Coming out into the hall, she could hear Brianna’s shower running. Downstairs, Burke’s study was dark and empty. So was the room where he slept these days. Standing in the open doorway, Allison gazed into the shadows, wondering how long this arrangement would go on—her husband sleeping downstairs, while she spent every night alone in their king-size bed on the second floor.

True, Burke wasn’t yet able to climb a long flight of stairs. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t come down and join him in the double bed. Even if they didn’t make love—although, with care, that might be possible—just snuggling could go a long way to easing the tension that had sprung up between them since the accident.

But this was Burke’s room, not hers. If he wanted her in his bed, he would have to let her know. Joining him without an invitation could prove to be awkward—or even humiliating.

From the den, off the far side of the kitchen, she could hear the faint sound of the big-screen TV. Good. At least Burke had decided to relax instead of laboring in his study.

She followed the sound to find him leaning into the corner of the sofa with cushions supporting his back on both sides. Flames glowed in the gas fireplace. Mounted above the mantel, the TV was showing a nature program about coral reefs. Burke used the remote to switch it off as Allison walked into the room. “Come join me,” he said.

She crossed the room and sank down beside him, letting the warmth from the fireplace creep around her. His arm lay lightly behind her shoulders. She settled back against it. “This was a good idea,” she said.

“It was, wasn’t it? So how did your afternoon go?”

Trust Burke to get right to the point. “Well, I didn’t get a chance to look for the contract,” she said. “But I did find out that the new receptionist is a notary. Without the document, there’s no proof that she notarized the signature, but she certainly could have done it.”

“It’s a start. Was Garrett there?”

“He was. But he spent most of the time shut in his office with the lawyer and the big boss from Edgeway.”

“Theo Zacharias. I met him a few days before my accident,” Burke said.

“Garrett introduced us briefly when they broke to go out and eat. Just as you said—straight out of central casting for The Godfather. While they were gone, I tried to get into Garrett’s office, but it was locked. Aside from the busywork I was doing, that about sums up my day.”

Burke’s arm curved around her shoulders, drawing her into his warmth. “I still don’t like your being there, Allison. Zacharias is a dangerous man. Be careful.”