Ava Montez, Her Life and Death

  Rae was relieved she didn't have to make up something. He had solved the problem for her. "Yes, you'll have to wait." She forced a chuckle. "I'm sorry for calling you so late, but I needed to clear something up quickly."

  "Don't apologize. I told you whenever you had a question to feel free to call me at any time. I want to keep in touch with you and the story."

  "Thanks, Mr. Austin, you're very kind. Good night."

  Rae hung up the phone. She almost didn't want to tell Chief Edwards whom Jake Austin had said he'd told about her being late at the office this evening. All three were looking at her. Then they all said at the same time:

  "Well?"

  "I don't believe it. I don't care whom he said he'd told, I don't and never will believe that it was Kim Blakely who was here tonight."

  The Chief said, "Rae, you have to believe the facts. This is the second time today Kim Blakely's name has been linked to the person who's threatening you. First, the Mazda car symbol that you saw in your dream, and now this. I'm not sure if she'd really try and kill you or Sam. But all the evidence points to Kim, and I'm not going to take any chances. As far as the note to you, Sam, I think the person is hoping you will take Rae off the story and abandon it for good. It's like a stalker. We never know for sure what stalkers will do. Sometimes nothing happens and sometimes it turns to murder, just as this case may do. We have to take each threat as a threat on your lives."

  The Chief breathed out heavily. "Going on the assumption that the intruder may carry through with their threats, Sam, perhaps you should shelve the story for a while. It'll give us some time to catch the person and put them away so it'll be safe for Rae to go forward with the piece on Ava Montez. I'd love to be the policeman who helped solved this murder of 'yester-year.' It would make me famous before I retire. But not if it would cost you your lives."

  Rae stood her ground. "Sam, please don't tell me to stop the story. I still think the person's only trying to scare us into dropping it. If we stop, the threats will most likely stop also. Then we'll never know who's doing this, and the Montez murder will go back into the police archives as an unsolved case. But now that your life is also in danger, Sam, you have to make the final decision. Whatever you say, I'll go along with it."

  Sam looked closely at Rae, "Are you sure you want to continue with the story? It was you who experienced the fear and panic that was brought on tonight by our mysterious intruder. Are you willing to go through it again if need be? Are you willing to be threatened and stalked again? I've been in this business for over twenty years, Rae. This is not the first time I've been threatened with my life, and it probably won't be the last. A reporter's life can be very hazardous. So I'm going to ask you one more time, and please, Rae, take your time before you answer. Are you sure you want to continue investigating this story about Ava Montez, knowing your life could be in extreme danger?"

  Rae looked over at Max. His eyes were pleading no, but his lips formed the word yes. Without hesitation, after getting the okay from Max, she said, "A definite yes. Thanks, Sam. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to show what I can do."

  She went over and put her arms around Max. "Thanks, Max."

  That was all she said.

  "Be careful, Rae," Sam warned. "I want you around for a long, long time. What has helped me make my decision to continue with the story is because I have read your interview with Jake Austin. The words that you use, the way you described Ava Montez, and with your personality and creativity, your flare kept me captivated. You're doing a great job. The readers are going to truly enjoy your work. You are really a very good reporter, and I intend to offer you a more senior position here. But your life is much more important to me than any newspaper report. So make sure you want to move forward. I won't think any less of you as a reporter if you decide to shelve the story."

  "I'm moving forward, Sam, but this time with more of Max's help – if that's okay with you."

  "You both know I had a hard time choosing which one of you would do the story. In fact, I really was hoping you both would work on it together. Max can teach you a lot, Rae. But I have a feeling that he also has things to learn from you. I admire your dedication to the job. I suppose I should have put you on the story together, but I didn't want to suggest it to either one of you. At that time I didn't know that your relationship was so close."

  Max and Rae looked at each other, laughed, and Rae said, "Sam, we didn't either!"

  With that, Sam looked at his brother-in-law. "Okay, Chief, it's your job to keep Rae and me safe. So get out there and catch that ......" He stopped short of completing his sentence. He looked over at Rae. Knowing she was a Christian, he said, "I'm sorry, Rae, I always try and watch my language around you. I respect you and your beliefs, so please forgive me."

