Steele Romance

Part 7

by Nancy Eddy

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Seeing the look Laura was giving him, Harry pointed to the file. "If this statue is what I think it is-"
"The description is there in the report," Laura told him. "Twelve inches high,-"
"Made of solid jade with rubies for the eyes," Harry nodded. "With a diamond in the stomach -"
Laura was also nodding- until he made the last comment. "That wasn't in the report," she told him, her eyes narrowing. "You've seen it, haven't you? Not in relation to this case, but -"
"Well, -"
"Oh, Harry. Tell me that you didn't -"
"No," he said, seeing her relax slightly. "But-" Her eyes fixed on him again as he grinned. "I did PLAN to steal it a few years ago. But there are only a few collectors would would be willing- or able to buy something like that. The value here is listed at a quarter of a million- It's much higher than that. Closer to seventy five."
Laura sat down heavily. "What do you think happened to it?"
"The report doesn't mention anyone interviewing MR. Crandall."
"Mrs. Crandall didn't want him bothered about it. She said he was most upset about the theft -"
"Does that make sense to you, Laura? I know if I had given my wife something like that, and it was later stolen, I'd be right in the middle of the search to locate and return it. Unless I had something to do with the disappearance."
"Then why allow Mrs. Crandall to file an insurance claim? And why would Mr. Crandall do something like that to begin with? He's got more money than J. Paul Getty, for God's sake."
"Are you certain about that? Have you and Murphy done a thorough investigation of his current finances?"
Laura sat back, outwardly calm. "We haven't really researched anything except the servants - and now this repairman that she's remembered." He just might have picked up on something, Laura realized. She'd been so delighted to have someone of Mrs. Crandall's stature as a client that it had never occurred to her that things had happened any other way than as she had said. "I'll discuss it with Murphy -"
"And what am I supposed to do in the meantime?" he asked, watching her carefully.
"Start reading the case files," Laura suggested.
"I'm not going to learn anything about being a detective by reading, Laura," he told her.
"It will give you a good background on procedure, Mr. Steele. I'll ask Bernice to bring a few in for you to look over. Besides, you have to contact our photographer friend, remember?"
He smiled. "You're right." He glanced at the number, then looked thoughtful. "I think I should call Daniel first," he decided. "I promised to let him know what was going on."
"You're not going to get out of reading those files," she told him, "But that is a good idea," she agreed, moving toward the connecting door. "Give him my regards, will you?"
Harry's eyes darkened. "Laura,-" She stopped, her hand on the doorknob. "If I hadn't come back, would you have - accepted Daniel's - offer?"
Laura's eyes met his. "It was very tempting," she told him slowly. "And if you had stayed away a month, maybe I might have weakened. After all, Daniel can be VERY charming when he puts his mind to it. But it would have been a business arrangement only. Nothing else," she assured him in a quiet voice, and was pleased when Harry's dark expression cleared. "Tell him I said hello. We'll go apartment hunting after lunch. I think we might have a free hour then."
Harry picked up the telephone once the door closed behind her and dialed an outside line.

Laura went to Murphy's office and tapped on the door before opening it. "Got a minute?" she asked.
He looked up. "Sure. What's up?"
"Have you checked into Mr. and Mrs. Crandall's financial situation?"
His eyes widened. "You've gotta be kidding, Laura. They guy's loaded. Why do you ask?"
"I just think we might have been so blinded by someone like Mrs. Crandall choosing the Remington Steele Agency that we missed something important."
Murphy looked at her. "Where did you get this idea, anyway?"
"After talking to Mrs. Crandall," Laura said truthfully. "I just have a feeling-"
"You're sure it's YOUR idea and not HIS?"
"Would it make any difference if it was Mr. Steele's idea, Murphy?" Laura asked.
"Of COURSE it would, Laura. Don't you see what he's trying to do? You practically drew him a picture in there that he wasn't to become directly involved, and what's the first thing he does? Come up with a solution that's so far out in left field-"
"If you don't want to check it out, Murphy, I will," Laura said, turning back toward her office.
"No, I'll do it. But I'm not going to find anything out of the ordinary, Laura. I'd almost be willing to bet even money on it."
She grinned. "You're on. Let me know when you're finished. I have to go over some case files with Mr. Steele."
Murphy's smile faded into a frown when she closed the door. Turning to the computer, he powered it up and started looking for evidence that one of California's wealthiest men was a fraud.

