And with those words, Chris stalked out of the office.
Velma looked over at the old man.
“Mr. Caliber, I believe him. If he says he never took his eyes off her, well then, I believe him.”
Jake and the old man broke out in laughter and Velma looked back and forth at them.
“You believe him too? Then, why the pretense?”
“We had to see if he’s got it,” Jake said.
“Got what?”
“What’s our company motto?”
Velma smiled, as she finally understood.
“Caliber Detective Agency—We Never Give Up!”
The old man rose from his chair and stared out the window. Down on the street; Chris hailed a cab and went in search of answers.
The old man took a puff on his cigar and nodded his head.
“That’s my boy.”
CHAPTER 9
“Someone here to see you, Lou.”
Lieutenant Thomas Delaney looked up from his desk and saw Officer Shea O’Reilly standing in his doorway, behind her stood Chris Caliber. O’Reilly was five-two, a hundred and twenty pounds with short dark hair and a dark complexion; when she spoke, her voice was pure Brooklyn.
O’Reilly was chewing gum, and she made a loud popping noise with it, as she tossed a thumb back at Chris.
“The kid here claims to be a Caliber, but I thought that they were all nine feet tall and wore red capes.”
Chris smiled.
“You’re thinking of my grandfather, and he’s ten feet tall.”
O’Reilly turned around and sent him a grin.
“You’re a Caliber all right, you’ve got the wise mouth, and hey, when you see your brother, tell him that I’m still waiting for that call.”
“What call?”
“He’ll know what I mean. Now stop wasting my time and go in and visit the Lou, see ya around.”
Chris watched O’Reilly walk off and thought that the gun on her uniform-clad hip looked too big for her; he then looked over at Delaney.
“She’s cute.”
“She’d eat you alive.”
“Probably, why does she call you Lou?”
“It’s short for Lieutenant,”
“Right,” Chris said, as he walked in the office and sat across from Delaney.
Tom Delaney looked at him and let out a sigh, before reaching into his wallet and taking out two twenties, which he then tossed over to Chris.
Chris looked down at the money.
“What’s that for?”
“One each for your brother and your grandfather; I bet them that you wouldn’t come here, wouldn’t keep digging into the Reuben Smith/Mira Asher mess. You’d think I’d know better than to bet against a Caliber’s stubbornness.”
Chris grinned as he picked up the money.
“Granddad knew that I wouldn’t give up?”
“And Jake too,”
“So, what do you think about the case, Tommy? I can tell you that Mira never called her husband, which means that she had a partner.”
“Only if you believe that she murdered him and that it wasn’t a case of self-defense.”
“I think it was planned. I think Reuben Smith never mugged anyone. Mira’s dates were beaten up by her partner, and that same partner also made the call that sent Reuben Smith rushing to her apartment. I also think that same person killed her, but staged it to look like a suicide.”
“Let’s say that’s all true, now what?”
“We follow the money. Before her death, Mira inherited Smith’s money, now who inherits hers?”
Tom Delaney looked down at a paper on his desk.
“Her next of kin is a younger sister named Michelle. She lives in California, the San Francisco area.”
“Let me guess, she’s been in town visiting?”
“No, Ms. Asher, wait, it’s now Mrs. Garrett. According to this she just got married. She’s at home in California and has been all week. The cops out there verified her whereabouts.”
“Well, if she’s not our anonymous partner, then I’d vote for Gary Rollins. He’s Mira’s ex-lover and Reuben’s ex-best-friend.”
“He’s a jerk, but he’s innocent. When Mira was having sleeping pills shoved down her throat he was with a client in Westchester, a rich client who was picked up on a DUI.”
“What about Sammy Kaye, Mira’s neighbor?”
“Him?”
“Yeah, I know, he doesn’t strike me as the cold-blooded killer type either, but he knows all the players.”
“Sammy Kaye is a fashion designer, independent; he owns his own business, Kaye Fashions. He has no criminal record.”
Chris shook his head.
“It’s got to be the sister, Michelle; she’s the one who’s winding up with the money.”
“She’s flying in Thursday to bury her sister, Myer Funeral Home, on tenth.”
Chris nodded.
“I think I’ll go and pay my respects.”
***
Sammy Kaye opened his door and smiled slyly when he saw that Chris was by himself.
“Alone at last.”
“Don’t get your hopes up, Sammy; I’ve only come for information.”
“Oh, handsome, give me a chance and you’ll learn a lot about yourself.”
Chris laughed, and then he noticed the suitcase near the sofa.
“Where are you headed?”
“Baltimore, there’s a chain of boutiques there that have shown an interest in my designs; I’m meeting their buyer tomorrow.”
“Good luck, but listen, I’m at a dead end on this case and I think you can help.”
“What case? I thought that the police had stopped investigating?”
“Officially they have, but I’m not buying the official version of what happened to Mira.”
Sammy’s hand flew to his throat.
“Good lord! You think she was murdered?”
“I do, and I need you to think. We know that Gary Rollins didn’t kill her, so who else might have done it?”
