Dangerous Mercy: A Novel by Kathy Herman

off.”
    “That is so lame.” She hoped her gaze bored straight into his conscience.
    “All right.” Pierce threw his hands in the air. “I don’t want Murray hanging around here.”
    “Hanging around? Are you kidding? He was here all of two minutes, just checking to see if the computer was working okay.”
    “He could’ve called.”
    Zoe took a breath and lowered her voice. “You’re the one who’s always complaining that the work ethic today is lousy. Here’s a guy who takes pride in his work, and you practically threw him out.”
    “No, I didn’t.”
    “Not with your hands—with your hostility. How’d you even know Murray was here?”
    “I came out to see which of the guys was winning at checkers. I saw you talking to him, and I just wanted him to leave.”
    Zoe rolled her eyes. “You’re going to have to get a handle on your paranoia. Murray is a nice guy who is working hard to get his life back. He didn’t deserve to be insulted. I was embarrassed for him—and for you for treating him that way.”
    Pierce’s face turned bright pink. “I suppose I was abrupt.”
    “I told you I would keep Grace away from the men at Haven House, but I can’t make them disappear. Murray’s offered to help Adele pick out a laptop and get online, and I know she’s going to have more jobs for him to do. And so is Vanessa. I don’t want to cringe every time Murray’s name comes up because I know you’re uncomfortable.”
    “You won’t, babe. I’ll keep my thoughts to myself from now on. I’m sorry I embarrassed you.” He put his hand on her shoulder. “Really.”
    “Do I need to remind you that when we put the Christian fish symbol on our front door, we knew we would be held to a higher standard? What do you think your attitude said to Murray and anyone else who overheard you?”
    “I said I was sorry.”
    Zoe sighed. “You did. Apology accepted.”

     
    Murray parked his truck along Jacquard Street and Flynn pulled in behind him, driving Father Vince’s Toyota Camry.
    Murray got out and started walking briskly toward Haven House, Flynn catching up with him and keeping pace.
    “Father Vince sent me on a job this morning,” Flynn said.
    “Good for you.”
    “Ain’t you even curious what it was?”
    “No.”
    Flynn jabbed him in the ribs. “Aw, come on, man. Cut me a little slack. I washed windows all morning at the public library—for only fifty bucks.”
    “It’s fifty bucks more than you had yesterday.”
    “Thanks for the math lesson. What’re you doing this afternoon?”
    “None of your business.”
    “Think I’ll watch the ball game.”
    “Why don’t you ask Father Vince if there’s something you can do to help around here?”
    “Because I worked all morning, and I want to watch the ball game.”
    Murray shook his head. “Heaven forbid you should put in an eight-hour day, like the rest of us.”
    Flynn laughed. “So did you hear the Bathtub Killer struck again?”
    “The who?”
    “That’s what they’re calling the dude who killed Girard Darveau, now that he’s drowned a second CEO in the bathtub.”
    “Who?”
    “Peter Gautier—lord of the sugar refinery.”
    Murray glanced over at Flynn. “Where’d you hear that?”
    “The padre’s Toyota has a great radio.” He flashed a toothy grin. “There was a day when I might’ve been tempted to steal it. But I’m getting my mind renewed now. That’s why we’re here, right?”
    “We’re here to work our way back into society, moron. But you still have the mind-set of a freeloader.”
    Murray bounded up the steps and went in the front door.
    Father Vince was coming down the stairs. “Oh good, you’re both back. Hope you’re hungry. Chef laid out a nice spread. The blackened chicken pasta salad is amazing. So did you guys have a productive morning?”
    Murray nodded. “I did. Got a garage door fixed and a new toilet installed. I’ve got a sprinkler system to work on this afternoon.”
    Flynn tossed the car keys to