This story is intended for amusement purposes only. This story is not meant to infringe on the names of Remington Steele, Laura Holt or anything that would cause MTM productions or anybody else to sue me. This story is the property of Lisa Watson © 2008. 

Steele a Blast From the Past - Part V



    Mildred walked as slow as she could without being obvious.  She believed the man behind her wouldn't hesitate to inflict bodily harm to her or Dakota if it came down to it.  Frantic, Mildred wracked her brain for a solution.  Moment's later, her saving grace came from a very loud, very purposeful, “Excuse me, do you both have a visitors badge?”
Turning, Mildred said a prayer heavenward.  Her eyes gratefully made contact with Mrs. Bushfield, one of the 4th grade Room Moms.   “Good morning, Mrs. Bushfield.  Uh, no, I don't believe this gentleman has a visitor pass.  He asked me to show him the way to--”
    “Oh, I'm sorry Ms. Krebbs, I didn't recognize you from behind. I'm afraid this gentleman has to go to the office to sign in before visiting any of the classrooms.  It's school policy.” 

    Mildred attempted to look properly chastised.  “Oh my honey, how irresponsible of me to forget to mention that.  I do apologize for not following school procedures, I'm usually by the book.” 

    “It's okay, I'm headed that way so I'll take care of him,” the younger woman turned.  “Sir, I'd be happy to escort you to the front office to sign in.  You'll just need a driver's license or some other picture ID and we can get you on your way.”

    Mildred's assailant looked at her.  His stare indicating he was aware of her ploy.   Eventually he turned an apologetic expression toward the young woman.  “I'm sorry, I didn't know I needed an ID.  This is the first time I've actually been here.  My son's mother usually gets him, but I decided to stop by and see if  Johnny wanted to ride home with me today.  I'll just run out to the car and grab my wallet.  I'll meet you back in the office in just a few minutes.”

    Before either woman could reply, he was running down the hallway.  Mildred's hand came quickly to her chest as she breathed an audible sigh of relief.  The woman that had probably just saved her life steadied her. 

    “Are you all right, Ms. Krebbs?”

     “No.  No, I'm not.  We've got to stop that man!  He isn't here to see his son, he was trying to harass one of our students!”

    Without hesitation, she bolted down the hallway after him. “Stop that man!"  Mrs. Bushfield screamed.  

    Several people took off in pursuit.  Mildred wasn't far behind.

    The attacker slammed into the front door flinging it open with a resounding crash.  He was running in earnest now as he heard the shouts growing louder behind him.  Reaching into his inside pocket, he grabbed a cell phone.  Flipping it open, he pressed a speed dial number.  “Hey, it's me.  I got trouble.  I need you to meet me at Casey's in fifteen minutes.  No, I wasn't able to get to her.  I just told you I got trouble."  He gasped for air.  "Some people are trailing me, but I'll shake 'em.  Just don't be late."  Closing his cell phone, he dashed around the backside of a car but was brought up short by an arm around his neck.  He tried to get his hand into his pocket to retrieve his gun, but was too late.

    "I'll take that," the man holding him said.  "Now that I have your attention, I have a few questions for you."

    The man laughed loudly.  "I'm not telling you a thing."

    Remington smiled menacingly.  "That's where we have a difference of opinion, mate."  Grabbing his collar, Remington threw him onto the trunk.  "Why are you after Dakota Wilson?"

    The man snickered.  "You think a few blows is going to make me talk?  You haven't been at this very long, have you?"

    "On the contrary,"  Remington threw him to the ground, "I'm just getting started."

    Jumping up, the man charged Remington.  Both crashed to the pavement.  The assailant was the first to get up.  He swung his leg and connected with Remington's stomach.  The next blow missed its target as Remington rolled out of the way and got back on his feet.  The man's leg flew through the air to deliver a well-placed blow to Remington's face, but he missed the target when Remington's hands came up to grab his foot.  Spinning it around, the man's body followed suit and he hit the ground.  Slower to get up, he roared in anger as he advanced on his opponent.  He delivered a blow to Remington's jaw and was about to hit him with an uppercut when Remington ducked and delivered a forceful blow to his solar plexus.  The effect was instantaneous.  The man dropped to his knees.  His face contorted with pain and surprise before he rolled to his side in muted agony.

    Remington turned him over.  "Why are you after Dakota Wilson?"

    The man was shuddering with pain.  Leaning over, Remington placed his elbow on the man's middle section.  "I suggest you answer me or we"ll be at this all day, I assure you."

    "She's got something that belongs to my boss," the man whispered harshly.  "He wants it back.  Now get off me."

    "What is it?"

    The man was silent.  Remington increased the pressure.  "Mildred, I need your assistance persuading this gent we mean business."

    "A pleasure chief.  Want me to pile drive the bum?"

    The man"s eyes widened as he saw Mildred advancing.  She was rolling up her sleeves.  "A coin," he gasped raggedly.  "She's got a coin that belongs to my boss.  He wants it back."  He eyed Remington with disdain.  "By any means necessary."

