Brianna put her phone in her purse, rose from the chair, and reached for her jacket. “Thanks for getting here so soon, Garrett,” she said. “Oh—would you grab my suitcase on the way out? It’s behind the door.”

“Got it. Keep me posted, Allison.” He gave her a sharp glance and followed Brianna out the door.

Through the open blinds, the sunset was fading to twilight. Allison took a moment to use the restroom. She stepped out to find that Burke was awake.

Smiling, she walked toward the bed. “Hello, sleepyhead,” she said softly. “I hear you’re going to rehab tomorrow.”

“That’s right. One more step toward getting out of this hellhole.” He raised the upper part of the bed a few inches. “Did Brianna leave?”

“A few minutes ago. Garrett brought the company car for her. She said something about a party with her friends.”

“Well, I can’t fault her for that. She’s young, and her old man isn’t very exciting company these days.” His cobalt eyes narrowed. “I can’t be very exciting company for you, either. You look tired, Allison. You don’t have to stay here and mother me. Go home and get some rest.”

“Maybe later. First I have something to tell you.” She pulled the chair in close to the bed and sat down. “You told me how you’d been working to finish the loan application for the theater. This afternoon I went to your office and found the paperwork in your desk. I smuggled it out to my car. That’s where it is now. I thought that maybe, when you’re feeling stronger, I could help you finish it and take it to the bank.”

Allison waited for him to respond. She’d hoped her husband would be pleased, but his expression revealed nothing. “You didn’t have to do that,” he said.

“I know. But I wanted to help. The loan won’t have a chance if we don’t get the application to the bank before the foreclosure deadline.” She’d already decided against sharing her suspicions about Garrett and the switched keys. She had no proof, and even if she did, sharing it would only cause Burke more distress.

He shook his head, gazing at her with joyless eyes. “This isn’t your fight, Allison. Take the application and put it in my desk. I’ll finish it when I get home.”

She stared at him. “But—”

“No. As I said, this isn’t your fight. I know you mean well, but I can’t let you be part of this mess. If things get ugly—and they might—I can’t have anybody thinking you’re with me on this.”

“And Brianna?”