Custodial Steele 2
Part 3

Remington saw Johnny sitting in the waiting area of the emergency room the moment he entered the sliding glass doors. "Johnny."

The boy looked up at him and then flung his arms around Remington's neck. "I was so scared, Dad."

"I know," Remington said, pulling the boy close for a moment, feeling him shiver and hearing a suspicious sniffle. "I know. It's okay. I'm here now. Shhh. Where is she?"

Johnny pointed to an examination room down the hallway. "They took her in there," he said. "They wouldn't let me go inside with 'er."

Remington started toward the room that Johnny had indicated, and felt his son's hand slip into his. For a moment, he considered telling the child to wait, but then he saw the fear in those blue eyes. He'd lost one mother, and he was terrified of losing another.

As they moved toward the room, a dark haired woman came out, a stethoscope around her neck. "Excuse me," Remington said, glancing at the woman's nameplate. "Dr. Morgan-" he stopped, thinking that the name sounded familiar. "You're Laura's doctor, aren't you?"

"Yes," Florence Morgan said. "And you *have* to be her husband. It's a pleasure to meet you at last, Mr. Steele." She smiled down at Johnny. "And you as well, Johnny. I've heard a lot about both of you."

"Really?" Remington asked, smiling at the thought of Laura having discussed him with anyone. Then he realized that she might not have been entirely complimentary, and frowned. "She did?"

Dr. Morgan laughed softly. "Yes. Don't worry, Mr. Steele. It was mostly good."

He nodded toward the room. "Is she okay?"

"Oh, she's fine. It was just a combination of things. Trying to balance a family, and work and marriage isn't easy. She's anemic, and she's let herself get run down, trying to be Super Mom and SuperPI with everything that's going on right now, plus a few other things-"

"What other things?" Remington asked.

Dr. Morgan smiled. "I think Laura should tell you that herself. I'm releasing her. But I gave her strict instructions to go home and stay off her feet for the rest of the day. Ideally, I'd suggest that she take a vacation, get her mind off of things. But that's not possible right now, is it?"

"No," Remington agreed, glancing at Johnny. "Too many responsibilities at the moment."

"I'd get used to that if I were you." Her pager went off, and she glanced at it. "I have to go. Make sure she makes an appointment to see me next week. If I know Laura, she'll forget to do it."

"I'll remind her," Remington promised, pushing open the door and looking around it. "Laura?"

She was just finishing getting dressed, and looked surprised. "Rem? What are you doing here?" she asked, welcoming Johnny with a hug as he threw his arms around her. "Hey. I'm okay. Clean bill of health. If I wasn't okay, they wouldn't be letting me go home," she told the boy, who nodded but refused to let go.

Remington leaned forward to give her a quick kiss, wanting to emulate Johnny and grab hold and never let go. "What happened?" he asked.

"I'm a little anemic," she told him. "Dr. Morgan prescribed some vitamins-"

"I spoke with Dr. Morgan," Remington told her somberly, watching her closely as she smoothed Johnny's dark hair in a comforting gesture.

Laura looked up at Remington. "You did? What did she say?"

"That you've been overdoing things- and she hinted there was another reason as well."

She glanced down at Johnny before answering. "I think we'll discuss that later," she told Remington. She must have seen the fear on his face, because she said, "It's nothing serious. Nothing that won't resolve itself in a few months, anyway," she added, watching him closely.

"A few months?" Remington repeated, and blinked, staring. "Laura- are you-?" She nodded as Johnny looked up at her. "But- how-?" At Laura's teasing smile, he said, "I mean, I know *how*- I thought you-"

"Later," Laura said firmly.

Remington drew her close, bending them both over Johnny to give her a kiss. "I love you, Laura."

"Let's get out of here," Laura told him, grabbing her purse. "I've already signed the paperwork."

"You sure you're okay, Mum?" Johnny asked, finally letting Laura go, except for keeping hold of her hand.

