Steele Waters Run Deep

Transcribed by: Jan Andrews

From the Episode written by:

Lee Zlotoff

---

It is night and at a marina a large yacht with 'Toodle-loo' written on its stern is seen slowly moving into the harbour. At sea, the yacht is stationary. A man's voice is heard saying, "Good-bye George" as a trunk wrapped in chains and fastened by a rope attached to a yellow buoy is pushed overboard by an unseen person.

*****

Laura is standing in the connecting doorway between her and Steele's offices. She is on the telephone smiling at a man in his fifties sitting on the couch in Steele's office looking impatiently at his watch. Laura walks into her office. "I thought you were going to join me for the meeting with Emery Arnoch?"

Steele is seated at the table on his balcony with his breakfast laid out, "That's Arnoch, as in Arnoch Supermarkets?"

"The super saving supermarket and he's been sitting here for half-an-hour."

"Really Laura, don't you think produce peddling is a bit far afield for the Remington Steele Agency."

"Not when he wants a security profile done on all thirty-two stores."

Remington lifts his glass of juice, "Still, the thought of you trudging up and down all those aisles."

Laura closes her eyes, "I like supermarkets, all right? But it's going to take Arnoch an hour or so with the dependable and reassuring Mr. Steele to close the deal for us. Now am I reaching you?"

"Well, if you really feel it's important I'll call for the car."

Laura looks at her watch, "It should be waiting for you by the time you get downstairs."

"You know Laura, that's really very thoughtful of you."

She smiles, "I'm twisted that way," and hangs up the telephone.

Inside Steele's office Bernice goes to fill up Arnoch's cup with more coffee but he covers it with his hand. Laura walks in, "That was Mr. Steele on the car 'phone and he's most anxious to meet you. Unfortunately, traffic makes way for no man. Another refill, perhaps in the interim?" She takes the coffee pot from Bernice and goes to fill up Arnoch's cup but he sullenly covers it again with his hand.

*****

Steele walks out from his apartment buttoning his jacket pausing to pick up a pink flower from a large flowerpot. A Latino youth wearing a beanie and carrying a large, flat, oblong shirt box brushes by him. Steele looks around for the car while sniffing the flower. The Latino youth comes back down the path and approaches Remington, "Excuse me sir, can you tell me where I could please find," he looks at the label on the box, "Mr. Remington Steele?"

"I'm Steele." The youth calls out and shoves the box into Steele's midriff as two others rush up and force him into a car that has pulled up. As the car leaves the driveway the limo drives in. Fred gets out of the car and prepares to wait.

*****

Steele is pushed back into the rear seat by two youths either side of him. "I sensed Laura was upset but this ah, was hardly necessary, was it?" Looking uncomfortable he reaches for his handkerchief, "You're not with the agency are you?" He pats his forehead, "Well then, que pasa?" The car drives down a road.

It pulls into a basement car park. The car stops and the youths lead an annoyed Steele from the car, "I'm still waiting for an explanation you know. Would somebody mind talking to me please." Three of the youths escort him from the car, "Maybe we can discuss this over brandy and some tortillas. Obviously Miss Holt hasn't put you up to this."

Remington is becoming annoyed at their lack of response. As they lead him to a dead end he turns around reaching into his jacket, "Do you mind if I smoke, gentlemen?" He draws out a cigarette case, pulling the lighter out so it snaps into place at a tangent to the case. "Very well, if I can't reach you perhaps this can," he draws up his arms as if preparing to shoot the 'gun'. The boys start to run away from Remington. "It may appear to be an ordinary cigarette case but in fact it is a Dunhill twenty-two," the youths start piling into the car, "and just in case you didn't know .." the car starts to drive away, "Hold on! Stop or I'll .." The car reverses quickly. "Alto!" Steele holds up the lighter and starts the flame, "Boyoboyoboy."

From behind Steele a flustered man appears. He is in his twenties, wearing glasses and a partially unbuttoned vest and shirt, "Something's wrong, I didn't want to do this. I had no choice, you understand? They didn't hurt you? They promised me. You're Steele, right?" He notices Remington slowly hitting his cigarette lighter into his palm, "No, thank you, I don't smoke." The man looks down the path the car had taken.

Steele is not impressed, "Am I to understand that you arranged this little get together?"

"They're good boys. They didn't want to do it. Manuel, Esteban. They clean our offices at night. I, I, I was desperate you understand. I had no choice. Who else could I ask? Secret meetings with a top of the line detective. I, I sit behind a computer all day, I'm not programmed for that kind of trouble. You lack data," the man searches his vest pockets and pulls out a business card, "Here, read."

Steele reads the card, "Albie Fervitz, President of Ratooi Games International."

"Who knew five years ago that hacking around in my basement with George would turn into three hundred and fifty million worth of 'Star Smash'."

Steele is now interested, "You invented it?"

"Can I tell you something? We were just trying to have fun. Now look at me, I can't sleep, I can't eat. Food won't even come near my mouth. And if my fingernails get any shorter my, my hands are going to need corrective surgery."

"You want my help?" confirms Steele.

"Tomorrow afternoon Steele, Ratooi officially merges into Gruff and Reston Industries and they're welcome to it. Except that the night before last I'm down one George Kaplan."

"He's missing?"

"Missing? Gone. Erased. Blipped right off the screen of life." Albie holds up his hands in defeat and starts pacing again. "I mean, that's not George, Steele. I'm getting heavy mayday signals here. I mean how to find him before Gruff and Reston. Yet I'm lying about it. Major secrecy time, you know."

"And you feel certain that there's been foul play."

"Steele, if you woke up one morning and your right arm was suddenly gone you'd know something had to go bump in the night."

Steele slaps Albie on the shoulder, "Calm yourself Mr. Fervitz, you've done the right thing. A little clumsy perhaps."

"Well, like I said, this is more reality than I'm used to dealing with."

"Now this George ..."

"Kaplan," fills in Albie.

"Yes, of course. He works for you?"

"Well his title is vice-president but we really do it all together."

"We?"

"Izzy, Sheila, George and myself. We formed Ratooi in grad school. Whipped up a couple of video games, then 'bammo', the market took off and suddenly we're sitting on a company that's producing like the Comstock Load. Believe me, none of us were prepared for that."

"And you think it's connected with, ah, his disappearance."

"I don't know. When the universe knows that you're worth more than seven figures strange things start to happen. Men in big, black limousines want to take you to lunch."

"Pressure from organized crime, eh? Or a kidnapping for ransom perhaps?"

"I don't know. It could even be that someone is trying to stop the merger."

"With Gruff and Reston Industries you say"

"In order to expand production, six months ago we went public. We started selling stock in Ratooi. Before we know it Gruff and Reston is picking up every share that they can get their hands on. If we don't move fast they're going to own more of the company than we did so we agreed to the merger providing that we all stayed on with the company. But if Gruff and Reston find out tomorrow afternoon at the signing that George is missing the whole deal could collapse."

"I see," says Steele looking as though he's still working through the information.

"Can you do anything for me, quietly?"

"Well, I normally function in purely an advisory capacity."

"Money's no issue, Steele. Please, I'm running out of buttons to push."

"Very well." Steele places his hand on Albie's shoulder, "If it's George that's missing," he pats Albie's shoulder, "it's George we're gonna find, hmm?"

*****

Bernice is sitting at her desk talking on the telephone, "No, I don't think I'll call the morgue just yet."

