Caliber Detective Agency - Box Set - Case Files 1-6 Read Online Free Page A

his car.
    The tow truck driver turned out to be a middle-aged woman, and Velma asked her a question.
    “Would it be possible for you to drop me in the city before you tow this car back to the rental facility?”
    “Sorry hon, but we don’t do that.”
    “Damn, then tell the rental office that I’ll be in later; right now I have to go.”
    Velma ran for the other car, just as the man was preparing to merge into traffic.
    “Hey! Can I still get a ride?”
    “Absolutely, hop in,”
    As they rode along, the man looked her over.
    “Aren’t you afraid to take a ride from a stranger?”
    Velma smiled.
    “I’ve disabled bigger men than you.”
    “I believe it; your smile alone nearly dropped me to my knees, so where are you headed?”
    “The Caliber building, it’s on—”
    “I know where it is, and I’ll have you there in no time.”
    “Thank you, Mr...”
    “Call me... Jacob, and you are?”
    “I’m Velma, Velma Channing,”
    “Velma? That’s an unusual name; in fact, I’ve only ever met one other.”
    “I was named after my aunt, from what I’m told she was quite a woman.”
    “It can be hard living up to a name, it’s probably better to make your own path.”
    “And what path are you walking? Judging by that suit, I’d say you’re a stockbroker.”
    “A wannabe lawyer actually, but if I do well at my interview today, I’ll be on my way.”
    “Please tell me you’re not a defense attorney.”
    Jacob laughed.
    “There are people in my family that would disown me if I did that.”
    ‘Why, what are you from, a family of cops?”
    “Something like that, so tell me, do you work at Caliber ?”
    “I just started, and already I’m late.”
    “Have you met Jake Caliber?”
    “Yes, both of them, the grandfather and the grandson,”
    “What’s the old man like?”
    Velma shook her head slightly.
    “He’s a throwback, but in a good way. Think of every old private eye movie you’ve ever seen and then realize that this man has actually lived that life, and on top of that, he even stopped a presidential assassination. He really is a living legend.”
    “The man who never missed,”
    “What’s that?”
    “That’s what they called the first Jake Caliber, the one that founded the agency, ‘The man who never missed.’”
    “Right, and they say that the old man inherited his skill. I envy him. It takes me hours of practice every month to stay proficient. Have you ever gone target shooting, Jacob?”
    “Me? No, hell I’ve never even held a gun.”
    “It’s a difficult thing to do, to shoot well, and Jake Caliber is supposed to be the best.”
    Jacob grinned.
    “It’s probably just P.R., you know, to build up the old man’s legend, spin for the agency,”
    “No. I’ve researched him; he’s the real deal. Jake Caliber the third stormed Omaha Beach as a sixteen-year-old marine and when he came back home he joined the family business by becoming a private eye. Over the years, he has dismantled six criminal organizations, solved an untold number of closed cases, many of them homicides, and even brought down an international drug cartel. While he was doing all this, he was shot over forty times, stabbed nearly a dozen more and even survived a car bombing. If he’s not the toughest man who ever lived, then I don’t know who is.”
    “You almost sound like you’re in love with him?”
    “Oh, believe me, if he were much younger I’d be in trouble; I’ve always had a thing for tough guys.”
    “And here I sit in a wimpy three-piece suit, damn.” Jacob said, and then he pulled the car to the curb and pointed out the window.
    “Here we are, the Caliber building,”
    “Thank you for the ride and good luck with your interview.”
    “You’re welcome Velma, and thanks,”
    The two of them just sat there then, gazing at each other. A moment later, Velma roused herself and got out of the car.
    Jacob called to her.
    “Could I see you sometime, maybe just for coffee?”
    “Jacob...