window on the far wall revealed a large swimming pool in the back of the residence. Colorful plants surrounded the far end and boulders were situated inside a grotto that she was sure would put the Playboy mansion to shame. It was something to behold and it was Ethan’s hand on her lower back that kept her walking behind Alice. “May I offer you a beverage?”
“We would love some coffee and possibly some popcorn,” Ethan answered for both of them, for which Taryn was initially grateful for until he’d added on the snack part. This wasn’t the time for his witty antics. “Thank you. Alice? I hope you know I’m joking about the popcorn.”
Alice smiled slightly and proceeded to open a heavy and dark oaken door, revealing a rather large office just off of the library. Unlike the smaller version of Uncle Gordon’s, Arthur Bowers’ domain was impersonal. There were no cushioned or leather chairs surrounding a quaint coffee table with liquor arranged on a tray. There were no bookshelves that housed classic literature or knickknacks collected over the years. What Taryn saw was a very sizeable desk that looked like it hadn’t seen a piece of paper and a fireplace that gave the impression it had never been used. The man standing in the middle of the room appeared as detached as everything else.
Arthur Bowers was a large man with a wide girth. He wasn’t what one would call overweight, but his robust frame made it appear so. He stood at least two inches taller than Ethan, and like her Uncle Gordon he was wearing cowboy boots along with a black suit that probably cost more than her entire wardrobe. His hair was black and peppered with gray, and his tanned leather skin gave away his love for the sun.
“I’m Art Bowers.” The oil tycoon slipped his hands from his pockets and rocked back on his heels slightly, as if he were proud to make that announcement. “What can I do for you on this fine morning?”
“Mr. Bowers, I’m Ethan Chambers and this is Taryn Sisal.” Ethan removed his hand from Taryn’s back and shook hands with the man that hopefully held all the answers they were seeking. “We apologize for stopping by without calling first. We appreciate you taking the time to meet with us.”
“Most certainly. Call me Art, by the way. We’re not that formal around these parts.” Art took his time looking both of them over before spinning on the heel of his boot and walking around his desk. He motioned toward the two guest chairs in front. “Please have a seat. Alice should be in shortly with our coffee and your popcorn .”
Taryn remembered distinctly the door being closed when Alice had offered them coffee and they accepted. She glanced at the monitor on Art’s desk to see if there was a video feed airing from the corridor, but the screen was blank. They all took a seat and before anyone could start the conversation, Alice had returned with a tray of china coffee service and a matching bone china bowl brimming with fresh popped kernels on what appeared to be sterling silver tray. Really? The gesture was overboard. Taryn noticed that while she poured the coffee and made sure each guest was satisfied with their cup, she snuck a glance or two in Taryn’s direction.
“So, what is it that you think I can help you with?” Art asked, leaning back in his chair and switching his gaze between the two of them. Alice silently took her leave.
“My father, George Sisal, passed away a few years ago and something has come to light in which I would like some answers to,” Taryn replied after having fortified herself with a long sip of coffee. The rich flavor indicated this was not your regular grocery store brand. “Please don’t think I want to cause any family drama. All I want are some answers and then we’ll be on our way.”
“George Sisal.” Art said the name as if he were speaking of a bug who had gotten in the way of his shoe. Taryn inhaled deeply, trying not to take exception. It wasn’t like she
“We would love some coffee and possibly some popcorn,” Ethan answered for both of them, for which Taryn was initially grateful for until he’d added on the snack part. This wasn’t the time for his witty antics. “Thank you. Alice? I hope you know I’m joking about the popcorn.”
Alice smiled slightly and proceeded to open a heavy and dark oaken door, revealing a rather large office just off of the library. Unlike the smaller version of Uncle Gordon’s, Arthur Bowers’ domain was impersonal. There were no cushioned or leather chairs surrounding a quaint coffee table with liquor arranged on a tray. There were no bookshelves that housed classic literature or knickknacks collected over the years. What Taryn saw was a very sizeable desk that looked like it hadn’t seen a piece of paper and a fireplace that gave the impression it had never been used. The man standing in the middle of the room appeared as detached as everything else.
Arthur Bowers was a large man with a wide girth. He wasn’t what one would call overweight, but his robust frame made it appear so. He stood at least two inches taller than Ethan, and like her Uncle Gordon he was wearing cowboy boots along with a black suit that probably cost more than her entire wardrobe. His hair was black and peppered with gray, and his tanned leather skin gave away his love for the sun.
“I’m Art Bowers.” The oil tycoon slipped his hands from his pockets and rocked back on his heels slightly, as if he were proud to make that announcement. “What can I do for you on this fine morning?”
“Mr. Bowers, I’m Ethan Chambers and this is Taryn Sisal.” Ethan removed his hand from Taryn’s back and shook hands with the man that hopefully held all the answers they were seeking. “We apologize for stopping by without calling first. We appreciate you taking the time to meet with us.”
“Most certainly. Call me Art, by the way. We’re not that formal around these parts.” Art took his time looking both of them over before spinning on the heel of his boot and walking around his desk. He motioned toward the two guest chairs in front. “Please have a seat. Alice should be in shortly with our coffee and your popcorn .”
Taryn remembered distinctly the door being closed when Alice had offered them coffee and they accepted. She glanced at the monitor on Art’s desk to see if there was a video feed airing from the corridor, but the screen was blank. They all took a seat and before anyone could start the conversation, Alice had returned with a tray of china coffee service and a matching bone china bowl brimming with fresh popped kernels on what appeared to be sterling silver tray. Really? The gesture was overboard. Taryn noticed that while she poured the coffee and made sure each guest was satisfied with their cup, she snuck a glance or two in Taryn’s direction.
“So, what is it that you think I can help you with?” Art asked, leaning back in his chair and switching his gaze between the two of them. Alice silently took her leave.
“My father, George Sisal, passed away a few years ago and something has come to light in which I would like some answers to,” Taryn replied after having fortified herself with a long sip of coffee. The rich flavor indicated this was not your regular grocery store brand. “Please don’t think I want to cause any family drama. All I want are some answers and then we’ll be on our way.”
“George Sisal.” Art said the name as if he were speaking of a bug who had gotten in the way of his shoe. Taryn inhaled deeply, trying not to take exception. It wasn’t like she
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