Steele strides into the office stopping as a man holds out a folder and some papers to him. He asks the man to wait as Bernice spots him and continues, "On the other hand, give me the number, I may have something for them in an hour." She covers the mouth piece as Steele leans over the desk, "Where's Miss Holt ?"

Bernice points to his office. Steele says, "Thank you," and heads to the office. She offers her advice, "I wouldn't just go in there..." her sentence and smile fades as he ignores her.

Laura stands with a fed up Arnoch, "And if he thinks my time is so easily wasted then Mr. Steele is..."

"Here," Steele comes into the office, "And you sir must be Mr. Arnoch. Dreadfully sorry about the delay," he shakes Arnoch's hand, "but the flights from Bogota grow less reliable by the day." Laura closes her eyes as Steele contradicts her earlier story for his delay.

"Bogota? I understood you were caught in traffic." Arnoch is unimpressed.

"Well, you see ..." starts Laura trying to find a suitable excuse.

"Ah, my staff is instructed to say that whenever I'm out of the country. Thank you Miss Holt. And now if I might have a word with you in private." Steele takes Laura by arm and heads for her office.

"Now just a minute here ..." says Arnoch.

"I really think Mr. Arnoch deserves ..." states a rapidly growing angry Laura.

Steele talks over her, "Just two minutes. Perhaps some coffee while you wait?"

"Coffee?" asks an exasperated Arnoch.

"Done. Miss Wolfe will be right in with it. Thank you very much," says Steele ushering Laura into her office as she takes a deep breath and Arnoch starts to seethe.

Steele closes the connecting door as Laura looks up at him, "You're doing this intentionally aren't you?"

"Laura, I was abducted by a gang of Latin youths," explains Steele.

"Oh please, I like the Bogota story better. Two hours I've had to keep stalling him!"

"But it's true. What's more I've found us a client."

"We already have a cli-, or we did until you disappeared on us. What was it this time? Some unpaid bookie?"

"But I'm talking about a man in trouble."

"And I'm talking about our arrangement. We will find the clients, we will do the work. You just put in an appearance when we need it. Make a good impression." Laura starts pleading, "Why? Why won't you do this?"

"And let my natural talent for this work go ignored?"

Laura crosses her arms, "You have no training whatsoever."

"But a rare instinct, call it a gift if you will."

"I won't," refuses Laura.

"Think of it Laura. The two of us working together, hand in glove, midnight skull sessions, breathless searches for evidence, long hours in cramped quarters. Possibilities are endless."

Laura, at a loss, sighs, "We simply can't function like this."

"We can try?" asks Remington with hope in his voice.

Bernice enters the office, "Sorry to cut in but I thought you might be interested to know that Arnoch's gone." Laura sighs again but this time in annoyance as Bernice looks at Steele, "Maybe the real thing was too much for him."

"I'll try and take that as a compliment."

"He's staying at the Beverly Wiltshire, isn't he?" asks Laura.

Bernice turns her attention back to Laura, "I don't think his flight leaves until eight-fifteen."

Laura picks up the telephone and dials, "Then if we hustle, there's still a chance we can catch him."

"Perfect. It's right on the way," says Steele, leaving the office.

"What's right on the way?" demands Laura, hands on her hips.

*****

The limousine drives into a factory yard. Steele opens the car door and steps out. "I still have my conscience to consider and if you really feel that the agency cannot spare thirty-six hours to help a desperate man, I'll simply go it alone."

"All right, all right," Laura quickly replies. "Maybe the fact that the job for Arnoch's Supermarkets could cover our costs for the next two years has me a little preoccupied. Compromise. I'll go in there and listen, I underline listen, if you promise to go straight to the hotel after that and give Arnoch your best shot." Laura looks up at him, quietly seething.

"I knew we could work together," replies Steele before quickly turning and walking to open the factory door. Laura looks after him annoyed and then follows, swinging her handbag, putting a smile on her face as she walks into the factory.

*****

Inside Laura and Steele are led by Albie past rows of arcade computer-game machines, "Okay, now George Kaplan's office is this way. Please. If Gruff and Reston get so much as a whiff of this-."

"Hmm, mum's the word," assures Steele.

"Maybe you can find something in there to tell us what's happened to him."

A woman in her twenties holding a glass of wine looks bored as she speaks, "Or where he ran."

"We have no proof of that and I refuse to listen to such talk." Steele is watching the exchange as Laura, a few steps behind, listens while looking around. Albie continues, "Oh, Steele, this is Sheila our chief financial officer."

Sheila steps forward and shakes Steele's hand as she finishes the introduction, "Also known as Mrs. Albie Fervitz."

Laura walks up and offers her hand, "Laura Holt, Mrs. Fervitz. You say that George ran?"

"Well, I don't think we can rule it out under the circumstances."

"Circumstances?" asks Steele.

Sheila looks to Albie, "Do you tell them Albie, or shall I?"

Albie looks uncomfortable, "You can tell them."

"When George didn't show up for our regular staff meeting I had to run a weekly audit. This morning it revealed that five million dollars in liquid assets was missing."

"I see," says Steele.

"We don't know that he took it," defends Albie.

"But what if he did?" asks Sheila.

"Then he was forced to. Come on, this is George we're talking about here. He must be in some kind of trouble."

"I'm afraid we're the ones in trouble now Albie," says a bearded man wearing dark glasses from behind.

"We've still got till tomorrow afternoon and Steele's here." Albie turns back to Steele and Laura introducing the man, "Izzy Webster, our V P of development."

Izzy approaches the small group, "Oh, it's an honor Steele." He walks through the group losing his balance as he steps on Albie's foot. Sheila, Steele and Laura reach down to stop Izzy from falling as Albie recovers also stretching out to help Izzy. Izzy steadies himself by placing his hands on Laura's arms, "How clumsy of me."

"Why, why don't we go ahead on inside," says Albie heading towards George's office.

 

Izzy places a note into Laura's handbag. "Geez, excuse me for saying so but you don't really smell like ah Remington Steele."

Laura realizes the man is blind, "No apologies necessary. I'm Laura Holt, Mr. Steele's associate," she takes his arm in hers and escorts him towards a chair, "Now, what can you tell us about George."

"There's not much to tell. George kept pretty much to himself."

"You know, the shy, nerdy type. A slave to his keyboard," adds Sheila.

Albie guides Izzy into the chair, "There you go Izzy, okay?"

Izzy nods as he sits, "Thanks you."

"George didn't have any family," continues Albie, "We were his only friends and, and .."

Sheila cuts in, "He didn't even drive, we practically had to twist his arm to get him to buy a condo in Belvedere Towers. Of course that was the only way we could get him off our couch."

As Steele is looking at the contents of the wall bookshelves and Laura is sitting on George's desk. She looks down at the desk calendar and notices two pages - Monday, 18 October 1982 and Tuesday, 19 October 1982 - are missing.

"That's enough! Sheila!" cries Albie, "This merger is pressing enough without your sniping."

"Merger? You mean take-over don't you?" Sheila walks around the chair Izzy is sitting, propping on the armrest, "They've only been trying to gobble us up for the past six months. And now they have."

"You say he disappeared the day before yesterday," affirms Laura.

Sheila nods as Albie says, "That's right, why?" Steele puts down a magazine and leans on the desk behind Laura.

"Because that page is missing from his desk calendar. Wait a minute. Wait, wait." She picks up a pencil and lightly scratches the facing page of "20 October 1982".

