- Disclaimers: Main characters are
property of MTM, any Infringement of copyright property is unintentional.
All feedback is well received. (Just e-mail me privately if you
want to icaro_76@yahoo.com) For the purposes of this story neither
season 4 or 5 ever happened.
- The
Alternate Link of Steele
- (Revised)
- By Adriana
This Introduction is actually the first part of another story
(Steele Missing a Link, which can be found on Nancy Eddy's site)
It is posted here to make it easier for you to follow what's
going on.
- Introduction
- Steele
Missing a Link
- Part
1
By Adriana
Century City Towers -
Los Angeles. 1987
Laura Holt sighed deeply.
Her throat felt so tight that she didn't even think she was breathing.
"Please, miss Move aside"
Laura stepped aside as the movers carried the last piece of furniture
out of the former office of Remington Steele Investigations.
Her eyes were hot, but she refused to let the tears she had been
holding to flow. Then, she felt a reassuring pat on her arm.
Mildred.
"It'll be alright, hon, you'll see It'll be alright."
Laura nodded and somehow managed to smile. But Mildred too had
sounded scared.
Hell. She was terrified, and she was still young- She'd find
a job somewhere. Stop, Laura. Stop thinking like that! She shook
her head in denial and her eye was caught by the older woman's
contrite smile. Where would Mildred find another job at her age?
Mildred Krebs took Laura's arm again and led the way outside.
A tear fell down her cheek as the glass-paneled doors closed
behind them for the last time.
************** ************************** *********************
Laura Holt's House. 4:50 AM
Laura turned once more in her bed, her eyes landing on the
alarm clock. Boy, was sleep being elusive lately, and she was
rapidly running out of tears. Her mind was racing as she tried
to figure out what she would do next. She must find a way out.
She just had to. It was then that the phone started ringing.
Who could be calling at five in the morning? She let the phone
ring a couple of times before she finally got up and answered.
"Hello?" her voice sounded tired.
"Laura?" It was a male voice. A voice she hadn't heard
in a long time. "Laura are you there?"
Laura swallowed. It seemed tears were fighting their way back
to her once again.
"MMurph?"
"Yeah, It's me. I-- I heard--," his voice trailed into
silence, he knew Laura would probably hate him for feeling sorry
for her.
"Yeah, well-" She was being strong. She had to be strong.
"Listen Laura. I have to be in L.A. tomorrow. I'm on a case
Let me come and see you, ok?"
"Murph, I'm alright. You don't need to-"
"Yeah, I know." Right. "So, where can we meet?
*************** ************************ *******************
Joey's Lunch-Box. 7:24 PM.
"Come on, eat up," Murphy said, "and that's
an order."
Laura could tell he was worried, that would have normally annoyed
her. Today, though, she welcomed the feeling. At least Murphy
was here. She took a bite of her burger, and a small smile appeared
on her face.
"Was that a smile?" he teased. "Did I just see
a smile there, Laura?" The smile grew broader.
"I just realized that I hadn't eaten a burger in-- I don't
know how long. Not since about the time you left really-"
Oops. Rub it in, why don't you?
Murphy saw a glimpse of regret in her eyes, and was determined
as ever to not let her withdraw now. "I think that, between
those years at Havenhurst and then the years at the agency, we
made those burger places quite a fortune."
They both laughed.
Good old memories will do that to you, Laura thought. But then
again, somehow her taste in food had somehow, well, evolved.
She frowned at the fresh memory that had assaulted her mind and
looked down, hoping it had not shown.
Murphy looked at her askance. Should he volunteer to help? She
looked so tired, so pale. He knew she wasn't ill, but she was
thinner, and there were dark shadows under her eyes. He couldn't
even begin to imagine what she would be feeling like. To have
her whole world shattered to pieces. Well, maybe he could. But
his wounds had healed a long time ago and now he was here for
her. Still, his thoughts were hard to vocalize.
"What?" she asked. He looked uncertain about something.
"Laura, do you," he needed to breathe before pushing
ahead. "Do you know what you're going to do now?" Ok.
