“Drop the rifle!”
Hollie made a sound of contempt, raised his weapon, and received a 9mm round directly between his eyes.
As Chris stared down at him, he sensed movement coming from behind him, and watched as Velma stepped onto the sand, along with two casino guards.
“That was close,” Velma said.
“Yeah, it looks like this time we owe Rayne for saving us.”
“That’s what that call was?”
“Yes.”
“Merriweather and Chancellor were shaken up, but they’re fine. They were escorted away by casino security.”
Chris spotted a stain on the back of Velma’s blouse.
“You’re bleeding. Were you cut?”
“Yes, by the glass, but it’s not a deep cut and it’ll heal in a few days.”
One of the guards offered Chris a handheld radio.
“It’s for you, Mr. Caliber, A Rayne Carver.”
Chris took the radio.
“Rayne, we’re all safe, thanks to you.”
“Thank God, and Hollie?”
“Dead.”
“I’ll join you and Velma as soon as I can, but first we have to dock back at the Marina.”
“We’ll see you later, and thanks again.”
Chris handed back the radio just as the police arrived, and a long day became even longer.
CHAPTER 22
The old man stood outside Maggie’s apartment and gave her a kiss goodnight.
When they separated, Maggie smiled and took his hand.
“Why don’t you come on in and have a drink?”
“That sounds good, do you have beer?”
“Sure.”
They entered and Maggie pointed to a stack of cardboard boxes.
“As you can see, I’m still unpacking.”
“I hope you’re here to stay?”
“I am, thanks to your help, when I woke up this morning I felt like a failure, but with the Willoughby case solved, I’ve got my confidence back.”
They settled on the sofa together and Maggie turned sideways to look at the old man.
“Where do you live, Jake?”
“I have an apartment back at Caliber.”
“Oh, is that what’s down that little hallway by the elevator?”
“Yeah, years ago, the whole building was office space, but the detective agency has been in the same spot for decades. The man who owned the building left it to me in his will, and soon after that, Gail opened Caliber Investigations.”
“You know, I was watching TV that night when you saved the President, and to this day, it’s the bravest act I’ve ever seen.”
The old man reached over, took Maggie’s glass from her hand, and sat it on the coffee table. He then leaned over and kissed her, while letting his hands explore her body. When they parted, Maggie let out a sigh.
“Oh God, is this really going to happen?”
“I think that’s up to you, Maggie. Am I moving too fast?”
She grinned.
“Jake, neither one of us is getting any younger. Let me show you the bedroom.”
She took his hand, and the two of them rose from the couch.
***
It was nearly midnight when Chris and Velma stepped off the elevator and headed towards their rooms in the hotel.
To Velma’s shock, Peter Gates was sitting on the floor outside their door.
“Peter, what the hell are you doing here?”
“I came by to warn you.”
“Warn me about what?”
“My wife had me followed by some sleazebag P.I., no offense, and the dude took pictures of us, take a peek.”
Peter held up his phone and both Chris and Velma looked at it, as Peter scrolled through a set of four photos, photos that showed Velma entering and leaving Peter’s motel room, and two filmed through a gap in the window curtains, which showed them seemingly locked in a kiss.
Chris snatched the phone from Peter’s hand and held it up to Velma.
“What the hell, Velma?”
“That’s not what happened. Yes, I went to see him, and yes he kissed me, but I shoved him away and left.”
“Why did you go to see him?”
Peter gave Chris a playful punch on the arm.
“Oh, I think you know the answer to that, partner.”
Chris dropped the phone, twisted Gate’s arm behind his back, and shoved him face first into the wall.
“Touch me again, Gates, and see what happens.”
When Chris released Gates, the tall man moved away from him and rubbed his shoulder; he then bent down and scooped up his phone.
“You’re too sensitive, Caliber, but anyway, Velma, if you get a call from my wife’s lawyer, you’ll know why.”
Velma grabbed him by the arm.
“Tell Chris the truth, Peter. Tell him that nothing happened.”
“Yeah, Chris, nothing happened, Velma just stopped by to talk about old times,” Gates said, but he was smiling as he said it.
“Goddamn you, Peter, why are you trying to screw up my life?”
Gate’s face turned serious, and he touched Velma on the cheek.
“I still think we would have lasted if you hadn’t lost the baby.”
“Baby?” Chris said, and the look on his face was one of astonishment. “You were pregnant with his child?”
Velma wiped away a tear.
“Yes, but I miscarried early in the first trimester.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about it before? You know, like maybe before you said you had no more secrets.”
A man peeked his head out of a nearby room and shouted at them.
“Hey! People are trying to sleep, if you want to fight, fight in your room.”
“We’re sorry,” Velma said, and then she took out her keycard. When she turned back around, she saw that Gates was heading for the elevators.
“Peter, come back here and tell the truth.”
“The camera doesn’t lie, Vel, and thanks for the new memories.”
