We need to talk. Burke’s words came back to haunt her as Garrett steered her past the nurses’ desk and down a tiled hallway that smelled of coffee and disinfectant. It was important that she file at once, Burke had told her. Missouri wasn’t a community property state like California. Only assets acquired after the marriage were considered marital property, which in this case was next to nothing. But with Burke’s help, a sharp lawyer should be able to secure her a share of his assets before hungry creditors closed in and took everything. The American Heartland was likely beyond saving, but Burke had promised to hold off the vultures long enough for her to get her cut of his financial accounts, as well as the house and the cars.

“I owe you that much for the pain I’ve caused,” he’d said. “You’re a smart, beautiful woman, Allison. You’ll get along fine without me.”

Allison had risen slowly to her feet, feeling as if the floor were crumbling away underneath her. “I’m your wife, Burke,” she’d said, forcing each syllable out of her constricted throat. “I married you for better or for worse. If you want a divorce, you can bloody well get one yourself!”

Without waiting for his response, she had turned away and walked out of the room.

“Here you are.” Garrett guided the steaming Styrofoam cup into her hands. He had seated her at a table next to the window. Allison realized she had no memory of walking into the cafeteria or sitting down in the chair.

“Anything else? A Danish?”

She shook her head and took a sip of the scalding black coffee. It burned her tongue but the sudden caffeine jolt jump-started her brain. “What about the American Heartland and the agency?” she asked, astonished by her own self-possession. “Burke seems to think they’ll go under without him.”

He gazed at her intently over his coffee cup. “I’ll be running things in Burke’s absence,” he said. “I’ll do everything I can to keep the business going. But I’m going to need your help.”

“Why, for heaven’s sake? Burke was lucid when I left him just now. He seems perfectly capable of making decisions.” Allison winced inwardly as she remembered the scene in the ICU.

“True. But he’s had a concussion. Even if he’s sharp, he’s going to need weeks of rest, especially if he has back surgery. While he’s recovering, you can act as a go-between and keep me informed about his condition.” Garrett took a sip of his coffee. “But that’s down the road a bit. Right now I need a favor.”