Steele reads out the imprint visible through her pencil marks, "L V nine five two." He and Laura look to the Ratooi employees she asks, "Does that mean anything to you?"

"No," Sheila quickly replies.

"No? What do you mean 'no'?" Sheila takes a deep breath in response to Albie's question. He continues, "It must mean something. At, at least it's a place to start isn't it?"

"Certainly strikes me as a compelling lead, wouldn't you agree Miss Holt?" asks Steele looking to her.

Laura isn't overly enthusiastic as she looks down at the desk calendar, "It's a distinct possibility."

Steele is pleased as he informs, "Miss Holt will be assisting me very closely on this case."

Laura smiles, "Just as closely as possible, Mr. Steele."

"That's great," says Albie.

"Isn't it though?" replies Steele looking at Laura, even more pleased.

"Mmm," offers Laura in a non-committal tone.

*****

Steele walks out into factory yard with Laura following him, thoughtful. Steele considers their clue, "L V nine five two. Sounds like a code doesn't it? Or perhaps a secret account number."

She smiles at him as she places her hand into her bag, "I'll make it a point to check that out." She stops suddenly as she reads from piece of paper she has extracted with her purse, "Steele, see me tonight. Izzy Webster."

Steele notices her reading, "What's that?"

Laura hurriedly places the note back into her handbag, "Nothing, it's a shopping list."

Steele nods and then asks, "Well, where do we go from here?"

"To Arnoch's hotel. You're going. I have to make some calls and get back to the office." She selects some coins from her purse.

"Laura, you can't expect me to turn my back on case like this now."

"I said I would listen. I listened. Now you've got just over an hour to keep your promise."

Steele looks disappointed, "But surely the whole point .."

"Arnoch," Laura cuts in, "remember?"

"Yes," agrees Steele reluctantly, "Of course. Arnoch."

Laura watches him as he heads for the limousine. She walks to the public telephone, lifts the receiver and puts in a coin turning to look again at Remington. He opens the car door and then turns to speak. Laura points firmly to the car. Steele nods, "Arnoch," as he enters the limo and closes the door.

*****

The limousine is driving down a highway. Remington looks a bit hesitant and then speaks, "What say we drop in at the Belvedere Towers."

Fred looks around quickly, "My instructions were Mr. Arnoch's hotel."

"Just a sight detour. I'll take full responsibility," replies Steele looking hopeful. Fred glances at him. "Please?" appeals Steele. Fred looks away holding up a hand in resignation.

*****

Murphy drives into the factory yard and parks near Laura who is playing one of the arcade games. He calls out, "Hey partner."

Laura quickly puts up a hand then returns to her game. Murphy laughs and waits for her to finish, which she does soon. She walks to the car, "Thanks for getting here so quickly."

"No problem. What's this all about?"

Laura leans her arms either side of the passenger window, "Don't ask me how, but I think our Mr. Steele has really stumbled onto something."

"You don't mean you're letting him work on a case," asks Murphy seemingly afraid to hear her answer.

Laura laughs and opens the car door, "Give me a little credit. I tell him that and we'd never get him to Arnoch. Did you check with our travel people?"

"Yeah. You were right. Two days ago a George Kaplan bought a ticket on flight nine fifty-two to Vegas, one way."

Laura clicks the fingers on both her hands, "Bingo."

Murphy is amused, "Nobody goes to Vegas to play bingo."

"No, but it's a hell of a place to wash money. Come on," she pats him on the chest, "You've got some packing to do. I'll fill you in on the way."

"Why can't somebody skip to Maui for a change? Or ah, even Acapulco for that matter."

Laura laughs as Murphy starts the car and drives off.


*****

A pair of lift doors open and a middle-aged woman laughs as she walks down a hallway with a smiling Remington. The woman is excited, "I just love surprise parties."

"I simply can't get over Beatrice forgetting to leave the key as she promised. Imagine me sitting there with a limousine of warm champagne."

"That first look on their face. Here we are." she stops and opens a door.

Steele gives her a smile, "You will come by later and tip a few with us, won't you? I'm sure George would love to see you again. I know I would."

The woman is pleased as she puts her arm on the door frame, blocking the door, "How too sweet of you but," she pauses, "No actually, I wouldn't feel good about it. You see Mr. Kaplan and I have never been formally introduced and ah, that Beatrice certainly takes up a lot of his time doesn't she?" The woman appears to be looking for some gossip.

"Yes, I ah, suppose she does," agrees Remington looking puzzled. He smiles, "Well, thanks again."

"Oh," the woman leaves Remington but turns around to call out, "Surprise!"

Remington laughs politely and then walks into the room. Inside, there is disarray of computer equipment and arcade game hardware. Steele looks over a raised lid of an arcade game and grimaces as he lifts an empty take-away food carton. He picks up a large motherboard, placing the tip of a finger in his mouth when it scrapes one of the circuits. He puts the motherboard down and walks to a drinks' cabinet lifting a half-full glass of spirit. Before he can sniff it he is disturbed by the sound of a key in the lock. He dashes into the bedroom as a blonde woman in her twenties enters the room.

Remington hides behind the bedroom window curtains but comes out again when the television turns itself on. Steele looks down and realizes he stood on the remote control. He quickly picks it up and attempts to turn off the television as he again hides behind the curtain.

"Who's in there?" calls out the woman from the other room.

Steele gives up on the remote control and crawls across the bed to turn the television off. He double-takes as the button doesn't work. He taps the top of the television as the woman smiles and walks to the bedroom, "Oh, no reason to be shy honey."

Remington continues to try and switch the television off but with no luck. He looks anxiously as the woman approaches, "George told me he found someone else so there's no reason that we ..." she stops as she sees Steele on the bed. He gives her a hopeful smile as the television turns off.

"Oh dear God," utters the woman in shock.

Remington laughs nervously, "Ah, I realize that this may appear a bit awkward."

"Oh dear God," the woman walks quickly to the dressing table and collects a hairdryer, "When George threw me over a week ago saying he'd found somebody else I never figured he meant ..." She lets the words trail off while backing out of the room. Steele tosses the remote control behind him.

The woman heads for the door in disbelief, "Oh dear God."

Remington rushes to follow her, "No, no, I don't think you understand."

"Oh, I understand all right. No wonder he bought me a one-way ticket to Jamaica." She places a framed photograph from a side-table into her handbag, "Who wants me around when he's going to start over with .." she stops again looking at Remington, "Oh dear God."

"Wait a minute. You must be the Beatrice she meant."

"Look, I don't know what he told you but it's Cynthia Denard for the record."

"Of course, and I'm Rem..." Cynthia cuts him off as he holds out his hand.

"I'd just assume you'd didn't tell me. I mean, I'd really think that I know more than I want to already. I just came back to pick up a few things." She reaches the door.

"We need to talk Cynthia, it's not want you think."

She opens the door, "No, don't touch me."

"But it's possible that George is in a lot of trouble."

"You're telling me." Cynthia slams the door and then hurries down the corridor. Steele opens the door behind her and comes out to the end of the hallway demanding, "Cynthia wait!"

Cynthia enters the lift as Steele approaches her. She looks at him as the lift doors close, "Why is it always the gorgeous ones?"

"Ah Cynthia," Steele doesn't reach the lift doors in time. He moves across to the other lift. The doors open and Steele faces Laura, "Laura!" he calls out in surprise.

"What are you doing here?!" Laura starts to shove him into the lift.

Steele is panicking, looking to the lift Cynthia left in, "Well, ah."