  "Of course, Sam, and thanks. I feel the same way. I must confess that under my breath I nearly finished that sentence for you!"

  Everyone laughed. Rae guessed they must have known that she was probably stretching the truth. Anyway, she hoped that no one there would imagine her saying any such words, no matter what she might think of the person who just about frightened her to death.

  CHAPTER 25

  Martha Brown

  Max walked Rae home and wasn't content until he checked out her apartment and made sure her cell phone was fully charged. When everything appeared to be okay, he said goodbye and they kissed each other goodnight. By this time it was after midnight.

  Rae felt exhausted. It had been a very tiring night and she was glad the ordeal at the office was over. Now she was ready to move on. As she walked through the living room on the way to her bedroom, she noticed the light on her message machine was blinking.

  Her first thought was to wait until the morning to listen to the message, but her curiosity got the better of her, so she went over to the table and pressed play. A surprisingly deep and husky woman's voice spoke.

  "Hello. Rae? This is Martha Brown. Many years ago I was Ava Montez' housekeeper. I read that you're doing a story on her life, so I knew you worked for the New York Reader. I got in touch with Mr. Jake Austin as his name was in the book, and he gave me your phone number. I heard he'd been trying to find me. I hope you don't mind, but it's important that I speak to you without delay. I have some information for you. I'll be in the city for just a couple of days. Please call me if you're interested. I'm sure you will be."

  She gave her phone number, and then added, "I'm looking forward to finally telling someone the true story. Please be sure to phone me early."

  Rae was delighted. She had been praying and hoping that somehow she would find the housekeeper, the fourth of the murder suspects. "Thanks, Lord."

  She wondered how it was that Jake Austin had known her phone number. And then she realized that he would have gotten it when she phoned him from home to ask him who he thought might have murdered Ava Montez. She was now happy that Sam had put the article in the paper about her covering the story. She would call Martha Brown tomorrow right after Joseph Morgan called her, and set up an appointment.

  She had to smile to herself. Of course she was interested, very interested in what Martha Brown wanted to tell her. She felt a surge of excitement, wondering what the information might be. Perhaps Mr. Austin was right about her being guilty, and Martha Brown wanted to confess that she had murdered Ava Montez.

  Then she started thinking aloud. "I hope it's not more information pointing to Kim Blakely Townsend. If it is, it will be my duty to tell the Chief, and for sure he'll have her arrested."

  She shook her head. Surely there was no way Kim could have murdered her best friend Ava, even if she wasn't a Christian at the time.

  Joseph Morgan had failed to contact her, unless that was him on the phone while she was hiding in the bathroom at the office, so she was hoping that he would call her early in the morning at work. She was anxious to meet with him and hear his side of the story and who he might think was the murderer. She was also looking forward to her interview with Miss Brown
. Two murder suspects already interviewed, and two to go!

  With these thoughts she got ready for bed. As she was drifting off to sleep, she was thinking of Max. Then she realized that she hadn't called her parents to tell them about their engagement. They would be happy for her, a little concerned because it happened so quickly, but that would change when they met Max. After all, she thought, everybody loves Max!

  She made a mental note to make the phone calls as soon as she got to work in the morning. The next thing she knew, the phone was ringing.

  She glanced at the clock. It was 7:30, much later than her usual wake-up time.

  "Hello."

  "Are you Rae Collins, the reporter?" It was a man's voice.

  Rae mumbled a sleepy yes.

  "Sorry to call you so early. This is Joseph P. Morgan."

  As soon as Rae heard his name, she perked up, "Mr. Morgan, I was hoping you'd call this morning. I'm planning to interview Martha Brown. I'm sure you remember her. She was Miss Montez' housekeeper. She left me a phone message last night for me to contact her. But I want to work around your time schedule first. What's a good time for you, and where would you like to meet me?"

