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

I...”
    He smiled. “I understand; I’m not your type.”
    “No! It’s not that, it’s just that things are complicated for me right now.”
    “Okay, but I’ll see you around.”
    “Maybe, but it is a big city.”
    “Oh I’ll see you around, count on it.” Jacob said, and then he watched her until she disappeared into the lobby.
    After Velma entered the building, Jacob drove into a parking garage a half block away, when he exited on foot, he walked back to the Caliber building and slipped inside.
    ***
    U pstairs in the detective agency, the two Jakes had a visitor.
    His name was Thomas Delaney. He was a fourth generation homicide detective and the grandson of Jake Caliber’s oldest friend. Delaney was a big man with short black hair and a trim moustache. He was married and the father of a boy and a girl. He sipped on a glass of whiskey as he shared a bit of news.
    “Deke Stoddard gets released today.”
    The younger Jake nodded his head.
    “Thanks for the tip; I’ll keep an eye out for him.”
    “Do that. Deke will come after you; he’s too stupid not to, it’s one of the reasons that he’s spent most of his life in prison.”
    “Jakey?”
    “Yes granddad?”
    “If you see that punk, plant ‘im, otherwise you’ll spend the rest of your life looking over your shoulder.”
    “I’ll be fine, besides, I’ve got my own personal bodyguard now, remember?”
    The two men shared a chuckle and Tom looked back and forth at them.
    “What’s this about a bodyguard?”
    “It’s a long story Tommy; I’ll tell you later over a beer.”
    “No can do Jake; it’s parent/teacher night at the school, Jenny would kill me if I missed it.”
    “All right, but how about the ball game on Sunday? A client sent me four tickets, so you can even bring Tommy Jr. along.”
    Delaney stood and headed for the door.
    “It sounds good, but right now I’d better get back to the station.”
    Delaney opened the door and Velma rushed in.
    “Mr. Caliber, I am so sorry I’m late, but my damn rental got two flats.”
    “Don’t worry about it kid; we don’t punch a time clock around here, and besides, it’s been slow lately.”
    Delaney held out his hand.
    “Since neither one of these savages will introduce us, I’ll do it. My name is Tom Delaney, and I take it that you’re Velma’s niece? I can see a resemblance.”
    “It’s nice to meet you Mr. Delaney, I’m Velma Channing.”
    “That’s Lieutenant Delaney,” The old man said. “Tommy there comes from a long line of flatfoots.”
    “It was nice to meet you too, Velma, and I’ll see you guys on Sunday.”
    After Delaney left, Velma took his vacated seat.
    “So what’s on the schedule for today?”
    Jake stood and grabbed his hat.
    “Why don’t you tag along while I pay an old friend a visit; his name is Deke Stoddard.”
    “Jakey?”
    “Yeah?”
    “You sure about that? Why go looking for trouble?”
    “Trouble’s coming one way or another, I might as well get it over with, huh?”
    The old man nodded. “Good point.”
    The sound of a scream came from the outer office, followed by the words, “Oh my God!” and all three detectives rushed toward the door. Velma reached it first and flung it open to find Jacob with Kelli, her eyes filling with tears.
    Velma rushed over and separated the two.
    “What the hell’s going on here? Are you following me?”
    Before Jacob could answer her, Jake walked over and encompassed Jacob in a massive bear hug that lifted him off his feet.
    “Welcome home little brother!”
    Velma cocked her head. “Little brother? He’s a Caliber?”
    “That’s Chris,” Kelli said. “Do you two know each other?”
    “He gave me a ride after my car broke down, but he said his name was Jacob.”
    Chris walked over to her with a grin.
    “Christopher Jacob Caliber, at your service,”
    Two strong hands reached out and spun Chris around by his shoulders and he found himself face to face with his grandfather. The old man looked him