Double indemnity, p.35
Double Indemnity,
p.35
And right there, Connor offered up a short prayer for Elena.
“Amen,” he said.
“Amen,” Liz said with a small smile. “That helped.”
Liz walked beside Connor until the track narrowed to single-person width. They wound their way through hardwoods whose limbs were vibrant with new leaves. After about thirty minutes they crossed a tiny rivulet of water.
“That’s only here because of the rain we’ve had over the past week,” Connor said. “It comes from a wet-weather spring about fifty yards through the trees.”
“You’ve been there?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve never seen water coming directly from the ground.”
“You will today.”
Connor turned right. The way was blocked by spindly underbrush that he pushed aside with his hands and arms so she could follow. They entered a tiny moss-covered clearing. Small rocks were scattered across the ground. In between some of the rock crevices water seemed to magically appear.
“That’s amazing,” Liz said.
She reached down and touched the cool water.
“Eventually, a few molecules of that water will reach the Atlantic Ocean,” Connor said.
Connor used his hands to carve out a tiny pool, then used his purifier to capture Liz a drink.
“I never get tired of this,” she said as she swallowed the refreshing liquid.
They stayed by the spring for several minutes.
“Ready?” Connor asked.
“To go home?”
“No,” he said with a grin. “The main attraction is up ahead.”
* * *
Back on the trail, they began to climb. There weren’t any switchbacks. They took it slow and steady. When Liz heard Connor breathing heavily it made her feel better about the strain on her lungs. They broke out of the trees onto a boulder field.
“Are we crossing that?” she asked, catching her breath.
“Yes. You were right to wear your rock shoes. It’s not technical, but I don’t want you to sprain an ankle.”
“Remember, your legs are longer than mine by half a mile.”
“And you’re nimbler than me with better balance.”
Connor led the way. Liz followed his lead but had to modify where she positioned her feet. They’d crossed about a hundred yards when Connor suddenly turned sharply up the hill and stopped. Liz joined him.
Connor pointed and said, “Does that look familiar? You saw it one morning on Facetime.”
Liz tilted her head to the side. “It’s the two trees growing from the same trunk.”
Connor turned around and faced the valley below. “And this is where I come when I want to see Bryson and Etowah County.”
Liz followed his gaze. The town was laid out before them.
“Is that the church?” she asked.
“Yep. And can you make out the courthouse to the left?”
Liz identified the roof. After a few moments she turned around to look again at the trees. She stepped forward and ran her fingers across the rippled gray bark. Extending her arms, she rested a hand against each massive trunk.
“Do you know why I brought you here?” Connor asked.
The joke Liz was going to make about eating smoked salmon and cheese suddenly died on her tongue when she saw the look on Connor’s face.
“Tell me,” she replied.
“I believe you and I are like those two trunks,” Connor said. “And the Bible says two shall become one. Liz, I love you with my whole heart and want to spend the rest of my life on this earth joined together with you.”
Liz leaned in to him. They embraced and kissed. When they parted, Connor reached in his pocket and took out a tiny box.
“Yes!” Liz said before he opened it.
Dropping to one knee, Connor asked her to marry him, and she repeated her yes with a huge smile on her face. The diamond glistened in the sun as Connor slipped it onto her finger.
Standing side by side with the unity tree behind them, Liz joined her hand with his.
“Two becoming one,” she said. “I like that.”
Acknowledgments
Writing a novel is both solitary and collaborative. When I’m sitting in front of my computer it’s just me and the characters. I like that interaction. Once I finish the first draft of a story, other people enter the imaginary world. For Double Indemnity, Becky Monds, Jacob Whitlow, and Deborah Wiseman provided the collaborative component. I like that interaction too. I’ve been writing since 1996, and the longer I write, the more I appreciate the input of others. This is a better book because of their suggestions. I also want to thank my wife, Kathy, who helps shepherd my time and wholeheartedly supports what I’m doing.
Discussion Questions
What were your first impressions of Elena? How did your perceptions of her change over the course of the novel? What do you think motivated her actions?
Had you ever heard of the double indemnity clause before? What purpose do you think it serves? How much did that clause play in to the motives for killing Matt?
We get to see Connor and Liz’s relationship from their first meeting to their engagement. Would you have paired the two of them together if you were a matchmaking member of Connor’s church? Why or why not? Why do you think their relationship works?
Sarah is an incredible woman of faith. What impact did her faith have on Connor? And what impact did it have on you as a reader?
Connor had some really incredible encounters with God in the church and the jail cell. How did they change Connor? Have you ever had encounters like that? If so, how did they change you?
At the beginning of the novel, Connor seemed to be led mostly by his head. He looked for answers in books and preferred quiet time in his study. How did he change over the course of the novel? Do you think there is a place for both head and heart clergy members?
After Connor is reinstated at the church, what changes do you think there will be in his ministry? How will the congregation respond?
Imagine it’s ten years after the close of the book. What are Connor and Liz doing? What do their lives look like?
About the Author
Photo by David Whitlow, Two Cents Photography
ROBERT WHITLOW is the bestselling author of legal novels set in the South and winner of the Christy Award for Contemporary Fiction for The Trial. He received his JD with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law where he served on the staff of the Georgia Law Review.