"I will, Daniel," Harry was saying as Laura returned to the office. His eyes moved toward her. "As a matter of fact, she's right here- Daniel-" He shook his head, then held out the receiver. "He wants to talk to you."
Laura perched on the side of the desk. "Daniel. How are you?"
Harry rose from his desk and moved to look again at the blank wall, listening to Laura's end of the conversation. When she hung up, he turned back to look at her. "I still have to call John Hawkins."
"Then do it. I'll go get some files for us to look over." She went toward the main office. "Be right back."
Harry dialed John Hawkins' telephone number. "Mr. Hawkins. Remington Steele here. . .I heard that you tried to sell a story to the LA Observer this morning --. . ." He smiled as Laura returned. "I quite understand. . . Of course, I'll gladly replace the roll of film - if you'll do something for me, Mr. Hawkins . . . A bribe? Nonsense. A- proposition. A - profitable proposition for you, if you agree." His smile widened and he gave Laura a "thumbs up" sign as she sat in the conference area. He made the arrangements to meet with Hawkins later that afternoon at the office, then hung up. "I think he'll be most amenable to the idea," he told Laura as he came to join her on the soft leather sofa.
"Good. We need to go over this one first. Oh. And you're scheduled to attend a mayor's luncheon tomorrow. So you REALLY need to study this entire stack of files before then."
Harry glanced at the ten or so files she had her hand on. "That will take me all evening."
"And keep you out of trouble," she teased. "Don't worry, I'll be here to answer any questions." Turning, she found him close. TOO close, she realized, and felt herself leaning toward him. The telephone rang, and Laura jumped away as Harry sighed in frustration.
"Never fails," he muttered, sitting back as Laura picked up the telephone. "Yes, Bernice?" She frowned. "I'll call her back later. . . Just tell her- tell her I'm in conference with Mr. Steele- NO. Don't. If she finds out he's in LA, she'll come out here to try and meet him - "
Harry saw her agitation, and wondered who she was trying to keep away from him. He didn't think he'd ever seen her frown like that.
"I'll call her later. Just tell her I'm with a client. Thanks." She hung up and picked up a folder. "Now. Where were we?"
"Someone you didn't want to talk to?" he asked.
"Mother."
"Your mother's in Los Angeles?"
"No. But she's just curious enough about Remington Steele that she would be if Bernice had told her you were here."
"You can't keep her from meeting me forever, Laura."
"I'm just not - ready for her to meet you, that's all."
"Ashamed of me?" he asked softly.
"Of course not. It's just that- Mother doesn't understand what I DO. She's always criticizing -"
Harry put a soothing hand on her back. "I understand. Let's look at those files, hmm?" he suggested, taking the one in her hand and opening it.

Laura tapped on Murphy's door later. "We're going out to lunch - and then to look for an apartment for Mr. Steele, Murphy. Care to join us?"
He frowned. "No, thanks. I'll probably just work through lunch."
She stepped into the office, hearing Harry talking to Bernice. "Did you find anything yet?"
"I - might be onto - something," he said grudgingly. "Nothing I want to talk about just yet, though."
"We'll talk when I get back. At least have Bernice bring you something in to eat, Murphy."
Her concern touched him, and he smiled slightly. "I'll probably do that."

"Look," Bernice was saying as Laura turned back around, "Why don't you just call me Bernice? It will save you getting that blank look on your face every time you try to remember my name."
Harry smiled. "Thank you."
"Are you ready, Mr. Steele?" Laura asked.
"I think so."
"Bernice, bring something in for Murphy to eat. He's determined to work though lunch -"
"Still sulking, right?"
"No, of course not. He's just - determined to prove me wrong about something. Later," she said, herding Harry out the door before Bernice could ask anymore questions.
In the elevator, Harry looked at her. "What is Murphy determined to prove you wrong about?"
"An idea I had on a case. Where shall we go for lunch?"
"I'll leave that up to you."

