She nodded and sent Ann-Marie what she hoped was a reassuring smile. “Thank you for meeting us.”
Ann-Marie sat at the table and fiddled with the cutlery. “My sister can’t be part of this, but I can.” She looked at the people sitting at the next table. “The woman you wrote about is not who she seems. She’s manipulative, deceitful, and only worried about herself.”
Ashley’s hand trembled as she pulled her new cell phone out of her bag. “Are you happy for me to record this interview?”
“As long as you agree not to identify me in any stories.”
“I could say that you’re a source close to Stephanie Welsh.”
Surprisingly, Ann-Marie shook her head. “You can call me a source close to Congressman Welsh. He deserves every bit of bad publicity he can get.”
“You sound bitter.”
Ann-Marie leaned forward. “He sucked every piece of vitality away from my sister. He undermines her confidence and blames her for everything that has happened. What kind of person does that to someone they say they love?”
Ann-Marie stopped talking when a waiter headed toward them. She took the menu he handed her and started looking at the different options.
While Ann-Marie was choosing what she’d order, Ashley ran through the list of questions she wanted to ask. So far, their lunch date had enough quotes to keep her writing for weeks. But there were always two sides to every story.
It would be interesting to see how Jasmine Alfredo’s story compared to Ann-Marie’s.
After the waiter left, Ann-Marie sighed. “Now, what do you want to ask me?”
Ashley looked at Bonnie. She knew exactly where she wanted to start—at the beginning.
***
That night, Matthew knocked on Ashley’s hotel room door. He had one hour to find out what everyone had been doing before he needed to leave.
The door opened and Bonnie smiled at him. “Come in. We’re still waiting for Harry, but he shouldn’t be too long.”
“Where is he?”
“Working. The owner of a gallery wanted him to photograph the opening night of an exhibition.”
“Hi, Matthew.” Ashley closed her laptop. “How was your visit to the youth center?”
“Have you been there?”
“No, but Bonnie has.”
“You need to go. Even half-finished they’re doing a lot of great things.”
Ashley frowned. “That’s what Bonnie said. But I don’t know how it will help my stories about Jasmine and Congressman Welsh.”
“It won’t, not directly. But it will give you a better appreciation of what The Reaching High Foundation has achieved. I’ll take you there tomorrow. We can meet some of the kids and see their programs in action.”
“I won’t have time. Ann-Marie told us about Jasmine. Congressman Welsh has been having an affair with her for more than a year. Jasmine knew he was defrauding the Foundation, but it wasn’t only the youth center that has suffered. They’ve taken money from other projects Jasmine was involved with. I’ve got a ton of writing to do and my editor wants the stories on his desk by Friday.”
Matthew wasn’t giving up. “The youth center is doing a lot of good things. It would make a great story.”
Ashley sighed. “I’ll try and get there, but I can’t guarantee anything.” She looked at the papers spread across her desk. “Did Hazel give you the name of the person who knew about Congressman Welsh’s affair?”
“No, but she did tell me where her friend works. It won’t be too difficult to track her down.”
A knock on the door sent Bonnie across the room.
“Hi, Harry,” Bonnie said. “How was opening night?”
“Interesting. Most of the people there were the usual arts crowd.” He poured himself a cup of coffee as he passed the small kitchen. “What plans have you been hatching without me?”
“None. We wanted to wait until you were here. Matthew was just telling us about the youth center.”
Harry looked at Matthew. “You’ve seen it?”
“Hazel took me there after I talked about my proposal. I was impressed.”
“That’s what Bonnie said, too. Are you going back?”
Matthew’s gaze moved to Ashley. “Maybe tomorrow.”
“Let me know when you’re going. Bonnie raved about the center so much that I’d like to see what they’re doing.” Harry sat on the end of Ashley’s bed. “Okay, everyone. Spill the beans. What did I miss after I went to work?”
Bonnie made herself a cup of coffee and sat beside Harry. “Ashley and I interviewed Ann-Marie. Our early morning stake-out paid dividends. The story will make headlines across America.”
“We’re not such a bad team, after all,” Harry laughed.
A blush spread across Bonnie’s face. “I’ve become immune to your more annoying habits.”
Harry’s eyebrows rose.
Ashley cleared her throat. “Before you start squabbling, you need to know that there’s an anniversary special of The Twilight Zone on TV tonight. Apparently, they’re showing deleted scenes that have never been seen before.”
“I’m already recording it,” Harry said smugly. “On my own TV.”
Bonnie’s mouth dropped open. “You can go back into your apartment? Why didn’t you tell us?”
“I just did. After the FBI called, I booked a cleaning crew straight away. They took care of the black dust that was everywhere.”
Bonnie left her coffee on the desk. “If you’re going back to your apartment, I should go back to mine. What about you, Ashley?”
“I haven’t been given the all clear by the FBI. I’ll contact them tomorrow and see if they think it’s safe.”
Matthew knew what he thought. “They haven’t found the person who was following you. Staying in your apartment on your own wouldn’t be a good idea.”
