Steele a Blast From the Past - Part VI

Mildred was shaking her head before words even escaped her mouth.  "I don't like it, Laura. It's too dangerous."

What choice do we have, Mildred?" She looked directly at Remington.  "If we don't go their as good as dead.  I won't let that happen--I won't."

Remington walked over to his wife.  Gently, he pulled her hands in his. "I know you won't, love.  None of us will."

A quick nod from Mildred verified that she too was on board.  "So, what's the plan to keep everyone alive and in one piece?"

Laura was thoughtful for a moment.  "I don't think he'll do anything just yet.  I'll bet this is just a meeting to verbalize his demands.  He wants that coin back, at any cost. He won't hurt us before he has what he's so desperate to get back."

Remington walked over to the bed and sat down.  "Still, I don't believe it's prudent to be cautious," he replied.

"If he suspects we've brought anyone else into this he'll leave us sitting in that lobby.  "We can' risk back-up being detected.  We go with the original plan.  Just you and me."

An hour later...

"Just you and me, eh?" Remington nudged Laura's elbow with his.  "It's like we're on a grand scale stakeout in broad daylight."

"We've been in worse places passing time."

"Don't I know it," he snorted.  "I'm thankful, believe me.  This time, no coffin."

Laura wrinkled her nose at her husband.  "Hey, you told me you didn't mind sharing such close quarters with me and that you'd gladly do it again."

"And I meant it," Remington quickly replied.  "Just sans coffin."

Before Laura could reply a group of dark-suited gentlemen came into the lobby from the outside.  "It would appear we're up," Laura whispered.

Without stopping the men closed the distance.  "Good evening Mr. and Mrs. Steele.  Would you both come with us, please?" One of them said as politely as if they were old friends."

The other men parted and let Laura and Remington proceed.  A large, black limo idled at the curb.  The man leaned across them and opened the door.  "Here you are."

"Gee, thanks," Laura said, sarcastically.

Remington eyed her with concern.  "Steady.  No upsets," he cautioned quietly.

Once everyone was seated, their escort conversed jovially with them about everything from stocks to the latest operas.  Remington couldn't refrain from voicing his surprise.  "I must say, you're quite a step up from the chap earlier.  He wasn't nearly as...well versed."

The man smiled.  "Mr. Nero's list of employees is quite extensive.  Everyone has a specific role to play."

"I suppose his was petty thug?"

"What my wife is trying to say is that the man we conversed with earlier is a far cry from our current entourage. I take it you work more closely with Mr. Nero?"

The man relaxed further into the leather seat.  "You could say that."

"While I can appreciate the suits, polite conversation and expensive ride, it doesn't really explain why your boss is willing to hurt a nine year-old girl and her family to get an old coin back."

"Mr. Nero will explain everything to you, Mrs. Steele."

It was almost forty-five minutes before he spoke again.  The limousine pulled into a circular driveway.  The door was opened and the man stretched his hand toward the door.   "After you."

Remington alighted first and then helped Laura out.  Still holding her hand, he followed the men up the brick-pavered walkway to the large wooden door.  It was opened before they reached it.

"Mr. Nero is in the conservatory."

Nodding, his employee escorted them to a large staircase toward the back of the sprawling home.  The faint strains of piano could be heard down the hall.  "Right this way, please."

Laura and Remington were lead into a large circular room.  The walls were black, and the walls in the entire room were floor-to-ceiling windows.  In the middle stood a grand piano that was being played by a distinguished looking man with black hair streaked with silver.  Laura assessed him.  He was a tall man with a strong, athletic build and long, graceful hands.  Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata echoed throughout the room.  An experienced pianist, it was one of her favorite pieces.  Unable to help herself, she closed her eyes and allowed the notes to move over her until the last note had resonated to a somber end.

"Good evening Mr. & Mrs. Steele.  I appreciate your coming to my home."

"Did we really have a choice, Mr. Nero?" Remington replied.

"There's always a choice, Mr. Steele.  You could have remained at your hotel enjoying the rest of your evening without incident."

"While are client's lives hang in the balance?"

"There is that, Mrs. Steele.  Life is all about choices, is it not?  Take little Miss Jefferies for instance.  If she had chose to ignore the coin in Central Park none of this would ever have been set in motion.  Alas she didn't and I find myself with a unique opportunity to find an amazing treasure.  I can't simply turn it down you see.  It has been on my mind for quite some time and I can ignore it no longer."

"Your referring to the cursed treasure of Queen Andulisa." Laura stated.

"You don't disappoint me, Laura." Nero enthused.  "You don't mind if I call you Laura, do you?  I really don't care to stand on formalities.  I feel like I know you so well already.  I've been watching you both for quite some time."