In the end, they ate in a small Italian restaurant on the corner, then Laura had Fred drive them to several apartment buildings that had been recommended by a relator friend. She was beginning to think they would never find the right place. Either they were far too expensive - or else Harry disliked them for one reason or another. She was about to give up, suggest they go back to the office and meet with John Hawkins, as they went up the elevator of the Rossmore Arms to the penthouse apartment. She was certain it was far more expensive than she wanted to consider, but the neighborhood was good- just right for even HER Remington Steele. As the building superintendent let them into the furnished apartment, Laura felt curiously at home, and a glance at Harry revealed that he was feeling much the same way. She walked to the window that overlooked the street, as Harry moved to inspect the kitchen and bedroom. Seeing his nod, she asked the super, "How much are they asking?" The amount was far less than she'd expected. The current owners had decided to move to the suburbs, he told her, and since they had come into a large inheritance, they could afford to let the place go for practically nothing. "Well, Mr. Steele? What do you think?"
"I think it will do, Miss Holt," he assured her, his eyes shining.
"Then you'll take it?" the super asked, apparently relieved that someone of such standing as Remington Steele would be taking the apartment.
"I think so. Who do we need to talk to?"
"I have the papers in my office downstairs," he told her.
"I'll need to have the agency lawyer look them over," Laura said as Harry looked at the bare wall above the credenza with a speculative gaze. She approached Harry. "Mr. Steele? Are you ready to go?"
With another glance at the wall, he nodded, smiling. "I think so, Miss Holt."

After a quick stop downstairs to gather the contracts, Laura sent Harry on to the office while she dropped the papers at Reuben Saltzman's. Harry entered to find Bernice sighing. "Something wrong?" he asked.
"That person in your office. I've been in there three times in the last ten minutes."
"John Hawkins?" Harry asked.
"Yeah." She pointed to the camera and bag on the nearby table. "He left those out here but not without an argument. Where's Laura?"
"She stopped by the attorney's office to give him some papers," Harry explained, looking at the camera gear. He picked it up. "I'll go on inside. Send her in when she returns. Where's Murphy?"
"Out doing some double checking on some information on a case, I think."
Harry nodded, then went to his office. He opened the door quietly to find John Hawkins at the desk, bent over an open drawer. When he saw Steele, he grinned. "Mr. Steele." He closed the drawer and moved away from the desk. "I don't think I've ever seen anyone keep such a neat desk."
"I haven't been in the office that much to clutter it," Steele reminded him, moving around to sit in his chair, placing the camera and gear on the desk between them. "Nice rig here," he commented.
"Thanks. Not as nice as I'd like to have, but-"
"How would you like to be able to afford a "nicer" rig - without having to hide and take pictures without permission?"
Hawkins' look was speculative. "What's the deal?"
Laura entered from her office, her dislike of the little man clearly evident. "Mr. Hawkins."
"Miss Holt." Evidently deciding quickly that Laura's opinion might help, he tried to look as sincere as possible. "I want to apologize for what happened last night. I was desperate for a story. Landlord's coming down about the rent-"
She didn't respond, merely looked at her boss. "Have you told him yet?"
"I was just about to." He turned his attention back toward Hawkins. "Mr. Hawkins, I've decided to spend more time in Los Angeles - at least for awhile. And I've decided that perhaps part of the reason for your prurient interest in my affairs last evening was partly my fault."
"YOUR fault, Mr. Steele?"
"Until lately, I've managed to avoid the other members of your profession. And it's engendered a great deal of curiosity about me. So, to prevent anyone else from being driven to take photos of me without my permission, I'm going to give you the opportunity to take as many pictures as you like- " Hawkins' face brightened. "As long as I've given you permission to."
"I don't understand."
"The agency will pay you to follow me around to various functions, mayor's luncheons, press meetings, things like that, to take pictures of me with important people. Some of those photos will go on that wall behind you. The rest- will be yours to do with as you will - within reason, of course."
"You said you'd pay me- how much?" Laura named an amount, and Hawkins gave a low whistle. "That's not bad. And how long would this job last?"
"Depends. Actually, if it works out, we might consider putting you on a retainer -"
Steele could see Hawkins' brain working fast. "Think about it, Hawkins. A regular paycheck. No more scrounging for sleazy stories that only pay once."
Hawkins paced the office once, then returned to Steele's desk, his hand extended. "You've got yourself a photographer, Mr. Steele."
Steele shook his hand. "Just one thing." Hawkins went still. "No covert photos of anyone in the office. Miss Holt and Mr. Michaels need to be able to work on a case without being immediately recognized."
He smiled at Laura. "Need to blend in, huh? You got it."
After finalizing plans for the photographer to meet him at the mayor's luncheon the next day, Steele returned his equipment and escorted him from the office. When he returned to his office, Laura was sitting in the conference area, a file folder in her hands. "Ready to get after these again?"
"Might as well," he said, deciding that she wasn't going to let him avoid those damned case files any longer. He sat down beside her. "What did the lawyer have to say about the contract?"
"I didn't stay, but he said looked pretty straightforward. He wants to check it out - we should be able to sign the contract tomorrow."
He was glancing at the file in his hands. "I can help out with the cost-"
"No. The apartment will be in the Agency's name - part of your payment for being Remington Steele. A proper setting, appropriate clothing, food. And use of the limo whenever you need it."
"You're being very generous. Really, I do have some money put back- Daniel didn't know that I kept a large portion of the fee I got for returning the Royal Lavulite."
"Do whatever you want with it. Daniel would tell you to invest it. I'm sure he would be more than glad to give you some advice about that."
"I might just do that," he said, then narrowed his eyes as he re-read a file. "I assume this note is in your hand. What is - C&D?"
"Cut and Dried. Open and shut. Easy case."
Harry nodded thoughtfully.

