Whiskey Lullaby

Chapter 14-Ashton

Chapter 14

Ashton

After ending the call with Izzy, I call Rico. “What can I do for you, boss?” he asks. “I need you to send someone to watch Izzy’s house. She’s there alone and I need to make sure she’s safe.” I tell him. “Is there anything I need to know?” he asks. “I need them to be on watch until I tell you different.” I tell him. “Got it Boss.” He tells me. “I just emailed you the information you asked for.” He tells me. “Good. Keep me posted.” I tell him and we end the call. I move to my office and open my email. Pulling up the first document, I see some information on Mark’s parents.

Marshall and Janie Walker, parents to Mark Walker. Marshall owns a construction company that does a lot of government work. Plays golf with his buddies Judge Ralph Conner and Attorney Joshua Roberts. Janie is a stay-at-home wife, member of the local country club where she’s friends with Marian Conner and Emily Roberts. Mark is an only child and Judge Conner and Attorney Roberts both have one adult child each, both living out of state.

Then there are pictures. Pictures of Mark and Marshall meeting with Attorney Roberts, handing him a what looks like a file and envelope and shaking hands. The next picture is one of Marshall, alone, with Judge Conner, handing him an envelope too. Looks like he’s paying them off. I pick up my phone and call my lawyer. “What can I do for you Ashton?” My lawyer, Charles Angelo asks. “I’m forwarding you an email. I need you to tell me everything we can do legally to them.” I say. “Can I ask what this is about?” he asks. “My girlfriend’s son was murdered by the baby’s father. Looks like we might have a little corruption going on.” I tell him. “Girlfriend?” he asks shocked.

“Yeah. Isabelle James. Her son was the six-month-old that was murdered a few months back.” I tell him. “I heard about that. Father was charged and was found not guilty.” Charles says. “Yeah. Looks like the judge and lawyer might have been paid off because some of the evidence that was deemed inadmissible showed that the father put the baby in the tub and walked out of the room to take a call and was gone for about ten minutes.” I tell him. “How was that inadmissible?” he asks. “That’s what I need you for. I need you to find out what can legally be done to bring then all down.” I tell him. “I’m on it. I’ll look at everything and get a plan together.” He tells me. “Thanks Charles.” I say before ending the call. I head to bed but lay away all night.

The next morning, I am still awake, looking at the ceiling. I sit up and look over at the nightstand and see it’s time to get ready for work. Taking my phone off the charger, I pull up the text thread and text Izzy.

Good morning beautiful. How are

you feeling this morning?

Good morning. I’m okay.

Getting ready for work.

Take the day off. Relax a little.

I need to work. Heading out now.

I can pick you up.

I’ll drive. Be safe.

Be safe.

I get into the car and head into the office. When I get into the car, Nick asks “Are we picking Ms. James up?” I shake my head. “Not this morning.” I tell him. “Can I speak freely, sir?” he asks. “Of course.” I say. “I heard what Ms. Nancy told her. I don’t think she going to walk away from you but pushing her might not be the best idea.” He tells me. “I know. I don’t like her driving herself, but I know she needs time.” I tell him. “It will work out.” He tells me and I nod.

I head up to my office and contemplate going to Izzy’s desk but think about what Nick said about her needing time. I’ve checked on her already, but I don’t want to crowd her. I’ll follow her lead. I’m not there long before there’s a knock on the door. “Come in.” I say and when the door opens, Izzy walks in.

She stays close to the door, and I stand, walking to the front of my desk but not getting any closer. She’s standing there but won’t look me in the eye. “Are you okay baby?” I ask. “I need to ask you something, but I need you to be honest with me.” She tells me. “Always.” I tell her. “You won’t hurt me, right?” she asks. “I’d never hurt you. Izzy, I can’t f*****g breathe without you. I didn’t sleep at all last night because I was worried about you.” I tell her. “Someone came to my door last night.” She tells me and I tense up. “He told me not to open the door but that his name was Rico. Said you asked him to watch out for me.” She tells me. “I did. I wanted to make sure you were safe.” I tell her. “Did you think I was in danger?” she asks. “No but if I’m not with you, it would make me feel better if there was someone there to keep an eye on things. I will always make sure you’re safe no matter what.” I tell her. “He asked me if I would be okay if he brought me to work. Said you didn’t like the idea of me driving by myself.” She tells me. “Were you okay with that?” I ask. “He called Nancy so she could tell me you trust him, so I let him drive me.” She tells me. “Thank you.” I tell her. “Can I hug you?” I ask her and she nods.

