Laura approached her car while looking for her keys, and when someone spoke, she dropped her purse on the concrete, scattering its contents.
"Hello, Laura."
She looked up to find Tony Roselli lounging against her Rabbit. "Tony. What are you doing here? You were going to London -"
"Once that was all cleared up, I went back to Washington and resigned," he told her, his eyes searching her face.
"You -QUIT?"
"Yeah, well, let's just say it was a mutual decision."
Laura understood. Tony had cut too many corners in that last assignment. "Why are you here?" she asked, picking up her makeup, keys, and various items."
"To see you," he told her.
Laura stopped, looking up. "Tony, I -"
"And to see if there might be an opening with your agency."
"You want to be a detective?" she asked, openly skeptical.
Tony shrugged. "Doesn't everyone?" He held out her wallet. "Why didn't you take my calls, Laura?"
She turned away to unlock her door. "I've been busy. Coming home, getting settled in, clearing up the pile of work. You have no idea how much paperwork I have to do."
"How's Steele?"
"Steele?"
"Your -husband?" he prompted. "The man you pretended to marry to keep him from being deported?"
"I know WHO he is, Tony," Laura sighed. "I was just surprised that you asked about him."
"I guess I hoped he might've stayed in Ireland."
Laura shook her head. "No. He's here. We just got back from Las Vegas this morning -"
"Vegas?"
"Look, Tony, I have to be going. We're working on a case -call Mildred and set up an appointment about a job interview -" she stopped talking as his fist connected with the fender of her small car.
"Dammit, Laura, I thought we meant something to each other."
She met his eyes. "I'm married, Tony."
"No, you're not. It's a sham. And unless you agree to have dinner with me, I'm going to the INS and talk to Gladys Lynch -"
"Go ahead," Laura said. "Gladys Lynch isn't in charge of the case anymore. And Estelle Becker can't do anything." She sighed heavily. "Oh, get in the car and I'll try to explain while I'm driving you to your hotel."
Tony listened with growing incredulity to Laura's story. "You thought you were helping him to con the INS and all the time he was conning you? And you didn't find out until you had married him again-in Vegas?"
"That's right," Laura said, her eyes daring him to laugh.
He shook his head. "It's a wonder you didn't strangle him."
"I thought about it. But now, I think I have a better way to repay him. When we first started seeing each other, I was able to make him incredibly jealous by having flowers sent from a secret admirer."
Tony shook his head. "Won't work again. He'll need someone real this time. I'm available."
She frowned. "I can't ask you to do it, Tony. It wouldn't be fair.-"
Tony had known Laura was a lost cause from the moment he'd seen her in that garage. He wanted her to be happy, so he said, "Just tell me what you want me to do."
While Jessica settled in, Steele put a call in to Mildred at the office. "Remington Steele Agency."
"Ah, Mildred. I want you to run a computer check-"
"Mrs. Steele and I already ran one on Miss Beecham, Chief. She's the genuine article."
"I suspected as much. No, the check I need is on a Megan O'Hara. Date of death, May 6, 1953, Dublin, Ireland."
"What do you want me to find out?"
"See if you can track down any of her family. Let me know what you find."
"Sure, Chief. Who was this -Megan O'Hara?"
"My mother," Steele returned quietly. "Is Laura still there?"
"No. She left a couple of hours ago-said she was going home."
"What was her mood?"
"It's hard to say. She hasn't mentioned anything about it since Miss Beecham and you left."
"Thank you, Mildred. I'll talk to you later."
Tony held Laura back. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"It's the only way to teach him a lesson, Tony. Give me ten minutes, then call."
"And if Steele answers, I'll hang up."
"Then every half-hour," Tony said.
Steele and Jessica were laughing when Laura let herself into the apartment. "Enjoying yourselves?" she asked, coming around to sit beside Jessica on the sofa.
"Remington was just telling me about the first time you met Daniel."
"Quite a memorable occasion," Laura agreed. "Do you live in London, Miss Beecham?"
"Please, call me Jessica. I make my home there, yes. But I've spent the last few years traveling on family business."
"What business is that?"
"My grandfather was an entrepreneur. He would by a business that was on the verge of failing, work out its flaws, re-establish it, then sell it for profit. I was in Italy arranging for the sale of a company when word came that Mother was dying." She looked at Laura. "Why all of the questions, Mrs. Steele? Could it be that you doubt my identity for a more personal reason?"