"I'm fine, Johnny. Really. But I might have to let your dad take my place at a few school meetings. If you don't mind."

Johnny looked up at Remington. "Nah. 'E's got all my teachers eatin' out of 'is 'and."

"Which is exactly why *I* was doing all of that," Laura pointed out.

"Fred's waiting with the limo. And we need to call Mildred, put her mind at ease."

A nurse entered with a wheelchair. "Ready, Mrs. Steele?" she asked.

"I don't need that," Laura insisted.

"Sorry. Hospital policy," the nurse told her. "Consider it curb service."

***

Laura sighed deeply as Remington fussed over her as she lay in the bed in the master bedroom. "Really, Remington, I'm fine," she insisted. "I would have been just as happy downstairs in the living room-"

"Of course you would have. So that the moment everyone's back is turned you could sneak into the study and do some paperwork, right?" he questioned.

"Well, I do have that report to finish on the Brandon case-"

"Mildred can take care of that."

"What about Mr. Curlew?"

"Mildred's already at work on the background checks of his employees. And I'll track Weasel down later to see if he's heard anything about the diamonds on the street."

"You're not going to the junkyard alone-" Laura said.

"No. We're meeting for a game of pool."

"Oh."

The telephone rang, but Remington ignored it, preferring to let Constance screen the calls for them. "I'm glad you're okay, Mum," Johnny said, sitting on the other side of the bed beside Laura.

"I'll be fine," Laura said. "I honestly don't know what all the fuss is about. Can't a girl take a short nap without everyone getting worried?"

"That wasn't a nap," Johnny insisted. "You went all pale and looked like a rag doll droppin' to the floor."

"Scattering chocolate chip cookies everywhere," Laura recalled sadly. "Those poor cookies," she sighed.

"It wasn't a total loss," Johnny said, and drew a half of a chocolate chip cookie from his pocket. "I saved this one for you."

Laura took the cookie and pulled the little boy close to her, kissing his dark hair. "Thank you," she said softly, meeting Remington's eyes over Johnny's head as the door opened.

"Mr. Steele, Mr. Castlemain is on the telephone. He's wanting to speak with your or Mrs. Steele."

Laura felt the tension from Johnny immediately as he looked up at Remington, who was equally tense. "Thank you, Constance. I'll take it here," Remington told the housekeeper. He rose from the side of the bed and picked up the telephone. "Steele here . . . I'm not sure this afternoon is a good time, Castlemain . . . My wife isn't feeling well-"

Laura lifted an arm toward him. "Let him come over, Remington," she said. "It won't bother me."

Remington took a deep breath. "Five o'clock, Castlemain. For an hour . . . No. It's nothing serious. She just needs some peace and quiet . . . Five, then. Good-bye." He hung up, looking angry.

"Why don't you go back to the office for a couple of hours?" Laura suggested gently. "We can talk later."

"You're sure?" he asked.

"Constance and Johnny are here. And if I need you, I'll call," Laura promised.

"Okay," he decided. He bent to give her a kiss, and then ruffled Johnny's hair. "Take care of her, mate, okay?"

"I will," Johnny promised, not quite looking at Remington as he spoke, Laura noticed.

"I'll be back before five," Remington told them, and then was gone.

Johnny looked toward the door for a moment. "'E's never goin' to accept Grandfather, is 'e?"

"Probably not, Johnny," Laura said. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay." He played with the coverlet for a moment. "Why can't you talk with me 'ere?" he asked her.

"I thought we were," Laura said.

He shook his head. "You said you would tell 'im what else the doctor said-"

"Later," Laura nodded, remembering. "Well, it's just something that I think he and I should discuss between ourselves first, and then tell you about it. But I think you'll like it."

"It's good news, then?"

"Very good news, I think. Well, I hope. It's going to mean some changes, *big* changes. Changes I wasn't really ready for, but- Look like I'm not going to have a choice. As usual," Laura sighed, and then laughed as she saw Johnny's even more confused face. She gave him another hug. "Tell you what, why don't you go get your crayons and paper and then come back in here to keep me company?"

