2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

Mark Todd holds no animosity towards Nikki after having served twenty years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Where does that benevolence come from? Why isn’t he more resentful?

Mark blamed Sheriff Hardin. He understood that Nikki was little more than a child and had been traumatised both before and after finding her parents. She saw Mark at the scene and believed he had done it, especially with Hardin pushing that narrative.

He's a lot more forgiving that I would be. It would take me a while to come around to Nikki's defense.

Mark had a crush on Nikki as a teen. He wanted to protect her and understood that Hardin and others were the real demons. Nikki was a victim too. He is a good man, and I hope he finds happiness.

Mark understands that Nikki was a victim, too. He does place the blame on Sheriff Hardin.

I was a little surprised at Mark's almost instant forgiveness. I do see how Hardin getting back at Mark as well Nikki being young and traumatized would factor in. He is a good man.

I kept asking myself this question and landed where you all did about him knowing the full story of what had been done to her that night. He identified with her as a victim first. Just imagine how awful it was to see what John did to her and then she witnesses her parents death scene. He focused his anger towards John and Hardin. He might have felt a little guilty about the affair, too.

Jonetta wrote: "He might have felt a little guilty about the affair, too."

Yes, I think this also plays a role in his attitude toward Nikki. He knew that his relationship with Hardin's wife meant that Nikki's parents' killer got away with it.

Exactly.