It was out now. No going back. Either she'll open to him, or
she'll have his head.
Laura lowered her chin to her chest. She had been dreading the
question the whole night. But it was all right. She could trust
Murphy. He was just concerned.
"I don't know," she admitted, her voice barely audible,
her eyes fixed on the checkered tablecloth.
Murphy's heart felt heavy, but he needed to know. He had to know
if he was going to help her. "Laura, what happened?"
She looked at him with weary eyes, but there was more, there
was still the harder part. "Where is he?" he finally
asked, ignoring the silent plead her eyes had issued.
Laura closed her eyes shut, keeping the tears in, once control
had been regained; she looked up at him.
"I don't know," her voice was nothing but a whisper.
"I haven't known for two years-"
Murphy's mouth opened in patent disbelief. "What do you
mean, two years?"
It was time for her to breathe deeply now. "He's been gone
for two years. He's never called back. I don't know where he
is."
Murphy had to smile, if only to keep him from yelling with rage.
How could she not have told him? Two years, for God's sakes!
The bastard had abandoned her, and she hadn't even said a word
to him.
"Why didn't you say anything?"
She heard the pain in his voice and winced. "I'm sorry,"
she replied.
"I would have been here for you. You know that don't you?"
"I know, Murph. It's just that-"
"You didn't want me there," he finally realized.
"No. It's not that. It wasn't that at all " She reached
out to him and touched his arm. He was looking at the table now.
"Murph, look at me."
He raised his eyes, hurting. "Why then?"
"I didn't want you to find him."
He raised his eyebrows. That he hadn't expected at all. "What?
"
"I didn't want you to find him, because if you did I knew
you'd probably break his neck, or something-"
Oh. That's more like it, Murphy thought. The retched conman had
dumped her, but she was still trying to cover up for him. God,
how he hated that guy! If he ever found him, Murphy was thinking,
he'd certainly do a lot more than just breaking his neck. He'd
rip out the guy's heart with his bare hands!
"I thought I could find him myself, but I couldn't. He just-
vanished"
"Sorry," he found himself saying.
"I'm ok now."
"I wish you had called me Laura. It must have been really
tough."
"Yes, It was, but I still had the agency to think about.
I couldn't have him missing, nor could I have him found, or dead.
Anyway, Mildred was there. And we kind of slogged along together."
"She a good friend, then?"
93The best," she smiled at him, "Lucky me to have such
good friends."
Laura's hart warmed as she thought of the older woman. She remembered
how crushed she had been when Mr. Steele had left. She had been
like a mother to him for almost two years. And well, why denying
it, she had also been a mother to her as well. Mildred had tried
very hard to find Mr. Steele, too. But after digging through
files for over six months, and pulling more favors that Laura
could have imagined possible, it had also been Mildred who had
finally made Laura realize they both needed to move on.
"I don't know what would I have done all these years without
her, really"
Murphy smiled; glad to know Laura had at least had someone to
lean on.
"After he left", she continued, " Mildred and
I devoted more than half a year trying to find him. We declined
new clients; closed all current cases, and before I knew it we
were back where we had been at the beginning: stuck with a fictional
boss that didn't exist, but only now, people had a face to go
with the name. A face everyone wanted to meet. And well, I guess
it kind of went downhill from there."
"I'm sorry."
"Yeah. The toughest part was, though, not that we were going
out of business, which was no picnic either, but to realize that
nothing had changed, after all. That people still wouldn't believe
I was a good detective."
"Well, they're all jerks!" he said.
Laura smiled a sad smile of gratitude. "To all of them I'm
just Remington Steele's secretary, you know."
"I'm sorry."
"Stop saying that Murphy. It's not your fault."
He had to laugh. "Yeah. God knows I didn't believe he was
a good detective!"
"Well, as a matter of fact. He did learn a thing or two-"
"Oh, Come on!"
"Well, he did."
"Could we stop talking about him, please? Just the fact
that you mention his "name" makes me sick to my stomach."
