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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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