"Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke,"
Laura said to Remington's surprise. "Walt Disney, 1964."
Deciding not to comment on her movie reference, he closed the
door and went toward the connecting one that led to his office.
"This shouldn't take very long," he said. "I don't
think that she's what we're looking for."
"We have to talk to her at least," Laura told him as
the door opened and Mildred entered with the silver haired woman.
"Mrs. Brierly," Laura said, coming forward. "I'm
Laura Steele, and this is my husband-"
"Yes, Mrs. Steele," she said, her British accent clearly
evident.
"You're British?" Remington asked.
"Yes, Mr. Steele. Born and raised in London." She was
dressed in a tweed suit, sensible shoes, and Laura thought she
looked like the perfect Nanny. It was difficult to guess her age,
Laura decided. It could have been anywhere from 40 to 65. "Please,
be seated, Mrs. Brierly." She watched as the woman sat on
the edge of the chair, setting her huge handbag at her feet.
"The first thing you need to know, Mrs. Brierly," Remington
began, as usual, "is that my wife and I are expecting twins."
"How wonderful for you. A double blessing," she said,
smiling, her dark eyes twinkling.
Laura met her husband's gaze. So far so good. The first four applicants
had all expressed doubt about such an occurance. "Mr. Steele
and I are in a rather- dangerous line of work, Mrs. Brierly, and
we're looking for someone who can take care of the children- as
well as protect them if necessary. Add that to the fact that Mr.
Steele is wealthy-"
"You're concerned about kidnapping, of course," Agatha
Brierly finished. "Rightfully so, Mrs. Steele. One can't
be too careful these days, can one?" She opened her purse,
a carpet bag, really, and drew out several neatly typed sheets
of paper. "Here is my resumé, Mrs. Steele." She
sat up straighter, if that was possible. Her back already looked
as though she had an iron rod in it. "I am more than adequately
trained to suit your requirements, Mr. and Mrs. Steele. Twins
present no difficulty for me, nor does protecting my charges from
danger." She rose. "Everything is explained in the resumé
in your hands. I suggest that you read it, contact the references
and former employers contained therein. I can be reached at the
telephone number with my address. Good day." She turned and
left the office without another word.
"The nerve-" Remington began as Laura began to scan
the papers. "I believe that's another one we can cross off
of the list-"
"I'm not so certain," Laura interrupted. "Agatha
Brierly has spent the last twenty years working for the families
of the British Diplomatic Corps. Six years in the Middle East.
Where she foiled the attempted kidnapping of her two year old
charge, breaking the arm of the would be abductor." She lifted
a shocked gaze to his. "Remington, she's a forth degree black
belt in Karate."
"That frail, grandmotherly little woman? I think you and
I need to make some telephone calls," he said. "What's
the first reference?" he asked, picking up the telephone.
When Tony arrived, Remington left Laura to continue checking Agatha's
references, and went into the other man's office to fill him in
on the theft. Tony whistled softly. "Bad break. You're certain
this Felicia didn't do it?"
"As sure as I can be, Antony. The woman I knew-or thought
I knew- wasn't prone to hitting people on the head."
"She might've had an accomplice who wasn't as squeamish."
Remington drew a breath. "It's possible. But I still don't
think she's responsible. She told Laura and I that she got her
invitation from Charles Harwood. I need you to see what you can
dig up on him. I want to know how and where he met Felicia."
"Whoever did this knows you won't go to the police and risk
the theft becoming public knowledge, Steele. That still leaves
a long list of suspects."
"I've got Mildred checking on the temp agency," he said.
"I need you to concentrate on Harwood."
"Will do."
Remington stepped from Tony's office and started toward his own
office to join Laura, when he heard Mildred whispering into the
telephone. "I TOLD you to stop calling," she hissed.
"He's not interested in anything you have to say-"
Her back to was to him, and Remington approached quietly, then
reached around to take the telephone from her. "I'll take
it, Mildred," he told her, ignoring her angry glare. "Steele
here."
