Laura knocked on the hotel room door, then waited for the occupant to open it. Daniel's surprise upon seeing her was evident. "Laura. What are you doing here? I thought we'd arranged-"
"I know what we arranged, Daniel. But we need to talk about Felicia and what she's planning."
"Felicia's planning something?" Daniel asked worried for a moment that Laura might have discovered his plan. He quickly dismissed that idea, realizing that Laura wouldn't be coming to him if that were the case. "Laura, we need to talk about Harry-"
"This is about Harry," she told him. "Felicia's planning a heist, Daniel."
"A heist? Are you sure, my dear?" he asked, worried again. Felicia had sworn to him that she would mind her manners during her visit.
"VERY sure. And I have reason to think she's roped Harry into helping her."
"Oh, I doubt that, Laura. Harry's sworn to follow the straight and narrow path these days. The very IDEA that he would consider-"
"He almost did the last time she was here," Laura reminded him, pacing around the small hotel room like a caged tiger.
"Laura, why don't you sit down and calm yourself and TRY to explain why you think that Felicia and Harry might be up to something?"
***
Remington saw Mrs. Davisson to the doors of the office, then returned to Mildred's desk. "No word from Laura?"
"I'm sorry, Boss. Nothing."
Murphy came from his office, holding the report that Mildred had given him about Philip Camden. "Mildred, have you seen -Laura?" he asked, hesitating as he saw Steele.
"She's still out of pocket," Remington told him. "Something come up?" Murphy glanced at Mildred, and seeing it, Remington said, "Listen, this IS still my agency, isn't it?" he held out his hand for the report. "What is that?"
Murphy handed it over. "Just had Mildred do a little research," he explained.
Remington looked at the report, then nodded his head. "Hmm. Interesting. Camden did time in London for jewel theft several years ago under the name Philip Carson. Apparently he's not much better at that than he is at painting." He looked at Mildred. "When Laura comes in, let me know. I have some telephone calls to make."
"Yessir," she said. As soon as the door closed behind him, she lifted her brows at Murphy. "Well? It's an art gallery, right? No jewels for him to steal there-"
"Wrong. There's a major jewel display going on at the Hopewood starting tomorrow," Murphy told her. "The Dark Star Diamond goes on display."
Mildred's eyes widened.
***
Remington picked up the telephone and dialed Felicia's number on his private line. It was busy. He left a message with the hotel operator for her to call when the line cleared, then looked at the report again. He'd never met Carson, they'd moved in different circles- And if Carson was planning to steal the Dark Star, then he was out of his league. Unless, of course, he had help.
Picking up the phone, he dialed another number.
***
Daniel was opening the door for room service to enter when the telephone rang. Laura said, "I'll get it."
"What if it's Harry?" Daniel asked, worrying more that it might be Felicia. But Laura simply smiled and lifted the receiver. Daniel said a silent prayer as she spoke.
"Hello?"
There was a long pause, and Laura began to wonder if the caller had hung up. "Laura?"
"Hello, Harry," she said with a smile, and Daniel lifted his eyes heavenward.
"What the bloody hell are you doing in Daniel's hotel room?" Remington demanded.
"Oh, I wanted to talk to him about his offer to show me around Europe," she said airily.
"Europe?"
"Laura," Daniel, moaned softly, worry colouring his tones.
"May I remind you that we're running a business here, Miss Holt, and that your presence is required-"
"Oh, is that what you were doing this morning, Mr. Steele?" she asked archly. "Running a business?"
"I thought we weren't mixing business with pleasure, Miss Holt," Remington reminded her.
"We're not. Didn't Murphy take care of my appointment with Mr. Hargrove?"
"Yes, but that's beside the point. You were supposed to meet with him. Last I checked, you were still an operative of this agency-"
"Well, if I decide to take Daniel up on his generous offer, that might change-"
Daniel closed his eyes and then held out his hand. "Give me the telephone, Laura."
"I'd like to speak with Daniel, please, Laura," Remington said into her ear. "Now, if you don't mind."
"He wants to talk to you," Laura admitted to Daniel, handing him the phone.
Daniel drew a deep breath before taking it. "Harry. What a surprise."
"We'll discuss this latest-- wrinkle later, Daniel," Remington said in a decidedly dangerous tone. "When you drop by my apartment. At the moment, I need to know whether or not you think Felicia might be planning a job here in Los Angeles with someone who's calling himself Philip Camden?"
"The name's not familiar," Daniel confided.
"What about Philip Carson?"
"Now that name brings back a memory or two. He was involved in that Hastings affair a few years ago. Stole - or rather tried to steal Lord Hastings' collection of rare jewels. He was discovered by the butler and promptly arrested. Served several years for the attempt, if I'm not mistaken."
"Do you know whether or not Felicia knew Carson?"
"It's possible, Harry. I met the man once myself- totally unsuited to such work, I thought. Not nearly bright enough to carry off something on his own successfully."
"So what you're saying is that Felicia might be the brains behind anything that he might be planning?"
"It's possible, I suppose. But -" he smiled at Laura, recalling that he had to be careful of his phrasing. "I was assured that everything was on the up and up."
