Meeting Destiny (Destiny Series)

by Nancy Straight

  “Lauren do you…”

  I cut her off before she could get her question out, “Amanda, are we at ten yet?” She looked to her boss and he nodded yes. “I’m sorry, Lauren, I was so surprised I sort of went off the plan, let me just close the interview on camera and we’ll be done.”

  She took a few seconds and then looked away from me and directly into the camera, “Lauren, you are absolutely correct. I believe we’ll all be paying attention to this case to see what the suspected murderer is charged with. I’d like to thank you for your time and your candor tonight. We’re glad that your recovery was so quick, and I think everyone watching is glad that your most recent brush with danger was less troublesome. This is Amanda Lewis from WCSC Channel 4.” Two seconds later the red light above the camera stopped blinking, and I knew we were done. The man who had helped me get the microphone on in the beginning came back and removed it from my shirt. Amanda’s boss leaned in and was talking quietly with her. I couldn’t hear what he was saying but could see her face light up.

  She leaned in as the cameraman was packing up the equipment and her boss was heading for the door, “They’re going to lead with this interview tonight on the eleven o’clock news! Can you believe it?”

  Amanda and I were down the stairs, through the restaurant and on the street within minutes. Max and Seth were waiting for us on a bench just outside the door. Both looked up and seemed to be pleased that we were done. “So, was it painless?” Seth asked me the question but his focus was fixed on Amanda.

  “It was okay, but I’m glad it’s over with,” I responded honestly.

  Max reached over and took my hand and asked, “So, what do you want to do now?”

  “I have school tomorrow, so probably not too much else.” Max nodded and reached his free hand out to Seth. “It was really…enlightening tonight. Thanks.” My heart began to race, wondering what that meant.

  “See ya, Max. Be ready at seven-thirty tomorrow, Lauren, I’ve got an early class.” Was this really happening? Seth and Max had bonded and were what, pals? Pals were better than arch enemies, but Max’s enlightening comment rekindled my curiosity.

  While I was tossing around the possibilities, Amanda reached over and gave me a quick hug, and whispered, “Thanks again. This was great!” Max handed his tag to the valet, and we walked down to wait for the truck.

  Once we were in the truck and on our way, Max reached over my shoulder and pulled me over to him. The curiosity was nearly overwhelming, but I was determined not to ask. He must have known this because his expression was smug, and he didn’t say a word. If I could get him talking, he might share some of his conversation with Seth, but if he didn’t say a word, I would just ask Seth in the morning.

  “So, did you have a good time tonight?”

  He squeezed my shoulder, “Sure…I was with you.”

  His eyes were fixed on the road. I prodded again, “What did you think of Amanda?”

  Without a change in tone or a look in my direction, “She seemed very nice.”

  “She stayed to her script for the most part. If I had to do an interview with someone, I’m glad it was her.”

  “Seth was really stoked that you were doing this for him.”

  “I think only one answer threw her for a loop.”

  Max finally glanced my way but not for any length of time, “Which one was that?”

  “I told her I thought the murder suspect wasn’t exactly dangerous, and she seemed surprised.”

  Now he finally looked at me, “What do you mean?”

  “Just what I said. I’m not convinced that Rachael and I were in any real peril yesterday.”

  “What? I thought he tried to shove you guys in the car or something? Yesterday you were convinced he was a serial killer. What changed your mind?”

  “I thought about it, and even though he creeped me out, I don’t think we were in any real danger. I wanted to meet with him at the jail, but Officer Johnson about had a melt-down when I suggested it.”

  Max’s body tensed, and he took his arm from behind me and put it on the steering wheel. “What do you mean you wanted to meet with him? Why would you want to do that?”

  Obviously I hadn’t shared my thoughts with Max. Given his reaction, I decided to keep my plan to myself. “I wanted to talk to him, ask him what happened.”

