Chapter 4
"Honestly, Laura, I don't know why you won't just give in and go," Remington complained as they opened the door to the office. Mildred looked up from her desk, amused by the scene before her.
Laura was only steps behind, rubbing her head with her fingers, her other hand full of tissues. "I told you, it's just a cold with a little bit of sinus pressure. I'll be fine," she muttered as she trudged across the waiting area to her office door.
"You've been saying that for almost three weeks now. I'm pretty sure at this point, the medicine you picked up at the drug store has stopped working and you need something stronger. Good morning, Mildred," Remington paused at Mildred's desk to acknowledge her.
"Good morning, Chief, Mrs. Steele. You're still not feeling better? You really should go see a doctor at this point," Mildred agreed.
Laura threw her hands in the air, "It's a conspiracy. I think you two are conspiring against me to get me out of the office." Laura narrowed her eyes, ignoring the shooting pain the expression was causing, "What are you two up to?"
Mildred dropped the envelope she was holding and crossed her arms over her chest, "Now wait one minute. You've been complaining about this cold since you and the boss got back from Greece. You must have picked up something on the plane and you should probably go see a doctor now. You probably have a sinus infection."
Remington snapped his fingers, stating, "Exactly what I said, Mildred. She's been up the last two nights complaining her head hurts to lay down, hurts to sit up, hurts to do anything! I'm surprised she was able to do any surveillance through all that complaining."
"Really, Mrs. Steele, you should go. I'll take you down to the clinic if you'd like, so you don't have to go alone," Mildred offered, sounding genuinely concerned.
"But we've got clients coming in. I can't just leave!" Laura groused.
"Laura, Laura, Laura, do you think you're going to make a good impression to those said clients if you are moaning each time you move? Or, God forbid, you start sneezing again? Remember the other night at the market? The woman in line before us couldn't move away fast enough," Remington stood and put his hands on her shoulders. "Go with Mildred and I'll hold down the fort."
"No, I'll be fine. I just need-" Laura began but Mildred cut her off, "You need a strong antibiotic to knock that bug you have loose from your system."
"You're exactly right, Mildred. We've been married almost a month and she's been sick for most of it. I know marriage is supposed to be in sickness and in health but this… well… I didn't think I was going to start getting the cold shoulder so soon," Remington complained.
Mildred shook her head, "Oh, Boss, I'm sure it's not that bad. At least you have a warm body beside you at night."
Remington folded his arms and sat on the edge of Mildred's desk as he lamented, "A warm body does me no good if I'm resigned to a cold shower because that warm body is feverish."
Mildred pointed a pencil at Laura and stated, "You really should see a doctor, Mrs. Steele."
Laura shook her head gently, instantly regretting it as she pinched the bridge of her nose and asked, "Who's coming in this morning, Mildred?"
Mildred looked at the appointment list on her desk and announced, "Only one client at ten-thirty. Evan Stimpson. Looking for …. I'm not sure if my notes are right but it says here, he is looking for a painting of his mother? Boss, you have any idea what that means?" Mildred looked up at Remington, batting her eyelashes.
Remington leaned over Mildred's desk as he read her notes and repeated the name, "Stimpson, Evan Stimpson. No, not ringing any bells. Laura? Do you remember this? It looks like it might be your handwriting."
Laura looked down at the page and thought for a few seconds before nodding. "Yes, now I remember. It was accidentally sold at an estate sale and he wanted us to find the person who purchased it," she explained as she placed the book back on Mildred's desk.
"See, no reason you should have to spend all day being miserable for that. I can take care of it, no problem. So, you and Mildred head down to the clinic and see what the good doctor can do for you, eh," Remington steered Laura toward the door as Mildred jumped up and grabbed her purse.
Later that afternoon, Laura returned with Mildred carrying a small bag from the pharmacy. She found Remington in his office, the door wide open. "Well, what did the doctor have to say?" Remington questioned.
Laura leaned her hip against the side of his desk. She traced the edge with her nail and admitted, "He said I have a sinus infection."
Remington raised his eyebrows and interjected, "And?"
"And I probably picked something up on the plane, combined with the busy schedule we've had since we got back, I should take a day or two to rest."
Remington stood slowly and leaned on his hands, "Which is precisely what Mildred and I have been trying to tell you. A couple of days rest and you'll feel good as new."
Laura groaned, "But we still have so much catching up to do, and there's all the paperwork that needs to be finished, not to mention the new cases… Speaking of new cases, how did the appointment go this morning?"
"Fine, although, I declined the case," Remington informed her.
"You declined it? Why?" she questioned, her voicing raising an octave.
Remington blinked several times then stated, "Because we simply didn't have enough information to find the painting. It was a simple cash exchange. He never even saw the actual buyer. His six-year-old son took the money. I suggested he take out an ad in the newspaper."
Laura looked down and uttered, "Oh."
"So, since the rest of our afternoon is free, I am taking you home, making you a cup of tea and tucking you into bed for the remainder of the day. You can nap, watch a movie, your choice," Remington stated firmly.
"But-" Laura lifted her head, "No buts!" Remington insisted.
"We have so much paperwork to finish," she groaned again.
Remington looked at her and took pity on her forlorn expression, "All right. We can bring home some of the paperwork IF-" he stopped when he saw a slight smile crease her face. "If you promise to rest while you're working on it. I'll even let you choose the movie."
Laura nodded slowly, "Thank you. But I do have one request."
"And what's that?" Remington replied with a grin.
"I will rest, on the couch or in bed or anywhere else, only if you agree to –" Laura began but Remington's silly grin stopped her.
Remington frowned when Laura paused and asked, "What? What am I agreeing to, Laura?"
"I'll rest if you agree to make me your chicken soup," she declared with a smile.
Remington laughed loudly as he agreed, "For you, my lovely bride, I'll do anything." He quickly straightened up the stack of paperwork on his desk and tucked it under his arm. "Ready?" he asked.
Laura linked her hands into his free elbow and laughed, "You're awfully chipper for a guy who's taking his sick wife home to work from home."
Remington guided Laura into the foyer of the office where Mildred sat and explained, "Simply knowing you will be getting some rest makes me a happy man. Mildred, I will be taking Mrs. Steele home for the remainder of the day to rest and she will remain there for the next day or so. Please hold any appointments until the end of the week."
"Will do, Boss. Should I expect to see you tomorrow morning?" Mildred asked innocently.
Remington glanced at Laura, now staring at him, and nodded, "Yes, of course. I'll be here straightaway. After all, Monroe and I have two security contracts that need to be finalized and there's the matter of those blueprints he asked me to take a look at."
Laura looked at him, confused, and asked, "What blueprints?"
"For another job. Something personal, nothing to bother yourself with, Laura," Remington dismissed the topic. "See you in the morning, Mildred," he stated and hurried Laura out of the office to the elevators.
