Laura Holt-Steele placed her purse and hat on the table beside the front door as a middle aged woman wearing a dark white blouse, knitted sweater, dark skirt and sensible shoes came from the kitchen area. "Ah, Mrs. Steele," Constance Devonshire said with a glowing smile that turned her taciturn features on their ear. "You're home. I hadn't realized it was so late." Her English accent fell softly on Laura's ear, and again she wondered where Remington had managed to find the housekeeper/cook/nanny. Wherever he'd found her, Laura had to admit she was priceless.
"It's not, Constance," Laura replied, looking around the corner into the living room. "But it will be if we don't get a move on. Where are the boys?" she asked sharing a secret smile with the older woman. Remington's attempts to bond with his son sometimes caused Laura to think there were two young boys in the house instead of just Johnny.
"Mr. Steele and Master John are in the back," Constance informed her. "I believe they mentioned something about building a tree house in that huge old oak tree beyond the swimming pool," she confided.
"A tree house?!" Laura repeated in disbelief, glancing at her watch. "We're supposed to be in court in an hour, and they're-" She entered the living room, barely noticing the warmly furnished room, with its gathering of traditional English pieces around the fireplace and Laura's grand piano near the wall of bookcases. She went directly to the multi-paned French doors that led out onto the patio.
She skirted the fenced pool area and moved to the oak tree that Constance had spoken of, and stood looking up into the branches. There was some slight rustling, and she stood there, arms crossed, taking a deep breath. "I know you're up there."
Suddenly a small branch moved, and she saw two sets of blue eyes looking at her. "Hello, Laura," Remington said, looking a bit abashed at being caught up a tree.
"Mum," Johnny greeted her, and Laura suspected that his greeting was deliberately intended to melt her anger. It didn't work- entirely.
"What are you two doing?" she asked, and held up her watch for them to see. "Do you realize what time it is?"
Remington narrowed his gaze as he tried to see her watch, then looked at his. "I hadn't realized it was so late," he said, maneuvering around. "Stand back, please, Laura."
She took a step away and watched as he did a surprisingly good dismount from the lowest branch, then stood and clapped his hands in Johnny's direction. "Come on, my man. Down we go." He caught the boy and lowered him to the ground easily, and they stood there, grinning like Cheshire cats.
"Honestly. What am I going to do with you?" She glared pointedly at Remington. "I send *you* home to get Johnny ready so we can make a good impression before the judge that's going to grant us full, legal custody, while I stay at the office and handle a *very* difficult client- and when I get home, I find you both in a tree!"
"We'll make it, Laura," Remington assured her, giving Johnny a light tap on the behind to get him started. "Hit the showers, mate," he said, and then smiled at Laura.
Johnny looked up at Laura. "Are you angry with me?" he asked.
"Not with you, no," Laura assured him, trying to smooth his tousled dark hair. "Go take your shower."
Once Johnny was in the house via the kitchen door, Remington saw Laura standing there, arms across her chest again, waiting. "Now, Laura-"
"Honestly. You're supposed to be the adult here, Rem. Teaching him responsibility-"
"We were on our way in, honestly, Laura," Remington told her. "Johnny was watching "Swiss Family Robinson" when I got home. John Mills, Dorothy McGuire, Walt Disney, 19-"
"Spare me," Laura sighed. "And so he decided to build a tree house?"
"I thought it would be a good project for the two of us," he said. "A chance to- bond, at it were?"
"*You*? Build something? I don't think I've ever seen a hammer in your hands, Rem. I'll bet you've never even been *in* a tree house, much let built one."
"And I suppose you have?" he asked.
She smiled. "As a matter of fact, yes. My father and I built a tree house in our back yard when I was ten," she informed him. "It was the best tree house on the entire block. All the other kids wanted to play in *my* tree house."
"Okay, the tree house is your bailiwick," he agreed, dropping a quick kiss onto her lips as he started them toward the house. "Thank you for offering. Johnny will be delighted."
"I didn't-"
He opened the door. "I have to get ready for court. Won't be a moment."
"Famous last words," Laura called after him as he climbed the stairs and got only a smile in return as he continued upward. "You're the only man I know that can take two hours deciding what *tie* to wear!"
Constance appeared from the kitchen with a silver tea tray and service. "Mr. Steele certainly does appreciate fine clothing," she agreed evenly. "I thought perhaps you'd like a bit of tea while you were waiting for the men to get ready."
