Caliber Detective Agency Box Set 1

by Remington Kane

Jake uncrossed his legs and sat forward.

  “Kent? The guy’s a jerk.”

  “Kelli seemed to like him well enough.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I think there are sparks there, and Kent certainly is good-looking.”

  “If you like the preppy type.”

  “Hey!” Chris said.

  Jake waved a hand at him.

  “You’re not nearly as preppy-looking as you used to be. Granddad and I have been a good influence on you.”

  Velma looked over at the old man.

  “So, what’s Victor Jansen’s story?”

  “All we know so far is that he thinks someone is out to kill him.”

  There was a knock at the door. A moment later, Kelli introduced them to Victor Jansen.

  Jansen was 58, but looked younger, as he was in good shape and dyed his hair dark. He owned a successful toy manufacturing plant that specialized in tough metal trucks that came with thick rubber wheels.

  Jansen sat before the desk, as Chris, Velma, and Jake, stood to the right and left of the old man’s chair. When Jake learned what it was that Jansen manufactured, he leaned across the desk and shook Jansen’s hand.

  “My brother and I got one of your trucks every year on Christmas. They were great because they never broke.”

  Jansen smiled.

  “I hear that all the time. My father started the company and people in the business said he was crazy to use that much steel just to make a toy, but they’ve been selling well for nearly fifty years.”

  The old man gestured at Jansen with his cigar.

  “Tell us your story, sir.”

  “All right, well, two nights ago as I got out of my car in a parking garage, a black sedan nearly ran me down. I didn’t see the driver’s face at all, but the silhouette looked like it belonged to a man. I did get the last two digits of the license plate, they were a seven and a four, seventy-four.”

  “What did the cops say?”

  “They think it was a drunk or just an accident, but every time I look at the scrape on the side of my car I imagine what would have happened had I not climbed onto the hood in time.”

  “We can investigate, of course, but it sounds like you may also need a bodyguard. Do you have any reason to think that someone would want you dead?”

  “No... not really.”

  “Not really?”

  Jansen gazed up at Velma for a moment, but then he spoke.

  “My wife, my second wife, she’s much younger than I am, thirty years younger... and there’s no pre-nub. However, let me say right now that I’ve no reason to suspect her. Still, it makes a man wonder when something like this happens.”

  “Anything else?”

  “My son, Bart, he and I don’t always get along. If I were to die, he would inherit half of the company, as stated in my will, but again, I can’t imagine he would do anything like this. Despite our battles over business, I know the boy loves me.”

  Kelli asked a question

  “You said that your son would get half of the company, who would get the other half, your wife?”

  “No, Veronica has no head for business. I’ve made other provisions for her. No, the other half would go to my nephew, John Jansen. John is relatively new to the company, but he’s increased sales dramatically since he’s been with us, and again, he’s family.”

  The old man thought for a moment, but then threw a thumb over his shoulder at Jake.

  “I would advise you to hire my grandson as a bodyguard. While he’s keeping you safe, he’ll also be investigating that hit and run and see if he can sniff out trouble before it happens.”

  Jansen looked up at Jake.

  “That sounds good, and he certainly looks capable of protecting me.”

  The old man offered his hand.

  “Do we have a deal, sir?”

  “Yes,” Jansen said, as he shook hands.

  The old man held his hand and stared into his eyes.

  “My grandson will keep you safe, count on it.”

  Jansen nodded and smiled. When he left, Jake walked him out, to begin his assignment.

  After Jansen departed, Chris made a suggestion.

  “Why not let Jake act as bodyguard while Velma and I investigate?”

  “I might do that if Jakey needs help, but Kelli said there was another possible Red Case downstairs.”

  “Another Red Case so soon?” Velma said.

  “We’ll know if they pass on it downstairs.”

  Kelli stuck her head in the office.

  “There’s a Mr. Taft on his way up, Mr. Caliber.”

  The old man smiled.

  “It seems that business is good.”

  CHAPTER 2

  “What’s Mr. Taft’s story, Kelli?” the old man asked in his raspy voice.

  “All I know is that they passed on it downstairs.”

  “Send him in when he gets here.”

  “Yes sir.”

  Kelli reappeared a minute later with Orson Taft at her side. He was a timid-looking man of sixty with a small frame, who wore glasses. When he spotted the old man, he rushed towards the desk with his hand extended.

  “Orson Taft, Mr. Caliber. May I say that it is an honor to meet you, sir; I still remember the day that you saved the president.”

  “Me too, I nearly died while doing it.”

  “Yes, well, you’re a living legend and it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  The old man gestured towards the chairs in front of his desk.

  “Have a seat and tell us your story.”

  Orson Taft settled himself into a chair and sighed.

  “It’s my daughter, Mr. Caliber. She’s recently become engaged to a man named Remmi Harlow. Harlow is no good. He’s been in and out of jail most of his life on petty crimes and once went to prison for assault. He admits to all that, but says that he’s a changed man. Unfortunately, my daughter believes him.”

  “But I take it that you don’t?”