“Maybe it was one of those three men,” Sammy said.
“What three men?”
“You know; the three she dated that all got mugged? Maybe only two got mugged and the third was the mugger. If he faked his injuries, it would have thrown suspicion off of himself.”
Chris smiled.
“I could almost kiss you.”
Sammy came closer.
“Almost?”
Chris backed away.
“It’s a figure of speech.”
As he was returning to the office, Chris called Delaney and told him Sammy’s theory. Delaney said that he’d look into it and get back to Chris.
***
One look at Michelle Garrett and Chris knew that he was wasting his time. The woman was devastated by her sister’s “suicide” and kneeled in front of the casket and cried deep sobs.
Velma had gone with Chris to the Myer Funeral Home. As she watched Michelle Garrett wipe away tears, she spoke to Chris.
“She’s either innocent or the greatest actress in the world.”
“Well, she’s no actress, according to the info Delaney gave me, she works in a department store.”
“She’ll probably quit that job soon. When all the legal dust settles, she’ll be two million dollars richer.”
They managed to get Michelle Garrett to accompany them to a nearby coffee shop, where they asked her some questions. Michelle looked like a younger version of her sister, Mira, but there was an innocent air about her that Mira never displayed.
“Were you and your sister close?” Velma said.
“Yes, until about a year ago when she married Reuben and moved here. I liked Reuben, don’t get me wrong, but I knew that Mira was only marrying him because she believed that he’d be rich someday. It all just seemed so... mercenary. I think a marriage should only be based on love, don’t you?”
“Yes,” Velma said. “Marriage should be based on love... and sometimes patience.”
Chris sent her a sideways glance, but she avoided his gaze and so he resumed the interview.
“Speaking of marriage,” Chris said. “I understand that you’ve recently wed, congratulations.”
Michelle beamed a bright smile, and despite her tear-reddened eyes, she looked radiantly happy.
“Thanks, his name is Kyle and he’s an absolute dream.”
“Did he come with you?”
“No, he travels a lot on business. He had just left for China when all this insanity began.”
“It’s a shame you have to go through this alone.”
“Yes, but it can’t be helped, and Kyle will be joining me back in San Francisco when I return. Would you like to see a wedding picture?”
Velma and Chris nodded politely and sent casual glances towards the photo that Michelle took out of her wallet. A moment later, they both did a double take, and they knew that they had found Mira’s partner.
CHAPTER 10
Chris and Velma stood with Tommy Delaney and stared through the one-way mirror at Mira Asher’s partner and killer.
“So who is he really?” Chris said
“That’s what we’re trying to figure out,” Delaney said. “As far as we can tell, he’s been living as both men his whole life.”
“How is that possible?” Velma said.
“It isn’t, and we’ll figure it all out in time. We’ve already sent queries to the cops in the town he grew up in, but it’s a tiny town, real Mayberry, you know what I mean?”
“Is that where Mira met him?” Chris said.
“No, that was probably in San Francisco, and then when she ran into him here, she learned his secret. We think she blackmailed him into helping her kill her husband, and then he outsmarted her by marrying her estranged sister, who would eventually inherit all the money. In time, he might have killed Michelle too. He’d probably would have made it look like an accidental death. Then, he would have been home free.”
“How did Michelle take the news?” Velma said.
Delaney sighed.
“Not good, she’s under sedation at New York Hospital.”
The man they were staring at seemed to know that they were there, because he sent a wink and a smile towards the mirror.
Sammy Kaye, alias Kyle Garrett had not said a word since he was arrested.
“I’m betting he’s really Kyle Garrett,” Chris said.
“Why do you say that?” Velma said.
“Well, look at him, he’s not displaying any of the mannerisms that Sammy had; I would doubt he’s even gay.”
No sooner had the words left Chris’s mouth, when Sammy appeared. The man behind the mirror suddenly had a softer bearing and held his head in a different manner as his eyelids fluttered seductively.
“Son of a...can he hear us?” Chris said.
Delaney shook his head.
“Not a chance.”
“But he knows I’m here, somehow he knows I’m here.”
And behind the glass, “Sammy” smiled.
***
They left the station and caught a cab. When Velma told the driver where she wanted to go, Chris appeared puzzled.
“Why are we going there?”
Velma stared down at her hands, which were clenched together atop her lap.
“I want you to meet my husband.”
***
Sergeant First Class Michael David Channing stared up at the ceiling of his hospital bed inside a New York City Veteran’s Hospital.
Chris swallowed hard.
“How long?”
“Nearly three years,” Velma said. “His Humvee ran over an IED in Iraq that killed his men; only Michael survived.”
“Good lord, Velma. I’m so sorry,”
“Thank you, but now you see why nothing can ever happen between us.”
Chris reached over and took her hand.
“I’m still here for you, if you need to talk, if you need anything, you know?”
“Thank you; that means more than you realize.”
Chris looked down at Velma’s husband. The blonde young man had a pale complexion and appeared very thin.
“What do the doctors say?”
