“We’re wondering the same thing,” Nelson said, coming in on the end of their conversation.
“The only reason that makes sense is he wants to scare her, wants her to wonder what he’ll do next,” Josh said. “It’s polling day next Saturday. The party has planned every hour of her day, and the details are available to the public and the media. How the hell are we going to keep Ashley safe?”
A door opened and closed, and soft footsteps sounded in the hall. Seconds later, Ashley appeared in the doorway.
“Are you meeting without me?” she asked.
Her sunset hair was loose and tangled around her shoulders, and she bore a sleepy expression while she’d wrapped up in a thick navy-blue robe.
“The cops found Robert’s car and have identified your stalker,” Josh said.
“Who?” Ashley demanded.
“Stephen Blackwood.”
Ashley appeared blank. “Should I know him?”
“He spent time at Onewhero. Attended the same school as you,” Gerry said.
“It’s a country school and not that big. I should remember him then, but the name isn’t familiar. Neither is his face.”
“We’ll keep investigating,” Nelson promised.
Every news broadcast the following day, every current event television show, every social media feed contained details of Stephen Blackwood, his photo, and a plea from the New Zealand Police for the public to report any sightings of the man to them. The public was not to approach since the police considered him dangerous.
Stephen snorted, having lain low for a few days. Few people walked along the beach as far as his isolated property. He’d remain safe here. The cops wouldn’t find his name attached to the ownership records.
A sharp spike of pain pierced his concentration, jerking him from his thoughts, his plan of attack. He reached for a painkiller and swallowed one dry. Probably wouldn’t even take the edge off, but damn if he’d take the medication the doctor had prescribed.
Soon, it wouldn’t matter.
One last big hurrah and it’d be over.
20 – Election Night
“Each day I leave my house wondering if this will be the day Stephen Blackwood strikes again,” Ashley murmured.
She and Josh were sitting in a black SUV after leaving a cocktail party at the Auckland city council.
“We’re as frustrated as you,” Nelson said from the front passenger seat. “No one has seen him for days. We’ve checked out every rumored sighting. Not one has come to anything.”
“My gut is telling me this radio silence should alarm me. My guess is he’ll do his worst on election day. I hope innocent people don’t get in his way.” Ashley pushed out a frustrated sigh. “Then there’s the campaign. I have no idea how the voting will swing tomorrow. And it’s infuriating that this election run-up has been about me rather than the policies. I’ve attracted this publicity and none of it for the right reasons.”
“You’ve discussed your policies,” Josh reminded her. “Nelson, Gerry, and I could quote your Labor party policies verbatim.”
“If the voting goes our way tomorrow, it won’t feel right. Satisfying.” Ashley gave an irritable shrug. “And I sound like a whiny ten-year-old. Sorry.”
Josh reached for her hand. “We understand. I heard several of the National party candidates, and one from the Green party interviewed yesterday. They’re complaining this entire campaign has focused on you, and none of them are receiving any coverage. I believe the leader of the New Zealand First Party harangued a reporter this morning for daring to ask questions about you.”
Nelson snorted. “He makes a hobby out of berating reporters.”
Ashley laughed because Nelson spoke the truth. She hoped if her Labor party did well in the results tomorrow night that they received enough votes to govern on their own. She’d prefer to govern from a position of strength without the necessity to form alliances with any smaller parties who gained five percent or more of the vote.
“So many headaches.” Her dream shimmered within her grasp.Concentrate on the prize. Push these petty annoyances aside.“Not only do I have a stalker in the wind. I have fellow politicians snapping at my heels, and the press bombarding me with nosy personal questions. Hopefully, my life will settle post-election.”
“Your people have vetted the guest list of those who’ll be at Labor party headquarters.” Gerry pulled into her driveway. “We’ll have a large police presence. You’ve agreed to wait until nine before you arrive, which will allow us to double-check security. We’ll get through this.”
“I wanted to thank you and Nelson now.” Ashley leaned between the front seats, sincere in her thanks. The pair had made a horrid situation a little lighter. “You’ve done a stellar job looking after my security, and I appreciate it. I’m sure you both have a personal life, friends, and family who you haven’t seen because of your duties with me.”
