Laura looked around the crowded deck and tried not to gaze at her watch again. It was after midnight and she was certain the impromptu party Cole and his friends were having wouldn't be over anytime soon. She'd hear Cole mention that his father was entertaining clients on his Yacht and wouldn't be home until the morning. This was the perfect time to search Hugh's house unimpeded. Laura saw Cole coming her way and immediately turned around and put her hand over her stomach.
"Desiree there you are, I was just about to...Desiree? What is it? What's wrong?" Cole said as he reached her side.
"Nothing Cole, I'm fine." Laura said weakly.
"The hell you are! Are you sick? Why didn't you tell me you weren't feeling well. We could've left sooner," he chided.
"Nonsense darling I'm fine. I just ate something that didn't sit too well. I know I'll be fine when I go home and take something to settle my stomach," Laura smiled confidently.
"Ok, I'll go get the car and we can leave."
"Don't be silly Cole, you stay here with your friends. There's no reason to end your evening just because my stomach's a bit upset. I'll take the limo home and go lay down and see you when you get there."
"I'm not about to leave you home alone when you're sick. That's not what I'd call being a proper host, or boyfriend. You stay here, I'm going to get the car."
Laura put her hand on his shoulder to detain him. "Cole really, when I get like this, I'd much rather be alone. I'm sorry, it's just the way I get when I don't feel well. Please just have the limo driver take me home and I'll be good as new when you get home in the morning."
Leaning up Laura kissed him on the mouth and rubbed her hands through his hair. She prayed her ruse would work and that Cole would stay with his friends. When he looked as though he'd refuse again Laura turned and called his best friend Maxwell over.
"Max, would you please tell Cole to stay here while I go home and rest. He doesn't think he should let me go by myself. I've assured him I'll be just fine and that he shouldn't leave the party on my account." Laura stressed.
Max looked at Laura and then at Cole. He'd caught the pleading look in Laura's eyes and winked. She was obviously not used to the late hours they kept and smiled in understanding. His girlfriend had left early many an evening when they got going and pulled an all night party fest.
"Cole stop being Des' mother and let her go home. She'll be fine and you'll be seeing her in a few hours anyway. Don't be so clingy." Max laughed.
"I'm not being clingy, just concerned," Cole said indignantly.
"Of course you are sweetheart. And I appreciate it but it isn't necessary," Laura soothed.
"If you're sure you're going to be fine..."
"I promise," Laura replied.
"Alright. I know when to drop a subject. I'll go call the driver." Cole said and left.
"Thank you Max," Laura said in genuine relief.
"Think nothing of it Des. It took Tasha months to get acclimated to the hours we keep."
Cole returned and assisted Laura into the limo. He saw her off and made her promise to call him when she arrived at his father's house. Laura promised and sank back into the plush limo. When they'd turned the corner and Cole was out of sight Laura heaved a sigh of relief and pulled her cell phone from her purse. She dialed Daniel's number and waited. When Daniel answered she filled him in on what was going on and asked his advice on where she should start her search.
"If memory serves Hugh wasn't the big on keeping valubles in his office. He thought that was too predictable. He liked to display his treasures but privately," Daniel concluded.
"So you think maybe his bedroom?"
"Possibly or a room that isn't frequented by normal traffic."
"I'll see what I can come up with. I have a few hours so that should give me plenty of time. Hugh is out on his yacht and I just convinced Cole that I was sick. I'm on the way back to Hugh's and Cole should be out of the house for at least another three or four hours." Laura said confidently.
"Good show Laura but be careful. Hugh is bound to have henchmen lurking around and don't forget he has servants." Daniel warned.
"I'll be careful Daniel," Laura promised. "Um Daniel, have you heard from Mr. Steele lately? I tried to call him today but he wasn't at home."
"No my dear. I haven't spoken to Harry in a few days. He said something about getting caught up on something or other." Daniel replied.
"Oh. Well if you talk to him would you tell him I've been trying to reach him and I should be home the day after tomorrow?"
"Of course my dear. Do be careful and if anything untoward happens alert me immediately."
"I will Daniel don't worry." Laura said then hung up.
###
"Sir, if you'd like to fasten your seatbelt we'll be landing momentarily." the flight attendant smiled.
"Hmm? Oh. Thank you," Remington said absentmindedly.
