Wildest Hearts

connected to Barry Cork and his schemes.”

    “I'm aware of that.” Oliver looked at Annie. “Which brings me to the reason I nearly went out of my mind when you disappeared this afternoon.”

    “I didn't realize you were upset just because I was a bit late,” she said in surprise.

    “I was more than upset. But we'll let that go for now. Annie, Cork was in an accident this afternoon. A single-car freeway mess. He was taken to Harborview. At last report he's unconscious. He may not live.”

    “Oh, my God,” she breathed. “Poor Barry.”

    “The police are investigating, but the assumption is that it was an accident. There doesn't appear to be any evidence to the contrary,” Bolt added.

    Annie's stunned eyes went to him. “I take it that means you're not so certain?”

    “No,” Bolt said simply. “We're not entirely certain.”

    Annie clasped her hands very tightly in front of her. She gazed straight at Oliver. “You told me that the kind of white-collar industrial espionage Cork was involved in doesn't usually end in murder.”

    “Not usually,” Oliver said. “But given this afternoon's events, I think we're going to have to reconsider that assumption.”

    “Maybe we should go to the police,” Annie said.

    Bolt sat in stony silence.

    Oliver studied the arrangement of the rocks in his garden. “That, of course, is one option.”

    Annie's eyes widened. “Good grief, we can't do that, can we? They'd probably jump to the conclusion that you're the prime suspect.”

    “Probably.” Oliver kept his tone noncommittal.

    Annie's teeth sank into her lower lip. “They might think that you're the only one who had any clear motive to get rid of Daniel. You can sit there and say that gaining control of Lyncroft was no big deal financially for you, but others might not see it that way.”

    “True,” Oliver admitted.

    “And who knows what they would decide about your connection with Barry Cork? The cops might think you tried to kill him because he was selling your new company's secrets. No, we absolutely can't go to the police at this point.”

    A deep warmth flowed through Oliver. Annie really did trust him. More than that, she was trying to protect him. He could not recall the last time anyone had tried to protect him.

    “I'll admit it might complicate things,” he agreed. “But there are two other good reasons why it might be better to keep our speculations private for the moment.”

    “What reasons?” Annie demanded.

    “The first involves lack of proof. We have no evidence that Daniel's disappearance or Cork's freeway crash are anything more than accidents. Also, that phone call you got today is not likely to impress the police. There's no proof it even took place or that anyone implicated me or Thorpe.”

    “What's the second reason why we should keep the information to ourselves?” Annie asked.

    “Bolt and I want to ask a few questions of our own. It will be easier for us to do so if the authorities aren't involved.”

    Annie stared at him, dawning excitement in her eyes. “You're going to look for some answers yourself? Oliver, that's a great idea. I'll help.”

    “No,” Oliver said, “you will definitely not help. You will stay out of this. Furthermore, you will not go anywhere outside this penthouse or outside your shop on your own. You will keep me informed of your whereabouts at all times. There will be no more impulsive trips to Bainbridge or anywhere else. Is that clearly understood?”

    A storm began to brew in Annie's eyes. “Oliver, I told you at the start of our marriage that I would not allow you to keep me under surveillance. There's a possibility that this mess involves my brother. I have a right to be a part of the investigation. I won't let you keep me in the dark.”

    Oliver glanced at Bolt. “I think that will be all for now, Bolt. Don't worry about fixing dinner. We'll take care of ourselves tonight.”

    Bolt gave Annie an uncertain glance as he started for the door. “Yes, sir. I'll be downstairs if you need me.” He let himself out of the study, closing the door softly behind himself.

    Annie glowered at Oliver. “I mean it, Oliver. I realize you only want to protect me, but I'm not going to let you keep me under lock and key and I'm not going to let you shut me out of our investigation.”

    “Annie, it's for your own good.”

    “A reason that is one hundred percent guaranteed to make me fight you every inch of the way. How would