    "Not on my watch," Remington replied before elbowing him on the chin.  He didn"t bother to see if the man was unconscious before he turned to his faithful associate.  "Mildred."

     "I'm on it, boss."  Mildred replied, rushing toward the school"s main door.

       
   Some time later...



    Everyone had rendezvoused back at the Jeffries home.  All eyes were on the youngest member of the family.

    "What?" she said, innocently.

    Wilson took a deep breath.  "Dakota, we asked you before if you had discovered anything in the park and you said no."

    "I know, Daddy."

    Then you can understand how upset your mother and I are to find out you lied to us.  The question is, why?"

    "It was just a coin.  It wasn't even where the two guys were fighting.  How did I know it belonged to them?"

    "Cody," her father warned.

    "It's ancient, Dad.  I researched it online.  It's from the Classical period.  It has Athena on it.  She was the patron Goddess of the city Athens and--"

    "Dakota Jeffries," her mother admonished.  "This is serious.  Anything could've happened to you.  You could've been seriously injured, or kidnapped!  And for what?  Some centuries old silver coin?"

    "It's not just a silver coin, Mom.  There's something inscribed on the back of it, but I can't figure out what it means."

    "May I?"  Laura asked, stepping forward. 

    Dakota handed over the coin.  Scrutinizing it closely, Laura handed it to Remington.  "What can you make of it?"

    He studied the coin carefully.  "About five hundred dollars on the open market."

    The glare from his wife caused him to clear his throat.  "The coin is authentic, but I can't decipher the code.  This coin is from the 5th century and is in mint condition.  You can see the etching from the inscription isn't something that was done by the ancient Greeks."

    Why would someone inscribe a centuries old coin?  Boss, you mentioned it's worth a few hundred dollars.  Why would someone resort to such lengths to get it back?"

    "My guess is there's more where that coin came from, Mildred.  Either that or there's something significant about that code."
   
     Wilson looked at his daughter then to Laura.  "So what's are next move?"

    We have to find out what the code means.  I have a friend in the area that may be able to help us out.  We also have to discover who the man was this morning that was after Dakota and whom he works for.  It may shed some light on why he's willing to resort to such lengths for one silver coin."

    Remington reached into his coat pocket and retrieved a cell phone.  "I've got something that should speed that one along."

    "The scumbag's phone?"

    Remington smiled at Mildred's eloquent reply.  "I figured he won't be needing it where he's going," Remington smiled.  "I too have some local mates I can get to assist us.  They can trace the calls to and from this phone.  My guess is one of them is the bad guy."

    "Pardon me for saying," Amanda looked around the crowd, "but how will this stop someone from coming after Cody again?"

    "I assure you Mrs. Jeffries, we'll be in a much better position when we find out who's in charge of all this and what he's after.  We'll also make it known around town that the Remington Steele agency has discovered an ancient coin of hidden wealth.  That should go a long way in taking your daughter off the radar."

    "But, wouldn't that put you both in the line of fire?" Wilson replied, looking at Laura with concern.

    "Believe me, we're more than capable of dealing with anything that comes our way," Laura said, confidently.


###



    "Trust me, Laura, you want to get this coin as far away from you as possible," the man eyeing the coin under a magnifying glass replied.

    "What?  What are you talking about, David?  Why?"

    "I've deciphered the code on the back.  They used a delta-text sequence."


    "Precisely what I thought," Remington said, quickly. 

    Both Laura and her friend looked at him with skepticism.

    Remington raised an eyebrow.  "Well, it wasn't audible."

    "Anyway," Laura continued.  What's this here?"

    "That looks like part of a coordinance and the word Neronoma.  Ever heard it before?"

    Both Steeles shook their head.

    "Neronoma was the name of a tyrannical ruler in Antiquity.  He gained great power and wealth by exploiting and dominating everyone in his path.  The more he gained, the more he wanted.  Nothing was beyond is grasp, until he met Andulisa, a queen of ethereal beauty that ruled by her husband, King Talonysius' side. 

    From the moment Neronoma saw the beautiful queen he was besotted.  He launched a campaign to destroy the kingdom and take the queen for his own, but every tactic he used, failed.  He became obsessed.  Legend has it that the king challenged Neronoma to a great one-on-one battle.  The fight was fierce and waged on for hours.  Eventually, Neronoma was wounded.  King Talonysius spared Neronoma's life and demanded he retreat.  Unable to accept not winning Andulisa for his own, Neronoma struck down the King.  As her husband lay dying, Andulisa cursed Neronoma for his deception vowing he would never have her or know a moment's peace.  He would always want what he could never have, and would never have what he truly wanted.  She rushed off to her temple.  Neronoma and his troops gave chase.  When he came upon the temple, it was surrounded by molten gold.  He watched in anguish as each attempt to get to her failed and more of his men perished in the liquid gold.  Unable to leave what he desired most gaining the temple became his singular purpose.  Eventually Neronoma gained access to the temple.  The temple held vast riches beyond his wildest imagination.  When he saw the Queen he boasted that he had all that he wanted and thought himself the luckiest of men.

