A Shot at Redemption

by Liz Bradford

  He pulled his flashlight out of his pocket and clicked it on. The asphalt wasn’t a place to find footprints or drag marks, but there could be a cigarette butt or a slip of paper or something that could reveal a clue about the killer. They’d found nothing like that at Tom’s murder scene, but if they discovered anything now, they might find Tom’s killer and that was intensely motivating.

  “Detective Riley,” a CSU tech said.

  Gavin turned and went back to the body. He pulled gloves out of his pocket and slipped them on. The tech handed him the victim’s wallet. Inside was a driver’s license for an Arthur Moon.

  Becca and Captain Baker reappeared from around the building. Becca had recomposed herself and now had her fierce face on. She was ready to find the bad guy. “Have the ID?”

  “Yep. Does the name Arthur Moon mean anything to either of you?”

  Captain Baker shook his head.

  “Nope,” Becca said. “I’m ready to leave and look him up at the station.”

  Captain Baker squeezed her shoulder. “You two go. I’ll stick around here and let you know if we come up with anything else.”

  “Thanks, Captain.” Becca turned and walked toward their cars.

  Gavin nodded to the captain and sprinted to catch up with Becca’s quick steps. “Now who’s the one itching to get out of a crime scene?”

  A slight smile crept onto Becca’s lips. “You were even here before me this morning. What’s changed in you?”

  Gavin let out a dry laugh. “Nothing.”

  Four hours later, Gavin and Becca walked out of the victim’s home. Before they had left the station, they had learned everything the internet and police databases could tell them about Arthur Moon, which wasn’t much. No criminal record. No complaints filed against him. No social media presence. The man almost seemed nonexistent on the internet. And his home hadn’t produced much either. His little house had been immaculate and revealed nothing that could motivate a murder.

  Becca kicked a stone in the driveway. “You know we didn’t find a motive for Tom’s murder either.”

  “I worked that case too, Palmer.” Gavin pointed across the lawn. “One of the neighbors is outside. Let’s see what they know about Mr. Moon.”

  Gavin waved at the neighbor, an elderly gentleman who held a garden trowel in his hand.

  The man’s eyes narrowed. “Who are you folks?”

  Gavin pulled out his badge. “We’re Detectives Riley and Palmer—”

  “What were y’all doing in Moon’s house?”

  Gavin returned his badge to his belt. “Unfortunately, Mr. Moon was found dead this morning.”

  “Dead? In his house? I don’t remember seeing him come home last night.”

  “That’s because he didn’t, sir,” Gavin said. “We were wondering if you could tell us anything about him.”

  “Wait, was he murdered?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  The old man looked down at the ground. “By George. I can’t believe it. Arthur was murdered?”

  “Yes, sir. Do you know who would have wanted to kill him?”

  He met Gavin’s eyes and shook his head. “Good golly, no. He was a good man. Always willing to help an old coot like me. Better to me than my own children.”

  “Was he having trouble at work or with a relative?”

  “Nah. Like I said, he’s a good man. Although, he was acting a bit strange this week. I tried asking about it, but he’d just change the subject. I’m guessing his girlfriend dumped him because I haven’t seen her around all week.”

  “Girlfriend? Do you know who his girlfriend was?”

  The man snapped his fingers by his ear. “What was her name? I only met her once. Arthur didn’t really talk about her too much. I’m guessing it wasn’t a proper relationship, if you know what I mean.”

  Becca tilted her head. “To clarify, what do you mean?”

  “I think—now, I could be wrong—but I think it was just about the bedroom.”

  “Do you remember her name?” Gavin pressed.

  “It started with an M… The old thinker isn’t what it used to be.” The man tapped the side of his head, then raised his finger. “Marie. I think it was Marie.”

  “Last name?”

  “I know I don’t know that.”

  “Well, thank you, sir. We appreciate your time.”

  Becca pulled out a business card. “Will you let us know if you think of anything else that could be useful? No detail is too small.”

