Wife With Amnesia Read Online Free PDF

why don’t we discuss this outside?” Matt suggested.
    â€œNo,” Claire returned. Ignoring Matt’s scowl, she said, “I’d appreciate an answer to my question.” When he didn’t answer, Claire said, “Detective Delvecchio, I may have lost my memory, but I haven’t lost my brain or my ability to think. Since I’m the one who was attacked, I believe I have a right to know why you think I might still be in danger.”
    The detective sighed. “To be frank, ma’am, I find it strange that this guy would attack you as he did and just take your purse. According to the report from the hospital admitting clerk, you were wearing some pricy jewelry when they brought you in—jewelry that could have been fenced for a nice chunk of change. If fast cash was his motive, why didn’t he take it?”
    â€œMaybe he was scared off. You said that this Mrs. Williams witnessed the whole thing. Or maybe he didn’t have time to finish the job because she surprised him.”
    The detective scratched at his head. “That’s the other thing that’s been puzzling me. The man attacked you beneath a bright streetlight, where he could clearly be seen. Yet he made no attempt to conceal his face with a mask or a stocking. I’ve checked out the crime scene. It would have made more sense for him to make a grab for your purse before you reached the car. There was less chance of him being seen that way, and you were clearly more vulnerable.”
    â€œMaybe you’re dealing with a dumb crook,” Matt offered.
    â€œAnd maybe we’re not dealing with a crook at all,” Claire suggested. “That is what you’re suggesting isn’t it? That my attacker’s motive wasn’t robbery?”
    â€œYes, ma’am. The truth is, the Gallagher name is fairly well known in the New Orleans area because of your husband’s family’s restaurants and the family’s social prominence. You folks are mighty visible. There’s hardly a week that goes by without some member of your family having their picture splashed across the society pages or on the TV news at some big to-do in the city. From where I’m standing, that makes any one of you a prime target for kidnappers.”
    â€œKidnappers,” Claire repeated, stunned by the idea.
    â€œIt is a possibility,” the detective replied. “One that I don’t think we should rule out. Maybe the reason this guy just grabbed your purse and didn’t go for your jewelry or your car was because it was really you that he was after. Maybe he intended to kidnap you and hold you for ransom, but was scared off when Mrs. Williams showed up. Hitting you and taking your purse might have just been a ruse to cover what he was really after—you.”
    â€œOh, my God,” Claire murmured, both appalled and frightened by the scenario the detective had just outlined.
    â€œI’ve had about enough of your theories, Delvecchio. All you’re doing is upsetting my wife, so I’d appreciate it if you would leave and go find the man who attacked her,” Matt said, his voice clipped, his expression deadly.
    The detective didn’t argue. After exchanging a look with Matt, he nodded and left the room.
    â€œHey, it’s all right,” Matt soothed as he sat on the bed beside her. He caught her by the shoulders. “Look at me, Red.”
    Claire tipped up her chin, stared into those compelling gray eyes filled with concern, with worry.
    â€œListen to me. Even if Delvecchio’s cockamamie theory about an attempted kidnapping is right, and I’m not at all sure that it is, nothing is going to happen to you. I’m not going to let anyone hurt you ever again. All right?”
    Claire nodded, but inside she had this sick, uneasy feeling. Was it possible that someone had actually tried to kidnap her? Suppose they decided to try again? Panic paralyzed her for long seconds as