Meeting Destiny (26 page)

I paused a few seconds longer than I should have and could see that Amanda was more closely carrying on a conversation with me, than she was actually reading from her script. Her face looked apologetic for throwing me a curve ball. “He was my age and was driving a really nice car, and I just felt something wasn’t right.” Oh crap, that was the wrong answer. Now everyone would think I am psychic or something. I followed quickly with, “You know how sometimes people for no reason make you nervous? This guy made me nervous.” That sounded better, but I was now wishing the interview was over, how many questions had it been?

I could tell this response tempted her to dig deeper. I was hoping she would stick to the script. “When did you find out he was a murder suspect?” Thank goodness, she was back on track, and, if I remember right, this one was near the end.

“
After several police cars came to the parking lot.”

“
How would you describe yourself, lucky or unlucky given these two events?”

“
I would say I am very lucky. The robbery could have gone very badly, but given the circumstances it went remarkably well. The incident at the mall, I’m not certain my friend and I were in any real danger, so I wouldn’t classify that one as lucky or unlucky.”

“
The suspected murderer, you don’t believe he was dangerous?” My response had waylaid Amanda.

Trying to smooth over my answer, “Innocent until proven guilty right? He didn’t have a weapon and was not threatening my friend or me. He just happened to be in a car that was assumed stolen. I’d rather wait and hear the facts before I jump to any conclusions.”

“
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, he responded, “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.”

Still displaying nearly no interest, “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 am 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 a lot, 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 was 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 had 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 him tomorrow.

Max climbed out his side of the truck, 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 ten. 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.”

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 seven forty-five.” Seth nodded, put the idling car in reverse, and we were on our way.

“
So what’d you think 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 would prefer you try calling her at work first to set up the coffee date.”