Around four, Harry rubbed his eyes and glanced at his watch. "I need a break," he told Laura. "Why don't I take the rest of these with me-" He stopped as he started to rise and sat back down.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't have anywhere TO take them yet. I suppose I'll find a hotel room until I can move into the condo."
"Why?" Laura asked. When he turned to look at her, she shrugged. "You can stay at my place -"
He gave her a long, considering look. "Is that a good idea? After what happened last night-" When Laura grinned, Harry shook his head. "I meant with Hawkins tracking us down there. I got the impression that you would rather our - relationship not become public knowledge."
"Not- immediately," Laura said. "Look at it from my point of view. The name Remington Steele is on the agency, so people already tend to think that HE's the one who actually solves the cases, with Murphy and me helping. If it becomes known that I'm - involved with the man that they THINK is Remington Steele, then my credibility falls to zilch. The LAST thing I need is for people to think that I got where I am by sleeping with my boss."
"I understand that. In fact, that concern had crossed my mind as well."
"I already have enough problems with people thinking that I'm JUST a secretary -" she reminded him archly.
"Really, Laura- I never -."
"You did. The first time you came into this office-"
"Laura, do you really think that I wasn't aware of exactly WHO worked for the Remington Steele Agency when I came here that day? And what each of those people did? That I hadn't done my homework? I'd been watching you and Murphy for the entire day - taken several photos -"
"Then why pretend otherwise? Why the comment about this place having so many secretaries?"
"Because if I had come in here and immediately assumed that you were indeed an investigator, you might have become suspicious," he explained. "Isn't that the usual reaction you get? That people tend to think Murphy is the investigator and that you're a secretary?"
She sighed, nodding. "Yes. I suppose you're right. But you can still stay at my place - just until the condo is ready. And as to that," she said, getting to her feet, "I'm going to go check on how that's going. Have Fred take you to the house - I'll give you my key -"
"Don't bother," he told her. "I can get in without it."
Laura turned to look at him. "I'd feel better if you used it. The last thing I need is my neighbors calling the police because a strange man is trying to break into my house." She went to her office and pulled her house key from the key ring as she returned. "Here. See you later."
Harry gathered up the files and said good night to Bernice before going down to where the limo was waiting.
"Where to, Mr. Steele?" Fred asked.
Harry gave him an address. "And then I need you to wait for me while I ask someone a few questions."
"Yes, sir."

Laura returned to the office, pleased that things seemed to be going so smoothly with regards to the condo. If things worked out as she expected, Harry would be able to take up residence tomorrow night. She wasn't certain how she felt about that, about the fact that there would no longer be any reason for him stay at her place. Bernice was about leave the office when the telephone rang. "Remington Steele - Oh, hello, Mr. Steele. . . Yes, she's right here-" She held out the phone. "He wants to talk to you." She picked up her purse. "See you in the morning."
Laura put the phone to her ear. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I just wanted to tell you that Fred should be waiting downstairs to pick you up. Oh, and I took the liberty of preparing dinner- I hope you don't mind-"
"You were SUPPOSED to be studying those files," she reminded him. "But I suppose I won't complain TOO much," she said, smiling. "I'll be right there."
"I'll be waiting," he responded.
Laura turned off all the lights and grabbed her purse, then locked the doors. Murphy had called earlier to say that he was still busy on his investigation of the Crandalls, and wouldn't be back in.
Fred smiled at her as she approached the limo. "Good evening, Miss Holt. Lovely day, don't you think?"
"So far, Fred," she agreed, returning his smile.

