“I know. Thanks.”
“Any preference for breakfast?”
“Toast and cereal. Coffee.”
“The usual,” he teased.
“Please.”
“The coffee will be ready when you are,” Josh promised.
“Thanks. I won’t be long.”
A short time later, Ashley walked into the kitchen. Today, in deference to the overcast weather, she’d chosen a charcoal gray pants suit with a buttercup-yellow silk blouse beneath the jacket. She’d left her hair loose and wondered what the press would make of that.
“Are we nearer to discovering this guy?” she asked Nelson. “The publicity might make the senior Labor party management happy, but I’m over it. It’d be nice if Josh and I could walk on the beach or have a coffee at the local café without the logistics. I want my life back. Right now, even a supermarket shop would thrill me.”
“Understandable. We’re still searching for Robert. The guy has your personal email, right?”
“Yes.”
“And, he’d know bits and pieces of your private life,” Nelson said.
“Well, we’re not BFFs, but we do work together. He doesn’t share every detail of my life, but anything party-related—yes.”
Josh set a piece of toast in front of her, along with a mug of coffee. He’d added milk already. She cupped her hands around the mug and savored the scent before taking her first sip. She closed her eyes and inhaled. Perfect.
“But Robert opens the correspondence that arrives at the office?” Nelson continued.
“Which would give him a chance to add pieces without causing suspicion,” Gerry said.
“Yes, that’s true.” Ashley frowned and nibbled on her toast. “I don’t buy this theory of yours. Robert and I have worked together for years. We’ve known each other even longer. If he was envious of me or bore a grudge, why wait this long for payback?”
“Stakes are higher now,” Josh said. “You’ve been promoted, and now there’s a chance you might become the next prime minister. Perhaps Robert saw the way your popularity was increasing and snapped.”
“This started before my promotion.”
“True, but maybe he wanted to cause you pain. Make you appear in a bad light to the voters.”
“According to Matt, it was your pasty backside the voters saw,” Ashley said.
“My backside isn’t pasty,” Josh snapped.
Gerry let out a guffaw, and both of them glared at him. Ashley finished the second half of her toast and downed the last of her coffee.
“Hustle, men. Hustle,” Ashley said. “More hands to shake, babies to kiss, policy to expound on.”
Gerry finished his coffee and stood. “I’ll back up the car.” He stacked his mug inside the dishwasher, plucked a ring of keys from his pocket, and sauntered to the rear door.
“Ashley, do you want a travel mug? You haven’t eaten much today,” Josh said.
Warmth burned away her residual grumpiness. Josh cared for her in so many little ways. “Thanks. There are spare travel mugs in the pantry if Nelson and Gerry or you want one too.”
“Nelson!” Gerry roared. “Call the cops. We have a body.”
Nelson picked up his phone and dialed even as he ran from the house.
Josh grasped Ashley’s upper arm and tugged her to a halt when she tried to follow. “No. Your stalker might be outside. Stay here out of sight.”
“But I need to know what is going on.” Ashley’s pulse raced. She needed to move. Couldn’t stand still. Doing nothing didn’t sit right. “This is my house.”
A siren wailed, rapidly drawing nearer.
“That was quick,” Josh commented.
“Please, Josh. If someone has left a body in my garden, I want details. Answers.”
“Once the local cops are here, I’ll check things out for you. But you have to promise you’ll stay inside out of harm’s way.”
“I promise.”
Nelson entered the house before Josh could exit.
“Is it a body?” Ashley asked.
“It’s Robert Giles,” Nelson said.
“Robert? Are you sure? I want to see,” Ashley said. “Please.”
Nelson glanced at Josh, who gave a curt nod.
“Right,” Nelson said. “Walk between Josh and me. You’re not to touch anything, and if you think you might be sick, tell us.”
“Is it bad?” she whispered, fear slithering down her spine along with an icy chill.
“Yes.”
