Gerry pulled out the torch and switched it on to test the batteries. “Good job.”
His quiet praise stifled the inadequacies plaguing her mind.
Nelson left the vehicle, and Ashley peered after him until she could no longer see the bob of the torchlight.
“What’s the problem?” Ashley could think of dozens of reasons and none of them reassured her or relieved her of the angst preying on her mind.
“Power cut,” Josh said.
Ashley grimaced at the house belonging to her nearest neighbor. It was ablaze with light, probably because her neighbor’s teenage boys never turned off lights when they left a room. Her neighbor had complained and shook her head over her sons’ lack of awareness only two weeks ago when they’d chatted over their boundary fence.
Nelson returned and climbed back into the car. “I can’t see anything out of place. The house is secure, and the alarm is still activated. It’s just the security lights that are off. It might be a fault.”
Ashley caught Josh’s frown. The fear she’d corralled to manageable portions during their trip south swaggered back into prominence. Chill bumps prickled along Ashley’s arms and legs.
“This isn’t a big deal,” she said, her voice small and lacking her usual confidence. Weak, because she didn’t honestly believe her assertion, not with the men’s protective reactions. “The house is secure. The alarm isn’t wailing. Those are both good things. Right?”
“There is a package at the door,” Nelson said.
“A package?” Ashley asked. “What sort of package?”Don’t say bomb.Don’t say a bomb.“D-did it tick?” This was New Zealand. A peaceful country of mainly law-abiding citizens. Of course, it didn’t tick. Reading thrillers—she’d stop that right away. Find a nice romance instead.
“I didn’t pick it up,” Nelson said. “It’s a courier parcel.”
“Something campaign-related,” Ashley decided aloud.
“Are you expecting a delivery?” Josh asked.
“No.” She frowned, worry gnawing at the oddity. “Most of the stuff goes to my office. I don’t publicize my residential address. I mean, it’s easy enough for someone to discover it. Wait, this is silly. We’re overthinking this situation.”
“It’s not ridiculous if it keeps you alive,” Josh growled. “I’ll check out the parcel and turn off the alarm. We’ll relax once we can see with the lights. We can make a decision on what to do next then.”
“All right,” Nelson said. “Shout if anything is weird. Do you want a torch?”
“No. I’ll rely on my night vision.” Josh slid out of the vehicle, leaving a taut silence behind him.
“Will he be all right?” she asked. His wound was still healing, and she’d hate him to get injured again. He—his safety and wellbeing mattered to her.
“He’s a highly trained soldier,” Gerry said. “Try not to worry.”
The tension within the vehicle remained, and Ashley clenched her hands together. She bit her inner cheek to contain her urge to scream. She’d never enjoyed horror movies and this… This was like living in the midst of one.
Lights flicked on inside her house. Nelson’s phone buzzed.
“It’s Josh,” Nelson said. “He says the package is a courier parcel. He says Robert sent it.”
The tautness released from Ashley’s shoulders. “If it’s from Robert, it’ll be related to the campaign.”
Gerry eased in front. “Let’s go. Ashley, I’ll lead. You walk behind me, and Nelson will guard your back.”
Ashley opened her mouth to argue, then hesitated. They were the security experts, and she’d be an idiot if she second-guessed their every decision. No one could accuse her of idiocy.
Five minutes later, they were inside the house, the door locked behind them.
Josh was speaking to the friend who’d installed the security lights while she, Gerry, and Nelson observed the courier package. The size of a shoebox, it appeared innocuous enough.
“Try to call Robert again,” Nelson said.
Ashley put through the call. After ringing several times, it went through to voicemail. She left a message. “That’s unusual,” she said. “He always answers his calls, especially if they’re from me. What do we do? Do we open the parcel or not?”