  “Lauren, this is the guy who just strangled a married couple, ransacked their house, stole their car, and tried to abduct you and Rachael yesterday. He’s not really a bad guy? I get that you are always looking for the good in people, but be real…Why would you want to meet with him?”

  “I just wanted to ask him some questions.”

  “I don’t want you to meet him.”

  “Max, you know I care for you, right?” Max kept his eyes on the road but nodded. “I’m not trying to be a jackass, but that’s not your call. You’re welcome to share your opinion with me, but tread lightly when it comes to telling me not to do something.”

  I watched the street lights pass the truck faster, and I could hear the engine of the truck humming louder. Max stayed silent until we pulled in front of my house. As I reached for the door, he grumbled, “Not so fast, Sweetheart. Is it so wrong for me to care about you and want to keep you safe?”

  “I didn’t say you couldn’t care, I just want you to understand that who I meet with, and under what circumstances, is my decision. You are a part of my life,” albeit a huge part since four days ago, “but not the entire thing.”

  Max’s expression tightened, he inhaled deeply, leaned into me and spoke so softly it sounded as though there were sugar in his voice. “I think you are too close to the problem to make a rational decision. In the interest of your safety - and my sanity, I would ask that before you make arrangements to go see the murderer, you call me first. Is that too much to ask?”

  I reached for the handle, opened the door and leaped down to the sidewalk. I turned back around with the door still open and faced Max, “Probably not.” I’d better not say anything more. I didn’t want to lie to him, and I really didn’t want to tell him I’d already planned to go see Paul tomorrow.

  Max climbed out his side of the truck and walked around to my side. “I’m off again tomorrow. What do you want to do?” Still not wanting to lie to him, but certain that full disclosure could only lead to a full-blown fight, “I’ve got plans with Rachael after my morning classes. I can come by around dinner time?”

  “Sounds good. Call and let me know if you want me to pick you up from your house or Rachael’s.” Max leaned down and kissed me goodnight.

  I walked up our sidewalk and the few steps to the front door. I looked at my watch and it was just past nine. Rather than call Rachael, I decided I’d send her a text. It read: “Need 2 C U B4 class. Meet me N SU @ 7:45.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  I wasn’t all that tired, but I didn’t have any desire to turn on the television, computer or anything else. I slipped on a pair of worn shorts and a t-shirt and crawled into bed. I stared at the ceiling for a long time, considering my visit with Paul. I finally fell into a fitful sleep, still not certain if I should really go.

  I awoke to bright sunshine streaming through my window and jumped out of bed with a start: it was already seven, and I had to leave in thirty minutes. The dream I had just awoken from escaped me; it had something to do with Paul, but in my hurry to get out of bed, I had forced the image away. I grabbed clothes and shoes and ran into the bathroom, took a shower in record time, and was out the door at seven twenty-five. Seth was waiting in the driveway. I swung the door open quickly, jumped in the passenger seat, and surprised him so badly that he nearly spilled his coffee.

  “Well, good morning. You’re in a hurry today.” He was beaming, and I guessed he wanted to tell me about his evening with Amanda.

  “Actually, I am. I told Rachael I needed to meet her in the student union at 7:45.” Seth nodded, put the idling car in reverse, and we were on our way.

  “So what’d you th
ink of Amanda?” I was right, he wanted to tell me about her. “Did you watch the interview on television?”

  After my near argument with Max, the interview had been the furthest thing from my mind. “No, I was kind of spent, so I went to bed right after I got home.”

  “We went to the news station. She introduced the piece from the desk, live on camera. It was awesome. She’s a natural, you know. I bet she gets a lot more air time. I know you didn’t want to do the interview, but I’m really glad you did.” Seth was so excited, as if he had been the one in front of the camera.

  “I’m glad it worked out. So, are you going to see Amanda again?”

  “I doubt it. She told me she has a boyfriend at college, and they’re going to get an apartment together this fall.” I could see the disappointment on his face.

  “Seth, I think you should ask her out. Maybe just as friends or something, but it really looked like you two made a connection. The worst thing she can do is say no, right?”

