CHAPTER EIGHT
The next day came around far too quickly. Ashley wove through the crowd of people at the airport, trying to find somewhere quiet where she could wait for Matthew. He’d left her beside the terminal building before looking for a parking space. She didn’t know what was happening today, but half of Bozeman seemed to be at the airport.
It wasn’t that long ago that she’d arrived, feeling like a fugitive on the run and hoping no one recognized her. This time, she wasn’t wearing her black wig or baseball cap. It didn’t matter if anyone knew her. If all went to plan, her story would be published in The Daily Times in the next couple of days. If Congressman Welsh made headlines across America, her life could be crazy until another story hit the headlines.
“I’m glad you decided to stay by the entrance,” Matthew said from behind her. “I wouldn’t have found you in this crowd.”
Ashley handed him a cup of coffee. “This is for you.”
“Thanks. Are you ready to leave?”
“I am. It took a while to check-in my suitcases.” She glanced at the escalator. Upstairs were the security checkpoints and the boarding gate for her flight home. She turned to Matthew, not sure what to say to him. “Thank you for looking after me.”
“You’re welcome. Call me when you arrive.”
“Are you sure? It will be late when I land.”
He frowned something fierce. “Call me. It doesn’t matter about the time.” Matthew looked down at her carry-on. “I meant what I said about coming back to the ranch. You don’t have to be in trouble—you can visit whenever you like.”
Ashley bit her bottom lip to stop it from trembling. “Okay. I’d better go upstairs or I’ll miss my flight. Can I give you a hug?”
Matthew’s arms opened. “You’d better.”
As soon as she stepped into his warm embrace, she felt a hundred times worse. She already missed him and that feeling could only get worse.
He kissed the side of her face and stepped away. “Take care.”
The only thing Ashley could do was nod. If she didn’t leave now, she’d start crying. She quickly kissed his cheek. “Bye.”
She wheeled her carry-on across to the escalator, vowing not to look back at the man she could never forget.
“Ashley! Wait.”
She turned around. Jason dodged a group of people standing in the entranceway and headed toward her. “I’m glad I caught you before you boarded. Where’s Matthew?”
“Behind you.”
Jason looked over his shoulder and shook Matthew’s hand. “Come with me.” He moved away from the escalator, finding a quiet area beside a statue of a moose. “I’ve got good news. The search warrants found more than we thought they would. The FBI has charged Congressman Welsh with a long list of felonies including racketeering, bribery, and fraud.”
Ashley’s eyes widened. “When did that happen?”
“About an hour ago.”
Matthew touched her arm. “Are you all right? You look like you’re going to faint.”
“I just…I didn’t think it would happen this fast. I need to call my editor.” She pulled her cell phone out of her bag. “Do you know if the FBI has arrested Jasmine Alfredo?”
Jason shook his head. “She hasn’t been arrested, but her personal bank accounts have been frozen. She won’t be able to touch any money until the FBI has finished their investigation. The treasurer of The Reaching High Foundation has been cleared of any wrong doing.”
Matthew stepped to his right, shielding Ashley from a group of tourists taking a photo of the moose.
When her editor answered his phone, she told him what had happened and arranged to meet him as soon as her plane landed. After she ended the call, she looked at the time.
“I need to leave or I’ll miss my flight.”
“Come with me.” Jason led her and Matthew toward an elevator. “You’ll beat the line of people coming off the escalator.” He pushed the button and the metal doors opened.
Ashley’s eyes filled with tears. “I’ll be okay on my own. I know where I’m going.” She threw her arms around Jason and gave him a quick hug. “Thank you.”
“You did all the hard work.”
“Maybe, but I wouldn’t have been able to get the search warrants without you. I’ll let you know what happens after my stories are published.”
“Sounds good.”
Before common sense kicked in, she stepped into Matthew’s arms and gave him another hug. She forced a smile as more tears filled her eyes. “Two hugs in one night. We’re setting a world record.”
“If you don’t leave now it won’t be the only world record you’ll have to beat,” Matthew said gruffly. “You need to hurry or you’ll miss your flight.” He leaned forward and kissed her quickly on the lips. “Call me as soon as you land.”
Ashley stepped into the elevator and pushed the button for the first floor. When she was finally alone, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
There were lots of reasons why she needed to leave Bozeman. It was the best thing she could do for her career, she had friends she loved and a life in New York that was better and busier than what she’d ever had here. She’d left once, and she had even more incentive to do it again.
