Timepiece by Richard Paul Evans Page A

you, but I hope to heaven it does not go bad.”
    David ignored the warning. “May I go now?”
    â€œYou are free to leave.” The Captainshook a brass desk bell and the officer reappeared at the doorway.
    â€œBrookes, kindly take Mr. Parkin back to his automobile.”
    â€œWhat about my friend?” David asked.
    He rubbed his nose. “And release the Negro.”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œAnd, Brookes, shut the door.”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    When the door had shut, the captain leaned forward to a cold dinner and cursed the mayor for his interference in the affair.

    MaryAnne had just heard of David’s arrest and was preparing to go to him when he entered the front door.
    â€œDavid! Are you all right?”
    David looked at her blankly. “I will be in my den,” he said as he walked past her. Catherine smiled at MaryAnne sympathetically.MaryAnne took her hand. “It will be all right,” she said.
    An hour later, she entered David’s den carrying a silver-plated tea service. Two sconces lit the wall, teasing the darkness with flickering illumination. From outside, the din of crickets sang in syncopated harmony to the voices of the clocks in the room.
    â€œI thought you might like some tea. And perhaps some company.”
    He looked up and smiled. “I am sorry. I did not mean to ignore you.”
    She handed him a cup, then set the tray on a buffet and sat on the love seat next to him. “Are you all right?”
    â€œYes. I am fine.”
    She hesitated, gathering courage for her question. “David. Why did you tell them that you shot the man?”
    â€œYou do not believe that I did?”
    â€œI do not believe you are capable of killing a man.”
    David stared vacantly into space. The room was quiet and MaryAnne looked at him pensively.
    â€œIt seems unlikely to me that Lawrence would get a fair trial.”
    â€œMark told me the police officer said that this was a very clear case of self-defense.”
    â€œLawrence did not have the mayor vouching for him. If it was Lawrence on trial that clear case would suddenly become very murky.” David frowned. “Even if he was acquitted, the man’s family would likely lynch Lawrence for a miscarriage of justice, not because he was guilty, but because he is a Negro. The only way to protect Lawrence is to keep him out of it.”
    â€œWhat if they want to lynch you?”
    David thought for a moment. He had not considered this possibility. “A man cannot live his life by the calculations ofretribution. I did what I had to do and hope the consequences are kind.”
    â€œYou are a good man, David. I pray that God will be good to us in this matter.”
    â€œI am disinclined to think God takes notice of such things.”
    MaryAnne took a sip of tea. “Then you believe it a mere coincidence that you arrived when you did?”
    David found the query intriguing. “I had not considered it. I don’t know, MaryAnne. I really do not know if God or fate meddles in our affairs.”
    â€œIt seems to me that there is a ‘divinity that shapes our ends.’ ”
    David contemplated the assertion. “If this is true, then you must accept that this God, or fate, also besets our species with great calamities.”
    â€œIt is our lot . . .” MaryAnne replied solemnly. She set down her cup. “I cannot answer for the whole of human suffering. Ican only speak from my experience. But I have found that my pain is instructive. That through it I become more than I would otherwise.”
    David considered her argument. “To become . . .” He rubbed his forehead. “I think oftentimes that instruction is too hard to bear.” He looked at his wife, then smiled in surrender. “I have become much too serious in my matrimonial state. And perhaps fatalistic. If that same divinity has brought you across the sea to me then it must be