B00MV3HMDW_EBOK (24 page)

Chapter Nineteen

T
aryn knew they were flying blind this morning, but CSA wasn’t known for doing half-assed work. Crest had already informed the feds of Ryland’s true identity, so what they were about to divulge to Arthur Bowers would either result in revealing that Art knew or it would send him into a panic where he’d make a mistake. Taryn was hoping for the latter so that they had more leads to follow.

“I apologize for the wait at the door.” Art led the way down the hallway to where the library was located. Taryn had banked on that and had thoroughly briefed Ethan on where the man’s private alcove was situated inside the house. She wasn’t sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing, but the entire time she scoured the blueprints all Taryn kept thinking about was their time in the bathroom. She had to focus herself and she couldn’t afford to get careless. The three of them followed behind and took the chairs that were situated in front of the desk. Someone had alerted Art that there was an additional guest, because the last time Taryn was here there’d only been two chairs. “Alice called in sick today. It seems as if she has the flu and apparently passed it around to a couple of other people on my staff.”

Taryn didn’t bat an eyelash, knowing full well that Alice wasn’t sick. By the frown on Art’s face he knew it too. Crest had given the older woman the means to leave Houston and never look back. It wasn’t as if she had any family left, and considering she thought that Travis and Sabrina were both dead she’d made a clean break from Houston. As for Art’s other employees, Taryn honestly didn’t know anything about them but she would check on that situation after they’d left here. Speaking to the staff
had
been on their agenda.

“Art,” Taryn said with a soft smile, “I realize that you thought I’d be out of your hair by now considering that I found out Sabrina had been born well after my father moved to Wisconsin. Technically the past doesn’t affect my mother in any way. But my colleague, Jax Christensen, has joined us upon finding out some very interesting information about Travis.”

“Oh?” Art leaned back in his chair, his bulky frame wearing a white button down shirt and a blue tie. His jacket was draped over the back of his chair, which was a good thing considering there were a few beads of sweat gathering on his forehead. “And what information would that be? I can’t imagine why you would investigate a young man who died serving his country. I’ve got to say, Ms. Sisal, I thought what I had to say to you would help you find closure but all it seemed to do was encourage you to dig up dirt on my family where there isn’t any.”

Taryn could feel Ethan tense at Art’s obvious dig at her reputation, but it was to be expected. He had to feel the pressure and with each word she said he was being backed into a corner. She’d wanted to stall until Ethan was out of the room and then announce her revelation, using the information to keep Art distracted from Ethan’s absence. It was time to set this show in motion. He was the only one with the ability to crack that safe.

“Ethan, I forgot those forms in the car.” Taryn looked over at him, trying to let him know that she and Jax had this covered. Ethan was right in waiting until Jax arrived to do this. She wasn’t so sure Art wouldn’t try to eliminate her should he feel threatened. “Would you please go get them?”

“Sure,” Ethan answered, pushing himself out of the chair. Taryn was surprised when she felt his fingers brush her shoulder, for so far he’d refrained from touching her in such a manner since Jax had shown up this morning. “I’ll be right back.”

Taryn waited until she heard the door click shut behind Ethan before focusing her attention on Art. The narrowing of his eyes indicated he wasn’t happy that Ethan had left the library, but it was her job to distract him. Jax would assist in the matter and he didn’t waste time.

“Mr. Bowers, as Taryn has already informed you we all work together at a security agency in Minneapolis.” Jax looked comfortable in his chair, even lacing his fingers together over his abdomen. “When Taryn requested time off for personal reasons, you can understand how we all rallied around her in support. She had spoken highly of you in your honesty regarding her father’s previous relationship and her relief was palpable in that she now knows her father didn’t betray his family.”

Art looked back at Taryn, evidently not buying the bullshit that Jax was feeding him. It didn’t matter as all they were doing was buying time. What she was about to say ought to do that in spades.

“Art,” Taryn said, using his surname as he’d requested before in order to personalize their conversation, “I know this is going to come as a shock to you, but Travis didn’t die during his combat tour overseas.”

If ever there was a shadow of a doubt that someone could lose his color in under a second, there wasn’t now. Taryn watched as a bead of sweat rolled down the side of the man’s pale face and she feared that he might just have a heart attack. It wasn’t out of the realm of possibility, considering the man’s weight. He took his time in collecting his thoughts and even added on more to rearrange items on his desk, as if they couldn’t see his disbelief. This wasn’t a reaction that could be faked.

“I’m not sure where you’re getting your information, but they shipped Travis’ body back to his parents for burial.” Art withdrew a handkerchief from his trouser pocket and wiped his forehead, causing the light to glint off of a garish ring. He shook his head as if he were grieving when all it did was disgust Taryn with his greed. This man didn’t want Travis Bowers to be alive or share the inheritance. “Ms. Sisal, as your friend here stated I gave you information regarding your father when I could have kept that to myself. I’ve been generous. This…I don’t know what it is that you think this will garner you, but I don’t appreciate the lies that you are now spreading about my family. We take that very seriously in these parts.”

