Ava Montez, Her Life and Death

  "Rae, I would never reject the Lord. I believe He died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead, just as He said He would. It's funny that you should ask though. About three months ago I got thinking about going back to church. I've tried a couple of churches, but they were too big. I always felt lost and sometimes unwelcome. When you mentioned your little church the other day, I felt the Lord was whispering in my ear and saying, 'Yes, this is the one.' Then I'm sure I heard Him say, She's the one. And that 'one' I am sure is you, Rae.

  "So now you know why I answered so quickly that I'd come to the cantata on Saturday night. I'm anxious to visit your church and the fellowship there. Even though I've been away from church fellowship, I've had my special times with the Lord. I read the Word and pray every day. But, yes, I realize now that I need the fellowship with other believers. And I need to get involved and use my gift in a church for His use. About two months ago I started to pray for you, and our relationship. I believe the Lord has great plans for us, and wants to put us together for a very long time."

  Tears began to run down Rae's face, then little sobs involuntary came from within. They were tears of joy, for she also had been praying for their relationship to grow deeper and to be more meaningful. She now knew for sure that she had fallen in love with Max.

  She looked at him, and said, "I've have been praying too, Max, and I'm sure God wants us together. And now He's confirmed it, and given me peace about our relationship moving on to a new level."

  Max's eyes glistened from the light post above the bench where they were sitting. "Rae, I love you, and have for a long time. I noticed you when you first came to work for Sam. You were engaged to a doctor, and boy, was I disappointed. I think I then got engaged as a sort of protest. When it didn't work out for either of us, I began to see that you were everything I've been looking for. Someone to spend my life with."

  Between gentle sobs, Rae said, "I also love you, Max, and want to spend my life with you. You're the one the Lord has chosen for me. I do love you with all my heart."

  With that, Max reached into his pocket. "I've been carrying this around for over three weeks now, praying for a moment just like this to happen."

  Max opened the box. He took the beautiful ring out, then sliding off the bench and onto one knee, he said, "Rae, will you marry me?"

  This time it was Rae who didn't hesitate. "Yes, my sweet, funny, wonderful Max, I will marry you."

  She couldn't believe this was happening. It seemed so quick, but because they both had been praying she knew it was from the Lord, because Max felt the same way.

  He placed the ring on her finger, then sat back on the bench and leaned over and kissed her on the lips.

  It was their first kiss, and she was truly in love for the first time. They sat there for another hour, sharing their thoughts and dreams, their love for each other and even praying together. They didn't care what other people in the park might be thinking. This was their night, a night neither of them would ever forget, hugging and kissing just like the other couples sitting on the park benches.

  CHAPTER 17

  Rae . . . Drop Story or Drop Dead!

  Rae felt in a daze. In the taxi with Max, heading for her apartment, all she knew was that the Lord was in this relationship, and He was going to bless it.

  Silently, while heading home, she continually thanked God that Max was a believer and that for the last three months he'd been looking to return to Him. Not because of her, but because the Lord had been speaking to him about recommitting his life, and to seek out fellowship with other believers. Max was being obedient to God's wishes.

  Rae knew she was overly blessed. It was a great day, and she was also amazed that Max had been praying for her and their relationship these past two months. She had only been praying for Max the last three or four days, although she could see now that she had been attracted to him for a lot longer than that. Max said he had noticed her in a special way when she first came to the New York Reader. She could see now that she had done the same with him, and felt herself blushing at the thought. She again thanked God for putting them together, and for this special day He had given to her. She also had to smile at herself when she thought of Max carrying her engagement ring in his pocket for three weeks, waiting for just the right time.

  Max broke the silence. "How's everything been going with the story? Any more near-accidents since the car ordeal?"