"Oh, thank goodness. I thought I was never going to get past
the dragon-lady."
"What do you want, Felicia?" He saw Mildred's jaw tighten.
"I have to see you, Remington. Right away. It's very important."
"Felicia -"
"Please don't say no. I know who stole your painting. And
if they find out I've called you-"
"Don't you think you're being just a touch melodramatic,
Felicia?"
"Michael, I'm frightened."
Remington paused. Felicia wasn't a woman who frightened easily.
And she certainly sounded sincere. "Where?" he asked,
knowing that Laura was going to be furious. If she weren't on
the level, then Laura's belief might be borne out as well. Either
way, he would have a place to start in finding the person who
had bashed him in the head and stolen the Monet.
"Can you come here? Room 217? And hurry. They'll be returning
soon."
"I'll be there," he told her. As he hung up the telephone,
he saw Mildred's disapproving expression. "I'll be back in
an hour, Mildred," he told her.
She got up and caught him before he reached the doors. "What
am I supposed to tell Mrs. Steele? She'll want to know where you've
gone-"
"Tell her- Tell her I've gone to talk to an informant, Mildred.
And let's keep that telephone call between us, eh?" he said,
winking.
"Don't go, Mr. Steele. There's something about that woman-"
"She's an old friend who might be in trouble, Mildred. I
can't turn my back on her."
"All she's going to do is lead YOU into trouble," Mildred
told him.
"I'll be back," he told her, and was gone.
Mildred stood there for a long moment, then turned back to her
desk. Lying to Mrs. Steele wasn't going to be easy.
Laura hung up the telephone. All of Agatha Brierly's references
had given glowing reports about the woman. She was an absolute
marvel, and Laura couldn't wait to tell Remington that she thought
their search for the perfect nanny for the children was over.
Glancing at her watch, she frowned. He'd been in with Tony for
a long time. Buzzing his office got no response, so Laura went
out into the reception area. "Mildred-"
The receptionist started. "Oh, Mrs. Steele. You startled
me."
"I think we've found our nanny, Mildred," she said.
"She's perfect. I can't wait to tell Mr. Steele." She
started toward Tony's office.
"Tony's not there," Mildred said.
"He's not?" Laura turned back to the desk.
"He said he was going over to Hawkins Electronics to snoop
around."
"But Mr. Steele was with Tony. Where-"
Mildred lowered her gaze to the desk before her. "He- uh,
-He said something about meeting an- informant -" This wasn't
going to work.
"An informant?" Laura asked. "When did this happen?"
"He- uh, he left about half an hour ago, I guess."
"Did he say where he was going, Mildred?"
"No," Mildred said truthfully. He hadn't mentioned a
specific address.
"Where did he get the information about this informant?"
"He-got a telephone call. Anonymous-"
"Look at me, Mildred."
"Mrs. Steele-"
"Now, Mildred." Mildred lifted her eyes, and Laura's
narrowed. "He went to see HER, didn't he? She called, and
he goes running to her-"
"Now, Mrs. Steele-"
"Where were they meeting?"
"He didn't say-"
"That's all right," Laura said. "I'll be willing
to bet I know EXACTLY where they are." She went into her
office and got her purse. "Have Fred met me downstairs, Mildred."
"Mrs. Steele-" She was gone, leaving Mildred no choice
but to dial the number of the limo phone.
Remington knocked on the door to Room 217, and wasn't pleased
when the panel moved beneath his hand. "Not good," he
murmured softly, pushing the door a bit wider. "Felicia?"
he called, going into the room. He saw her, laying on the floor,
blood pooling beneath her. "Oh, no." He knelt beside
her, checking for a pulse. There was none, and he touched her
face. "Oh, Felicia. What the hell did you get into this time?"
he asked, but the only answer he got was another blow to the head-
and darkness.