Steele a Blast From the Past - Part I

Looking down at her ring finger, Laura couldn’t help the nostalgia creeping persistently into her psyche.  Gone were the days of uncertainty—of fishing around for explanations, or declarations.  The days of Laura Holt…Steele…Holt-Steele…Laura Holt Steele were a careless memory.  A new self-insured and supremely confident woman had emerged.  Laura Steele, P.I.

Smiling, Laura’s gaze returned to her left hand.  For the last five-years, a spectacular two-carat square diamond and sapphire ring had graced her small hand.  The flawless diamond was his idea, the sapphires, hers.  The exquisite gems were bound together by an intricate gold setting, each existing harmoniously on her finger, one never outshining the other.  Just like her and Remington. 

After their whirlwind marriage of convenience, and the impromptu honeymoon in Ireland, the two had started their “married” life with a promise sealed with a kiss.  The night of passion shared at their newly acquired castle, had paved the way for an insatiable hunger that neither could extinguish nor deny.  That one night had changed everything. 

Consummating their relationship had caused a ripple effect on every nuance of their lives together. Eager to wipe the slate clean and begin anew, they were wed in a small church in County Meath with Mildred and the castle staff in attendance.  After the ceremony, she and Remington spent an additional week in Ireland before flying first class to Turtle Island in Fiji.

Laura’s expression turned truly carnal recalling their isolated bure (cottage) on the shores of the Blue Lagoon.

“Penny for your thoughts, and from the looks of it, it had better include me.”

Laura blinked several times before being jolted out of her erotic daydream.  Her chair snapped back as she whipped her feet off her desk and onto the carpeted floor.  “I was…I mean, I…”

Remington sauntered over to his wife’s desk from the doorway to his office.  Sitting on the edge, he leaned in and gave her the look that always made her blush.  “I know what you were thinking, what I asked was whether or not I was in it?”

Leaning in until there faces were mere inches away, Laura answered.  “Oh, you were in it all right.” 

The double entendre wasn’t lost on her husband.

“Mmm,” he sighed before branding Laura’s lips with a searing kiss. 

Before either could do more, the buzzer on Laura’s desk went off. 

“Bloody buzzer.”

“It could’ve been worse,” Laura soothed.  “It could’ve been bullets whizzing by.”

“Small consolation, darling.  The way I feel right now, I don’t think bullets would’ve deterred me from my quest.”

When the buzzer sounded again, Laura picked up the receiver on her phone.  “Yes, Mildred.  What?  Uh, no, that’s fine.  Give us a sec to get back to Remington’s office.”

Standing, Laura hung up and pulled her husband along behind her in one fluid motion. 

“New client?”

“It appears so.  There’s a Ms. Jeffries in reception to see us.  She didn’t have an appointment, but Mildred insists we’ll want to meet her.”

Remington adjusted his tie before pulling his suit jacket off the back of his chair.  What dire emergency requires our services this time?  Distraught wife?  Jealous husband?  Greedy government officials on the take?”

“Careful, dear, you’re cynicism is showing.

“God, I hope not.”  Remington quipped, looking down the front of his pants.

Elbowing him in the ribs, Laura headed for the door at her usual rapid pace.  Catching up to her before she opened it, Remington gave her a visual once over,

ran his tongue over his teeth, then nodded for her to open the door.

“Welcome to Remington Steele Investigations,” Laura said cheerfully to thin air.  Remington too had begun his “How can we help you,” speech before he also realized there was nobody in front of him. 

Puzzled, they both looked toward Mildred.  Smiling, Mildred pointed her pencil in a downward direction.  Eventually, Laura and Remington’s gaze followed Mildred’s pencil line toward the floor.  Standing patiently was a little girl dressed in a Girl Scout uniform.

Remington’s amused voice broke the silence as he lowered his tall frame to match her height.  “How may we help you, Ms. Jeffries?”

“Actually, it’s Miss Jeffries,” the little girl replied.  “I’m too young to have married, and gotten divorced.”

“Of course,” Laura quickly agreed moving backward.  “Are you selling cookies?” Laura couldn’t keep the hopeful sound out of her voice.

“No.”

“Right, we’ve purchased cookies, and you’re here to deliver them?” Remington nodded reaching into his back pocket for his wallet.

“No, sir.”

“Okay,” Laura shifted forward.  “Will your mother be along, soon?  Or was it your father that wanted to see us?”