Oops, he'd gone too far. He could sense she was going back into
her shell.
They both fell silent.
Laura shifted uncomfortably in her chair. Enough was enough.
No more talking about her now. The problems would take care of
themselves in due time, she hoped.
"Murph, why are you here?"
"What do you mean? You know why I'm here," he said
with a smile.
"Not here with me, here in LA."
"Oh, the case-"
"Yeah, tell me about it, and don't leave anything out."
Murphy smiled, professional Laura was back in full force.
*********** ********************************* ********************
Laura's Loft. Sometime Later.
Laura opened the door to her loft to allow entrance to a
very exited Mildred
Krebs. The portly woman came in with an anxious look all over
her face. She
Did not even look inside as she marched right in.
"Ok hon, what's all this about a new case? Are we back on
buss-"
Her speech was suddenly interrupted when Mildred caught the young
man's eyes staring at her with a mixed look of bewilderment and
amusement. Murphy stood up from the couch and went over to her.
Mildred quickly assessed him. Tall, handsome, looking smart enough.
Laura stood aside as Murphy smiled and greeted the newcomer.
"Hi. You must be Mildred, right?"
Mildred glimpsed at Laura, who was still smiling. "Yeah,
and you are?"
Laura came forward and took Murphy by the arm. "Mildred",
she announced," Meet our new boss-"
Mildred thought her jaw must have dropped to the floor. She had
to be kidding.
"Oh, come on Laura, don't," Murphy started to protest
only to be cut off by a very put out Mildred Krebs.
"What do you mean, our new boss?" she was practically
yelled, "You don't expect this guy to be" she looked
at Murphy before going on, "I don't mean any offense, but,
I don't think he looks like Remington Steele at all!" She
finished her sentence with a stern look on her face.
Laura and Murphy looked at each other in amazement. It was finally
Murphy who cracked up in laughter.
"Oh, God", he said between laughs, "She thinks
I Oh god, that's really something!"
Laura couldn't answer, she laughing so hard, leaving poor Mildred
to wonder such surge of merriment was all about, and quite displeased
to suspect she was the cause of it.
"Would one of you tell me what the hell is going on here?"
Mildred demanded.
"Sorry Mildred " Laura began, as she tried to compose
herself "But just the thought of Murph as Remington Steele
was too much for me."
"Hey! I did it once, remember? And I as wasn't bad as all
that!"
Mildred turned towards Murphy with a questioning look in her
eye. "Murphy? Then, You're Murphy Michaels, aren't you?"
"Yes, he is." Laura answered, " Murph, meet Mildred.
Mildred- Murphy"
They shook hands, and Laura suggested they all sat down to fill
Mildred in.
"First of all", Murphy said, "I want to settle
this "Boss" business, Laura. I won't be playing boss
around you, I couldn't do it, really."
"But Murphy," she replied, only half seriously "This
is your case, and your agency."
"That's where you're wrong, you see. I had already referred
Mr. Hawkes to the
Remington Steele Agency when the case got out of hand and-"
"Wait a minute, here," Mildred almost begged, "Would
one of you explain to me what the case is?"
As both Laura and Murphy were going to start speaking at the
same time, Mildred raised her hand as to stop them. "Go
on hon", she told Laura "You take it."
Murphy grinned, nodding his permission.
"From what Murphy's files say, Mr. Freddy Hawkes is a very
wealthy man from
Texas. He's the sole heir to the estate and fortune of Frederic
Hawkes Sr., owner and founder of Hawkes Oil Inc., when the old
man dies. Unlike his father, who is a self-made man, young Frederic
attended some of the finest schools in Europe and received a
privileged education. He majored in Art History in Oxford, but
never got his Ph.D. He speaks more than five languages, loves
expensive cars. Loves gambling, and has a special weakness for
first editions of classic literature."
"Wow, That's an impressive record Miss Holt, but What's
he done?"
"Oh, Nothing much, Mildred. He just took ten million dollars
from his dad's bank account and fled to Europe. His father thinks
he's about to spend this, er, petty cash, and wants to find him
to prevent that from happening."
