Sam looked at her for a moment, and obviously noticed the ring on her finger. He didn't say anything, but Rae guessed that he was thinking that the ring was the news she had for him.
"Okay, I'll read your story and let you know how I feel about it. Then you can tell me whatever's on your mind." He gave her a wink and a big smile.
At that moment the phone rang. Sam picked it up with an apologetic shrug. He spoke for a moment and then signaled to Rae to wait outside.
When she went back to her desk she thought to herself: When Sam's free, I'll tell him first about Max and me getting engaged. Then I'll ease in very carefully about the note, almost like it was just a matter of fact. I won't make a big deal about it.
She had already made up her mind not to mention the lost key and the new locks. She looked over at Sam. He was picking up her story when his phone rang again. And then it seemed like every time she looked to see if Sam was reading it, he was on the phone.
Many days Sam was on the phone much of the time; people calling in to complain about a story, or a wrong spelling of a name. Some people could always find something to complain about. But there were also many compliments. Sam always took his time with them, and whether good or bad comments, he always listened with patience. He always said to the staff, "They buy our paper, they keep us in business, so let's keep them happy." And, of course, there were callers who had inside information on some of the stories they were carrying – callers who often didn't want their names mentioned in print.
It was 10:40, and Sam was still on the phone. Rae wanted to tell Sam about the note before Max came in, because she knew Max would make a big thing out of it.
At 10:50 Max came through the door. He walked right over to her, kissed her on the cheek, and said, "Have you told Sam yet?"
Rae shook her head. "He's been on the phone all morning. Please, Max, don't say too much. He'll worry too much. Let's save most the information for Chief Edwards."
"Whatever you want."
She smiled at him. "Thanks, and oh, by the way, I love you."
"Me too. Love you, that is. But when we see Chief Edwards we tell him everything. Right?"
"Everything."
They stood up, held hands and went into Sam's office where he was no longer on the phone.
Sam looked at Max. "So you're the lucky guy. I thought it might be you. When's the big day?"
Max looked at Rae. "We don't know. We only got engaged yesterday. We haven't had time to think about it yet."
Sam looked at both of them. "What else is on your minds? You both look worried and kind of fidgety. There must be some other news besides your engagement."
Then Sam got real serious. Looking at Rae, he asked, "Has there been another threat on your life?"
"Now don't get excited, Sam. It may not be important. We're going to go see Chief Edwards. It's about a note pinned on my door." That's all Rae was prepared to say. She wasn't going to mention that it was on the inside of the door of her apartment.
"What did the note say?" Sam was obviously trying to stay calm and not overreact as he so often did.
Max said, "It said, Drop the story or . . ."
Before he could finish, Rae gave out a little laugh. "Can you imagine me dropping the story because of a silly little note like that?"
Just then Sam's phone rang. He picked it up and rolled his eyes, then pointed to the door. "Sorry."
Max whispered to Sam, "We're going to the police station, and then lunch. We'll be back around two and tell you all about it. If you're not still on the phone!"
With that they both hurried out of Sam's office, with Rae in the lead.
CHAPTER 20
The Flying Bird Revealed
Walking to the station was different this time, compared to their first visit there. Then, they had walked in silence, both feeling a little awkward. Today they held hands and talked, agreeing that they would tell Chief Edwards everything. They also agreed to take the threat on Rae's life more seriously and to be more cooperative with him if he offered help.
They arrived and were ushered immediately into the Chief's office, without needing to say why they were there. They both looked puzzled and surprised.
The receptionist said, "Your boss just called to say you were on your way, and the Chief said to send you right in."
Chief Edwards smiled as they came through the door, getting up from his desk to shake their hands. Rae guessed he could see the concern on their faces.
"Sam sounded worried on the phone. He felt you weren't telling him everything. He said Rae had gotten a note, but you wouldn't tell him what it said. Do you have the note, and where did you find it?"
They both started talking at the same time.
"Hold on. Max, you tell me first. Then, Rae, if Max forgets something after he's through, you can tell me. And please sit down. You're both making me feel anxious, standing there."
Max began to relate all that happened yesterday, including last night. He told Chief Edwards about their engagement, how and where they found the note, and even about changing the locks on Rae's door. He also told the Chief how he folded the note and put it into his pocket right after they'd found it. He said he didn't want Rae to have it, because he was afraid she'd keep looking at it all night and become more and more frightened.
Rae hadn't even missed the note. In fact, when the Chief asked if one of them had it, she wondered what had happened to it, especially since she hadn't thought about it again that night. She was silently thanking the Lord once more for His great wisdom in removing the note from her mind.
Then the Chief asked, "Rae, who else has a key to your apartment?"
"My parents are the only ones, besides me of course. But this morning I remembered that I had an extra key on a magnet hook on my refrigerator. When I went to look for it, it wasn't there."
The Chief said, "I want a list of everyone who has been in your apartment the past few days. No, make that the past few months."
Rae shook her head. "I don't think that's necessary. I think I know how the person got in. It's the only explanation. Why would any of my friends take the key? I've only been on the story for a few days, and these things have only started happening since then. So it has to be someone involved with Ava Montez and her murder. And that someone isn't happy with me writing this story.
