Page 138 of Playing for Keeps

“I’ll remember that,” I replied dryly. My breathing was still hitching, but the panic had subsided.

Jodie looked over her shoulder and performed a turn in the road. “Actually, Harley needs to explain what’s happening to Mum and Dad. Let’s go get a meal. I will text him.”

That made me feel better.

Harley

Fuckin’ typical of Jodie to turn things on their ear. She’d sent me a message saying Oakley had suffered a panic attack. Then added to it by telling me to grow a pair and sit Mom and Daddown alone. And then said I shouldn’t expose Oakley to them while I explain, because Mom would think the marriage was genuine.

As much as I hated to admit it, Jodie had a point. Mom would get overly excited and then be bitterly disappointed. And it wasn’t fair to subject Oakley to that either. I was just swinging off my bike when my phone rang.

“Harley, we’ve got more information, and it’s a doozy,” Dylan Hawthorne said as a way of greeting. I perched my ass against my Harley.

“Go on.”

“There’re several things. Let’s start with the grandfather. He was an inventor by the name of Wilf Ferguson. He did a lot for the environment. Wilf made a fortune in designing gadgets for green energy and recycling. Before his death, Wilf announced a new design for an unlimited supply of green energy. The design would have revolutionised clean fuel and was worth billions. However, there was a problem.

“Only a drawing remains, and the technical plans disappeared. Scraps of paper were found burned in a fireplace at Wilf’s home. They were the missing technical plans. Many have tried to recreate them and failed. Gossip claimed that his two granddaughters each created a component—the girls helped with the design.”

“I’m with you so far. That’s why Oakley did an electrical course in college,” I replied.

“As did Aspen. Oakley’s father, Edmond, tried selling a plan, but without the two missing components, they are useless. Wilf’s will left everything to Aspen, Archer, and Oakley. He completely cut Edmond and Sarah from it. Harley, Wilf’s inventions sold for small fortunes.

“Aspen is five years older than Oakley and has a disabled son. Archer is autistic. Over half of the money went to Archer for hislong-term, lifetime care. Aspen was put in charge of the trust fund, but Edmond challenged that and managed to get his name on it. Edmond successfully argued that if something happened to Aspen, then nobody would be around to look after Archer’s interest. The other half of Wilf’s fortune was spilt between Aspen and Oakley. Held in trust until they’re twenty-five or married. Whichever came first.”

“Wait, how old again is Aspen?”

“Aspen turned twenty-five three years ago, just before she disappeared. Before Aspen vanished, there was gossip concerning a potential marriage. After her disappearance, the rumours died out. Oakley’s parents put a lot of pressure on Aspen to give up her plans, and she refused. My thoughts are both girls were holding out until they turn twenty-five and then they’d sell the design with the missing parts intact.”

“How much are we talking?” I asked, my mind making connections.

“Easily a billion. The design is set to revolutionise green energy. Leila’s looked at the plans and said they’re highly creative. It is one complete unit that utilises tidal, solar, and wind energy. They are built like windmills, but the top has a solar panel, and the pole is made of solar tubing. They are drilled into a seabed, and there’s a tidal generator under the water. One machine does the job of three and cuts down on having fields of solar panels or loads of unsightly windmills,” Dylan explained.

“Sounds like a good idea,” I murmured.

“The energy companies are gagging to buy the rights. They’ve had their own designers on it to try to recreate the missing parts. And they fail. Those trying to copy the design have hit a glitch. The unit uses far more power than it makes. So whatever components Aspen and Archer have… they’re worth millions of dollars. The plans that Oakley and Aspen hold are vital.”

“If Edmond is a co-trustee for Archer’s trust fund, then he is probably milking it,” I surmised.

“Yeah. The Fergusons live well beyond their means. And if Aspen disappears or is found incompetent, then Edmond takes over.”

“Where is Archer?” I asked, worried.

“He’s missing alongside Aspen.”

“Shit. Why Oakley’s forced marriage? That makes no sense,” I demanded.

“Leila said the parents are deep into this church. By wedding Oakley to Bronson, the reverend’s son, he would control her fortune. Clearly, there is some agreement around sharing the money. I also reckon they have Aspen and Archer locked up somewhere. And what’s the betting they’re using them to manipulate Oakley?”

“And her marrying me?”

“What?” Hawthorne exclaimed.

“Never mind. But if Oakley is wed to me?”

“She becomes Archer’s other guardian. Edmond loses control over Archer’s trust fund. Oakley also has power of attorney over Aspen, as per Aspen’s own wishes,” Hawthorne answered.

“What a cluster fuck. And if Oakley is married, she can manage everything,” I guessed.