- Jewel of Steele
- Part Three
- by Susan Boyle
-
- A Remington Steele Round Robin
copyright 1998 by the Remington Steele Chatboard
DISCLAIMER: This story is purely a work of fiction
and is in no way associated with REMINGTON STEELE, MTM, the actors...yaddah,
yaddah, yaddah...we all know the drill. This is purely a bit
of fun for the latenight RS Chatboard crowd.
-
- Remington Steele sat at his desk, staring out the window,
but seeing nothing. His thoughts were of Laura and the revelation
she had presented the evening before. Her words kept replaying
in his head. "You are going to be a father!," she had
told him, somewhat apprehensively. He had known as soon as she
returned from her doctor's appointment earlier that day that
something was troubling her. "A clean bill of health,"
she had told him as she joined him in a meeting with a client.
"Nothing to worry about." But he knew better. There
was something that she was not telling him. Later when they were
alone at home, Laura had finally confessed what the doctor had
told her.
"A baby?," he spoke softly, "We're going to have
a baby?"
"In about 7 and a half months. I know we hadn't planned
this
but-Are you okay with this?" Laura spoke tentatively, unsure
of her husband's reaction.
"I'm more than okay with this," he grinned sheepishly."We're
going to have a baby!"
Remington lifted his wife into his arms and held her close. He
felt her soft hair against his cheek. All his life he had
wondered what it would be like to be a part of a family. And
now, he and Laura were going to have their own! Suddenly, waves
of doubt flooded through his body. "Am I ready for this?"
he wondered silently. How could he feel such joy and such confusion
at the same time?
As he looked at his wife, the woman who had changed his life,
he knew without a doubt that she would be a wonderful mother.
It was his abilities that he questioned.
Laura looked up at him with those brown eyes that had captured
his heart so long ago. "You will be a wonderful father,"
she whispered in his ear, almost as if she could read his mind.
As Laura lay in bed that evening, her husband asleep beside her,
a thousand thoughts danced in her head. Could she really have
it all? A career, a marriage, and a baby? How would this affect
things at the office? She couldn't really be a full-time private
investigator and a full-time mom. She knew she wasn't willing
to give up her career but she didn't want their child to suffer
for it. When she had called her sister, Francis, to give her
the news, Francis had been her usual opinionated self when giving
Laura advice. Francis felt that Laura should be at home as a
full-time wife and mother after the baby arrived. And her mother,
Abigail, was in total agreement with Francis. Her mother's words
from childhood echoed in her ears: "Why can't you be more
like your sister, Francis?!" But she wasn't Francis. And
that lifestyle wouldn't make her happy. How would she balance
it all?
She looked over at her husband, sleeping peacefully, a smile.
She had been worried about how he would take the news, it was
so unexpected. But she had been pleasantly surprised by his reaction.
She knew she shouldn't worry, somehow it would all work out.
After all, together they could do anything. As she finally drifted
off to sleep, her only thoughts were of their beautiful child
that she couldn't wait to meet.
************
Laura glanced at her watch. It was 11 am and she had an hour
before she was meeting Jennifer Hart for lunch. She glanced at
the teddy bear on the kitchen table that she had purchased after
her doctor's appointment the day before, and then gently touched
her abdomen. She wondered what their child would look like. She
smiled as she thought of a little boy with his daddy's bright
blue eyes. Or a little girl full of that spunk that Laura's mother
had so often complained about when Laura was just a young girl.
As soon as the doctor had confirmed what Laura had suspected,
she felt herself bond with the life that was inside of her. It
wasn't what they had planned, but nothing in her life had gone
as planned since the day he walked into her office. From the
very first moment that their eyes had met, she felt a bond with
this man that she couldn't explain. Every instinct she had told
her to distance herself from this man. But her heart wouldn't
let her. She smiled at the thought of practical, sensible Laura
Holt falling for a man like this.
Even today, Remington's head was still spinning, unsure of how
he felt about what had transpired. His first reaction had been
one of relief. He had been so concerned that Laura might be seriously
ill. He had never even considered the possibility that she might
be pregnant. They had talked about children, but they had only
been married for three months. When the feelings of relief subsided,
they were replaced with a mixture of happiness and fear. Fear
that this would change things between himself and Laura. Fear
that he wouldn't be a good father. "What do I know about
being a father?" he thought to himself. After all, his own
past provided him with no father figures. His thoughts drifted
to Daniel, the father whoseidentity was revealed too late. He
had always thought of Daniel like a father but would knowing
the truth have made a difference?
But even his nagging doubts of his ability to be a good father
couldn't squelch his feelings of absolute happiness. He had often
thought of what it would be like to be a father, but it was always
something that happened to other men. He knew that if he could
only do one thing right in his life, this was it.
