CHAPTER 2

"Boss, is that what I think it is?" Mildred breathed, standing up to get a closer to the small jewelers box Remington had set on her desk when he'd walked in.

Nestled in black velvet, the diamond ring shot prisms across the room. Set in white gold, it sported a modest, emerald cut center diamond, with a trio of emerald cut diamonds flanking each side. It was simple, elegant and perfectly Laura.

"It is."

"Miss Holt is going to flip when she gets a gander at that ring," Mildred approved. "I couldn't have done a better job if I'd picked it out myself." Behind Remington, Daniel coughed to suppress a bark of laughter. Apparently, Ms. Krebs was unaware of Harrys' expertise when it came to baubles.

"High praise indeed, Mildred," Remington replied as though allowing Mildred to believe she'd have one up on him when it came to purchasing a quality gem. It raised Daniel's brow, and he set aside to think more on later. Mildred sat back down.

"So, when you going to pop the question?" she asked. He lifted and dropped his hands.

"Dunno. It's a bit tricky at the moment, what with Laura being pregnant and all. There's every chance she'll misinterpret a proposal."

"You must shower her with romance, my boy," Daniel instructed, jovially. "A meal made by your own hand, an excellent wine—"

"She's pregnant," Remington reminded.

"A nice, cool spring water," Daniel edited and continued. Lights low, music playing softly. Rose petals scattered over the dining table and the bed—"

"Mr. Chalmers!" Mildred admonished, blushing to the roots of her hair at what he'd suggested. Daniel found her reaction endearing. Perhaps, he'd misjudged her these last years. After all, Harry seemed inordinately fond of the woman and the boy could assess a person with ease.

"My apologies, Ms. Krebs," Daniel offered, sincerely, then returned his focus to Remington. "Dazzle her, my boy. She deserves it." Remington leaned his backside against Mildred's desk and tugged at his ear anxiously.

"You know, Daniel, while I'd always hoped you and Laura might get on one day, I must admit I find it more than a tad disconcerting that you suddenly seem her fan."

"I've always held admiration for Linda's tenacity, admiring it even as she used it to foil our plans."

"Your plans," Remington corrected, quickly.

"Your plan, my implementation," Daniel retorted just as quickly.

"Implemented so well, you were nearly turned into mulch," Remington reminded, pointing a finger at the older man. Daniel's face screwed up into an exaggerated pondering.

"Oh, yes, I prefer not to recall that little detail. It would have been a most unpleasant way to go."

"Hmmm," Remington hummed, considering the topic over. He turned to Mildred.

"Mildred, darling, Miss Holt is taking the afternoon off," he stabbed at the desk with a finger. "What do we have on our schedule, hmmm?"

"You, an interview and pictures with the LA Times at—" Remington made an executive decision.

"Reschedule that if you don't mind," he requested.

"Miss Holt was looking forward to the revenue the article would generate," Mildred frowned, pointing a pen at him.

"I'm not saying cancel it Mildred. Reschedule it to next week then Laura and I can regale the reporter with the success of our latest case." Mildred shrugged.

"It's your neck."

"Anything else?"

"Your rings are ready for pick up at Girard's." He looked at her as though she'd grown a third head. What rings?

"My rings?"

"The ones you and Miss Holt wear when you go undercover as a married couple." Ahhh, the Peppler rings.

"I'll swing round to get them," he assured, then turned to leave.

"Your drying cleaning," Mildred said to his back. He turned back around.

"My dry cleaning?"

"Miss Holt dropped it off yesterday on her way in," she reminded. "You're going to need it to pack this weekend. You check in at the resort first thing Monday morning."

"Done. Anything else?" he said it with a tone that saw her eyes narrow. That had actually been it, but now…

"Yeah." She picked up a stack of mail on her desk and held it out to him. "Miss Holt would normally drop these off on the way home," she informed him, not making a single mention of the mail drop off in the lobby. He grimaced, feeling his afternoon slipping away from him. "And don't forget Jarvis."

"Jarvis?"

"He has those files Miss Holt asked for since she didn't want to go through Vigilance to get them," she reminded. Bloody hell. Laura would want to go over those files again-and-again. When he looked like he was going to hesitate, she added, "It cost her a couple of big favors." He mentally sighed and his shoulders slumped. Jarvis it was to be, then.

"Jarvis, yes, yes. Have a good weekend, then Mildred." He made a trio of hasty steps towards the door.

"You have to come back here for those background reports," she reminded with no little pleasure.

"Of course, of course," he acknowledged, as though he'd recalled them at all. But, having finally found himself free to leave, he held out an arm indicating Daniel should precede him out the door.

"Ms. Krebs, always a pleasure," he addressed Mildred as he departed.

"Chalmers," Mildred replied with a sharp nod of her head, letting him know he still walked a tightrope with her. "And if you hurry, Boss," she called after Remington, "You can still make it in time for Miss Holt's appointment." His back straightened noticeably.

With those words, he watched the hopes of an afternoon port and couple rounds of billiards with Daniel disappear.