Josh tangled their fingers and squeezed in silent comfort. Numb, she exited her house, walking between the two men. A police car blocked her driveway, and bright yellow crime scene tape formed a barrier around the spot where a still form lay. As they moved closer, her steps slowed. A harsh groan rammed its way up her throat as she stared at Robert’s swollen and bloody face. Because it was Robert. His white business shirt was red with blood and hung loose. At some stage, he’d loosened his tie, and her gaze darted to his mottled neck. The bruises.
Ashley couldn’t bear it any longer. She turned toward Josh and buried her face in his chest. Tears formed in her eyes while Robert’s bloated visage replayed through her mind in a loop. Josh’s arms wrapped her in a comforting embrace.
“Are you okay?” he murmured.
“No. This is crazy. Nothing makes sense. I’ll call our campaign manager and cancel my meetings for this morning at least. I can’t… I didn’t… I told you Robert wasn’t responsible for this nastiness.”
She remained in Josh’s arms but eavesdropped on the chatter between the cops.
“…tortured. Poor bastard.”
Gerry strode over to Nelson, and they had a hurried discussion before footsteps on the gravel told her one or both of them were approaching her and Josh.
“The local boys have things in hand,” Nelson said. “We can go now.”
“I can’t,” Ashley said. “Robert died because of me, and I don’t understand why.” She swiped away a tear and stood taller. “It’s too late to cancel the meeting at the agricultural show.”
“Call Summer. Get her to cancel your engagements for today,” Josh said.
Ashley turned to Nelson and Gerry. “Do we know anything?”
“Not yet,” Nelson said. “But we will catch him.”
“Should I give a press conference and appeal for help from the public?” Ashley asked.
“Let me speak with our boss.” Nelson’s brown eyes held approval.
Ashley nodded. Robert had been proud of her and approved of the way the campaign was going. She’d do this for Robert. She raised her chin. “Let’s do this.”
Keeping busy helped. Ashley spoke to various farmers, suppliers, and farmers’ wives during her visit to the agricultural show. She assisted judges in picking the best sponge cake and chose a winner for the children’s decorated sand saucer.
The entire time, reporters dogged her heels and fired questions at her regarding Robert’s death. She told the first ones she intended to hold a news conference at four in the afternoon, but the information didn’t appease them. After that, Nelson, Gerry, and Josh kept the reporters at a distance, and Nelson called in uniformed officers to bolster security.
“Excellent job,” Josh said. “Although you picked the wrong winner in the kids’ floral saucer contest. That red-haired boy had the best arrangement.”
Gerry snorted, although when Ashley glanced his way, he wore a poker face.
“The judge’s decision is final,” she stated. “Let me say my goodbyes and we’ll head to the factory opening.”
By four, fatigue clung to Ashley. Smiling and chatting and keeping up a happy appearance took more energy than one supposed.
The press conference took place outside her electorate office in Manurewa. The detective in charge of Robert’s murder investigation spoke first before handing over to Ashley.
“First, I want to offer my condolences to Robert’s family and friends. I’ve known Robert Giles for many years after meet
ing him at a young Labor party conference. He has been essential to my career, and I couldn’t have reached the position I’m in without his counsel and hard work. He was not only my colleague but also a dear friend. His murder is a senseless act, and I am cooperating with the police in every way I can to bring his murderer to justice.
“If you have witnessed anything, no matter how small or have knowledge that might help the police catch Robert’s murderer, please come forward. Contact the police, so Robert, his family, and friends get justice. Thank you very much.”
Ashley ignored the flurry of questions and retreated into her electoral office.
“Where to now?” Nelson asked.
“I rescheduled tonight’s meeting in Mangere, so we can head home early,” Ashley said. “Tomorrow, it’s back to the grind.”
Nelson’s phone buzzed. “Can you wait while I take this call?”
“I’ll be in my office.” Ashley had given her staff the day off, and the day’s mail waited for her. “Want to help me with the mail?” she asked Josh.
Inside her office, Josh dragged the pile of unopened envelopes toward him. “I’ll open, and you deal with the contents.”