"You're supposed to be at Arnoch's hotel!"

Steele grabs her arm and heads back to George's room, "Let's not stand here in the corridor and snap at each other like commoners, hey?"

Laura wrenches her arm free from his grasp. When they reach the room she turns on him, "You promised me." She then proceeds into the room, angrily pulling open a drawer.

"A promise I fully intend to keep."

"When? When Arnoch's flight is halfway to Topeka?" She pulls out some clothes, throwing them back down again.

"You're just afraid to admit that I might know what I'm doing with this," challenges Steele.

"You're right," Laura agrees.

"I am," asks Steele caught off-guard.

"But do you really?"

"Do I really what?" still not sure.

Laura faces him, "Know what you're doing?"

Remington takes a quick breath, "Just. Barely." He looks hesitantly at her.

Laura is slightly taken aback but impressed, "That sounded almost genuine."

"Yes, well, the important thing is that I've just had a run in with George's girlfriend." He is recovering his confidence, "Or should I say ex-girlfriend."

"Girlfriend? But, but I thought George was the shy, hermit type?"

"Well, it appears that George suddenly broke it off just before he disappeared. Do you think that might tie in?" He looks hopefully at Laura who has wandered to a table. From a diary by a telephone she pulls out a newspaper clipping of an advertisement with the main words, "Las Vegas, $99."

"Uh. Any idea where I can find her?" asks Laura.

"I'm sure I can smoke her out when the time comes. What's this?"

Laura picks up the telephone handset and dials as she hands him the clipping, "A coupon for a deal at a Vegas hotel. Murphy's on a plane there now. I have to let him know about this."

"Murphy? Vegas? Who are you calling?"

Laura talks into the telephone, "Room two-seventeen please." Steele looks on expectantly. She continues, "Mr. Arnoch? Mr. Steele for you sir."

Steele mouths, "Oh no," holding up his hand. Laura smiles sweetly at him whispering, "Promises, promises," slapping the telephone into his hand.

Remington knows he's lost this time. "Arnoch old chap, Steele here. You know I just had a thought." He reacts to Arnoch's response by quickly pulling the telephone away from his ear.

*****

A scream continues to be heard as a flashing, neon sign "Ratooi Games Inc." is seen. The scream fades as the focus shifts to the arcade machines inside Ratooi's factory. It is night-time and the factory is in the dark. Computer noises are heard becoming louder as Laura walks down an aisle. One of the machines makes a loud noise and Laura looks very nervous. She pulls herself up and then starts to walk determinedly before losing her confidence as the sounds grow louder. She walks into a dead-end before walking down more aisles of machine. Looking behind her she turns and screams as she sees the darkened, statue-like form of Izzy staring back at her.

*****

In a hotel driveway Fred is loading bags into the limo as Steele approaches with Arnoch carrying his briefcase.

"I'm glad you let me agree to drive you to the airport. Gives us a chance to really get to know one another.

"Well, would you just make sure I don't miss my flight."

"Oh, put yourself in our hands and don't give it another thought." Steele hops into the limo followed by Arnoch. "One stop and we're there."

"Stop? What kind of stop?" asks Arnoch.

"A very brief stop," assures Steele before looking ahead, "All right Freddy?" The limo drives off.

*****

Laura is sitting down as Izzy approaches with a glass of water, "Feeling better now Miss Holt?"

"Yes, thank you," says Laura taking the glass.

"I'm sorry if my little security system frightened you, but, I work here alone at night often and it's a dangerous neighborhood."

"It's very effective." Laura starts looking slowly around the office.

"The fact is it's perfectly harmless, it's just sound."

"Is that what you do for the games, you create their sound?"

"Take my sound off a game and what are you left with? Colored lights and a T V screen. You know, I had intended to pass my note to Mr. Steele today but when I fell into your arms instead .." Izzy stops and then asks, "May I touch your face? You have a lovely voice and I'd very much like a picture to go with it."

Laura is unsure but answers, "I suppose it would be all right." Izzy hesitates but reaches out his hands as Laura continues, "Now tell me, what is it you wanted to see Mr. Steele about?"

" 'Deep Water', it's- it's gone."

" 'Deep Water'? Is, is that a new video game?"

Izzy nods, his fingers lightly outlining Laura's face, "Our newest and in the open market worth something in the neighborhood of fifty-million dollars."

"Uh-uh."

"You have very soft skin."

"Genetic good fortune."

"Mmm." Izzy stands and with his hands stroking Laura's face and moves slowly to stand behind her.

Laura is uneasy, "Now this, 'Deep Water', you think George took it?"

"The five million cash was probably just a cover. Albie can't admit it to himself, but George hated the takeover and fought it every step of the way. Good bone structure."

"So you think that, that George was trying to strip Ratooi bare? Before Gruff and Reston actually got their hands on it?" Izzy hands start to move slowly down Laura's neck and she lets out an almost silent, "Ah," but remains still.

Izzy nods, "I like your choice of words. The simple fact is George would do anything to hang onto Ratooi. The company is his whole life." He starts to move his hand inside Laura's shirt.

"Well, it seems there was still room for a girlfriend."

Izzy stops, "Girlfriend?"

"George broke it off with her last week. Any guess as to why?"

 

Izzy slowly removes his hands and starts to back out of the office, "Would you excuse me Miss Holt. I think I forgot to lock the door behind you." He bumps into the door, "Ah, it's very late."

Laura watches him go then lets out a sigh of relief.

*****

In a basement car park the limousine is parked next to a reserved berth marked "C. Denard".

Inside the limo, Steele and Arnoch are drinking champagne as Arnoch motions, "Would you look at the time? The airports are a madhouse at this hour and Millicent is expecting me to de-plane-."

"Not to worry, I'll see you to the plane personally. More champagne?" asks Remington. Cynthia drives in and parks next to the limo, "Aha. Just be a moment now. Excuse me Emery." He gives Arnoch his champagne glass to hold as he steps from the car.

Cynthia sees him as she opens her car door, "You."

Steele pauses and gives her a smile, "Cynthia, if I could just ask you a few .."

"No. You don't have to explain. I realized afterward I was probably as much as a shock to you as, well, vice-versa.

"Yes indeed but if I could ask you a few questions about George." Behind them, Arnoch starts to approach them.

"Well, he likes his food spicy," she turns to face Remington, "and don't let him get on one of those video games or you might as well go to sleep."

"That's all very good to know Cynthia but .." starts Remington but he is interrupted by Arnoch.

"Now see here Steele, we simply must get to it. I haven't got all night." He turns to explain to Cynthia, "I have to get back to my wife."

She looks disgusted, "Poor thing," and walks to the lift.

Steele slaps his hand on Arnoch's shoulder, "Trust me, Emery. If there's any problem I'll simply loan you my private jet." Arnoch is impressed and happily nods his head. The elevator doors open and Cynthia is surprised, "George!" A gun with a silencer is fired from inside the lift and Cynthia slumps into the wall.

Steele notices something is wrong and walks towards her, "Cynthia?"

"Steele!" cries out Arnoch following him.

Cynthia, in shock, turns around with a red stain on her shirt, "George?" She reaches out to Steele who, noticing the gun wound, pushes her into Arnoch's arms, "Hold her," he instructs before running into the stairwell. A car speeds past just as Remington comes out from the stairs. He pauses for breath and then rushes back down the stairs to Cynthia and Arnoch.

"Steele. I think your friend is, well, that is, she isn't, I think, could you?" Arnoch passes the limp body of Cynthia to Remington before fainting.