Laura followed the woman into the living room and watched as she poured the liquid into a cup. "You are a gem, Constance," she sighed, dropping into a chair.
"I only do what I can, madam," Constance insisted, handing her the cup. "If you need anything else, I'll be in the kitchen." She hesitated. "If you don't mind my saying, Mrs. Steele, you should take things a bit easier. You're looking a bit- fatigued these last few days. Perhaps you and Mr. Steele should find the time to take a few days for yourselves, away from little boys and business."
"Thank you, Constance. I'll think about it," Laura promised, sitting back, tea in hand, as the woman left the room.
Laura knew Constance was right. She *was* tired. Trying to be the perfect mother, attending every parent-teacher meeting, every soccer game, seeing to it that Johnny practiced the piano- and still keeping a full schedule at the agency was grueling. She wasn't sure how other women did it and stayed sane.
Not that she regretted Johnny being there. She didn't. In the year since he had come into their lives, Laura had found herself giving more and more of her heart to the boy. The first time he'd called her "mum", Laura had been surprised- and secretly terrified as the realization sank in as to how huge a responsibility she and Remington were taking on.
This wasn't like a house, or a car, or even the agency. Any of those things they could walk away from- well, maybe not the agency, she decided- but a child-? Especially a child like Johnny, who had gone through so much uncertainty and upheaval in his short life. She knew that Remington saw Johnny as his chance to right some of the wrongs of his own uncertain childhood, but Laura saw it as a chance to prove to herself- and to everyone else, especially her doubtful mother and sister - that she could be the best mother and businesswoman in the entire state of California, without giving an inch with either one.
Sounded good in theory, but in practice, it was damned difficult. She finished the tea and placed the cup on the table, putting her head back against the cushion and closing her eyes. Peace and quiet. *Just a few minutes to recharge the old batteries,* she told herself.
Soft fingertips brushed her temples, moving in a circular motion. Laura smiled as she inhaled the familiar scent of Remington's aftershave. "That feels good."
"Tired?" he asked, continuing his gentle massage.
"Just a slight headache," she told him, not wanting to admit to the tiredness. "I've missed this."
"So have I," he agreed, bending to touch her lips with his before resuming the massage.
"Constance suggested that you and I get away for a few days. Just the two of us."
"Sounds good to me," Remington agreed. "Catalina, perhaps? That little bed and breakfast where we stayed before?"
"Sounds good to me, too," Laura sighed. "But I'm not sure we can get away, with Johnny and the agency and everything-"
"Why not talk to Mildred?" he suggested. "See if she can rearrange a few appointments?"
"What about Johnny?"
"He can spend the weekend with Mildred. She'd love to have him over. It would give Constance a little time off as well."
"I'll think about it. After today's finished and we get started on this new case."
"What happened with the client?" he asked. "Mr. Curlew, wasn't it?"
Laura nodded, her eyes still closed as she enjoyed his ministrations. "A throwback. He wanted- no, insisted -on seeing Mr. Steele or no go."
"You should have called," Remington told her. "I could have gone back-"
"No. Actually, when I told him that he could either talk to me or find another agency, he changed his mind and said that maybe he could at least *tell* me what the problem was- and let me decide if he needed a detective or not."
"And did he?"
"Half a million in uncut diamonds, in transit to a buyer in San Francisco, stolen from his jewelry shop? What do you think?"
His fingers hesitated a moment, and Laura smiled again, knowing what he was going to say before he said it. "Diamonds? Uncut?"
"Half a million," she finished for him, sitting up as his fingers left her skin and he moved to sit down on the sofa. "We start first thing tomorrow morning. *After* he meets Remington Steele. Just to reassure himself that you're on the case. It will have to be handled *very* discreetly-"
"Half a million-?" he moved to pick up the morning newspaper. "I didn't see anything about it-"
"That's why I mentioned discretion. Mr. Curlew managed to keep it out of the papers. That many diamonds-"
"Flood the market, prices drop-" he shuddered at the thought.
Johnny entered the room, wearing a brand new suit- tailor made, of course, at Remington's insistence- his dark hair still damp from his shower. Constance was right behind him, brushing any lint from the boy's shoulders. "Will I do?" he asked.
Laura whistled. "I'm going to be the envy of every woman in that courthouse," she declared. "Being with two such handsome gentlemen. Shall we go?"