Ashley sensed her smile appeared shaky at the edges and appreciated Josh’s offer. “Thanks.”
They set to work and had opened and sorted everything by the time Nelson tapped on the door. No nasty surprises, which helped to settle her nerves.
Nelson opened the door. “We have news,” he said. “Robert scheduled photos to post on his social media page. We have a name for the other man seen with him. Ready to move? I’ll show you once we’re in the car.”
Later, she and Josh studied the man photographed with Robert. A selfie, judging by the angle. The brown-haired man stared straight at the camera, unsmiling, his face harsh with slashing eyebrows. In contrast, Robert beamed happiness.
“Did you recover Robert’s phone?” Josh asked.
“It was on him,” Gerry said. “If he’d taken photos, someone deleted them and the texts he’d sent. If this man deleted the photos, he wouldn’t have known Robert had scheduled a post. Our guys are looking at the call log and will contact the telephone company for more information.”
“Fingerprints?” Josh asked.
“None. Wiped clean,” Nelson said.
“This guy gives off a military vibe,” Ashley commented. “It’s his stance. His tough-guy look.”
“Have you found Robert’s car?” Josh asked.
“Not yet, but we will,” Nelson said. “You don’t recognize this guy?”
“No,” Ashley said. “He’s not familiar.”
Josh scratched his chin. “I think he was the heckler during your waterfront visit last week. He had stubble then and wore a beanie. Old clothes, but I’m certain it was him.”
“You should show this photo to the homeless guy who hangs out around my electoral office,” Ashley said. “He’d be able to confirm seeing this guy with Robert.”
“Already on it,” Nelson said. “We’re closer to catching him.”
What he didn’t say, but Ashley was intelligent enough to read between the lines, was that her stalker had escalated. He’d murdered Robert, and she’d be next on his list if he caught her alone.
19 – A Clue
A tap sounded on the door of Ashley’s bedroom. Josh glanced at her, but she didn’t stir. He climbed out of bed and padded to the door, glad of his impulse to retain his boxer-briefs instead of going with his usual naked self.
He cracked open the door. “Ashley’s asleep.”
“We have news,” Gerry said.
Josh slid from the room and followed Gerry to the lounge. Eleven-thirty. “What have you got?”
“Members of the public reported seeing Robert’s car. We got lucky with fingerprints. We have a full name. Stephen Blackwood.”
“Who is he?”
“He lived in the same country town as Ashley but moved to Australia with his mother when he was ten. He’s lived there ever since, joining the Australian army out of school before going into the special forces.”
“The man is more dangerous than you thought.” Josh read between the lines, saw Gerry’s worry.
“Yes,” Gerry agreed.
“Is it possible for me to have a temporary permit to carry a firearm?”
“Nelson and I will speak to our boss.”
“What’s stopping him from taking her out? If he’s ex-special forces, he possesses the expertise,” Josh said. “Why hasn’t he shot her?”
“We’re wondering the same thing,” Nelson said, coming in on the end of their conversation.
“The only reason that makes sense is he wants to scare her, wants her to wonder what he’ll do next,” Josh said. “It’s polling day next Saturday. The party has planned every hour of her day, and the details are available to the public and the media. How the hell are we going to keep Ashley safe?”
A door opened and closed, and soft footsteps sounded in the hall. Seconds later, Ashley appeared in the doorway.
“Are you meeting without me?” she asked.
Her sunset hair was loose and tangled around her shoulders, and she bore a sleepy expression while she’d wrapped up in a thick navy-blue robe.
“The cops found Robert’s car and have identified your stalker,” Josh said.
“Who?” Ashley demanded.
“Stephen Blackwood.”
Ashley appeared blank. “Should I know him?”
“He spent time at Onewhero. Attended the same school as you,” Gerry said.
“It’s a country school and not that big. I should remember him then, but the name isn’t familiar. Neither is his face.”
“We’ll keep investigating,” Nelson promised.
