Laura stole a glance at Murphy as they rode the elevator up to the fourth floor. He was still shaking his head in disbelief at the story she'd told him. Worry that he would start in on Remington the moment they entered the condo made Laura reach out and grab her old friend's arm.
"Murphy, you promised, remember? Not a word?"
"I still can't believe you agreed to that, Laura. Surely there was some other way to keep him from being deported."
"None that we could see."
"Why not just let him go?" Murphy asked, frowning as the doors opened onto the fourth floor and Laura turned to move toward Apartment A.
"I couldn't. I wanted to- I was so angry with him, but-" Her eyes met his. "Promise."
"Not a word," Murphy repeated, and smiled as he lifted his hand. "Scout's honor."
Laura took a deep breath as she opened the door to the apartment, then her eyes flew to Murphy's in surprise as they both heard the sound of laughter. It was coming from the direction of the kitchen, and Murphy followed a curious Laura around the corner, hearing Bernice's amused voice ask, and "You're kidding, right? And she didn't kill you on the spot?"
As she and Murphy continued toward the kitchen, Laura noted absently that the black table in the dining room was elegantly and perfectly laid with four place settings, the candles awaiting the flare of a match to light them.
"Oh, she considered it," Remington answered. "Of course, it turned out that I'd been drugged and the Agency's attorney had slipped a paper in amongst others that signed the agency away. But it was nip and tuck for awhile, there."
Laura and Murphy stood in the doorway, watching as Remington removed something from the oven and turned toward them. "Ah, Laura. Murphy. Back from the front, I see."
Bernice slid from the tall stool that she'd been sitting on as Laura and Murphy approached.
Laura put her arms around the taller woman. "Are you okay?"
"I'm a mess," Bernice told her. "But Johnny wouldn't have wanted me to give up. I want to know who killed him, Laura. And why." She smiled and accepted a hug from Murphy. "I'm glad you're here." Her smiled widened slightly. "Kinda like old times, isn't it?"
"Yeah," Murphy agreed, putting an arm around each woman as Remington cleared his throat loudly.
"Bernice and I thought it might be a good idea to eat something. Shall we?" he asked, indicating that they should go out to the dining room. "If you don't mind escorting the ladies to the table, Murphy, I'll bring the main course." Remington paused momentarily as his gaze locked with Murphy's. There was something about the other man's look that was troubling. As if he knew - Remington's thoughts were interrupted as Bernice spoke.
"What did you find out from Andrew?" she asked Laura.
Laura paused, sending Remington an accusing glance. He shrugged. "You never said not to tell her where you were going. Johnny was her husband she has a right to know what's going on."
"Thank you, Remington," Bernice said quietly, her tone sincere, and at the sound, Laura and Murphy looked surprised. The subject was dropped as the four of them found their chairs and filled their plates with the meal that Remington had thrown together. But far too quickly for Laura's liking, Bernice asked again, "What did he say?"
"Who?" Laura questioned, trying to put off the inevitable.
"Andrew. Of course, whatever it was, it was probably a lie. Andrew was a jerk ten years ago and he hasn't changed much."
"Ten years ago?" Murphy asked. "I thought you hadn't met Johnny until a week before you and he-"
"That's right," Bernice nodded, sipping her wine. "But I met Andrew at a party ten years ago. Handsome, rich, all the things I went for back then."
Laura felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. "Bernice, you and Andrew didn't-"
"Date? A few times," Bernice confirmed as Laura and Murphy groaned softly, ignoring Remington's confused frown. "And there was that weekend in Mexico City," she recalled, sighing. "But Andrew wasn't looking for anything more than a good time- neither was I back then."
"So when he found out that the woman that his brother married after only a week was the same woman that he had - " Remington began, surprised.
"He wasn't happy about it," Bernice confirmed.
"You didn't know that he was Johnny's brother?" Murphy asked.
"No. Johnny didn't tell me anything about his family. I told Laura that I thought he was just a penniless musician when I fell in love with him. You could have knocked me over with a feather when he finally admitted that his father was one of the richest, most powerful lawyers in the state- and that his brother was Andrew Hopper."
"Did- Johnny know about your- liaison with Andrew, Bernice?" Remington asked.
"Oh, yes. I told Johnny all about it. I didn't have much choice after Andrew tried to blackmail me to get out of Johnny's life."
"He tried to what?" Murphy asked.