“They tell me that they don’t know, that he might never awaken, or he could wake tomorrow.”
“Who else knows about him?”
“Your mother; and I’ll tell your brother and grandfather tomorrow. It’s not that I’ve been keeping it a secret, it’s just that I hate being pitied.”
“I understand.”
“I’m going to sit here with him for a while. Why don’t you go home and I’ll see you at work tomorrow?”
“All right,” Chris said, before reaching over and giving Velma a hug, when he released her, he looked deep into her eyes. “You hang in there, baby, okay?”
Velma grinned.
“I work for the Caliber Detective Agency; we never give up.”
Chris nodded, kissed her on the cheek, and walked out into a lonely city.
CALIBER DETECTIVE AGENCY - TEMPTATION
By
REMINGTON KANE
CHAPTER 1
New York City
Kelli Ross and Velma Channing were inside Joe’s Deli having lunch together.
The two young women both worked for The Caliber Detective Agency, but their jobs were very different. Kelli, a redhead, was the personal assistant to the legendary Jake Caliber the third, while Velma, a blonde, worked alongside the old man and his grandsons as an investigator.
As they finished eating, Velma stared across the table at Kelli.
Kelli noticed and raised an eyebrow in enquiry.
“What’s that look for?”
“I was wondering why you’ve been asking me to come to lunch with you lately. When I first joined the agency you seemed to want nothing to do with me.”
Kelli made a face.
“I know, I was being a bitch, wasn’t I?”
“A little, so what’s changed?”
“In the beginning I thought that you might go after Jake, but then I found out that you were married... sort of, and anyone can see that it’s actually Chris who gets you going.”
Velma leaned back in her seat.
“I’m not sort of married, I am married. My husband’s catatonic state doesn’t change that fact and... Chris and I are just friends. He also seems hot and heavy with that girl, Kara.”
“Chris and Kara broke up. She also quit the agency.”
Velma sat up straight and grinned.
“They broke up, really?”
“I see that makes you happy.”
“Just for Chris’s sake, Kara wasn’t right for him. The girl was too flighty.”
“You’re not fooling me, Velma. You care about Chris, and hey, it’s only natural. Husband or not, you’ve been alone for a long time. I’ll tell you something else, I think Chris is in love with you.”
“He likes me, yes, but love?”
“I’ve known Chris since we were kids, trust me, he loves you.”
“There have been a lot of women since he found out I was married. I don’t think he’s pining away for me.”
“None of them meant a thing to him, not really. All he wants is you.”
“And what about you? Is Jake Caliber the only man for you?”
Kelli shrugged.
“I’m hopelessly in love.”
“Then, that makes Jake a fool for ignoring you, and as for Chris and I, nothing can ever happen.”
“The four of us are a mess, huh?”
“Gail told me about a saying that my Aunt Velma had, do you remember it?”
Kelli grinned.
“Yes, she used to say, ‘It’ll all work out in the end, or it won’t, so deal with it.’”
“She was a wise woman.”
***
As they were walking back to the office, Kelli’s purse was snatched from her by a man in his twenties wearing a torn sweatshirt and dirty jeans.
Velma gave pursuit, but a moment la
ter, the man’s escape came to an abrupt end as a patrol car suddenly blocked his path. The thief ran into the cop car with a thud, and the resulting impact knocked him to the ground.
Kelli joined Velma just as the cop was putting on the cuffs. The cop was young and good looking, and after he placed the thief in the patrol car, he spoke to Kelli.
“He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
“No, Officer, I’m fine.”
“It’s Officer Kent, my name is Jason Kent.”
Kelli smiled.
“I’m Kelli Ross.”
***
As the officer drove away, Velma spoke to Kelli.
“Officer Kent seemed interested in you. Are you going to pursue that?”
“Maybe.”
“Good, I think you’ve spent enough time waiting for Jake Caliber to come to his senses.”
Kelli was still watching the police car.
“Who?”
“Jake, Jake Caliber, remember him?”
“Officer Kent has a great smile, doesn’t he?”
Velma grinned.
“Yes he does.”
***
The two women returned to the agency and Velma learned that they had a new client.
A man named Victor Jansen was on his way up and his problem sounded like a Red Case.
As Kelli settled behind her desk in the reception area, Velma entered the office and smiled hello to Jake, Chris, and the old man, Jake Caliber the third.
The office was lit by bright sunlight streaming in from the windows behind the elder Jake’s desk and reflected off the green plaster walls and shiny hardwood floor. The air was scented with cigar smoke, as it usually was when the old man was about.
Only two things hung on the walls, one was a wooden clock above the door; the other was a glass case containing a strange looking gun, the same gun used by the old man’s grandfather on the plains of Texas over a hundred years ago.
Chris was seated on the sofa on the right-hand side of the large office, but stood as Velma walked over.
“How was lunch?”
“Good, but Kelli had her purse snatched.”
The old man gazed over at Velma.
“Did you catch him?”
“I gave chase, but a cop named Jason Kent stopped him. He’s now Kelli’s hero.”
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