  “Don’t expect to hear from me. I’ll probably forget where I put this as soon as I go inside. I’m going to be lucky to remember why I have this tool in my hand.” He tapped his head again. “Oh, right, tulips.”

  Gavin reached out his hand and shook the old man’s. “Thank you for your time.”

  “Good luck catching the killer.”

  Gavin suppressed a smirk and turned and walked back to the police sedan. He paused at the car before getting in. “Marie? You don’t suppose…”

  “I was wondering the same thing. Let’s find out if the Benders have any connection to Mr. Moon.”

  Gavin slid into the car. An angry husband would be a prime suspect for the murder of his wife’s secret lover. But if that was the motive in this case, did it connect to Tom?

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Why had she agreed to this? Jocelyn took a seat on the right side of the sanctuary, as far from where Gavin normally sat as possible. She had hoped to make it to first service since she knew Gavin served in the junior-high class then, but she hadn’t been able to get up early enough. Plus, this was the service Becca would be at, and she was the only reason Jocelyn was at church for the first time in months.

  She adjusted her shirt, the loosest one she had, in hopes to hide her pregnancy. She didn’t want to answer questions or hear congratulations. So far, no one had said anything other than hi.

  “You made it!”

  Jocelyn turned at Becca’s voice. Her friend’s grin made her smile too. “I did. I’m still not sure about this.”

  Becca sat next to her. “I know. But I’m glad you came.”

  “Hey, Jocelyn.” Jared slid in beside his wife.

  “Hi, Jared.”

  The music started, and Adam and Ella took their places at the front of the stage to lead worship.

  The change in her cousin was amazing. She was so grateful that he had become a Christian and that he and Ella were getting married. They had to be one of the cutest couples around.

  With the rest of the congregation, Jocelyn stood and sang along, but her heart wasn’t there. It was too heavy. As the service moved into the message, something stirred in her soul. Uneasiness filled her, as if dragonflies had invaded her stomach. She’d had this same feeling three years ago when the Lord initially stirred her heart after she lost her best friend.

  The pastor spoke of repentance and forgiveness, of peace and healing. All found in surrender. The worship team came back out and sang Casting Crowns’ “One Step Away,” inviting the congregation to listen and hear from the Lord.

  After Adam sang the last line of the song, the pastor turned his mic back on and said, “Now, like the worship team sang, take that step. Take that step and lay down whatever is tying you back. Drop your baggage at the foot of the cross and take the name God is giving you. No longer are you: sinner, failure, worthless. Not anymore. He’s giving you a new name: child, beloved, redeemed. That is your name now. Take that step.

  “Come now, I want you to literally get up and take that step. I know this isn’t the way we normally do things around here, but I sense the Lord saying that there are a few of you out there who need to come to the foot of the cross and lay down the chains that have been holding you in bondage. Whether they are chains of sin or chains of hurt or chains of disappointment.

  “No matter what they are, come, lay them down and own that new name God wants to give you. Surrender the past and see the new that God wants to do in your life. That’s what He’s in the business of do
ing. He makes things new. He takes our ugly, messed-up lives and creates something beautiful. Let Him do that in your life today. All you need to do is take that step. Lay down the ugly and pick up the promise of redemption.”

  The Lord tugged on Jocelyn’s heart. She needed to go to that altar. It was time. The music played quietly behind the pastor’s pleas for folks to come to the altar. Sorrow welled up from deep in Jocelyn’s soul and forced her to her feet. It was as if the Holy Spirit Himself lifted her from her seat and ushered her down the side aisle, self-consciousness swept to the side. She reached the steps to the stage as Ella’s sweet voice began to sing, “All to Jesus, I surrender, all to Him I freely give…”

  Jocelyn eased herself down and knelt on the floor. Her pulse raced as tears poured out of her soul and down her face. “I’m so sorry, God.” Adam’s voice joined Ella’s as they sang the chorus. “I surrender all… all to Thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all.” Jocelyn joined them and opened her hands to the Lord.

