Page 29 of Hidden Chance

“But you see yourself as without sin.”

“Only because of Jesus.”

“So anything that you do is fair game?”

“I never said that.”

“Surely you’ve seen the mess the world is in. How can you be a God-fearing Christian with things the way they are?”

“The world is broken.”

“Yes, it is.” Then he saw the way forward with her. “And sometimes, to fix the broken, you have to cross a few lines. When we see injustice, we need to be God’s tool to fix it. Am I right?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Right and wrong. Who gets to decide?”

“What?”

“Morality. Where does it come from? Who decides what is okay and what is not?”

“God.”

“So if someone does evil and God leads you to take action, you have to do it?”

“Yes.”

“No matter what the cost?”

“Yes. Absolutely.”

“Okay. I’d say that’s some common ground for us.”

“You believe in God?” she said skeptically.

“Not God, no. But I’ve seen evil in the world, and I agree that there are times when action is required that rises above the law.”

“I don’t think we’re saying the same thing.”

“Why? Because you hide your actions behind the will of some god? If someone murdered a member of your family, you don’t believe that they should be killed in response?”

“I’ve got work to do. And so do you.”

He’d gotten under her skin. He needed to seal it, but it would mean exposing himself. But he needed her to understand that he’d do whatever was required and that he understood the pain she bore.

“I lost my brother when we were teenagers.”

“I’m sorry.” She wouldn’t look at him.

“There’s nothing you have to be sorry about. He took his own life. But if someone else had done it, there is no doubt in my mind that I’d hunt them down. You can’t let people get away with that.”

“This conversation has gotten a little intense for me. You’ve made me uncomfortable.”

“Good. We need to be uncomfortable sometimes. It’s what pushes us to act.”

“You’re right.” She stood. “If you don’t leave my office now, I’ll call security.”

“Have it your way. But don’t forget what I said. I know pain, and I know how to ease it. And you know where to find me. If you need help with anything, I’m flexible.”

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