The doors opened and she pulled her carry-on into the security area. With a trembling hand, she wiped her eyes and looked through a window at the crowds below.
Matthew and Jason were still in the terminal building. While Matthew spoke to someone on his cell phone, Jason scanned the people around them.
Ashley had no idea what he was looking for, but it must have been important. The frown on his face was enough to stop anyone getting close.
When Matthew ended his call, Jason started talking.
Matthew nodded a few times then looked at the people taking the escalator to the first floor. He said something to Jason, then rubbed his forehead.
She hoped whatever they were talking about had nothing to do with her, because they seemed worried.
A child screamed from somewhere behind her and Ashley glanced at her watch. She really needed to get through security.
Her carry-on spun on its wheels as she hauled it to the nearest line of people. With her ticket clutched in her hand, she tried to think positive thoughts, but all she could see was the sadness in Matthew’s eyes when she’d said goodbye.
***
As soon as she walked into the arrivals area of LaGuardia Airport, Ashley saw Bonnie. She was waving frantically from beside Harry.
She smiled and waved at her friends. Her gaze landed on a man standing beside Harry. He had the same kind of guarded expression as Jason. He wasn’t here to welcome anyone home.
Ashley moved through the crowd, heading straight into her friend’s open arms.
“It’s so good to see you,” Bonnie said as she hugged her tight. “I made a sign welcoming you home, but Harry didn’t think it was a good idea to bring it.”
Harry kissed her cheek. “Welcome home.” He nodded at the man standing beside him. “This is Special Agent Fallon. He works for the FBI.”
“What’s happened?”
Bonnie pulled her close. “Wait until we’re in the car.”
Harry and Bonnie took a suitcase each, wheeling them quickly across the terminal. Ashley looked at the FBI agent. He was studying the people around them, blocking access to anyone moving too close.
The wheels of her carry-on bumped over a mat as they left the building. Even at ten o’clock at night, the hot, sticky, summer heat hit her like a blast from a furnace.
They moved quickly along the sidewalk, dodging families with mounds of luggage and people who looked as though they were lost.
The FBI agent veered left. The lights on an SUV blinked as he unlocked the doors. “Get straight into the car. I’ll organize the bags.” He took her carry-on out of her hands and led her toward the passenger door.
“I’ll sit beside you and explain everything,” Bonnie said from behind Ashley.
As soon as they’d pulled on their seat belts, Special Agent Fallon started the ignition and drove out of the parking lot.
Harry’s relieved sigh did nothing to calm Ashley’s nerves.
Bonnie patted her hand. “Someone sent an email to The Daily Times this afternoon. They threatened to bomb our building if we didn’t walk away from the story about Congressman Welsh.”
“Is everyone okay?”
“As okay as you can expect. The police closed the building and told us stay away. The FBI interviewed everyone and want to see you as soon as you arrive.”
“Where is Mr. Phillips?” Ron Phillips was Ashley’s editor. They were supposed to meet at his office.
“He’s with the FBI. We’re going there now.”
Harry was sitting in the front seat. He turned around and glanced at Bonnie. “A team of FBI agents have been in my apartment. They want us to stay in a hotel for a few nights.”
Ashley was confused. “Why were they there?”
“Someone broke into Harry’s apartment this morning,” Bonnie said.
“But Harry’s apartment building has cameras and locks everywhere. No one should have been able to get in without a security card.”
“That’s what we thought, too,” Harry said. “The other apartment owners aren’t happy.”
Bonnie sighed. “There’s something else you should know. The man who was outside your apartment before you went to Buffalo came back a few nights ago. Mrs. Moretti called us straight away.”
Ashley leaned forward and spoke to Special Agent Fallon. “Do you think the bomb threat came from the person who’s looking for me?”
“We don’t know.”
“They’re probably trying to scare us,” Bonnie said. “No one would blow up an office building and hurt people because of a news story, would they?”
“You’d be surprised,” Special Agent Fallon murmured.
Ashley patted her pockets, looking for her cell phone. “I need to call Matthew. He asked me to let him know when I’d arrived.”
Special Agent Fallon looked at Ashley in the rearview mirror. “Don’t use your phone. We’ll be at the FBI offices in half an hour. You can call him from there.”
