In the Shadow of Evil

by Robin Caroll

  Maddox couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. His hands trembled as he turned the page.

  Nothing.

  The next page. Nothing.

  The entire rest of the journal was empty.

  Maddox went back to the last entry.

  It was dated the day his mother had been murdered.

  "ARE YOU SURE YOU want to play it this way?" Houston shot him a look that screamed his concern.

  Maddox nodded. "It's the only way. I owe it to her to find out the truth."

  "Your call." Houston opened the door to Maddox's spare bedroom. "I'll be listening for the code."

  "Thanks, partner." Maddox went back to the living room and paced.

  Pop and George would be here any minute. He'd get one chance at this. One opportunity to learn the truth.

  His only regret would be hurting Pop. He'd spent the better part of the night tossing and turning, going over his options. No matter what he did, Pop would get hurt. But this way, maybe, just maybe, Pop would get some closure. The truth would set them all free.

  Layla had left not even half an hour ago. She had begged him to go another route or let Houston follow up. He'd declined, knowing he had to be the one to do this. Had to finish it once and for all. In the end, she'd prayed for him and his father. Was it those prayers that kept his nerves at bay?

  A car door slammed. Then another one.

  Maddox let out a slow breath. He lowered his head to his top button. "They're here."

  A sharp rap on the door.

  He crossed the room and opened the door. "Hey, guys." He grabbed his father into a hug, then moved aside to let George and Pop enter. "Come in and sit down."

  "What's this big news you have for us?" Pop sat on the couch.

  George sat in the chair. "Yeah, what's the news? Is it about Layla?"

  "Or your meeting with Pastor?" Pop's eyes were bright with hope.

  Maddox smiled down at his father. "I'll get to that in a minute."

  "So it is about Layla." George slapped his knee. "Well, boy, don't keep us waiting."

  "It is about love."

  "I knew it." Pop grinned wide.

  "You two getting hitched?"

  "Actually, George, it's about Mom." Maddox planted his feet, holding his stance.

  "Your mother?" Pop's brows bunched.

  "About that box of her things you gave me yesterday. I went through them last night." He cut his eyes to George.

  The man had the nerve to look as confused as Pop. "I don't understand."

  "Me either," Pop said.

  "Pop, you said there were things in there you never went through after Mom died."

  "Right. Some of it . . . well, I just couldn't."

  "I understand." Maddox hated seeing the pain on his father's face. Hated the pain he was about to inflict. But he had to know. Pop had to know. "One of the things in there was Mom's journal."

  George's head jerked up. "Abigail kept a journal?"

  "Yes, she did. And she wrote daily. Details." Maddox narrowed his eyes at the man he'd once loved more than his own father. "Explicit details."

  Befuddlement marched across Pop's face. "I don't understand."

  Maddox glared at George. "I'm sure you don't, Pop, but I think George knows what I'm talking about. Don't you?"

  Pop looked at his friend. "George?"

  "I don't know what you mean, son." But George's expression clearly said otherwise.

  "I think you do. And don't call me son."

  "Maddox, what are you talking about?" Pop's voice rose.

  "Why don't we ask George?" Maddox let his full anger display in his scowl at George. "Why don't you tell us about the day before Mom died? The day you told her that you loved her."

  Pop gasped. "What?" He turned to face George.

  "It was a mistake. That's back when I was drinking. I don't even remember." George shifted in his seat, fidgeting.

  "You did come back to apologize. The next day. The day she was murdered. You were drunk. You tried to force yourself on her."

  "I did not!"

  "George!" Pop stood.

  Maddox laid a hand on his father's shoulder but glared at George. "Yes, you did. It's all in her journal. How you told her that if you couldn't have her, no one could." He swallowed the mix of anger and bile in the back of his throat.

  George shot to his feet. "That's a lie."

  Maddox pulled the journal from his back pocket. "It's all right here. You can't deny it. She ran you off with my baseball bat."

  Pop looked shocked beyond belief. "How could you?"

