Page 238 of Ashes of Sin and Stardust

On the way home, I asked Reuben about the phrase.

“That’s an interesting term. It’s from the Old Testament in the Hebrew Bible. Back when women were essentially property and had no rights... When a woman’s husband passed away, she didn’t have many options to survive other than begging or being a prostitute. She could go to her late husband’s closest unmarried male relative and ask for ‘redemption’. He could redeem her as a pure, righteous woman by marrying her, and she would have a place and a role, and not be looked down on by society. Remember, at that time, single women who weren’t virgins were looked down on. Divorce was a big deal, and usually meant the woman was infertile or ungodly, and therefore useless. A widow had less disrespect, but still had very few options for survival.

“It was also acceptable for a married man to take a second wife, if there were no unmarried men in the family...I think... It’s been a long time since I’ve heard that particular book preached on. You should ask Lisa or Brad.

“The book of the Bible you should read is Ruth. Her husband died, and she found her kinsman redeemer in Boaz, a distant relative who cared for her without even knowing who she was, simply because he was a good, selfless person, and he went out of his way to make sure she was provided for. When she found out he was an option for her redeemer, she approached him in the most appropriate way she could and asked. It’s quite romantic, actually, very sweet, and prophetic of salvation. Ruth actually ended up in the birthline of Jesus. Why do you ask? Where did you hear the phrase?”

I told him about the conversation I’d had with Rachel, and how she’d said she was looking for her redeemer.

Reuben was quiet for a long time while he drove, working through the details I’d told him. “I don’t get it, Alice. In ten minutes, you got a conversation out of Rachel that I’ve been trying to get for almost a year, and an admission she hadn’t even shared with Becca. How?”

“I don’t know,” I shrugged. “I was just talking to her. And remember, we had the same abuser. So I guess... we related to each other’s problems? I don’t know.”

“What else did you talk about?”

I hesitated. “She mentioned she talked to Mister Bronson. Do you think... I heard your conversation, about the case being dropped. Do you think it would help if I talked to the police again?”

A long pause. “Maybe.”

“But probably not.”

“That’s part of the reason I haven’t brought it up.”

“You said you were still fighting. What are you going to do?”

He hesitated. “I have no idea. Sam and I are trying to talk to one of the other detectives who aren’t in his friend group, but the odds aren’t looking good. In the meantime, Brett and his team have a trace on him.”

Should have told Lindsay “yes” while I had the chance.But I didn’t want Woodrow dead. I wanted him punished.

“You said you knew for sure that you’d get justice... what did you mean?”

He hesitated, but then said, “I had a vision.”

“Really?”

“It’s vague, and not what I expected... but yes. I saw him in orange. It’s just a matter of how he gets there.”

We were both quiet for a while. “What did you think of the center?”

“It’s amazing. How many girls do you have there right now?”

“Fifty-five. Next year will be our ninth year in business.”

“Hey, Sir? I’d like to go back sometime. Just to talk to some of them. You know?”

“I think that might be nice.”

“Also, I think maybe we should bring Rachel to Greenwood Valley for a while.”

“You know what, little bug? I think that’s a really good idea.”

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