"The day after the car almost ran over me, I went down to do my laundry. The machines are in the basement. I'm having one installed next month in my apartment and I can hardly wait. My arms were full, carrying my basket of clothes downstairs, and I was struggling to close my door. I just couldn't do it by myself so my neighbor, Miss Clark, had to help me. She was returning from the basement herself. After she helped me close the door, I realized I didn't have my key with me to lock it, so I left it unlocked. I know it was foolish of me, but I didn't want to put the basket down and go back in and get my key. I knew I'd be gone for maybe fifteen minutes at the most.
"I've been thinking about this all morning, and I believe someone was hiding in the hall. They saw me go out carrying my basket, and checked my door when I was no longer in sight. They found it unlocked, went in and discovered the key. Does that make any kind of sense?"
"Yes," the Chief said, "unfortunately this is a common thing. A thief comes into a complex like yours, and then goes around checking each door until they find one that was left unlocked. And just like you, some people do leave their doors unlocked. What else was missing?"
"Nothing. That's why I feel it has to be connected to my story. The only thing missing, that I know of, is the spare key. And twice now someone has come in when I wasn't home, yet they've taken nothing."
The Chief interrupted her, "What do you mean, twice?"
"The first time someone came in and snooped in my laptop. Nothing was missing, but I could tell someone had been in my apartment, and they'd probably tried to look at my computer files, but I keep them encrypted."
"Who knew about this?"
"Sam doesn't know.
I thought for sure he'd over-react. And I didn't even tell Max until last night. I know that was wrong, and now I'm sorry I didn't. The second time whoever came into my place left me the note. Max was with me that time. And since the note was on the inside of the door, we know someone had been in my apartment again."
The Chief said, "It's possible that whoever was driving the car that almost hit you, found out what building you lived in and scouted it out the next day. They could have been in the hall watching when you went down to do your washing. He or she checked your door and found it unlocked, got the key off your refrigerator and had some fun at your expense. It's circumstantial, but possible. Someone is hoping to scare you into changing your mind about the story." The Chief was silent for a moment. "Or is trying to kill you."
Rae wished he'd not said that.
The Chief continued quickly, as though realizing his lack of tact. "Max, that was quick thinking about changing the lock and adding a dead bolt. And, Rae, please don't take any chances. Always, I repeat always, lock your door. Did you see anyone in the hall who was not familiar to you?"
Rae shook her head. "No, the only person I saw was Miss Clark. She's a retired school teacher. There's nothing suspicious about her. She's lived there for ages."
"Anyone else? Think. It could be important."
"I remember seeing someone leaving the building when I was coming up the stairs from the basement with my laundry."
"Male or female?"
"I don't know. I actually didn't see anyone clearly, just a glimpse of the back of someone wearing a long coat and some sort of hat with a brim. I know that sounds hopelessly vague, but I wasn't paying much attention. The main entrance door was closing very slowly, which it always does. My first thought was that it might have been Miss Clark, but she was going downstairs to pick up her laundry while I was going up. Do you think that was the person who went into my apartment?"
"Very possibly," the Chief said. "You should thank this Miss Clark. She most likely saved your life."
Another one of those chills went through Rae. Since arriving at the police station this morning it had happened twice.
Through all of this Max wasn't saying a word. Finally he said, "Chief, is there any way you can give Rae some protection? If the intruder doesn't know we've changed the locks, they may try to come back and enter Rae's apartment again. And if that should happen, maybe you can arrest them."
"Yes, I'll have someone watch her place for a few days. I'm guessing that the intruder was outside last night, watching and waiting to see how Rae would react when she came home and found the note. They were most likely very disappointed that you were with Rae, and were frustrated when Rae didn't come racing out. Maybe the intruder was even waiting in their car for Rae to come running across the street so they could try another one of their hit-and-run attempts."
This time Rae had a series of chills. She even sucked in some air. Max put his arm around her and pulled her closer. It helped, and she felt comforted. Without notice and very quickly, the tears came running down her cheeks.
The Chief held the note. "I know this is hard to take in, but with this note we have to take the threat more seriously and make it top priority. Rae, I'm going to show you some pictures on my computer and I want you to tell me if any of these symbols look like the bird you saw in your dream. There are four of them. Please don't answer until you have seen all four. They're the symbols that manufactures use to distinguish the make of their cars."
He turned his large computer screen around so that it was easy for her and Max to see it.
"Okay," the Chief said, "This one's a Mercedes.
"This next one's a Volkswagen.
"This one's a Mazda."
He clicked the mouse. "And this last one's a Toyota."
He looked at Rae. Without hesitation, she said, "Number three. I hadn't realized it before, but I'm sure the bird I saw on the car was the Mazda symbol."
The Chief nodded. "That's pretty conclusive. I've already looked up the four suspects to check on what kind of cars they drive. Kim Blakely Townsend drives a Mazda, and it's dark green. Both Mr. Austin and Mr. Morgan drive a Mercedes, and their cars are silver. We can't locate the housekeeper, Martha Brown. Maybe she doesn't own a car, has gotten married and changed her name, doesn't live in this state, or she could of course be dead."
