Blessed are the Merciful by Al Lacy

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 wentdirectly 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.

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