Gabriel's Redemption (Gabriel's Inferno Trilogy)

by Reynard, Sylvain

He freed himself from Julia’s grasp and pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket and began to read.

  “‘Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

  The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so he shall have no need of spoil.

  She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.’”

  Gabriel’s eyes sought Julia’s, and for a moment the world stopped as he saw amazement and love radiate from her face.

  “‘She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

  She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

  She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. . . .

  She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. . . .

  She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

  She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

  She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

  Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. . . .

  Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. . . .

  Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

  Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. . . .’

  “I ask you all to drink to the memory of our mother, Grace.”

  By the time everyone drained their glasses, there was barely a dry eye among them.

  Chapter Sixty-five

  December 2011

  Near Essex Junction, Vermont

  Two nights before Christmas, Paul was working in the barn, deep in thought.

  (Parenthetically, it should be noted that he was also deep in something else. Something organic.)

  “Hey.”

  His sister Heather had wandered almost silently into the barn and was now staring at him, arms folded across her chest.

  “Hey yourself.” He continued working, speaking to her over his shoulder. “What are you doing?”

  “Chris had to look at one of the Andersons’ horses. They think it has colic. He’ll be out most of the night, so I asked him to drop me off. How are you?”

  “Fine.”

  “You don’t sound fine.” She stared at him until he met her gaze.

  “I’m just preoccupied with my upcoming interviews. I’m meeting with six different colleges at the Modern Language Association convention in January. That’s a lot of pressure.”

  “Right.” Heather gazed at her big brother skeptically.

  “I have an interview with St. Mike’s. If they hire me, I could help Dad out on the weekends.”

  “That’s great news. I’ll put in a good word with St. Michael, himself, asking that he see to it that you get the job.”

  Heather cocked her head to one side and listened to the music that was playing in the background. It was a cover of “In the Sun” and Paul was listening to it on repeat, over and over again.

  “If you’re excited about your job prospects, then why the hell are you listening to this? I’m ready to slit my wrists already and I just got here.”

  He glared at her and began walking in the opposite direction.

  She followed.

  “I ran into Ali the other day at Hannaford’s.”

  “Mm-hmm.”

  “Why don’t you ask her out?”

  “We go out once in a while.”

  “I mean on a date, not as friends.”

  “We broke up.” He laid emphasis on the words. “A couple of years ago.”

  “Chris wants to go snowboarding in Stowe for New Year’s. He’s going to rent a place so we don’t have to drive back and forth. Invite Ali and come with us.”

  “That’s not a good idea.”

  Heather reached out and caught her brother’s arm, stopping him midmotion. “Yes, it is. It will be like old times. Ask her.”

  “We can’t leave Mom here by herself.”

  “That’s why you hired extra help. Virgil.” Heather gave him a toothy grin.

  “I’m not Virgil. I’m Dante,” he mumbled.

  “What?”

  “Nothing.” He turned away.

  “Look, big guy, you need to blow off some steam. You’re letting things fester. I can see it.” She grinned at him impishly and tried to tickle him. “Fester, fester, fester.”

  Paul swatted her hands away. “If I say yes, will you bug off?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Fine. Now get lost.”

  “Fine. I’ll make coffee. And when you come to the house, I’ll expect you to call her.”

  Heather disappeared from the barn and Paul stood still for a moment, wondering what he had just agreed to.

  Chapter Sixty-six

  December 27, 2011

  Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania

  Richard, his children, and their spouses were gathered around the dining room table enjoying dessert and coffee. Rachel was updating everyone on her fertility treatments.

  “Yeah, I’m on hormones. But I feel better than I did on the pill. It made me emotional.”

  Aaron lifted his eyebrows behind Rachel’s back, and everyone laughed at his incredulous expression. Everyone, save Rachel and Julianne.

  Gabriel’s eyes drifted to his wife, noticing that her eyes had narrowed. She began staring so hard at the table that he wouldn’t have been surprised if the wood started to blacken and burn under her gaze.

  Suddenly, she pushed herself back from the table and bolted, her chair toppling over. Gabriel righted the chair and excused himself, climbing the stairs two at a time in an effort to catch up with her.

  When he reached their bedroom, Julia was pawing through the contents of her nightstand. She pulled the drawer out and dumped the contents on the bed, spreading the items out into a single layer.

  “Damn it!” She cursed.

  “What’s the matter?” His hand caught only air as she brushed past him.

  He followed her into the en-suite, watching her empty her makeup case onto the counter. She tossed items aside frantically, an expression of distress breaching her lips.

  “Julianne, what’s the matter?”

  “I can’t find them.”

  “Find what?”

  When she didn’t answer, he grasped her arm. “Julianne, find what?”

  “My birth control pills.”

