Page 25 of What They'll Say About Us

"No problem," Morgan said.

As everyone got up, Kerry pulled me aside. "I didn't want to say this on-air, Tessa, but Ray MacIntyre is really upset about your podcast getting involved in his sister's case."

"How do you know that? Did you talk to him?" I asked.

"My brother did. He and Ray have been friends for years. My brother told me that Ray called him in a drunken rage yesterday, making all kinds of threats about stopping you one way or another. I don't know if he was serious, but I wanted to give you a heads-up."

My stomach turned over at that piece of information. "I appreciate that. Did your brother say why Ray is so upset? Why he doesn't want us to find out what happened to his sister?"

"No. He was surprised at Ray's level of anger." Kerry paused. "He always thought Ray and Paige were super tight. So it didn't make sense to him, unless… Maybe I'm stating the obvious, but do you think it's possible Ray had something to do with Paige's death?"

"I also remember Paige and Ray being very close in college. She was always concerned about her younger brother, always looking out for him. And they seemed to get along well, as far as I knew. But his reaction now seems over-the-top."

"Maybe Paige was too concerned about what he was doing and was interfering in Ray's life," Kerry suggested.

"It's something to consider. I'll look into it."

"It's odd that you're looking into all this. Ella said everyone knew that you and Paige hated each other. Now you're trying to get her justice. It feels very…ironic."

"Well, Alina approached me, so that's how I got involved. And my feelings for Paige and hers for me were far more complicated than you might imagine. At any rate, thanks for putting us on your show. That will increase the exposure and interest in the case."

"No problem. How long are you staying in town?"

"Morgan and I will be here for at least the foreseeable future. Cassidy has to get back to New York."

"We're getting a drink tonight with Rachel Bentley. Join us. We can catch up," Kerry suggested.

"Are you asking her about drinks tonight?" Ella chimed in. "I was just mentioning it to Morgan and Cassidy, but Cassidy said she's heading back to New York."

"I'm afraid I have to say no. Morgan and I are having dinner with my aunt tonight."

"Oh, that's right. Your aunt runs a theater, doesn't she? Rachel mentioned something about that."

"She does," I said, beginning to remember how much Rachel loved gossip. "Thanks again for this."

"I still have your number, unless you changed it," Ella said. "Do you have mine?"

"I haven't changed it. And I probably do have you in my contacts."

"Great. If you want to chat again, text me. I've been racking my brain about the last day I saw Paige at rehearsal. I feel like she said something about going somewhere that weekend, but I can't remember."

"I never heard that," I said.

"Maybe I'm not remembering it correctly," she said. "It was a long time ago."

"It was," I said, but I was starting to feel like it was only yesterday.

We said our goodbyes, then left the convention hall. I felt a wave of relief to be done with them and also with the convention. I wanted to focus on Paige and nothing else.

"What was Kerry whispering to you about?" Morgan asked as we headed back to our room.

I told them what Kerry had said about Ray. "He's definitely not happy with us getting involved."

"Do you think he tried to run you over?" Cassidy asked with worry in her eyes.

"I have no idea. But I no longer believe that was random. It happened right across the street. Someone could have been following me."

"Or waiting for you. Did you walk from the West Loop?" Morgan asked.