As Allison rose to take their handshakes, Garrett made the introductions. “Gentlemen, this is Allison Caldwell, the newest member of our team. She’ll be bringing her husband on board as soon as he’s recovered. Allison, you’ve already met Joe. Theo Zacharias here is the big boss, so be nice to him.”

“I’m sure you’re always nice, Allison.” Zacharias’s voice was startlingly deep, his hand huge. “Welcome aboard.”

“We’re breaking to go and eat,” Garrett said. “Monica will be here in case you need anything.”

“I’ll be fine, thanks. Enjoy your meal.” Allison took her seat again as the men left.

From down the hall she heard Zacharias’s booming voice. “Are you crazy, Garrett, bringing Burke Caldwell’s wife in here?”

“Relax,” Garrett said. “Allison’s on our side. If anybody can talk Burke into becoming a team player, she can.”

“And if she can’t?” The stentorian voice was fading. Garrett’s reply was too faint to hear. But the thought of how he might have answered sent a chill through her body.

Once she was sure the men were gone, Allison rose and walked down the hall to the restroom. Coming out, she could hear Monica talking to her friend on the phone. That giggle was as annoying as fingernails scratching a blackboard, but at least it told her that the receptionist was occupied.

Stepping softly, she paused outside the closed door to Garrett’s office. If the three men had left without putting important papers away, she might be lucky enough to find what she needed.

Allison had worn a loose-fitting jacket with pockets that would hold her phone. Now she took the phone out of her pocket. Her pulse skipped as her free hand tried the doorknob.

The knob didn’t budge. The door was locked. And she already knew that she didn’t have the key. The two large keys on Burke’s key ring opened the front door and his office. Unless Garrett had switched the office keys, too . . .

Racing back into her office, she found Burke’s keys in her purse and tried again. But neither of the large keys on the ring would open Garrett’s door. She was out of luck. And Monica was no longer talking on the phone.

Spirits sagging, she slunk back into Burke’s office, sat down at the desk and picked up the next contract in the stack. She was still working when the three men returned at four fifteen. They went into Garrett’s office and closed the door behind them. They were still inside at five, when Allison logged off the computer and left for home. Her efforts to find the forged contract had come to nothing. But at least Burke would be relieved that she was safe.

* * *