Mildred looked at Murphy Michaels and then again at Laura. She
was a bit puzzled.
"So, let me get this straight. Rich kid takes off with dad's
money to Europe, wants to spend money. Father wants money and
junior back. He hired Murphy to do just that," she looked
at Murphy and made a disapproving face. "How did that exactly
get out of your hands?"
Now it was Murphy's turn to feel uncomfortable. He didn't feel
much like explaining his failure to the older woman, especially
not when Laura had that amused look in her face as well.
"Hey, first of all, I'd like to think that I didn't lose
the case, as much as I let it get lost. As I said, I referred
the man to the Remington Steele Agency. That's how I found out,
by the way, Mr. Hawkes made a few phone calls and was told the
agency had closed, so he came back to me." He was looking
at Laura.
"Go on," she said.
"Anyway, I like to think that my business was more, you
know, locally based. I thought you and Steele could find your
way around the Old World better than I could. Plus, I had lost
track of young Fred after he switched a couple of aliases. "
"So, what makes you think we could find him now? How long
has it been since the last time you heard from him?" Mildred
wanted to know.
"Two months ago, I think. He was in Madrid and went by the
name of Diego Aragon Luna. After that, the trail gets cold. He
could be anywhere."
Laura rose. "Well, I for one, am feeling quite tired. What
do you say if we call it a night? I think we'll be needing all
our strength tomorrow."
Murphy also stood up, his face beaming with joy, "Laura,
do you mean-"
"Miss Holt, are we-" Mildred began to rise as well.
"I don't think we have anything to lose." Laura replied
with a smile, "What do you say Mildred?"
"I say I'm right behind you, hon."
"Well then," Laura said as she removed a bottle of
champagne from the fridge and started pouring the sparkling liquid
into three glasses, "I think we'll be needing to pack. We're
going to Spain!" And on that final line, they all toasted
to success.
***********************************************************
Museo del Prado. Madrid, Spain. Two weeks later.
The main exhibit room was crowded with the finest of the
finest of the European
Jet Set. Bankers, Aristocrats, politicians, and artists, all
gathered to celebrate one unusual event: the unveiling of on
the long lost First Edition of Cervante's Don Quixote.
If Freddy Hawkes were to be anywhere in the world right now,
that place would be here.
After the main event, to which none of them had had access to,
the two detectives and their aid managed to be invited to the
exclusive party that was taking place in one of the museum's
greater halls. The celebrations had started, as they usually
did in Spain, well too late into the night for Laura's liking.
Murphy and she had arrived at nearly twelve o'clock, relieving
Mildred of her duty. The older woman was more than tired from
an entire day's watch.
"He's nowhere to be seen Laura. I guess he didn't come after
all."
Murphy looked tired, and felt a little bit out of place. He took
another glass of white wine from a waiter's tray. He couldn't
say the same thing about Laura, though. She looked stunning.
She was wearing a beautiful light blue satin dress that clung
to her slim body just perfectly. She had her hair up and a light
make up on. That was just like her, Murphy thought. Simple, and
yet, perfect.
"Of course he'll come. I bet he was at the unveiling too.
Maybe he went home for a while and will show up again later."
Murphy loosened his bow tie a bit, and took a sip of wine "
Later? Would you look at the time?"
Laura smiled at him, and lifted her own glass in a mock toast.
"What are you talking about, Murph? The night's still young,
and we85" Her voice trailed off, as her eyes fixed in something
behind Murphy's back. Laura's mouth opened just a bit, as if
in shock.
"What?" asked Murphy, as he began to turn around.
Laura pointed her head to the left corner of the room where a
couple was chatting rather intimately. Murphy gave them a good
look. The man certainly resembled the picture of Freddy Hawkes
his father had given them, only that this man seemed older, and
had grown a beard.
"Is that him?" he asked.
Laura didn't answer. She wasn't even hearing what Murphy was
saying. All her attention was focused on the woman. She was dressed
in the most exquisite outfit Laura had ever seen, a white evening
gown that made her look like an angel. Why did she have to be
here? Laura wondered as she stared at the tall, elegant blonde
she had once known as Felicia.
