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We all seem to have different opinions these days, but what happens when people on different sides of an issue have to come together to find a killer? The issue? Pro-choice and pro-life. I love the idea of any story that promotes unity to achieve a common goal. It’s what the world needs now.
More About The Killer Sermon
An aging priest in rural Wisconsin gives an impassioned Christmas homily condemning abortion as murder and exhorting his parishioners to stop it. A former mayor responds by starting a hunger strike in city hall, and the editor of the local weekly newspaper begins running a counter at the top of each edition that estimates the number of abortions performed since Roe v Wade. A third member of the congregation takes a more lethal approach and begins to target reproductive rights physicians for murder. Cole Huebsch is a pro-life leaning Milwaukee FBI agent. Michele Fields is a pro-choice leaning reporter. They need to set aside their differences to catch the killer before the country is torn apart. The Killer Sermon is a fast moving thriller that reminds us that our words matter, and that regardless of how big our differences on divisive issues, we can still find respect, and maybe moreā¦
The Killer Sermon is Available on Amazon
Chapter Twenty-Three
The Fast
āTherefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourningā¦ā ā Joel 2:12
John Lawler sat in the lobby of the small, three-story painted-white brick building on Blackhawk Avenue that served as Prairie du Chienās City Hall. Heād been there three days and the city employees worried about him. The former mayor was eighty-six. His thin, white hair was cropped so close to his scalp it mirrored the three-day stubble that covered his chin and sagging cheeks. His eyes were slate gray and had a depth to them that spoke of wisdom. His heavily lined face showed the wear and tear of hard battles with prostate cancer and a heart attack, combined with deep laugh lines carved by raising four children to adulthood in the best possible way.
The oldest of Lawlerās four children burst through the doors of City Hall just then. Matthew was at his fatherās side in six long strides. āDad! What the hell are you doing here in your pajamas?ā he said, looking down at his father snuggled into a sleeping bag on the floor. āThe mayor said youāve been here haunting the place for days.ā
āIām on a hunger strike,ā the old man said in a quiet, dignified voice. He wasnāt used to one of his kids towering over him with his voice raised. He felt somewhat intimidated, but wasnāt about to show it.
āAgainst what, for Peteās sakes?ā Matthew demanded loudly. All around them, in the rooms that faced the lobby, people could hear at least the sonās side of the conversation. Some of those people listening had worked for the old man and loved him greatly.
The fatherās voice was steady and firm, but low. āIām not eating again until people in this country stop killing their babies. Iām fasting until we outlaw abortions.ā
āWhat? Does this have anything to do with that Christmas sermon Father Wagner gave?ā The son was worried. When his father made up his mind about something, when he felt he was right on something important, he wasnāt easily deterred. If he was serious about this, then heād just told his eldest son that he was going to kill himself, slowly, here in the lobby of City Hall. Matthew slid down the wall and slumped into a sitting position near his fatherās head. His voice lost its bravado and came out soft and scared. āPlease, Dad,ā he whispered, ācome home with me. Youāve got kids and a wife who need you and love you. Grandkids, too. If you wonāt reconsider for me, then do it for Mom. Have you thought about how this will affect her?ā
āIt was her idea,ā his father said, a broad smile lighting his face. āI told her I wanted to do something, to tilt at one more windmill before I die, and she suggested this. She said, āIf it worked for men like Gandhi and Cesar Chavez, then why not me? And why not now?ā Sheās wonderful. Almost seventy years Iāve been with her, and she still surprises me. Oh, how I love her, and you kids. Youāve been my greatest gifts.ā
Matthew shook his head. āI appreciate your commitment, Dad. But I canāt let you go through with it. The mayor has called a special meeting of the common council tonight, and Iāll be there to tell them that your sons and daughters want you home, even if you have to be dragged out of here in handcuffs by Prairieās finest.ā He started to get to his feet, but his dad caught his shirt in surprisingly strong fingers and pulled his son back down to him.
He leaned in close. āListen, son,ā he began, tears pooling in his eyes, āIāve tried to do the best I could for you. Thereās no book that teaches a young man how to be a perfect dad, but I did my best. The one thing I always wanted you to know was that I would love youā¦come hell or high waterā¦forever. Like with your mom, in good times and in bad. People with better educations than mine call it unconditional love. Well, thatās the only kind my parents taught me, and the only kind I ever wanted you to know.ā
āBut, Dad. I canāt walk out of here and come back in a few weeks to bury you. Thatās not love.ā
āIām not asking you to turn your back on me, Matty. I want you to go to that meeting tonight and fight for me. Youāre the best damn lawyer in La Crosse. Make sure they donāt forget that! Tell them your dadās not crazy, and that his entire family stands behind him. Tell them thereās still something called free speech in this country and something else called civil disobedience. Tell them your old manās willing to die trying to save the lives of kids who havenāt even been born yet. And get Grant Grae from the Courier Press there; make sure he gets it all down. We may not change any laws before I die, Matty, but we could sure raise some awareness on this issue. We need to move this sick business into the bright light of the truth. I donāt think it will survive that, not in the end.ā His father held Matthewās hand and spoke to him in a voice swirling with emotions. āAll my life Iāve wanted to be there when you and the rest of my family needed me,ā he said, squeezing the hand more tightly. āNow, Iām depending on you to be there for me.ā
His son broke down and grabbed his dad, burying his face in his fatherās pajama top, staining it with his tears.
The Killer Sermon is Available on Amazon
About the Author

Kevin earned both a BA in journalism and later an MBA from Marquette University. He has worked as the outdoor writer for a daily newspaper, taught marketing and management classes at both the undergraduate and graduate level, and served as an administrator of an urban safety net hospital.
The Killer Sermon is Kevin Kluesner’s debut novel. It introduces FBI agent Cole Huebsch and a thriller series set in Wisconsin and the Midwest. He might be the only person to claim membership in both the American College of Healthcare Executives and the International Thriller Writers. Kevin live in New Berlin, Wisconsin, with his soulmate and wife Janet.