"Not at all, Jessica," Steele insisted as the telephone rang. It was at Steele's elbow, yet Laura leaptt across to try and answer it before he could. But Steele was quicker, and picked up the receiver. "Steele here." CLICK! Steele frowned, shrugged. "Must have been a wrong number." He glanced curiously at Laura, who simply smiled and sat back down, agreeing.
Drawing the envelope from his pocket, Steele held it out to Laura. "You might be interested in these, Laura. I called Mildred after you left -two hours ago -and started her to work on her computer."
Laura ignored his implied question as to her where abouts and began to read. "This must be-" she began, her eyes on Steele, then moved to Jessica. "Your brother's birth certificate."
"Yes. Unless Daniel Chalmers had more than two children," Jessica agreed. "But that date would have been around the right time from what he told Mother. Do you think you can find my brother, Mrs. Steele?"
Laura smiled. "I'd say we stand a very good chance of doing so. And call me Laura."
Jessica noticed Laura's distracted air, and recalled that the two of them had been arguing earlier. "If you will excuse me, I think I'll go rest for awhile. It was a long flight."
"Of course. Sleep well." The telephone rang again, and once more, Steele answered. "Steele here." CLICK. He hung up the telephone, then turned to look at Laura, his tone soft. "Where were you, Laura?"
"When?"
"During the two plus hours after you left the office before you got home."
She didn't look at him. "I went for a drive. I needed to think."
"Look, Laura, if you would just let me explain -"
"Explain? That you conned me? That you -" her eyes widened as the telephone rang again. It hadn't been ten minutes. Her hesitation allowed Steele to pick it up.
"Remington Steele here."
"Hello, Steele. How're things going?"
Steele turned his blue gaze toward Laura. "Why, ANTONY. What a-surprise." Laura's eyes closed and she made a move away, but Steele's hand grabbed her arm, keeping her at his side. "The line is surprisingly clear for an overseas call."
"I'm in Los Angeles," Tony told him. "I guess Laura didn't -Look, Steele, I need to talk to you. Can I come by for a few minutes?"
"Of course. I think you know the address." Steele hung up the telephone, still keeping Laura at his side. At last he understood why they had been replaying a scene from "If A Man Answers", 1962, Sandra Dee, Bobby Darin, for the last few minutes. "That was Antony Roselli," he told her. "I don't suppose you knew he was in Los Angeles."
"No," she said, "I didn't. I'm as surprised as you are that he called. Believe me."
"He's on his way here to talk to me about something. I wonder what it could be about, Laura?"
"How should I know?" she asked, shrugging.
"I wonder how he'll react now that things have changed." He looked down into her face. "Things HAVE changed, haven't they, Laura?"
"If you say so. Will you please let me go so that I can change clothes?"
He studied the new gold band on her left hand before releasing her. "I'll let our guest in when he arrives, so don't hurry back."
"Oh, I'll be back. I rather -liked Tony," she reminded him, smiling as she went into the other room.
Steele opened the door to Tony and stepped aside. "When did you arrive in town, Antony? The last time we heard from you, you were en route to London."
Tony shrugged, looking around the room. "I got homesick. And after everything that happened in Ireland, I decided it was time I look for a new line of work."
"You decided?" Steele asked. "Why Los Angeles?"
"I like it here. And I wanted to see someone-"
"Of course you did." Steele poured himself a drink, looked up at Tony. "Would you care for something?"
"Got any beer?"
Steele grimaced. "Let me go and check. Make yourself at home."
Tony went to the window, turning as he heard Laura hiss, "Why are you here? I thought we agreed -"
"I know, Laura. But I got to thinking, and I decided it wouldn't work. There might be another way," he returned. "Just go along with whatever I say."
Steele entered the room to find his wife and Tony huddled at the window, talking softly. When he spoke, they jumped apart, trying not to look guilty. "Here you go, Tony. It's imported, but it's still beer. Ah, Laura."
Tony took the glass and looked around. "Nice place you have here."
"Thank you. But I don't think you came up here to tell me that."
"No. Like I said, I need a new job -and I thought maybe the Remington Steele Agency might be able to use the services of a former government agent -"
Steele's eyes widened. "YOU want a job at the Agency?"
"Why not?"
"I can think of one reason immediately," Steele said, his gaze moving to Laura.
But she was smiling. "I think it's an excellent, idea, Remington," she said.