  She took a deep breath. "Max, now that we're engaged I feel we have to be honest with each other to really make our relationship work. There is something I haven't told you or Sam, thinking you both might overreact. Last night when I returned home after choir practice I looked up at my apartment window as I always do, and noticed that my hall light was out. I was sure I'd left it on when I went out. I listened at the door for any sound from inside. When I was sure no one was there, I went in. Nothing seemed to be disturbed, so I thought that it must have been my imagination. I'm still a little jittery because of that car almost hitting me.

  "Then I noticed my desk chair had been moved and my laptop lid was open. I hadn't used it since early that morning. I would have noticed it opened sometime during the day, as I must have walked past it a dozen times or more. When I'm through using it, I always close the lid and push my chair right up to the desk. Like I said, the chair had been swung around and the computer lid was wide open. When I sat down to check my emails, I had to re-adjust the screen angle to my eye level. That was when I was sure someone had been in my apartment. For the life of me, I can't figure out why or who. I have no personal stuff on it, just the stories I've written for the paper, and they're all encrypted."

  Max looked shaken. "Rae, you should have told us as soon as it happened. Chief Edwards could have had your apartment watched. That's twice now that something has happened since you've been on the story about that movie star. I think we should tell Sam to abort it, especially if it's going to put you in any kind of danger. Can't you see, someone was looking to discover what you've found out about the murder!"

  "But I haven't found out anything, although I did ask Mr. Austin and Kim who they thought might be the murderer."

  Max sounded anxious. "Maybe it was one of them thinking they'd given you too much information, and then wondering what you'd written. Maybe they broke into your computer to find out."

  Rae shook her head firmly. "I asked them that question today. The break-in was last night. Besides, I told them it was off the record and whatever they told me wouldn't go into my story. So they knew it wouldn't be on my computer."

  The taxi pulled over in front of Rae's apartment. They both looked up at the same time. The apartment hall light was on. Rae gave a sigh of relief, as she had been extra careful to leave it on before going out for their date.

  "I'm coming up with you," Max said, with a voice that gave no room for an argument.

  Rae was thankful, as she was going to ask him anyway if he hadn't volunteered.

  She was thinking, "Of course he'd want to come up and check my apartment. He loves me. He's my protector, so why would I think I'd have to ask him?"

  She handed Max the key. He opened the door and motioned for her to wait while he went in and turned on all the lights, checking each room. She felt that he was her Prince Charming, and she liked the feeling.

  He called out, "It's okay, you can come in now."

  Rae gave a sigh of relief. "Thanks. How about a cup of tea?"

  "That'll be great." Max clearly wasn't ready to leave just yet.

  She'd been hoping he'd say yes, as she really didn't want to be alone at this time.

  Max took her over to the couch. "Please, give the story up. I know Sam has other stories and ideas about movie stars in the forties and fifties for other editions of his new magazine. None of the others deal with an unsolved murder. I think you'd be much safer."

  Rae shook her head. "If I do that, I'd never be a good reporter. And I'd always feel like a quitter. Then every time Sam gave me an assignment, he'd wonder if
I'd just walk away from it if it got too hard. No, I want to stay on the story. This is a reporter's dream: a murder and a beautiful movie star. Just think, it happened over forty years ago and the case has never been solved. The murderer has been safe for forty years, and now that person is threatened with being caught. Besides, I don't seriously think my life is in danger. It's . . ." She paused.

  Max obviously noticed the look on her face. "Something the matter?"

  "I thought I left Kim Blakely's scarf here on the table, ready to return next time I saw her. She lent it to me when it was raining."

  "That means someone . . ."

  "Don't say it, Max. Why would anyone come in here and take a scarf and nothing else? I'll look for it in the morning. I probably put it away with my clothes. Don't worry about it."

  "Was the scarf here after someone messed with your laptop."

  "No. Yes. Yes, it was. I saw Kim Blakely after that. I'm sure the scarf will turn up, and that break-in was nothing more than someone trying to scare me into giving up the story. After all, the murderer is most likely close to eighty years old now, if still alive. Please, Max, don't ask me to give it up. Instead, work with me, be my encourager. This is the kind of stuff Hollywood makes movies out of."

