Chapter 3
As the weeks past they all went back into their routine. Lee still had his cast. It was getting battered looking and had many names scrawled all over it. He was frustrated with the light work load he was given and longed to be back doing the real work.
They had moved back into their newly refurbished headquarters complete with bomb proof glass windows.
Ashley was due compensation from the company. Billy fast tracked it so that she got the pay out in just a few short weeks. She was so happy with that. The substantial sum would happily look after her future. Everyone at the office felt they wanted to do something for her as well so a whip round was organised by Francine.
Francine went to her house after work most days to help her with every day tasks. Ashley had a boyfriend but he was pretty useless. He seemed to begrudge doing anything to help with frustrated Francine no end. She could understand this being a big life change for him but he needed to get over himself. It had been a few weeks now.
On one of the trips over there Ashley had talked about maybe getting a fully optimised car. They cost a fortune but she wanted to travel the country and fund raise for people with sight loss. Francine couldn't believe how selfless her friend was. She immediately decided to do a whip round at work so that they could give her money to help buy her car.
Amanda was glad to help. She put in over 500 dollars. It was money she was going to use to bring the kids to Palm Springs this summer but she figured she could bring them camping instead. That doesn't cost much and the boys were easy to please that way.
Billy saw her generous offer and called her into his office.
"We didn't get a chance to touch base after all that's happened. How you holding up Amanda.'
"I'm fine sir," Amanda nodded, clutching her files. She looked as though she was anxious to get back to work. Either that or she really didn't want to talk about it.
"Amanda, if ever you want to talk, you know my door is always open."
"Thank you sir," she answered.
Her pretty face was closed to any conversation that wasn't about work. Billy sighed to himself as she hurried from the room. He was worried about her.
~o~
Ashley came back to work in another week. She came through the door on Francine's arm and she actually looked radiant. She was wearing a beautiful pencil skirt and a silk blouse. She had her cut into a stylish bob and she looked fabulous. Everyone couldn't believe how brave she was. Billy organised a cake and coffee for her first morning back. She did her best to eat the cake without crumbs everywhere and apologised if there were any. Francine helped her with her cup of herbal tea. She chatted to them all it was clear that she was happy to be back. Amanda was glad to see her but felt so bad for the way things turned out. She was just thinking on this when her name was mentioned. She looked up surprised.
Ashley was beckoning to her. "Amanda please come and sit by me. "
Amanda immediately got up. She took her coffee and took her place beside Ashley.
Ashley put an arm around her. "I've heard talk that people are blaming Amanda for what happened. I don't want that. It wasn't Amanda's fault. I don't want to hear anyone coming for Amanda in that way. Amanda is my friend. You want to blame Amanda for anything you will have to come through me."
There was a huge round of applause from them all. Billy beamed at the pair of them sitting together and clapped with all his might. Amanda smiled and blushed red. She wasn't used to so much attention. She looked up and was surprised to see Lee meet her gaze. He wasn't clapping.
~o~
They were doing a steak out later, sitting in the car eating very bad take out food watching a fashion icon guy step out of his custom limo and go do his shopping in Bloomingdale's, a tiny Jack Russel dog following behind him.
"That's him Amanda, that's the guy who planted the change purse bomb on our front step."
Amanda nodded "Jeramy Swit, looks like he wasn't too happy about us seizing his supply of coke."
"Yep, he had to go to another dealer in the end. It cost him more."
"Obviously he didn't do it himself,"
"Obviously," Lee agreed. "He has a whole network of goons who will do that kind of work if he throws them some coin. He's worth millions."
There was silence between them as they watched the Limo pull away. Jeremy Swit was inside buying the place out probably.
"Amanda, don't worry about what happened back at the office," Lee said at last.
"What do you mean," Amanda asked.
He looked over at her, she could never hide anything from him.
"I don't know, I just felt so awkward."
"I know, I know," he agreed "she meant well but it's hard to be singled out like that. I think she was just trying to make you comfortable."
"Yeah," Amanda agreed.
She didn't want to talk on it anymore. It was really embarrassing to her but she felt she deserved embarrassment and everything else. Ashley was now blind because she Amanda was not a good agent and should have thought that through. She would have given anything to go back to that day and change things.
All they could do is work hard on the case and bring the guy to justice. They knew it was him at this point and they spent all afternoon interviewing witnesses and building their case.
Meanwhile Francine had driven Ashley home early. It had been a big day for her going back to the office and she had a headache. Her boyfriend wasn't there which was just as well. Francine had no time for him. She helped Ashley get into her Pyjamas and fixed a meal for her leaving it on the counter for when she wakes up. With Ashley safely tucked up in bed she was about to head out of the apartment when something caught her eye. Just beside the counter top she saw a bunch of posh shopping bags from Saks Department store. She frowned down at them. Her eyes went to the bedroom and then she crouched down to see. There was a designer dress and some very pretty red heals. The shoes alone cost over 400 dollars. Her hand went into the bag and drew out a receipt. These items were purchased yesterday. Did her mom buy them? A sudden sound from the bedroom and she quickly put the receipt back in the bag.
"Francine, are you still there?"
She hurried into the bedroom. "Are you ok Ashley?'
"I'm fine Francine, could you fetch me a glass of water and leave it on the bed side table. I get so hot when I wake up."
"Of course," Francine went to the sink and blindly took up a glass and filled it from the sink. Her mind was spinning.
