“Exactly. Bonnie and Harry are already helping me. We don’t need anyone else.”
“You need help. I got you help.”
Ashley clamped her lips together. It wouldn’t matter what she said. Matthew thought he’d done the right thing and nothing she said would change his mind. “Who’s the person downstairs?”
“Jason Smith. He’s an ex-Detroit Police Detective.”
“He’ll arrest me for stalking.”
Matthew’s lips twitched. “I think you’re safe. Do you want him to see the information on your whiteboard?”
“We don’t need to take it downstairs. Everything is on my laptop.”
“If you’re happy to show him your laptop, we’d better go downstairs. The sooner you write your story, the sooner you can get back to your rush hour traffic.”
Ashley gave her laptop to Matthew and took a handful of folders off a shelf. “How much of my conversation did you hear?”
“Enough to know that you think you’re emotionally challenged.”
“I was joking.”
Matthew’s lips twitched. “Are you ready to meet Jason?”
She nodded and headed downstairs. If Jason could help her access the Foundation’s bank accounts, it wouldn’t matter how emotionally challenged she was. She could publish her story and move on to the next one.
And if she were really lucky, she wouldn’t miss Montana or the man walking behind her.
***
Ashley waited for Jason to finish reading the document she’d given him. She’d told him everything she’d learned, showed him the reports, photos, and public records she’d scanned.
He was different than the person she’d expected to see. With his golden brown eyes and broad shoulders, he could have been on the cover of a fashion magazine instead of living in the middle of rural Montana. She didn’t know what had brought him to Bozeman, but she was glad he was here.
Matthew handed her a cup of coffee.
“Thanks.”
He left another cup beside Jason before sitting beside her.
Jason raised his head. “We need to know who owns the companies that provided invoices for the youth center and literacy projects. If there’s a link between those businesses and Congressman Welsh, Jasmine Alfredo, or the treasurer, it will strengthen a fraud conviction.”
“I thought I’d visit the library tomorrow,” Ashley said. “They have some databases that might help.”
Matthew frowned. “I don’t think you should leave the ranch.”
“I’ll wear my wig and sunglasses. The only person who could recognize me is Erin, the library manager.”
Matthew looked at Jason.
“She should be okay. The chance of anyone searching for Ashley in Bozeman is remote. If she had family living here or had been back in the last few years, it might be different. Once we know who owns the companies, we can see if our suspects have any more secrets they’re hiding.”
Ashley left her coffee mug on the table. “I could borrow one of your trucks, Matthew. It shouldn’t take too long.”
“Fine. But call me right away if you see or hear anything that worries you.”
Jason cleared his throat. “Next on the list are accessing bank accounts. You’ll need search warrants to see any account information.”
Ashley shook her head. “No search warrants. I don’t want the police getting involved. Not yet, anyway.”
