"Just general stuff," Mildred said with a depreciating lift of her shoulders. "I'm probably wrong. He might just be wanting to help you two kids out."

"Hmm," Remington mused. "Have you heard him mention anything about someone named Marty?"

Mildred shook her head slowly. "Never heard the name. Who is he?"

"Just an old friend that Daniel met with yesterday. Marty told me that Daniel bought some information about Gerald Davis's collection from him."

"Maybe he's just doing some background stuff. You know, so that he'll look legit to Davis. Of course, he did ask about -"

"About?" Remington prompted.

"Davis supposedly owns a solid gold crucifix that's-"

"That's encrusted with rare gems," Remington finished, and went to his desk to retrieve the Davis folder to search for the inventory list. Included in the file were several photographs of the more valuable pieces in the collection. "Rumored to have been made out of the melted gold of a chalice that's considered to be the Holy Grail."

Mildred looked at the picture he held out and gave a low whistle. "How much is it worth, Chief?"

"On the open market? It's worthless."

"But-"

"You couldn't fence it. And as for melting it down- well, there's a rather nasty curse attached to the piece. A previous attempt to melt it down to remove the gems and sell the gold resulted in rather grisly deaths for the would be thieves."

"So- the only people who would be interested in it would be private collectors."

"In that market, the Crucifix of the Chalice would be worth- a kings ransom."

"How'd Davis get it?"

"A quite- legitimate sale several years ago. The previous owner needed some cash- Davis had the money. It was originally found in an abandoned monastery in Southern France just after the War."

"Abandoned?"

"The monks apparently fled the occupying troops- but left that behind for some reason. It wasn't found until the monastery was sold by the Church and was being converted into a hotel. There was a prolonged battle between the Church and the new owner as to who owned the item, but the courts ruled in the hotelier's favor. It was he that Davis bought the Crucifix from, I believe." Remington took the photograph and studied it. "You say that Daniel mentioned the Crucifix specifically?"

"That's the only piece he mentioned to me."

Remington sighed. "I can name three or four collectors off the top of my head that would give their eye teeth to get their hands on that Crucifix. Including Daniel's old friend Charles Harrigan."

"You don't think he's planning to steal the Crucifix and sell it to Harrigan, do you, Boss?"

"You've spent a lot of time with him, Mildred. What do you think? I want your honest, unbiased opinion. Do you think Daniel's planning to steal something from Gerald Davis?"

Mildred put her cup on the low table that sat between them and looked thoughtful. "He hasn't said anything DEFINITE," she told him. "And I really think he wants to change-"

"All in all, I think perhaps a visit to Charles Harrigan might be in order." Remington picked up the nearby telephone and finally recalled the number that he'd heard Daniel mention. "Mr. Harrigan? . . . Remington Steele here . . . Yes, well, that was a long time ago, . . . Yes . . . I was wondering if I might drop by this afternoon for a few minutes . . ." He looked at his watch. "I think I can manage that . . . Thank you. I'll see you then." Hanging up the phone, he smiled tightly at Mildred. "He can see me at five."

Mildred picked up her cup again. "Do you think he'll admit that Daniel's stealing the Crucifix for him?"

"I think I'll be able to tell whether or not he's lying about it."

"How?"

Remington smiled. "Let me take care of that, eh, Mildred?" Sipping his now lukewarm tea, Remington said, "Mildred, has Daniel mentioned anything to you about his- family?"

"His family, Mr. Steele?"

"Yes. Mother, father, cousins- "

"No. Why do you ask?"

"Just something he told Dr. Becker the other day about his illness not being hereditary. He seemed rather certain that no one in his family had suffered from something like-"

"He got it in India," Mildred explained.

"So he explained to Dr. Becker. I was just thinking that it might be nice for Daniel to- reconcile with his family- if he has any out there, that's all."

"He's never mentioned his family to you, then?"

"Not a word. I always thought that he didn't KNOW his family- much like myself. But from what he told Dr. Becker, I gathered that he knows precisely who he is- and where he came from."

"And you want me to find out."

"Well, you do seem closer to him than anyone else at the moment."

Mildred smiled into her cup. "You sound surprised by that."

"Not really- well, yes, I am, actually. I never thought of Daniel as your type."

"Why not? Don't you remember that I went out with Kevin Masters until he moved to Florida a year or so ago? Daniel knows Kevin, by the way."

"He did?"

Mildred nodded. "They did a couple of jobs together when Daniel was first starting out. Then they lost track of each other. Daniel was surprised that you hadn't told him about the case we had where you got to meet le Renard."