The sound of a phone ringing in the distance brought him out
of his trance-like state. He could hear Mildred in the outer
office, cheerful as always, talking with a client. She had been
so helpful lately, with Laura having been feeling ill. He knew
that Mildred would be thrilled with the news that he and Laura
had to share. They had decided the night before that they would
tell her together when Laura arrived at the office. But he could
hardly contain his excitement. She was like a mother to both
of them and would certainly play an important role in their child's
life.
Mildred's voice through the office intercom startled him. "Mr.
Steele, I know you didn't want to be disturbed, but there is
a client here who says he has an appointment with you. I don't
see one scheduled, but he is very insistent."
With everything else that had been running through his mind,
he had almost forgotten about the client who had called the day
before, insisting that he needed to meet with him
immediately--and alone. At first,he had refused the meeting;
after all, he and Laura had made an agreement years before that
they would handle all cases together. But the man had sounded
so anxious, and there was something in the tone of his voice
that made Remington want to help him. Surely Laura wouldn't mind.
After all, her pregnancy was going to mean he would soon be taking
on more of the responsibilities at the office anyway. He chuckled
to himself at the thought of a client insisting to see him. The
great Remington Steele, what a joke. Though he had become a good
detective, it was still Laura's instincts and experience that
most often broke a case. But to the public at large, he was the
head of Remington Steele Investigations.
"Send him in, Mildred."
As the man entered his office, Mr. Steele sensed a certain
familiarity to him. He didn't think that they had ever met, but
he wasn't sure. The man was well-dressed and was obviously a
man of means. He looked to be about 60 with slightly graying
dark hair and brown eyes that seemed to be filled with pain.
And the way he carried himself spoke volumes. He seemed nervous,
and his eyes quickly darted around the room, as if he were looking
for something, or someone.
"Are we alone?" the man asked.
"Yes, we are, Mr...ummm, I'm sorry, I didn't catch your
name."
The man paused and replied unconvincingly, "Mr. Smith."
"Okay, then. Have a seat, Mr. Smith. What is it that brings
you to my office?"
"Maybe I shouldn't have come," the man said softly.
"I know I shouldn't be bringing anyone else into this, I
just don't know where to turn. It is all so complicated."
He paused and looked at the clock on the wall of the spacious
and well-furnished office. "When did you say your associate
would be back? I need this handled with discretion and it has
to remain between just the two of us."
"Miss Holt has a lunch meeting and shouldn't be back until
around two. But you might wish to involve her, she is an
excellent detective and very discrete."
At the office, they were still Mr. Steele and Miss Holt. They
had decided shortly after their marriage that they needed to
keep a professional appearance. Laura had continued to use her
maiden name when dealing with clients and very few of them knew
of the relationship between the two of them. A few had suspected;
Laura and Remington's knowing glances hadn't escaped them all.Only
Mildred knew the truth and she could see the changes. The tension
between them was all but gone and they were more in synch than
ever. She often joked with them, telling them that if they had
just given in to their attraction sooner, they would have saved
her a lot of grief. "You kids were meant to be together,"
she would say. "Too bad I was the only one here who could
see it!"
Steele looked at the man who sat in the large leather chair in
his office. The man seemed visibly shaken at the mention of Miss
Holt. Steele wondered what could possibly have this man so afraid.
He looked as if he might jump out of his own skin.
"No, absolutely not," the man said sternly as he rose
from the chair."If this can't be handled by you, and you
alone, I will need to take my business elsewhere." With
a glance toward Steele, the man started toward the door.
Mr. Steele moved quickly around the large mahogany desk, gently
grabbing the man's arm. "Okay, mate. We'll do this your
way. Sit down and tell me what brings you here."
"I don't know quite where to begin."
"Well, how about telling me what has got you so on edge."
The man looked around nervously and again Steele had the feeling
that he knew this man. He had met a lot of people, some he didn't
wish to remember, but he was sure that this man wasn't one of
them. But Steele couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity, and
he couldn't explain it. But something told him that he had to
help this man.
"Someone is trying to kill me!" the man blurted out.
Steele wondered silently how many times he had heard a client
speak those very same words. But somehow this case, and this
man, were different. If only he could involve Laura in this.
He wasn't at all sure that this case was one he should attempt
without her. But what could he do? The man was desperate and
refused to allow Steele any help. There was only one thing he
could do.
"Okay, start at the beginning and don't leave anything out,"
Steele said calmly to the man.
