Ashley entered the small apartment she shared with Antonio, who promptly closed the door. "What should we do now?" she inquired, directing her gaze at her boyfriend who proceeded to hang the keys on the hook. "We should heed Voight's advice and wait," Antonio replied as he made his way to the kitchen and retrieved a bottle of beer.
Ashley followed him to the kitchen and took the bottle of beer he offered her. "But I cannot simply wait. If there's something I can do, I should approach him now," the brunette asserted, displaying her determination to not give up so easily.
"Why should we wait when there is something Ashley can do?" Antonio pondered. "I understand your sentiment, and I too wish to conclude this case swiftly. However, as Voight rightly stated, we need to rest." He attempted to maintain his composure, but it seemed clear that Ashley was unwilling to yield.
"But we can take action," Ashley clenched her hand into a fist. "If we do nothing now, he will strike again," she seethed, her frustration evident in her blazing eyes.
"Ash-" Antonio began, only to be abruptly interrupted by the woman.
"Antonio, kindly refrain from giving me that particular expression." Ashley glared at her boyfriend's response and let out a sigh. "I am not inclined to engage in an argument regarding this matter, Ash. It is imperative that we heed Voight's directives, and I regret to inform you that I concur with him on this particular issue." Antonio placed his beer bottle down and enveloped his partner in his arms, attempting to pacify her.
Ashley rested her head on Antonio's chest and let out a sigh. "Nevertheless, there must be some course of action available to us. He shot Soifon, and we cannot simply stand idly by." She whispered, suppressing the lump in her throat that signaled imminent tears, though she managed to hold them back for now. "I am aware, but we will be unable to aid Soifon and the other victims if we are fatigued and lacking strength." Antonio replied in a hushed tone.
The brunette attentively listened to Antonio's reasoning and acknowledged the validity of his argument. If they were exhausted due to insufficient rest, they would be of no assistance whatsoever. "I suppose you are correct. However, what if he strikes again while we are asleep?" Ashley questioned, peering into her lover's calm eyes as he returned her gaze.
Antonio delicately positioned a finger beneath Ashley's chin and raised it to meet her gaze. 'I believe he won't strike tonight, especially after targeting a Detective. He is aware that other patrol officers will be out, searching for him,' he stated.
Ashley nodded, emitting a sigh. 'I suppose you are correct,' she whispered softly, maintaining eye contact for a moment. The brunette leaned closer to Antonio's face and tenderly planted a kiss on his lips.
Drawing her nearer, Antonio reciprocated the kiss, his hands gliding up her shirt. 'Let us retire to bed and momentarily divert our attention from the case,' he whispered, receiving only a nod from Ashley, which sufficed for him.
Being lifted and carried to their modest bedroom, Ashley emitted a grunt as Antonio placed her on the bed and positioned himself on top of her. His hands caressed her body as she bit her lip, feeling his lips graze her neck. 'Antonio,' she whispered, sensing his hands inside her shirt. 'Yes?' was all Antonio could manage in response.
After feeling Antonio's kisses move towards her chest, Ashley suppressed a moan as he lifted her shirt over her head. "I require your presence," she whispered, knowing that those few words were all it took for him to take action.
Ten minutes later, Ashley found herself lying in Antonio's arms, gazing at the ceiling while he peacefully slept. As her mind raced, she contemplated going to her father's prison without informing Antonio, despite Voight instructing them to wait until morning. Sitting here and waiting was not an option for her.
She considered asking Erin to accompany her, knowing that the younger brunette would be eager to come along, ask questions, and find Xavier as soon as possible. She was aware that they would face consequences, but she didn't care, as Voight was never one to strictly adhere to the rules.
Jay and Alvin had told her that Voight rarely followed protocol, especially when it involved someone he knew was attacked. So why was the head Detective now reluctant to seek answers?
Successfully accomplishing the task of getting out of bed without disturbing Antonio was going to pose a challenge for Ashley, as she was aware of his light sleeping habits. However, after a long day, she surmised that he would likely remain asleep. With caution, Ashley gently displaced his arm from around her waist before rising from the bed.
Once released from Antonio's grasp, Ashley exhaled a breath she had unknowingly been holding. She proceeded to the dresser and dressed herself, opting for a pale blue flannel shirt and fitted black jeans. Swiftly donning her boots, she then retrieved her phone and jacket. She was aware that when Antonio eventually woke and discovered her absence, she would need to provide an explanation for her whereabouts. However, Ashley decided to confront that situation when it arose.
Having obtained her keys, the brunette exited the apartment with the understanding that Antonio would require his own set once he departed for work.
After a brief time, Ashley reached her modest car and settled into the driver's seat. Retrieving her phone, she contemplated calling Erin, but ultimately dismissed the idea.
