Part 42
Billy met Howie and Sarah at the airport and they headed to the club where Steven was waiting for them in the office. Before sitting down to talk, Sarah went to check the safe.
Opening it, Sarah found that her journal was indeed gone but in its place was a letter. She took out the letter and opened it as Howie looked over her shoulder. Together, they read it.
‘Sarah, Why is it you always got the guys? First you get Russell and then
You have half the guys in town chasing after you. No one ever gave me a
Second look. I was always ‘Sarah’s Friend’! Now you have your pop star.
I’m sick of you and your high and mighty ways! If you don’t want to lose your precious singer, you’ll give me $100,000. I MIGHT consider giving you your journal back. Call me…555-4345. Chrissy’
Steven asked, "What is that?"
Howie handed the letter to Steven as he said, "The police don’t have Sarah’s journal. At least, it doesn’t appear to be her journal according to this letter."
Sarah looked at Howie. "But she’s going to give it to them if I
don’t give her the money. D, with all the funeral bills, hospital bills, and
my college loans, I barely have $100 dollars in my account and if I hadn’t
been living with you the last two years, I’d never been able to make it. Where
am I gonna come up with that kind of money?"
Howie laughed, "Sarah, you’re my wife now."
"So?" said Sarah innocently.
"Angel, I have the money…no problem. All you have to do is go to the bank and get it."
"I can’t take your money."
Howie put his finger on her lips to stop her. "Sarah, we’re married now
and it’s OUR money. We will take care of this."
Steven had read the letter and was now ready to take care of all this. "We
need to get this taken care of. The first thing we have to do is get Sarah’s
journal back and paying for it is only asking for trouble. How well do you know
this girl?"
Howie sat down at his desk and pulled Sarah into his lap as she said, "We grew up together and we use to be best friends."
"So, she’ll trust you when you call her to get the journal back?"
"I guess so."
"Set it up. Billy and his men will go with you to make sure you get the journal back. I don’t suppose you kept any other journals?"
"Yeah, I did. Howie and I both kept them during the Millenium tour and the first half of this one."
"Good, you’ve established a pattern that the police won’t question."
"But what the cops have…."
"Is handwritten and I’m guessing by this Chrissy. Even if it were the REAL thing, I already had your defense ready. It was obtained illegally and inadmissible in court. Sarah, all you have to do is maintain your composure like it’s just another day. We may even be able to turn the tables on this chick and let her take the fall."
"How?" asked Sarah.
"We get the journal back first. When we do, we’ll prove that she was
setting you up."
"How?" asked Howie.
"We have to prove that the handwriting isn’t Sarah’s. Call the girl and make the arrangements. Have her meet you somewhere public and we’ll go from there."
"How quickly can we get this taken care of?"
"Today if all goes right, Howie. We’ll wait downstairs."
Steven and Billy went downstairs to wait while Sarah called Chrissy. The meeting was set up for noon at the park in town.
When Sarah was done, Howie held her close. "Angel, it’s almost over. Tonight, I promise, we’ll be free of this nightmare."
"What if something goes wrong and there is no tonight? What if there are
no more tonight’s?"
"Don’t you even consider that!" scolded Howie. "We’re together….forever, Sarah. And nothing is gonna change that. Now, about your bills. I want you first thing tomorrow to go to the bank and get your name added to my account and then I want you to have them pay off whatever bills you owe. NO ARGUMENTS," said Howie as he saw Sarah starting to protest. He kissed her, effectively ending ALL protests Sarah might have had and they headed down to go with Steve to the park.