Because of the hours she worked, she didn't have contact with very many people in the office. Once every three weeks she checked in with the office manager. Instructions were left on the bulletin board in the supply closet, her paychecks were mailed to her house. But she'd read articles about the security firm. There had been several write-ups when a computer expert's son had been kidnapped and held for ransom. Jeff had been the one to track down the criminals. He'd brought them back, more dead than alive. The boy had been fine.

A shiver rippled through her. It had nothing to do with fear and everything to do with the fever heating her system. Her stomach lurched and she knew if she'd eaten dinner, she would have just shared it with the world.

Jeff gave her a quick once-over then moved to the sofa. "You're ready to pass out on your feet. You need to be home and in bed."

Before she could protest, he'd gathered the sheets and stuffed them into the tote on the floor by the sofa. Maggie joined in the game, collecting her stuffed animals. While she carefully threw out the empty juice container, Jeff put the baby monitor into the bag. "Anything else?" he asked.

Just her final paycheck, she thought grimly. But that would be sent to her. "Nothing. Thank you, Mr. Ritter. You've been very kind."

She didn't know what else to say. Would he respond to begging? Based on the chill in his gray eyes, she didn't think so.

He didn't acknowledge her words. Instead he turned and headed for the front of the building. "My car's out back," she called after him, then had to lean against the door frame to gather her strength. She needed to sleep. Unfortunately Maggie wasn't going to go down for more than a couple of hours. Maybe that would be enough to get Ashley on her feet enough to get through the day. Or maybe-