* * *
Website: robertwhitlow.com
Twitter: @whitlowwriter
Facebook: @robertwhitlowbooks
Praise for Robert Whitlow
“Double Indemnity is another winner from Robert Whitlow, one of my favorite authors. The taut suspense builds until the likable pastor is falsely accused of murder, and his new girlfriend, an attorney, has to solve the case. Highly recommended!”
—Colleen Coble, USA TODAY bestselling author of The View from Rainshadow Bay and the Annie Pederson series
“A rich and compelling story of family, faith, and friendship with just the right dose of legal thriller, Relative Justice is a winner.”
—Southern Literary Review
“Robert Whitlow’s legal expertise shines in Relative Justice, a story of patent infringement and illegal gains, but it’s his characters who will steal readers’ hearts. Whitlow’s fans are sure to enjoy going along for a memorable, roller-coaster ride.”
—Kelly Irvin, author of Trust Me
“Promised Land is a book about coming home. Of becoming settled in your spirit and your relationships. With layers of intensity, thanks to international intrigue, moments of legal wrangling, and pages of sweet relationships, this book is rich and complex. A wonderful read.”
—Cara Putman, author of Lethal Intent
“This tense legal thriller from Whitlow boasts intriguing characters . . . One gripping chapter leads to the next . . . Readers will have a hard time putting this one down.”
—Publishers Weekly on Chosen People
“If you’re looking for a book with unexpected twists and turns that delves into the cultures of Palestine, Israel, and their peoples, you must check out this engaging novel.”
—Bookreporter.com on Chosen People
“A legal thriller written from a contemporary evangelical Christian worldview, Chosen People presents intriguing, well-rounded characters, thought-provoking moral dilemmas, tense drama, and several surprising plot twists.”
—Mystery Scene
“Robert Whitlow’s Chosen People is compelling, realistic, and inspiring. Robert combines the intensity of a legal battle against terrorists with a poignant depiction of Israel, with all of its tensions and grandeur. As a lawyer who handles cases for terrorism victims, I loved the realism of the novel and felt deeply the joys, disappointments, and triumphs of its characters. But the matters of the law were eclipsed by matters of the heart—faith, love, and hope in the midst of despair—this is where Whitlow truly shines.”
—Randy Singer, bestselling author of Rule of Law
“Whitlow writes a fast-paced legal suspense with amazing characters. There are twists and turns throughout, and a number of unexpected surprises to heighten the suspense. Whitlow is an amazing writer and he touches upon delicate topics with grit and respect.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4 stars, on A Time to Stand
“Whitlow’s timely story shines a spotlight on prejudice, race, and the pursuit of justice in a world bent on blind revenge. Fans of Greg Iles’s Natchez Burning will find this just as compelling if not more so.”
—Library Journal, starred review, on A Time to Stand
“Part mystery and part legal thriller . . . Definitely a must-read!”
—RT Book Reviews, 4 stars, on The Witnesses
“Whitlow’s characters continuously prove that God loves the broken and that faith is a lot more than just showing up to church. [This] contemplative novel is a fine rumination on ethics, morality, and free will.”
—Publishers Weekly on The Witnesses
“Attorney and Christy Award–winning author Whitlow pens a character-driven story once again showcasing his legal expertise . . . Corbin is highly relatable, leaving readers rooting for his redemption even after family and friends have written him off.”
—Publishers Weekly on A House Divided
“Christy Award winner Whitlow’s experience in the law is apparent in this well-crafted legal thriller. Holt’s spiritual growth as he discovers his faith and questions his motives for hiding his secret is inspiring. Fans of John Grisham will find much to like here.”
—Library Journal on The Confession
Also by Robert Whitlow
Relative Justice
Trial and Error
A Time to Stand
The Witnesses
A House Divided
The Confession
The Living Room
The Choice
Water’s Edge
Mountain Top
Jimmy
The Sacrifice
The Trial
The List
The Chosen People Novels
Chosen People
Promised Land
The Tides of Truth Novels
Deeper Water
Higher Hope
Greater Love
The Alexia Lindale Novels
Life Support
Life Everlasting
Copyright
Double Indemnity
Copyright © 2023 Robert Whitlow
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a registered trademark of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.
Thomas Nelson titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fundraising, or sales promotional use. For information, please e-mail SpecialMarkets@ThomasNelson.com.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.®
Publisher’s Note: This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. All characters are fictional, and any similarity to people living or dead is purely coincidental.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Whitlow, Robert, 1954- author.
Title: Double indemnity / Robert Whitlow.
Description: Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, [2023] | Summary: “Matt and Elena Thompson present the picture of perfection. But their enviable life isn't all it seems. Their marriage is on the rocks, and financial disaster looms. Then Matt is killed in a hunting accident, and the questions and accusations begin to mount”-- Provided by publisher.
Identifiers: LCCN 2023001287 (print) | LCCN 2023001288 (ebook) | ISBN 9780785234739 (TP) | ISBN 9780785234746 (HC) | ISBN 9780785234753 (epub) | ISBN 9780785234760 (audio download)
Subjects: LCGFT: Christian fiction. | Novels.
Classification: LCC PS3573.H49837 D68 2023 (print) | LCC PS3573.H49837(ebook) | DDC 813/.54--dc23/eng/20230203
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2023001287
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2023001288
Digital Edition JUNE 2023 ISBN: 978-0-78-523475-3
Robert Whitlow, Double Indemnity