  For an instant her panic traveled through him, but only for an instant.

  “I’m sure they’re here somewhere. When’s the last time you saw them?”

  She blinked, her eyes flickering to the side.

  “In Cambridge,” she whispered.

  Now his eyes widened.

  “Not in New York? Not here?”

  “I was on my period just before you left for New York, remember? I should have started a new pack of pills that Wednesday.”

  “And did you?”

  She shook her head. “I was on my way to see you. I was in such a hurry to make it to the airport, I forgot them. And then while we were in New York . . .”

  “Darling.” He reached for her but she turned away, covering her face with her hands.

  “I can’t believe I’ve missed almost an entire month of pills and only realized it now. I’m such an idiot.”

  “You aren’t an idiot.” He pulled on her wrist and moved so that he was encircling her with his arms. “You were in a hurry to meet me in New York. Then we had the call from your father at the airport. You’ve had a lot on your mind.”

  “I gues
s it’s a good thing your surgery hasn’t kicked in yet.”

  A shadow passed over Gabriel’s features, but then it was gone, like an errant cloud on a summer’s day.

  “So I just need a replacement package of pills until I get back to Boston.” Julia explained her situation to the pharmacist the following morning.

  The pharmacist nodded. “That shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll call your pharmacy back home. It should only take a few minutes. Just have a seat.”

  “Thank you.”

  Julia rejoined Gabriel in the waiting area that was nestled inside the small Selinsgrove pharmacy.

  “Is everything all right?” He gave her a concerned look.

  “Yes.” She breathed a sigh of relief. “It shouldn’t take too long.”

  Gabriel pulled out his iPhone and began pressing some buttons.

  “What are you doing?” She looked over at him with interest.

  “While you were talking to the pharmacist, I was checking our messages. My urologist’s office called.”

  “Should you call him back?”

  “If you don’t mind.”

  “I don’t mind.” Julia frowned. “Why is he calling you over Christmas vacation?”

  “I don’t know. I was expecting a call a couple of weeks ago about my latest test results. There probably hasn’t been a change.” He looked unhappy.

  “The doctor said it could take up to a year. Don’t worry.” Julia took his left hand in hers.

  He kissed the back of her hand before standing and walking to the front of the store.

  By the time he returned, Julia had already received her prescription, paid for it, and taken the first pill.

  Gabriel planted his feet, staring at her prescription bag.

  She looked up into wide, conflicted eyes.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “Let’s go home.” He moved to touch the small of her back, guiding her toward the door.

  “Is everything all right?”

  “We’ll talk in the car.”

  Julia dutifully walked with him to the Jeep, which was parked outside. It was the vehicle that Gabriel kept in Selinsgrove simply for convenience.

  “You’re scaring me,” she whispered.

  “No need to panic.” He opened the passenger door, waiting until she was situated before closing it.

  When he climbed into the driver’s seat, he didn’t bother placing his key in the ignition. He simply put his iPhone on the dashboard and turned to her.

  Julia could see by his expression that he was struggling.

  “Was it bad news?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Then what is it?”

  Gabriel took her hand in his, tracing the hills and valleys of her knuckles with his thumb. He stopped at her wedding band.

  “Look at me.”

  She met his eyes, her heart beginning to pound in her chest.

  “I don’t want you to panic, all right?”

  “Gabriel, I’m panicking. Just spit it out.”

  He pressed his lips together.

  “The doctor’s office called to give me my latest test results. They were supposed to call two weeks ago, but there was an—anomaly.”

  “An anomaly?”

  “The test results were positive.” He was speaking slowly, very slowly, his eyes searching hers.

  Then he waited for the import of his revelation to sink in.

  She blinked. Several times. “So you’re—?”

  “Yes.”

  “But that’s impossible. It’s hasn’t been three months yet.”

  “I know. They repeated the test and received the same results. Apparently, the doctor would like to use my story as a testimonial.”

  Gabriel’s proud smile disappeared when he saw Julia’s face.

  “Even if I’m fertile, it doesn’t matter. You’ve been on the pill since September. It would take more than a month for your system to get back to normal, wouldn’t it?”

  “I don’t know. They warn you to use backup birth control if you miss a couple of pills. And I missed a whole package.” Julia lifted a shaking hand to her mouth.

  Gabriel wrapped his arm around her shoulder, drawing her close.

  “I’ll go back into the drugstore and buy a pregnancy test. Then we’ll know for sure.”

  Julia’s eyebrows shot up. “Right now?”

  “Would you rather wait?”

  “This can’t be happening.” She dropped her face into her hands.

  Gabriel flinched.

  “Would it really be so terrible?” he mumbled, rubbing his chin.

  When she didn’t answer, he touched her shoulder. “I’ll be right back.”

