Travis McGee Arrives

Travis paid his tab half hoping Sweeny wouldn’t show, however Joe was outside the door with his expensive leather luggage.

"Mind giving me a hand?" he asked Travis

Travis loaded the luggage in the back of the Rover and headed to the airport. "Do ya have to smoke that damned cigar in here?" he winced and rolled down his window.

"Oh sorry about that Travis I thought you smoked."

"Not stinking cigars," he already regretted his passenger. Money hadn’t changed Joe Sweeny for the better, Topping off at 5.8" he was a stocky swarthy looking man with longish black hair which he wore combed straight back. He never spoke of his background which gave rise to fears he might not be strictly above board. Travis never dug any deeper that what showed on the surface he really didn’t want to know the man any better.

"How long you think you might stay Joe?" he asked as they pulled into the airport.

"Oh I don’t know why I’m not even there yet…might take a liking to the place."

"You’ll be in the guest house Joe…guest house."

Joe chuckled.

Bill and Sarah McGee met Travis at the door his mother fussing over him. He was an only son and the younger of their two children. Their daughter ten years older than Travis had disappeared ten years ago. Travis had hired investigators to find her but as yet they were still unable to get a lead on her whereabouts.

Joe cleared his throat he was still standing by the passenger door.

"Oh…Joe," Travis turned around and made introductions. He then led Joe to the guest house and told him he’d see him at dinner." He was trying to let Joe know he was a temporary guest and nothing more.

Joe found the drinks cabinet in the guest house and fixed himself a stiff drink, relit his cigar and sat back in the recliner smiling to himself. Travis sure was making a show of him only staying for a short time. Well he wasn’t going to make a home of it only needed a place to lay low until his passport came through. Money could buy most anything.

Travis wasted no time in getting acquainted with his new home, spending the next couple of days riding over the land and getting a feel for what he owned. It was a working ranch when he bought it but he aimed to make some improvements and add more cattle. His grandfather had owned a cattle ranch in Victoria but sadly it had been lost many years ago to brush fires. Travis had hired what he had been led to believe was a top notch cattleman to run the operation for him. After spending the morning with him he was satisfied the man knew his business.

Unlike some who come into riches Travis was unaffected by his wealth. He had not acquired an entourage of hangers on. He was however savvy enough to know he needed a little guidance and help occasionally. He had relied on the bank in Sydney for much of his advice and a woman named Jan Rollings for personal matters. He’d met Jan at the Spa where he’d gone to dry out and get himself together. Jan had taken him in hand so to speak and tended to his wardrobe and personal grooming, something he’d never given a thought to other than soap and water. After a brief affair she was now a trusted friend, one who was not impressed by his wealth, but by the man himself. Jan remained at his apartment in Sydney when he moved to The Glen. It had been her decision after all she had her own public relations firm to oversee. She was the closest thing he’d had to a personal assistant.

Two people he intended to look up in The Glen, Max Skinner who had come highly recommended and a solicitor Richie Roberts. He liked the idea of a local banker and financial advisor and a solicitor to take care of his legal matters here in The Glen. Travis was liking what he’d seen so far of his new home and feeling pretty good about his decision to move here with his parents.