"Okay, this should do it," Laura said as she and Daniel paused outside the glass doors of the Agency.
"Laura, I'm still not convinced that this is a good idea. Perhaps if you talk to Harry-"
Laura sighed. "Okay. I'll just find someone else," she decided. "Maybe Murphy would be willing to-"
Daniel took her hand, aware that Mildred Krebs was inside, watching them. The last thing he needed was for Laura to involve young Michaels in this. Even Harry had mentioned that his associate had been quite attracted to Laura at one time. Leaning toward Laura now, he gave her a light kiss on the cheek, glancing into the office in time to see Mildred's jaw drop. "I think we've accomplished your purpose for the moment. I'd be ready for the third degree from Miss Krebs, however."
"I can handle Mildred," Laura assured him, touching his cheek and smiling. "Call me later. Harry is supposed to be back for a meeting at two."
"I'll go along with this, Laura," he told her. "But if it begins to damage the fragile relationship with Harry-"
She touched his lips to stop him. "I know." She gave him a hug, then opened the door. "Thanks for lunch. Six o'clock at my place."
Daniel sighed, but responded. "I'm looking forward to it, my dear."
"Any calls, Mildred?" Laura asked, moving to look for any message slips.
"Your mother called," Mildred told her. "Miss Holt-"
"My mother?" Laura asked, relief flooding her as she looked at the message slip. The number was her home one in Connecticut. She wasn't in LA. "Did she say what she wanted?"
"No. Miss Holt-"
"Who's my next appointment?" she asked.
Mildred glanced at the appointment book. "Mr. Jacobs. He should be here any minute."
Laura moved toward her office. "Thank you. Let me know when he arrives."
Mildred rose and followed her. "Miss Holt, I know it's probably none of my business, being the new kid on the block around here, but- what's going on between you and Mr. Chalmers?"
Laura turned on her computer. "What do you mean?"
"You and he looked kinda- cozy just now."
"We're friends," Laura said with a shrug. "He's a very handsome, charming man, don't you think?"
"Sure, but- he's also old enough to be your father," Mildred reminded her. "And I thought you and Mr. Steele-"
"Mr. Steele has- other interests at the moment, remember?" Laura pointed out.
"I thought you and he-"
"Hello?" a voice called from outside.
Once Mr. Jacobs was safely in Laura's office, Mildred returned to her desk with a worried expression. The doors opened, and hoping that it might be Murphy, returning from a meeting, Mildred looked up. "Mr. Steele. You're early."
"Thought I might finish some paperwork before Mrs. Davisson arrived," he explained, taking the message slips she held out. "Anything going on?"
"Miss Holt's with a client, Mr. Michaels is meeting with Mr. Jenkins, and Mr. Chalmers came by," she told him.
"Really? Did he leave a message?"
"No. He and Miss Holt went to lunch. Mr. Steele- can we talk?"
Remington looked at the woman, saw the worry on her round face. "Of course. Let's go to my office, shall we?"
He saw Mildred to a seat in the conference area, then sat down as well. "Now, what's wrong?"
"I feel like I'm watching a movie that someone's chopped up and left half of it on the editing room floor," she told him. "You and Miss Holt- I mean, I thought you and she were- well, close. Then this morning you go running off with that-" she caught herself. "That woman. And Miss Holt takes off with Daniel Chalmers."
"Daniel and Laura are good friends," Remington pointed out.
"That's what SHE says," Mildred told him. "But you didn't see them when they got back here."
"What do you mean?" Remington questioned, frowning.
"They didn't come in, you understand, they were in the corridor outside the agency, but Daniel- Mr. Chalmers kissed her and held her hand for a long time. And I think they're having dinner at her place this evening."
"Indeed?" Remington mused. "Well, Laura's probably upset about my seeing Felicia-"
"That's an understatement. Mr. Steele- you're not serious about that-" this time Remington gave her a look. "About her, are you? You wouldn't- marry her-?"
"I've known Felicia for a long Mildred. She and I have discussed marriage on occasion," he told her. "It's time I thought about settling down, thought about my future, don't you think?"
"Miss Holt thinks that you're just doing this to force her to agree to marry you."
"Would I really involve someone else in a private battle between Laura and myself, Mildred?"
Mildred sighed. "I just hate seeing you two at odds," she said.
Remington leaned forward to place his hand over hers in her lap. "Things will work out for the best, Mildred. Trust me, okay?"
"Okay, chief," Mildred said. But she wasn't happy.
***
Murphy entered the offices, and seeing that Mildred wasn't at her desk, went to Laura's door and tapped once before entering. "Hey, partner. How was lunch?"
Laura smiled at him. "Interesting. Daniel's a very charming man."
"Uh, Laura-"
"In fact, he's having dinner at my place this evening."
"Laura-"
"And I'm considering taking him up on his offer to show me Europe."
"Laura-" he tried again.
She picked up a folder. "How did your meeting with Jenkins go?"
"Not bad. He's still thinking about hiring the Agency- IF he can talk to Steele. That's why I came in to talk to you- I saw Steele and his lady friend today."
"Really?" Laura asked, feigning disinterest as she scanned the folder's contents.
"I was leaving Jenkins' shop on Lindale when I saw them going into the Hopewell Gallery."
She looked up then. "The Hopewell? I thought they were going to lunch?"
"They did- after Felicia and Steele stopped by a showing of some new artist's work." He frowned, trying to recall the artist's name. "Phillip Camden, I think was his name."
