by Lea Hart
Colin sat back in his chair and crossed his arms. “The good news is that now we know where the security holes are in the company, and we can fix them.”
“There are not holes. There are gaping caverns,” Phoebe responded. “When you give me the go-ahead, I will redesign the whole system.”
Colin took her hand and a flashed her a big smile. “Go ahead. Take your time and do whatever you feel is necessary.”
“I second that,” Ivy responded. Under the table, she grabbed Ryan’s hand and squeezed. This was good news because it was going to give Colin the chance to show Phoebe what a great guy he was.
The front door opened and everyone at the table turned. Bea and Grams came in, each bearing a Tupperware container. It was genetically impossible for them to visit without bringing treats. Even if it was only Rice Krispies treats. “Hi, Mama. Hi, Grams,” Ivy said as she stood up and walked over to her family. “Why are you bringing us treats?”
Bea pressed a kiss to her daughter’s cheek and gave her arm a squeeze. “I haven’t seen you in a couple of days, so I had to make sure you all are doing okay. Also, Sadie Lee is talking about her dance with Ryan last night like it was a religious experience. I had to come see if we should take him for a penicillin shot.”
Grams dropped her container in the middle of the table, then stood in front of Phoebe. “Are you the super genius we’ve been hearing about?”
Phoebe stood and straightened her shirt. “I’m not a super genius.”
Grams opened her arms and smiled. “Yes, you are, honey. Come here and let me give you a hug. We’re so happy you’re here to help these kids straighten out the mess that Bill left them.”
“Nobody gives better hugs than Grams,” Ivy said.
Phoebe stepped forward and hugged Grams, and a small smile appeared on her face. “It’s nice to meet you,” she said quietly.
“Now we’re family, so you can call me Grams.” She pulled out a chair and plopped herself down. “Ivy, make some coffee. I brought you all peanut butter cookies.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Ivy responded.
Bea followed her daughter into the kitchen and rested her hip against the counter. “Why in the world did you let Sadie within a foot of your man? I figure there had to be a reason, but for the life of me, I can’t figure it out.”
“I was three margaritas in when she came over to talk to me. That’s my only excuse.”
Bea shook her head and looked over at Ryan. “Do you have any bite marks on you?”
“No. But I’ve had medical exams that we’re less invasive. What that woman accomplished in the minute and half we danced is beyond me. I had to take an extra-long shower when we got home,” he said as he shuddered.
Ivy looked over at Phoebe and grimaced. “Sadie Lee loves a man in Wranglers, and sometimes her enthusiasm gets the best of her.”
“That is one way of putting it,” Grams added. “The woman is out of control.”
“A man in Wranglers is God’s way of thanking women for doing most of the hard work,” Ivy said as she pulled out cups.
Ryan snorted and kicked his feet out in front of him. “A man in Wranglers is a gift from God?”
“Absolutely, honey…if worn correctly.” Their eyes caught across the room and she winked. “You, sir, are an absolute gift.”
Grams slapped the table and laughed. “That’s my girl. We raised you right.”
Ivy laughed too as she filled a tray with cups, sugar, and cream. “Phoebe, I hope we’re not offending you.”
“Absolutely not. I love it.”
Grams looked over at Colin and winked. “You’d better hold tight to this one. We want to see her at Thanksgiving.”
“Grams, when you think you’re helping me, you really aren’t,” Colin said, as he rubbed the back of his neck.
“Gotcha,” Grams said as she mimed zipping her mouth shut. “So, what are we talking about?”
“Problems at Bellows Energy,” Ivy replied. “Phoebe uncovered who’s responsible for a five-million-dollar embezzlement. We’re not sure about who sabotaged the wells, though.”
“Productive morning,” Grams commented.
“Do you remember Stuart, Nelson’s son?” Ivy asked.
“Sure,” Bea said as she brought the coffeepot over. “Nelson was your daddy’s best friend.”
“He wants to meet with Colin and me. He and his daddy kept trying to corner us at the reception. But they never could. Stuart said he wanted to catch up with us and see how we’re doing.”
