Felecia streched and yawned as she glanced at her wrist watch. She couldn't believe she'd been there this long. She'd been sitting here for hours waiting for Laura to leave her loft. No matter, she'd wait. Everything depended on her getting the information she needed. Felecia smiled as she envisioned the plan she had for Michael and Laura.
"I'll wager this should just about put an end to the Remington Steele Detective Agency and this ridiculous obsession you have Michael with that little bitch Lisa." Felecia laughed.
Laura had put the finishing touches on her makeup and was picking up her purse when the phone rang.
"Oh damn mother, why can't you let me get there without calling me a million times?" Laura cried in exasperation. "No, I'm not picking it up, if I do I'll NEVER get out of here." With that Laura headed for her loft door ignoring the shrill ring of the phone.
Remington hung up the phone. "Damn!" Remington muttered. He hoped to catch Laura before she'd left for her lunch date with Abigail. He should have telephoned her earlier but he'd overslept. He didn't sleep too well when he'd finally managed to fall off. He'd been too upset after Felecia left to go to bed straight away so he'd paced. He didn't enjoy railing on her like he had but she hadn't given him much of a choice. What she'd said about Laura had pushed him over the edge and he'd lashed out at the source before he could calm himself down. Remington picked up the phone again and dialed the office. When Mildred picked up the line he informed her that he'd be in some time in the afternoon.
"Sure thing Chief. When 9am rolled around and you didn't saunter in, I figured you'd call eventually." Mildred said with merth.
Remington smiled, Mildred was irreplacable.
"Well Mildred to tell you the truth I didn't sleep too well last night."
"Oh ho, late evening with Miss Holt?" Mildred said perking up.
"Not exactly Mildred, I'll fill you in when I get in ok love?" Remington replied.
Mildred sensed he wasn't in the mood to elaborate so she didn't push.
"Sure thing boss, you take all the time you need getting here, there's not much going on. Most people are probably out taking care of last minute christmas shopping."
"All right then Mildred bye-bye." Remington hung up and grimaced. He wondered if he'd ever take care of his bloody christmas list before it got down to the wire.
Laura pulled her rabbit in front of her old house and sighed as she switched the engine off. It was always painful to come home. She would always think back to the time when her dad was still here. As Laura headed for the door she berated herself for letting it get to her.
"He's gone Laura, get over it and move on." She chided herself.
Before Laura even got to the front door Abigail Holt was opening the door and smiling at Laura.
"Hello dear how are you?" Abigail beamed.
"Just fine mother are you ready?" Laura smiled.
"Oh of course dear I've been dressed and ready for hours. I usually get up early and take care of all my correspondance and engagements for the week. Would you like anything Laura or are you ready to head out?" Abigail inquired.
Laura didn't hesitate. "No mother let's just get going." Laura said quickly.
Laura knew if her mother got her in the house, she wouldn't get out again for hours!
Laura shuttled her mother to the passenger side and helped her in. Her mother was busy chatting about her bridge club and charity affairs. Laura pasted on the smile she reserved just for her mother and slid in to the driver's seat. Laura pulled off and headed for the highway. She'd heard of a wonderful new restaurant by the water that she'd been dying to try. Laura was so preoccupied by her mother that she didn't notice she was being followed. Felecia had tailed her for some time but had pulled off as Laura made her way onto the highway ramp.
"Thank you for the directions Lisa dear. It's been quite a help to my time table." Felecia turned off and headed for her hotel.
Mildred was immerged in a file when Remington came in. He lightly tapped the desk as he stood in front of her.
"Oh Chief, I didn't hear you come in." Mildred said quickly.
"Yes I noticed you were immersed in paperwork Mildred, taking after our diligent Miss Holt are we?" Remington joked.
Mildred smiled and handed him the morning's mail.
"No way am I ever going to be that diligent kiddo. I am just going over this case I've been working on. I wanted to make sure I had all the evidence and other reports attached before you or Miss Holt reviewed it." Mildred said.
Remington smiled and patted Mildred's arm. "Ah yes, If I remember correctly, you are due to get your license soon aren't you." Remington beamed.
"You got it and I can't wait! I can't believe that I am almost through with my apprenticeship. You can't know how much all this means to me Mr. Steele. I can't believe that my life would have changed so completely when I took that IRS assignment to nail you to the wall for tax evasion." Mildred said dreamily.
Remington looked at Mildred with mock chagrin. "Really Mildred no need to sound so enthusiastic about it."
"Oh boss you know what I mean. You and Miss Holt have changed my life around; I am enjoying myself for once in my life! I am getting out there, doing things that make me happy and I owe it all the you two kids." Mildred finished with misty eyes.