  "Okay, it's still your story, but you're going to see a lot more of me than before."

  "I'd like that, Max. And thanks, because if you really wanted me to be off the story and asked me truly to give it up, I would."

  He leaned over and gave her a long kiss that made her head swim. After the kiss they looked into each other's eyes for two or three seconds, and then at the same time, they both said, "I love you," and held their gaze for a few more seconds.

  With that, Max got up, "I think I should be leaving."

  Rae wanted him to stay, but down deep in her soul she knew he was doing the right thing. She followed him to the door. They hadn't spotted the note tacked on the inside of the door when they came in.

  Someone had been in the apartment again. The note was in large letters done on a computer. It read DROP STORY OR DROP DEAD.

  CHAPTER 18

  Rae . . . The Missing Key

  Rae wanted to cry and scream at the same time. But not wanting Max to see how scared and upset she really was, she tried to act calmly. No way was she going to let him persuade her to give up the story.

  "Rae, someone has a key to your apartment. I don't know how they got it, but someone is coming in while you're out. I know you're careful about locking your door when you leave."

  Before Rae could say anything, Max continued, "I'm going to call a locksmith, and if they can't be here in the next hour I'm going to put you up in a hotel for the night. Or for longer, if necessary. The door itself is strong enough, but you're not staying here until we change your lock and put in a dead bolt. Then you'll be safe. And you can phone me, or dial 911 if you're worried by any noises."

  With that, Max went over to the telephone. "Where's your phone book?"

  Rae tried to sound cool and collective. "It's in the bottom right hand drawer in the desk."

  He took the book out of the drawer and looked up Locksmiths. He called the first one listed offering a twenty-four hour service. The phone was answered after the third ring.

  After a brief discussion the locksmith agreed to come immediately. Max gave him Rae's address.

  Max turned to Rae, "He's on his way. Be here in about twenty minutes. I'll feel better once that's taken care of."

  Rae gave a sigh of relief. Certainly she'd feel a whole lot safer with a new lock on the door. And besides, she didn't want to go to a hotel.

  "Thanks, Max, I'll pay for the new locks. And thanks too, for not asking me to give up the story."

  He smiled. "I'll pay for the locks. Consider it an engagement present!"

  She looked at her left hand ring finger, then walked over to him and gave him a gentle kiss. "I love your sense of humor."

  Within twenty minutes, the locksmith was knocking on the door as promised. He didn't ask any questions, and forty minutes later he was paid by Max and out of the door.

  Max turned to Rae as soon as they were alone. "Tomorrow morning we're telling Sam, then we're going to the station to talk to Chief Edwards about giving you some protection. Are you okay staying here tonight? Or do you want to go to a hotel?"

  "I'm fine. Safe and secure with the new lock and the dead bolt. As you said, it's a strong door, and I promise not to open it to anyone. I wouldn't have thought of installing the bolt. Thanks so much, Max."

  He went to the door and Rae followed him. They gave each other a big hug and a short kiss.

  As Max left, he told her, "See you tomorrow at the office. I'll be a little late. Sam gave me a new story to work on, about that child kidnapping, the young boy, and the police are holding a news briefing tomorrow morning at nine. I'll be back at the office around eleven. How about planning on lunch? You can tell Sam about the break-in, or wait until I get there. You're free tomorrow, right? I mean, no interviews?"

  "Sam wants me in the office. He wants to see what I have written so far. Lunch sounds great. See you when you get in at eleven."

  Rae could see that Max hated to leave her alone, and when he hesitated, she said with a smile on her face, "Goodnight, Max. I'll be fine."

  "Goodnight, Rae. I love you."

  She felt safe, and for some reason she was not nervous at all. But after she got ready for bed she prayed again for the Lord's protection.

  "What a day," she said aloud. She could picture Max sliding off the bench at the park, getting on one knee and proposing to her. Everything else was a big blur. She fell asleep with these memories and didn't wake up until her usual time the next morning at 6:45.