"Okay," Johnny said, scrambling off of the bed to run from the room, past Constance, who was bringing in a tray of tea.

"Thank you, Constance," Laura said, sitting up as the housekeeper handed her a cup of the liquid.

"Nothing like a cup of tea to cure what ails you, I always say," Constance said. "Mr. Steele suggested that you and the boy hadn't eaten lunch yet, Mrs. Steele. Is there anything you would like? Soup? Salad, perhaps?"

"Johnny's not much for salad. How about some soup?" Laura suggested. "And we'll come down to eat it."

"But, Mr. Steele said that you were supposed to remain in bed-"

"Mr. Steele isn't here. And I'm perfectly fine. He's just being overly cautious, that's all. Let us know when lunch is ready, please."

"As you wish, Mrs. Steele." She left as Johnny returned; his arms filled with his art kit and paper to color on.

***

"You're sure she's okay, Chief?" Mildred asked, noting Remington's distracted air as they went over the list of employees of Curlew's Jewelers.

"Hmm. Oh, yes, Mildred. Right as rain. You know how she is. Burning the candle at both ends, trying to be the perfect mother and keep things going here. What were you saying?"

"Well, this is the only one that bothered me," she said, pointing to a name. "Gina Morelli. She's only been working at Curlew's for two months. Very little background on her. She only recently moved to LA, and the previous address she gave in Vegas didn't pan out."

"Morelli," Remington repeated. "Richard- No, Rico. Rico Morelli. That's it." He gave Mildred a hug. "You've just broken the case wide open, Mildred."

Her eyes widened. "I have?"

"Rico Morelli was a well known jewel thief back in the day. Of course, he'd be close to sixty now, - he was more Daniel's contemporary than mine. They did a few jobs together. I remember Daniel once mentioning that Rico could crack a safe even in a train station he was that good." He held up his fingers as if turning the dial on a safe. "Said he could 'hear' the tumblers through his fingers."

"Wow."

"See what you can find on him, okay?" He picked up the employee sheet. "Any luck on Castlemain?"

"Still nothing. But I'm still digging," she assured him as she left his office. Picking up the telephone, he dialed a number, and was surprised when Laura answered. "Hello there."

"Hi."

"I expected Constance to answer the phone," he said.

"She's busy. It's not like she sits around and doesn't' do anything- like *I'm* doing. Unless you count critiquing Johnny's artwork. You know, he's really very good."

"I've noticed. Been considering art lessons," he said. "Are you okay?"

"Honestly, Rem, I'm fine. I wish everyone would stop asking me that," Laura said, sounding more than a little frustrated. "Any news on the Curlew case?"

He smiled, having expected her question. "As a matter of fact, yes. One of his employees has the same last name as a jewel thief Daniel knew several years ago. Mildred's running a check."

"Is this one in your scrapbook?" Laura teased.

"As a matter of fact, yes, he is. But there's nothing in there about any family. Last I heard of him, Daniel mentioned that he had retired to a villa in Rome."

"A retired jewel thief coming out of retirement? Shades of 'To Catch a Thief'."

"Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, -" he heard Laura sigh deeply and smiled.

"I've seen it," she reminded him. "What are you going to do for lunch?" she asked.

"I thought about coming home," he admitted. "But I think Mildred's got something planned. I'll call you when we get back. Should be something on the Curlew case by then. Has Johnny calmed down?"

"Johnny's fine," Laura assured him, and he heard a voice in the background.

"'Ello, Dad."

"Tell him I said hello. Laura, did I imagine earlier? What you implied at the hospital?"

"You didn't imagine it," Laura said. "But I really think we need to discuss it in person, don't you?"

"Are you all right with it? I mean- Johnny's one thing, but- "

"Later," she said. "I think Constance has our lunch ready."

"Okay. I'll talk to you later, then. I love you."

"I love you," she replied, and the line went dead.