"Blackmail me. Threatened to tell Johnny all about our past relationship if I didn't leave Johnny and give him a divorce. So I beat him to the punch and told Johnny about it myself. Johnny understood. He wasn't anything like his brother. Johnny cared about people. All Andrew's ever cared about was making sure no one took any of his precious money. What did he say?" she asked again.
"He told us that Johnny was arguing with you today while he was on the telephone with Johnny."
"That's a lie," Bernice stated, putting her fork down loudly. "I wasn't even in the room while they were talking. I took a shower, and then I was putting our things away. That's when I showed Johnny the gun-" her voice faltered slightly. "He indicated that I should put it beside him on the desk. If anyone was arguing, it was he and Andrew. Johnny hung up the phone so hard it's a wonder that it didn't break."
"Did you ask him about it?"
Bernice nodded in answer to Remington's softly spoken question. "But he wouldn't answer. Just told me to go and get Laura, that he needed her help. I gave him a kiss-" she smiled gratefully as Remington held out a clean handkerchief toward her. "Thank you. Johnny was dialing another number as I left the room. I still can't believe that he's- It's like a nightmare that I keep trying to wake up from, you know? Only I can't. I need to make some kind of arrangements, don't I? Johnny's funeral-"
"Andrew's taking care of that," Laura said.
"Why aren't I surprised at that?" Bernice mused, her lips thinning in anger as that emotion took the place of sorrow. "When's the funeral?"
"Uh-" Laura hesitated, glancing at Murphy again.
"Um, uh," Murphy added.
Remington frowned as he read Laura's expression. "He doesn't want Bernice there, does he?"
"Not want me there?" Bernice repeated, looking from Remington to Laura and Murphy. "But- I'm - I *was* Johnny's wife. I have a right to-"
Laura sighed. "He said it was for close family and invited guests only," she confirmed.
"Nonsense," Remington insisted. "Bernice is right. She has a right to attend the last rites of her husband, even if she is suspected of his murder."
"We don't know where it's going to be," Laura pointed out, willing Remington to back off with her eyes. As usual, he chose to ignore her.
"I'm sure it won't be difficult to track it down," Remington insisted. "Mildred should be able to do it in no time."
"Do you think so, Remington?" Bernice asked tearfully, and Laura sighed.
"I'll call Mildred after dinner, see what she can come up with," Laura promised, and Murphy lifted his eyes heavenward. "Remington's right Murphy. And I'm not sure I like the idea of Andrew having his way in this."
"Laura, I know you don't like the guy-"
Bernice and Remington both sent Laura a look of confusion. "You've met Andrew Hopper before, Laura?" Remington asked.
"He was the attorney for Wellington Industries," Laura answered.
"Ah." Remington said with a nod, recalling the story. "Of course."
"It has nothing to do with that," Laura insisted, answering Murphy's spoken question and Remington's unspoken one. "If he's responsible for Johnny's death-"
"He has an alibi, Laura," Murphy pointed out.
"And since when has that ever stopped Laura from proving someone was a murderer?" Remington asked. "Alibis can be broken. And *I* trust Laura's instincts in these matters." Letting that sink in, Remington looked at Laura. "Why don't I handle that while you check into seeing whom else Johnny called from the hotel?" he suggested.
"Can they do that?" Bernice asked.
"Hotels often keep a record of outgoing and incoming telephone calls to guests," Remington pointed out. "The trick is, not letting them know you're a PI. They don't like giving that information out without reason."
"Of course," Bernice said. "I should have remembered that. It's been awhile since I had to think in those terms."
"I think Murphy and I can handle the hotel," Laura agreed.
"Excellent," Remington said, smiling as he refilled the wine glasses- stopping as Murphy placed a hand over his to prevent the action. "Had enough, Murphy?" he questioned, well aware of the double-edged nature of the question.
"Enough wine, yeah," Murphy said. "Tasted a little bitter to me," he said.
"Sour grapes, perhaps," Remington suggested smoothly, returning to his seat to look at the wine in his glass. "Actually it's an excellent vintage. Perhaps it's just that you're not used to the finer things these days, eh?"
Laura sighed and met Bernice's amused eyes. "Why don't we move into the living room?" she suggested, putting her napkin onto the table. "I'll take care of the dishes after we finish talking about our next move."
"Wonderful idea, Mrs. Steele," Remington agreed, moving quickly to stand up and pull her chair out before Murphy could reach it, leaving Murphy standing there as Bernice cleared her throat to get his attention.
When Murphy ignored her and followed Laura, Bernice sighed and tossed her own napkin onto the table before moving to follow the others.
