Do you think it will come before one?”
    “The furniture store said they would deliver between nine and eleven.” Adele glanced at the grandfather clock in the living room for no reason. “So that should be fine.”
    “Then one o’clock it is. I’ll see you then.”
    “Murray … you won’t be bringing Flynn, will you?”
    “No, ma’am. I won’t need help with this.”
    “I’d really prefer not to have him over here anymore. I know that might sound petty, but—”
    “I can’t blame you. He’s a scary-looking guy.”
    “It’s not his long hair,” Adele said. “It’s something I can’t explain. He just makes me uneasy.”
    “No problem. You’re not the first person to complain. I’m not planning to use him again for anything.”

     
    Murray glanced up as Father Vince walked into the dining room.
    “Has anyone seen Flynn?”
    Murray shook his head. “Not me.”
    “It’s not noon yet, is it?” Pete leaned forward, his tattooed arms folded on the table. “He probably went back to bed to get his beauty sleep.”
    Daniel smirked. “It ain’t workin’.”
    Everyone laughed.
    “Did you check the lounge?” Jake grinned, exposing a huge gap where one of his teeth was missing. “He could be up there markin’ his territory around the TV. I think he sleeps with the remote.”
    “He’s probably in the bathroom,” Noah said.
    “I already checked all three.” Father Vince went over to the big window in the living room and looked down the block. “Hmm … my car is gone. No one saw him leave?”
    The residents all shook their heads.
    Lines formed on Father Vince’s forehead. “As I was going to bed last night, he asked to borrow my car and said he was going to the convenience store to get some snacks. Did anyone see him come back?”
    “Now that I think about it,” Murray said, “I don’t remember seeing him in his bunk. You suppose he’s been out all night?”
    The dining room resounded with wolf whistles that stopped when Father Vince exhaled loudly. “All right,” he said. “When Flynn gets back, I want to see him. Obviously I’m not going anywhere without my car.”
    Father Vince turned and walked toward the kitchen, his brisk gait a good indicator of his irritation.
    Noah rolled his eyes. “Maybe Father Vince will kick Flynn outta here till he gets serious about bein’ part o’ the team.”
    Murray glanced at his watch. “I’d go looking for him, but I’ve got a whole list of repairs to do this morning. I can’t stand how he treats Father Vince. He has a lot of gall, taking off with his car. Probably spent the night with some bimbo he picked up at the Den. Maybe this is exactly what needed to happen for Father Vince to get fed up. This is one time I don’t think he’s going to turn the other cheek.”
    “Then again”—Noah held his gaze—“maybe we’ll get lucky and Flynn won’t come back.”

     
    Zoe walked out of the kitchen at Zoe B’s and waited for Grace to climb into her booster seat in the chair next to Father Sam, then set a plate of dry Cheerios and cut-up fruit in front of her.
    “As soon as you finish eating, Mommy will take you over to Addie’s.”
    Grace giggled and stuffed a slice of banana into her mouth.
    Tex flashed a smile the size of the Rio Grande, his thumbs hooked on his red suspenders. “Punkin’ here sure does love goin’ over there.”
    “It gives me a couple hours of freedom,” Zoe said. “Today