*****

At Ratooi offices, Sheila is holding the framed photo Cynthia had collected from George's flat earlier in the day. The photo is of Cynthia in a bikini posing on the back of the yacht, 'Toodle-loo' seen leaving the harbour in the opening scene.

Sheila is annoyed, "Girlfriend? Since when did George have a girlfriend?

Laura is waiting on the telephone, "From what we can gather, she's been seeing him in his apartment for quite some time."

Sheila walks up to Albie, "You don't say."

Albie shakes his head, "I had a feeling George was seeing someone but he never mentioned it. Who wants to pry?"

"Yeah, but murder?" asks a shaken Izzy.

"He must have arrived just after I did. The police should be there by now."

"But murder! How could he do such a thing?"

Albie steps forward, "He couldn't. Not George. I don't believe he took the money or killed anybody." He turns to Remington, "Somebody's trying to frame him."

"She did use his name," comments Steele.

Albie is at loss, "Who says he was alone in that elevator. I mean, supposed he was forced in there by a guy with a gun to his head. The girl still sees George but the other guy pops her. Now that's possible, isn't it?" asks Albie.

"Yes. I suppose it is, " replies Remington considering the possibility.

Sheila is disbelieving of Albie's theory, "I need some air."

 

She leaves the area as Arnoch, patting his face with a handkerchief, walks up to Remington, "I tell you, I think I'll be all right now, Steele."

"Who's he, he's not a cop, is he?" asks a startled Albie.

Laura, still on the telephone stands up, "No that's .."

"Special operative Arnoch," interjects Steele. "We bring him in on sensitive cases quite frequently. Isn't that right Miss Holt?"

"Whatever you say Mr. Steele," replies Laura turning away from him.

Arnoch starts to explain to Albie, "No. Actually, I'm just .."

Steele leads Arnoch away, "It's all right Emery. Just relax over here and catch your breath. We'll report back at the office."

Finally Laura's call is connected, "Murphy, is that you?"

"Murphy is standing by a hotel window with a flashing neon sign right outside. "Yeah. Good news too. I've got a solid lead on this George character."

"Bad news," corrects Laura, "He's back here in town."

"What? But I know he's booked a room here at the hotel. He's got reservations tomorrow morning on a flight out of here to Toronto."

"Well, he was seen in town about an hour ago so you may as well come back."

"It doesn't make any sense."

"Tell me about it." Laura hangs up the telephone and starts to listen to Albie talk to Steele, Arnoch and Izzy.

"I've known George since before there were printed circuits. Who knows, maybe it's the mob. But it's not him. You gotta believe me, Steele."

"I'm certainly trying," replies Remington.

Sheila comes around the corner, "Albie, there's a call on two for you. A man. He says it's about George."

Albie hurriedly picks up the telephone, "Hello. Yeah. When? Where? Is he all right? Can I talk .. Hello? Hello?" Albie looks up, "He hung up."

"What did he say?" asks Laura.

"He said if I cared anything about George or this company I'd meet him at the end of Valley Way at the marina in an hour. Alone. What do I do Steele?"

"Excellent question."

Laura covers for Remington, "The marina is only a half-hour from here. Why don't you let us go first and position ourselves to handle who ever approaches you. Wouldn't you suggest Mr. Steele?"

"Mmm? My very thoughts." He puts a reassuring hand on Albie's shoulder, "Be brave Albie. Quickly, Miss Holt, we haven't a moment to lose."

Remington starts to leave only to be stopped by Laura, "But Mr. Steele." She nods to where Arnoch is standing.

"Come along Emery," says Steele going to fetch Arnoch from the back of the group, "We may need your help on this."

As they leave, Sheila looks at a worried Albie puts his head in his hand. Izzy is motionless, thinking.

*****

In the back of the limo Laura is thinking as Steele listens to Arnoch who is sitting between them, "Nothing like this ever happened to me. Oh, we once had a rash of stick-ups in our downtown stores, but ... Well, I'm afraid I will need to borrow your private jet now, Steele."

As Arnoch's words sink in Laura reacts, "Private jet? Wha.."

"Yes, of course. Tell me Miss Holt, when is our pilot due back from his vacation?"

 

Before she can answer, Fred parks the limousine and announces, "The marina."

"What happens now?" ask Arnoch.

Laura puts a reassuring hand on his arm, "Just stay here, sir, and you'll be perfectly safe."

Remington smiles and sends her a challenging look, "Miss Holt and I will pose as lovers strolling among the boats."

"Mr. Steele, I don't think that's .."

"You know, that's good thinking, Steele," observes Arnoch.

"Thank you Emery," says Remington still smiling, "Ready to assume your position, Miss Holt?" He slightly raises his right eyebrow before leaving the car. Laura pastes a smile on her face as she follows him.

They set off at a brisk pace as Laura starts, "Private jet?!"

"I had to stall him somehow."

"Well, you could have simply taken him to the airport."

"Shirk my obligation to the case? What would you think of me then?"

"We'd better stay off that subject for the moment."

"You're right. Something more romantic seems appropriate." Remington puts his arm around Laura, "Ah, I love the sea air, don't you?" She doesn't respond.

Inside the limo, Arnoch is finishing his drink when the telephone rings. He looks around before answering it, "Hello? . . . No. . . Emery Arnoch, who's this? . . . But he's not here now . . . All right, all right. Get a grip on yourself and I'll go see." Arnoch puts down the telephone and leaves the limo.

On the pier, Laura and Remington have slowed their pace as Laura says, "I don't think you should be so involved in the business."

"I prefer to think of it more as an adventure."

Laura takes a breath, "Asking a client to hold a dead body for you is hardly my idea of adventure."

"These things happen."

Laura isn't convinced as she rubs her hands together. Steele notices and takes off his jacket, "Here, you look cold." He places it around her shoulders as she turns to face him.

"I mean, it's not as if you have any real hands-on experience in the field." She looks up at him, questioning as an afterthought, "Is it?"

"Oh, here and there I suppose."

"Oh yes, your mysterious past, never to be revealed."

"What for? The one you've created for me is perfect. Why puncture it with something - tedious like the truth?"

"You're not real big on the truth, are you?"

"On the contrary. Truth is, I'm standing on a pier with the waters lapping gently below. The moon is full, the breeze is high - and a beautiful woman is only inches away."

Laura looks at him, unsure, but steps to be close to him, "The truth is, we're waiting for Albie to show up because George is missing."

"Pity we can't put our truths together." He bends to kiss her.

"Someone is coming," observes Laura but continues to move into the kiss.

Arnoch starts to talk and realizes they are kissing, "Steele-, oh, oh. I'm terribly sorry."

They break the kiss with Laura the first to recover, "That's quite all right Mr. Marnock. I mean, we were, we were merely posing." She shakes her head causing her hair to brush Remington who shakes himself from an apparent daze.

"Oh yes, of course." He looks to Remington, "There's 'phone call for you Steele. Now he won't give his name but he said he had to talk to you right away. Now he sounded desperate."

"There's a lot of that in the air tonight," comments Laura. Suddenly, a bullet hits the post behind them.

"What?" Arnoch looks around startled.

"Down!" cries out Laura as they duck for cover.

"Gunshots?"

"Or something very much like it," answers Steele. A bullet hits the post where he is hiding and then the post near Arnoch who drops from his crouch to lie flat on the pier.

Laura asks Remington, "Can you see where they're coming from?"

