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.
