Revelation of Steele - Part V

    Monroe looked over his inventory list with dismay.  He swore to himself that if his suppliers didn't get their act together he was going to toss them out on their ear.  He smiled as he pondered his decision to make an honest go of it.  "Who'd have thought eh?" He said to no one in particular.  Just then the door to his office burst open.   He looked up to see a very agitated and worried looking Remington Steele.

    "Mick?  What are you doing here at this late hour mate?"

    Remington sank into the chair in front of Monroe's desk and put his head in his hands.  Monroe watched him with growing concern.  He hadn't seen his friend this upset since he couldn't remember when.  Remington looked up with a strange look in his eyes.  "He's back Monroe,"

    "Who Mick?  What's going on, what's got you in such a state?"

    Monroe looked puzzled as Steele stood up and ran a shaky hand through his hair.

    "The Raven."

    Monroe's eyes grew large as recognition of the name set in.  He was visibly shaken and thankful that he was sitting down.

    "Damon Brazzo is back?"   Why?  Where?  Monroe asked in a torrent of questions.

    "I don't know what he's up to mate.  All I know is that he is going under an alias.  He is Trevor Devonroe now and Laura and I have been thrust in to the middle of a business deal gone bad.   George Mulch is on the line with Brazzo for six hundred thousand dollars and he's got us right in there with him,"

    Monroe stood up then.   "What?  Mulch?  How'd he ever come across a snake like Brazzo and how are you and Laura involved?"

    "Oh Monroe, I don't know all the details yet.  I just know that Mulch was hoodwinked by some con man named Tanner.   He took the money Brazzo gave George and flew the coop.  When Brazzo threatened Mulch for the money or else, he told him "I" was his silent partner and would give him the money he owed Brazzo."

    "Good Lord Mick.  What are you going to do?  Do you think The Raven would remember you as Richard Blaine?"

    "I don't know Monroe, but I have to figure out how to get out of the disaster Mulch has gotten us in to.  I won't risk getting on the bad side of "The Raven!"  Especially not to the tune of six hundred thousand dollars."

    Monroe walked around his desk to stand in front of his old friend.  He put his hand on his shoulder and squeezed. "You know you can count on me for whatever you need mate.  You and I go way back; you've never let me down and I want to do the same for you.  Whatever you need just ask."

    Remington looked at his old friend and smiled.  He hugged him quickly and patted him on the back. "Thanks Monroe.   Let's just hope I won't have to ask."  With that Steele left Monroe and headed back to his office.

    When he walked through the door Mildred jumped up from her desk.  "Boss you're back!  What's going on?   Why'd you dash out of here so sudden, are you alright?"  Remington guided Mildred to his office and brought her up to speed on everything he knew.

    "You mean to tell me this Devonroe guy is wanted for murder, smuggling, art and jewel theft and counterfeiting?"

    "Exactly and that's not a full summation of his specialties Mildred, he is not someone you ever want to double cross.   He isn't nicknamed "The Raven" for nothing.  He is cold, calculating and wouldn't think twice about turning on someone if the price was right.  He loves the finer things in life; he's an accomplished tracker and hunter and keeps all the animals he kills as trophies."

    Mildred shook in revulsion.   "What a lowlife slime ball!"

    "I'd say that was a fairly accurate assessment Mildred, but the point is he isn't to be trifled with.  Six hundred thousand dollars isn't an amount he would be willing to overlook.  He's killed men and women for much less," Remington said with feeling.

    Just then the telephone rang, breaking the silence.  Both Mildred and Remington visibly jumped.  Mildred went over to Mr. Steele's desk and picked up the phone. "Remington Steele Investigations.   What?  Slow down I can't understand you Mulch.  What!?  Miss Holt?"

    At that Remington blanched and jumped up to grab the phone.  His heart was racing as he answered it.  "Mulch, Steele here. What's happened?  Are you sure?  No, no, stay there I'll be right over."  Remington hung the phone up.

    "Boss, what's happened?"

    "I don't know Mildred, Mulch said that he and Laura were going in to his office when someone hit him from behind.   When he came to, there was nobody there but him.  Laura was gone."

    Suddenly the telephone rang again, Steele answered it this time.  "Steele here.  Yes. Yes, I see.  No I haven't received any letter," Steele looked up at Mildred for confirmation.  She shook her head but then headed in to the reception area.

    "Just a minute," Steele said as Mildred returned carrying a letter-sized envelope.  Steele took the letter and sat on his desk to open it.  When he saw what it contained he paled and closed his eyes.  "Yes, I have it.  Yes I get the message.  When?  Fine.   Is she ok?  I have to know she's ok and hasn't been harmed.  Ok,"   Steele dropped the phone and sat down heavily in his chair.  "He has Laura," Steele said without preamble.