"I'd rather not press it just yet."

"Aaah! Do something Steele! Shoot back at them!" implores Arnoch.

"Love to. Wouldn't by any chance be carrying a gun?"

A bullet lands just in front of Arnoch causing him to cry out, "Oh my God," as he covers his head with his arms.

*****

Arnoch is talking on the telephone in Laura's office, "Millicent. This is Emery. Yes dear, I know what time it is. Yes dear but I've had a very rough day."

In Steele's office, Remington is inspecting his jacket as Laura asks, "What did you tell the police?"

"As little as possible."

"I feel like we're going around in circles on this thing. First, George is a hermit. Then he's got a girlfriend. He's on his way through Vegas to Canada. Then all of a sudden," she snaps the fingers on both hands, "he's here. His office is spotless but his condo is a pig-sty. Albie gets a call to go the marina .."

"And we get shot at," finishes Remington as he takes a drink. "It does seem like we're a step behind doesn't it?"

"Somebody's gone to an awful lot of trouble to keep us there."

"Perhaps the mob as Albie suspects."

"Or George trying to throw a false trail."

Arnoch's voice grows louder from Laura's office, "Millie! If you'd SHUT UP for a second Millie maybe I could explain!" There is silence and then the telephone rings. Arnoch puts his wife on hold and picks up the second line.

"Are you sure you didn't see anything after Cynthia was shot?" asks Laura.

" 'Fraid whoever it was drove away too quickly."

"Drove? George didn't drive! There's another one."

Arnoch approaches them, "It's him again on the 'phone."

"Who?" asks Remington.

"The one who called in the car." Laura heads to her office but Arnoch puts out his arm and points to Steele. "No, he said it had to be Mr. Steele."

"Of course," says Laura indicating Steele should take the call.

 

Remington slaps Arnoch on the back as he moves around his desk to pick up the telephone, "Steele here."

Izzy is at the other end sitting at his desk. "Mr. Steele. This is Izzy Webster. I have to see you right away. There's something you don't know about George." As Izzy is speaking the light from an opening door falls on Izzy but he does not notice.

"Where are you?"

"In my office."

"Very well. Of course, I'll be there as soon as possible." Steele hangs up the telephone, "Quickly, Laura. I sense this may be the break we've been looking for." Laura follows him out of the office. Arnoch looks after them.

"What? Where? You're not going to leave me here by myself." Arnoch picks up the telephone, "Millie? Sorry to put you on hold but I can't talk to you now. I'll get back to you." He hangs up the telephone and leaves.

*****

In the Ratooi factory, Laura leads Arnoch and Steele past the video machines. Arnoch and Steele react to the sudden loud noise of Izzy's security system. "What's that?" asks Arnoch.

"It's nothing," informs Laura, "Come on."

"Nothing?" queries Arnoch following her.

As the sound grows louder Steele looks nervous, "Laura, are you quite certain?" he yells to be heard.

"Just noise. Trust me, " assures Laura.

Neither man looks convinced. "You first," says Arnoch pointing the way for Steele.

They reach Izzy's office, "Right here," says Laura.

"Okay," replies Remington as they all enter the office with Arnoch, last to enter, closing the door behind him. As he does Izzy Webster, who is behind the door, reaches out an arm then falls towards Arnoch, who calls out in fright but catches him. Laura and Steele rush to them with Laura helping hold up Izzy while Steele holds Arnoch.

Steele sees Izzy mouthing some words, "He's trying to say something."

"Let's look for a switch." Laura yells to be heard over the noise.

"Okay," agrees Steele going to look around Izzy's desk as Laura inspects two boxes on the wall. She finds the switch, turns it off and there is silence.

Izzy is still being propped up by Arnoch who is mumbling, "Never again, I swear."

Steele and Laura run back to Arnoch and Izzy. Laura asks, "What is it? What is he trying to say?"

Steele tries to listen to Izzy's attempt to talk, "Sound's like ..."

Finally Izzy speaks, "Toodle-loo," then dies.

"Toodle-loo?" asks Laura not believing she's heard correctly.

Steele thinks about it. "That's what I can shuffling off with class."

Arnoch faints and Remington and Laura have to stop him and Izzy from falling to the floor.

*****

Laura and Steele escort an upset Arnoch into Steele's apartment as Laura assures the latter, "I promise you'll be absolutely safe here Mr. Arnoch."

Arnoch sits on the edge of the couch, "My Lord. Two of them in one day."

Steele reassuringly taps him on the shoulder, "Rotten luck, very rotten."

"Let us help you off with these. Perhaps if you were more comfortable." Laura attempts to remove Arnoch's jacket.

"No, no. That won't be necessary." Arnoch pushes her away, stands up and heads to the kitchen. "I'll, I'll be all right. Just need to get some perspective is all. Tell me something, where am I going?"

"Kitchen," explains Remington.

"It'll do," replies Arnoch as he disappears though the door.

Laura follows Arnoch's steps, stopping at the dinner table. "This is getting very difficult."

"Every time we turn up someone who might help ..." Remington sits on the edge of the couch.

"They get killed," finishes Laura. She is perplexed, "But there must be someone we can talk to."

"Albie? Sheila?"

Laura sits down. "Somebody else who knew George but maybe only peripherally. Somebody off the beaten path." She picks up a plum from the fruit basket. "Also be nice if we could find someone who was around Ratooi tonight and might have seen something." She bites into the plum.

"Manuel."

"Who?"

"One of Ratooi's janitors. He cleans the offices there at night. He must know George."

Laura snaps her fingers. "Of course," Laura stands and starts walking past Steele to the door. "Could be he also came across something while cleaning George's office that might help!"

Remington pulls her back, "Hey, hey, hey. Hold on, hold on, hold on. How are we going to find him at this hour of the night?"

"I have a list of Ratooi's employees back at the office. And I think one of us had better stay here with Arnoch." She points to Steele, "Don't you?"

Remington is not convinced. "But if we're both out there looking see, at the same time."

"Naah, I can handle it." Laura walks to the door again stopping to ask, "By the way, how did you know about this Manuel in the first place?"

"Oh, we've done a bit of cruising together," replies Steele non-committally.

*****

It is morning at Steele's apartment. He is sitting in a chair looking apologetic, "I don't know quite how to put this Laura but I feel like I've let the agency down. I've let you down. I've dragged us both into this thing and now two people are dead. We're nearly out of time and we've still haven't found George. Perhaps you're right. Perhaps I'm not really suited for this kind of work at all."

"No, no, no, it's too heavy, man." We discover Remington is talking to Manuel who is sitting on the couch. "What are you trying to do? Make the chick cry or something? Just short and sweet. She'll get the message."

The doorbell rings. "You're right." Remington goes to answer the door. "You're right. Simple sincerity is the best route here."

He opens the door to discover Laura leaning in the doorway, disheveled and frustrated. "I've been all over this city twice looking for this janitor kid Manuel and I've come up with exactly zilch. Do you know the Board meeting is this afternoon?"

Steele patiently listens. "I know and Manuel's here but there's something I need to say first."

"He's here?" Laura cuts him off. Steele confirms by pointing in Manuel's direction. "You mean," she looks at a smiling Manuel, "Where did you find him?"

Manuel explains, "Hey lady, you come cruising down my turf in a limo and I'll find you."

Laura walks to him, "Manuel. I'd like to ask you some questions about George Kaplan."

"He's never actually seen George," pipes in Remington, "but before we get into that could I just ..."