"Did they knew you were there?"
"You kidding? I wasn't about to let Steele think I was following him. I wasn't, of course. You know, I'd have thought a woman like Felicia would have more taste."
"What do you mean?" Laura asked.
"Well, I'm no art expert, but this guy's no Old Master." He pulled a coloured flyer from his pocket and held it out. "See for yourself."
Laura eyed the flyer, frowning at the watercolours depicted. "They look like a fifth grader painted them," she told Murphy.
"Yeah. But Felicia was really interested in them. I heard her telling Steele something about a friend of hers back in London knows the artist and suggested that she stop into the showing while in Los Angeles."
Laura's gaze sharpened. "Was there a PARTICULAR painting that she seemed interested in?" she asked. "Or was her interest more-general in nature?"
"Hard to say. She stuck like glue to Steele's side the entire time they were there, but I did notice that she seemed to be studying the gallery."
"Studying the gallery? As in 'casing the joint'?" Laura questioned.
"Could be," Murphy said with a shrug. When Laura rose from the desk and started for the door, he said, "Where are you going?"
"I have an overwhelming urge to visit an art gallery," she told him, picking up her hat and purse. "Could you take my appointment with Mr. Hargrove in a few minutes? Thanks, Murph," she said, not giving him a chance to speak before opening the door and leaving the office.
Murphy stood there in the reception area as Mildred came out of Steele's office. "Mr. Michaels. I didn't know you were back." She followed his gaze to the door. "What's wrong?"
"Not sure. Could you run a check on an artist named Phillip Camden, Mildred?"
"You got it," she said, writing the name. "Is he a client?"
"Not yet. When Mr. Hargrove arrives, I'll see him."
Mildred paused, frowning. "I thought he was scheduled to see Miss Holt?"
"He was. Change of plans. Laura had- something else to take care of."
***
Remington dialed the number for Daniel's hotel room, and frowned as there was no answer. Rising, he went to Laura's office, and was surprised to find it empty. He entered the reception area. "Mildred, where is Miss Holt?"
"She went out a few minutes ago, Boss," the receptionist informed him as the telephone rang. "Remington Steele Investigations." He saw her glance in his direction. "No, she's not here at the moment, Mr. Chalmers." Remington went to the desk and held out his hand. "No, I don't know where she went---Just a moment." She looked at Remington. "Boss, take it easy on him-"
"Give me the phone, Mildred," Remington said, his hand out. He took the phone and drew a deep breath. "Daniel. This is a surprise."
"Harry, my boy. I was looking for Laura-"
"Laura? What for? To confirm your dinner plans?"
"Ah. So Mildred told you about that. I rather thought she might. I can explain, Harry."
"You'd better, Daniel."
"Listen, why don't I drop by your place before dinner this evening and we'll sort things out then? Much better than over the telephone, don't you think?"
"Hmm. I'll see you then. And Daniel, old man- don't be late." He hung up the phone. "You're sure that Laura didn't tell you where she was going?" he asked.
"No sir. She asked Mr. Michaels to take her next appointment and left."
Remington turned toward Murphy's office. "Is he still with the client?"
"Yes-" Mildred said, but Remington tapped on the door anyway and opened it. "Excuse me." He smiled disarmingly at the elderly man sitting in the chair before Murphy's desk. "Mr. Hargrove. How is it going?"
"Very well, Mr. Steele," Hargrove said, shaking Remington's hand.
"I hope Mr. Michaels is taking good care of you."
"Very good care, Mr. Steele."
"If you don't mind, I need a moment alone with my associate. Mr. Michaels--?"
Murphy smiled at the client, then preceded Remington to the door and out. "I'll be right back," he told the elderly man.
"What's wrong, Steele?"
"Would you happen to know where Laura might have got off to?"
"Um- well, she said something about visiting an art gallery," Murphy said truthfully.
"An art gallery? Any specific gallery?"
"Hopewood," Murphy admitted. "I- saw you and Felicia there earlier today and mentioned it to Laura. That's when she took off. I think she might be worried that Felicia's planning something."
"Planning something? Felicia? I doubt it, Murphy. She gave me her word-"
"Her word, Steele? And you trust that? We're talking about a woman who-"
"I KNOW what she did in the past, Murphy," Remington ground out. "But she's changed. I need to find Laura before she goes too far into a wild goose chase," he said, turning toward the front doors as a gray haired woman entered.
"Mr. Steele," she said, smiling at him.
"Mrs. Davisson," he said, taking a deep breath. He smiled at her in return, realizing that he had no option here. Remington Steele couldn't very well walk out on a client, could he? "Why don't you go into my office?" he suggested, steering the little woman in that direction. "I'll join you momentarily." Once she was out of earshot, he turned back to Mildred. "The moment Miss Holt returns, let me know."
"Yes, sir," Mildred said, then waited for him to enter his office before holding out a paper toward Murphy. "I got the information you wanted on that artist. You're not gonna believe this, but-"
"Mr. Michaels?" Hargrove called. "I have another appointment in fifteen minutes-"
Murphy took the paper from Mildred. "We'll talk later," he said, then joined Hargrove in his office.
***
Laura looked from the paintings- which were decidedly worse in person than in the brochure- and surveyed the gallery. The Agency had handled security for another showing here a couple of months ago, so she knew quite a bit about the place. Two exits, both with keyed security pads, as well as two skylights. Turning a corner, she entered the second gallery and came to a stop as she suddenly realized what Felicia was really interested in.
To Be Continued---