"Morning," she repeated, still looking at him.

"Someting wrong?" he asked, suddenly uncertain under her intense gaze.

"I'm fine. You probably feel like hell, though. According to Daniel, you drank an entire bottle of wine by yourself and started on another one before he got there."

Remington nodded, and instantly regretted the action. "Ooh, remind me not to do that again."

Laura reached over to pick up a glass from the nightstand. "Here. Drink."

"What's this?" he asked, sitting up slowly and taking the glass. He sniffed, looking askance at the red contents of the glass. It smelled vaguely of tomato, worchestershire and a few other things that he couldn't immediately identify.

"Don't ask. Just drink."

Cautiously, Remington took a sip. "Ugh," he grunted. "Laura-"

"You drink, you pay the price," she told him. "Drink it fast and it doesn't taste so bad."

"How would you know?" Remington asked, eyes narrowing as he looked at her over the rim of the glass.

Her gaze fell to the bed. "Right after- Daddy- arrived, I overdid it on drinking- I guess I knew something wasn't right and I- anyway, the next morning, Daddy fixed that for me and made me drink it. It worked." He saw a small smile trying to appear. "Tasted AWFUL, but it worked."

Remington was heartened by the mention of her father. "Well, with such a glowing testimonial, I might as well give it a try-" he said, and tipped the glass up, swallowing the entire contents in one gulp. He shuddered as he handed the glass back to her. "You were wrong. The taste is still there."

She grinned. "Why don't you go take a shower and I'll start breakfast?"

Remington had tossed back the covers before he heard her. "Breakfast?"

Laura smiled even more. "When I went out to get the ingredients for this-" she told him, indicating the empty glass, "I stopped by that little bakery on the corner for some fresh croissants," she told him. "I just need to reheat them. We don't have time for much more. We're supposed to meet Daniel at Mr. Davis' in an hour."

Remington nodded, wincing slightly, and glanced at the clock. "I'm sorry, Laura."

"For what?"

"Last night- taking off that way. I just- needed to - figure some things out."

"I understand. At least Daniel brought you home safely. You know, it's just possible that I've- misjudged him." Remington paused in the bathroom doorway, frowning. "Take your shower," Laura said, smiling again.

"Sure you don't want to join me?" he asked, lifting an eye brow rakishly.

"Love to," she replied. "But I'm not sure that Mr. Davis would appreciate our being late today."

"Glad to see you're returning to form, Miss Holt," Remington mused, and closed the bathroom door before the pillow that she threw could reach him.

***

"Once we get there," Laura told him as the limo pulled in the driveway of Mr. Davis' house, "You keep an eye on the security people. I'll stay close to Daniel."

Remington frowned. "I thought you'd said that you had misjudged him?"

"Personally. Until this case is finished, I think he bears watching. Too much temptation isn't good for anyone, Mr. Steele," she informed him in a prim voice.

Laughing, Remington pulled her across and into his arms. "Temptation, eh?" he questioned. "Sounds interesting. We do still need to have a talk," he reminded her.

"Later," Laura promised with a kiss to his cheek as Fred opened the back door of the car for them.

Daniel's rental car was sitting nearby, as was a catering truck and security van. "Looks like things are in full swing," Remington commented as they moved toward the front door.

An armed security man greeted them. "Mr. Steele. Miss Holt. Good morning."

"Everything under control, Mr.-" Remington glanced at the man's name plate. "Donaldson?"

"It was quiet until the catering people arrived. But we're keeping an eye on things."

"Good man."

"Where are Mr. Davis and Mr. Chalmers?" Laura asked, looking around.

"Mr. Davis is with the caterers in the kitchen. Mr. Chalmers was in the gallery last time I saw him."

"Thank you." Laura turned to Remington. "You go let Mr. Davis know that we're here. I'll go find out what Daniel's up to."

Remington took another hit of breath spray, then grinned at her before turning toward the rear of the house. Laura moved toward the gallery, checking the light on the box to the right of the doorway to make sure that the system was on stand-by before entering.

She smiled at the two security people who stood watch, and easily picked out Daniel standing near the Cross of the Chalice, talking to a young man wearing a catering uniform. "Wow," the young man said. "It's solid gold?"

"All the way through," Laura confirmed. Daniel turned to look at her, his gaze moving to search behind her. "Good morning, Mr. Chalmers."

"Miss Holt," Daniel replied. 'Where is Mr. Steele?"

"Talking to our client," she said.

"I'd better get back to work," the young man said. "Thanks, Mr. Chalmers. I've never seen anything like it."

"And you never will again, I'm sure," Daniel said with a smile. Once the young man had left the gallery, he turned to Laura. "How is our boy doing this morning?"

"He was a little rough earlier, but I think he'll survive." Her smile faded. "Daniel, we need to talk-"

"Not now, Laura," Daniel said, taking her arm and pulling her toward a corner. "I told him last night that we would all have lunch tomorrow and I'd tell him everything."

"Everything?" Laura repeated, seeking confirmation, her eyes searching his face.

"I hope so. He thought that I was talking about my long lost family. We'll start there, and see how it goes. But that's tomorrow. At the moment, we need to concentrate on reassuring Mr. Davis that things will go smoothly this evening."

"Daniel, I need your word that you're not going to try to steal anything," Laura said quietly.

"You would accept *my* word?"

Laura glanced behind him to make sure that they wouldn't be overheard. "Considering the fact that if you try anything, you'll be destroying your son's reputation, yes, I would."

Daniel took a deep breath and sighed. "Then you have my word, Laura. I'm not planning anything. But- that's not to say that someone ELSE isn't."

"What do you mean?"