Laura is focused on Manuel, "You've never met him."

Manuel shakes his head, "But then I work mainly nights so who knows?"

Laura leaves Remington moving around the couch to sit next to Manuel, "His office, was it usually cluttered and messy?"

"Nah. Since I started with them about six months ago I haven't had to clean except maybe once a week. And that was just dust."

"I see."

"Like the dude was never there."

Remington is still anxious, "Laura if we could have just one moment."

Laura puts up here hand to stop him, "One second. Thank you Manuel. You've been VERY helpful. I've got to call Murphy!"

"Don't mention it," replies Manuel before whispering to Remington, "Gotta go. Nice place you've got here, Steele." Manuel taps him on the shoulder, "Foxy lady too. Conquistala."

"Mmm" acknowledges Remington, "Con mucho gusto." He follows Manuel to the door giving him a five-clasp handshake before walking to Laura who is speaking into the telephone.

"Okay, thanks Murph."

Remington takes the handset from her, placing it in the cradle. "Laura, I think it's time that you .."

"We start re-checking our assumptions," says Laura cutting him off again, moving to the front of the couch. He impatiently sits on the armrest as she continues, "Now think about this. We're given very little time to find a missing man. Worst result? We don't find him. All right, what happens then? What are Gruff and Reston really going to do about this?"

"Well I'm not sure about those corporate types. Emery might know but .."

"Where is he?"

"There's someth.." he indicates his bedroom, "There's something-," but he is talking to Laura's back as she heads to where he has pointed. Laura walks into the bedroom looking for Arnoch, continuing into the bathroom when she hears the shower running. "Laura, a man's toilet should never be disturbed," cautions Remington.

Laura ignores him and stands next to the frosted shower door. "Mr. Arnoch, this is Miss Holt and we'd appreciate if you could answer a hypothetical question for us."

A startled Arnoch turns off the water and pokes his shampoo-lathered head over the door, "Miss Holt?"

"You're on the Board of a large multinational conglomerate that's bought out a small but highly profitable company. On the day of the take-over you discover a substantial amount of that company's assets are missing along with the plans for their next big project and one of their top executives. What do you do?"

Arnoch thinks about it, "Do the papers know about this? The stockholders?"

"Not yet."

"Then I'd sweep it under the rug as fast as possible. Can't allow a scandal like that to bring down all our stocks."

"In other words you wouldn't go after the executive, the money or anyone else involved -even quietly?"

"The sooner it's forgotten about the better. Would you mind handing me a towel?"

Laura looks down at the towel-rail positioned at waist-level on the shower door and realizes Arnoch is naked, "Oh." She grabs a towel from the towel-rail on the wall and passes it Arnoch who thanks her as she quickly leaves the bathroom passing Steele who follows. She walks into the living room, "Gotta go meet Murphy because if we don't come up with something the agency could take a lot of heat for this mess."

"Give me a moment to change and we'll talk in the car," says Remington.

"Oh no. You're taking Arnoch to the airport. Straight to the airport. No stops. No detours. Airport. Comprende?"

"Comprendo," replies Remington heading into his bedroom shutting the door.

Laura starts to go but then backtracks, "Oh, what was it that you wanted to tell me?"

Remington opens the bedroom door, pausing, "Oh, it'll wait." He shuts the bedroom door.

*****

The limo is driving along a highway. Remington and Arnoch are in the back.

Steele reaches into his inner jacket pocket pulling out travel documents, "I'm sorry this has been an ordeal for you, Emery." He passes the documents to Arnoch.

"Yes, well I am looking forward to getting on that plane." Arnoch takes the documents and a photo falls from them. Arnoch picks up the photo. It is the picture of Cynthia in a bikini reclining on the stern of the yacht 'Toodle-loo'. "Shame about this poor creature, isn't it?"

"Yes. Yes, indeed."

"It's a nice boat too."

They both look closely at the photo identifying the name of the yacht and say in unison, "Toodle-loo!"

"Emery, Izzy wasn't saying goodbye, he was trying to give us a clue!"

Arnoch looks up from the photo issuing instructions, "Fred, turn this car around and head for the marina."

"But we'll miss your plane."

"Damn it man. You can't expect me to pass up a lead like this after all we've been through."

Steele smiles, "You heard the man, Fred. The marina at once." Fred screeches the limo into a U-turn.

*****

George's landlady leads Laura into George's flat looking around in wide-eyed surprise at the mess. "That must have been some party you all threw for Mr. Kaplan. Wow."

Laura laughs nervously, "Yes, well it may have gotten away from us a bit but, but I'm certain I left my glasses here somewhere."

"He always seemed like such a quiet man. Well, I've got some shopping to do. Just close the door after you." She starts to leave as Murphy walks in the door.

"Oh, hi," starts Murphy.

Laura intercedes, "Oh, it's all right. He's with me."

The woman looks appreciatively at Murphy and looks wistfully at Laura, "Wish I could say the same." Murphy doesn't look impressed as Laura smiles and walks to the bedroom.

*****

Steele and Arnoch are walking down the pier at the marina. They turn into a walkway and discover the moored yacht 'Toodle-loo'. They look pleased with themselves and head for the yacht passing a bikini-clad girl who Remington admires.

Once on board Steele goes to the bridge and finds nautical maps in the storage space underneath one of the bench seats. "Uh huh. Emery, have a look at this." Remington points to a circled "X" on the map. "I make it about two miles offshore, north by northwest. Excuse me, Emery." Steele finds the wires to hot-wire the engine.

Emery, not looking well, is sitting down. "I think there is something you should know, Steele. I'm not good on boats."

"Oh. Well, I wouldn't feel quite right going alone so why not let's lean over that bridge when we come to it Emery." Steele gives Arnoch a couple of reassuring taps on the shoulder and then hot-wires the engine.

*****

Laura is looking through the clothes in Kaplan's wardrobe as Murphy turns on the light and informs her, "Our friend George Kaplan must have had some heavy financial problems because until six months ago he didn't have a credit rating."

"And now?"

"Now, he's the perfect bill payer. Everything on time and to the dollar. But I couldn't find a single tax return on the guy."

"What about draft records? Birth certificates?"

"Well, he must have been a draft evader because he never registered. And I traced his birth certificate to Sacramento where their fire destroyed most of their records. So who knows if there's anything there?"

Laura gives him a smile. "He's starting to sound a lot like someone we know."

"Remington Steele?"

"Arnoch said if we don't find him it's finished. Gruff and Reston will never go looking for him."

"And there's one kind of guy that nobody can find."

Laura sighs in frustration, "Yeah, but how do we prove this? Even worse, what about this girlfriend Cynthia?" She goes into the bedroom, picks up the telephone and dials.

At the marina, Fred is standing by the limo when it rings. He picks up the telephone, "Fred here."

Laura asks, " Hi Fred. Put Mr. Steele on, please."

"Sorry, he can't come to the 'phone right now."

"What's he doing?" asks Laura, not really wanting to know.

"Ohh, about five knots," answers Fred watching the yacht sail out of the harbor.

Steele is on the bridge. He looks down to the starboard side, "All's well Emery?" A very seedy looking Arnoch raises his left hand and shakily waves it before leaning back onto the rail.

*****

In a corridor at Ratooi, three businessmen walk past Laura and an anxious Albie. Albie looks at his watch, "Where's Steele for crying out loud?"

Laura gives him a polite smile, "I'm certain he's on his way."

"Boy, I need George."

