Dangerous Temptation by Anne Mather Page B

to make good the damage myself."
    Marshall's brows elevated. "There is the woman—Lisa Abbott. She may know something about it. I could go and see her."
    "And warn him that we're onto him? Not likely." Matthew shook his head. "No, for the moment, our hands are tied. I just hope he hasn't spent all the money. Half a million, Marshall! God, I can't believe he had the brains to do it. He must have the luck of the devil!"
    "I wouldn't call being involved in a major air disaster particularly lucky," observed Marshall sardonically. "And if he has really forgotten everything, I'd guess he's feeling pretty low. Okay, you want your money back, but spare the man some pity. No name, no identity, no nothing! I'll be interested to see how he handles it. It can't be easy."
    "Hmm."
    Matthew was noncommittal. Right at the moment, he couldn't find it in his heart to feel any compassion for Nathan at all. For all he knew, there might be other scams not yet discovered. For a man as unscrupulous as his son-in-law, there were always loopholes he could breach.
    "Think about Caitlin," said Marshall now, aware of the other man's brooding countenance. "And you're not going to do yourself any favours if you can't put this out of your mind. I've told you, when he's recovered I'll handle it. Think of your daughter and what this might do to her."
    "I'm not without sensitivity as far as my daughter's feelings are concerned," retorted Matthew defensively. "I know you think I'm totally selfish, but it isn't true." He met the younger man's accusing eyes and dropped his gaze abruptly. "All right. I'll do as you say. That's what I employed you for after all. You don't have to keep reminding me you'd rather not be here."

5

    Caitlin turned onto her left side, trying to find a comfortable spot, and then remembered why she'd turned the other way in the first place. Now she had an uninterrupted view of her husband's reclining body. And although his eyes were closed, he was no less disturbing to her peace of mind.
    All around them, the other occupants of the first-class cabin of the aircraft were unaware of her distraction. Apart from the comforting drone of the engines and an occasional snort from a sleeping passenger, all was quiet. Even the cabin staff had disappeared to enjoy their meal next to the kitchens. Now and then, the tantalising smell of the prime sirloin Caitlin had been offered earlier drifted her way.
    It was ironic that she was wishing now that they'd taken the following morning's Concorde. If she hadn't been so eager to get back to England, it would have made more sense. But she'd seen the overnight flight as a chance to avoid conversation. She usually slept on the aircraft without any problem.
    But the selfishness of her decision had dawned on her at the airport. When she'd glimpsed Nathan's taut face, she'd immediately realised her mistake. The prospect of the overnight flight must have brought back horrific images for him. And although he didn't remember boarding the plane, he remembered the aftermath of the crash.
    But when she'd booked the flight, it hadn't been his feelings she'd been concerned about. And although she'd offered to change their reservations, Nathan had shaken his head. He appeared to be asleep now, so she didn't know what she was worrying about. With characteristic insensitivity, he'd left her at the mercy of her fears.
    She shifted again, turning her head so that he was no longer in her line of vision. She didn't want to look at him. She didn't even want to think about him, but she knew from recent experience that that was not so easily achieved. From the minute she'd walked into the hospital ward and seen him lying there, she'd been in a state of panic. He was in her thoughts; he was in her mind; there seemed to be no escape.
    Which was stupid considering the circumstances of their previous relationship. Dear God, they'd been virtually estranged. She'd only come here at all because it was what her father had expected her