*******
Laura and Jennifer had met at L'Orangerie for lunch and Jennifer
had been thrilled to hear the news. Laura and Remington had met
the Harts a few years before when security problems at Hart Industries
had caused Jonathan to bring in outside help. The two couples
clicked instantly and they often met for dinner or an occasional
game of golf or tennis. Trouble and murder seemed to find the
Harts almost as often as it did Laura and Remington. Laura was
thankful for the friendship of Jennifer Hart; she had so few
women friends.
Jennifer was insistent that she would have a shower for Laura
when the baby's arrival grew closer. Laura's thoughts drifted
back to her child and a smile crossed her face. As she neared
the office door, her thoughts immediately changed to the pile
of paperwork that was piling up on her desk since she hadn't
been feeling well. Her lunch with Jennifer hadn't lasted as long
as she had planned and she knew she could put the extra time
to good use.
As Laura entered the office, Mildred looked up from the computer
and smiled pleasantly. "You look like you are feeling better,
Miss Holt. Must be that sunshine and leisurely lunches agree
with you. We weren't expecting you till a little later this afternoon."
She couldn't help but notice that Laura's recent tiredness and
moodiness had been replaced with a warm glow.
"I am feeling much better. Thank you, Mildred. Is Mr. Steele
in?"
Yes, he's with a client."
"A client? I didn't think we had any appointments this
afternoon. Who is this new client?"
"I don't know, he wouldn't tell me his name. But Mr. Steele
seemed to be expecting him."
"Hmmm...Well, I'm sure Mr. Steele will fill me in with all
of the details." Laura moved towards the closed door. "Hold
all of my calls, Mildred. I'm going to meet our mysterious new
client."
*******
Remington leaned back into his chair, a look of amazement in
his ice blue eyes. He had heard many a story, but never one quite
like this. He had suspected that the man needed his help, but
he never could have imagined how much. The man seemed physically
and emotionally drained after his hour-long tale of danger and
intrigue. But Remington thought he also saw a look of relief
in the man's eyes.
"Will you help me?" the man asked, his voice shaky,
and filled with desperation.
Though his instincts told him to say no, Steele heard himself
softly reply, "Yes, I will help you." He couldn't tell
this man no. Not after the story the man had just told him. How
he wished he could ask Laura for her help.
"Thank you." The man rose from his chair and walked
over to the large window, staring out at the city below.
Remington noticed him wiping the sweat from his brow, and
offered him a drink of water. A scotch might have been more
welcomed, but Remington was fresh out. He didn't quite know
where to begin with this case, and a feeling of panic nearly
overcame him as he wondered if he was in over his head with this
one. He was a good detective, a damn good one, but this bloody
case was unlike anything he had ever encountered.
As Steele pondered the case before him, the heavy office door
swung open and Laura appeared, a look of curiosity on her face.
"Miss Holt! I wasn't expecting you back so soon," he
said,
jumping up from his relaxed position and gently taking her arm.
He moved her quickly in the direction of her office door. "Why
don't you go and prepare for our 3:00 meeting with Alexander
Manning, and I'll join you in just a minute."
"No, Mr. Steele. I'd like to meet our new client."
She moved
slowly in the direction of the man, who was still facing away
from her.
"We were just wrapping up here. Mr. Smith is in a hurry
and I see no need to detain him. I will join you in your office
in a couple minutes and bring you up to speed on this one."
Laura had never seen such a look of insistence in her husband's
eyes. She wondered who this man was and why Remington was being
so protective of him. There had been more than a few secrets
between them through the years and Laura wasn't prepared to head
down that road again. Who was this man? And what was all of the
secrecy? She couldn't deal with the thought of secrets coming
between them again. There was too much at stake. He was her husband
and they were expecting a child together. They needed total honesty,
now more than ever, both in their marriage and here at the office.
Laura knew she had to get to the bottom of this.
As Laura approached the man, he remained still and maintained
his gaze through the window. Remington was sure he could feel
the tension level rising in the room.
"Hi, I'm Laura Holt, Mr. Steele's associate. Why don't you
tell me a little about what the two of you have been discussing."
The man stood silently, motionless. A few seconds later, the
sound of him clearing his throat broke the silence in the room.
Slowly, he began to turn around, facing first in the direction
of Mr. Steele. Remington noticed tears pooling in the man's eyes,
and a look of fear in his eyes. A different type of fear than
what he had observed when listening to him tell his tale a few
minutes before.
Summoning every ounce of courage in his body, the man then
turned to face Laura.
"Hello, Laura." As he said this, his voice wavered
and his eyes moved upward until they finally met hers.
Laura felt the color draining from her face. She could almost
feel her world turning upside down. He looked older, and she
could tell that life had not been kind to him. His hair was now
streaked with gray and in his eyes she saw pain and regret For
the first time since she was sixteen years old, Laura looked
into the eyes of her father.
To be continued...
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