the rush?” she mused aloud. “There’s no time limit is there?”
Daniel McCullough, CEO of Finders Inc., shoved open Shelby’s door and stepped into the room, his smile huge.
“About time you got back to this country, kiddo.” He wrapped Callie in a bear hug, then tapped the end of her nose before grinning at Shelby. “I heard the last question—let me answer.” He turned back to Callie.
“Before the case was brought to our attention, the lawyers tried several other locators—with no success. In fact, several people were hurt in the process. They came to us because of our reputation for completing every case, and because time is running out. We must have the papers signed within two weeks, or the government becomes the administrator of the estate to dispose of at its discretion.”
“And you don’t think they’re up to it or what?” The inflection in Daniel’s voice told Callie the story was not complete.
“Let us just say we’ve learned that the person who would be handling this estate as the government’s representative has been approached to disperse the historical and very rare artifacts to purchasers who have no interest in preserving our country’s heritage.”
“Not only would that be a great loss,” Shelby added, “but it goes against everything the owner of the estate wanted, and that’s not even mentioning that the money would be wasted. The estate is quite large as you’ll see when you visit it. Management fees would eat it up.”
“Okay, then. Good to know.” Callie turned to leave. “I’ll get to work on Josiah’s background.”
“In a minute.”
The worry threading through Shelby’s voice drew her attention. She faced the other woman, schooling her features to conceal any emotion. She was good at that.
“I’m worried about you, Callie. You’re so thin and pale. You’re sure you want to do this?”
“I’m sure. And I’m fine. See you.” Callie walked out of Shelby’s office and found Daniel had followed her. He matched his step to hers.
“I wouldn’t say you look good, Callie, but you look better than the last time you were in.”
“So do you.” She tilted her head, winked. “Three months of marriage must agree with you. I hear Samantha turned down a promotion. She’s got to be really happy being your wife to willingly give up her dream job.”
“I hope she’s happy.” Daniel’s cheeks darkened in embarrassment. “But turning down that promotion was totally her choice. I won’t say I’m not glad, though. We never expected to start a family so soon after we married—we especially didn’t expect to parent twins—but we’re both glad about it.”
“Twins?” Callie grinned, delighted that the couple had been so blessed, though a little hidden nerve in her heart renewed its persistent throb.
“Sam says she’s had enough fieldwork for a while. She comes into the office to help with training but that will probably end in a few months. She’s already finding the pregnancy very tiring.” He paused, stopped Callie from entering the elevator by placing his hand on her wrist. His eyes darkened, grew sad. “I’m sorry if I’m hurting you by telling you this, Callie.”
“Of course you’re not hurting me. I’m happy for you both.” She smiled to show she meant it, shielding the ache she was afraid would never go away.
“Thank you.” But the question remained in his eyes.
“Look, Daniel, things happen, change. That’s the way life is. I really am happy for both of you.” She met his stare and held it, knowing he’d see beyond her mask if she let him. “Bad things happened, but I have to get on with living. This case will give me the perfect opportunity to start over.”
“I guess. If that’s what you want.” His amber eyes peered through the black-rimmed glasses, a reprimand lurking in their depths. “You do know Max has contacted me. Several times. I told him what you said, but I felt like a heel doing it.” He touched her arm. “You have to talk to him yourself, Callie.”
“We did talk. Too much.” She shook her head. “I don’t have anything to say that Max Chambers wants to hear. Anyway, it’s too late for talking. The past is over, finished.”
“Who are you trying to convince, sweetie? Me, or you?” Daniel bent, brushed her cheek with a brotherly kiss. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. Keep depending on God. He’ll work it out.”
“Yeah.” Like God had done so much for her already. Callie reached up and hugged him. “That’s for you to pass on to Sam. Tell her—tell her to take care. And that I love her.”
“I will.” He stood watching as she stepped into the elevator, a frown disturbing his handsome features.
Well, why wouldn’t he frown? He and Max had been good friends. And she’d come between them.
Memories of that painful era threatened to burst through Callie’s fragile defenses and explode her thinly held self-control. Her defenses weren’t quite as strong as she wanted. Yet.
Determined no one would see her weaken, she stepped out of the elevator and slipped into a nearby ladies’ room where she splashed cold water on her face until she’d regained her composure. Once she was centered and in control again she made her way to the briefing room.
After absorbing a minutiae of details about Josiah Harpnell, Callie glanced up from her file, found Daniel lounging in the doorway, watching her.
“Well?”
“About what I expected. The estate is massive. Less detail on Josiah than usual, but then this case is different for Finders Inc., isn’t it?”
“Every case is different, but we usually have more to go on than what we’ve been able to give you.” He sank down onto a stool opposite her. “Callie, I have to tell Max something. He’s just called again, desperate to get in touch with you.”
And she knew exactly why.
“Maybe you don’t believe me but he’s out of his mind with worry, Callie. He cares about you.”
She couldn’t say anything, simply sat staring at her hands, waiting.
“He’s my friend, honey. Max is the closest thing I’ve had to a brother since Grant died.” His voice begged her to reconsider. “I can’t be your go-between anymore. I’ve got to tell him the truth. The two of you need to talk this out.”
Daniel didn’t know it but there was nothing for them to talk about. He wouldn’t understand that Max was only trying to do the right thing, to adhere to those principles he clung to so strongly. Daniel wouldn’t understand that she couldn’t bear to go back, to look into those eyes and see what lay there—the condemnation he never spoke of.
“Please, Callie. Just see him, let him know you’re all right.”
It was unavoidable and she knew it. The one last thing she had to do before the past was finally over, irrevocably finished.
“When do I ship out?” she whispered.
“Day