Ashley looked around the hotel room. “It’s better than being here. I miss my normal life. Even Mrs. Moretti said it’s not the same without me.”
Bonnie smiled. “She enjoyed helping us. Has she seen anyone hanging around the building?”
“Not since the last time.” Ashley pulled out a notebook and handed it to Matthew. “Can you write down what Hazel said? It will help us work out what we’re doing next.”
Matthew reached into his back pocket. “Already done. I made some notes after I visited the youth center.”
“Not bad for a cowboy,” Ashley murmured.
Matthew felt a rush a pleasure, not at her words, but at the look she sent him. Her grin was as uncomplicated as it used to be when she lived in Bozeman. He missed her unguarded moments, the times she would surprise him with her quirky sense of humor.
Bonnie stood in front of a large piece of paper that someone had attached to the wall. “Okay. How many stories do you need to write, Ashley?”
“One about Stephanie Welsh and her husband’s affair. Another about the money Jasmine took from other projects to fund Gareth Welsh’s political career, and one about the youth center.” She glanced at Matthew. “I might as well show people what the fraud has meant for the projects that were supposed to receive funding. Is the center open on Friday?”
Matthew nodded. “Someone will be there from nine o’clock.”
Ashley bit her bottom lip. “Let’s arrive as soon as they open. That will give me time to write the article before my deadline. Hopefully, Jasmine won’t be there.”
“I’ll take the photos,” Harry said. “If Jasmine is there, she doesn’t know me. I could distract her while you run for cover.”
Bonnie made a note on the side of the paper. “I’ll put that down as bodyguard duties.”
Ashley tapped her finger against her chin. “Hazel might be willing to let us use some of the things she said.”
Bonnie added more words to the paper, drawing lines between each of their names and specific tasks assigned to them. By the end of the conversation, the paper looked like a mind map that had gone crazy.
Matthew frowned. “A
re you sure that’s the easiest way to plan what we’re doing tomorrow?”
Harry tilted his head to the side. “As long as we follow the color-coded lines that Bonnie gave us, we should be fine.”
Ashley tore a piece of paper out of her notebook. “Here are your jobs, Matthew.”
He looked at the four phone calls he had to make. “Are you sure you don’t need me to do anything else?”
“The calls could take longer than you think. I haven’t sent any of our notes to Special Agent Fallon. He’ll probably have quite a few questions.”
Harry wrote down what he had to do. “If you’re finished by midday, Matthew, you could come with me to Long Island. I’m taking photos of a house for a realtor. We’ll be away from the smog and close to the ocean.”
Going with Harry was better than staying in Manhattan. “Thanks. Where do you want me to meet you?”
“I’ll pick you up from here at twelve o’clock. We can grab some lunch once we’re there.”
Bonnie sighed. “I’m jealous. Once I’ve finished my jobs, I’m heading into work. Mr. Phillips has another story he wants me to write.”
Matthew looked at his watch. “I hate to break up our meeting, but Ashley and I have an appointment to keep.”
Ashley’s eyebrows rose. “We do?”
He nodded. “It’s a surprise. Bring a jacket.”
“It’s the middle of July.”
“Do you want to see your surprise or not?”
“I do, but there’s so much work—”
“It can wait one night. You’ve got nearly two days to write the other stories before your editor needs them.”
Ashley gnawed on her bottom lip.
“Go,” Bonnie said. “It will be good to do something different.” She opened the closet and handed her a jacket.
“I’ll take my notebook.”
Matthew smiled and held Ashley’s hand. “I wouldn’t dream of saying you won’t need it.”
Ashley grinned. “Wise man.”
“We’ll tidy the room, then lock the door on our way out,” Bonnie said. “Harry’s going to invite me to his apartment to watch The Twilight Zone.”
“I am?”
“Don’t you want me there?”
“Of course I do.”
Ashley tugged Matthew’s hand. “Come on. We’ll be here all night if we wait for Bonnie and Harry to finish their conversation.” She smiled at her friends. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Matthew opened the door. They had ten minutes to make it downstairs before his surprise left the building.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“Outside.”
“That’s not much of a clue.”
“It wasn’t supposed to be. I don’t want to spoil the surprise.”
Ashley’s blue eyes sparkled as they waited for the elevator. “What if I don’t like surprises?”
Matthew kissed her lightly on the lips. “You’ll like this one.”
She sighed and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “I already do.”
Matthew forgot about his surprise, about the news he had to tell her. All he cared about was the woman in his arms—the only person he’d ever met who could turn his life upside down and still make him happy.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“Oh, wow.” Ashley’s voice caught as she stared at the horse and carriage waiting for them. “When did you organize this?”
“Yesterday. I thought you might enjoy a night away from work.”
“It’s amazing. I’ve never seen anything like this.” The white carriage looked like a Cinderella coach. Twinkling fairy lights wound around a circular canopy, glittering in the evening light.
The driver opened a small door and Matthew helped her into the carriage. “Welcome aboard, Ms. Fisher. We’ll arrive at Central Park in fifteen minutes.”
The carriage swayed gently as Matthew sat beside her. “How many times have you been in a horse and carriage since you arrived in New York?”