  While getting ready for work she was sure all three of them, Max, Sam and the Chief were going to question her about the key to her apartment. How could someone have a key? The only other key was at her parents' home.

  She thought about calling them and nonchalantly asking if the key was still hanging on the magnet hook on their refrigerator door. She'd bought the hook for them when she proudly gave them the spare key to her new apartment.

  It was too early to phone. If she called now they would surely be suspicious, and they'd already expressed their fears about her moving to the big city. So she decided to wait until later in the morning. She'd tell them about her engagement and then casually ask about the key.

  All of a sudden she remembered that she also had an extra key. It was hanging on her refrigerator door on an identical hook to the one she'd given her parents. As she walked into the kitchen, she prayed that it would still be there. She was shocked when she saw the magnet still firmly in place, but the key was gone. With all of the excitement she had completely forgotten about her extra key.

  "How?" she said out loud. "How can the key have gone?"

  And then to herself she was thinking: Who was in my apartment? One of my friends? No, that's impossible. Think, Rae, how could someone come into your apartment without you knowing it, and take that key?

  Then she remembered something else. The day after the car incident she had left her door unlocked for fifteen minutes at the most. That was the one and only time she'd ever done that. She would tell Chief Edwards this morning. It was the only explanation she could think of. Yes, someone could have gotten into her apartment and stolen that key. She thanked the Lord that Max had called the locksmith last night.

  CHAPTER 19

  Rae . . . No Big Deal

  Today was Thursday. Some parts of the day Rae was looking forward to, like spending time with Max and having lunch together. The part of the day she wasn't looking forward to was telling Sam about the note on the inside of her door, DROP STORY OR DROP DEAD, and having to go to the police station.

  She also didn't like having to stay late at the office waiting for Joseph Morgan to phone to make the appointment for their interview. No, that didn't thrill her at all. The thought of being alone in the building at night was scary.


  When she got to the office, she considered asking Max to stay with her until Mr. Morgan phoned, and she was certain he would say yes. That made her feel good, and the thought of being alone with Max and getting to know more about each other was more than exciting.

  She decided to leave home early, and stop for coffee and a breakfast roll at the coffee shop on the first floor of the office building. It was called Fresh Things, where everything was made each morning and sold out fast. She took a copy of the Reader from the newspaper rack provided by the coffee shop. She had about forty minutes before going up to the office.

  She knew Max wouldn't be there, because of his assignment and meeting with the police on the kidnapped child story. Sam usually arrived around 8:50, so she had plenty of time to enjoy her coffee and catch up on what the Reader had to say. It surprised her friends when she told them that usually she had no idea what would be in the paper each day, apart from her own contributions.

  Rae's mind kept wandering back to the events of the day before. She looked down at her ring, then silently thanked the Lord.

  Then she thought about the note on the door. Was someone really trying to kill her? Or was it an empty threat, to make her change her mind about writing the story?

  Either way, she was determined not to give up. And she was hoping that neither Sam nor the Chief would ask her to do that.

  She also made her decision to tell Sam immediately. It was no good waiting until Max got to the office. Waiting till after eleven would drive her crazy. She would be happy to get it over with quickly. At first Sam would go ballistic. Then he'd settle down and they would be able to talk it over in a calm and peaceful way. She was already preparing herself for his reaction.

  She got up, paid her bill and left a good tip. Sam was in his glass office. He waved to her with a big smile and motioned for her to come in.

  Rae had dreaded this moment. She gave a brief prayer.

  "Hi, Rae, have something for me this morning?"

  Rae didn't know whether to give Sam the printout of the story she had so far, or tell him about yesterday's events.

  She hesitated, then said, "Here's the latest part of my interview with Jake Austin, Ava's husband when she was murdered. I'm about to start working on a draft of Kim Blakely Townsend's story. She was Ava's agent. When you're through reading, there's something I need to tell you."