Remington took out his pocket watch, something that revealed to Laura just how important this was to him. He only wore the watch on very special occasions these days. "We've just enough time-"
"I'll drive," Laura told him, picking up her purse.
***
While waiting outside the judge's chambers, where the hearing was to take place, Laura combed Johnny's hair and straightened his tie, eyeing his appearance nervously. At last Remington took the comb from her hand and returned it to his pocket. "Enough," he pronounced. "Anymore combing, he'll go bald."
Johnny grinned, losing the frightened look that he'd had. Laura sat down on one of the benches near the door. "Sorry. I wonder what's taking so long?" she wondered, glancing at her watch. "We were supposed to have started this ten minutes ago."
"Judge Harris was probably delayed somewhere," Remington pointed out as the door opened and the heavyset bailiff appeared.
"Mr. Steele, Mrs. Steele- the judge is ready." He stepped back for them to enter the room.
Remington gave Laura's hand a gentle squeeze as he pulled her to her feet. Formality. This was just formality. Necessary legally, but little else. Johnny was his son, and no court could change that. The judge would verify with Johnny that he wanted to live in LA with his father and stepmother, then he would grant the petition for full custody to Remington and Laura, Laura's adoption request, and the change of name from John Harrison Castlemain to John Harrison Steele.
He smiled at the Judge, and a the stenographer who was sitting in a corner, nodding as they were seated, Johnny in a chair between them before the big desk.
"Good afternoon, Your Honor," Remington said.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Steele. Mrs. Steele." He turned his gaze on the boy. "And how are you today, Johnny?"
"Just fine, sir," Johnny answered.
"Let's get started, shall we?" Judge Harris said as he opened the file on his desk and peered at it through his reading glasses. "Petition by Remington Harrison Steel for custody of his son, John Harrison Steele, minor. Petition for adoption of said minor by Laura Holt-Steele. And a request for change of minor's name to John Harrison Steele." He removed the glasses and looked at Johnny. "Johnny, do you understand why we're here today?"
Johnny nodded, seeming a bit in awe of the man wearing the black robe. "Yes, sir. I do. You're goin' to decide whether I can stay 'ere with my dad and mum."
"And is that what you want to do?" Judge Harris asked.
There was a knock on the chamber door before Johnny could respond to the question, and the Judge indicated that the bailiff should open the door. "Yes?" the big man asked.
"I need to see Judge 'arris," the man at the door said, and Remington's eyes flew toward the door, recognizing that voice.
"I'm sorry, but the judge is busy. If you make an appointment-"
"I know 'e's busy. It's what 'e's busy with that's brought me 'ere."
Remington glanced at the Judge, and saw that the man had noticed his reaction. "Let him in, Joe," the Judge ordered.
Remington placed a protective hand on Johnny's shoulder. Laura frowned at them, but Remington shook his head quickly.
"Who are you, sir?" Judge Harris asked the man, obviously unimpressed by the man's wrinkled, ill-fitting sport jacket and uncombed hair.
"My name is David Castlemain, Your 'onor."
"Castlemain?" Judge Harris questioned. "And what is your interest in this case?"
"Johnny's my grandson," David explained, twisting the cap in his hands fretfully. "I only just found out where 'e was. 'e disappeared after 'is mother died, and I looked all over London for 'im before I 'eard that *'e* was tryin' to adopt 'im," he nodded toward Remington as tears filled his blue eyes. "The boy's all I 'ave left of 'is mother, you see." He pulled an envelope out of his jacket pocket, holding it out. "I 'ave a court order from a London magistrate, givin' me custody."
The bailiff took the envelope and gave it to the judge, who opened and read it as Remington spoke.
"You turned them out on the street," Remington accused, only to have Judge Harris rap a gavel to order silence.
"Mr. Steele, if you please-"
Remington subsided, and gave Laura a grateful look as her hand fell on his arm.
"Mr. Steele, were you aware of Mr. Castlemain's interest in his grandson?"
"He *has* no interest, Judge," Remington pointed out. "When Trina went to him for help after she became pregnant, he tossed her out. And he did it again after Johnny was born."
"Is this true, Mr. Castlemain?" Judge Harris asked.
"I was upset, Your 'onor," David said. "'urt that my only child would have made such a 'orrible mistake. But I've learned my lesson, and I want to take care of the boy."