Every news broadcast the following day, every current event television show, every social media feed contained details of Stephen Blackwood, his photo, and a plea from the New Zealand Police for the public to report any sightings of the man to them. The public was not to approach since the police considered him dangerous.
Stephen snorted, having lain low for a few days. Few people walked along the beach as far as his isolated property. He’d remain safe here. The cops wouldn’t find his name attached to the ownership records.
A sharp spike of pain pierced his concentration, jerking him from his thoughts, his plan of attack. He reached for a painkiller and swallowed one dry. Probably wouldn’t even take the edge off, but damn if he’d take the medication the doctor had prescribed.
Soon, it wouldn’t matter.
One last big hurrah and it’d be over.
20 – Election Night
“Each day I leave my house wondering if this will be the day Stephen Blackwood strikes again,” Ashley murmured.
She and Josh were sitting in a black SUV after leaving a cocktail party at the Auckland city council.
“We’re as frustrated as you,” Nelson said from the front passenger seat. “No one has seen him for days. We’ve checked out every rumored sighting. Not one has come to anything.”
“My gut is telling me this radio silence should alarm me. My guess is he’ll do his worst on election day. I hope innocent people don’t get in his way.” Ashley pushed out a frustrated sigh. “Then there’s the campaign. I have no idea how the voting will swing tomorrow. And it’s infuriating that this election run-up has been about me rather than the policies. I’ve attracted this publicity and none of it for the right reasons.”
“You’ve discussed your policies,” Josh reminded her. “Nelson, Gerry, and I could quote your Labor party policies verbatim.”
“If the voting goes our way tomorrow, it won’t feel right. Satisfying.” Ashley gave an irritable shrug. “And I sound like a whiny ten-year-old. Sorry.”
Josh reached for her hand. “We understand. I heard several of the National party candidates, and one from the Green party interviewed yesterday. They’re complaining this entire campaign has focused on you, and none of them are receiving any coverage. I believe the lead
er of the New Zealand First Party harangued a reporter this morning for daring to ask questions about you.”
Nelson snorted. “He makes a hobby out of berating reporters.”
Ashley laughed because Nelson spoke the truth. She hoped if her Labor party did well in the results tomorrow night that they received enough votes to govern on their own. She’d prefer to govern from a position of strength without the necessity to form alliances with any smaller parties who gained five percent or more of the vote.
“So many headaches.” Her dream shimmered within her grasp. Concentrate on the prize. Push these petty annoyances aside. “Not only do I have a stalker in the wind. I have fellow politicians snapping at my heels, and the press bombarding me with nosy personal questions. Hopefully, my life will settle post-election.”
“Your people have vetted the guest list of those who’ll be at Labor party headquarters.” Gerry pulled into her driveway. “We’ll have a large police presence. You’ve agreed to wait until nine before you arrive, which will allow us to double-check security. We’ll get through this.”
“I wanted to thank you and Nelson now.” Ashley leaned between the front seats, sincere in her thanks. The pair had made a horrid situation a little lighter. “You’ve done a stellar job looking after my security, and I appreciate it. I’m sure you both have a personal life, friends, and family who you haven’t seen because of your duties with me.”
“We’re doing our job,” Nelson said.
“While that’s true, I bet your duties rarely contain as much drama and excitement. No matter what happens tomorrow, I wanted you both to know how much I value your help.”
“You’re welcome.” Gerry caught her gaze in the rearview mirror. “We’ve enjoyed the challenge.”
“True that.” Nelson turned in his seat to watch her and chuckled. “You’ve added a layer of excitement to the job.”
Ashley sent her gaze skyward, and the three men chortled.
“If this Stephen hurts any of these pre-school children during our next visit, I might take him out myself. I hate this uncertainty. I hate the way I’ve started to jump at every noise. And most of all, I hate not knowing why Stephen Blackwood is fixated on me.”
Josh's Fake Fiancee (Military Men Book 5) Page 18