"Why don't I call Mildred about the funeral arrangements?" Remington suggested.
"I'll so it," Laura said, picking up the telephone. She could feel the tension in the room between her husband and Murphy, and wondered if Bernice felt it as well. Dialing Mildred's number, Laura apologized to the woman for calling her at home, and then explained the reason for the call. Mildred agreed to start the search at once. When Laura suggested that she wait until the next morning, Mildred demurred.
"Not on your life, hon," she said. "I don't trust that slimeball Hopper not to do this so quickly Bernice can't get there. I'll let you know as soon as I find something."
"Thanks, Mildred."
"Oh, and tell Mr. Steele that I finished that other report he asked for."
"Other report?" Laura questioned, looking at Remington. "When did Mr. Steele ask for another report?" Remington smiled that smile he always used when he was trying to keep something from her. "About what?"
"You'll have to ask him, Mrs. Steele," Mildred said quickly. "I'll be talking to you." The line went dead, and Laura hung up, still looking at Remington.
"I take it she agreed to help?" Remington asked.
"Yes. She's going to get right on it. She also said something about another report you'd asked for?"
"It's nothing. Just an- investment I'm thinking about making. Nothing important."
"I told you, Laura," Murphy said. "The guy's never gonna change. Still looking for angles."
"Still jumping to conclusions, eh, Murphy?" Remington asked. "I'd be interested to know how you reached that one, considering I've done nothing wrong-"
"No?" Murphy asked, moving to stand before Remington. "I'd say that you've done a *lot* of things wrong. Especially involving Laura in your problems instead of-."
"Murphy!" Laura yelled, forcing herself between the two men, preventing Murphy from breaking his promise.
But Remington saw that look in Murphy's eyes. He knew. Dear God, he knew. Which meant that Laura had told her old friend the truth about their *marriage*. Did she regret agreeing to help him that much, he wondered. His blue gaze slid to Laura, who was looking up at him. "Laura-"
"Rem-"
"We need to talk," the both said at the same time. They looked around and then moved toward the balcony. Remington opened the door and let Laura precede him, then slid the glass panel shut again before following her.
Murphy made a move toward the door, but was stopped by Bernice's hand on his arm. "Come on, Murphy."
"Where?"
"You just volunteered to help me clean up the kitchen."
"But-" he looked toward the balcony.
"They need some privacy, Murphy," Bernice pointed out. "And it *is* their home, after all."
"Since when are you and Steele such friends?" Murphy questioned, following her into the dining room.
"I want Laura to be happy," Bernice pointed out. "If he's what does that, then I say fine." She shoved a stack of plates into his hands. "Look, Murphy, they're married now, so-"
"Are they? Are you sure about that?"
Bernice turned to look at him, frowning.
***
"You told Murphy, didn't you?" Remington asked, breaking the silence that had fallen upon their exit onto the balcony.
Laura stood at the concrete ledge, her eyes on the rough texture. "Yes."
"Why?"
"I don't know. It just- came out. I needed to talk to *someone*. And I thought Murphy might understand-"
"Laura, Murphy's in love with you."
"No," she denied, shaking her head. "Oh, he thought he was, but-"
Remington lifted her chin, forcing her to look up at him. "He still is. I can see it, even if you can't. Hell, I see the same look when I look into the mirror. He'd be overjoyed to see something happen to me."
"That's not true. Murphy likes you-"
"Laura-"
"What's this report that you asked Mildred for?" Laura countered, wanting to change the subject. Even now, she still felt uncomfortable discussing her feelings, even though Remington seemed to have little problem discussing his after Daniel's death in Ireland.
It was Remington's turn to study the ledge.
***
Bernice shook her head and lifted her hands. "If what you say is true, then he didn't *trick* Laura into anything. She agreed of her own free will to this little charade. And if you're honest with yourself, Murphy, you'll admit that they were on a collision course with each other from day one. It just took some time for them to realize it, that's all."
"Bernice, I can't believe that you're suddenly - don't you remember what he is?"
"Was," Bernice corrected, going back out to wipe down the dining table, Murphy on her heels. "He's not the same man, Murphy. I can't explain it, but- he's different. Listen."
Murphy fell silent, tilting his head to do as she requested. "What?"
"Silence. Would the old Remington and Laura have been able to spend ten minutes alone, arguing, without them yelling?" she asked.
Murphy shrugged, looking as though it pained him to speak. "Maybe."