Bea started pouring coffee and shook her head. “Nelson and Bill were friends from the time they turned five and were almost inseparable. They were always competing with one another, and I imagine that didn’t stop until Bill died. They went into the oil business together and I think had some big successes and equally big failures.”
“Which supports the information that I dug up,” Phoebe added. “I think Nelson wanted to create as many problems as he could for his old friend. He blamed him for what happened to his wells up in the Barnett Shale Field. I went through all of his electronic communication and wrote a program for certain key words, and that’s what I came up with.”
“They had some kind of falling out when production slowed down up in Barnett,” Colin said. “The Reardon Company didn’t get out in time, and it was a bloodbath. I was having dinner with Daddy, and Nelson barged into the restaurant and started yelling at the top of his lungs. He was flinging accusations like they were Frisbees. Something about Daddy talking him into a bad deal. Before he finished, security escorted him out.”
“Was Daddy mad or affected in any way by Nelson’s behavior?” Ivy asked.
“Not that I could tell. The only comment he made was that Nelson had always been a greedy SOB and it finally caught up with him.”
“So, we have Nelson, who has a grudge against Bill, and Stuart, who has always done whatever his daddy told him to do,” Bea said. “Guess it’ll make your little get-together interesting.”
“A simple case of revenge,” Ivy said.
“Revenge is never simple,” Phoebe said. “Especially if the person is dead. It makes the whole satisfaction thing hard to achieve.”
Bea sipped her coffee and looked at her daughter and Colin. “You kids tell us what you want us to do. I don’t like the idea of old Nelson seeking revenge. He was a rotten kid, and I expect he’s only gotten worse.”
Grams nodded her head in agreement. “You all let us know what you need. My shotgun is ready and I can ride backup.”
Ivy looked at her family and grinned. Not everybody had the support that she and Colin had, and they were damn lucky that the women in the family knew how to use a gun. They were probably going to come in handy. “Thanks. We’ll let you know.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Friday Afternoon
Ivy, Ryan, and Colin walked into the bar of the Four Seasons Hotel and looked for a table. “What time is Stuart supposed to show up?” Ryan asked with little patience.
Ivy checked her phone. “He’ll be here in around ten minutes.” She directed the group over to a table in the corner and sat down with a thud. “I wonder what Stuart wants?”
Ryan sat with his back against the wall and studied the patrons. “Maybe his family company wants to buy Bellows Energy and he’s hoping to get ahead of the bidding process.”
Colin settled into the chair next to her and crossed his legs. “When Nelson confronted Daddy, I wondered if he had any money left after Barnett. He was pumping gas up there, and when prices crashed, he lost a lot.”
Ivy took Ryan’s hand and studied him. “What’s bothering you? You’ve got that death glare thing going, and I wonder how many bodies I’m going to be asked to help bury.”
“Probably just one body,” he replied stiffly. “Stuart may need to be eliminated.”
“Any specific reason, or is it just on general principle?” Ivy asked sweetly. “Is this because we went to a couple of dances in college?”
“Why wou
ld you go with someone you didn’t like?”
“Because she had a sorority dance to go to and was desperate for an escort,” Colin replied. “Ivy’s a late bloomer, and she didn’t date much in college.” He looked over the room.
“It’s true,” Ivy sighed. “Remember that unfortunate haircut I told you about? That wasn’t the only unfortunate decision I made. Let’s just say that I experimented with my looks in college, and a lot of them didn’t work out. I was far from the typical Texas co-ed with a carefully curated wardrobe from Neiman Marcus. There was no way that mama and I could afford that, so I took myself out of the game and became an original. I was obsessed with the Auntie Mame movie, and I modeled many of my fashion choices after her. All those things don’t add up to a lot of dates at the University of Texas.”
Ryan took Ivy’s hand and felt the tension in his neck ease. “All good news for me,” he replied, as the waitress approached and took their drink order. “Is he going to be surprised to see Colin and me?”
“Probably. When I confirmed the meeting, he didn’t ask if I was coming alone. The look on his face when he walks in is going to tell us if he’s up to no good.”