  “Not for an instant, but here’s the thing, Remmi suddenly has money, lots of money. When I asked him about it, he told me that he started his own company exporting products. Sir, that boy couldn’t find this country on a world map, much less have the wherewithal to start his own export business. However, he does have money and I’m afraid of the source. That boy is up to something illegal and I don’t want him to drag my daughter down with him when he falls.”

  “What do you think it is, drugs?”

  “That’s what I fear, but whatever it is, once it’s proven to be illegal my daughter will leave him. She’s in love with the man, but she won’t put up with anything like that.”

  “We can investigate this Remmi Harlow and find out what he’s up to, how’s that sound?”

  “That sounds fantastic, when can you start?”

  “Mrs. Channing here will walk you out and then Miss Ross will take your details, after that, we’re on the case.”

  Taft stood as Velma walked over. He then shook the old man’s hand again.

  “Thank you, sir; you’ve eased a father’s mind.”

  After Velma left the room with Taft, Chris took a seat across from his grandfather.

  “You want me to look into Remmi Harlow?”

  “I thought maybe Velma could handle it alone.”

  “It sounds like there will be a lot of surveillance needed. Why not send both of us?”

  The old man stared into his eyes.

  “You really think that’s a good idea, Chris?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “She’s married, boy. The situation is lousy, I know, but she’s still married.”

  Chris shot up out of his chair and began to pace.

  “I know she’s married and I haven’t looked at her twice since learning that, but we have to work together sometime, don’t we?”

  “I don’t want to see you get hurt. I don’t want to see Velma get hurt either, that girl is like family.”

  Chris stopped pacing and l
eaned across the desk.

  “No matter what, I would never hurt her, you know?”

  “Yeah, I do, why don’t you go get the details of the case from Kelli. You’ll be working it too.”

  “Thank you, Granddad, for trusting me.”

  “You’ve earned it.”

  ***

  After Chris left to join Velma, the old man smoked a cigar while strolling about the office and thinking over the two new cases.

  When Kelli knocked on the door a short while later, he told her to enter.

  “Mr. Caliber, there’s a Maggie Steele on the phone. She said that you would know her?”

  The old man grinned.

  “Hell, Kelli, Maggie is my Cousin Blue’s widow.”

  “Oh, well she’s on line one, sir.”

  “Thanks doll, and bring me a coffee, will ya?”

  “Yes sir.”

  The old man settled back behind his desk and picked up the phone.

  “Maggie?”

  “Hello Jake, how have you been?”

  “I’m the same mean cuss as always, but what about you?”

  “Oh I’m good, and thanks to my daughter, Jenny, I’ll be a grandma soon.”

  “That’s great news; I don’t know what I’d do without my two grandsons, but I guess you’ve got something else on your mind too, hmm?”

  “I sure do, Jake, but it’s for a friend of mine, Joy Preston. Joy’s son, James, is missing, or at least she thinks he is; she hasn’t seen him in over a year.”

  “Sadly, a lot of people go missing, Maggie.”

  “I know, but the thing is, even though Joy hasn’t heard from Jimmy, someone keeps sending her money. Last week on her birthday she received a gift in the mail. She thinks that it must be Jimmy, but if it is him, then why don’t he come home to visit? I know the boy, Jake; he was always on the wild side, but he was also a mama’s boy through and through. There’s something strange going on here, something ain’t right.”

  “What would you like me to do?”

  “Well, you’re the expert in things like this and I know that Caliber has an office here, so I was hoping that you could put me in contact with someone in the Fort Worth branch, someone you trust.”

  “This Joy Preston, is she a good friend of yours?”

  “Oh hell, I’ve known Joy since the cradle; she’s like a sister to me.”

  “In that case, forget a recommendation, I’ll be there tomorrow.”

  “You’re coming here?”

  “You’re damn right I am, and not just to help this Mrs. Preston; it’s been too long since I’ve seen you and the girls.”

  “Oh Jake, I don’t know how to thank you.”

  “We’re family, Maggie, no thanks needed, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  After ending the call, the old man looked up to see Kelli walk in with his coffee.

  “Thanks doll, now I need you to do something else for me. Book me a flight to Dallas; I’m going to visit family tomorrow.”

  “All right, and I hope that nothing is wrong?”

  “No, they’re all good, but there’s something there I need to look into, and oh yeah, let Gail know that I’m going, and if another Red Case shows up, contact Jakey.”

  “Yes sir.”

  Two minutes later, the elevator BINGED! and Gail Caliber marched off of it and straight into the old man’s office. Kelli left her desk and followed her inside.

  “What’s this about you going to Texas to work a case?”

  “I’m just doing a favor for Maggie Steele.”

  “Your cousin? Is she in trouble?”

  “No, the son of a friend of hers has gone missing and I told her I’d look into it.”

  “Take Jake with you; he hasn’t been there in years.”

  “Jakey’s on a Red Case.”

  “Well then, take Chris or Velma.”

  “They’re working a case too.”

  Gail stood in front of the desk and stared at him with a worried look.

  “What’s that face for? I can take care of myself, lady.”

  “I’m... I’m not worried about you, you old fool. I’m worried that you’ll get into trouble in Texas and then I’ll have to come and bail you out.”

