Echoes of Mercy: A Novel by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Author:Kim Vogel Sawyer [Sawyer, Kim Vogel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-307-73128-9
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
Published: 2014-01-21T05:00:00+00:00

Caroline

If Ollie’s head hurt half as much as her thumb, Caroline almost felt sorry for him. Pinching tacks became increasingly painful as the night progressed. By the time the lunch break buzzer blared, her thumb appeared twice its normal size, and the nail wore a purplish-black half moon. The constant throb beneath the nail made her nauseated. She’d been anticipating the apple fritter Kesia had packed for her midnight dinner, but food had lost all appeal. Which was just as well, because she had a more important task to tend to than eating.

As workers filed toward the break room, Caroline sidled up to the other craters. “I’m going to the infirmary—see if the doctor is back so I can get my thumb wrapped.” She held up the purple appendage to validate the need. They nodded at her, one grimacing at the sight of her thumb. Satisfied they’d carry the tale to the other workers if anyone—namely, Ollie—happened to notice her absence, she turned and headed in the direction of the doctor’s little examination room. But halfway there, with a furtive glance over her shoulder to be sure no one saw her, she changed course and made her way to the janitor’s closet.

Ollie had indicated the blueprints were on a shelf. The closet wouldn’t be so large she’d need assistance in locating a few drawings. Don’t let him catch me, please. The plea, more a demand than a prayer, exploded from her pattering heart. “Him” covered both Hightower and Ollie. One man had frightened her, but the other had shattered her. She didn’t have the strength to face either of them at that moment.

She closed the door behind her, sealing herself in darkness. Arms outstretched, she moved slowly forward, and something tickled her cheek. She stifled a shriek—a spider web? No, she’d located the light’s pull cord. She gave it a tug, and a bare bulb sent glaring light through the small room. Blinking against the sudden onslaught, she turned a slow circle, her eyes seeking anything resembling a stack of drawings.

Buckets, sponges, boxes packed with hardware, folded towels, and other assorted items filled the shelves, everything placed just so. The closet’s meticulous organization raised a wave of unexpected sadness. How could a man who took such care with inanimate objects treat her so callously? The two halves didn’t seem to fit with each other.

Pushing aside thoughts of Ollie, she began shifting items, peeking behind every box and crate. She explored the bottom three shelves, which were at eye level or below, but the top shelf was above her head. She grabbed a bucket, turned it upside down, and climbed on its bottom, giving herself enough of a boost to view the contents of the uppermost shelf.

A stack of folded papers held down by a tarnished tin tube caught her eye. She pushed the canister aside and lifted the papers. To her dismay they were only yellowed, mouse-eaten newspapers, apparently forgotten. Frustrated, she tossed them back on the shelf. They slid against the tin tube, rolling it over and revealing a paper label pasted on its side.

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