"I'm sure you do, Laura, but -"
Laura passed him on her way to the kitchen. "May I see you in the kitchen, Remington?"
"Excuse us, Antony."
"Sure."
"Laura-"
"I don't like to remind you, but the agency IS mine, and I think we should hire Tony."
"Why? So you can use him to repay me for tricking you?"
"Oh, that over-blown ego of yours -is IMPOSSIBLE!"
"My -Now look here, Laura -"
"Oh, Excuse me. I didn't know Remington and Laura had company." Jessica looked around. "Where are they?"
"In the kitchen, having a discussion. Who are you?"
"Jessica Beecham. Mr. Steele's trying to find my brother, Mr. -"
"Roselli. Tony Roselli."
"Are you another client?"
Tony grinned. "No. I work for the agency."
"I see. Then why don't you know about my case, Mr. Roselli?"
Tony thought quickly. "Well, I've been out of town on a case. I just got back."
Jessica looked doubtful. "I do hope they're not arguing again."
"I wouldn't worry about it too much."
Jessica looked at him. "Then it happens frequently?"
"Almost every day since I've known them."
"Pity. They seem so well suited. Such a lovely couple. Although they are a bit -intense, aren't they?"
She and Tony looked around as Laura stalked out of the kitchen, Remington on her heels. "I've made my decision on this, and it's final, Remington." She came up so suddenly that Remington nearly knocked her over. "Jessica. I didn't realize -Have you met-Tony-Mr. Roselli?"
"Only just. I couldn't sleep," she apologized. "Too excited about the possibility of finding my brother, I suppose."
"That means a lot to you, doesn't it, Jessica?" Laura asked.
Jessica blinked, her blue eyes suspiciously damp. "He's all the family I have, Laura. If think I'll go for a walk. If you will all excuse me -"
Once the door closed behind her, Tony looked at Steele. "Well, do I have a job or not?"
Laura smiled widely. "Welcome to Remington Steele Investigations, Tony."
"Thanks, Laura. I'm a little confused here. It's HIS agency, but YOU decide who to hire?"
"It's a long, boring story, Antony," Steele said. "I'm sure you don't want to hear it -"
"Remington -" Laura warned.
"No, Laura. I won't take the chance that he's using you again -give him ammunition -"
"Hey, I'm on the level -"
"Like you were in Mexico, mate? Or London?"
"I admit that I had ulterior motives then, but all I want now is a job." He looked at Laura. "If there's something you think I should know, it won't go any further."
"You're a fine one to talk about using people, Remington," Laura ground out.
Steele read her determination on her face and lifted his hands. "Go ahead. But just don't expect me to stay and listen." He grabbed his coat and left, slamming the door behind him. Laura flinched at the sound.
"Why is he so upset?"
"He just doesn't want you to know the truth," Laura said quietly.
"What truth?"
"The reason why I made the decision to hire you." She paced to the window that overlooked the park across the street. As she watched, Steele was hailed by Jessica and they began to walk slowly. "Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be a private detective. Oh, I planned to set the world on its ear. But when I got my license, I discovered that people didn't take a female detective seriously. So I invented a superior. A MASCULINE superior . . ."
"It would appear that I asked for you help at an inopportune time, Remington. The trouble with your marriage --I can wait to find my brother until your personal problems are resolved. After all, I've waited this long -"
"No." He stopped on the path, turning to find an empty bench. "You've waited long enough. And so have I. Let's sit for a moment, shall we?"
Jessica followed him, curious. "I don't understand."
"Yes. Well, I suppose the place to start would be at the beginning, wouldn't it? I don't remember either of my parents. I spent the first ten years of my life bounced between supposed relatives, foster homes -never really wanted or loved. I ran away, began living in the shadows, not trusting or believing that I needed anyone. When I was fourteen, I picked the pocket of a con man who had just pulled off a big score."
"Daniel Chalmers," Jessica guessed.
"He found me and convinced me that I should stick around for awhile -after I told him that my mother was dead and if I ever found my father I'd most likely stick a shiv in his heart." He blinked away the pain that memory, knowing that Daniel had suffered upon hearing it. "Daniel taught me so much -"
"So how long did you -stick around?"
"Daniel and I spent almost four years traveling, running scams, polishing MY talents."
"And -after you left, what then?"
Steele shrugged. "Different name, different jobs, most not entirely legal. I've retrieved certain jewels, other object d'art from various clients -"
Jessica shook her head. "I'm amazed, Remington. How did you ever become a world famous detective?"