  “I guess so, but she already told me she had a boyfriend, so if I ask her out, it’ll look like I wasn’t listening to her.”

  “No, it’ll look like you want to spend time with her. A movie is harmless: it’s not like you’re asking her to go away for a weekend to Atlantic City. Besides, she was pumping me for info on you last night, so I know she’s interested.” Seth lit up. Rewsna had mentioned Amanda by name to me, telling me Seth would need me to prod him. I guess the interview wasn’t enough. Seth would never believe me if I told him the whole story or even part of it; it just wasn’t in his nature.

  “How am I supposed to ask her? I don’t even know where she lives or what her phone number is. I can’t go to her work.”

  I sighed loudly and rolled my eyes for effect. “Okay, Seth, call her at work. If you don’t want to ask her over the phone, call her to congratulate her on her phenomenal interview skills and ask if she wants to meet you for a coffee after work. Then over a mocha-latte, ask her to go to the movies.”

  “This is pretty complicated, and it’s an awful lot of work for a girl who I already know isn’t available.” We turned into the parking lot at school, and Seth found a parking space close to the door I needed to go in.

  Trying to keep the sarcasm out of my voice was impossible, so I didn’t even try. “Well, I guess it’s up to you. I think you have two options: Option 1 - You can call her at work and ask her to coffee. Option 2 - I guess I can borrow your car and try to stop a bank robber or something. If we get really lucky, I’ll get shot again, then she’ll definitely call you asking for another interview with me.” I could see Seth’s face flush a bright red when I continued, “I’ve got to say, given our second option, I’d prefer you try calling her at work first to set up the coffee date.”

  I nearly sprinted into the building leaving Seth to think that one over. I got to the student union where Rachael was already waiting. She was at a table in the far back corner with no one within twenty feet. “Thanks for meeting me here.”

  Rachael looked up and smiled, “I saw your interview last night. Thanks for not letting me sound like an idiot and pretending that Paul may not be a murderer. I can just imagine what people are saying about me right now.”

  Ignoring everything she just said, I blurted out, “I need to ask you for a favor, but you can’t tell anyone, okay?”

  “Sure, whatever you need.”

  “I need your driver’s license today. I’ll bring it back to you either tonight or after school.” Without one second of hesitation, Rachael reached down, grabbed her purse from the floor, rummaged around for her wallet, and handed me her driver’s license. “You aren’t even going to ask me why I need it?”

  “No. Was that all you needed?” Rachael looked indifferent.

  “Uh, yeah, that was it.”

  “Okay, don’t do a hit and run or anything. I’ve got to go study for a final.”

  Rachael stood up from the table and was two paces away when I called after her, “Rachael, thanks, really.”

  She turned her head, “It’s the least I can do. I’ll see you at lunch?”

  I closed the gap between us in three strides, “I’m going to cut out today for a few hours, but I’ll try to be back for my afternoon classes. If I miss you here, I’ll bring your driver’s license to your house this afternoon.”

  I could see the confusion on her face, but Rachael stayed true to her word and didn’t ask what I was up to. We both walked out together. I went to my first three classes, then looked around for Seth, hoping to borrow his car for my errand. I looked at my watch when the hallway was empty and realized I’d missed him. I made my way to the closest exit and walked as quickly as I could down the hill, around the corner to the gas station. No luck borrowing Seth’s car, but I had the cash for a cab. I looked at my watch: 11:15, plenty of time to get to the jail, talk to Paul, and make it back for my class this afternoon.

  The cab dropped me at the visitor’s entrance to the jail, and I was surprised by how long the line was. Visiting hours didn’t begin for another fifteen minutes, but there were already twenty people in line. I paid the cab driver and took my place in the back of the line behind an older lady who looked to be in her mid-fifties. I was trying not to make eye contact and to stay as discrete as possible, when I heard, “I know you. You were on TV last night!” She asserted it so loudly that half the people in line turned to look at me.

