Numb, Ashley handed over her phone. Another dead. This had to be the work of Stephen Blackwood. “Tell the police to search for Allen’s invitation to our Labor party function. It might be a home invasion or robbery, but if the invitation is missing, it’s more likely Stephen Blackwood.”
Call finished, Gerry handed back her phone and got busy on his own. “I want you to check the guest list,” he barked. “Tell me if Allen Landish has arrived. I’ll wait while you check. Make sure you’re discreet. I’d hate to cause any alarm.”
Ashley’s heart raced as she waited.
“He’s there.” Gerry’s powerful jaw clenched. “He’s used the invitation to enter your function.”
“But it’s after nine,” Ashley said. “We invited three hundred people. We think Stephen Blackwood has killed two people. If the police barge into that ballroom, it’ll place everyone in danger.”
21 – Danger Stalks Into The Celebration
“What are we going to do?” Ashley whispered. “Won’t it agitate the man if I don’t arrive at the celebration?”
Josh cursed softly and with creativity. “Ashley is right. He’ll get suspicious if she doesn’t appear soon. He’s unpredictable.”
“We need plain-clothes cops in there. If Blackwood has used Landish’s invitation, he would’ve had to show identification and go through the security line. He has changed his appearance enough to pass for Landish.” Nelson pulled up to the curb. “Ring the boss, Gerry. Ask for instructions.”
Ashley glanced out the window. They weren’t far from the hotel. A blaze of lights illuminated the forecourt and the two couples having a strident discussion with a policeman.
“Do we have a photo of this Allen Landish?” Gerry asked.
“He’s—was—in his sixties. Blond. Blue eyes. Glasses. He had several pairs so I was never confident of which frames he’d wear. He was in a car accident and walked with a limp. His left leg. He carried a walking stick in his left hand.” Ashley paused to clear the croak from her voice, her heart heavy. This had happened because of her. “He dresses—dressed—well and wore a charcoal-gray suit. I mean, he would’ve if it was really him.”
Gerry passed on the information.
Ashley’s phone rang. “Mum.”
“You won your seat with an increased majority. Ashley, your father and I are so proud of you. The voters are ready for a change. You’ve done it. My baby. Running the country. I’m so proud I could burst.”
“Thanks, Mum,” Ashley said. “I can’t talk now, but I’ll ring you tomorrow, okay?”
“I understand. You must be very busy. Talk to you tomorrow, sweetheart. The prime minister. I can’t believe it,” her mother murmured.
Ashley disconnected. “I won my seat. It sounds as if the Labor party is winning the most seats. I should make an appearance.”
“No,” Josh protested. “It’s too dangerous.”
“What if we announce supper earlier than we’d planned?” Ashley asked. “At the very least, it should get most of my guests to safety. I could also enter and speak with people one-on-one. Get them out of the main ballroom. That might make it easier to spot Stephen Blackwood amongst the crowd.”
“I don’t like this,” Josh said. “It’s too risky.”
“He’s killed two people. What’s stopping him from taking out more innocents? He’s unpredictable. What if he shoots or stabs guests inside the ballroom? We know he’s clever. Capable. This is my fault. It’s me he wants.”
“It’s not your fault,” Josh snapped. “We don’t know why he’s doing this or what he wants.”
“Ashley is right. She must make an appearance soon,” Nelson said. “It’s nine-thirty already.”
“I have to do this, Josh. I’ll never forgive myself if someone else dies because I didn’t act.”
“You won’t do this country any good if you get killed.”
“We have plain-clothes policemen inside.” Gerry’s expression remained calm yet watchful. “Ten with more on the way.”
“I have to get inside the ballroom,” Ashley repeated. “This is a celebration. Everyone on my team has worked hard to make this day a reality. I owe it to Robert and to Allen Landish.”
Gerry and Nelson exchanged a glance.
“She’s right,” Nelson said. “And bigger picture—if we’re to have any chance of getting this guy, we’ll have to play his game.”