  Joseph Morgan said. "Can you meet me at the Pier 9 around seven this evening, Rae? I'm seeing some friends there for an early dinner at five. It'll only be for a couple of hours. The owners of the restaurant are friends of mine. I'm sure they'll give us a nice quiet spot where we can do the interview. That is, if it's okay with you. How about seven o'clock?"

  "That's great. I'll try and arrange to see Miss Brown this afternoon."

  "I'll be looking forward to seeing you and sharing about Ava Montez, one of my favorite people of the past. See you at seven. The restaurant is called The Pier House. It's almost at the end of Pier 9. I'm looking forward to meeting you. Jake said you're a very nice lady."

  Right after she hung up, Rae called Martha Brown. While waiting for someone to answer, she was wondering how Joseph Morgan got her home phone number. Probably it was Mr. Austin, being free again with the information. She didn't feel comfortable with everyone knowing her private home number.

  After several rings, Martha Brown answered her phone. Rae explained who she was. "You left a message on my answering machine to call you if I was interested in some information you have for me concerning Ava Montez."

  "Yes, Miss Collins, I'm happy you called back. I've lived in fear for more than forty years. That's why I disappeared many years ago. I've always felt my life was in danger, but I have to tell someone the things I know about Miss Montez. When I read that you were going to do a story on her, and saw my name listed as one of the people you wanted to interview, I knew the time had come for me to get this burden off my chest."

  Rae said, "I'll be very discreet with any information you give me. I certainly don't want to put your life in danger."

  "It's okay, the doctors have informed me that I have just a few months to live, at the most. I have a severe case of a rare cancer. As I'm sure you can tell, it affects my speech. They haven't found a cure for it yet. That's why I want to talk to you and tell you what I know about the murder."

  "I'm so sorry to hear about your health," Rae said. "May I pray for you?"

  "That's a very kind offer. Thank you. I have many people praying for me in my church in California. I appreciate all the prayers I can get. I know there's great power in prayer."

  Rae prayed for her over the phone, asking God the Father to give Martha Brown strength and comfort, and for great wisdom for the physicians who were involved in her treatment. After the prayer, Martha thanked her.

  Rae asked, "Where would you like to meet?"

  "Do you know the park across from the Golden Towers?"

  "Yes, I've been there many times. I have a special bench I like to sit on, facing the Towers. It's the only one facing that way."

  "I know the one you mean," the husky voice said. "Miss Montez and I used to sit on probably that same bench. That's where she told me many things. One of those things was about the person who I think may have killed her. Can you meet me there around two this afternoon?"

  Rae agreed. "I'm meeting Joseph Morgan at Pier 9 this evening, but not until seven. So we've got plenty of time to talk."

  "Pier 9," said Martha Brown. "Yes, I remember it now. There's a restaurant there, I seem to recall."

  "The Pier House," said Rae. "That's where we're meeting."

  "Yes, of course. The Pier House at Pier 9. I'll see you in the park at two. I'll phone Jake Austin now and let him know we've made contact, and tell him about your meeting with Joseph Morgan this evening."

  "No, I don't want Mr. Austin to know . . ." But Martha Brown had already hung up. No sooner had Rae replaced her phone than it rang. It was Joseph Morgan again, the former film director. "Sorry to bother you, Miss Collins, but can we make it seven-thirty this evening, please?"

  Rae said that was fine.

  "I noticed your phone was busy when I tried to call you back. Have you made contact with Martha Brown by any chance?"

  "I've just been speaking to her. I'm meeting her at two this afternoon, so I'll be glad of a bit of extra time to do the write-up while things are still fresh in my mind."

  "May I guess that you're meeting in her favorite place, the park by Golden Towers?"

  Rae laughed. "It's a place we both know well, but apart from that I can't possibly comment. But I'm looking forward to meeting you and having an evening meal."

  Not that she'd been invited to a meal, but it was worth dropping a strong hint.

  "I promise you'll enjoy the experience," Morgan said. "I should have mentioned it before. The Pier House is a bit out of the way, but the food is great. Seven-thirty it is."

  Rae took her shower and got dressed for the office. She was excited about the prospect of meeting Martha Brown. She sent up another quick prayer for her, and was in the office by nine. Max came in an hour later, as he was still working on the child kidnapping case.

