Wildest Hearts

everything.”

    “I'm afraid you won't be in a position to do that,” Grace said enigmatically. He glanced at the clock. “Let's be on our way. I expect Rain will be walking in the door in about an hour. I want to be ready for him.”

    “Someone from his office said he'd already left work for the day,” Annie announced rashly.

    “The person who called you to give you Rain's message was not phoning from his office. She knows nothing about any of this. Just a young street person I found who was willing to do anything for a little cash. I gave her twenty dollars to make the call to you.”

    “This is crazy. You can't do this. It won't work.”

    “It will work. Rain will have no reason to think anything's wrong when he walks in the front door. His faithful Bolt is out of town. He'll see your purse on the table and he'll know you're home.”

    “He'll come looking for me,” Annie said slowly.

    “That's right. And when he can't find you in the usual places, he will try the roof. You and I will be waiting for him.”

    “I'm not going anywhere,” Annie stated.

    Grace did not say a word. Instead he took two rapid steps forward and backhanded her savagely across the face. Annie stumbled and nearly fell. She reeled out into the hall. Grace had moved so quickly, she had never even seen the blow coming.

    Grace examined her critically and nodded, apparently pleased with the effect. “A few bruises will set the stage very nicely. No one will be terribly surprised to learn that Oliver Rain would use violence against his wife.”

    He grabbed Annie by the shoulder and propelled her toward the steps that led to the roof.

    Oliver sat at his desk, willing Bolt to phone with the latest update. The last call had come two hours ago. Bolt had said he had some answers and would have more before Oliver went home for the day.

    Oliver glanced impatiently at the clock. It was a quarter to six. The Lyncroft offices were empty except for a few stragglers working late.

    The phone rang. Oliver snatched up the receiver. “Bolt?”

    “Yes, sir. We've got a real problem here, Mr. Rain.” Bolt's voice was uncharacteristically tense. “Walker Gresham's brother is named John Gresham. He was alive and doing time in a Texas prison for a variety of charges including assault when Gresham was killed. He was released on parole earlier this year.”

    “That explains why he didn't come looking for revenge until now.”

    “Yes, sir.”

    “That means Cork isn't the one we're after. He's been here in Seattle working for Lyncroft for the past two years, not in prison,” Oliver said.

    “Right. Cork isn't Gresham's brother,” Bolt said ominously. “The description and photo I've got in my hand fit Jonathan Grace, right down to the glasses.”

    “Grace.” Oliver's grip on the receiver tightened. “Are you certain?”

    “Absolutely. It explains a lot,” Bolt said. He paused briefly. “Including how he was able to get your private number.”

    Oliver stared at the opposite wall of his office. “Are you saying Sybil is involved in this? That she was helping him?”

    “Don't know, sir.” Bolt's tone was neutral. “Not necessarily. He's been sleeping with her. It would have been easy for him to get the kind of information he needed without ever letting her know what he was up to. My guess is that she's an innocent bystander.”

    “He used her.”

    “Probably used Cork, too.”

    Oliver frowned. “To get information such as Daniel's flight plans? That makes sense. Grace was probably the mysterious new Seattle-based client that Daniel was worried about.”

    “What next?” Bolt asked.

    “We're in the same position we were in before in terms of evidence. We've got nothing on Grace. But at least we know who to watch and where to look now. He's bound to want to make his move soon. When he does, we'll have him.”

    “I'll be back in Seattle by midnight. I'll start a round-the-clock surveillance on him.” Bolt promised. “What about your stepmother? Going to warn her about Grace?”

    “No, that would put her in danger. Hell, she probably wouldn't believe me even if I did tell her the truth.” Oliver shrugged. “Maybe she wouldn't even care.”

    “I disagree, sir. Annie had a point when she said Sybil has a vested interest in your welfare. Still, it might be safer for her at this juncture if you don't alarm her. Grace might decide she's a liability if he thinks she's suspicious.”

    “I won't do anything