    "What happened?" Laura blurted out.

    "He went to the queen and pulled her into his arms.  Smiling, she taunted him that if his lips touched hers he'd perish.  Confident that he was invincible, he kissed her anyway."

    "Go on, man.  What happened next?" Remington urged.
    
    "Andulisa wrapped her arms around him and threw them both into the river of gold.  Legend has it any wealth having to do with Neronoma from that moment on was cursed."

    "That's some story," Laura said, breathlessly, "but what does that have to do with the coin?  This isn't a direct part of his treasures."

    "True, but maybe it's part of a marker that will lead us to the fortune," Remington concluded with glee.  "Worth millions, with a finder's fee and--"

    Laura placed a hand on her husband's shoulder.  "Whoa, first thing's first, Magellan.  We need to figure out who is going through such lengths to get this coin back."

   

    Mildred anchored the telephone receiver in the crook of her neck while she wrote in her notepad.  "You're sure?  No, I believe you.  I just didn"t think he was in the U.S., I know.  Okay, thanks for checking this out for me.  I owe you one.  What?" Mildred smiled brightly and blushed. "Dinner it is.  Later, Nick."

    As soon as she hung the phone up, Mildred walked two doors down and knocked on the hotel door.  Remington opened looking a tad put out.  "Am I interrupting something, boss?"

    "Actually, Mildred--"

    "No," Laura called from behind Remington.  "Come in, Mildred."

    Remington stood aside to allow Mildred entrance into their suite.

    Laura was sitting Indian style on the bed a deck of cards in front of her.  "Don't mind Remington, he was just losing his shirt in Uno.  Right, Dakota?"

    Mildred spotted Wilson's daughter on the bed smiling conspiratorially.  "Definitely.  I just got him with a draw four.  It's the second one in the last two hands.  Laura and I have him on the ropes.  He's got about twenty cards in his hand."  Dakota giggled.

    "How are you sweety?"

    "Just fine.  Mommy and Daddy had a business dinner with his boss.  Mr. & Mrs. Steele are watching me tonight."

    Mildred looked up in time to see the not-too-exuberant look on Remington's face.  She would have fun ribbing him about it later.

    "I see.  Well, I wouldn't mind some company if you'd like to stay in my room.  I've got another bed with nobody in it.  We could hang out and have a girly night?  I believe they've got some cool stuff coming on T.V. later."

    "That sounds like fun!"  Dakota enthused.  She looked expectantly at her sitters.  "You don't mind, do you?"

    Laura smiled at the not so subtle look of glee on her husband"s face.  She knew what he was thinking without him uttering a word.  "Of course we don't mind."

    "Great.  It's all settled.  Cody, why don't you look over the menu in the other room and order us some room service for later?"

    "Sure, Ms. Krebbs."

    "Honey, if us girls are having a slumber party, I think it's high time you started calling me Mildred."

    "Okay, Ms. Mildred."  Cody smiled and ran to the other room.

    "She's such a cutie." Mildred grinned.

    "That she is," Remington agreed.  "So, any news?"

    "News you won't believe, chief.  I just got off the phone with one of my contacts at IRS.  Turns out our guy is none other than Vladimir Nero."

    Remington"s head snapped up.  "Nero?  As in--"

    "Horses, numbers, art, jewelsÉanything with a high price tag and not on the up and up."

    Laura frowned.  "He's one of the most notorious criminals in the twenty-first century."

    "Hell, he's bad news in any century," Mildred retorted.  "Seriously bad news to anyone that crosses his path."

    Laura was thoughtful for a moment before snapping her fingers.  "Of course.  It was staring us in the face the whole time.  Nero-noma.  It"s a calling card of sorts."

    "Laura," Remington warned.  "That's not exactly the type of call a person wants to take."

    "What's our alternative?  Have him continue to frighten a little girl and her family?"

    "I'd say that was a moot point now," Remington concluded.  "He now knows we have the coin he's after."

    Just then the telephone rang.  Laura unfolded herself from the bed.  "I'll get it.  It's probably Wilson checking up on Dakota." 

    "Hello?" Laura said, into the receiver.  She immediately frowned.  "Yes, it is."

    Remington traded looks with Mildred.

    "Of course I know where it is."

    "Where what is?" Remington whispered. 

    Laura's hand flew through the air in a gesture meant to quiet him.

    Mildred rung her hands in front of her while Laura continued her call.  Eventually, Laura hung up.  Mildred beat Remington to draw. 
   
    "Well?  Who was that?"

    "Vladimir Nero."

    Remington's head snapped up.  "Pardon me?" 

    "What's he want, Laura?" 

    "The coin, Mildred.  He wants us to meet him later this evening in the lobby.  Any tricks and he insists we won't see Wilson and his wife alive again."

To be continued...