"Didn't think he would be interested, I suppose. Strange that he's never mentioned knowing Masters."

She shrugged. "I got the impression that there's a lot that you don't know about Daniel."

"Never asked," Remington confessed. "Didn't want to invite questions about myself, I suppose. Questions that I couldn't answer." His eyes were on the remaining tea in his cup.

"Oh, Mr. Steele," Mildred said, "does it really matter who you used to be? What's important is who you are NOW."

"Thank you, Mildred. When I first started trying to find out my real name, it was so that I could give it to Laura. You know, like a nicely wrapped present, all neat and tied up with a pretty bow. But now, it's more for me. I NEED to know where I came from, who my parents were."

"And what if you don't like what you find?" Mildred asked.

"At least I'll know." Another glance at his watch, and Remington stood up. "I'm going to meet with Harrigan. If Laura and Daniel ask where I've gone-"

"You got an urgent call from your tailor," Mildred finished for him with a conspiratorial smile, standing as well.

Remington leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "You're irreplaceable, Mildred," he said, then took his jacket from the back of the chair and slipped it on. "Tell Laura that I'll meet her at home." Throwing her a kiss, he left the office.

Shaking her head, Mildred gathered the empty cups and went to her own desk.

***

"When will you be back?" Gerald Davis asked as Daniel opened the passenger side door of Laura's Rabbit.

"Tomorrow afternoon," Daniel informed him. "Around- one, I believe."

"Not tomorrow morning?"

"The security people will be here," Laura assured Mr. Davis, over the top of the car. "Mr. Chalmers has another appointment tomorrow morning. A- meeting with the police commissioner, I believe. Isn't that right, Mr. Chalmers?"

"Yes. The police commissioner," Daniel agreed quickly.

"I'd be glad to come earlier," Laura began, but Davis shook his head.

"No. I'd prefer that you wait for Mr. Chalmers." Frustrated, Laura got into the car. "What time will the security people be arriving?"

Daniel scratched behind his ear, giving him a chance to glance at Laura, and read her lips easily. "Ten a.m."

"I'll be expecting them," Davis said, standing back as Daniel got into the small car. "And I'll have a copy of the guest list sent along to your office."

Laura started the engine and put the car into gear, driving sedately until they had cleared the gates of Davis' estate. As she turned onto the street, Laura pressed hard on the gas pedal, accelerating rapidly. Daniel turned to look at her once he'd recovered from the surprise. "You're upset," he commented.

"Not at all. Just because Davis barely spoke two words to me all afternoon, and when he did it was only to confirm something that YOU had said- the man's a chauvinistic boor!" she declared, braking hard at a stop sign to watch for oncoming traffic.

"Perhaps. I'll try to stay more out of the way tomorrow," he promised. "Perhaps if I told him that I wanted to have a look around, scout the place out on my own-"

"Not on your life," Laura declared, interrupting him. "You're not to get out of my sight, Daniel. What WAS that about the gold cross in there, anyway?"

"The Crucifix of the Chalice?" Daniel asked.

"I just hope that Mr. Davis didn't notice the gleam in your eyes when you were looking at it. Might've given him second thoughts about retaining the agency."

"It's a lovely piece, don't you think? And such a colourful history, as well."

"Worth?" Laura asked.

"Depends on where you're trying to sell it, I would think. To a private collector, I could get- I mean anyone could get," Daniel quickly amended, "-say, a million dollars. Perhaps more. It's a one of a kind piece. It's rumored to be made out of the jeweled chalice used at the Last Supper."

"Really?"

"It was found in an old monastery in France, oh, forty years ago. The Church lost a rather nasty court fight to retain it. Davis bought it twenty years ago from the last owner."

"Daniel, you're NOT stealing that cross."

He smiled. "I wouldn't dream of it, Laura. With your watching me like a hawk, I doubt I'll have a chance to try." His smile widened slightly upon hearing her sigh. "I must say that this afternoon went off rather well, though, don't you think? Beyond Davis' distrust of you, that is. Did you happen to notice that the library doors are in a blind spot for the security cameras?"

"I did. And I'm going to mention that to the security people tomorrow morning before they go out there. See if they can find a way around it." She glanced at him. "So don't go planning to make your escape that way."

"I wouldn't-"

"I know," Laura said, stopping him with an upraised hand. "I know. You wouldn't DREAM of it."

***

"Ah, Harry," Charles Harrigan said, smiling as he tended the bonsai tree that sat before him. "You may go, Phillip," he told the bodyguard that had shown Remington into the steamy solarium. "Of course, I suppose you'd prefer that I call you Remington Steele these days. You've come up in the world."