  She sensed someone next to her as they sang the verses to the old hymn. She didn’t look, but she knew it was Becca. The instruments continued to play, and Becca leaned close and prayed for Jocelyn. The Holy Spirit met Jocelyn right where she was and lifted the burden of her sin from her soul.

  Gavin wiped the tears from his cheeks as he knelt at the foot of the stairs in the sanctuary. All this crying was beginning to be too much, but God was cleansing his heart from the filth of his sin. The altar call was just what Gavin needed this morning and heeding it had been a matter of obedience. Obedience—that was exactly Gavin needed to learn.

  The instrumental interlude in “I Surrender All” continued, and the pastor once again spoke. “For those of you still in your seats, if you will, pray for these up here who are making life changes right now. Feel free, as some already have, to come up and pray with someone close to you who has come forward today.”

  Adam led everyone in the next song, and Gavin felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up and saw Caleb by his side. Caleb began to pray, and Gavin closed his eyes.

  “Father, thank you that my brother, Gavin, has turned back to you. Thank you for giving him the courage to come clean with you and to acknowledge that publicly both in group the other night and now. Thank you for Your forgiveness. Help Gavin as he moves past this mess. Help him to keep his eyes focused on you as he steps forward in obedience.”

  The song ended, and the pastor came on stage again. “Feel free to linger at the feet of Jesus, and when you do go, go in peace and hope in Christ’s redemption. Have a great week, folks.”

  Gavin stood. The world that had been a blur since he rose from his seat came back into focus. He looked across the front of the church. A good dozen or so people had come forward this morning. Then his eye caught sight of her, and the air vanished from his lungs. There she was, kneeling at the stairs at the opposite side of the room with Becca by her side. Concern for how much Becca knew flitted through his brain, but, then again, maybe Becca thought Jocelyn was at the altar because of the abuse. His worry was quickly swept away and replaced with joy at seeing Jocelyn back at church.

  She hadn’t been there for months, since before their affair had ended. It was good to see her coming before God too. He had been praying for her to set things right with God as he’d studied the passage about David and Bathsheba last week.

  He turned his eyes away. He didn’t want her, or anyone, to see him looking at her, so he brought his attention to his friend as they stood. “Thanks, man.” Gavin clapped his hand on Caleb’s back.

  “Any time.”

  The men walked down the aisle in silence. They returned to their seats and joined Amelia. “Did you see? Jocelyn is here!”

  Not knowing how to respond, Gavin froze.

  Caleb answered, “It’s so good to see her here again. I’m not quite sure how Adam has kept himself from tracking Patrick down and giving him a piece of his overprotective mind. I don’t even know Jocelyn that well, but I want to.”

  Gavin muttered, “Right there with you.”

  “I bet,” Amelia said. “You’ve been friends with her and Patrick for a long time, haven’t you?”

  He leaned against chair behind him. “Yeah, I’ve known Jocelyn since high school and met Patrick when I joined the Army.”

  “You didn’t know him before that, even though he’s from around here? Wasn’t his dad on the force at one point?”

  “He was. I knew who Patrick was but didn’t know him personally before the Army.”

  Caleb tilted his head to the side. “So how have you managed to not clock him yet?”

  He let out a dry chuckle. “I haven’t seen him.”

  Caleb and Amelia both stifled a rueful laugh.

  “We should probably get the kids,” Amelia said. “Have a good day, Gavin.”

  “Thanks. You too.” He shook Caleb’s hand, and the couple left.

  Now what? He should get out of here before he ran into Jocelyn. But as he walked out of the sanctuary, he saw her talking to the pastor and Becca. His heart sped up. She looked as beautiful as ever, even with the circles under her eyes and the bruise on her cheek. She didn’t look up at him, and he didn’t even try to catch her eye. Something about seeing her pregnant didn’t help keep temptations at bay. The last time they spent any time alone together was also the last time they were intimate, and that image of her was the one ingrained on his mind. If only the baby was his. He would treat her so much better than Patrick did.