“Bastard!” she said, and then she and Chris entered the room. When she turned to look at him, she noticed that Chris was staring at her strangely.
“What? You don’t really think that I went to his motel room for sex, do you?”
“Why did you go?”
“I wanted to find out what he was up to.”
“Up to? He just happened to run into you in a casino, what would he be up to?”
“I... I did not sleep with him.”
“I saw the pictures, Velma.”
“He grabbed me and kissed me and then I pushed him away.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about the baby?”
“What?”
“The baby you lost, how come you never told me about it? Why are you keeping things from me?”
Velma rushed over and poked a finger in his chest.
“Listen, I don’t have to tell you every personal minute detail about my life. We’re not married, we’re not even engaged, so don’t keep demanding that I reveal my soul to you.”
“I just want a little honesty.”
“No, you want me to bare my soul.”
“What else is there, Velma? Is there another husband somewhere?”
“Another...? Oh Chris, just go to hell.”
Chris shook his head, dismayed.
“I don’t really know you, do I?”
Velma wiped away tears, and then rushed into the bathroom.
***
Trace Pruitt pretended to be getting ice as Chris stormed by him and onto the elevator. Once the elevator closed its doors, Pruitt took out his phone and dialed.
“Yes?”
“It’s Pruitt, oh mysterious client.”
“You have something to report?”
“Yeah, it looks like Velma Parker will be sleeping alone tonight; Caliber-lite just slammed the door and left the room. Hello? Damn, you could at least say thank you.”
***
Chris was on his fo
urth drink in the hotel bar when he looked out towards the lobby and saw Rayne headed for the elevators with an overnight bag hanging from her shoulder.
He dialed her number, and saw her answer just as the doors opened on the elevator.
“Rayne, it’s Chris, turn around.”
She did as he said, and then spoke into the phone.
“Where are you?”
“In the bar, come on in and I’ll buy you a drink.”
“At this hour? Aren’t you tired?”
“Come on, I could use a friend.”
Rayne turned and watch the doors close on the elevator.
“All right, but just a quick one, I’m beat. I just drove here from Sayreville after retrieving my car.”
“One drink,” Chris said.
***
Hours later, Rayne awoke to bright daylight, showered, and then slipped into a white, silk kimono. She had ordered coffee before showering, and heard room service knock on the door just as she stepped into her slippers.
With coffee in hand, she entered the bedroom and slid the glass door aside to sit out on the suite’s balcony. As she was removing her laptop from the overnight bag, a phone inside the bag began ringing, and she answered it.
“Yes?”
“It’s Pruitt; I just thought you’d want to know. Peter Gates is on a plane back to Texas.”
“Good.”
“And ah, listen, I think those pictures are worth a bonus, don’t you?”
Rayne sighed.
“Yes, Mr. Pruitt, and I’ll send along another money order, anything else.”
“Yeah, look, I don’t know who you are or what’s going on, but did you get what you wanted?”
Rayne looked back through the glass patio doors, where Christopher Caliber lay sleeping amid tangled sheets, naked and sated.
“Yes, Mr. Pruitt, I got exactly what I wanted.”
CALIBER DETECTIVE AGENCY - CRUCIBLE
By
REMINGTON KANE
Join my Mailing List and Learn about New Releases. Also, get access to FREE Books and Short Stories, including The TAKEN! ALPHABET SERIES, QUICK – A TANNER Short Story, and A LITTLE OFF THE TOP – A TANNER Short Story. REMINGTON KANE http://www.remingtonkane.com/contact.html
CHAPTER 1
When the elevator chimed its arrival on the second floor of the Caliber Building, those already present naturally gazed in its direction, to see who was about to step off.
However, what normally deserved but a glance of interest turned into long stares, as the doors of the elevator slid aside to reveal the old man and Maggie.
Two people elbowed their office mates, while others whispered, and the newly formed couple walked past them with nods and words of greeting as they made their way to Maggie’s desk.
Maggie smiled at the old man.
“I told you they would stare.”
“Let ‘em, and hopefully the two of us together will become a familiar sight.”
“Hopefully? There’s no hopefully, Jake Caliber, you’ve got me firmly on the hook, and ah, why don’t we really give them something to talk about?”
Maggie leaned in, put her arms around his neck, and kissed the old man, causing all activity in the office to stop.
When they parted, the old man looked around and saw several shocked faces.
Maggie grinned.
“Should I not have done that?”
The old man held her chin between two fingers and kissed her on the lips.
“I like your style, woman.”
The elevator chimed once more and Gail stepped off. When she saw the old man, she walked over and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“I guess I’ll have to get used to seeing you down here more often now that Maggie works here, hmm?”
“Yes, and anyway, I’m in no hurry to get upstairs. Without Kelli there it won’t feel the same. I guess I have to make my own coffee too.”
Gail smiled.
“I’m looking out for you, you old goat. My new assistant, Lauren, will be filling in for Kelli until she returns. In fact, she should be there already.”
“She may be, I haven’t been up there yet.”