"For that I have to thank Laura. I came to Los Angeles planning to steal some jewels that the Agency had been hired to protect . . . "
Tony shook his head, having heard Laura's story out in silence. "So even though everyone things he's the boss -you're really in charge."
"When it pertains to business matters," Laura clarified. "Over the last few years, we've become more partners than anything else. He's got such natural instincts for the work -"
"Why did you agree to hiring me, Laura? Just to get back at him?"
"You agreed to help, Tony," she reminded him. "And the Agency could use another operative. With all the time we've spent out of the country, our caseload IS backed up. It shouldn't be too difficult to get you an apprentice license, considering your background."
"Laura, about your marriage-"
She looked at him, her eyes wary. "What about it?"
He looked at her for along moment, seeing the look on her face. "Never mind. I know the answer. I'll see you tomorrow morning."
"Early."
Tony grinned. "You're the Boss. Thanks."
Laura closed the door behind him and went to the window to watch Remington and Jessica as they sat in the park, talking.
"She's a rather remarkable woman, your Laura," Jessica said at last. "And I can't say I blame her for being angry with you. That wasn't a very nice trick, Remington."
"Well, I fully intended to tell her the truth - eventually."
"Of course. Excuse me, but what has this to do with my brother?"
Steele looked down at his hands. "Just before Daniel died, he made a startling revelation. Thirty four years ago, he fell in love with a young woman and was separated from her when he was sent to prison. While there, he received word that she was pregnant. She died giving birth to a son, who was put into foster care. Daniel searched for years, but was unable to find his son. He had almost given up searching when I picked his pocket that day." Steele looked over at Jessica.
Her own blue eyes met his, widening. "You're telling me - that YOU are Daniel's son?"
"Yes. He didn't tell me in those early days because I had built up such a hatred for my father that he wasn't certain of my reaction."
"Then why tell you at all?" she asked, still in shock.
"My relationship with Laura has never taken a smooth course. It always seemed to me that if I knew who I was, I would be able to offer Laura the stability she needs. A few years ago, I decided that if I could find out who I really was --" he shook his head. "Every lead I turned up when cold." He slowly drew his gold pocket watch out. "This was given to me with a note that my father wanted me to have it."
Jessica opened it, smiled at the notes of "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling", then read the inscription. "To S.J. from K. L."
"Sean James," he explained, "And Kevin Landers. It was originally meant to be a gift from Kevin Landers to his illegitimate son. My father stole it and left it with a friend to give to me. I returned it to Kevin Landers, thinking that he might be my father. Daniel was there as well, and never said a word. Later, he told Kevin the truth- and Kevin either gave him the watch, or Daniel stole it again."
"To give back to you."
"Yes." Steele sat back. "I threw it back into his face. I was angry at first, so angry, that I walked out to keep from strangling him."
"You didn't know he was ill?"
"He'd taken great care to hide that from me as well."
"I suppose he felt that he had nothing to lose by telling you the truth. Did you forgive him?"
"I thought I had," Steele told her, looking across the park, "Until you came into the office this morning."
"Which explains your uncertainty about taking the case."
"I'd known the man twenty years, Jessica, yet didn't REALLY know him at all."
Jessica smiled at him, placing a hand on his. "So. You're my brother. Or, rather, half- brother."
Steele's smile was lopsided. "Am I a great disappointment?"
"Not at all. And now that I know that we're family, I won't feel so terrible about meddling in your problem with Laura."
"Jessica--"
"Well, a girl has the right to want her big brother to be happy, doesn't she?" she asked with a smile. "Besides which, I think we need some time to get to know each other."
"You sound as if you plan on staying in Los Angeles."
"For awhile. I've really nothing to return to in London," Jessica told him.
"Your Grandfather's business -"
"We were selling it when Mother died. I was trained in the law -"
"You're a lawyer?"
"Certified in England- and here in California. I attended college at Berkley," she told him. "It shouldn't be too difficult to set up a practice. I still have a few contacts in the area. And I'll be finding a place of my own."
"You don't have to-"
"Remington, you and Laura are still newlyweds. What you need most at the moment is a chance to work out your problems with an outsider around."
"You're not an outsider, Jessica. But there might be a way that you can help."
She grinned, pleased to see the glint of a plan in his eyes. "How?"
"Let's start back to the apartment and I'll explain --"