When he turned the limo away from the direction of her house, Laura frowned. "Where are we going, Fred?"
"Mr. Steele asked me to take you somewhere, miss."
Laura felt a flash of anger. But she couldn't very well take Fred to task. After all, he didn't know that Mr. Steele didn't REALLY exist, that it was Laura who had signed the checks for the last year or so. "Where are you taking me?"
"He wanted it to be a surprise, Miss Holt," Fred told her, turning another corner that looked very familiar to Laura. He brought the limo to a stop before the Rossmore Arms and got out to open the door for her.
"Here? But-"
Fred nodded, tipping his hat. "Have a nice evening, Miss Holt." He got back into the car and drove away, leaving Laura standing, her eyes lifting to the top floor apartment window. What on earth had he done now? she wondered, moving slowly toward the entrance.

Harry placed a neat stack of case files on the cocktail table before the sofa, poured two glasses of the the wine he'd bought, and turned the lighting down just a touch as Laura knocked on the door. He opened it with a smile. "Welcome," he said, stepping back for her to enter.
"What are you doing here?" she asked as he took her coat. "You aren't supposed -" she stopped talking for a moment as she saw the files on the table, a fire in the fireplace, and turning a bit farther, caught sight of the movie posters on the wall above the credenza. "Harry-"
"I spoke to the building supervisor, and got the number for the current owners. We had a nice chat- actually. They agreed that I might as well move into the place tonight, once I explained that I'd been out of town for some time and had nowhere else to go."
"But you DID have somewhere to go," Laura reminded him, realizing that her mouth was beginning to water due to the appetizing aroma emanating from the kitchen. "What's for dinner?"
Harry smiled, sensing that he'd won a victory. "Nothing much," he warned. "And it won't be ready for another half hour- so I thought we might relax over a drink and read some more of those exciting files." He placed a glass in her hand. "Make yourself comfortable. I need to check on dinner - "
Laura wandered around the room, shaking her head. It hadn't taken him long to get settled in, apparently. And those posters- "Where did these come from?" she asked as he returned.
"I bought them at a little place on Sunset. Specializes in movie memorabilia. It's owned by a wizened little old man, who looks as if he could have played the wizard in the Wizard of Oz."
"If memory serves, the Wizard was a con man, wasn't he?"
"Depends on your definition of the term, I suppose," he said, sitting down beside her. "What's the next file?"
Laura sighed, then picked up the manila folder. Her smile returned as she looked at the name. "I think you'll like this one."

After a gourmet dinner, Laura sank down on the sofa. "I ate too much," she called out as he moved from the dining room to the kitchen and back again. "Are you sure you don't want me to help with those?"
"It won't take a moment to put them into the dishwasher," he assured her. "Have another glass of wine and I'll be along in a moment."
Laura refilled her glass, then sank onto the smooth, black stones that formed the hearth. "I could get used to this," she told him.
He paused, his hands full of the last dishes. "What?"
"Being spoiled." She saw his eyes darken, and knew that if his hands hadn't been full, then the would have been across the room in a heartbeat.
"You deserve it," was all he said before continuing into the kitchen.
Laura rested her chin on her knees, listening as he finished up. As he entered the room, she found herself unable to tear her gaze from him. His sleeves of his white shirt were rolled back, and the top buttons on the shirt were open, revealing the dark, curling hair that covered his chest. Laura's fingers itched from wanting to curl themselves in that wiry hair. Harry picked up a folder and came around to sit on the white carpet at her feet, his back against a chair.
"Ready to get another start at this?" he asked.
"Umm, yeah. What is that one?"
"Martin?"
"Oh. That one. I hadn't even realized it was in that stack. An embezzlement case - another interesting one."