  Rae polished her story on her second interview, the one with Kim Blakely Townsend, and gave it to Sam. He said he was looking forward to reading it, which cheered Rae up. With the offer of a more senior position, she couldn't afford to mess up now.

  When she went to lunch with Max she told him about her two forthcoming interviews, and how anxious she was to hear what Martha Brown had to say about her suspect for the murder.

  Max warned her, "Please be careful, Rae. It could be a trap. Remember, Jake Austin said he thought Martha Brown was the murderer. I'd like to go with you, but I can't. There's an important press briefing on the kidnapping at one-thirty. Sam would be furious if I didn't make it."

  Rae brushed Max's hair off his forehead. "I can't see Martha Brown trying to kill me in front of dozens of people, either in the park or on the streets. Can you? Remember, the bench faces the Towers where there are always lots of pedestrians, and there's the main street on the far side of the park behind us, as well as people in the park. Please, Max, don't get paranoid and over-react as Sam does."

  He apologized and promised he would try not to, but he said he still worried for her safety.

  "Sorry, Max, but it's already one-thirty. I have to get going. I don't want to be late for Martha."

  They gave each other a big hug and two quick kisses.

  "I'm going to phone Kim Blakely Townsend and arrange another meeting, and then I'm off. I'll have to let her know what's going on today, so she'll understand why I'm too busy to see her until tomorrow. I hope she'll be able to confirm or dismiss some of the things Martha Brown and Joseph Morgan tell me. Please be praying for me, Max."

  INTERVIEW

  THE HOUSEKEEPER

  AND THE DIRECTOR

  CHAPTER 26

  Hit-and-Run

  Rae arrived at the park at 1:50. The walk along the main street usually took about twenty minutes, and then all she had to do was cross over to the park, enjoy the short walk and wait on the seat in front of the Towers. But after phoning Kim Blakely Townsend, Rae wind
ow shopped on the way, stopping occasionally to look at the mannequins dressed up in the new trends for the new season.

  As she got near the street crossing to the park, she noticed an ambulance with its flashing lights stopped in the middle of the street. It was not yet quite two o'clock. A crowd of people were standing around. Some were crying. As Rae got closer she saw paramedics putting a sheet over a body.

  She asked the young person standing next to her, "What happened? Did someone have a heart attack?" She saw no signs of a vehicle accident.

  "I don't know," the teenager said. "Everything happened so quickly. I was jogging in the park when I heard someone screaming. By the time I got here, these people were already gathering. Someone said they called 911 and that the ambulance was on its way. Then I heard a man say, 'I'm a doctor, please let me through.' And a few minutes later the ambulance arrived. I never did get to see who it was."

  After the paramedics left, the bystanders dispersed quickly. Rae went over and sat on the bench facing the Towers waiting for Martha Brown. She was excited to learn what Martha was now ready to share.

  At 2:30 she was still waiting. And that's when the thought came to her that maybe the body she saw being placed in the ambulance was Martha Brown's. She waited fifteen minutes longer, then headed for the police station to see Chief Edwards.

  The Chief sounded slightly out of breath as he explained he had just returned from a late lunch. He said he was free until his next appointment at 4:30. Rae told him what had happened and that Miss Brown hadn't shown up for their appointment. And since Martha Brown had only made the appointment that morning, Rae was sure she hadn't forgotten. She told the Chief that she was thinking that perhaps the dead person was her.

  "Chief, would you please call the hospital and check to see if they have identified the body, and if it could possibly be Martha Brown's?"

  "I can, but I'm not sure which hospital. There are three here in the city that they use for emergencies. I'll have someone check each one. It may take a little time, so have a seat. I'll see what I can find out."

  Rae sat down, took out her notes that she had written so far on the story and went over them. She wasn't sure why she was doing this, since she had re-read them already, at least a dozen times. She felt a little nervousness in her stomach like she was going to be sick. She didn't want to sit there doing nothing while the Chief told his staff to make urgent phone calls to the hospitals. She was trying not to think that the body under the sheet might have been Martha Brown's.