    Mildred replaced the telephone receiver on the hook and said "Brazzo?" 

    Steele nodded and looked grief stricken.  "That was Brazzo.  One of his henchman dropped this off to make sure we knew Devonroe was serious," Steele handed Mildred the envelope.  When she looked in it she gasped.  It was a lock of Laura's hair.

    "Boss, what are we going to do?   We've got to get Laura back before its too late."

    "Mildred," Steele said, "if we don't get his money, there won't be any Laura left TO get back,"

    Mildred did a quick calculation in her head.  "Mr. Steele, there's no way we can get a hold of that kind of money.   The agency just doesn't have that kind of liquid asset lying around!"

     Steele was looking out the window as he acknowledged that he'd heard her. When he did turn around Mildred thought he'd never worn that look before.  His dark blue eyes looked like forged steel.   He looked hardened, cold and lethal.  Mildred involuntarily took a step backward.

    "Mildred, I have to go out for awhile.  I have a meeting with Mr. Devonroe.  If he thinks I'm going to lose Laura now after all we've been through, he's sadly mistaken." Steele headed for the door but Mildred pulled him around to face her.

    "Mr. Steele, you CAN'T go see him alone and unarmed,"

    "Mildred, I have to!  I won't take a gun, I know Mr. Brazzo, he's prepared for anything and can handle everything.   But I have an ace in my hand that he doesn't know about and I intend to play it.   You stay here Mildred. I'm going to see our good friend Mr. Mulch and then I am going to pay a visit to The Raven," With that Steele stepped around Mildred and was out the door.

    This time Mildred didn't try to stop him.  She went to her desk and sat down. Praying that Mr. Steele and Laura would make it back alive.

    "But you can't go to see him Mick.  It's too dangerous mate, especially on his turf," Monroe had been trying desperately to talk Steele out of paying Brazzo a visit.  It hadn't worked.

    "Monroe I am running out of time.  The Raven is getting impatient and I won't risk Laura's life any longer than I have to.  She's all I have Monroe," Steele bit the words out.  "I love her and I would do anything to keep her safe; I'd sell my soul a thousand times over to keep her from harm."

    Monroe looked at Steele and saw the determination in his eyes. If Steele was going in to the Raven's lair, he would bloody well go with him.  "Fine mate, but I'm going with you, and I won't take no for an answer."

    Steele was all too familiar with the look Monroe gave him.  He knew it was foolish to stand here arguing so he relented.   "Thanks old chum," Steele said as they headed out the door.

    George Mulch was sitting at his desk, his head in his hands.  He was scared, more scared than he'd ever been.  How could he have known that Mr. Devonroe was really a cold blooded killer and had a list of crimes a mile long?  If he lived another day, he promised he'd forget every one of his "get rich quick" schemes;  if he lived that long.

    Steele and Monroe got Devonroe's address from Mulch and left.  Remington told Mulch to go get Mildred and for them to wait at Laura's loft until he returned.  For once, Mulch didn't think of putting up an argument.

    Remington pulled the Auburn into the long driveway in front of Devonroe's mansion.  There were two large men at the door.   And they looked none too happy as Steele and Monroe walked up.

    "Good evening gentlemen," Steele said like he didn't have a care in the world.  "Remington Steele to see Mr. Devonroe.  We have some information for him that he'd be quite pleased to hear."

    The guards eyed each other and then opened the door.  They escorted Steele and Monroe through the foyer and into a sitting room.  "Wait here," one of the guards said as the other went up the long staircase to inform Mr. Devonroe he had company.

    "Good Lord Mick, I could walk around this house and never hit the same spot twice!"

    "Yes, I'd say the nasty little bird has done quite well for himself.  I wonder how many people are six feet under because of it?" Steele said distastefully.

    The guards came back and pulled Remington and Monroe to their feet. "This way," one said as they all made their way upstairs to Devonroe's office.

    The guard knocked twice, then once and stepped back.  The door was opened and they walked in.  Remington and Monroe were ushered just a few feet from The Raven's desk.  He looked up, his eyes showed no recognition for a second, then they narrowed.    

    "Leave us!" Devonroe commanded.  His guards looked puzzled but had the sense not to argue.

    "Well, I never thought I'd see YOUR face again Mr. Blaine or should I call you Remington Steele?"

    Steele eyed him coldly as he said, "that depends on you Mr. Devonroe or should I call you Mr. Brazzo or would just The Raven do?"

    Mr. Devonroe looked up and a slow smile crossed his face.  It seems we both have certain reasons for anonymity, wouldn't you agree Mr. Steele?

    "Oh absolutely Mr. Devonroe, but you have something of utmost importance to me and I think we need to come to some sort of arrangement," Steele stood ramrod straight as he sized up his old enemy.  Still as lethal as ever Steele made a mental note to tread very carefully.  Laura's life depended on it!