Ryan tightened his hold and smiled blankly. He’d bet good money that weasely son of a bitch also had the hots for Ivy and was hoping to get the girl and the company. Not happening.
An average-sized man with a five-hundred-dollar haircut and five-thousand-dollar suit to match was headed their way. His eyes were intent on Ivy, and Ryan figured it must be Stuart Reardon. As the man approached, Ryan stood, stretched to his full height, and crossed his arms with his feet planted wide. He heard Colin mutter “pissing contest” and decided to ignore him.
Stuart stood in front of Ryan and gave him a fake smile. “I had no idea Ivy invited everyone to our date.”
Shaking his head, Ryan grinned. What a crappy opening shot. It was so pathetic that he decided to ignore it. He put out his hand and pretended to play nice. This asshole was so far out of his league that he pitied him. “Ryan Cordell. Nice to meet you.” Ivy stood and looped her arm through his, and he kissed her head. In case you were wondering, asshole.
“Ryan is my boyfriend and he’s helping us with security at Bellows Energy.” Pointing over her shoulder, she introduced her brother. “I don’t know if you met my brother Colin at Daddy’s funeral. He and I own the company together. I thought whatever you had to say would be best said in front of these two.”
Stuart undid his jacket and slid his hands on his hips. “Of course, Ivy. I was hoping to mix a little business with pleasure when I asked to meet you, but this is fine.”
Ivy ignored the comment, sat down, and pulled Ryan with her. He sank into the chair and sat with his legs apart with his hands hanging loosely on his knees. Let the games begin, he said to himself.
“I’m assuming this is about business, so tell us what you have on your mind,” Ivy said.
Stuart looked around the group and shrugged. “Okay, I guess no foreplay.”
Colin sat up and threw Stuart a nasty look. “Is this about business, or do you have the hots for my sister? So far, you’ve suggested this was a date and then used the word pleasure and now foreplay. Either you have no manners or you’re seriously medicated. I can think of hundred things I’d rather be doing instead of sitting here with you. So either cut the shit or get out.” He drained his beer and signaled to the waitress. “Did you not notice that big man sitting across from you with a lethal gaze trained on your heart? Wake up, man.” The waitress approached, and Colin asked for water for the table. Stuart asked for a scotch, and they were left alone.
Stuart straightened his tie and leaned back. “The reason I asked to meet with you today is because my family company is interested in acquiring Bellows Energy. I have no idea if you both want to keep it or if you’re interested in selling. If you are, then I want to be the first to put a bid in.”
Ivy sat up and finished her drink. “We haven’t decided yet. If we do choose to put it up for sale, you’re welcome to enter the bidding process when it begins.”
“The energy business is complicated and volatile, and it’s not easy to understand,” Stuart responded smugly.
Colin nodded thoughtfully. “Well, it’s a good thing my sister and I are so damn smart.”
“A business degree isn’t going to be enough,” Stuart said as he crossed his legs.
Does this guy seriously think that he is helping himself? Ryan wondered, as he saw Ivy’s shoulders rise. He had a feeling that this would be the last person they would consider selling to. He was about to say something, but Ivy cleared her throat.
“Isn’t that what you have, Stuart? I don’t remember you being a very dedicated student. In fact, weren’t you put on academic probation junior year?”
“None of that matters. My family has been in the oil business for over fifty years.”
“I heard the company lost a lot up in Barnett. I don’t know that you have the financial wherewithal to be a serious contender in the bid for Bellows Energy,” Colin stated.
The waitress delivered their drinks, and Stuart grabbed his and took a healthy gulp. “The oil business isn’t just about having cash; it’s has a lot to do with who you know. A lot can happen to a company if you don’t have the right alliances.” Stuart sat back and smiled. “Making sure things run smoothly can be guaranteed if you have the right people in your corner.”
Colin sat forward in his chair and stared at Stuart. “That sounds like a veiled threat, which I’m sure isn’t what you meant.”
Stuart shrugged like he didn’t have a care in the world. That set Ryan’s temper on fire. What the hell kind of game was he playing? Phoebe had given them some initial intel, and he knew the family company had nowhere near enough money to purchase Bellows Energy. “What are you offering?” Ryan asked. It seemed like a good idea to get as much information as they could. Colin threw him a look, and he stared back and prayed to God that he kept his cool.
