Page 205 of The Billion Heirs Boxed Set
“Nice to meet you,” he says. “I’m from the Phoenix office with my partner, Avery Marsh, who I believe you met the other day.”
“Yes,” I confirm, not wanting to share anything else. While partners are often close, I don’t think Avery would tell him about a high-school boyfriend.
Who cares?
“We’ve been working closely with your lawyer.” Jarvis shifts his gaze to Shankle in a way that indicates closely means with difficulty, “He now has the warrants and other legal papers that allow us access to everything we need from the Bridgers. That includes yourself and your father, Jonathan Bridger.”
I glance down at my shirt which is still untucked. “You’re welcome to join me in my closet if you wish to check out my clothes. I was in there changing shirts.”
He holds up a hand. “Avery is at Bridger Corp now, gathering more intel.”
The main office is in Billings, which means I won’t be seeing Avery today. Or anytime soon, I expect.
Jarvis scans the knickknacks on the mantel and picks up a framed photo of me on a horse when I was a kid. My mom put it there years ago and I haven’t thought about it since.
“On what? The EPA investigation?” I ask.
He gives me a fake smile. “We’ll work closely with them on our findings.”
I glance at Shankle. He must be comfortable with what was asked of us to allow the access, but I have nothing to hide personally. “If you find that my father was breaking the law, I look forward to hearing your findings. I have nothing to hide. I haven’t done anything wrong, so if Shankle’s cleared you, go forth and search for what you like.”
“I appreciate that.”
His gaze roves over my face, quietly studying me. “You’re not concerned about your assets being frozen?”
I shrug. “It’s a pain in the ass having the government bothering us, but I don’t hold out for the luxuries in life.”
“This ranch isn’t a homesteader’s shack. And you have a private plane,” he counters.
“The corporation has one,” I reply. “I’ve only flown on it once, a few weeks ago when Austin’s mother fell and we needed to get to her quickly. As for this house, my grandfather built it. I work the land, this property. I’m a rancher. I’ve never been involved in Bridger Corp. That was my father’s business. Literally. My life is not, nor will it be, impacted by the loss of the Bridger money.”
“That’s why your brothers are here, though,” he says. “To inherit.”
As if I don’t know that..
“Would you spend a year on this ranch for a billion dollars, Jarvis?”
He chuckles. “Sure would. Point taken.”
“You’re here for a reason,” I say. “You wouldn’t come all this way just to introduce yourself.”
“I’m working the Joseph Hopkins murder.”
“Good. I know Miles will be happy to update Sadie as to the latest on her brother’s death.”
He nods.
“The reason for us being here is for me to tell you I’ve approved their access,” Shankle says. “And for him to meet you.”
“I’ll be here,” I tell Jarvis. “Want to join me in deworming?”
Both men cringe as I expect.
“We’ll let you get to it.” Jarvis eyes me once more and then steps out onto the porch. “See you around, Bridger.”
5
AVERY