  "You took her from me to begin with. I had to sit back and watch her fall in love with you. Watch the woman I loved fall for another man." George spoke so fast spittle shot from his mouth. "And then you knocked her up and left her to further your career. She needed a man around. I had to step in for you. All those years, I was here for her when you weren't. She owed me."

  "Owed you?" Pop tried to stand again, but Maddox kept his grip firm on his father's shoulder.

  "So what, you killed her? She wrote that she was about to call the police because you were in a drunken rage outside."

  George's face turned whiter than white as he collapsed back onto the chair. "I didn't mean to, I swear." His eyes filled with tears. "I never meant to hurt Abigail. I loved her. She just said the most awful things." He hung his head. "I was drunk and didn't realize what I was doing."

  "You killed Abigail?" Pop trembled under Maddox's touch.

  "She wouldn't answer the door. Yelled that she was calling the cops. I don't know . . . I went to the back door, and the next thing I knew, I was inside. She was crying, backing up against the kitchen counter."

  Maddox kept his body rigid. Still. Fought to control his own rage.

  "She grabbed a knife from the drawer, held it up at me." Tears ran down George's face. "I don't remember what happened. Honestly, I don't. She ran to the bedroom for the phone. I followed. Somehow, I had the knife. She fell and . . . I don't know." George held his head in his hands.

  "You murdered my wife." Pop shoved Maddox's hand aside.

  Maddox wrapped an arm around his father's waist. "Houston, we have a problem."

  His partner flew into the living room, gun drawn. He pulled cuffs from his belt. "George Vella, you're under arrest for the murder of Abigail Bishop. Turn around."

  Pop turned and fell into Maddox's arms as Houston cuffed George and read him his Miranda rights.

  Maddox held his father tight, crying along with him. "At least we know," he whispered into his father's neck. "At last, we know."

  Now Pop could have some closure. Peace.

  And so could Maddox.

  Finally.

  EPILOGUE

  Three Months Later

  THE BANQUET ROOM WAS beautiful. Candles. Lights. NARI had outdone themselves this year on the Evening of Excellence.

  Excitement zinged through the room. Everyone waiting for the big moment.

  Layla reached for Maddox's hand under the linen tablecloth. He squeezed it, then ran his thumb over her knuckles.

  She sighed and smiled at him.

  He sneaked a kiss on the back of her neck.

  Chills shot down her spine. How could she love this man any more than she did right at this moment? After all he'd been through with George's plea arrangements, Maddox had taken the time to come with her to the CotY Awards ceremony.

  The emcee took the stage.

  The room took a collective intake.

  Layla's palms coated with sweat. She dared not wipe them on her designer cocktail dress. Alana would kill her.

  "Now the Residential Exterior Specialty for region five, south central."

  Layla held her breath.

  "And the CotY goes to . . ." The emcee ripped open the envelope. "Bayou Construction."

  Layla whooshed out air, pulled her slimy hand free from Maddox's hold, and clapped. Disappointment didn't mix well with the sweet iced tea.

  After the rest of the awards and din
ner, Maddox led Layla to his Mustang in silence. Once he'd tucked her safely into the passenger's seat, he slipped behind the wheel, then turned to face her. "I'm sorry you didn't win."

  "You know, I'm disappointed, of course, but it's not upsetting me like I thought it would." Which surprised her. She'd been wanting a national CotY for as long as she'd been a contractor.

  "Good, because you don't need some award to let you know how awesome you are." Maddox leaned over the console and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her toward him. "That's my job now."

  His kiss was passionate and filled with love and tenderness, more than she'd ever dreamed.

  He backed away, still close enough that his words blew across her face. "You're the most amazing woman I've ever met, Layla Taylor. God blessed me abundantly when He brought you into my life." He planted another kiss on her nose, then leaned back in his seat.

  Yes, God had blessed her abundantly as well.

  She leaned her head back against the leather seat as Maddox started the car. She closed her eyes, content with life.

  She loved a man who loved her and loved God. She had a successful business that she loved. She had a sister who would be getting married in December, as soon as Cameron was ready to meet Alana at the altar. And she had her mother, who she'd not missed visiting every week in months.

  Yes, God had blessed her.