"I'm sorry we haven't done better but there could be some solid, new evidence."

"What is it?"

"Well, we're still waiting for it to arrive."

"Look, I know you really tried, but if you don't have anything for me in five minutes I'm going to have to tell the G and R Board that not even Remington Steele knows what happened to George." Albie goes into the meeting room as Laura looks after him unimpressed.

Murphy walks down the corridor. He sighs and Laura asks, "Anything?"

"No. Bernice is still out looking for her. But get this, there's a message on the service from you-know-who telling us to wait for him. He says, 'he found George'."

"What?"

Steele walks up behind them, "Don't look so shocked, Laura. I told you I had an instinct for this sort of work." He gives Murphy a stare before looking behind him down the corridor.

Laura is stunned, "W-wh-what have you been doing?"

"Mmm? Looking for a pair of bolt-cutters, of course. Come, I believe the meeting's been called to order and we don't want to keep the client waiting." He moves out the way as Arnoch wheels a trolley with the chained trunk that was dropped from the yacht 'Toodle-loo' in the opening scenes. "Straight through, Emery, that's my boy."

Murphy and Laura watch them enter the meeting room. "So much for our theory now, mmm?" says Murphy. Laura starts to respond but then stops and follows Remington and Emery as Murphy looks at his watch and walks down the hall.

Inside, Steele is holding court with the Gruff and Reston Board, Albie and Sheila all sitting at a table. "Naturally, I could not refuse Mr. Fervitz's desperate plea for help. By all accounts George was a close friend, a trusted colleague and a vital part of Ratooi." Murphy walks in and seats himself next to Laura, who is sitting away from the table. They whisper to each other as Remington continues, "I know there were those that felt George Kaplan had simply turned his back on all of this and had absconded with the funds." Steele kneels on one knee by the trunk as Arnoch tries to break through the chains with the bolt-cutters. "But preceding from Mr. Fervitz's belief that George was in grave danger I followed an increasingly intricate trail of clues to uncover this trunk." Remington slaps his hand on the trunk as Arnoch cuts through the chains. Together they push the chains off the trunk. "Which, I regret to say contains ..." - he stops when seeing the contents of the trunk; computer equipment and bundles of money - "no George."

Albie looks surprised, "I don't get it. What's that?" Steele doesn't answer. Instead he stands and turns from the Board and removes his handkerchief from his breast pocket. Laura whispers again to Murphy, who leaves as she stands and begins the explanation.

"The missing five million dollars in assets and Ratooi's new 'Deep Water' game."

"And George Kaplan?" asks one of the Board members.

"I believe Mr. Steele has been true to his word and delivered George as well." She looks at Steele who gives an uncertain smile, "Would you like to tell them sir or may I?"

"Please, uh, Miss Holt, carry on," replies Remington, as he and Arnoch move to sit down where Murphy and Laura were previously.

"Gentlemen. If I may introduce Mr. Kaplan's condominium manager, Miss Littrell." Sheila watches as Albie looks around worried as Murphy escorts the landlady into the meeting room. Miss Littrell recognizes Remington and pats him on the arm before going to the table and looking at Albie, "Oh, Mr. Kaplan, congratulations. When they told me about your promotion I'm not surprised about how wild the party was. So, ah, surprise," she nervously sings the last word.

Albie is angry, "I've never seen this woman before in my life."

"If only you could have kept your stinking hormones to yourself," spits out Sheila.

"Shut up Sheila," grits out Albie, "They can't prove a thing."

"I'm afraid I'm at a loss here," says the Board member. "Can you explain all this? Ah, Mr. Steele?"

Remington quickly stands, "Of course." He looks to Laura, "Please Miss Holt, carry on."

"Of course." She walks to the landlady, "Thank you, Miss Littrell. Would you be seated please?" The woman replies, "Sure," and sits as Laura continues. "You see ladies and gentlemen, when Mr. Steele said George was here, he was referring to the people who created George."

Arnoch is astonished, "He was?" Remington gives Arnoch a look as he listens to Laura proceed. "Yes, you see, about six months ago, Albie Fervitz, his wife Sheila, and the late Izzy Webster realized Gruff and Reston intended to take over their company and in the end they would be powerless to stop it. So they devised a plan to strip Ratooi of all that it was worth."

"Fascinating," says an impressed Arnoch as Remington gives him another look.

"To that end, they invented a fourth executive, one George Kaplan. They gave him an office, credit card accounts, a condo. Then at the proper moment they would summon the most reputable of detective agencies to declare that George had vanished, along with their newest video game and a sizeable amount of their liquid assets. Quite naturally, they assumed that those detectives would fail since there was no George to be found. And they would be free to divide the spoils while George took all the blame."

"But of course there was a critical flaw in their plan," contributes Arnoch. Steele looks in disbelief at him and then in surprise as Laura agrees with Arnoch's surmise, "The girlfriend?"

"Yes, Mr. Arnoch. It seems that Mr. Fervitz decided to take advantage of the condo to have an extra-marital fling. And to avoid discovery told his lover that he was George Kaplan." Albie doesn't react as Sheila looks away from him in disgust. Laura points to Remington, "But when Mr. Steele found her, Fervitz was forced to kill her before she exposed his dual identity and discovered the plan."

Arnoch pieces more of the puzzle together, "And when Izzy Webster discovered that their little plan had suddenly turned into murder ..." Steele looks again from Arnoch to Laura who finishes.

"He wanted out. And was killed by Fervitz before he could confess his involvement."

Arnoch is extremely pleased at their 'joint' conclusion.

Steele asks, "Well Mr. Fervitz, what do you have to say to all this?"

"I'll talk to my lawyer, period," replies Albie.

The Board member leans on the table, "Obviously, this is a matter for the police. But an
astounding story Mr. Steele, and I must add, a brilliant piece of detection."

"Thank you," acknowledges Steele looking slightly uncomfortable, "But ah, I owe so much to the excellent support of my wonderful staff." He looks up to Laura and then at Arnoch patting the latter on the knee. In the background Murphy looks on in disbelief.

*****

"Your excellent staff thanks you," says Laura. They are sitting in front of the fireplace at Steele's apartment drinking champagne from flutes.

Remington tilts his glass, "That's very gracious of them considering how badly I misjudged Albie. Pity really. He seemed to have such a genuine concern for George." He sips some champagne. "But tell me, how exactly did I crack the case?"

Laura smiles, "By simply being you. Having created Remington Steele, I know how troublesome a fictitious man can be."

"You didn't seem to have much trouble on the dock."

Laura pauses then smiles, "Ah, but then I was merely posing."

Steele looks at her then holds out his glass to Laura's and they clink, "To posing then." As they drink to his toast the doorbell rings. "Mmm. That will be the dinner I ordered." He stands up and places his champagne on the coffee table then answers the door. Laura moves from the floor to sit on an armrest.

Steele opens the door to watch Arnoch walk in and put his bag and coat on the couch, "I just couldn't do it Steele. I stood in that airport ramp and I thought to myself, 'Emery, this has been the most exciting forty-eight hours of your life!'" Steele sits down on the couch next to Laura listening, "'You're a fool to waste your talents on unit pricing and shelf strategy'. So I'm selling out." Arnoch sits on the couch as Laura and Remington look at him stunned. "Millicent and the children will be arriving in a few days." He picks up Steele's champagne and has a drink, "So tell me, what's our next case?"

Steele, at a loss for words, looks up to Laura who smiles and hands him her champagne.

The End

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