He was still smiling when Mildred came in again. "Sorry, Chief. No luck. Gino Morelli died two years ago in Rome."

Remington winced. "Okay. What about family?"

"Still working on it. The last report came in on David Castlemain, too."

"And?" he asked, looking up at her as he held a report that she had placed on his desk earlier to be signed.

"Nothing. The guy's clean as a proverbial whistle. Never even had a traffic ticket. Only thing on his record is a bad report about the kitchen in his pub- he had to close it down and stop selling food."

"I don't doubt it." He took a deep breath, and then moved to the window, hands in his pockets. He stood there for several minutes. "Okay. Do one more thing- check Trina Castlemain Colverson."

"Johnny's mother?" Mildred asked.

Remington nodded. "Yes. Johnny's mother." He glanced at his watch. "I have something to take care of, Mildred. I'll probably be gone till after lunch. Think you can hold the fort?"

"Sure. But- where will you be?" she asked.

"Taking a test," he told her, waving as he left the room.

***

He returned to the office at one, evading Mildred's questions about the "test" he'd mentioned by asking her about Rico Morelli's family."

"Oh, pay dirt, Chief," Mildred said. "Richard 'Rico' Morelli married Elena Cograzi in 1960. Elena died in 1970, leaving Rico with one child. A daughter, Gina. She was educated in European boarding schools for the most part."

"Call Mr. Curlew, find out if Gina is at work."

"She's probably long gone, Chief," Mildred pointed out. "I would be if I'd stolen that much in diamonds."

"Ah, but then you'd be the chief suspect, Mildred," Remington pointed out. "You have to finish the game."

Mildred dialed Mr. Curlew's number, and discovered quickly that Gina was indeed at work- in fact it had been she who had answered the telephone earlier when Remington had been there.

Remington nodded upon hearing the news, and took the telephone. "Mr. Curlew, Remington Steele . . . No, no. Miss Morelli isn't under suspicion. We were just curious about who among your employees haven't shown up since the theft of the diamonds?" he listened. "Really? . . . Well, I suppose we can rule out an inside job, then. I'll be in touch, Mr. Curlew."

"Why didn't you tell him?" Mildred asked.

"Because if we do, then we get Gina, but not the diamonds," Remington said. "We're going to have to stake her out. Keep a close watch on her. She might lead us to the diamonds. I hate to ask, Mildred, but Castlemain is coming to see Johnny this evening, and I'd rather Laura not have to face him alone. Plus, Laura and I need to talk about- a few things." He saw her inquisitive expression and pressed on. "Would you be able to- take the first watch this evening? I'll relieve you around ten or so-"

"Sure. I wasn't doing anything anyway."

"Thank you, Mildred."

"Don't mention it. Now. About this test-?"

"Nothing important," he responded. "I'm going to call Laura."

***

Remington got home at four thirty on the dot. The grandfather clock in the foyer was chiming the half hour as he opened the door. Constance assured him that Laura was doing quite well and suggested that he go up and see her and Johnny.

When he entered the room, they were both asleep. Johnny was curled up on the king size bed next to Laura, his crayons and drawing scattered across the covers. Laura's eyes were closed as well, and Remington stood there, watching them, before he reached out a hand to touch Johnny's dark hair.

Laura's eyes opened. "I didn't mean to wake you," he apologized.

"I wasn't asleep," she insisted. "I was just resting my eyes after looking at Johnny's drawings."

"Hmm," he nodded, knowing she wasn't being entirely truthful. "He is talented," Remington said, picking up a drawing of the vase across the room. "Good eye for detail."

"Is Mildred on stake out?"

"She left when I did. She's supposed to check in every hour so we'll know where to meet up later."

"I could go with you," Laura told him. "I think I could handle just sitting in a car. It's restful enough-"

"Dr. Morgan said bed rest for the remainder of the day. I don't think she would agree that a stake out is restful." He smiled as Johnny stirred and rubbed his eyes. "Hey there, mate. How's the patient?"