She meets me halfway and I wrap my arms around her and feel her arms wrap around me. “Did you sleep any last night?” I ask. “No. I kept thinking about what you told me and if I could handle it.” She tells me. “What did you decide?” I ask. She looks up at me, us still wrapped around each other and she says “That I missed you. It’s still going to take some time to wrap my head around but I’m with you.” She tells me. I cup her face and kiss her softly. “Why don’t we take the day and spend together. Maybe we can get a little sleep.” I tell her and she nods. “Can we sleep at your house?” she asks. “We can do that.” I tell her. “I need to stop and get some things from the house.” She tells me. “We can do that.” I tell her and I pull out my phone. “Mary, I’m taking Izzy home for the day.” I tell Izzy’s boss before ending the call.

I call for Nick and when he pulls up, I tell him “Take us to Izzy’s.” and he nods. We get to Izzy’s house, and I tell Nick to wait that we won’t be but a few minutes. Walking in, we head to her room, and she starts packing a bag. “I was thinking about staying a couple of days if that’s okay. I have some PTO time I can use.” She says. “That’s fine baby. We can text Mary later to let her know.” I tell her knowing this is a big step for her. We head out to the car, and I ask, “Did you eat breakfast?” She shakes her head and says, “I’m feeling a little nauseous.” She tells me. “We can have Nancy whip something up when we get there.” I tell her. “We don’t have to do that.” She says. “Baby, she’s going to ask as soon as we walk in the door if you ate. She loves you already.” I tell her and she shakes her head.

We walk into the house, and I drop Izzy’s bag by the stairs and Nancy sees us. “Izzy, hello sweetheart. How are you?” she asks. “I’m better I think. Still processing.” She tells Nancy. “Take your time processing but know we are all here for you. Have you eaten?” she asks, and Izzy looks up at me and I smirk. “Told you.” I tell her and she smiles softly. “I haven’t yet.” She tells Nancy. “You two get comfortable and I’ll get something whipped up for you.” She tells us. “You don’t have to do that.” Izzy says and Nancy looks at her sternly. “None of us have to do anything but I will make sure my kids eat and that means you too.” She tells Izzy and Izzy smiles. “Thank you Nancy. That would be great.” Izzy says before Nancy squeezes her hand and heads to the kitchen.

“Let’s get your bag up to our room and change into something comfortable.” I tell her and she nods. We go to our room, and she takes her bag to the bathroom and changes into a sweater and leggings and I change into a V-neck shirt and some sweatpants. We head back downstairs, hand in hand, and head to the kitchen. Walking in, Nancy has music playing softly and I see Izzy smile softly. “You like this song?” I ask. “My mom used to sing this to me when I was a kid. She loved Patsy Cline.” She tells me. “Nancy is always playing Patsy Cline.” I tell Izzy. “Not always. I was listening to Janis Joplin before you got here.” She tells us and Izzy laughs a little.

I take the seat next to her as Nancy brings our plates. “You let me know if you want more. These are my famous three meat omelets.” She tells us. “It smells great.” Izzy says and Nancy smiles. We start eating and Nancy makes herself scarce. After we eat I ask, “Do you want another?” Izzy shakes her head and says “No. I’m okay. Can we lay down for a bit?” she asks. “Anything you want baby.” I tell her. We put our plates in the sink and head up to our room. We climb into bed, and she lays her head on my chest, and I wrap my arms around her and pull her close.

I kiss the top of her head, and she whispers “I’m going to want to get married someday. And if you want kids, you are going to have to know something.” She tells me. “What’s that baby?” I ask. “It’s not going to be easy for me. After losing Jason…” she starts, and I stop her. “When we have more kids, we will take things a day at a time but baby I would like for you to talk to someone.” I tell her. “Like therapy?” she asks. “Yeah. I can help you find someone you will be comfortable with.” I tell her. “That would be good. Might be better if we are doing this. I hear my boss gave me amazing insurance.” She says softly. “We have great insurance.” I tell her.

We are both quiet for a bit and just when I think she’s fallen asleep and I’m starting to drift off, I hear her whisper “I could fall in love with you.” Before we both drift off.