Taking the bypass ramp, he skirted the city, heading off an exit that sent them out of town. It wasn't the direction he used for Molly's, so Tanya had no idea where they were heading. Another exit took them to a two lane highway, which narrowed to a back country road. After another couple of miles, he turned off onto a paved lane. This wound around through woods and finally ended at a large, imposing, ultra modern structure that looked like something off the cover of Architectural Digest.
Morgan opened her door and walked up to the porch without helping her out or closing her door. This unusual behavior puzzled Tanya. He was always ultra solicitous and caring. Having him this focused on something else, showed her how upset he was. He waited impatiently on the porch for the door to open. An elderly man opened it a moment later. Morgan nodded and walked in. Tanya followed. The man was dressed in a dark suit and she assumed he was a servant of some kind. A house this lavish would have servants.
"You must be Dr. O'Toole. I'm Chessman."
"How do you do, Chessman." She frowned slightly. "Where am I?"
He chuckled. "Would you like some coffee?"
"Very much."
Chessman led her to the most well appointed kitchen she'd ever seen, outside a restaurant. She sat at a tall island in the middle and he went to the coffee pot. He poured the coffee, fixing it exactly as she liked it, without asking. Once he sat beside her, he smiled.
"You're at the home of Morgan's uncle, Scott Fellowes. He and his twin are head of the clan."
"They own the island."
"Yes, among other assets. They are the financial wizards who keep the investments in order. Scott is also the legal mind behind the family. Every generation has at least one lawyer, and the odd doctor or two."
"Very odd," Tanya said with a playful bat of her eyelashes.
"Indeed." His lips twitched and he winked. "Morgan has come for legal and financial advice. This business with the Terminal Cancer he was involved with, has him frazzled. I take it you had some trouble with a rock through the window?"
Tanya nodded. "I think it might be Vanessa, but Morgan hasn't said what he thinks."
"He called us asking Scott's advice. I imagine a bit of injudicious investigating is in order."
"He wants to know how badly she needs the money. Would he really pay her? After everything she put him through?"
"Morgan is an honorable man. He'd want to do what he thinks is right. I hope he dangles the harpy over the cliff, with a flimsy rope and a long drop."
Tanya clicked mugs with him, smiling. "I hope so, too. I encountered her twice, and that was enough."
An intercom on the wall buzzed. "Chess," a rumbling voice called.
Chessman rose and answered. "Yes, sir?"
"Bring the lovely lady in, and we'll confer."
"As you wish, sir." He nodded to Tanya to follow him.
He led her to a beautiful office. The sprawling floor was covered in Aubosson carpet in bold, masculine colors. Book shelves lined the walls from floor to ceiling. The second level had a wrought iron spiral stair leading up. A massive wooden desk dominated one corner. Five flat computer screens stood in a semi-circle, facing a tall, white haired man. He had Morgan's same smiling blue eyes and trim build.
He stood, holding out his hands as he walked around the desk. "This is the lovely Tanya! Welcome, my dear. I'm Uncle Scott. I'd call it my humble home, but you'd know I was lying." He kissed her cheeks, giving her a warm hug.
Morgan stood by the desk, trying to smile. Tanya walked over, giving him a kiss. He smiled briefly before sitting down. He held her hand gently, but firmly. Tanya sat next to him. Chessman pulled up a rolling chair on the other side of the desk. The expanse was wide enough for two people to sit side by side. Taking out a second keyboard, he started typing while he gazed a the screens.
"My nephew has a problem," Scott said calmly. "But you know that. What we're trying to do is find out how extensive. Chess?" He deferred to his assistant.
Chessman squinted, pouting slightly. "Oh, she's been a naughty girl," he said with a glint in his eye. "She's quite the mercenary dater. Her list of conquests is quite extraordinary. Doctors, lawyers, actors, the occasional actress.... Hmm.... How old did you say she was?" He directed this at Morgan.
"Just turned twenty-nine."
"Lying cow." He chuckled. "She's actually two years older than you, but she dated a very skilled plastic surgeon a few years ago."
"So, what you're saying, is she has a history of this kind of behavior," Tanya summed up.
"My dear, that girl needs the money about as badly as I do." He laced his fingers, stretching them before going back to typing. "And I assure you, I am extremely well paid."
© 2020 Dellani Oakes
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