Johnny blinked and sat up. "Okay," he muttered sleepily.

Laura smoothed the dark hair. "You need to go get ready for your grandfather's visit," she told him. "Pick up your art kit and papers."

Johnny had glanced nervously at Remington when Laura had mentioned his grandfather, then quickly began gathering his things before he left the room.

She watched him go, then noted Remington's solemn expression. Touching his cheek, she got his attention. "What's wrong?" she asked.

"I had Mildred try to find something we could use against Castlemain."

"Did she?" Laura asked.

"No. Man's record's as clean as can be," he said, taking her hand in his and looking at it. "I decided there was only one more thing I could do to insure Johnny would be able to stay here."

"The paternity test?" Laura questioned.

He nodded. "Yes. I went to see your Dr. Morgan."

"She's a gynecologist," Laura reminded him.

"I know. But she recommended someone- they used the blood test results for Johnny from when we had to have all of that done after we filed for you to sponsor him-" Laura nodded, watching him. "I uh-" he rose from the bed and went to the window. "I'm not his father," he confessed.

In the hallway, Johnny stood, listening, his blue eyes widening when he heard Remington's words. His small fingers tightly gripped the tee shirt and jeans he'd been going to ask Laura about wearing as the conversation continued between the adults inside the room.

He heard Laura get out of bed and cross the room. "I'm sorry," she said.

"I don't what I'm going to do, Laura. I was so certain that I was his father."

"I know," Laura said. "We'll just have to hope for the best. At least we'll have the new baby to help us if Johnny goes. I know he- or she won't be able to take Johnny's place, but-"

"The new baby. I'd like a girl, I think," Remington said. "With your eyes and dimples-" There was silence in the room again.

Johnny backed away from the door, then went down the stairs, passing Constance without a word as he went outside.

Remington sighed. "Damn it, Laura, why can't we have them both? It's not fair that we should have to lose Johnny now." He looked down at her. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked.

Laura gave him a soft smile. "If you ask me that once more-"

"How did it happen? I thought you were taking the pill?"

"I was. I guess, with everything that's been going on, I- missed one. That's all it takes," she said.

"Obviously. How do you feel about it?" he asked. "I know you and I talked about having children- but that was in the future. Not now, when we were still trying to get used to having Johnny here-"

"I was used it," Laura said. "I thought I'd been doing rather well, actually." Remington gave her a knowing look. "Okay. Maybe I was overcompensating just a little," she admitted. "But I was getting things done. Everything on schedule, nothing left out."

"At the expense of your health," he reminded her. "From now on, we share the load. Laura, I'm not going to give up on Johnny. He doesn't belong with Castlemain. Trina wanted him to be with me; else she wouldn't have left that letter. That has to hold some weight with the Judge."

"You're right. And I think we should fight for him. This house wouldn't be the same without him here."

The front door bell rang, drawing Remington's attention. "That will be Castlemain."

"I told Constance to let him in and send he and Johnny out back. She'll keep an eye on them."

Remington nodded, looking out of the window to see Johnny sitting on the swing, staring at the house. Moments later, he saw David Castlemain approaching the boy across the green grass. Johnny looked up at his grandfather.

"'Ello, Johnny, my lad," David said brightly, frowning as he saw the traces of tears on the boy's face. "What's wrong?"

"'E's not my father," Johnny said in a quiet voice.

"'Oo's not?" Castlemain asked, going still.

"Remington. I 'eard 'im telling M-Laura. And she's going to 'ave a baby."

"Well, then, that settles it, doesn't it, lad?" David said. "They won't be wantin' you around 'ere much longer, what with a new baby comin' and you not being blood kin and all. There's nothin' left for you but to come back to London with me."

Johnny glanced up at the window of Laura and Remington's room, where he could see the two of them in each other's arms, and nodded sadly. "I guess you're right, Grandfather," he decided.

To Be Continued---


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Original Content © Nancy Eddy, 2002