  Julia leaned back against the headrest and closed her eyes, calling on all deities named and unnamed to come to her aid.

  Chapter Sixty-seven

  December 28, 2011

  Washington, D.C.

  Natalie Lundy stared at her cell phone and cursed. She’d placed call after call, leaving message after message, but now the number she’d been dialing for several weeks was no longer in service. Simon had changed his number. And her emails had gone unanswered.

  She gazed at the cardboard box that sat on the floor, its contents silently mocking her. She was jobless.

  The day after the announcement of Simon’s engagement, she’d been summoned to the office of Senator Talbot’s campaign manager. At least Robert had had the good sense to be embarrassed about what he was about to do.

  “We have to let you go,” he said, avoiding her eyes.

  “Why?”

  “We’re overstaffed. The senator wants us to make some cuts, and personnel are the first thing to go. I’m sorry.”

  Natalie lifted a single eyebrow at him. “This wouldn’t have anything to do with my relationship with Simon, would it?”

  “Of course not,” Robert lied smoothly. “It’s business, not personal.”

  “Don’t give me that Godfather bullshit. I’ve seen the movie.”

  Robert’s eyes moved to the space behind her, and he nodded. “Alex here will walk you out. If you want, I can make a phone call to Harrisburg and see about getting you a position with one of the state senators.”

  “Go fuck yourself.” She stood to her feet. “You can tell the senator and his son to do the same thing. They want to be rid of me, fine. But this isn’t over. I’m sure Andrew Sampson at the Post would be interested in hearing what I have to say about the way the Talbots do business.”

  Robert lifted his hand. “Now don’t get carried away. As I said, I can get you a job in Harrisburg.”

  “I don’t want to be in fucking Harrisburg, Robert. I’d like to know why I’m getting screwed. I did my job and I did it well. You know that.”

  Robert’s eyes flickered to Alex. “Give me a minute.”

  Alex withdrew, closing the door behind him.

  “Listen, Natalie. You don’t want to make threats that you aren’t prepared to carry out.”

  “But—I am prepared to carry them out.”

  “That wouldn’t be prudent.”

  “To hell with prudence.”

  Robert shifted in his seat. “Of course, the campaign will provide you with a generous severance package. The details will be sent to your apartment.”

  “Hush money?”

  “Severance for being terminated due to financial exigency.”

  “Whatever.” She picked up her purse and headed to the door. “Tell Simon he has twenty-four hours to call me. If I don’t hear from him, he’s going to be sorry.”

  And with that, she opened the door and stomped into the hall.

  It had been more than two weeks, and Simon hadn’t called. The damning evidence she’d sent to The Washington Post had been delivered. Fed Ex gave
her confirmation of the fact. But she hadn’t heard from Andrew Sampson or anyone else. Perhaps he’d decided not to run the story. Perhaps it was too tawdry.

  The day after her trip to Fed Ex, her apartment had been trashed. It didn’t take a great deal of intelligence to figure out that the thief had been someone from the senator’s campaign. They’d taken her laptop, her digital camera, her files, and her flash drives. She no longer had anything that she could use to blackmail Simon or anyone else.

  She’d received the hush money—twenty-five thousand dollars. It was enough, she thought, to help her start a new life in California. It wouldn’t hurt for her to move away and start anew, using Senator Talbot’s money. She could plot her revenge on the Talbots from Sacramento.

  She didn’t have any evidence for her allegations, so it was unlikely that any respectable journalist would take her seriously. But she could bide her time and sell her story to a tabloid as an October surprise. That should do it.

  She smiled to herself, as she began packing her worldly goods.

  Chapter Sixty-eight

  December 28, 2011

  Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania

  Julia and Gabriel were standing in the en-suite of their bathroom in Richard’s house, eyeing two different pregnancy tests that were sitting on the vanity. Both tests displayed the same result.

  “Julianne?” Gabriel’s voice was a heartbreaking whisper.

  She wasn’t looking at him; she was staring at the tests. She stood still, like a deer trying to evade a predator.

  “This is my fault.” He lifted a hand to touch her but then thought better of it.

  She turned her head, as if she were suddenly aware of his presence.

  “How is it your fault?”

  He paused, struggling for words.

  “I didn’t protect you. I knew how anxious you were about getting pregnant. I should have worn a condom. I should have asked you about your pills.” His voice dropped. “I failed you.”

  Julia closed her eyes and drew a very deep breath. “Gabriel, you didn’t fail me. I’m the idiot who forgot her pills.” A tear slid from the corner of her eye and down her face.

  He caught it with his fingers.

  “That’s enough. You aren’t an idiot. You were in a hurry because you were trying to get to me. As usual, you were worrying about someone other than yourself.”