  Embarrassment flooded me. What I wouldn’t give for a pair of dark glasses and a baseball cap right now! Knowing that I would be screwed if I didn’t lie convincingly, “You know you’re the third person who’s told me that today. I must have a twin because I wasn’t on television last night.” I spoke loud enough so that all the people looking my way would hear my denial.

  “Well, you look just like that Lauren Davis. She’s such a sweet girl! Did you see the interview?”

  Not wanting to continue this conversation for fear that a guard might get wise to me, “I didn’t watch it, but I’ll have to look for it on the net tonight because everyone keeps telling me I look just like her.”

  “Well, everyone is right! You look exactly like her.” Several people turned their attention back to whatever they had been doing before this lady accused me of being me. “So who are you here to see, dear?”

  “I’m visiting a friend.”

  “I’m here to see my good-for-nothing daughter. She’s twenty-seven years old and doesn’t have the good sense God gave her. She got picked up for her third DUI and is asking me to post bail. I told her I wasn’t going to bail her out this time; at least if she’s locked up she can’t get into any trouble. She’s probably looking at jail time. I told her I’d come by for a visit, but I left my pocketbook in the car.” She really did seem like a nice lady, and, as I looked at the long line in front of me, I wondered how many other parents were here for moral rather than financial support.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a man who looked familiar. He wore a gray cabbie hat, and I was sure I’d seen him before, but I couldn’t place where. He was older, very distinguished looking. I closed my eyes, thinking if I could concentrate, I would be able to place where I knew him from. He was standing around the corner of the building watching me. Something didn’t feel right. I glanced into the parking lot and saw a woman for a fraction of a second. It was Rewsna. I raised my hand to say hello, but she vanished. I looked around all the cars and couldn’t see a trace of her. Then it hit me. The man had been at the mall on Sunday morning. I looked back toward the corner of the building, and he was gone, too. The hair on my arms flew to attention, and a feeling of dread washed over me.

  The large door opened and a guard stepped onto the sidewalk. In a booming voice he announced, “If you have any watches, rings, necklaces or jewelry of any kind, you will need to leave them in a locker. If you have any bags, purses, backpacks or other storage devices, you will need to leave them in a locker. You may take in only the clothes that you are wearing, one form of state identification, and change that doe
s not exceed five dollars, in a clear plastic bag. When you step through the door, you will be pre-screened through the metal detectors: remove your shoes and jackets, place them in a bin on the conveyer belt. After you and your property are cleared, you will be issued a key to a locker to store any prohibited items. The only items you may have in your pocket for your visit is your state issued identification, up to five dollars in change in a clear plastic bag, and the key to the locker you are using. Are there any questions?” No one had any questions. “You will each be limited to a thirty minute visit. If a guard tells you your visit is over and you need more time, come back tomorrow. In an orderly fashion, we will begin bringing you in one at a time.”

  I had concentrated on the number of people in front of me, trying to banish the idea that a stranger and Rewsna had been watching me. I glanced back to see that there were easily two dozen now standing behind me. I was impressed with the efficiency. The first desk I came to had a uniformed guard behind a desk at a computer. She asked, “Who are you here to visit, and please hand me your ID.” I stepped forward, held my breath – hoping I wouldn’t get busted for impersonating Rachael, and answered, “Paul Stratford and my name is Rachael Madison.” Her fingers whizzed on the computer and in less than thirty seconds she returned my (not exactly my) driver’s license to me, “You’re clear. Please go to the next station.”

  The guard hadn’t scrutinized the photo by any means. Rachael and I were both about the same height and weight, brown hair color, but I really didn’t look much like her. Each station was very efficient. I went into a large waiting room and sat at a table. Within a few minutes Paul walked through a heavy metal door and looked around the room hopefully. I held up my hand motioning him over.

  “What’re you doing here? I was told Rachael was here to see me.” The disappointment on his face was evident, but his voice remained cordial.