  She peeked at the love of her life driving. One day soon God would bless her with a father-in-law who reminded her of her own father. As soon as Maddox worked up the nerve to propose to her. And who knew—maybe one day she'd be blessed with a little baby, one born of love with Maddox's blue eyes and her sense of humor.

  She smiled as the familiar Scripture of 1 Corinthians 1:9, her father's favorite, flooded her mind:

  "God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful."

  Yes, God was indeed faithful.

  DEAR READER:

  Thank you for journeying with me through the Louisiana bayou as I've shared with you the characters from Eternal Springs. Louisiana is near and dear to my heart, and I've loved sharing some of the culture with you.

  The theme of this novel is forgiveness, as it's a topic I think we all deal with on some level quite a bit. I've laughed and cried as I've penned how Layla and Maddox struggle on their journeys to finding forgiveness . . . and acceptance. I hope their story has touched your heart in some small way.

  The Roman Road to Salvation is such a laid-out plan from God. Just writing those scenes warmed my heart. After reading this book, if you've felt led to give your life to Christ, please contact me immediately so I may send you a special gift.

  As a reader myself, I love hearing from other readers. Please visit me at www.robincaroll.com and drop me a line. I invite you to join my newsletter group and sign my guestbook. I look forward to hearing from you.

  Blessings,

  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. Maddox turned from his faith during a personal trial. What does Scripture tell us about trials? See Psalm 66:10 and James 1:2–3. What major trials have you faced and how did you overcome them?

  2. Layla wanted so badly to win a national award to prove her worth in her career. Describe a time in your life when you felt you needed justification from the world to prove yourself worthy in one way or another.

  3. Forgiveness is something many of us have difficulty dealing with at times. Describe a time when you gave forgiveness. How did you feel? Now describe a time when you needed forgiveness. Were you given forgiveness or not? How did you feel?

  4. What do the following verses state about forgiveness? Matthew 6:12–15; 18:21; and Luke 3:3.

  5. Layla found it hard to reconcile with her mother because her mother caused her own condition. Describe a time when a loved one let you down. How did you reconcile your emotions over the disappointment?

  6. Ed Young truly believed he was justified in doing bad things to provide for his children. Discuss a time when you’ve been tempted to allow the “end to justify the means.” What did you learn from the experience?

  7. Guilt over his mother’s murder plagued Maddox. What does Scripture say about guilt? See Isaiah 6:7; Ezekiel 18:19; and Hebrews 10:22. Have you ever let guilt influence your heart and actions?

  8. At some point, we must all let go of the past—the hurts, the wrongs, the feelings. Describe what has been the hardest part of your past to let go. What did/are you doing to move forward?

  9. Certain verses in the book of Romans is referred to as the Roman Road to Salvation (3:23; 5:8; 6:23; and 10:9–13). Describe how these verses are applied to your life, past and present.

  10. Layla wouldn’t allow herself to fall in love with Maddox because he wasn’t a Christian. What does Scripture say about romantic relationships with nonbelievers? See 2 Corinthians 6:14–15. Have you ever dated a nonbeliever? How did that affect your faith?

  11. Maddox was ultimately betrayed by his Uncle George. Discuss a time when someone you loved and respected left you feeling betrayed. How did you deal with your emotions? What were you able to learn from the experience?

  12. Maddox and Houston were friends as well as partners. What does Scripture tell us about the importance of friendships? See Proverbs 17:17 and John 15:13. In what ways have your friends been a blessing to you?

  13. Layla and her sister were very close. Describe how a loved one has enriched your life. How do you think you’ve touched theirs?

  14. Scripture teaches that God is always faithful. Even during traumatic and tragic times. Yet Maddox didn’t feel as if God was faithful to his mother and him. If there have been times when you’ve felt the same way, how did you overcome those doubts? Discuss how 1 Corinthians 1:9 applies to your life.

  15. Everyone has faults. What did you think was Layla’s biggest fault? Maddox’s? What do you consider your biggest fault?

  16. Maddox and his father pushed blame on one another for an instance over which neither really had control. Consider a time when you’ve been blamed for something that was beyond your control. How was the situation rectified? How did you feel? What insight did you gain from the instance?