“Made you?” She laughed. “First to the Red Dragon Statue gets to set the pace.”
“You’ve got a deal.” Anna rushed out of the office.
Ashley looked at her screen. Phoebe’s brief was still up. She closed it, turned off her computer, and left the office.
Chapter Six
Sylas drove into the circular driveway. The house was massive and reminded him of a castle out of a fairy tale. Appropriate, since there was a dragon statue standing at least twelve to thirteen feet tall in the center of the driveway.
This is not just a house. It’s a mansion.
He had no inclination that the O’Learys were rich. They hadn’t put on airs at all back at the diner. As he rang the doorbell, he wondered how they had acquired their fortune.
Ethel opened the door. “Welcome to our home, Sylas. Come in.”
“Thank you.” He smiled. The inside of the home was just as impressive as the outside. Definitely a mansion. “This place is incredible.”
“Patrick and Sam built it for me after they took their company public. Have you ever heard of O’Leary Global?”
“So that’s where I’ve heard your name before. Of course I have. You mean you own it?”
She nodded. “Patrick and Sam started the company back in the early seventies.”
“Wow. What an accomplishment. I just read an article about O’Leary Global. Your company acquired Kito Electronics last month.”
“Yes, we did. Patrick and Sam were flying back and forth to Tokyo to get the deal done. I’m gla
d that’s over.”
According to the article, O’Leary Global was one of the leading tech companies in the world and was valued at twenty-eight billion dollars and rising. The happy threesome he’d met in Blue’s Diner wasn’t just rich, they were loaded—billionaires.
“It actually started as an import-export company, but Patrick was always drawn to technology. So he and Sam took the business in that direction. And when they did, it took off.” She beamed with pride. “My guys have accomplished so much. We lived in a much smaller house in the early years of the company. I told them when they showed me the plans for this place that it was more than we needed, but they insisted. I’m glad they did, Sylas. I love it. And we host some wonderful parties here throughout the year. You will have to come.”
“I wouldn’t miss one of your parties, Ethel.”
She smiled. “I baked some cookies for us. Patrick and Sam are in the kitchen devouring them. We better hurry or there won’t be any left for you and me.”
He followed her into the kitchen, which was warm and inviting, but big enough that a team of chefs could prepare a meal for hundreds. Patrick and Sam sat on barstools at the big island.
“Hey, Sylas.” Patrick put down his glass of milk and waved him over.
Sam finished a cookie and then said, “So glad you could make it. Have a seat. Ethel makes the best chocolate chip cookies you’ll ever eat. I swear.”
“Thanks.” He sat down next to Sam.
Ethel filled a plate and handed it over. “Would you like milk or coffee or something else to drink?”
“Milk, please. Is there any other drink that goes better with homemade cookies?”
“A man after my own heart.” Patrick held up his glass.
Sam shrugged and pointed to his coffee cup. “Trying to lose a little weight, Sylas, or I would’ve had milk, too.”
Ethel grinned. “Samuel O’Leary, it’s going to take more than just switching from milk to coffee. I’ve counted. Between you and Patrick, there are fourteen cookies gone.”
“I only ate six, honey,” Patrick blurted out.
“Why do you always have to throw me in front of the bus, brother?”