“It isn’t my personal phone. Harry bought it for me before I left New York.”
“No phone call.” Special Agent Fallon’s voice was as flat as the stare he sent her.
Bonnie’s fingers tightened on her hand. “Tell me about Bozeman.”
Ashley didn’t know where to start. “It was hot, but not like this. I’d forgotten what clean air smells like. I enjoyed seeing Amy, Tess, and Erin again. It was almost as if I’d never left.”
“Did you ride any of the horses on Matthew’s ranch?”
Bonnie knew how much Ashley loved riding. “No. Maybe next time.”
“You’re going back?”
“Not for a while, but I’d like to.”
Bonnie frowned.
She didn’t need to say what she was thinking. Ashley had never hidden her unwillingness to go back to Bozeman.
“What made you change your mind?”
Ashley shrugged. Harry and Special Agent Fallon didn’t look as though they were listening, but she wasn’t taking any chances. “Bozeman isn’t so bad. I visited mom’s grave while I was there.”
Bonnie held her hand tighter. “How was that?”
“Hard. I haven’t been to the cemetery since her funeral.” Ashley looked through the window. The lights of New York filled the skyline, giving everything a festive appearance. The reality of living in one of the largest cities in America was completely different. She’d forgotten how different until she’d gone back to Montana.
“I called dad while I was in Bozeman. He wants me to stay with him and Trisha.”
Bonnie’s eyes widened. “Wow. That’s not like him.”
“I thought the same thing. Maybe his second marriage has changed him.”
Bonnie didn’t look convinced. “Will you go to San Francisco?”
“Not yet. I thought I’d wait until this is over.”
“You could be waiting a long time.”
Ashley leaned her head against the window and thought about Matthew. “I hope not.”
***
Matthew turned off the TV and checked his watch. “She should have called by now.”
Sean glanced up from the book he was reading. “She might have been held up. You know what airports are like.”
“Jason said an FBI agent would be meeting her at the terminal. They wouldn’t want to stay for any longer than they had to.”
“True.” Sean left his book on the arm of his chair. “You’ll get an ulcer if you keep worrying about her.”
“I can’t help it. Ashley shouldn’t have gone back to New York.”
“What did you expect her to do? Stay here and talk to the cows all day?”
“She could have waited until her story was published.”
“Her editor wants to see her. Have you called Jason? He might know what’s going on.”
Matthew pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and found Jason’s number. “I’ll use your phone in case Ashley calls me on mine.”
“It’s on the coffee table,” Sean said. “Why wouldn’t the staff at the airport let you tell her about the bomb threat?”
“By the time someone verified our story it was too late. She’d already left.” Matthew called Jason’s number and held his brother’s cell phone to his ear.
“Is everything okay?” Jason’s deep voice echoed down the phone.
“I was hoping you could tell me. Have you heard from the FBI or the police?”
“No. I take it Ashley hasn’t called?”
Matthew sighed. “Not yet.”
“Have you checked to see if her flight has landed?”
“It landed more than an hour ago. Her phone keeps going to voicemail.”
“She’ll call as soon as she can.”
“That’s what my brother said.” Matthew ran his hand around his neck. He was worried and there wasn’t anything he could do about it. “Thanks for answering your phone.”
“It was a welcome distraction. One of my kids has the flu. I wasn’t planning on getting a lot of sleep anyway. If you haven’t heard from Ashley by midnight, call me again. I’ll contact the detective who’s working on the case and see if he knows where she is.”
“Thanks. Good luck with your sick child.”
“Franky will be okay. At least his temperature is down.”
After Matthew ended the call he handed the phone back to Sean. “Jason doesn’t know what’s happening.”
“If you want something to do, you could make me a cup of coffee.”
Matthew frowned, but headed toward the kitchen. Sean was right. He needed to do something or he’d go crazy.
Halfway across the room his cell phone rang. “Ashley? Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. I had to wait until we reached the FBI offices before I could call you. I hope you weren’t worried.”
Matthew sank into the nearest chair. “No. I umm…knew you’d call as soon as you could. I guess by now you know about the bomb threat?”
“Bonnie told me about it as we were driving into town. When did you find out?”
“About three minutes after you said goodbye. The detective that Jason was working with called me as you were going through security. We tried to get you off the plane, but it was too late.”