Remington stepped around her desk and pulled her to him for a quick embrace.
"Mildred it would seem that we share a common bond eh? It seems Miss Holt has been a guardian angel to the both of us. You know that all I've accomplished these last few years has been because of her, I owe her my life Mildred. She's given it back to me in so many ways I don't think I'll ever be able to repay her." Remington said seriously.
Mildred patted her wayward child on the shoulder. She had more love for him than she dared admit, he was the son she never had.
"Oh Mr. Steele, can't you see you have also given Miss Holt what she needed most in the world? A best friend, confidant, sparring partner and business associate. But most importantly someone to love. Someone that is never going to run out on her, no matter how many times he may have thought about it." Mildred added with a grin.
"Boss you two belong together, you know it as well as Miss Holt and though you two fight it more times than not, it was meant to be." Mildred said sagely.
Remington could feel his eyes getting moist. He lifted a finger and tilted Mildred's face to meet his.
"Mildred, have I told you lately how much I love you? How you have been the mother I wished to God I had? I couldn't have been more blessed than the two days I met the most important women in my life." Remington hugged Mildred hard.
She clung to him briefly before looking at him. "You always know how to flatter don't you; I love you two. You ARE the son I never had and I too am blessed. Now get out of here before I start balling and wrinkle my dress." Mildred said gruffly.
Remington composed himself, picked up his mail, winked at Mildred and headed for his office.
Some time later Laura walked through the door of her office suite, put her head on the wall for a second and enjoyed the silence. She couldn't recall how many hours it had been since she had heard absolutely nothing. Her mother had talked her beyond death and Laura's cheeks ached from the effort she'd put forth to keep smiling. When Laura opened her eyes it was to find two pairs of eyes fixed on her with close, but slightly different looks of inquiry. Laura walked over to them and couldn't bring herself to recount her afternoon with her mother. She just shook her head, silently telling them that she'd explain later and headed for her office. She sat down at her desk, put her feet up and closed her eyes. Remington and Mildred exchanged amused looks and continued their discussion, confident that Laura would rejoin the world of the sane as soon as she was able.
Abigail was busy working out the arrangements for her whisk party that evening when the door bell rang. She wondered who it could be since she hadn't scheduled any appointments for that day. She went to answer the door and saw a conservatively dressed blonde standing on her door step.
"Yes? May I help you?" Abigail said smiling.
"Mrs. Holt?" The woman inquired.
"Yes, I'm Abigail Holt and you are?" Abigail asked
"My name is Felecia. You don't know me but I am a friend of Remington Steele." Felicia smiled.
At the mention of a familiar name Abigail warmed immediately.
"Oh, then you must know my daughter, Laura Holt?" Abigail beamed.
Felecia smiled prettily. "Why yes of course, I know her."
"My goodness, where are my manners, please come in Felecia." Abigail stepped back and allowed Felecia to enter. Felecia surveyed the room with consummate efficiency. Well this explains where Laura gets her dowdy taste from. Felecia thought but the smile never left her face.
"You have a lovely home Mrs. Holt, the decorating is simply exquisite." Felecia gushed.
Abigail thanked her and asked if she could offer her some refreshments.
"Why no, but thank you anyway," Felecia replied as Abigail directed her to have a seat.
"So tell me Felecia, what can I do for you? You mentioned you are an acquaintance of Remington's? I can't imagine why you'd come to see me?" Abigail said curiously.
Felecia looked nervous as she stood up and turned toward the fireplace.
"Well you see Mrs. Holt. I just had to seek you out; I just couldn't stand by any longer and let them pull the wool over your eyes. I...I just had to intervene." Felecia choked on the last words for effect.
Abigail was surprised and offered the woman a tissue. Felecia accepted and dabbed at her eyes, careful not to smudge her mascara.
"Thank you Mrs. Holt," Felecia meekly replied.
"Abigail, you must call me Abigail. Now tell me Felecia, what is it that has you so troubled. Who is trying to pull the wool over my eyes?"
Felecia allowed a tear to slide down her eye as she turned around to face Laura's mother. "Why Remington and Laura of course. I just couldn't stand by any longer while they continued a charade that could blow up in their faces, a farce that could ruin you as well. You are such a wonderful woman Mrs. Holt, I couldn't let them make you a laughing stock because if it ever got out, the news would have a field day digging in to Laura's private life, that would include her family. Oh I had to come to tell you before it's too late." Felecia said.
Abigail was standing now imploring the woman to tell her what was going on. Felecia blow her nose, took a deep breath and looked Abigail Holt in the eyes.
"Why darling, the man you know as Remington Steele, is a fake."