Laura's fingers tightened on Remington's arm, feeling the muscles contract as he would have risen to confront Johnny's grandfather. "Your Honor, may I remind you," she began slowly, "about the duly notarized letter, written by Trina Castlemain Colverson, giving full and total custody of her son to Remington Steele?"
Judge Harris picked up his copy of the letter. "I have it here, Mrs. Steele. And in most cases, I would be more than willing to accept it. But with the insertion of a new claim for the child, I-"
"He doesn't want Johnny," Remington insisted. "He didn't want him before, why now?"
"Mr. Steele, please," Judge Harris said in his calm, commanding voice. "I don't want to ask the bailiff to remove you from the room. "Until I can verify Mr. Castlemain's claim, and make a decision, I'm adjourning this hearing. We'll meet again in a week. I think that should be enough time to fully investigate matters."
"But-"
Johnny looked up at Laura, jerking his head toward David. "Does that mean I 'ave to go with 'im, Mum?"
Laura looked at the judge, who shook his head no. "No, Johnny. You're coming home with us."
"Until I've made my decision, the minor, John Harrison Castlemain will remain the temporary custody of Remington and Laura Steele."
"But- what about me?" David wanted to know. "I need to the chance to get to know the lad. For 'im to get to know 'is grandfather. So 'e'll know that I want 'im with me. To try and make it up to 'im what I did."
"Visitation is granted- " seeing Remington's reaction, Judge Harris added, "Supervised visitation, with either Mr. or Mrs. Steele present."
"Thank you, Your Honor," Laura said, when Remington didn't speak.
Judge Harris nodded toward his bailiff. "Open the door, Joe." As David started to follow Laura, Remington and Johnny from the room, the judge spoke up. "Mr. Castlemain, a moment, if you please?"
Remington gave the judge a grateful look as he shepherded his family out into the corridor and outside, to where Fred was waiting beside the limo. "How did it go?" the chauffer asked as he opened the door.
"Don't ask, Fred," Laura warned, getting inside.
"A joker got dealt into the deck," Remington pronounced in a dark tone.
Fred closed the door and then got behind the wheel. "Where to?"
"Home," Laura instructed him.
Johnny looked up at Remington. "Is 'e really my grandfather?" he asked.
"He was your mother's father, yes," Remington answered. "It takes more than that to make someone a grandfather."
"You don't remember him, Johnny?" Laura asked.
Johnny shook his head. "I remember my mum used to talk about 'im. About 'ow he tossed us out without a second thought."
"She took you to see him, once," Remington said.
"I don't remember."
"Probably for the best," Remington decided, as he pulled the boy closer. "It'll work out. I'm sure the judge will see that your being with us is best."
"Why did 'e come if 'e didn't want me?" Johnny asked, and Remington looked up at Laura.
"I'm sure that's what the judge is trying to find out right now, Johnny," Laura assured him. "Tell you what, as soon as we get home, why don't we go have a look at that tree and plan the tree house? I have a few ideas-"
Johnny nodded, obviously confused.
***
"Why are you here, Mr. Castlemain?" Judge Harris asked the man who stood before the desk.
"Johnny's my grandson. The only close family I 'ave left. Trina's gone, and I suddenly realized that I was goin' to grow old all alone and I didn't want that. If I could take the lad back with me, to raise, maybe I could do a better job with 'im than I did with 'is mum. Boys are easier to raise. I just didn't understand what it was like, raisin' a daughter."
"Where you aware that he was in Mr. Steele's custody as per your daughter's wishes when you went before the London magistrate?" Judge Harris asked.
"I didn't know about the paper, no. But Steele came round that day, tellin' me that the lad was bein' taken care of. Since then, I 'ad no clue to where 'e'd taken Johnny. I 'ave rights, Judge. As Johnny's blood kin-"
"Mr. Steele is blood kin as well. He's Johnny's father."
"On 'oo's say-so?" David questioned. "'Is?"
"Mr. Steele filed an affidavit claiming to be the boy's father. Considering that your daughter's letter made it clear that he could have been, and since Ian Colverson told Mr. Steele in the child's hearing that he was *not* the child's father-"
"And what if there was someone else she was seein'?" David questioned. "My Trina wasn't too good at bein' faithful. Tended to fall into bed with anyone. Did 'e 'ave the test done?"
"There was no reason for him to have the test run- since he had the letter."
"I see now. Just because Steele's a big shot Los Angeles private detective, 'e can get away with kidnappin' a man's only grandchild."
