Gibbs and Harris were ushered into a well appointed conference room in the back of the offices of J. Michael Blevins, Attorney at Law. Already seated were Callie's brother, sister and step-mother, along with their witnesses, Nick and Mitchell. Callie and Gibbs took the seats farthest away from where Blevins would serve as monitor for the event.
The door opened a second time, admitting Callie's mother and step-father and Blevins. Taking the last seats, the attorney began the proceedings.
"As you have all fulfilled the terms of the codicil for the will of Calvin Edward Harris, it is my duty to oversee the division of his estate as outlined in said last will and testament. Once read, all bequeaths are final and any attempt to contest the decisions will result in forfeiture by all with the estate reverting back to charities. Is this understood?"
The gathered heirs nodded their agreement and Blevins continued with reading.
"To my first wife, Caroline Boston Harris Franchetta, I leave the sum of $10,000.00."
Callie watched her mother's face fall at the pittance left by her ex-husband. Harris knew she wouldn't accept the amount quietly.
Blevins read on, "To my second wife, Leesa McCallum Harris, I leave the sum of $20,000.00."
Hearing the figure, Callie glanced at Leesa. They shared a nod and a knowing smile.
"To my youngest daughter, Kayla Elaine Harris, I leave the property known as Harris Ranch, including all furnishing, minerals and other revenue producing interests. If desired, Kayla may establish a life estate for her mother, allowing her to live out the remainder of her life, debt free, on the property."
Gibbs watched as Kayla reached across the table to grasp her mother's hand. He had noticed that, although the woman probably wasn't much older than him, her health appeared to be quite fragile. This gesture was, most likely, a weight lifted from both their shoulders.
"To my son, Kyle Edward Harris," Blevins continued, "I leave the business, Corwyn-Harris Enterprises. This is to include all real estate holdings, revenue and stock in the company. The title of Chief Executive Officer will be immediately conferred and, at the first stockholders meeting after the reading of this document, a vote is to be called for the election of the new Chairman of the Board."
Nick slapped Kyle on the back, the younger man beaming at the gift. Callie knew he had worked long and hard for their father and he deserved this boon just as Kayla deserved the house.
The gestures were not lost on Gibbs. If he understood the things that had been said this morning, coupled with the information Callie had shared over the last few days, he knew why she'd believed she had one last battle left.
"Finally, to my oldest daughter, Callie Frances Harris, you received your inheritance from your grandmother years ago. As you wanted nothing from me in life, I see no reason why you should benefit from me in my death. You have reaped what you have sown."
Callie dropped her head, a small smile playing around her lips. Calvin Harris had delivered what he thought would be a killing blow from beyond the grave. Kayla and Kyle shared a knowing look. Their mother had warned them of this possible outcome.
From her position closest to Blevins, Caroline stood up in a rage, "This is absolutely ridiculous! The man has that much money and wealth and he only leaves me a measly ten thousand dollars! There's no way I'm going to accept this!"
From her position at the table, Callie stood and glared at her mother, "You will accept the terms, mother. You will sign whatever documents Blevins has and you will leave this place quietly and with a modicum of decorum."
"You will not speak…" Caroline began only to be stopped as Gibbs stood up behind his agent.
Then, around the table, Nick, Kyle, Mitch and Blevins stood, joining the show against the raging woman. Realizing her bluff was being called, she backed down, turning a gaping look to the attorney in charge.
"Sign now, Caroline, and you can walk out of here with your check," Blevins answered, waving the envelope in the air.
She gave her daughter one last withering look before dropping down in the chair and signing the agreements for the probate. Throwing the papers across the table, Caroline Franchetta grabbed her check from the attorney's hand and left without a backwards glance or departing word.
Kayla quickly rounded the table and grabbed her older sister.
"Now, Callie, I want you to know you're welcome at the ranch anytime. And, seeing as how much of the furnishings and stuff belonged to your grandmother, you just ask and it's yours."
Cal smiled at the generosity, "You know, Kayla, the only thing I would really like to have is my grandmother's portrait."
"Consider it done! I'll have it packaged and shipped back to your place in D.C." She smiled. Giving Cal one last hug, Kayla and Mitch signed the documents. Leesa stood and gave Callie one last quick hug and kiss and signed the papers, too. Joining her daughter and future son-in-law, they left the room.
Kyle closed to his older sister, "You know the apartment's yours anytime, too, don't you, Cal?"
Harris nodded. "And don't be in any hurry to leave it either," he continued.
"Well, my boss only let me off work through Tuesday. I have to be back at my desk in D.C. first thing Wednesday morning," she replied, a nod towards Gibbs as she spoke.
"Fine, then. You stay until Tuesday and then I'll have the jet ready for your return trip, including Gibbs and Tony." Kyle took charge.
Callie smiled, "When I get back to Washington, I'll have my attorney contact Nick. We'll arrange for a private sale of the Corwyn-Harris stock."
"Cal," Kyle began only to be cutoff.
"I don't need it or want it, Kyle. This way, there'll be no question as to you being named Chairman."
"What if you sold part of it to Nick instead of all to me?" Kyle quizzed. "I kind of like the idea of not being able to force things over. Father never agreed but it really was a good P.R. tool with the board."
"Whatever you decide, Kyle, will be fine with me." Callie shook hands with her brother, the deal basically done.
Kyle turned to leave the room but stopped. He looked back at his older sibling knowing that, most likely, this would be their last visit.
"I remember being seven," Kyle said simply.
Callie locked glances with her brother as he continued speaking, "I remember thinking how important I was that my sister from the Navy and a secret agent was staying with me in the hospital because my mama couldn't."
Harris smiled at the term "secret agent" remembering how the younger Kyle thought she was some James Bond-type spy.
"I don't know everything you did, Cal, but I do remember that. I just thought you should know." Kyle nodded and signing his papers, he handed them across to the still waiting Blevins. Then, he and Nick left the conference room.
Signing her forms with a flourish, Callie walked down to Blevins and dropped them in front of him.
Looking up, Michael asked, "What did Kyle mean just then, Callie? He broke his arm riding his bicycle."
Callie gave Blevins a knowing look, "I'm sure that's what you were told, J. Just like you were told Leesa had mental problems that endangered the kids and I had a drinking problem. He paid you handsomely to clean up his messes. Maybe you should have looked a little deeper."
And with that Callie and L.J. left the office.
Once inside the elevator, Gibbs spoke for the first time.
"You knew what would happen, didn't you?"
Callie nodded, "Yeah, I had a pretty good idea. But, like I told you yesterday at the Ranch, it wasn't their fault what happened between me and my father. It just wasn't fair to Leesa, Kyle or Kayla to make them pay. And, that's how well my father knew me. He knew I'd never let them lose what was rightfully theirs."
Gibbs shook his head, "You really should have let Tony empty his weapon into that S.O.B.'s grave, you know it?"
Callie laughed and Jethro smiled at the sound. For the first time, in almost a week, Harris sounded like herself. Gibbs was relieved.