“That’s what I thought, too. Here’s the Foundation’s annual report and project report.”
Logan’s eyebrows rose. “The project report must have been hard to find.”
“My friend Bonnie spoke to someone who works at The Reaching High Foundation. She sent her the information.”
Logan spread out the papers. “They look as though they’ve done everything they said they would.”
Ashley handed him some photos of the Foundation’s learning center. “Half the computers are missing, the rock climbing wall isn’t finished, and the kitchen doesn’t have most of the items they supposedly bought.”
“And you think Congressman Welsh invoiced the Foundation for work they never completed?”
“That’s right.”
Logan pulled the papers closer and kept reading. “You’ve done well. This is a great story, but Congressman Welsh won’t be happy and neither will Jasmine Alfredo.”
“That’s why I wanted to show you everything before I sent it to my editor. Do you think I’ve missed anything?”
He rubbed his hand along his jaw. “Knowing exactly what the missing money was used for would help. At this stage, you’ve assumed it was used to pay for his mayoral election campaign.”
“Once we have a final report from the police, we’ll know exactly where the money went. Until then, I’ve taken an educated guess.”
“Educated guesses will land you in prison.”
Ashley swallowed. “I know.”
“When will you know what the search warrants uncovered?”
“Jason thought we should have some information by the end of the day.”
Logan nodded. “That’s good. You’ll be able to make any adjustments to the story before it’s published. Have you written any follow-up stories?”
“I wrote an article about the history of The Reaching High Foundation and another on Congressman Welsh’s involvement in different charities.”
“What about his family?”
Ashley looked at the papers. “I’m not going there. They shouldn’t be dragged down with him.”
“If you don’t tell their side of the story, someone else will.”
“Bonnie spoke to the congressman’s brother-in-law. He didn’t know he was listed as the owner of one of the fake companies. And if he didn’t know, then I doubt the rest of the congressman’s family knew what was happening.”
“Find out. Write a story.”
“They won’t talk to me over the phone. I’ll have to speak to them in person.”
Logan gathered the papers. “What’s stopping you?”
Ashley pulled out the empty folders she’d left in her backpack. “It’s complicated.”
“Most things are. But if you really want this story to work for you, you need to keep it on the front page. Write about the congressman’s life outside of politics. Everyone will want to know who he is. Follow the story as the police become involved. Interview the person in charge of the case. A no comment can have the same impact as a full debrief.”
She slid the documents into their folders. “I haven’t told anyone, but I’m flying back to New York tomorrow afternoon.”
“I’m surprised you’ve stayed this long. Stories like this don’t happen every day.”
“I know.” After waiting for her big break, she should be jumping for joy. This was her chance to show everyone how far she’d come. But with that excitement came a huge reality check. Jasmine Alfredo had done so much for children and their families. If she had anything to do with the missing money, she would be pulled into the mud surrounding Congressman’s Welsh’s life. Everything she did would be scrutinized and every small detail would be shared with the world.
The next few months could be the worst of everyone’s life. All Ashley had to work out was how much she wanted to exploit the downfall of a wealthy congressman and the woman he could have used for his own financial gain.