Ike Harris' square jaw tightened with anger. "I should caution you, Mr. Castlemain, that you're coming dangerously close to making me angry with your insinuations. I'll look into the matter. Until then, you'll be able to see your grandson and get to know him."
"I can't stay 'ere long, Your 'onor," David told him. "I 'ave a pub to run. I'm not rich like 'e is."
"I'll take that into consideration as well, Mr. Castlemain," Judge Harris promised, nodding for Joe to open the door again.
"Tough one, huh, Judge?" Joe commented once the Englishman had gone.
Ike Harris sighed. "Not really. But it could become tough, if Mr. Castlemain continues to pursue this." He picked up the telephone to place an overseas call to the magistrate who had signed David Castlemain's request for custody.
***
Constance met the family at the door, her smile fading as she saw their downcast expressions. "What happened?" she asked as Johnny started up the stairs at something less than his customary mad dash.
"Johnny's grandfather-" Laura began, but Remington interrupted her.
"That man is *not* Johnny's grandfather, Laura," he said. "He might have been Trina's father, but he never at any time wanted anything to do with Johnny. For him to come in now and try this-"
Laura placed a hand on his arm. "Why don't you go for a swim before dinner?" Laura suggested. "Work off some of that anger?"
"I don't *want* to work off my anger," Remington informed her, going toward the stairs. "I need to talk to my son."
Laura followed his ascension with troubled eyes. "I take it that the boy's grandfather showed up to try and lay a claim, Mrs. Steele?"
"I'm afraid so. According to Remington, the man turned Trina- Johnny's mother- out twice, refusing to help her. But he convinced a judge in London that he had a legitimate claim and showed up at the hearing today to lay that claim before Judge Harris."
"Oh, my," Constance sighed. "No wonder the lads are so upset. At least I'm preparing something they'll both enjoy for supper this evening. Although, I'd hoped it would be a celebration."
"So did I, Constance," Laura agreed, moving toward the stairs to join Remington and Johnny, only to stop as the doorbell rang. She looked up when it rang the second time, seeing Remington and Johnny at the top of the stairs. Constance hesitated, watching Laura. "Answer the door, please, Constance," Laura said at last. She turned to face the door as the housekeeper opened it.
"May I help you?" Constance asked in her most proper tones.
"I'm David Castlemain. I've come to see my grandson."
Laura approached the door slowly. "Hello, Mr. Castlemain."
"Mrs. Steele, isn't it?" David asked, looking at Laura as Constance moved aside.
"Can I help you?"
"You 'eard the judge. 'E said I could see Johnny."
"You'll not set foot in this house, Castlemain," Remington declared, coming down the stairs at last. Laura noticed that Johnny was nowhere to be seen. "You can arrange for us to meet you somewhere with Johnny, but-"
Laura turned to look at Remington. "Come in, Mr. Castlemain," she said, standing back for him to enter the house.
David entered, hat in hand, looking around the well-decorated foyer. "Thank you, Mrs. Steele. Where is Johnny?"
"Why don't the three of us have a little talk, first?" she suggested- and extended a hand toward the living room. "See if we can't settle this without further legal action? Constance, would you mind bringing in some coffee?"
David moved into the living room, but Remington hung back to glare at Laura with disbelief. "Laura, I'm not going to sit in my own house with that man and pretend that I don't' want to toss him out the door!" he declared in a restrained voice.
"Do you want to lose Johnny?" she questioned.
"Of course not."
"Then talk to the man. There has to be some *reason* why he's suddenly changed his mind about wanting his grandson when a year ago he wasn't even worried where he might be. Maybe he'd be satisfied with Johnny visiting him instead of having custody. Don't you think we owe it to Johnny to find out?"
Remington lifted his gaze toward the landing, where Johnny was standing, watching them. "Back to your room, Johnny."
"But-"
"Go on, Johnny," Laura said gently. "I'll come and get you when we're ready for you." The boy turned and went back toward the bedrooms. "Did he say anything to you about how he feels about all of this?"
"He's confused," Remington told her, "How the bloody hell do you think he feels?" Remington took a deep breath as he realized that he was taking his anger and worry out on Laura. "I'm sorry," he apologized, running a hand through his hair, then across the back of his neck. Then he straightened his shoulders and turned toward the living room. "Come on. Let's get this over with so I can get this bugger out of our lives once and for all."
To Be Continued---