Reporter Nadia Maverick takes an
adventure through the underbelly of her town, where she discovers that even the
criminal life she had been reporting on isn't quite like it seemed.
Things turn
bad for Nadia when in the middle of an investigation, the tables are turned and
she becomes the one under the watchful eye of Mr. A. Everyone becomes a suspect
when Nadia turns up missing.
Who will be
there to set her free?
Read and
see.
Available
in Print and E-book formats
ISBN-13:
978-0615785622
ISBN-10:
061578562X
Author Bio
Ashley is
married and lives in Houston with her husband Tony. They have two dogs, Toto
and Doogie. They have been together for over 8 and a 1/2 years and he brings
her more joy than she could ever imagine as a child. She loves to read and has
been hooked on the romance genre ever since her lifelong best friend Laura gave
her "Ashes to Ashes' by Tami Hoag to read when they were younger.
Ashley finds
her strength through her family, especially her parents. They always support
her in life; they push her to strive for greatness. There once was a motto that
Ashley heard in her youth through her Taekwondo life 'Reach for the Stars' and
that is what Ashley has always done. It was through her upbringing that the
values Ashley has and displays come from. With her parents always cheering her
on in life she was able to grow up having faith in herself and her ability to
conquer the world.
Excerpt
Nadia was pulled from her short 15 minute nap when she heard
Gabe and Kevin talking outside of the SUV. She looked around and noticed there
were several cop cars lining the street. She opened the SUV door and stepped
outside, her hands moving up and down her arms, the cool night air giving her a
chill.
“Hey Kevin, did you go in yet?”
“No, not yet, Nadia. I was gathering a statement from Gabe
and waiting on back up.”
She nodded her head and looked off at her house. “Can you go
in now? I want to check on my cat.”
“Yes, ma’am. You and Gabe stay here and preferably inside
your vehicle. We’ll come get you when we have the all clear.
Nadia and Gabe both nodded and moved back into the SUV.
Nadia appreciated the warmth the vehicle was providing. Gabe grabbed her hand
and they watched the handful of police officers enter her home. She noticed
that the front door didn’t need to be kicked down, which meant it was already
open. That man had definitely been in her place. The officers made a bunch of
noises, and four of them came outside. Kevin ran up to the vehicle, his face
shaken, his voice edgy.
“Nadia, there’s been a crime. You need to stay put. He isn’t
in your house anymore, but he was most defiantly here. There’s a body inside,
we believe it’s your coworker Matt. I need one of you to come confirm the
identification.”
Nadia started opening her door when she heard the news.
“What are you doing?” Gabe asked.
“I am going to identify the body.”
“Like hell you are, you stay put.”
“Gabe it’s my house. I’m going.”
Kevin interrupted their argument. “I think it’s best if she
comes. We need to know if anything was stolen, and only she can do that.”
Nadia wasted no time. She was out of the vehicle and walking
up to her house within moments. Kevin and Gabe had to jog to catch up to her.
The three of them walked side by side together as she approached her front
door.
“It’s bad, Nadia, just to warn you,” Kevin said.
She grabbed Gabe’s hand, and together they walked through
the door. They made sure to stay where the officers told them so they didn’t
disrupt the crime scene. Nadia squeezed Gabe’s hand tight when she saw Matt
hanging from her fan. He had a rope tied around his neck and attached to one of
the support beams of her living room. Gabe pulled her into his body, and she
started to cry.
“This is all my fault.” The tears fell from her eyes and
down her cheeks. She held onto Gabe tight as the officers talked all around
her.
“I take it that’s Matt?” Kevin asked.
“Yeah, that’s him. I’ll call Scully,” Gabe said.
“Wait till we’re done, okay? I don’t need everyone trampling
the crime scene. Nadia, your bedroom is clear. It doesn’t look like anyone has
been in there. Why don’t you and Gabe go sit down and wait in there until we’re
done?”
Gabe didn’t wait for her to reply, he simply walked and
guided her into her bedroom and shut the door. He sat her on the bed and went
to her closet to get a warmer sweater for her to wear. Her arms were freezing,
and he needed a moment to compose himself.
“Nadia, look who I found on your dresser.” Gabe came out of
the closet holding Triple T in his arms.
Nadia’s face lit up when she saw him. “Thank God you’re
okay, little guy.”
She cuddled the kitten in her arms and curled up on her bed.
She stroked his fur, and he purred into her hand. His rough tongue ran over her
skin, and Nadia looked up at Gabe. “I killed him; he’s dead because of me.”
“Not because of you… He chose to not follow the instructions
and brought attention to himself. That’s not on you.”
“No, but he never would have been there in the first place
if it wasn’t for me, so it’s my fault.”
Gabe sat behind her on the bed and stroked her head. His
fingers played with her hair, trying to give some comfort. “Things happen,
Nadia. You cannot take responsibility for everyone’s actions good or bad. This
was the man who killed Matt’s fault, ultimately.”
“I should give up being a journalist. Look what damage I’ve
caused, all the trouble I keep bringing to people, my coworkers and family.”
“Nadia, sweetie, stop. This really wasn’t your fault. I wish
you could see that.”
“Gabe, you will not convince me otherwise.”