“Taryn is only telling you the truth, Mr. Bowers.” Jax gestured toward the desk phone situated in front of the man. “By all means, confirm it if you will. We’ve already alerted the federal authorities. They’ve reopened the case and will now investigate to locate Travis Bowers.”

Taryn, Ethan, and Jax had discussed on the drive here what they should say about this subject and what should remain concealed. None of them were comfortable with giving up information that Travis had falsified his death and then became known as Ryland. They also were not going to divulge that Art’s nephew had become one of the top paid assassins of the decade.

“You alerted the federal government?”

Taryn tensed when Art’s question came out more threatening than what he’d probably intended. They’d basically just told him that his brother’s inheritance could be taken away from him. That couldn’t have settled well. Taryn casually glanced at her watch, seeing how long Ethan had been gone. It wasn’t long enough. Jax hadn’t moved a muscle in his seat, watching Art carefully and no doubt gauging what his next move would be.

“Of course.” Taryn tilted her head to the side as if his question didn’t make sense. “Travis was in the military when this tragic mistake occurred. The federal government would want to investigate.”

“I’m sure if this turns out to be true you’ll be thrilled to have your nephew back home,” Jax pointed out, his jaw muscle relaxing when Art cleared his throat and finally leaned back in his chair. The older man was still holding the white handkerchief in his hand. “For all we know Travis really did get hurt in the IED explosion and couldn’t physically make it back home. Unfortunately mix-ups with identification do happen.”

“How would you have confirmed this without having the body exhumed?” Art asked, reasoning coming back with a vengeance. His confident manner was slowly easing its way back into his body after having received such a shock. Taryn could see the questions start to settle in and she felt better, knowing this would give Ethan more time to access the contents of the safe. “I would have been notified.”

“I’m sure you’ll be notified sometime today. Obviously we can’t disclose our source of information,” Taryn interjected smoothly and with an apologetic smile. “I had hoped to get to know Sabrina better, and after I started looking into her past I came across some information regarding Travis. I would think this would make you very happy, Art—to know that your nephew is alive. I’m sure you can understand how this became a federal case, but I will try to answer any questions you may have.”

Taryn settled in, making sure her half smile was in place. She and Jax needed to stall until Ethan made his appearance or before Art realized that he’d yet to return from the car. It would be easy to excuse Ethan by saying he’d gotten a phone call outside, but until that moment came they needed to delay the inevitable.

*   *   *   *

Ethan stared at the photographs in his hand in absolute shock. He couldn’t bring himself to look at more than two pictures before turning his head away in disgust. His stomach lurched at the revolting poses of a young seventeen year old girl and the man who’d taken the responsibility to be her father. Charles Bowers had molested Sabrina and seeing it in black and white gave answers to so many questions…unfortunately, it couldn’t take away the pain that the young girl had suffered.

He knew he didn’t have much time, so he sifted through the folders as fast as he could. The only thing that stood out was a sheet of torn paper with a phone number written on it…no name, nothing associated with it. He memorized it before putting it back on top of the pile. Finding an encrypted satellite phone, Ethan knew he didn’t have the right equipment with him to tap it, but Taryn could do a pen register with a trap and trace device via the digital phone network. She could then determine what numbers had been called, where the calls were made from, and what type of equipment had been used. All Ethan needed to do for Taryn to be able to do that was obtain the phone number. He turned on the device and also memorized its ten-digit number before putting everything back where he’d found them. There were bundles of cash in the far corner of the safe but he didn’t go near it.

Knowing he’d run out of minutes, he made himself set the pictures down and spread them out on the carpet before taking a picture with his cell phone as evidence. It wasn’t like they could press charges against a dead man or even use the photographs as evidence, but the team would need confirmation as to what a vile and disgusting man Charles Bowers had been. It also gave a very valid reason for why Yvette had returned and also a motive for killing him. Ethan didn’t have a doubt as to what happened all those years ago.

Within seconds Ethan had everything back in place and secured. He made his way down the spiral staircase and onto the first floor. He ensured no one was about as he made his way past the main library. Upon hearing Art’s voice closer to the door than Ethan was comfortable with, he strolled quietly to the front foyer and then out onto the porch. He quickly pulled his cell phone to his ear, rolled both shoulders to ease any tension that remained, and slowly paced back and forth. When the front door opened he was ready for the performance.

“Yes, Taryn appreciates the cooperation,” Ethan said, his words disappearing into the air. All that mattered was getting Arthur Bowers to believe that he was speaking with someone on the phone. “Although two days is a long time to wait, sir. The Bowers family has waited years for this.”

“Who is he speaking with?” Art asked, his petulant voice carrying over the open land.

“If I’m not mistaken this has something to do with exhuming Travis’ body,” Taryn replied.

“I’ll let her know, sir.” Ethan made up some more shit, carrying on the fabricated conversation. He feigned disconnecting the call and smiled apologetically. “I’m sorry that I didn’t make it back in for the meeting. As soon as I stepped out onto the porch I received a phone call regarding the disinterment. I’m sure you’ll be getting a call any moment now.”

For Art to say that exhuming his nephew’s body wasn’t what he sought after learning the so-called facts, it would come across that he didn’t
want
Travis to be alive. If all worked out as planned Art would privately try and put a stop to the disinterment.