Novels by Ash Fleming

The world exploded with scandal. Within forty eight hours, seventeen senators resigned. Eight judges were arrested. Twelve CEOs stepped down. Three governors faced impeachment.The media called it “The Kane Files.” The biggest political earthquake in American history.And Lex Andrews was at the centre of it.FBI agents surrounded the house. Armed guards at every entrance. Cameras are monitoring every approach. Helicopters are doing regular sweeps. The Andrews family was locked down tight.But it did not feel safe. It felt like a prison.Hope noticed the change. She cried more. Clung to Sophia. Flinched at loud noises. The baby who used to smile at everything now looked scared of the world.“We cannot live like this,” Sophia said on the third day. “Hope needs normal. She needs to play outside. To see other children. To not be surrounded by guns and fear.”“I know. But what choice do we have? Half of Washington wants us dead.”“Then we leave Washington. We leave America. We go somewhere

Three weeks after Rebecca’s funeral, a package arrived at the house. No return address. Just Lex’s name written in neat handwriting.Sophia brought it inside. “Should we call the FBI? Could be dangerous.”“Everything is dangerous.” Lex took the package. Shook it gently. Heard something small moving inside. “But it does not feel like a bomb.”He opened it carefully. Inside was a small box. And a note.The note read: “Mr Andrews. We found this at a pawn shop in Seattle. Records show you sold it three years ago. The new owner saw news reports about recent events. About your family. About Rebecca Kane’s death. He wanted you to have this back. Free of charge. He said some things belong with their rightful owners. He also said to tell you he is sorry for your loss. A grandmother who dies protecting her grandchild is a hero. He hopes this brings you peace.”Inside the box was the watch. Marcus’s watch. The eighteenth birthday gift Lex had pawned when he was desperate for money.Expensive. Sw

Lex’s world shattered. The cabin. Rebecca’s cabin. Destroyed.Hope. His baby. His daughter.Rebecca. His mother. Just found after twenty-eight years.Gone.“No.” The word came out broken. Weak. “No, no, no.”Sophia grabbed the phone from his shaking hands. Saw the photo. Screamed. “Hope! Our baby!”Catherine took the phone. Read the message. Her face went white. “How long ago was this sent?”“Two minutes,” Lex managed. His throat felt closed. His chest is too tight to breathe.“Then there is still time. The cabin is forty minutes from here by helicopter. We can get there. We can find them.”“The message says the cabin is destroyed. They are gone. Dimitri has them.”“Or Dimitri wants you to think that. Wants you panicked. Wants you making mistakes.” Catherine spoke into her radio. “Change course. Head to the Kane property. Emergency rescue operation. All units respond.”The helicopter banked hard. Turned. Flew faster.Sophia was crying. Holding Lex. Both of them broken. Both of them we

December fifteenth arrived cold and grey. Snow fell lightly across Montana. Lex and Sophia left Hope with Rebecca at dawn. The baby cried when they left. Reached for them. Broke their hearts.“We will be back by tonight,” Lex promised. “I swear it.”Rebecca held Hope tight. “Be careful. Both of you. Come home safe.”The drive to the old Sterling mansion took six hours. They stopped twice to check for followers. Saw nothing suspicious. Just empty roads and winter landscapes.Maya and Mei were already there when they arrived. Parked a half mile away. Watching the mansion through binoculars.“Any movement?” Lex asked through the radio.“One person inside. Male. Alone. No backup visible. No vehicles except an old truck behind the mansion.” Maya’s voice was calm. Professional. “Could be legitimate. It could be an ambush. We cannot tell from here.”“We go in together,” Sophia said. “You stay here and watch. If anything goes wrong, you call the FBI.”“Understood. We have your position. Good

Winter came to Montana. Snow covered the mountains. The house stayed warm with a fireplace and family inside.Hope was one year old now. Walking. Talking a little. Saying mama and dada. Laughing at everything. She had no memory of the tunnels. The kidnapping. The violence. She was just a happy baby learning about the world.Lex’s leg had healed mostly. He walked with a slight limp but the doctors said that would fade with time. He did physical therapy every day. Pushed himself. Got stronger.Sophia had scars from the surgery but she was alive. Healthy. The nightmares came less often now. She was learning to sleep through the night again. Learning not to jump at every sound.Rebecca lived in a small cabin on their property. Close enough to help with Hope. Far enough to give Lex and Sophia privacy. She was a good grandmother. Patient. Kind. Teaching Hope songs and games.Maya and Mei visited once a month. Their security company was doing well. They had hired five employees. Opened an of

Lex woke in a hospital bed. Again. White walls. Beeping machines. The smell of antiseptic. His leg was in a cast. His body felt heavy.He turned his head. Saw Rebecca sitting in a chair beside him. The real Rebecca this time. He was sure of it.“How long?” he asked. His voice was rough.“Three days. You needed surgery on your leg. Lost a lot of blood. They were not sure you would make it.” Rebecca stood and moved closer. “But you are strong. Stubborn. Just like your father.”“Do not compare me to Marcus.”“I meant it as a compliment. Surviving is not weakness. It is a strength.”“Sophia. Where is Sophia?”Rebecca’s face changed. Sadness crossed it. “She is alive. Barely. The bullet damaged her liver. She needed multiple surgeries. She is in intensive care two floor. Doctors say the next twenty-four hours will determine if she survives.”Lex tried to sit up. Pain shot through his leg. “I need to see her.”“You cannot walk. Your leg will take months to heal. Maybe longer.”“I do not car