Rae said, "You're wrong about Kim. I know it's not her. I had an interview with her and I can't believe she would threaten me. I don't know if you can understand this, but she's a Christian, a believer like me."
The Chief said, "I understand. But was she a believer when the murder took place over forty years ago? Perhaps after she murdered Ava Montez, to release the guilt she was carrying, she became a Christian. Or perhaps she told you she was a Christian to fool you and cover up her past."
Rae shook her head, but she was also remembering that Kim had said she had become a Christian only ten years ago.
"Rae, we have to look at the evidence. And right now all of the evidence is pointing to Kim Blakely Townsend, Ava Montez' so-called best friend and agent."
CHAPTER 21
Lunch at Pastrami Haven
As Rae walked out of the police station, she got her composure back and her adrenaline was kicking in. She felt excited at the prospect of going back to the story and interviewing the other two names on her list. She also wanted to hear what Sam thought about her story so far. That is, if he had found the time to read it in between phone calls!
Jake Austin had told her he'd made contact with Joseph Morgan the film director, and Morgan would be phoning her at the office soon, as he was planning to be in New York for a few days. She still had to locate the fourth name on the list, Martha Brown the housekeeper. Martha Brown could hold the key to the murder. Jake Austin had named her as his number one suspect.
There was an awkward silence that Max finally broke. "Well, Rae, where would you like to go for lunch?"
"Max, do you like pastrami sandwiches?"
"I certainly do. I suppose you have a favorite place to go that makes the best pastrami sandwiches in the city."
She smiled at him. "Have you ever been to Pastrami Haven? They're not only the best in the city, they're the best on the planet."
"I've not been there, but I've heard about it many times."
"It's my favorite place. They have a great salad bar, homemade bread, homemade French fries and dill pickles that are out of this world. Plus, the best pastrami sandwiches this side of heaven." She let out a small chuckle.
"Okay," Max said with a grin, "let's go for it."
Rae could tell that Max was happy to see that her spirit had lifted. This was exactly what she'd been praying for. By the time they'd gotten outside, she had felt the joy and peace from the Lord. She was really looking forward to getting back on the story, knowing the Lord would take care of her.
Max took hold of her arm. "Shall we take a taxi?"
"No, it's only a block from my apartment."
Max looked at her. "You're like the old Rae of a few days ago. I remember when you received the assignment to do the story about Ava Montez you were full of excitement and ready to take on whatever the day had for you. I was thinking about your tears that day when I looked at you, and said, 'Congratulations, Rae, the job is yours.' You thanked Sam, then leaned over and gave me a big hug. I don't know how I knew, but I could tell that those tears were not because you had gotten the assignment, but because I had not."
He smiled at her and took her hand as they headed for Pastrami Haven.
"It may sound silly, Rae, but I'm glad to know you like pastrami sandwiches. You said they're your favorite. There are so many things that I don't know about you, but what fun it will be finding them out."
Rae laughed. "I was thinking the same about you, Max. When you said you'd go with me to Pastrami Haven, I was wondering if you really wanted to, or if you just said it to please me. I was thinking that I'd be able to tell, by the way you took your first bite into the sandwich!"<
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She squeezed his hand. He squeezed hers in return, and they looked up at each other and grinned. They stopped for just a second. He leaned down and gave her a short, loving kiss. Then right there on the sidewalk with everyone walking around them, just like a couple of teenagers, they gave each other a big long-lasting hug.
They were just a few feet from Pastrami Haven. They laughed at each other and went into the restaurant.
Donna came right over to greet Rae who introduced Max to her, flashing her left hand so Donna could see her engagement ring.
"Oh my, oh my! Congratulations! Your pastrami sandwiches are on the house. Tony, Tony, look, our Rae is engaged!"
Tony came out of the kitchen wiping his hands on his not-so-white apron. He gave Rae a quick hug and shook Max's hand. "Come, come, sit down. Whatever you want today is on the house. Eat until your heart is content. Today I make your sandwiches very special." Then he laughed, and said in his strong Italian accent, "Just as I do every day."
Donna rolled her eyes so Rae and Max could see. She patted Tony on the back, and said. "Go. Go and make their sandwiches." Then turning to Max, "You're going to have pastrami, right?"
Max gave Donna his winning smile. "Yes, yes, of course, of course."
All three of them broke out in laughter. Max's fake Italian accent wasn't very good.
Max started to fill up his plate at the salad bar. "Wow, this is a great spread."
"Don't take too much or you won't have room for the sandwich and French fries."
"Is the sandwich big?"
"Big?" Rae said. "It's a fourteen inch roll made specially by Tony, just for this place. It's stacked a mile high with pastrami, and comes with a mountain of fries. My advice is to make a small salad, then after you eat your sandwich and fries, if you're still hungry, you can always go back for more salad." She gave a little laugh.
When they sat down at their table, Rae said, "Is it alright if I thank the Lord for our food?"