Steele A Couple

Chapter One

Laura looked at the forensics report that had been sent to her that morning. It didn't make any sense considering what her client had told her. He said he arrived at the house to find the victim bleeding on the floor with another man standing over him. The client yelled at him and the stranger dropped the knife and ran out the door. Client picked up the knife and ran after the man. Man got away. Police can't find the man.

She had been searching for the stranger for several weeks. Her client though didn't seem all that interested in finding the stranger.

Laura threw the report onto the desk and flipped open her cell. Rem had left for lunch three hours ago. How she wished he would be more dependable. Her annoyance almost melted at the sound of his voice mail message. She waited for the beep and then told him, "Call me on my cell."

She grabbed her purse and headed towards the office front door. "Mildred, if you see Mr. Steele tell him to meet me at Eric Delaney's house."

"What should I tell him it's about?" But Laura didn't hear Mildred as the door had already closed behind her.

Thirty minutes later Laura stood in what the assistant called Delaney's office but it looked more like a library out of a movie with a huge ornate desk placed in front of the picture window. Bookcases lined three of the four walls. The room overlooked the pool. She saw her client--by the pool--robe himself and walk towards the window.

He surprised Laura when he slid open the full length window to the side.

"Ms. Holt, how can I help you?"

"Interesting door, Mr. Delaney."

"I'm full of surprises, Laura." She stepped back from the desk as he came around to the front to face her. He leaned against it and smiled running his hand through his sandy blonde hair. The robe did not hide his athletic build.

He admired her trim figure framed in a beige jacket and skirt. The jacket opened to reveal a jewel tone blue blouse unbuttoned at her neck. Her long, silky brown hair fell about her face resting in the collar. He reached out to smooth her hair from her neck. "The offer is still open."

"I don't date clients." She dropped the folder she brought with her on the desk.

Delaney walked to the other side of the desk.

"I won't be a client once you get me the proof that I didn't kill Patterson."

"That's why I'm here. I have a question." She pulled out a page from the folder and put it on top.

"I'm flattered you came rather than called."

Laura shrugged. "Sometimes it helps to meet in person."

"To see if the person is lying?" Delaney reached into a drawer and pulled out a bottle of vitamins. He swallowed some and smiled. "Haven't eaten today." He put the bottle back into the drawer. "Maybe dinner later? Surely you're allowed to eat with a client and discuss the case?"

"Eric." Laura folded her arms and began pacing in front of the desk. "You said that when you came into Patterson's living room the man was standing over him."

"That's right."

"And the police only found your blood in addition to the victim's." She pointed to the folder. "I have the report. No other blood, Eric."

"I cut myself when I grabbed the knife." He held up his hand to reveal a new scar across his palm. "I've told you this before."

Laura turned and stared at him. "Then why was your blood found under the victim's body?" She placed a sheet of paper from inside the folder on top and fingered it. "Blood from a cut like that would have been next to or on the body. Not under it."

Delaney quickly reached into the drawer. Laura's heart skipped a beat. He pulled out the vitamin bottle again. "I can explain." He twisted open the cap. "I'm guessing there's no dinner for us tonight. Can you hand me that water bottle behind you?"

Laura turned and grabbed the water from a little side table. She swung around to Delaney. He smiled at her as she placed the water on the desk but she turned her head.

He swallowed more vitamins and gulped down the water. He placed the vitamins back in the drawer and closed it with a bang. Laura jumped and looked back at him. He held out a gun and pointed it at her.

"Eric?" She took a few steps from the desk.

"Very clever. My attorney thinks there's reasonable doubt."

"Not with this report." She took another step back. Couldn't he see this wouldn't accomplish anything? "There wasn't a stranger with a knife. It was you. You were bleeding before he fell."

"He got me into all kinds of deals. I made more in the last four years than I did the ten years before. And I find out he's cheating on me--sham deals!" He jumped up from his chair still pointing the gun. "What was I supposed to do?"

"You could have turned him in." She sighed. Why was that never the first choice?

"And go to jail. No way." He came around the desk and grabbed Laura's arm. "Let's go."

"Where are we going?" She saw the coldness in his eyes.

"You should have taken dinner, Laura."

This was madness! If she figured it out so would others. She could scream for help. No, she had heard the assistant leave the house after escorting her to the library. Delaney would need to change clothes. He wouldn't leave the house in his robe-- assuming they were leaving the house. She could distract him then and run.

She toyed with her purse. Perhaps she would get the chance to hit the speed dial on her phone.

He pushed her towards the heavily carved wood door that lead to the foyer. "You won't need that." He yanked the purse from her and threw it.

Dealaney opened the door and as he stepped into the hall he yelled. A fist hit his jaw. He held onto Laura and tried to find his assailant. Laura pushed away and fell. Delaney saw Steele behind a small arm chair and fired his gun. Steele shoved the chair at Delaney knocking him over. Delaney jumped back up and Steele rushed at him punching him in the face and ribs. Laura kicked Delaney and he turned back around towards her. She kicked him again and the gun went off. Steele grabbed a large glass vase and threw it at Delaney. It hit his head with a loud pop and broke apart. Delaney fired off another shot as he fell to the floor.

"Laura?" Steele stepped over Delaney and knelt by Laura. She pushed herself up into a sitting position.

"Rem, are you all right?" She touched his collar. It had blood on it.

Steele shook her head. "I'm fine. Just a few scrapes."

"I'm fine, too." She frowned pushing her hair out of her face and letting out a low sigh.

"No, you're not." He pulled out his cell and called 9-1-1. Her beige skirt had a dark red circle on it. He slid her skirt up to reveal a gunshot wound in her thigh. He pulled out a handkerchief and held it over the bleeding hole. She shivered as his fingers gently brushed her skin.

"Laura." He sat down and pulled her close wiping away the tears that were beginning to run down her cheeks.

"Why did you come without me?"

"You were at lunch. Three hours."

Steele winced. He had been helping an old friend with her son--not off on a date.

"What did Delaney mean you should have taken the dinner?"

"You heard that?" She moved to get more comfortable. "He asked me out several times. I told him I didn't date clients."

"And if he hadn't been a client?'

"It scares me to think it…but I think I would have…gone out with him."

"So I guess your no dating clients or co-workers rule saved you, eh?"

Laura put her hand on top of Steele's hand holding the blood-soaked cloth.

"I still got hurt," she whispered.

TO BE CONTINUED