“Bother. Can you change my flights? I’d prefer to fly tonight rather than take an early morning flight. I’ll need a seat for Josh too.”
“Of course,” Robert said. “Will you need me to travel with you?”
Again, Ashley’s mind slid to the letters she’d received, and guilt surfaced. But Robert had an opportunity…
“No, I’d prefer you to cover here. Is that okay?”
“Perfect.” A quick grin wiped away his professionalism. “I have a hot date tonight.”
“Someone I know?”
“No, I met him during my morning run. It progressed to coffee, and now we’re going on a date.” Robert’s blue eyes shone with excitement and anticipation.
“That’s great! I’m so pleased for you, and I hope to meet him soon. Anything important in the correspondence today?” Good for him on sticking his toes back into the dating pool.
“No.” His smile faded to a frown, his brow creasing as he glanced at her. “There was something odd, though. Someone delivered a bouquet.”
Ashley’s brows rose.
“The flowers were dead.”
She blinked, unsure she’d heard right. “Dead?”
“Yes.”
Her pulse jumped, started to race. She coughed to clear her throat. “Was there a card?”
“I put it with the correspondence.”
“Thanks.”
Robert withdrew and shut the door, leaving Ashley alone with her correspondence and her fears.
5 – Chocolate Biscuits and Good News
Josh returned to pick up Ashley, his mind in turmoil. Frog was right. Someone wanted to scare her, and whoever it was, they didn’t intend to backpedal.
They’d sent her notes.
They’d put water in her petrol tank.
They’d entered her home.
He made a mental note to ask to see the correspondence.
Louie was busy installing a security alarm in Ashley’s home, and the mechanic was fixing her car.
Time to dig into her background, past boyfriends, her work colleagues to see what shook loose. He’d speak with Frog, ask for any further info he had that might suggest the identity of whoever was trying to scare Ashley.
After parking, Josh entered the electoral office.
Sheryl glanced up from her desk where she was folding leaflets.
“Hi, is Ashley ready to leave?”
Sheryl smiled, her eyes crinkling behind her blue-rimmed glasses. “Tap on her door and let her know you’re here. She won’t mind. And congratulations on your engagement. You’ve got yourself a winner.”
“I think so,” Josh said.
