Chapter 4
Liz went with Maria the next Monday to the Crashdown to eat breakfast with her before Liz's job interview and before Maria's shift started. They were the only ones there besides Michael, who they hadn't seen until that day, and a few others getting the café ready to open. Soon after they began to eat their cheese biscuits, Max came fuming in the door. All eyes turned to him as he made his way loudly back to the kitchen. He looked at no one and had a frown on his face. He looked as though he hadn't slept well in days. Once he was in the back with Michael, Liz and Maria gave each other questioning looks but then went back to talking.
"So, tell me, what is this job you are going for today deal with?" Maria asked Liz, taking another bite.
"Well, I'm applying to be a secretary at a detective office, but I am hoping that soon I will be more than that." Liz smiled at the thought of being a detective and searching for clues about remarkable cases.
"I'm sure you will get it. Oh, which one are you applying at?"
"Um, I think it's called Vaughn and Johnston. Why?"
"Wow! That is where Tess works! You know, Max's girlfriend. Well, at least you will know someone." Maria said, now gathering up their plates and cups.
Liz grimaced as she thought of the unfriendly contact she had had with Tess. 'Maybe she was having a bad day,' she thought to herself. Not likely but maybe she wouldn't have to deal with her much. "Yeah, that will be great, Maria. You know, I guess I better get going. Talk to you at lunch!"
"Bye, Liz! And good luck!" Maria yelled as Liz started to walk out the door.
About 3 seconds after Liz left, Max and Michael came out of the backroom. Max was calmer now but still had a scowl on his face. They were talking quietly to each other when Maria approached them.
"You know, Max, that look really isn't one of your best." Maria said, grinning. "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing, Maria. Don't worry about it." Max said casually, not looking her in the eye.
"Oh, don't tell me its nothing, Max! The other night you just stormed out of the restaurant with Michael, and today you come in here looking like you are about to kill someone and I haven't heard from either of you the entire weekend and now you are going to tell me nothing is wrong! Oh no, buckos!! You BOTH are going to tell me what is going on!" Maria was now almost red in the face and everyone was looking at the three of them. She felt a little embarrassed but still wanted to know what was happening. She knew she couldn't seem too quizzical around Liz and now she was dying to know, to talk about it.
"Okay, okay! Calm down! We don't need the whole town to know about it." Michael said, taking Maria by the arm and leading her into the backroom. "Let's talk about it in here."
Michael sat with Maria on the couch while Max stood pacing back and forth.
"Well, I guess I should start with the least dangerous news," Max began, running his fingers though his hair, "Tess and I broke up. She found out that I went out to eat with you, Liz, and Michael and now she thinks I was cheating on her and she wanted to break up. The only really bad part about that is that we all know how Tess gets when she gets jealous. Well, she thought I was cheating with Liz so now, Maria, you better be on the lookout. Although, to tell the truth, I haven't seen her since we broke up on Sunday."
"I'm sorry, Max, but now that you two aren't together I have to say that she wasn't my favorite person. Sorry, but that is just the way I feel." Maria said quietly.
"That's weird. Michael said the same thing. Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Max looked at them, waiting for an answer.
"Well, man, I guess we just didn't want to get things riled up. But now that things are already that way, I guess I felt like I could tell you." Michael said.
"Okay. Enough about Tess. I'll tell Liz about it. What about the more dangerous stuff?" Maria was beginning to grow impatient.
"Well, the reason Michael and I left in such a hurry was because Isabel was the one that called me."
Maria's hand flew to her mouth and she gasped. If Isabel called, then something must be terribly wrong.
Max went on, "She told me she has very good reason to believe that someone is in town looking for us. She seems to believe they are from the FBI but she isn't completely sure. She said she's not sure if they know who we are, but that they are definitely on the hunt. We must be extremely careful around everyone until we know for sure who it is. Isabel said that she would keep us updated when she got more visions or signs. It just makes me a little antsy when I don't know who it is. We'll find out soon though." Max glanced at his watch. "Well, I'm going to go to Tess' work to see if she is there. I need to let her know about this." He turned to leave.
"Well, while you're there, see if you see Liz. She is interviewing for a job today. She…" Maria suddenly stopped because of the look in Max's eyes.
"Tess! I'll get there as quick as I can." Max ran out the door and headed to the detective agency.