"Come on, Murphy. Those two were always yelling-"
Suddenly, even through the glass, they could hear Laura's voice. "You did *what*?!"
Murphy grinned smugly. "You were saying?"
Bernice sighed, shook her head, and moved back into the kitchen.
***
"I can't believe that you asked Mildred to run a check on *Murphy*!" Laura fumed, her voice back at a reasonable level.
Remington refused to back down. "I admit it, Laura, I was jealous. I was afraid that having him around again, working with him on this case, you'd decide that you wanted him to *stay* around. And right now, a third wheel is the last thing we need if we're going to work this out between us. I mean, it's bad enough that Mildred still tends to barge in at inopportune moments. Can you imagine what it would be like with Murphy constantly underfoot?" He shuddered at the thought.
"Murphy's got his own agency, remember?" Laura pointed out. "He won't stay here. He'll be going back to Denver as soon as we clear Bernice."
"I hope you're right." He pulled her into his arms. "I'll tell Mildred to tear up the report tomorrow morning. Fair enough?"
"Fair enough," Laura agreed. She looked at him. "What's with you and Bernice? Suddenly she's looking at you like you're really Remington Steele."
"We- reached an agreement while you and Murphy were out," he told her. "You know, Bernice isn't really so bad, once you get to know her." He nodded toward the door back into the apartment. "Speaking of which, as much as I like having a few moments alone with you, Mrs. Steele, we do have guests." But when Laura started to move away, he held her close and gave her a long kiss. Lifting his head, he asked, "Any teeth rattling?"
Laura's eyes flew open as she realized what he was talking about. "I'll kill her," she muttered. "With my bare hands."
Remington laughed softly. "At least it explains why you've had so many appointments with Donald over the last few months."
"Two. TWO appointments," Laura pointed out, lifting her fingers to show him. "And it nothing to do with - rattling teeth," she said. "Come on," she said, moving toward the door.
***
Bernice was just bringing some coffee from the kitchen when they entered the room. "Ah, thank you, Bernice. You're a life saver," Remington sighed, picking up a cup of the dark liquid.
"Everything settled?" Bernice questioned, sitting down on the edge of the sofa, cup and saucer in hand.
"As settled as things ever get," Laura responded, deciding that the best course of action would be to get this case finished as soon as possible. "Tomorrow morning, Murphy and I will go to the hotel and see if we can't dig up those telephone numbers, and see if anyone might have seen Andrew Hopper in the hotel before Johnny was killed."
"Excellent idea," Remington agreed. "And Mildred and I will confront the lion in his den."
Bernice finished her coffee, then lifted a hand to her mouth in an attempt to cover her yawn. "Excuse me. I think need to get some sleep- or try to."
"Another good idea," Laura said. "Take the bedroom."
"Where will you and Remington sleep?" Bernice questioned. "I don't want to put you out-"
"Nonsense," Laura insisted. "You and I can share the bed- I'm sure Remington won't mind spending the night on the sofa." She smiled at Remington. "Right, dear?"
Remington didn't look at all pleased, but since there was no other alternative, and being the gentleman that he tried to be, he couldn't condemn Bernice to the sofa after what she'd been through. "Oh, right."
"Probably not the first time," Murphy murmured, drawing Remington's attention.
"On the contrary, Murphy," Remington began, about to dispute the other man's statement, but Laura jumped up.
"What hotel are you staying at, Murphy?" she asked, picking up the telephone. "I'll call Fred and have him drop you-"
"Actually, I didn't check into a hotel yet," Murphy confessed. "I went to the office from the airport-"
Remington's gaze narrowed with suspicion as he looked at Murphy. "I'm sure you'll have no difficulty finding a room," he said, only to find himself over ruled by Laura once more.
"Nonsense. I think we have enough extra blankets so that Murphy can sleep in the chair-or the floor, whichever you prefer."
"I'll take the floor," Murphy told her. "I'm not afraid to rough it. Thanks."
"We'll get an early start tomorrow morning then," Laura told them. She stood on tiptoe to give Remington a light kiss. "Good night, Remington."
"Goodnight," he said in a rueful tone, then nodded in Bernice's direction as she told him goodnight and thanks. "Don't mention it."
"Night, Murphy," Laura said as she brought out a pile of blankets and pillows.
"Night," Murphy replied.
Remington dropped the blankets onto the sofa and turned to see Murphy. Picking up a pillow, he tossed it at the smug smile on the other man's face. Murphy chuckled as he caught it.
It was going to be a long night.
To Be Continued---