Laura and Remington's expressions remained neutral.  Sliding around on the piano bench, Vladimir Nero stood.  "Come now, you're not the least bit curious?"

"We're curious when you're going to release Daktoa's parents, Mr. Nero."  Laura countered.

"Please, call me Vladimir." He walked over to the Steeles.  "I'll admit, I never had them.  They are perfectly safe--for the moment.  As I've said I've been been following your careers with great zeal.  Each of them," he stressed looking at Remington."

"Is that so," Remington replied.

"Yes."  Nero inclined his head toward the door.  He made eye contact with his employee.  The man nodded and left the room.  Turning his attention back to his guests he regarded them with interest.  "It pays to stay several steps ahead of anyone that would threaten my way of life --or enhance it.  My observations of you Laura were only as it pertained to some of my interests on the west coast.  You however Mr. Steele commanded my attention on a more global scale."  He walked as he talked so the Steeles had no choice but to follow. 

They walked down a long hallway and into a large library.  The room was lined with several floor-to-ceiling built-in bookcases, a large table in the middle of the room, a leather sofa and several chairs.  On the walls hung several paintings and a large map of the world.  Nero sat in a high-backed chair and motioned for Laura and Remington to have a seat on the couch.   You sure I can't get you anything?  A drink, perhaps?"

"We're fine," Remington replied stiffly.

"Nonsense.  I would love some refreshments and I dislike drinking alone." He retrieved a cell phone from his pocked and hit a button.  "The Chateau Margaux and three glasses, please."

A tall, impeccably dressed woman entered the room carrying a tray.  She soundlessly lowered the the tray onto the table across from them and handed each of them a glass.  Opening the bottle, she filled their glasses half-way and returned the bottle to the tray.  She'd also brought a plate of cheese and fruits and one with petite crackers and sweets.  Nero smiled appreciatively.  "You are wonderful, darling.  Thank you,"

"Of course, father," the young woman replied before sitting in the seat closest to her father's chair. 

"My daughter, Valencia.  Darling, this is Mr. & Mrs--"

"Remington Steele.  Father really, no introduction was necessary.  We're quite familiar with their work.  Especially Mr. Steele's." she looked at Remington and smiled.  "You are quite good at what you do."

Remington nodded his head.  "So, it's apparent you both know all about my wife and I.  What we're uncertain of is why."

"As I said before, Remington.  It's of the utmost import to me to know when anything will cause me an inconvenience or be an attribute.  Between the two of you are the greatest criminal and detective minds of our time.  This is of the utmost import to me because I have a mystery that has remained unsolved for centuries.  I want to find the treasure left by King Talonysius and his beloved Queen.  Thus far the staff at my disposal has been unable to unearth the location of this vast bounty.  It's taken me years, but I have finally assembled some clues that could point me in the right direction.  I need both of you to assist me in finding something that is quite frankly my destiny."

"Let me guess, you believe you are a descendant of Neronoma," Laura scoffed.

"Watch your tongue," Valencia warned.  "It's a belief that is backed by centuries of records supporting my father's claim.  This isn't some wish, Mrs. Steele.  This is my family's heritage."

"I'm sure the original Neronoma thought that to and look what happened to him," Laura countered.  "It wasn't his treasure to take and it certainly isn't yours to find."

"You're right, Laura.  It's yours to find.  I want what's rightfully mine and I want the best to locate it."

"We aren't the best Mr. Nero.  You need archeologists, not detectives."

"You're one and the same.  Besides, I have something that was recently discovered in a small church in Larisa, Greece that will prove that you and your husband are precisely the right people for this quest."

"I don't care what you've found, Nero.  We aren't helping you claim something that doesn't belong to you."

"Trust me when I tell you, my reach is vast, Mrs. Steele.  There isn't anywhere on this planet you or your loved ones could hide that I can't find you.  I am giving you the opportunity to help me of your own accord.  Don't delude yourself for a moment into thinking that you have a choice in the matter.  You will help me and you will be successful in this quest."

"What makes you think that, Nero?" Remington said, with skepticism.

"Because, it's not just my destiny, Mr. Steele," Nero said as he reached onto the table retrieved a worn leather briefcase.  Opening it, he eased out an old, weathered scroll and unwound it.  "It's yours."

Looking at it briefly, he turned it around so that Laura and Remington could get a good look at it.  When Laura saw it she gasped.  The color drained from Remington's face.  There was a picture of a woman etched on the scroll.  A petite woman of ethereal beauty, that looked exactly like Laura.