Evidence of Mercy Read Free

transaction over with.
    â€œMe either,” he said. “I try not to strap on anything I can live without.”
    Lynda laughed out loud, surprising him. “You’ve got to be kidding. You could live without that Porsche you drove up in or that Rolex on your wrist or that diamond cluster on your finger? Those are not the trappings of a man who likes to keep things simple.”
    â€œHey, I never said I don’t like a little self-indulgence now and then. Besides, we were talking about spouses, not possessions.”
    â€œWe were talking about keeping things simple,” she said. “I’m just pointing out your contradictions.”
    He was getting annoyed, and something about that pleased her. “It’s not a contradiction to want a few material things. I’m a firm believer in going after whatever makes you happy.”
    â€œIs that what all those things do? Make you happy?”
    â€œDon’t I look like a happy guy?”
    She smiled, unable to help herself. “But owning a plane would make you happier?”
    â€œYou got it, darlin’. It made you happy, didn’t it?”
    â€œYeah,” she whispered. “It did most of the time.” That melancholy fell over her again, and she tried to steer her mind from imagining what life would be without Solitude .
    â€œI’d like to close the deal as soon as possible,” Jake said, cutting into her thoughts. “When we land, we can discuss the particulars.” She sighed. “I guess the sooner the better. Are you ready to land now?”
    â€œSure,” he said. “I’ve seen what I need to see.”
    Taking the radio mike from its hook, she held it to her mouth. “St. Clair Unicom—Cherokee 1–0–1–2 Delta. We’re ready to land, Mike.”
    Mike’s voice crackled in their headphones. “All clear, Lynda. No traffic reported. Runway 4.”
    She glanced at Jake as he began to fly parallel to the right side of the runway. “I’ll land, if you want me to.”
    â€œI’ve got it,” he said.
    She watched out the window as he boxed around the airport and began his descent, and her heart grew heavier. Absently, her fingertips stroked the soft gray cloth of the seats that were so comfortable to her, and she wondered if she’d ever find another sanctuary that was quite as fulfilling. Jake was getting a real bargain, and she was the big loser. She almost wished she hadn’t cleaned the charcoal carpet last week or polished the instrument panel or vacuumed the cloth ceiling. All those things only contributed to the comfort and luxury of the quiet cabin. If it had been dirty or ragged or badly maintained, maybe he wouldn’t have wanted it.
    Jake reached for the lever to release the landing gear, and a short whirring sound followed as it started lowering. But the sound was too short, and Lynda shot a look at the instruments.
    â€œIs there something wrong with these lights?” Jake asked.
    Lynda checked the gear indicator lights. According to them, the landing gear hadn’t gone down. She leaned up and grabbed the lever. Nothing happened.
    â€œI heard them go down before,” Jake said. “Didn’t you hear it?”
    â€œIt didn’t sound right,” Lynda said. “Either they’re jammed, or the light’s not working. Pull up.”
    She waited as Jake aborted the landing and climbed again. “I’ll check the circuit breaker,” she said. “Keep trying the lever.”
    Jake tried again and failed, as Lynda pressed on the circuit breaker marked “gear.”
    â€œIt seems okay,” she said, maintaining her calm. “Let me pump it down manually.”
    Gripping the hand pump between the seats, she tried to pump it down by hand, but the light still wouldn’t come on.
    â€œHere, let me,” he said, trying to move her hand.
    â€œSomething’s wrong,” she said, surrendering