Or was that safe?
Maybe he should just get the hell out of town until all this blew over.
That scenario had a lot of appeal until he thought of what his father would say when he learned that Carl had spent big bucks on a shipment of antiques—some of which were now lost or broken.
He shuddered.
He’d better get the damn box back. Or—
He was thinking, or “die trying.” But he wasn’t willing to go that far.
oOo
The Big Z had told Luke to sit down at the computer and get busy.
Instead, he figured he could take the time to let Olivia know what they were doing. Turning to her, he said, “I’ve got to do a Web search. I don’t think it will take too long.”
He knew she was trying to read his expression. “Okay.”
“After that, we can talk.”
“Okay.”
Enough. You are wasting my time.
Give me a minute.
You have not learned who is in charge. I say, enough!
Luke’s anger rose. And I say. . .
He never finished the thought. Coherence deserted him as words he couldn’t understand reverberated in his head like a huge Chinese gong that had been struck with a massive hammer. His vision blurred, and at the same time, excruciating pain jolted through his chest. He doubled over, gasping, fighting not to pass out.