“It doesn’t matter. Someone from the FBI was waiting for me at the airport with Bonnie and Harry. I’ll talk to my editor and then find somewhere to sleep.”
“Aren’t you staying with Harry?”
Ashley started to say something, then stopped. “There has been a change of plans.”
Matthew didn’t like the sound of that. “What’s going on?”
“Someone broke into Harry’s apartment this morning. While the FBI is finishing their investigation, we have to stay somewhere else. It’s only for one or two nights. Hang on a minute.”
Matthew heard someone talking in the distance.
“I’m back,” Ashley said. “I need to go. Another FBI agent has arrived. I’ll call you in the morning.”
“Make sure you’re safe. Don’t go anywhere that doesn’t feel right.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’m serious. Look after yourself.”
Ashley sighed. “I will. Bye, Matthew.”
“Bye.” The word was barely out of his mouth before Ashley ended the call. He stared at his phone for a few minutes before striding across to his laptop.
Sean walked into the living room with two cups of coffee. “What are you doing?”
“Booking a seat on the next flight to New York. Ashley needs me.”
“Are you sure about that?”
Matthew sighed. “No. But this time she doesn’t have a choice.”
Sean left a cup of coffee beside Matthew. “What about the ranch?”
He looked at the flight options that appeared on the screen. “I’ll talk to Nathan in the morning. There are plenty of ranch hands looking for work.”
“I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“So do I,” Matthew muttered.
***
Ron Phillips leaned back in his seat. “We’ve published your article about Congressman Welsh in our online edition. It’s breaking news across all media networks. Tomorrow’s print and digital editions of The Daily Times will have the first of your follow-up stories, and your interview with Jasmine Alfredo.”
“What about the bomb threat?” Ashley asked. “Won’t that make everything more difficult?”
“We receive multiple bomb threats each year. This one is a little different, but none of the threats are taken lightly.” Mr. Phillips looked over the top of his glasses. “The phones have been running hot with interest from other news networks. The bomb threat has only fueled more speculation about Congressman Welsh’s activities.”
“When will we be able to return to the office?”
“The FBI has suggested keeping the building closed for the next couple of days. It will give them time to search each floor and find whoever is behind the threats. Regardless of what happens at work, you won’t be returning to the office until next week at the earliest.”
Ashley frowned. “I can go back with everyone else.”
“Congressman Welsh has some powerful allies. It will be better for everyone if you worked from another location. I’ve booked you, Harry, and Bonnie into a hotel for the next two nights. We’ll look at our options again in a couple of days.”
“Do you really think that’s necessary?”
“The FBI thinks it is, and that’s good enough for me.”
The conference door opened and Special Agent Fallon walked into the room. “Congressman Welsh has released a press statement. When you’ve finished in here, come and see me. I’m down the corridor on the left-hand side.”
Ashley took the piece of paper he gave her and read the statement. “He says he’s innocent.” She handed the press release to her editor.
“No surprises there,” he muttered as he read the statement. “I can guarantee that most of his friends will be running for cover. Mud sticks, and in this city everyone wants to be squeaky clean. What do we know about Congressman Welsh’s life outside of politics?”
“Not much. Politics is his life. Bonnie tried to interview his wife, but she wasn’t talking to anyone.”
Mr. Phillips rubbed his jaw. “Try harder. Your story might shake a few stones loose. When that happens, we’ll have an avalanche on our hands. I want you, Bonnie, and Harry to be on top of any stories.”
“What about the FBI investigation? We could get in their way.”
“You aren’t writing for the society pages, Ashley. Keep going until you’re told to back off. When that happens, push harder. I want a story about Congressman Welsh’s life outside of politics by the end of the week. Harry can take the photos.”
Ashley picked up the press statement. “Is there anything else you want us to do?”
“Tell Bonnie to look for loose stones. Send the stories straight to me. I don’t want any information leaked to another paper.”
“Okay. I understand.”
Mr. Phillips pushed back his chair. “We’d better see what Special Agent Fallon wants.” He opened the door and waited for her to leave the room. “Let’s hope the security footage at Harry’s apartment has identified the intruder.”
Ashley was only half listening to her editor. She was already thinking about ways she could talk to Congressman Welsh’s wife before Friday. It wouldn’t be easy, but it was better than looking over her shoulder for the person who had been following her.
She just hoped Bonnie and Harry were happy to get involved. Because no one, including Ashley, knew where this story would end.