"Hmm. I'll talk to Felicia about it when I see her later- And tell Laura that I expect her back in the office in fifteen minutes."
"I'll deliver the message, Harry," Daniel said. He hung up the telephone. "He expects you back in fifteen minutes," he told Laura.
"He does, does he? Well," she said, sitting down in a chair, "maybe I don't WANT to go back. What was all that about? Who were you talking about?"
"First things first. What that about going to Europe at MY invitation?"
"Daniel, we have to make Harry think we're serious, don't we?"
"He's liable to have my head before all of this is over," Daniel fretted. "He called to find out about a would be jewel thief by the name of Philip Carson- who just happens to be using the name Philip Camden these days."
"Camden? The same Philip Camden who's awful paintings are on display at the Hopewood Gallery? Of COURSE! He and Felicia are in on this together!"
"From the tone of Harry's call, I don't think that HE is involved. In fact, it might be a good idea if the two of you join up to foil whatever scheme Felicia might be hatching."
"I have a better idea," Laura said, grabbing her jacket.
"Where are you going?" he asked, following her to the door.
"I'm going to have a little chat with Philip Camden," she told him.
"But- Harry is expecting you at the office-" he called after her.
"I'll go back just as soon as I finish talking to Camden," Laura replied, moving down the hall to the elevator. "See you later!"
***
Felicia entered her hotel room and removed her jacket, only to gasp in surprise as she turned around. "Michael, darling! You gave me a fright!"
"Where've you been, Felicia?" he asked.
"Shopping," she explained, moving toward him. "It was so boring just sitting here-"
He grabbed her wrist. "I don't see any boxes," he pointed out.
"I didn't buy anything. Really, Michael. One would think that you were really my fiancé, the way you're interrogating me on my activities." She smiled, running her other hand up his lapel. "What's wrong, darling? Worried I might have found someone else?"
"I'm more worried that you might be planning on doing something foolish. Such as trying to steal the Black Star Diamond."
Felicia's eyes widened in surprise. "Is the Diamond in Los Angeles? I had no idea. You simply MUST take me to see it, Michael."
"You and Carson won't get away with it, Felicia."
"Carson? I don't know anyone-"
"Come now, Felicia. You dragged me to the Hopewood today to see his paintings on the pretext of wanting my opinion on them. Remember?"
"Are you trying to tell me that Philip Camden isn't the man's real name?"
"Drop the act, Felicia. And you can forget about whatever it is you and Philip Carson are planning. I'm going to talk to Laura this evening and put an end to this little game she and I have been playing. You can go back to London- or wherever you were when Daniel pulled you into this."
"Darling, I'm only trying to help you. I can't believe that you would even think that I would-"
"Skip it, Felicia," he said, releasing her wrist and stepping back from her. "I'll have Fred come back here after taking me to the office to take you to the airport. Half an hour."
Felicia picked up the telephone and dialed a number, then waited impatiently for someone to answer. "Hello?…Yes, I know you told me not to call, but ---we might have a bit of a problem…No, that's not necessary…I just wanted you to know that he's onto me and intends for me to return to London immediately…No.--Yes, I spoke to him. I don't think he's going to be a problem…I'll be in touch…If you're sure you still want to try, that is…okay. I'll talk to you later." She hung up and went into the bedroom to pack her case. Might as well do as Harry asked- she could get a taxi back into town from the airport, after all.
***
Remington entered the office with a determined step. "Is Laura in yet?" he asked Mildred.
"Not yet. But Mr. Chalmers did call for you," she said, handing him the message slip.
"Where's Murphy?"
"With Mr. Cooper."
In his office, Remington dialed Daniel's number. "Daniel?"
"Ah, Harry. I was getting worried-"
"Where's Laura, Daniel? She was due back here half an hour ago."
"That's why I called, Harry. When she left here, she said something about going to see Philip Carson."
"Damn. Okay. I'll track her down. By the way, I sent Felicia to the airport- I'll explain my reasons later."
"I'm sorry, Harry. I had no idea that all of this-"
"We'll discuss it later," Remington assured him. "I have to find Laura."
"Good luck, my boy."
***
Laura frowned as she knocked for the fourth time on the door of the hotel bungalow. "Mr. Camden?" she called out. She glanced around, then pulled out her lock-pick kit and went to work. She heard the click and glanced around again before turning the knob and entering the cottage. "Hello?" she said in a quiet voice.
The room was dark, the shades drawn, and the air seemed filled with something Laura couldn't quite put her finger on. She moved to the desk, finding a note pad. She held it to the light, trying to read the impressions left by someone writing on the paper that had been torn away. Picking up a pencil, she dragged the side of the lead across the page, revealing notes about security at the Hopewood.
If she'd had any doubts about the man's intentions, they vanished at that moment. Moving toward the bedroom door, she pushed the partially open door fully open, and froze upon seeing Philip Carson laying on the floor, the bloodstain on the front of his shirt finally telling Laura what she'd sensed earlier: the air had been filled with the smell of death.
To Be Continued…