Hazel’s face turned bright red. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“I won’t tell anyone. I’m trying to figure out how an educated, talented, woman could have gotten into this situation. If Jasmine approves my proposal, I don’t want the same thing happening again.”
“It won’t,” Hazel said quickly. “Rumors were going around work about a relationship between Jasmine and the congressman. Someone I know told me it had been going on for months.”
“Did you believe her?”
“I did. She’s not the type of person to make things up. But Jasmine told me it wasn’t true.”
“How did your friend know what happened?”
“She works for the PR company that was hired for a project the Foundation completed last year.”
Matthew needed a name or something to take back to Ashley. “What was the project?”
“It was a joint venture with the New York Public Library. The trust we started provides books in homes for all elementary school-age children. It’s a huge undertaking and very successful.”
“Is the Foundation still involved in the program?”
“As far as I know, they are.”
His forced smile was making his face ache. “I guess that’s all I need to know. Thank you for taking time out of your day to help me.”
“I’m glad I did. Would you like me to make an appointment for you to see Ms. Alfredo?”
Matthew shook his head. “Not yet. I’d like to fine-tune my proposal before she sees it. I’ll email you another proposal in the next couple of weeks. I can make an appointment with Ms. Alfredo then.”
Hazel opened her bag and handed him her business card. “These are my contact details. I’ll look forward to seeing your proposal. Would you like me to take you back to the office or drop you off somewhere else?”
“If you could drop me off at your office, I’d appreciate it.”
Hazel frowned. “That’s not a problem. I hope what I said about Congressman Welsh and Ms. Alfredo doesn’t make a difference to your proposal?”
Matthew swallowed hard. “It won’t. Thank you for being honest with me.”
Hazel’s smile made him feel worse. He turned and studied the half-finished youth center. Ashley needed to come here. It might make her realize that there were more important things in the world than corrupt politicians and writing front page news stories.
***
Ashley followed Bonnie into the foyer of The Greenwich Hotel. “How did you get Ann-Marie to agree to an interview?”
“She read the story about Jasmine and wasn’t happy. It sounds as though Ann-Marie has an entirely different opinion of Jasmine.” Bonnie looked around them. “The restaurant is this way.”
With its stone fireplace, black upholstered bench seats and brick walls, the restaurant could have been transported to New York from the center of London. It had the feel of an old English pub, until you looked through the windows at the people crowding the sidewalk.
“Where’s Matthew?” Bonnie asked.
“He went to the youth center with Hazel.”
“Has she told him who else knew about Jasmine’s relationship with Congressman Welsh?”
“Not yet. What does Ann-Marie look like?”
Bonnie walked toward the maître D’. “Short, brown hair, and blue eyes. She said she’d reserve a table.”
The maître D’ led them to a table overlooking a garden at the back of the restaurant.
A woman about the same age as Ashley stood and held out her hand. “Hi. I’m Ann-Marie Dimitri. You must be Ashley?”
