A few minutes later, she heard men’s voices up front. Garrett, Kaplan, and Zacharias had returned from lunch and were headed back in her direction. With her door partway open, Allison couldn’t hear everything they were saying, but Zacharias’s booming voice came through loud and clear.

“We’ve got time for a pit stop, and then we’ll be on our way to the airport. We’ll be back next month—we’ll let you know when. But meanwhile, Garrett, we need this partnership mess straightened out. We can’t start spending money based on a fake contract that won’t hold up in court. You’ve got your marching orders. I want Burke Caldwell’s signature on a bona fide contract, or I want him out of the picture. Understand?”

“Out of the picture?” The tremor in Garrett’s voice was enough to convince Allison that Burke’s accident had been just that—an accident.

“Out of the picture, whatever it takes,” Zacharias growled. “I hope you’re not as stupid as you sound.”

“No, don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything,” Garrett said.

“Fine. Call me if you need any help.” Zacharias’s heavy fist pounded on the door of the men’s room. “Get the hell out of there, Kaplan. I’ve gotta take a leak!”

Allison kept her head down, pretending to work as the two men got ready to leave. Fear gnawed at her stomach. Had Zacharias really meant what he’d said? Was Burke really in danger of being killed if he didn’t sign the contract? And did Zacharias really hold Garrett responsible for doing the job? Having met the big man, and knowing who he was, she had no doubt that the sickening answer to every question was yes.

She heard the sound of a toilet flushing, followed by the men’s heavy footsteps fading toward the front desk. There were faint, gruff goodbyes, then the closing of a door. After a brief exchange with Monica, Garrett came back down the hall, walked into his office, and closed the door behind him.

Now Allison had a decision to make. She could sit here, play dumb, and wait for a chance to sneak into Garrett’s office and look for the contract, or she could be bold enough to play the hand she’d been dealt. If she was going to act, it would have to be now. She was running out of time.

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 14

Summoning her courage, she stood, walked out into the hall, and rapped lightly on Garrett’s closed door.

“Garrett?”

There was no answer.

“Is it all right for me to come in?” she asked. “I think we need to talk.”

“Come on in.” His voice sounded muffled. When she opened the door and walked into the room, Garrett was at his desk, pouring himself a shot of Jack Daniel’s.

“Have a seat,” he said. “Would you like a drink?”