“It’s just me, Mrs. Steele.  Mom and Daddy don’t know I’m here. ”

“I see.  In that case, won’t you come in, Miss Jeffries.”  Laura waved her hand toward Remington’s couch.

She and Remington exchanged puzzled glances as they walked toward the sofa.

“So, young lady, how is it that Mrs. Steele and I can be of service?” 

“I’d like to hire you.”

A choking sound came out of Remington’s mouth.  “Beg pardon?”

“You see, I’m in danger, and I need to hire your agency to protect me.  I heard Daddy mention you both.  He said you helped him out of a big jam years ago, and seeing how you’re an old friend of my daddy’s, Mrs. Steele, I figured you could help me, too.”

Laura sat back in her chair.  “An old friend?”

The girl nodded.  “My daddy’s name is…”

“Wilson,” Laura choked out.

The little girl nodded excitedly.  “Yes, that’s it.  How’d you know?”

            The color drained from Laura’s face as she continued to stare toward the doorway. 

            “Hello, Laura.” Wilson Jeffries said hesitantly.

            “Daddy,” the girl cried, running to the door and flinging herself at her father. 

            Wilson caught his daughter in mid-air.  He buried his head in her hair and held her tight.  By now both Laura and Remington had stood up and were staring toward the door.  “Laura, Mr. Steele.  I see you’ve both met my mischievous little girl, Dakota.”

            When Laura didn’t speak, Remington stepped forward.  “Yes, we have,” he said, shaking Wilson’s proffered hand.  “Quite a little lady you have there.  Jeffries.”

            “Yes, she is,” he agreed.  “She uh, takes after her mother.”

            When an awkward silence overtook the group, Remington spoke up again.  “How about we all sit down and catch up?  Can Mildred bring either of you anything?”

            Wilson looked down at his daughter.  She shook her head.  “No thanks, we’re fine.”

            Maneuvering Laura to the couch by her elbow, Remington gently sat her down next to him.  When she still hadn’t spoken, Remington lightly nudged her.

            “So, Wilson,” she said loudly.  “I see you’ve been busy since last we saw you.”

            “Yes, I have.  After the winery caper, I was promoted at the bank.  Eventually, my interests turned toward the stock market.  After a few years, I was offered a position at a major trading company on Wall Street.  It was too great an offer to pass up.” 

            Before he could continue, a woman ran into the room.  “Cody, oh my darling, there you are.”

            “Mommy!” Dakota ran into her mother’s outstretched arms. 

            “Oh sweetheart, don’t you ever scare us to death like that again,” she cried.  “You know you shouldn’t run off like that, not now.  We’ve been to every office on this floor looking for you.”

            Wilson went to his wife.  “Darling, I’m sorry.  I should’ve come out sooner.”

            His wife melted into his embrace.  Laura watched the family without comment.

            After Wilson introduced his wife, Amanda, he returned to his story. 
            “So, you two met in New York?” Laura asked.

            “No, actually we met here, years ago.  We fell head over heels in love, and were married shortly after my promotion.

            “Isn’t that wonderful, Laura?” Remington put his arm around his wife.  “Love at first sight and all.”

            “You met years ago?  How many years?”

            Wilson was thoughtful. “I guess it’s been almost ten.”

            “Ten.” Laura stated flatly. 

            Before anyone could react, Laura got up and bolted out of the room.

            The Jeffries all turned to Remington in confusion.  Standing, Remington smiled politely.  “Uh, if you’ll excuse me a second,” Remington said walking quickly to the door.  Shutting it tightly, he walked over to Mildred’s desk.  “Where’d she go?” he asked quietly.

            “Beats me, boss.  Mrs. Steele came running out here and out the door as if the hounds of Hell were after her.  She didn’t tell me where she was going.  She just looked distraught.  Chief, what’s going on?”

            “It’s a long, story Mildred.  I’ll fill you in, but it’ll have to wait.  First, I’ve got to go back in there and figure out why Wilson Jeffries, and his happy family have breezed in here out the blue.  Why his daughter, Dakota, thinks she’s in mortal danger, and in need of our assistance.  Why my wife turned the color of paste at seeing her old flame, and left me hanging high and dry without so much as a by your leave, and most importantly, Mildred—what the bloody hell this has to do with the Girl Scouts.”

            Straitening his tie, Remington sauntered back into his office before Mildred could utter a response.  Shaking her head, she went back to typing on the computer.  “In other words, just another day at Remington Steele Investigations.” she called after him.

To be continued...

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