The Steele Codex - Story 6

by Camargue

This is the sixth of my tales of what happened to Remington and Laura after the show ended. Can Laura and Remington work together and live together? Read this and see what you think. My stories are not being published in chronological order, but that won't matter as they can all stand by themselves and you won't miss anything if you haven't read the others.

14. Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Remington and Laura sat side by side on the couch in his office, reading the afternoon edition of the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner for Monday, 7th July 1986.

Splashed across the front page center was a headline, 'STEELE AT IT', and below that was a picture of Remington Steele shaking hands with Amram Fouad, symbolically handing over the large perspex sheets that sandwiched two pages of the Aleppo Codex. Steele and Fouad were flanked by Laura and an Israeli consular official.

"Well, you made the front page again, Mr Steele," said Laura.

Mildred appeared at the doorway. "Oh, Boss, let me see please?" she implored, coming over and standing next to Remington and Laura. "What does it say?"

"Pretty much the full story," said Laura, scan reading the text. "Noted private investigator Remington Steele…recently married to detective Laura Steele – that's me!…Hastily-called press conference this morning…announcement…recovered two pages…thought destroyed…Aleppo Codex…Potentially priceless…Mr Amram Fouad of Brazil…Yet to be authenticated…Donated to Hebrew University of Jerusalem…Document stored under lock and key in his office…Ready for shipment to Israel…probably on Tuesday…State Department permission...etc. etc."

After Mildred had left, Remington said, "Well, I'm glad you were mentioned in the story, Laura."

"Yes, as your wife, the newly-married Mrs Steele."

"No, no, no, look – you're in the photograph with Fouad and me! And the story definitely refers to detectives Remington Steele and Laura Steele – detectives plural, with an 's'. I think you're getting your dues at last!"

"Hmm..." Laura was unconvinced.

"And believe me, Laura, from now on, I'm going to ensure you get the credit you deserve. For far too long, you've remained in the background, but there's no reason to anymore. I'm going to ensure that if I'm in the newspaper, then you'll be by my side. We must be partners!"

Laura smiled at his enthusiasm. "That's sweet of you, offering to be my booster, but really, the newspapers don't work like that. And anyway, I don't need the adulation."

"Are you sure, Laura? It seems to me you've rather resented being in the shadows the last few years."

"Maybe sometimes. But at other times, I haven't, I think. It rather depends on my mood and on everything else. When you walked into this place and we struck our deal, I knew what I was getting into – well, at least in terms of publicity. We are partners, but you're the natural publicity magnet. And that's okay – as long as you behave yourself!"

"Anyway, the story here accomplishes what we wanted it to, wouldn't you say?"

"Ask me tomorrow, Mr Steele."