Gail looked perplexed.
“What do you mean? You live up there.”
Maggie answered.
“He didn’t make it home last night, Gail.”
For a moment, Gail appeared even more perplexed, and then she got it.
“Oh, I see, well um, I should be getting to my office. Have a great day you two.”
Maggie spoke to Jake as they watched Gail walk towards her office.
“I think I shocked her, and she doesn’t understand my attraction to you.”
“Neither do I, I’m just glad it’s there.”
Maggie gave him a peck on the lips.
“I have to get started on work, but I’ll come up and see you later?”
“Make sure you do that,” the old man said.
***
A short time later, when he stepped off the elevator on the third floor, the old man found Jake talking to Lauren in the outer office.
Lauren stood and introduced herself. She was an exotic-looking black woman with caramel-colored skin. Her reddish brown hair was curly and long, and her large eyes were blue.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”
“You too, doll, but I thought Gail said you were new, and I’m sure I’ve seen you around the building before.”
“I’m a former B-Girl.”
The old man smiled.
“So is Kelli, Gail’s last assistant, and soon to be my granddaughter-in-law.”
“Yes, I was just congratulating your grandson on his engagement.”
The old man looked around, saw the coffee, and grinned.
Lauren followed his gaze and headed for the table in the corner that held the coffeemaker and cups.
“I was told you drink it black and strong; I hope I made it the way you like it.”
“I’m sure it’s fine.”
Lauren handed him a cup and the old man sighed as he took the first sip.
“That’s good, any new clients coming in today?”
“No sir, but there are two scheduled for Monday, the files are on your desk.”
Jake spoke up.
“It’s good that it’s calm today, it’ll give Chris and the girls time to decompress after Atlantic City.”
“Will there be anything else, Mr. Caliber?” Lauren said, and then she looked at Jake, “Either Mr. Caliber?”
The old man opened his office door.
“No, we’re good, Lauren, and welcome aboard.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Jake followed his grandfather into the office and over to the desk, where he sat atop a corner of it.
“That’s the same suit you had on yesterday.”
The old man chuckled.
“You don’t miss a thing, boy, do you?”
“I guess that means that you and Maggie are working out, and I’m glad, Granddad, she seems like a winner.”
“Thanks, and I’m so damn happy that you’re marrying Kelli that I could burst, but say, when does she get out of the hospital?”
“I’ll be picking her up later this morning. I’ll try to get back after lunch.”
“Don’t rush things; we’ll only be having our usual Friday meeting. You just see that Kelli has what she needs to recover.”
“She’ll be staying with her aunt in Brooklyn. Her place is still a crime scene.”
“Thank God you got there in time to stop that sick bastard that tried to kill her.”
“She barely needed my help. She had already blinded him and jammed a knife in his gut.”
“Yeah, Kelli’s a tough girl, and she belongs in the family, and speaking of family, have you talked to your brother yet today?”
“No, but he should be back in time for the meeting with Velma and Rayne, or at least to check in before going home.”
“That boy saved the clients and did the
agency proud yesterday.”
“He’s got the grit, that’s for sure,” Jake said.
The old man stood.
“I have to go and change clothes.”
Jake put a hand on his shoulder, as a smile crossed his face.
“Did your father ever have a talk with you, you know, about girls?”
The old man grinned back at him.
“He sure did, I think it was in 1940, since then, I’ve sort of figured things out on my own.”
Jake laughed.
“Have you come to any conclusions?”
“Just one,”
“And what’s that?”
“That a good woman only gets better with age.”
CHAPTER 2
Chris Caliber awoke with a smile on his face, as he drifted out of a dream and into reality.
For just a moment, he was disoriented by his surroundings, but then remembered that he was away from home and staying at a hotel in Atlantic City. He yawned, and then sighed with pleasure as parts of the familiar dream replayed itself in his head.
Rayne, he had been dreaming of Rayne again, and as usual, he felt the twinge of guilt that came upon awakening from the fantasy. However, as his mind cleared of sleep, the memories sharpened, and he sat upright in bed as the truth hit him.
This time it had been no dream. This time he had actually been with her, and the guilt feelings that came from that realization were accompanied by a simple truth. Having Rayne, really having her, had been better than any dream of fantasy his mind had yet concocted.
“Rayne?”
She walked towards him from off the balcony, looking radiant in a white silk kimono, as a smile lit her eyes.
“Good morning,” she said, and then leaned over and kissed him on the lips.
Christopher sighed.
“Oh God, what did we do?”
Rayne sat on the side of the bed, facing him.
“I know that you’ve had more than your usual to drink, but I doubt it was enough to make you forget last night.”
Chris met her eyes, then, looked away.
“No, I remember everything.”
Rayne put a finger under his chin and turned his head back until he was gazing at her again.
“I’m not looking to cause you any trouble. What happens from here on is up to you.”
“What do you mean?”
Caliber Detective Agency Box Set 2 Page 16
