The Delivery Girl

45. No Exceptions

Callen

I look up from my laptop as someone knocks on the door. Who could that possibly be? No one shows up unannounced. More importantly, why the hell isn't Jacob doing his job?

"Come in."

To my dismay, a certain detective bounces in. "Hiya Mr. Sterling!"

God help me. "Hello..." I raise an eyebrow. "What are you doing here? Did you set up an appointment with Hayley?"

He strolls up and stands in front of my desk. "No, she said she was busy and would get back to me, but she never ended up calling me back."

I'm almost certain that was on purpose.

I force myself not to sigh. "Ok. Would you mind waiting here? I'll be back in a bit."

I head straight down the hall towards the foyer, Jacob follows me. Hayley looks up from her computer as I stop in front of her desk.

"Hayley."

She raises an eyebrow. "Yeah?"

I pinch the bridge of my nose. "Care to explain why I have an unannounced visitor?"

She rolls her eyes. "The detective? He might not be the brightest bulb in the box, but he's the only one working on this situation." She frowns a bit. "You can't just ignore it, Callen. Something showed up at your house. The office is one thing, but your private property?"

It's not that I don't think she's right, I just hate that she is.

Jacob nods. "I watch you during work hours, but I'm not with you 24/7."

As if 24/7 protection from him would do shit. I groan and turn to Jacob. "Did you ever explain how you two know each other?"

"We're uh... cousins," he says sheepishly. "He's been having financial issues, he hasn't been getting many clients lately."

Hayley snorts. "Seriously? That... explains a lot."

I stare at him blankly. "You're kidding, right?" I fight the urge to throw him out of my office. "I pay you six fucking figures. Why can't you help him out?"

He begins turning red. "I, uh, I pay a lot in alimony and child support... two divorces and five kids." He rubs the back of his neck and looks away. "After all of that, I basically only have enough left for essentials."

I don't even know what to say. Where did dad find this guy? Did no one do a background check on him?

I pinch the bridge of my nose and take a deep, slow breath. "I... ok, fine, whatever. I don't care." I really don't care enough about this can of worms to open it right now.

The elevator doors behind us slide open and Julie enters. Her eyes widen as we all look over at her.

"O-oh sorry am I interrupting something?" she asks quietly.

It hurts seeing the worry on her face – so nervous, so cautious. It's frustrating having her so tantalisingly close. I want to touch her, hold her, but I have to pretend. Jacob already knows, but Hayley doesn't. I already know she's going to give me hell when she finds out. I'm delaying that conversation for as long as possible.

"No, I was just headed back. Would you mind waiting outside for a bit?" I don't want her to hear whatever Detective Carne is about to tell me. I need to protect her from all of this bullshit. "I'm about to have a confidential meeting."

She chews the inside of her cheek. I swear Julie is too smart for me. I can tell by the look on her face that she already knows. Of course she knows.

"Alright." Her voice is tight, clearly displeased.