Scene 35

Chapel, Great Hall of X Marks the Scot

I was walking down the hallway when Prestor John stopped me. “Mr. Dove,” he said, “there is someone in the chapel that I believe you should talk to. I have a feeling your experiences may help you relate to her problem.”

“Who is it?”

“A woman who is carrying a lot of guilt right now.”

I made my way to the chapel, curious as to how my experiences would make me better counsel than the chaplain. When I arrived, I saw a single woman sitting there, Julie. I walked in and sat down beside her.

“How you doing?” I asked her.

She didn’t respond right away. After a few moments, she spoke in a low voice, “Not Good.”

“What’s wrong?”

Again, she paused before speaking. “I could have killed that man. I’ve never done anything like that in my life.”

“You did what you had to do. If you hadn’t, Livingston and I would be dead.”

“And that makes it right?” Although quiet, there was a touch of desperation in her voice. I noticed tears running down her cheeks.

I quickly took her in my arms. “No, it doesn’t make it right. It’s not right that anyone should ever have to do what you did. But sometimes it is necessary.”

“How do you do it? Why is it so easy for you?”

I paused a moment before answering. “Don’t ever think it’s easy. Pray it never becomes easy. With training and experience a person can learn to do it when necessary, but it’s never easy. You’re in the right place though. I have spent more than a few nights in chapels. So have the rest of my team.”

“Even Ms. Hawk?” she asked in disbelief.

I chuckled a little at that. “Especially her. I believe it’s because we take the time to reflect on our actions that we are such an effective team.”

We sat in silence for several moments as we each reflected on recent events.

“You know what?” she said. “There is one thing I hope.”

“What’s that?”

She smiled when she looked at me. “I hope I gave him splinters.”