Harry tossed the last folder back onto the stack. "Well, that's done," he said. "Now, I just have to keep the names and crimes straight."
"I wouldn't worry about it," Laura assured him. "You'll do fine." She moved off the hearth, wondering if the heat she was feeling was due to the flames- or being so close to Harry. "Thank you for dinner," she said. "It was delicious."
He shrugged dismissively. "It wasn't anything special. But I'm glad you enjoyed it."
Laura leaned back, resting on her elbows. "If I'm not careful, I'll get fat."
Harry's blue eyes slid over her slender body. "I don't think you have to worry about that."
It wasn't the fire, Laura decided. She couldn't even feel the heat from that source. The sensual heat emanating from Harry kept everything else at bay. "Harry," she sighed as he moved closer, his lips near hers.
When the doorbell rang, Harry groaned and laid flat on his back on the floor. "It figures. It bloody well figures." He rose to his feet and gave Laura a hand up before going to the door.
"I don't know who it could be. I didn't tell anyone I was here-" she said, confusion wrinkling her forehead.
"It's someone who wants to keep us from kissing," Harry told her. He took a deep breath, then opened the door. "Murphy?"
The blonde man shot him a "drop dead" look then moved past him into the apartment. "There you are. I was just a little worried."
"Worried? What's going on, Murphy?" she asked, hoping her hair didn't look as mussed as she thought it did.
"I stopped by the office to check on a few last things, and decided I needed to discuss what I'd found about the Crandalls with you before going any further." Laura frowned as Harry's head came up.
"Murphy, we can discuss it tomorrow-"
"And so I called your house. There was no answer. So I thought I'd go over there and see if everything was all right. That's when I ran into Reuben and he told me to tell you tomorrow morning that he had talked to the owners of the condo and they were willing to settle for a little less than they'd asked -"
"See, Laura? I told you," Harry said, pouring himself another drink.
"And I asked what he was talking about. He gave me this address, and when I called Fred to see if he'd taken you home, he finally admitted to having brought you here. After making certain I knew that MR. STEELE was going to be very angry that he'd told me."
"Excellent detective work, Murphy," Harry commented smoothly. "What was this about the Crandalls?"
Laura took Murphy's arm. "We'll discuss it tomorrow," she said, dragging him toward the door, fully aware that Harry was watching them. "You can give me a full report -"
"It's not like you to wait, Laura. And since you've won the bet -"
Laura looked at him, her curiosity bigger than her desire to head off a confrontation. "I did? You really DID find something?"
"Of course I did. I had to do a lot of digging, but I came up with something we missed. Crandall's got a mistress. And take a guess just WHO that mistress is?"
"The maid? Tricia Petty?"
"You got it."
"Does Mrs. Crandall know about it?"
"Haven't been able to find out yet. I thought you and I might go over and talk to Miss Petty tomorrow, see if we can get her to admit it."
Laura looked thoughtful. "What about Mr. Crandall's finances?"
"He's been losing money on some investments - nothing drastic - but there have been some pretty hefty withdrawals out of their joint account. I'm expecting more information on those tomorrow morning."
"Then you'll stay at the office and wait for that information," Laura decided.
"Who's going with you to see Tricia Petty?"
"I can go by myself," she told him. "Or, I might even take Mr. Steele with me. As an observer," she pointed out as Harry started to smile.
Murphy's shoulders drooped. "Okay. See you tomorrow. Sorry if I - interrupted anything," he commented, but even Laura could hear how hollow his apology was.
"Good night, Murphy." She closed the door behind him, and moved to pick up her glass of wine.
"Were you going to tell me that you'd asked Murphy to check out my idea?" Harry asked her as the silence deepened.
"Look, Harry -"
"No, Laura, YOU look," he countered, coming to his feet to face her. "I agreed to come here to BE Remington Steele, not simply a figurehead for the agency. I know that I have a lot to learn, and I'm willing to do that. That I was willing to spend most of the day and this evening poring over THESE," he said, pointing to the stack of case files, "should be proof of that. But you seem to be trying to prevent my getting that knowledge. To stop me learning what I have to know to really be the Remington Steele that you envisioned when you created him."
"Which is why I'm letting you go with me tomorrow to question Tricia Petty," she told him. "It's not that I don't trust you, Harry. It's just that - we've told people for so long that you NEVER involve yourself directly in a case that if you suddenly START being involved with them, people might talk- start to wonder why."
"And come up with the truth?"
"YOU found it," she reminded him.
"But I'm exceptional," he told her, smiling as he took her hand and drew her onto his lap. "And I wasn't LOOKING to find anything except something help me get my hands on those gems." He nuzzled her neck, kissed the sensitive skin behind her ear. "Where were we before we were rudely interrupted?"
Laura ran her fingers through his ebony hair, kissing his jaw line, before sliding from his lap to pull him with her to the carpet before the fireplace. "I think, Mr. Steele," she whispered as his arms went around her, "that we were right," her lips paused a fraction from his. "Here."
Harry lowered his lips to hers. He considered for a moment how much different his life might have been had he never discovered Laura Holt's secret, never found out that Remington Steele didn't exist. As he drew Laura closer, he knew that his life would have been all the poorer for never having really gotten to know this woman. And he was very sure to show her EXACTLY how grateful he was to her for saving him from a life that he couldn't even consider any longer.

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