“Once.” She laughed at the surprise on his face. “It’s true. Bonnie and I took a short ride when I first arrived in New York.”
“You haven’t been tempted to go again?”
She held onto the seat as the horses trotted away from the hotel. “It isn’t as much fun on your own. Besides, I spend most of my time working.”
Matthew’s hand wrapped around hers. “Well, tonight you aren’t working and you definitely aren’t alone.”
She leaned closer to him. “But I do have my notebook.”
“I didn’t think you’d leave it behind. Your notebook is permanently attached to you.”
“That’s true.”
Ashley held her breath as a volley of honking taxi horns surrounded them. But the two white horses pulling the carriage didn’t flinch.
Matthew looked more worried than she was about the traffic. “I came to New York a long time ago. I remember the noise and the crowds of people everywhere. I think it’s worse now.”
“You’re probably right. Even at two o’clock in the morning you constantly hear taxi horns and police sirens. It’s not like Montana.”
“How did you adjust to living here?”
“The first year was the worst. I was surrounded by millions of people, but I felt like the loneliest person in the world.”
Matthew squeezed her hand. “Why didn’t you come home?”
“Because I made a promise to mom. If I’d gone back to Bozeman, I would have felt as though I’d let her down. Besides, I worked hard to show my boss that I was worth the risk he took when he hired me. I would have let myself down if I left before I could make a difference.”
“Do you feel as though you’ve made a difference now?”
Ashley looked at their linked hands. “Some days, but there’s so much more I could do. The story about Congressman Welsh has finally made people realize that I’m a good reporter.”
“By ‘people’ do you mean your editor?”
“Mostly.” She took a deep breath and instantly regretted it. The sting of exhaust fumes burned her nose and hurt her throat. She coughed, but it only made it worse.
Matthew opened a small chest in front of them. “This might help.”
She took the bottle of water and sighed as the cold liquid washed down her throat. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. There’s wine in the cooler for later.”
Ashley wasn’t sure that adding wine to a carriage ride through Central Park was a great idea. She liked Matthew’s company—liked it too much. When she thought about him leaving, she wanted to cry.
As they passed through one of the entrances to Central Park, she thought about all the things she should have done to make his visit more memorable. “I’m sorry I haven’t been able to show you the city. Would you like to go sightseeing with me on Saturday? I could take you to Ellis Island to see the Statue of Liberty. Chinatown and Little Italy have lots of markets and outdoor events that are interesting. In the evening we could see a show on Broadway.”
“I’d like that, but there’s something you need to know.”
Ashley frowned. “You don’t like musicals?”
“I like musicals, but I won’t be here. I need to be at the airport early on Saturday morning. Nathan called me this afternoon. The ranch hand they hired isn’t working out and he needs me at home.”
A heavy weight settled in the pit of Ashley’s stomach. “When do you need to be at the airport?”
“By six o’clock.”
She nodded, not sure whether she could say anything.
“It’s earlier than I wanted to leave, but I can’t stay.”
“I appreciate the time you’ve spent with me.”
“I haven’t done much, but I was happy to help.”
“You helped a lot. If you hadn’t talked to Hazel, we wouldn’t have realized that Jasmine isn’t the person we thought she was.”
“You would have figured it out.” Matthew wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Don’t worry. E
verything will work out the way it’s supposed to.”
She didn’t know whether he was talking about the stories she was writing or their relationship, but either way, nothing looked good. “Would you like me to come to the airport with you?”
“No, stay here. You’ve still got a lot of work ahead of you.”
Ashley blinked away her tears. She spent more time saying goodbye to Matthew than anything else. “I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you, too.”
As they made their way through the park, Ashley thought about everything that had happened in the last few days. “I can’t believe Jasmine hired a private investigator to prove Gareth Welsh was breaking the law. She’s every bit as corrupt as he is.”
“She managed to cover her involvement a lot better than Congressman Welsh did.”
“Where will that leave the Foundation?”
“In serious trouble if the FBI has enough evidence to convict her.”
Ashley knew Jasmine would do everything she could to save her reputation. The fact that she’d traveled to Bozeman to distract them from the truth showed just how calculating she could be. What Jasmine did next was anyone’s guess.
The driver slowed down to let another carriage pass.
“Look over there.” Ashley pointed toward the bright lights and music coming from the children’s carnival rides. “That’s Victoria Gardens. The carnival is a summer tradition, then in winter, the same area becomes an ice rink.”
“Everyone looks as though they’re having fun.”
Ashley nodded. “It’s a great place to visit.”
The carriage ambled through the park. Every now and then the driver would slow down and tell them a story about what they were seeing.
When the driver came to a standstill beside Belvedere Castle, Ashley frowned. “Why are we stopping here?”
Matthew uncovered a basket. “We haven’t had dinner. I thought we could have a picnic in the park.”
Her eyes misted over. “That’s the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me.”
Matthew’s smile disappeared. “This might sound selfish, but I’m glad.”
Ashley sighed. “It’s not selfish.”
The Promise (The Protectors Book 4) Page 14