Remington fastened his seat belt and slumped back in his chair. The plane ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles had been brief, but long enough for him to lose himself in his thoughts. He was still distracted and troubled by seeing Laura with another man. His stomach knotted painfully each time he recalled the memory of her smiling up at the man and his looking at her with undisguised desire. Remington and Laura had been involved for so long and on so many levels that he just couldn't fathom her desertion. He wasn't naive, he knew other men would and had found Laura attractive. It wasn't that he didn't think her desirable to another man, he just never thought Laura would be unfaithful to him, not while committed to him. Sure there were times when they'd both dated other people and flaunted their relationships in each other's faces. But this was different, they had progressed their relationship into a deeper, physical association and he'd been incredibly happy that they were now lovers. This just didn't make sense, they were in love for Pete's sake! Or at least he'd thought they were.
When the tedious task of debarking from the plane and retrieving his car from the long-term parking was done, Remington wearily headed for home. It was late and he should've been sleepy but he wasn't, he was numb. Remington was halfway to his apartment when he made a U-turn and headed in the opposite direction.
###
So far so good. Laura thought to herself as she stealthily made her way around Hugh's massive estate. It was two o'clock in the morning and most of his staff was asleep. She had run into the butler on her way downstairs but luckily for Laura she was heading in the direction of the kitchen so she was able to play it off. Laura saw two of his henchmen but they were playing cards and Laura was able to slip by unnoticed.
Slowly, quietly Laura edged her way downstairs to the lower levels. She briefly scanned the exercise room, wine cellar, indoor pool area and laundry room. Laura knew that a few people on Hugh's staff lived in the staff quarters on the bottom floor so she didn't bother going there. Certain that what she'd covered everything Laura turned around and headed back upstairs. She found Hugh's wing of the house and stood in the shadows while she thought out her next move.
Her palms were damp and her breathing was slightly elevated. Laura's instincts told her that she should be careful. If Hugh was as dangerous as Daniel warned, she would have to watch herself. Her hair at the back of her neck was starting to irritate her so she wound it several times around the top of her head and knotted it in a bun. She took several deep breaths before she crept toward Hugh's rooms.
From conversations with Cole she knew that Hugh had a meditation room, a spa, an office, sitting room/library and his master suite in his wing of the house. Laura stood still for a moment and thought about which room she should check first. She smiled briefly and headed to the meditation room.
The room was small and it was difficult to see, even though her eyes were already adjusted to the darkness. Laura stayed close to the walls as she surveyed the room. From what she could make out, the floors where hardwood and there was a thick mat in the middle of the room. There was a wooden bench along one wall and double doors leading outside. She heard wind chimes blowing softly outside the doors and softly running water to her right.
Laura got down on all fours and crawled toward the sound of water. It was a small indoor pond with a waterfall and Laura knew it would be beautiful in the light of day. She felt the cool marble and stone and after a few seconds plunged her hand in the water. She closed her eyes and used her senses to explore the structure. Her hands came in contact with a few rocks and Laura could have sworn was a fish. She prayed it wasn't one that would bite! The water was starting to make her hands numb but she pressed on. Laura sensed she was on to something so she doubled her efforts.
Leaning further over the wall until her elbows were submerged, Laura almost gasped audibly when her fingers closed over a hard surface. Running her fingers up and down Laura found an arm of what she guessed was a statue. Tracing the outline Laura determined it was a Buddha or something that was sitting cross-legged. Where the belly should be there was a recessed area and Laura almost cried out in delight as her fingers came in contact with something hard and smooth.
Gently working her fingers around it's circumference Laura tugged repeatedly until she felt it give way. Pulling the item out of the water Laura knew the heavy, slick stone nestled in her hand was Daniel's beloved Maiden's Tear.
As slow as she could manage Laura made her way back to her room and locked her door behind her. She went to the bed, sat on the side and turned on the light on the nightstand. Laura gasped as she saw a large, indescribable gem in her hand. Laura's fingers shook as she pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and dialed Daniel's number.
"Daniel I found it!" Laura said without preamble when she heard Daniel's groggy voice come on the line.
"Good Lord!" Daniel exclaimed, now fully awake. "Laura, you're quite serious?"
