Chapter 21

It had been a busy week thus far for Laura and Remington. A new case had arrived on their doorstep that would require them to go undercover as a married couple at a luxury resort right outside of Napa where someone, presumably a member of the staff, had been robbing the facility's wealthy clientele during their stay. The resort and spa catered almost exclusively couples, hailing the weeklong stays as 'romantic getaways', and Remington was more than curious to see how accommodations would play out. Would Laura's long standing traditions of separate but equal and no mixing business with pleasure hold, and he'd find himself relegated to a couch or chair? Only time would tell.

On the upside, they'd opted to resume a pair of roles he held a particular fondness for: Bob and Judy Peppler.

And, of course, on Monday afternoon Laura had disappeared for her meeting with the accountant, leaving Remington to twiddle his thumbs until Daniel had returned from lunch with Mildred.

Mildred!

That had come as a shock to both Remington and Laura. Mildred, conspiring with Daniel? It was inconceivable, yet it had happened. Two days after the discovery they still weren't sure if they should thank her or clobber her.

But she'd certainly come back from lunch with Daniel with a thousand-watt smile on her face.

On Monday evening, Laura had begged off of meeting with Daniel or going to dinner with he and Remington. She hadn't done it to avoid Daniel. The simple fact was she'd been tired to her bones and all she wished to do was take a long, hot shower, curl up with a book and retire early. The books on pregnancy had said lethargy could be expected, but still she resented it…

Until she remembered what they were getting in exchange.

On Tuesday morning they'd officially placed the flat on the market, and had engaged the services of a real estate agent to assist them in finding a home that met all their requirements. Afterwards? A flight to San Francisco followed by a drive to Napa. By the time they'd gathered employee and guest records, had familiarized themselves with the grounds, had taken time for a quick meal and returned home, it was already after ten. She hadn't made it five minutes into White Heat before she was fast asleep against his shoulder. He'd eased her down until her head was pillowed on his lap, and hadn't roused her until close to one when he'd sent her off to bed. A quick shower, and soon he was spooned around her sleeping form.

Wednesday was to be no less busy of a day. In the morning, Remington and Laura would lock themselves behind closed doors and begin evaluating background checks on the names they'd gathered the prior day. At noon, she had an appointment to drop the Rabbit for service, followed by a twelve-forty-five appointment to show the loft. Then, at two o'clock, they'd meet at the OB/GYN for her appointment.

In the meantime, with time on his hands, Remington decided to invite Daniel to lunch at L'Ornate as his mentor would enjoy both the food and the amount of fawning Pierra and the staff would do over them.

"So, my boy, should I assume your Miss Holt will be leading you to the altar any day now?" Daniel had asked once their orders were placed and their drinks delivered.

Remington laughed ruefully.

"Ah, Daniel, you still don't see, do you?" he asked. "I'm the one with marriage on the mind, not Laura. I suspect it will take a great deal of convincing on my part to get her to that altar." Both men unconsciously leaned back from the table when the waiter delivered their salads, holding conversation until they were alone again.

"Opposed to the institution is she?"

"Let's just say fiercely independent and wary of the institution," Remington suggested. "History has told her marriages and relationships, in general, end badly." Daniel hummed his agreement at this.

"Linda and I don't see eye-to-eye on much of anything, but I must say that has been my experience. Can you disagree?" Remington fingered his glass as he considered the question.

"I've seen exceptions, yes, although they seem to be increasingly more rare. It's a roll of the dice, I'll give you that." He leaned slightly forward and lifted a pair of brows at the older man. "But if I've learned anything at all these last years with Laura, it's that she and I can accomplish anything so long as we're working, together, towards the same goal."

Laura hurried out of her building towards the waiting limousine. The showing of the loft had taken much longer than anticipated, but the delay had been well worth her tardiness, as she now had not one but two offers in hand.

"Floor it, Fred," she directed the Agency chauffer, a she stepped into the limo. "Yellow lights are green today."

"Yes, Miss Holt," he confirmed, then shut the door behind her.

Soon, the limo was making its way through LA midday traffic while her mind switched gears towards the staff and guests still to be culled through. Reaching for the phone, she dialed the Agency.

"The Remington Steele Agency, Krebs speaking," Mildred's crisp voice greeted.

"Mildred, it's Laura," she announced. "How are you doing on the rest of those background checks?"

"Three more employees to go," Mildred answered as she thumbed through the papers in front of her, "And five guests. Ain't nothing to it. They'll be waiting on your desk when you and the Boss get back."

"Good, good," Laura praised. "When you're done, see what you can dig up on the Resort's financials."

"The works?" Mildred inquired.

"Loans, principals on the loans…" A thought struck her. "Do a background on the prin—"

Mildred's hand flew to her chest, and her face contorted as the phone clattered to the floor…