"I've been hearing some rather- nasty rumors about a possible robbery attempt- DURING the gathering this evening."

"And you didn't mention it?"

"I only got full confirmation early this morning," Daniel told her. "I didn't see any reason to worry you until then. As I said, I thought it might simply be a rumor."

"We need to increase security," Laura told him. "Do you have any idea what they're after?"

Daniel nodded toward the Cross. "That, of course. It's by far the most valuable item here."

"But- you and Remington both said that it can't be fenced."

"A private collector won't need to bother with a fence."

"What private collector?"

"I'm sorry. I wasn't able to find out who might be behind it. I know Harry-" he glanced around. "-that Remington spoke to Harrigan, but he's not the only one who covets that piece."

Remington joined them in the corner. "What's going on?"

"We've got trouble," Laura told him. "Daniel, you fill him in. I'm going to see about increasing security."

"Increasing security?" Remington asked, looking at Daniel.

"Feeling better this morning?" Daniel asked.

"Better, thank you. And thanks for- being there last night."

"It was nothing," Daniel assured him.

"Now what's going on?"

"I didn't want to mention it until I knew for sure, but- it looks as if someone wants the Cross enough to risk an attempt this evening."

"Not you?"

Daniel looked to where Laura was talking to the head security man, Mr. Marcus. "To tell you the truth, my boy, I never intended to steal anything. This was all just a little game to give Laura something else to concentrate on other than her grief and problems. It appears to have worked."

"And you told me not to try anything," Remington reminded him.

"But I never said that *I* wouldn't."

"For what it's worth, I think it worked. Laura's more and more like her old self- in most respects, anyway." He turned back to Daniel. "Who's behind it?"

"I haven't a clue. All my contacts were able to tell me was that there was going to be an attempt this evening."

"Damn. Don't mention anything about this to Mr. Davis, okay? We'll handle it."

"Good idea. The man's so nervous now that that sound of a champagne cork would send him into an absolute tizzy."

"So I noticed. Miss Holt-" he said as Laura joined them again, "the catering and temporaries were checked, right?"

"Thoroughly," Laura assured him. "I just confirmed that with Mr. Marcus. He's got as much riding on this as we do, remember? A successful robbery would ruin Graybridge just like it would us." She turned her attention toward Daniel. "You're SURE you don't have any idea-?"

"I'm sorry, Laura-"

"Who's in town?" Remington asked.

"Unfortunately, I'm afraid that word's gotten out that I've been working with Remington Steele Investigations," Daniel sighed. "A lot of sources have simply- dried up as a result of that."

Remington nodded. "I've noticed that myself. People who used to be willing to tell me anything tend to be a bit more cautious these days, not wanting to rat out another friend." He placed a hand on Daniel's shoulder. "Don't let it worry you, Daniel."

Daniel noticed the look on Laura's face as she watched them. "I think we need to make sure that we all keep our eyes open," Laura told them. "Especially the two of you. Anything out of the ordinary, anything out of place. Marcus is going to bring in another four men this evening- but he doesn't have anyone available until then."

"That's when we'll need them," Daniel reminded her. "According to what I learned, the attempt won't be made until after the party begins this evening."

"I know. But I'd feel better if they were on duty NOW," Laura fretted.

Daniel placed an arm around her shoulders. "There, there, Laura. We'll be here."

"We'll have to leave to change before the party," Laura reminded him.

"I'll change here on the premises," Daniel told her. "If you and H- Remington would be so kind as to collect Mildred, I'll be able to stay here and keep a sharp eye out for any suspicious characters."

"Make sure you leave a full guard on duty when you go to change," Remington told him.

"I will."

"I'd feel better if we did our own background checks on the temps and catering people," Laura told Remington.

"Laura, the Graybridge people know their jobs. Trust them to have done it," Daniel said in calming tones.

"I'm not very good at doing that, am I?" Laura admitted with a wry grin.

"No, you're not. But it's never too late to change," Daniel reminded her.

Laura managed a laugh. "No. I guess not."

"Ah, here you all are," Paul Davis said as he entered the gallery. "I was beginning to think that you had all disappeared and left me to fend for myself this evening."

Laura thought about the small army that had invaded the mansion and bit back a smile. "One of us will be here at all times today, Mr. Davis," she assured him.

"That's good to hear. I don't mind admitting that I'm more than a little nervous. I should have my head examined for agreeing to this in the first place. Good cause or not, the very idea of anything happening to my collection-"

"There, there, Mr. Davis," Daniel said, placing a comforting arm around the man's shoulders and turning him toward the doorway. "I'll be here, the entire time, keeping a careful eye on everything. No one is going to get anywhere near your treasures, Mr. Davis. You have my word on that."

"He's amazing, isn't he?" Remington asked, watching them.

"One of a kind," Laura agreed. "He was only doing all of this to help me, wasn't he?"

Remington opted for honesty. "Yes. He was concerned-"

"I know. And I appreciate his concern. He told me that we're all having lunch tomorrow- to- talk-"

"He said something last night about telling me about his family. I told him that he didn't have to, but-"

Laura looked up at him. "No, I think you should know. Just in- case- you know-"

"Dr. Becker was optimistic about new treatment," Remington reminded her.

"But someone recently reminded me that nothing's for certain," Laura said. "And that we have to take each day as it comes."

"I guess you're right."

"Miss Holt, Mr. Steele," Henry Marcus approached them. "I thought you'd like to know that I've gotten another couple of men for tonight. They'll be here at six."

"Thank you," Remington said.

"Well, I think we've about covered all of the bases that we can," Laura decided. "Now, it's just a matter of watching- and waiting."

To Be Continued . . .

---

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Original content ©2001 by Nancy Eddy