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didn’t mean it that way. It’s just…Jason doesn’t tend to…” Matthew was trying to find a polite way of putting this. “He deals more with the operational end of things. I’m just surprised you crossed paths with him.”
    “He was outside my office when I came in this morning,” Cali smiled, remembering.
    “He was?” Matthew asked, surprised.
    She nodded and couldn’t suppress a giggle. It appeared Matthew had no idea about Jason and her assistant. “Yes. Apparently, Lisa needed some help carrying a few things.”
    He was quiet for a minute while he processed the information. When he looked into her eyes again, he saw the answer to his question. Shaking his head, “How did I not see that? How did I not know?”
    “Ma…Mr. Andersen, you can’t be expected to know about every relationship. I’m sure there are others.”

    “One,” he said, visibly upset, “yes, I should. It’s my job. Emotional ties mean possible vulnerabilities.” He paused. “And two,” he added, taking a deep breath, “being my brother, he should have told me.”
    Cali dropped her fork. “Your brother?”
    Matthew stopped mentally cursing his brother and looked at her with first a bit of concern and then chagrin. “Your father didn’t tell you anything, did he?” 
    She sighed. “Apparently not.”
    Picking up his fork again, “Let’s correct that,” he said, taking another bite.
    Cali nodded.
    ***
    He started with his and Jason’s backgrounds, sharing that they were both in the military for a while. She learned of the initial letter her father received from the anonymous source that had started the mystery they were trying to unravel. And then Matthew explained how he and his brother came to work for Stanton Enterprises via a mutual friend at the Chicago Police Department.
    Matthew told Cali of an incident where one of the shipping managers was blackmailed. The man had been having an affair and was coerced into giving out shipping information after receiving potentially damaging photos of him and the woman. It shed some light on just why he was so upset when finding out about his brother and Lisa.
    Finally, he filled her in on the shipment this Friday and its importance. This was the third attempt on the same delivery, and the clients were getting restless.
    “Jason and I will be there personally to make sure things go as planned.” 
    Cali was silent for a long time. Their lunches were long gone, their plates removed, and the bill paid. She was staring blankly at the table, thinking. Raising her eyes to meet his, she said, “I should be there too.”
    “No,” he said firmly.

    She nodded her head. “If this shipment is as important as you say it is, then an extra set of eyes could help.”
    Matthew was shaking his head. “No. It’s too dangerous.”
    “I’ve lived in Africa for the last two years, Mr. Andersen. I think I can handle a simple shipment of supplies.”
    Matthew tossed his napkin on the table and stood. “It’s my decision, and I say it’s too dangerous.”
    He was clearly frustrated, and he waited for her to stand. Finally, when she was in front of him, she said, “I am your boss, Mr. Andersen.”
    “Not on this you’re not,” he said. He turned toward the door and left her no choice but to follow.

Chapter 9
    Matthew got off on the thirtieth floor, and Cali continued up to her office. The walk back was tense and silent. Matthew didn’t even comment as he exited onto his floor. He was clearly upset, but so was she.
    When Cali stepped off the elevator, Lisa stood. “Cali, there you are…Are you okay?” she asked, concerned.
    Cali took a deep breath. “Yeah, I’m fine.” She would not let him get to her.
    Still unsure, Lisa hesitated. “Mr. Carson was a little early, so I went ahead and put him in the conference room.” She gave Cali an apologetic look. “Do you need me to get you anything?”
    “No,” she said with conviction. “Please let Peter know I’ll be with him in