Once Ashley had securely fastened her seatbelt, she departed from the parking lot and proceeded towards the correctional facility to visit her father. Along the way, she sent a text message to a friend who worked at the prison, informing them of her imminent arrival to discuss an important matter pertaining to her father's case. This was the only available opportunity for her to engage in a conversation with him, even at such a late hour of the night.
Despite the prison's location being an hour away from her place of residence, Ashley's journey transpired swiftly without encountering any traffic congestion or road construction that could impede her progress.
After locating a vacant parking spot, Ashley ensured that her vehicle was securely locked before stepping out and entering the premises of the prison.
Awaiting Ashley's arrival outside the facility was an individual who seemed to anticipate her coming. "So, what dire circumstances warranted your late-night visitation to see David?" the figure inquired, leading Ashley inside the building upon granting her access.
"I regretfully cannot disclose any details, Millie, but I can assure you that the motivation behind this visit is just and commendable," Ashley murmured, casting her gaze upon the older woman who proceeded to guide her towards a secluded area where she could have a private conversation with her father.
Ashley entered the room where her father was being held and positioned herself across from him. She observed as David leaned forward, wearing a self-satisfied expression. "So, Ashley, what brings you here?" he arrogantly inquired, causing the brunette to roll her eyes in response, although she chose not to address his demeanor.
Leaning closer to him, Ashley stated, her tone icy and devoid of warmth, "I am not here for a casual visit. I seek answers." As she observed David shifting uncomfortably in his seat, his hands restrained by handcuffs on the table in front of him.
"Is this why you had Millie wake me up for answers?" David taunted, a smug smirk gracing his face. "Or is it because Detective Dawson has dumped you your slutty ass?" He continued, still resentful that he was facing consequences due to Antonio and Ashley's actions.
"That is irrelevant, and no, he did not end our relationship. You would like that, wouldn't you?" Ashley sneered, her eyes aflame with irritation. "You simply desire to revert back to the way things were before Antonio extracted me from the mess you ensnared me in."
David inquired, leaning towards his daughter and receiving a harsh glare in return. "What mess were you referring to? The one you willingly got yourself into? I spent a considerable amount of money on your skinny ass, and for what? To get stuck in this place?" he snarled, his breath just inches away from Ashley's face.
Ashley swallowed, trying to remain calm. She understood why Antonio never wanted her alone with David - because he knew how much David could emotionally break her, especially when he used her past against her. Nervously, she bit her lip and heard Millie shuffling her feet behind her. Taking a deep breath before speaking, Ashley looked at David and said in a harsh tone, "I am not here to discuss the past, David." Her words made David lean back in his chair. "So why are you here? Especially by yourself?" David asked coldly.
"I am here to inquire about Xavier," Ashley said, maintaining eye contact with David. "And I know that you know where he lives."
"Why do you want to know about that unpleasant person?" David asked with a smirk. "Do you want him again? Or do you owe him something?"
Ashley suppressed a retort as she glared at David. "No, and no, I don't," she stated firmly, slamming her hands on the table, causing Millie to jump. She despised losing her temper, but it was challenging to remain composed while talking to David.
"He is wanted for a family murder, along with a few others," she began, swallowing the lump in her throat. "And he shot a friend of mine, so I need answers regarding his whereabouts," she hissed.
David attentively listened to Ashley's words. "And you think I know where that person is? It has been, what, six years?" he asked with a smug smirk. "I know you still communicate with your former acquaintances," Ashley retorted, crossing her arms over her chest. "Especially Xavier. I wouldn't be entirely surprised if you were involved in this."
"Do you believe you're clever, Ash?" David asked, snorting. He gazed at her. "I suppose you do know me, but I assure you I am not involved in this. I haven't caused harm to anyone since your brother," he said, biting his lip.
Ashley experienced a small tear cascading down her cheek as a reminder of her brother Jacob, who passed away six years ago. Shaking the memory from her mind, she took a deep breath before turning back to David. "If it was not you, then please provide me with Xavier's address," she whispered.
"Very well, but under one condition," replied David. He realized that it would be beneficial to collaborate with Ashley to avoid being considered a suspect. Furthermore, he hoped Ashley could assist him in leaving the current place so that he could continue living his life. "And what might that condition be?" Ashley asked, her eyes narrowed.
"If I disclose Xavier's address to you, you must help me escape this place, allowing us to go our separate ways," David firmly stated. As Ashley and Millie exchanged a glance before refocusing on David, she contemplated the proposition. The thought of the victims' family crossed her mind, and she made a commitment to Ms. Hall that she would apprehend whoever was responsible.
Taking a deep breath and looking at her father, Ashley hoped she was not making a significant mistake. Bracing herself, she finally responded, "Deal."