  Gavin pushed his way out the glass doors of the church and shuffled to his truck. Fresh sorrow flooded his heart. Why did he love her so much? God, please, take these feelings away. I can’t have her, so please take this away. I really want to live for You. Help me fix my eyes on You and not look to the right or to the left, or at Jocelyn…

  Snap! The unmistakable sound of a bullet echoed in his ears.

  A scream came from behind him.

  He pulled the lady and teenage boy near him down to the ground and turned to see where the bullet had found its final resting place. There, lying on the sidewalk twenty feet behind him, was Ralph Epps, blood oozing from his chest.

  Gavin looked around. Where had the shot come from? And, more importantly, should he expect more shots?

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Jocelyn smiled politely and half participated in the conversation between Becca and Pastor Cole. She had pretended not to notice Gavin as he walked past them a few moments before. But even while she avoiding looking directly at him, she sense the sorrow emanating from his demeanor. She felt awful.

  Then a scream broke through her thoughts. All other activity and conversations came to a halt, and all eyes turned toward the sound. People were running from the door and more people ran back inside.

  A person yelled, “Gun!”

  “Someone’s been shot!” cried another.

  Gavin! He had walked outside only a moment ago. She started toward the door, but a hand grabbed her arm.

  “Jocelyn, wait.”

  She shook her head at Becca. “Gavin just left.”

  “I know.” Becca’s face was pale.

  “What do we do?”

  “Keep you safe.” Becca pulled Jocelyn back into the sanctuary and tucked her behind the brick wall. Adam and Ella appeared beside them.

  Adam let go of Ella. “You two stay in here.”

  Ella and Jocelyn agreed, and Adam and Becca moved toward the door.

  Jocelyn gripped Ella’s shaking hand. “Ella, he’ll be okay.” She tried to comfort her friend, knowing exactly how Ella felt. She wanted to tell Ella how scared she was for Gavin. But then more would come out. Frankly, she wanted to tell her, but now wasn’t the time. She needed to talk to Gavin first.

  Gavin. Was he okay? Was he the one who had been shot?

  The waiting was going to kill her.

  Ella wrapped her arms around Jocelyn. The two friends stood there holding one another for what seemed like an eternity until Adam finally came back around the corner an
d hugged them both.

  Jocelyn pulled back. “What’s going on? Who’s hurt?”

  “Gavin’s fine. Already in cop mode scoping out where the shot came from.”

  Relief washed over her.

  Adam continued, “Ralph Epps was shot once in the chest. Dead on impact. Looks like a fairly large caliber.”

  “Did anyone see who did it?”

  He shook his head. “Gavin’s suggesting it was long distance.”

  Her breath got caught in her chest. Was it safe for anyone to be out there? “Just one shot?”

  “Seems so. Gavin said he only heard the one, and if the shooter was looking to cause mass terror, he would have kept shooting while everyone was rushing back into the church.”

  The air finally found its way out. “That makes sense. I guess I have work to do.”

  “The station’s only a few blocks away, want me to go get your gear?”

  “That would be great. I only have my old camera in my jeep.”

  “I’ll be back in a jiffy.”

  Ella grabbed his arm. “I’ll see if Amy can give me a ride.”

  “You sure?” Adam asked her.

  “Yes, you help Jocelyn. I have to get out of here, and Amy will probably need the company too.”

  Adam took Ella’s face in his hand and kissed her so deeply that Jocelyn had to look away. Ella gave her a hug before she disappeared into the crowd of scared and confused churchgoers.

  Adam and Jocelyn headed outside, where they found a bustle of activity. Sirens and lights from squad cars surrounded the area. A couple of uniforms were closing off the scene with caution tape. Her eyes fell on Gavin and relief washed over her. Not that she hadn’t believed Adam, but seeing Gavin with her own eyes helped her heart know he really was safe.

  Gavin stood near the body of the man she barely knew. Becca, Amelia, and Jared were all talking to witnesses. She and Adam walked up to Gavin. She wanted so badly to reach out and touch him to express her relief that he was alive. His eyes met hers. She couldn’t help but smile.