"Yes Daniel. I have it! It's in my hand right now. I've got The Maiden's Tear Daniel and it's exquisite." Laura said reverently.
"Great job Laura now just..."
Daniel stopped when he heard the line go dead. "Laura? Laura?" Daniel said repeatedly until he heard the error tone confirm his suspicions. The line had indeed gone dead.
Daniel bolted out of bed and pressed the dial tone down for good measure. When it cleared, he dialed Laura's cell phone number and waited anxiously. It rang several times before it was answered.
"Oh, thank goodness, Laura. I thought something had gone wrong," Daniel sighed with relief.
"Now Daniel, what makes you think that?" Hugh chuckled in his ear.
"Hugh! What have you done with Laura? If you've..."
"Laura? Don't you mean Desiree? Ah Daniel, still sending other's to do your dirty work aren't you?" Hugh accused.
"Hugh I swear if you harm her I'll..."
"You'll what Daniel? Send another woman to fight your battles? Listen closely Daniel because I won't repeat myself. If you want to see your lovely thief again you'll do exactly as I say. Stick close to the phone Daniel, I'll be calling you back in exactly one hour."
"What!? Why can't you tell me now, let me speak with her Hugh. How do I know she's still alive?"
"Now Daniel, old friend. When have I ever lied to you?" Hugh said, menacingly and hung up. Hugh! Hugh! Dammit!" Daniel cursed slamming the receiver down. Two seconds passed before Daniel spurred himself to action. Picking up the handset, he took a deep breath and dialed.
###
Remington parked his car in the circular driveway and strode toward the door. He rang the door bell and banged on it at the same time. The door was opened immediately and Remington walked into the foyer.
"Harry! Good Lord, I've been trying to reach you! I left messages everywhere in hopes you'd call." Daniel said, excitedly. Striding past him, Remington strode directly the bar. He poured himself a stiff drink and downed it. He poured another one and downed that too before he'd uttered a word.
"I was out of town," Remington said, curtly.
"Oh. Well, I'm glad you're back, son. We've got a problem Harry, a big one!"
"Problem? Well it can't be bigger than the one I've found myself in."
"How could she, Daniel? I trusted her, and she lied to me," Remington said, angrily.
"I assure you Harry, it wasn't her fault. It's just..."
"Not her fault? How the hell couldn't it be her fault! She's always trying to prove she's in control, that she knows what she's doing. Well it's more than evident now that honesty doesn't mean a thing to her."
"Harry please, if you blame anyone blame..."
"Myself." Remington said in disgust. "I was the one that thought we had a partnership but obviously Laura didn't feel the same."
"I know you're upset, but now isn't the time. We have to..."
"Not the time? My heart has been ripped from my chest and smashed asunder and you can stand there and say now isn't the time?"
"You heart? Harry what are you talking about?" Daniel fairly shouted.
"About Laura having a bloody affair! What did you think I was talking about?" Remington roared.
Daniel stood there quietly for a few seconds before he started looking nervous. Remington eyed him intently.
"Daniel, what were YOU talking about?" Remington said slowly.
"I uh...I've been trying tell you...well you see it all started..."
"Daniel what the hell is going on!" Remington raged.
"It's Laura, Harry. She's in danger."
"What? Alright Daniel I want to know what the hell is going on and I mean now. Out with it!" Remington yelled.
Daniel took a deep breath and told Remington the truth. Remington listened without commenting but Daniel noticed his jaw started to clench and his face grew more menacing by the minute.
When Daniel had recounted everything that had happened to date he stopped. Remington still hadn't said anything and that had Daniel more nervous than if he'd been yelling at the top of his lungs.
"Harry?" Daniel said nervously.
Remington stood up and began to pace. His arms were crossed over his chest and his eyebrows were furrowed in concentration.
"Daniel, call Monroe, we'll need his help on this. Have him meet me at my apartment in thirty minutes. I'm going home to change clothes and get some supplies. After you receive Hugh's phone call come to my apartment and don't waste time on too many red lights. Make sure the two of you dress in black and bring your guns."
When Remington turned to leave Daniel called after him. "Harry about..."
"Save it Daniel. When this is over and Laura is safe then and only then will both of you need to worry about my reaction."
Daniel saw his son leave and heard his front door slam. He expelled his breath slowly then picked up the phone to call Monroe.