Stuart sat up, gave them a gratuitous smile, and spread his hands out. “A merger.”
“A what?” Ivy sputtered.
“A merger. The Reardon Company has contacts all over the state that can ensure Bellows Energy never has a problem at the wells down in Midland. We know the right contractors to hire that will ensure the oil that comes out of the ground gets where it needs to go.”
Ryan saw Ivy’s face get red and knew she was about to blow. They didn’t need to tip their hands, so he rested his hand on hers. “Tell you what, Stuart. We’ll keep your idea in mind and let you know in a couple of weeks.”
He felt Ivy stiffen, and he hoped that she didn’t lose her temper. If they played it cool, then Stuart walked away thinking he had a shot. The last thing they needed was him to be more desperate than he was. Standing, Ryan pulled out his wallet and threw some cash on the table. “We have plans, so please excuse us.” He held out his hand to Ivy and silently willed her to cooperate. When she slid her hand in his, he let out a breath. “Ready, Colin? I think Phoebe’s waiting for us.” He knew that would get Colin’s feet moving faster than anything else. “We’ll be in touch,” he called, as he led the group away from the bar. Ivy strode ahead of him, and he knew by the way she held her shoulders that she was pissed. Which was fine…as long as the blowup happened in the car.
Leaning over, Colin murmured in his ear, “What the fuck, man?”
“Stuart is full of shit and desperate. That was the saddest shakedown I’ve ever seen. It tells us that he and his father are reckless. Desperate people do stupid shit. Let’s not give him fuel to blow himself and us up. In that little pea brain of his, he thinks he had a win, and we want him to think that until we figure out what he’s up to and how far he’s willing to go.”
“You’re right.” They walked out to the valet, and Colin shoved his hands in his pockets. “The guy is an asshole, and I let him get to me.”
“It’s personal for you, so it makes sense,” Ryan responded as he handed the attendant the ticke
t for the car. Leaning over, he looked at Ivy’s face. “You can yell at me in the car.”
“I’m not going to yell, because I’m too mad.”
“Are you sure? I think if you got it out, then you’d feel better.”
“You made me look like a fool in there. Like I wasn’t capable of speaking my mind.”
“I did no such thing.” He tried to take her hand and she shook him off. “I didn’t want you to annihilate the guy in public. We need him to think that he has a chance at whatever harebrained scheme he’s cooked up.”
Their car was delivered, and Ryan held the door and helped her in. When she was seated, he leaned in. “You’re the smartest person I know, and I want to keep you safe. People who are as stupid as Stuart are dangerous. I want to figure out what he’s up to so I can protect you. I’m sorry that I hurt your feelings.”
“Thank you.” Buckling her belt, she sat back. “Just don’t ever make me look stupid again.”
“Honey, that’s impossible to do, because you’re smarter than all of us.” He kissed her cheek and then closed the door. Running around the front, he handed the valet a tip and climbed into the car. “I guess we need to see what Phoebe has dug up on the Reardon family.”
“I thought they were out of the game,” Colin said from the back seat. “When Nelson was being escorted out of the restaurant, I thought that was the last we’d ever see of him.”
“Apparently, the Reardons have one desperate last shot in them. I hope no one gets hurt while this plays out,” Ivy said quietly. “Whatever happened between Daddy and Nelson isn’t over yet.”
***
Stuart pulled out his phone and dialed the number that he knew would ensure Colin and Ivy took his suggestion seriously. When the call was answered, he gave his instructions. “It’s time. Make sure there is substantial damage.” He pressed the button and ended the call. A current of satisfaction rolled down his back. It had been far too long since he’d felt that. No one believed that he was capable of bringing the Reardon Company back to life, and he couldn’t wait to prove them all wrong. His father was on the brink of mental collapse, and he knew if could revive the family fortune, then his father might fight for a full recovery. As far as he could tell, this was all Bill’s fault. He owed them this, and it didn’t matter how it happened. Colin and Ivy would soon learn that.