'Why?' Oliver's voice was almost stern now; he could switch intonations and emotions at the drop of a wand. 'Is there a good reason why she shouldn't have been here alone?' The list of possible scenarios in Oliver's mind ran from Verity having fallen asleep on her work to twisting her ankle falling down stairs, even maybe getting drunk and winding up in holding. A prank gone wrong even, which would have chased her from the store without her scar and lip gloss, but at least Oliver's mind hadn't traveled down the road of Eddie Carmichael. George was a good mate, but if Verity were in any danger because of her employer's relations, friendship wasn't going to mean much.