Author's notes: I just wanted to thank the many of you who have added me to their Story and Author Alerts. I am so very flattered that you wish to follow my adventures with Special Agent Callie Harris. This is mostly her story so I hope you enjoy.
P.S. - I hope, this time, some of you will take the opportunity to review the tale as well. Your encouragement and critique is most welcome.
The well dressed, distinguished looking gentleman wandered around the corner of the bullpen, obviously in search of someone or something. McGee had been alerted to his presence from the chiming of the elevator. He had paid no attention until the man stood directly in front of Tim's desk.
"May I help you?" McGee asked.
Looking down his nose, he intoned, "I'm looking for Callie Harris."
Tim noted several things in that simple statement. One – he didn't call Callie by her title of Special Agent; two – he spoke her name as if it were an affront; and, three – he addressed McGee as if he were an underling, not worthy of his time.
McGee disliked him instantly. "Special Agent Harris is away from her desk. May I help you?"
Again, he looked at Tim as if he were a pariah and then replied, "No. I'll wait." And he promptly dismissed the agent by turning his back on him.
Callie was returning from a date in the file room, her jeans and shirt covered in dust and cobwebs. She had been on a mission to find a case jacket that had been misplaced. Two days of digging had finally resulted in success. As she rounded the corner, coming from the back staircase, Harris immediately recognized the suited man waiting for her. Coming into the work area, she called, "Blevins?"
Hearing his name, he turned instantly, and replied, "It's about time."
Callie crossed to the older man and asked quietly, "What do you want?"
"Is there someplace we can speak? Privately?" He cast a disdainful glare towards McGee.
Callie followed his stare and landed on McGee.
"Everything okay Agent Harris?" Tim stood as he spoke.
Callie smiled, "Fine, Tim. Thanks. I've got it from here. I'll be back in a minute." She turned back to Blevins, "Follow me."
With one last withering glance at Tim, the man followed Callie away from the open area. McGee immediately called down to the reception desk to get the full name of the irritating man.
Harris led Blevins into the main conference room. She just allowed the door to snap closed before she turned on him. "Slumming, Blevins?"
His contempt for her was no less concealed as he replied, "Your father died Sunday."
Callie didn't flinch as she replied, "What's that got to do with me?"
"The services are this weekend."
"Again, what's that got to do with me?"
He sighed in exasperation, "It is your father's wish that you be in attendance."
Callie's smile didn't reach her eyes as she spat, "And when have my father's wishes ever meant a tinker's damn to me?"
Blevins placed his briefcase on the table. Opening it, he drew out a single sheet of paper which he handed to Callie.
"Per the codicil of his will, he expects all of his children and wives to be in attendance for his funeral and the reading of the will. Failure to attend, by any of you, will result in all of his estate being forfeited to charities of his choice."
Callie read the words for herself and her already pitched temper flew again, "That son of a bitch!"
"The visitation is Friday; funeral, Saturday and the reading of the will on Monday. There will also be a family meal on Sunday, at the ranch, that you'll be expected to attend." Blevins soldiered on, ignoring Harris' bluster, "The corporate jet will pick you up Thursday morning at 10:00 am. Here's the airport information." And he drew another sheet of paper from the briefcase and closed it.
"Fine," Callie capitulated, "But, I'm not staying at the ranch."
"I expected as much. The apartment will be at your disposal for your entire stay, along with a car and driver. Also," he paused for effect, "you'll want to remember the type of company you'll be in. Dress accordingly."
"Anything else?" Harris spat.
"Just direct me out," Blevins intoned.
Tony had returned to the bullpen to find Callie missing, per usual; Gibbs missing, probably on a coffee run; and McGee talking quietly on the phone. He caught movement out of the corner of his eye and turned to see Harris, purpose in her stride, headed towards the elevator with a meticulously dressed older gentleman following her. Neither individual's body language spoke of pleasure. Tony continued to watch as Callie slammed the call button and stood aside, making sure not to make contact with the man, as he entered the elevator. No words were spoken and Callie continued to stare, long after the elevator doors closed.
She was still in that pose when Gibbs walked up behind her. Sensing she was no longer alone, she glanced up and caught the muted reflection of the boss. Tony watched as she turned to the older agent and spoke a few quiet words. Gibbs nodded and then turned around, going back the direction from which he came, Callie right behind.
From his desk, Tim had stood as the elevator doors opened and closed and also watched the scene between the man he knew as Blevins, Callie and now, Gibbs. Once Harris was off the floor, McGee turned to see DiNozzo staring at him.
"Something you know, McOgle?"
"Yeah, that guy with Callie? He's a real asshole and she was not happy to see him." Tim explained.
Tony's curiosity was instantly piqued and he crossed to McGee's desk. "Who is he?"
"Visitor's desk says his name is J. Michael Blevins. I'm about to search now." Tim answered.
"And you say Callie wasn't pleased he was here? Did she know him?"
"Seemed to but he didn't want to spend much time up here and she acted like the feeling was mutual," Tim continued to talk as he searched the computer.
The result was a website that showed a picture of their distinguished guest, J. Michael Blevins, Attorney at Law. "Says he's out of Houston," McGee read.
"That's where Callie's from, originally. See if it shows a client list," Tony ordered.
Another quick search revealed a partial list of names, prominent among them: Corwyn-Harris Enterprises.
"That one," Tony pointed, "is Callie's father's business."
McGee was surprised DiNozzo knew so much. Harris was notoriously closed-mouthed about her family, even more so than Tony. "What's his name?"
"Calvin Harris," Tony supplied.
The next search pulled an article from the Houston Chronicle newspaper. In bold headlines, just below the fold, read, Prominent Business Man Dies. Tony and Tim shared a look.
DiNozzo finally broke the silence, "Don't say anything until she does, Tim. If Cal wants us to know, she'll tell. Otherwise, keep it to yourself."
McGee nodded and cleared his computer. Tony returned to his desk to wait and see what move Callie Harris would make next.