"So have you," Remington pointed out.

Harrigan wheezed as he laughed. "You're right. Lovely little plant, isn't it?" he asked, trimming another branch to even the plant. "They take such care. What did you want to see me about?"

"I've heard a rumor that the Crucifix of the Chalice might be on the market before long," Remington announced in a confidential tone, watching the old man's hands closely. "Wondered if you might be interested."

"Who wouldn't be interested? It's an - interesting rumor, though. Where did you hear it?"

"Around. Various sources. You're aware, I assume that my agency is providing security for the Crucifix as well as Gerald Davis' entire collection?"

The hand shook- then completed its task. "No. I wasn't aware of that. Congratulations, I suppose. Gerald Davis has an enviable collection. Or, perhaps I should be giving you my sympathies. If this- rumor is correct, then you have a slight- problem on your hands. I don't envy you trying to protect the Crucifix- or the rest of that collection."

"The showing is by invitation only. You're not on the guest list?"

Harrigan scowled. "I don't give my money to museums."

"What about your own collection?" Remington asked. "What happens to it once you're- no longer able to enjoy it?"

"It's a simple solution," Harrigan said, his face reminding Remington of a skull as he smiled. "I'm not going to die."

***

Laura was sitting on the sofa, her legs curled under her, papers scattered everywhere it seemed. Remington returned her smile as he entered. "Hello there."

"Hi." She put her head back to accept his kiss, watching as he began to remove his coat and loosen his tie. "Where did you disappear to?" she asked.

"Didn't Mildred tell you?" he asked.

"Hmm. She mentioned something about your tailor just before she and Daniel left for an early dinner. Apparently the tests they're running tomorrow require Daniel not to eat for something like eighteen hours before hand."

Remington sat down in the only clear spot that was left on the sofa. "What's all this?" he asked.

"Oh, just trying to get a lead on some things- working out the security arrangements. Thought I could get it done before you got home."

"Don't let me stop you," he said. "I'll go start dinner."

"I think I've figured out what Daniel's up to," Laura told him, causing him to subside back into the cushions.

"Oh?"

"Davis owns something called the 'Crucifix of the Chalice'. Daniel spent most of the afternoon drooling over the darn thing."

"He did?"

"It was almost embarrassing. Everytime I turned around, there he was, back at the display case. He MUST be planning to steal it."

Remington rose and paced across the room. "I would have agreed with you until this moment, Laura. Mildred told me that Daniel had mentioned something about the Crucifix to her. As a matter of fact, I was so certain that Daniel was going to steal the Crucifix that I went to see Charles Harrigan to scope out a the possibility that he might be interested in buying the piece."

"What's changed?"

"I know Daniel well enough to know that he's too good to telegraph his plans that way." Seeing Laura's confusion, he explained. "One of the first things that Daniel taught me was to NEVER pay that much attention to your goal. If he spent that much time looking at the Crucifix, then that's NOT what he's after." He began going through the papers scattered around them. "Where's that inventory list?"

Laura went right to it and held it out. "Here." She looked over his arm as he examined it. "What are you looking for?"

"I wish I knew. Was there anything that Daniel DIDN'T 'drool' over, as you put it? Something that he basically seemed to avoid or look at once and then move on?"

Laura's expression was thoughtful as she recalled the afternoon. "Not that I remember."

"There are any number of pieces in Davis' collection that could be sold for a handsome profit," Remington told her. "And far easier than the Crucifix could be sold."

"Maybe Daniel's just not as quick on his feet as he used to be," Laura suggested. "Slipping a little-"

"He'd only do that if he wanted to be caught," Remington insisted. "Or if he wanted us to be looking over HERE, while he was busy over THERE."

"It would help if Mr. Davis would let me go out there without my watchdog," Laura said angrily. "When I mentioned it before we left, he insisted that I wait for Daniel."

Remington put an arm around her shoulder. "Tell you what, the two of us will take a drive out there tomorrow morning on the pretense of supervising the security people. Have a look around. Maybe I'll be able to figure out what Daniel's really after." He sighed and stood up. "Care to assist me in the kitchen?" he invited.

Laura smiled. "Let me pick up these papers and I'll be right there." But as she picked up the papers, something apparently caught her eye, and she started to read again.

Remington watched for a moment, then entered the kitchen, smiled, smiling More and more, the old Laura was returning. Whatever Daniel was planning, at least something good might come out of it, after all. The thought caused Remington to pause, then he laughed softly, realizing that he'd likely just stumbled onto Daniel's REAL goal.

To Be Continued . . .

---

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Original content ©2001 by Nancy Eddy