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Andrew runs into a colleague, fellow Angel of Death, Adam, while
spending his "day off" in Richmond, Virginia visiting the Mason
family, a family he's had the privilege of following over many
generations. Andrew occupies a special place in the Mason family,
so much so that they've dedicated a special chair in his honor.
Adam and Andrew stop in for a non-alcoholic beverage at the Mason
family tavern, The Sign of the Dove, which is managed by
Ben Mason, an affable young man who is to be married that
evening. While Andrew and Adam talk shop, one angel of death to
another, Monica tries to get through to her assignment, Nicholas
Freeman, a hard-working man who owns the print shop next door,
which is being edged out by the competition. Driven to drastic
measures to provide for his family, Nicholas is planning to blow
up his print shop so his family can collect the insurance. While
recounting his experiences with the Mason family, Andrew sees a
dove on the window sill, a sign that Ben is going to die today,
bringing an end to the Mason family lineage. Andrew tells Adam
how The Sign of the Dove served as an underground railroad
back in the 1850s. He relates the story of how Ben's ancestors
staged a fake funeral to help a runaway slave escape to freedom.
That night, the newly freed man changed his name to Mason Freeman,
accidentally leaving behind a fifty-cent piece which is now
displayed in a frame behind the bar. Tess then shows up and
explains that Andrew has been reassigned to assist Monica and that
Adam will be following Ben. Monica tries to persuade Nicholas to
think about what he's doing, but he is resolved, convinced that
he's worth more to his family dead than alive. He assures Monica
that the explosion will happen while everyone's at the church, so
that nobody will get hurt but himself. Andrew takes some solace
in the fact that Ben has left the tavern in time to avoid getting
hurt. But Monica and Adam remind Andrew that Ben left behind the
Mason family Bible, a register of births, deaths and marriages
over generations, something he will be sure to return for. Monica
finally relinquishes her assignment to Andrew, but when she
introduces Nicholas by his full name, Andrew realizes the reason
they were brought together. Andrew takes Nicholas back to the
tavern and explains his place in history as Mason Freeman's
descendant, showing him the coin his ancestor left behind. Monica
explains the coin was a symbol of hope that God would always
provide a way and that the Mason family has saved this coin all
these years, waiting to return it to its rightful heir. His faith
restored, Nicholas rushes to disarm the explosives with moments to
spare. At the wedding reception, Andrew takes Ben aside and
explains the history that links his past with Nicholas Freeman.
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