Trust Me by Jayne Ann Krentz Read Free Book Online Page B

science of complexity.”
    He did not like the word chaos . In his mind it did not conjure up what it did for most scientists, an image of seemingly random signals and movements awaiting the discovery of the patterns hidden in them. For Stark, true chaos was an empty universe shrouded in an endless night. It was a place where everything was meaningless. A place where he was utterly, completely alone. And it existed inside a sorcerer's cauldron that was buried somewhere deep inside him.
    Dane laced his fingers together and eyed Stark with a thoughtful gaze. “I hate to inquire, but sheer, morbid curiosity compels me. Have you heard from Pamela?”
    “No.”
    “Just as well, I suppose.”
    “I agree. Pamela and I don't have a lot to talk about at the moment.”
    “Look on the bright side,” Dane said. “A cancelled wedding has got to be a hell of a lot cheaper than a divorce.”
    “You didn't see the bill from the caterer.”
    Dane chuckled. “That may be so, but I speak from experience. Don't forget, I'm still writing out checks to Alicia. I'll bet they're a lot bigger than your check to the caterer.”
    Stark didn't argue. Alicia was Dane's second ex-wife. The marriage had lasted less than a year. Dane had recently paid a fortune to her in the divorce settlement.
    “I suggested that you have Alicia sign a prenuptial agreement,” Stark said. “You should have learned your lesson after Elizabeth left you.”
    “Guess I'm just a romantic at heart.” Dane's mouth twisted. “Unlike you.”
    Stark sat down behind his desk. “You saw where being logical and businesslike about marriage got me on Saturday.”
    “True. It was not a pretty sight. That makes two strikes. Think you'll ever go for a third?”
    “Do me a favor,” Stark muttered. “Don't even mention the possibility.”
    Dane twitched the crease in his slack. “What happens next?”
    “Business as usual,” Stark said. “I'm fine-tuning ARCANE. Now that I don't have to take ten days off to go sit on a beach in Bora Bora, I should finish ahead of schedule. I think I'll have the last of the bugs worked out of the program by August.”
    Dane pursed his lips. “That is ahead of schedule. Two months ahead.”
    “I'm not having much trouble with the usual program glitches,” Stark said. “Things are going well. Have Lancaster start work on the sales projections.”
    “Right.”
    “And remember,” Stark muttered, “I want conservative numbers, not blue sky figures.”
    “I'll tell Lancaster.” Dane grinned. “But don't blame me if he comes back with rosy projections. I think he's sweet on Maud.”
    “God help us.”
     
    In the days that followed his cancelled wedding, Stark did what he always did when things went wrong in his life. He buried himself in work.
    He did not surface until two weeks later when Maud stationed herself in the doorway of his office and cleared her throat in a manner that boded ill.
    She had to clear her throat twice because Stark was concentrating on a spreadsheet that Dane, who was sitting in his favorite chair in front of Stark's desk, had just handed to him. He looked up reluctantly.
    “What is it, Maud?”
    “Your social schedule for the next three months, sir.”
    A chill of alarm went through Stark. “What social schedule?”
    Maud held up a notebook. “The one Miss Bedford arranged for you before the wedding.”
    “Damn,” Stark said. He thought quickly. “Cancel everything.”
    “I don't think that's such a good idea, sir.” Maud glanced at Dane for backup.
    “She's right,” Dane said. “Pamela consulted with me a month ago regarding that schedule. Everything on it is business-related. You put that side of things in her hands, remember?”
    “Hell, yes, I remember.” Stark felt trapped. “But that was when I thought I was going to get married.”
    “I realize that,” Dane said. “But business is business.”
    Stark eyed Maud warily. “What, exactly, is on that schedule?”
    Maud glanced down at