  “Ha! The day I need your help on a case is the day I retire.”

  The worried look returned to Gail’s face, but then she spotted Kelli.

  “Take Kelli with you, that way I’ll know that someone will be keeping an eye on you.”

  “What? I don’t need a nursemaid. I’m not that damn old yet.”

  “She won’t be a nursemaid, she’ll be—”

  “Damn it, woman, I said no!”

  Kelli walked over to him and placed a hand on his arm.

  “Mr. Caliber, I wish you’d reconsider. I would love to see you work.”

  “You really want to tag along to Texas?”

  “Yes sir, can I come too... please?”

  “All right kid, make those reservations for two, and you’re in for a treat, Maggie’s the best cook in Texas.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  The old man stared at Gail.

  “Anything else?”

  “No, and have a safe trip.”

  “Um hmm.”

  After Kelli escorted Gail to the outer office and shut the door, Gail made a sigh of relief.

  “Thank you, Kelli.”

  “You’re welcome, and I know that you’re worried about him traveling at his age, but I’ll look out for him.”

  “Worried? About that old fool? No, it’s like I said, someone needs to go along to keep him out of trouble.”

  Kelli said, “Yes ma’am,” with a slight smile on her lips.

  Gail stepped on the elevator without another word, but spoke as the doors closed.

  “Take good care of him.”

  Kelli smiled.

  “I will.”

  ***

  The next day, Kelli and the old man arrived at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

  As they left the baggage carousel, Kelli spotted a young woman holding a sign that said, CALIBER.

  They walked over, and to the old man’s surprise, the woman greeted him with a kiss on the cheek. But then he realized who she was, and greeted her with a heartfelt hug of affection.

  “Good God, girl, but you’ve grown up, and you’re as beautiful as your mother. But I’m forgetting my manners. This young lady with me is my secretary, Kelli Ross, and Kelli, this is my cousin; her name is Blue Steele.”

  CHAPTER 3

  Chris watched Velma walk back to their car and, as always, he felt a pang of longing in his heart.

  The two of them were in Fort Lee, New Jersey, where they sat outside a warehouse waiting for Remmi Harlow to reappear. The sign on the warehouse read: Harlow Exports.

  They had followed Harlow there an hour earlier, as they tried to determine whether the man was up to no good. Harlow had been wearing well-worn jeans along with a hooded sweatshirt and sneakers, not exactly business attire.

  When Velma spotted a coffee truck parked over by the next warehouse, she went on a food run.

  “I got you a bagel to go with the coffee, we could be here for a while.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Thanks? That’s all you have to say? You’ve been quiet lately.”

  “I guess that I don’t have much to say.”

  “Kelli told me that you and Kara broke up, I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “Why?”

  “What?”

  “Why were you sorry to hear that we broke up?”

  Velma stared at him for a moment, but then shrugged.

  “I guess it’s just something people say.”

  They sipped their coffee in silence, but then Chris broke it with a question.

  “How is your husband doing?”

  “He’s the same, Chris. Michael is always the same.”

  “I see.”

  More silence passed between them, then, Chris saw Velma wipe at her eyes.


  “Velma... are you crying?”

  She turned and looked at him with wet eyes.

  “I’m losing you, aren’t I? You’ve been such a good friend to me and I’m losing you because I can’t be more than a friend... despite the fact that I want so much to be.”

  “You have feelings for me?”

  “Of course, you idiot; why do you think I’m crying?”

  Chris smiled a wide grin.

  “Why are you suddenly so happy?”

  “Because I thought that what I felt, that I was feeling it alone, but I’m not, am I?”

  Velma reached over and took his hand.

  “If I weren’t married...”

  “But you are.”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “And so you won’t...”

  “I can’t. I made a vow.”

  Chris shook his head and sighed.

  “What?”

  “Your husband has been in that catatonic state for nearly four years, and you still remain faithful.”

  “You think it’s foolish, don’t you?”

  Chris squeezed her hand.

  “No, honey, in fact, it only makes me love you more.”

  ***

  At the Jansen Toy Company in Brooklyn, Jake walked beside Victor Jansen, as the older man gave him a tour of the company’s main factory, a tour that ended with the office suite.

  Jake was dressed for it in a black suit, blue shirt, and gray silk tie. The suit was tailored just so, in order to disguise the bulge of his shoulder holster.

  A young woman walked towards them, she was 24, with auburn hair and green eyes, and Jake studied her shapely legs as she drew nearer.

  Jansen introduced them, but told the woman that Jake was the son of a friend and that he was interested in learning the toy business. The ruse was Jake’s idea. If someone was out to get Jansen, the last thing he wanted was for him or her to go into hiding, but if he was thought to be harmless, then they might make a move and expose themselves.

  “Jake, Katy Grey is one of the company’s rising stars. She’s our best salesperson.”

  “It’s nice to meet you,” Jake said, and he noticed that Katy’s eyes flowed over him with interest.

  “You should have him come out on the road with me one day, Victor; I could teach him a thing or two.”

  “No, I think Jake could learn more inside.”

  “Inside or out, I’m sure that Katy knows a few tricks,” Jake said.