"Laura," Murphy had to shake her arm in order to get
her attention, "Laura, don't stare like that, he might get
suspicious."
"Huh?"
"What the hell are you looking at? You look as if you've
seen a ghost or something."
"No. No, It's just that I-"
"Is that him?"
"Yeah, I think so," she knew she should tell Murphy
about Felicia, but she remained silent. If she mentioned anything
even remotely related to Steele, Murphy would insist they left
Spain in a flash, case solved or not. And Laura could not allow
that to happen. She would not let her personal problems cause
trouble for Murphy's agency as well. Felicia, she would handle
on her own.
"So what do we do?" Murphy mused. "Do we grab
him by the shoulder and say: hey boy, your Daddy wants you home
tonight, or what?"
"I think we'd better wait and see what he's up to. Just
lets make sure he doesn't see us, ok?"
"It doesn't matter Laura. He doesn't know who we are, remember?"
Hawkes did not, but Felicia certainly did. "I know, but
just in case Let's pretend we're an ordinary couple. Let's dance
a while and keep an eye on him when he leaves."
She took Murphy by the arm and led the way to the opposite side
of the huge hall.
"Ok," he said. He could definitely go along with that
plan.
************* *************************** ********************
Posada de la Corrida. 2:27 AM
Back at the hotel, Laura and Murphy said goodnight, and each
went to their rooms. Laura entered her room quietly, trying not
to wake Mildred, who was peacefully sleeping in her own bed.
If her instincts were right, as they usually were, Felicia and
Freddy would try something on that museum tonight. Laura had
to be there, if not to stop them, at least to provide the police
with foolproof evidence of the crime. Clad entirely in black,
she packed a few ropes, a torch and a few gadgets in her backpack.
She also packed her camera.
*********
Museo del Prado. 3:48 AM
Laura stretched one leg and felt pin and needles spreading
through it, she was hidden behind a statue. She had gained access
to the museum quite easily, which had come as a shock. But more
than and hour had gone by, and there had been no sign of Freddy,
or Felicia, or anybody else. She began to ask herself whether
this had been such a good idea. It was bad enough that she couldn't
tell Murphy or Mildred about this, but what would they say if
they had to bail her out of a Spanish prison for breaking and
entering and attempted robbery? To make matters worse, a lack
of sleep was rapidly catching up with her. If she didn't do something
soon she was sure she would doze off.
Suddenly Laura heard a noise, far away, a shrill, piercing sound,
in another hall of the museum. All her nerves were on alert.
She lifted her head to try and see what was going on and saw-
Nothing. She did not hear a peep.
Fifteen minutes later Laura knew something was indeed going on.
Where were the guards? Two of them should have been there five
minutes ago. She began to stand up, and walking away from the
statue but close to the walls, Laura headed towards the main
hall, where the book had been unveiled.
If her eyes had not deceived her, she had seen a light. Laura
peeked around the corner and there they were: two figures bent
over the case that contained the book, carefully working on the
security system. She didn't know what to do. Great Laura, why
don't you just ask them to smile and take the picture? With a
scowl on her face, she started moving once more when a strong
hand grabbed her arm. Another hand covered her mouth.
"Shh! Don't talk, it's me," he whispered. Laura turned
and saw the man with a ski mask on his head.
He still was holding her tight. "Here, put this on,"
he said, as he released her and handed her another ski mask.
He pulled her behind the statue again.
"Murph! What are you doing here? "
"Same thing you're doing, I guess. Sticking my neck out
for that old man's money, that's what."
"But, how did you know I was here?"
"I didn't. I guess we both suspected Freddy might try something"
he smiled behind the wool, and then frowned. "Why didn't
you tell me?" He sounded worried
"Why didn't you?"
"I asked first," he replied calmly.
"I don't know. I guess I was just trying to make a point,"
she lied.
"Yeah, well, now we are both stuck. They've got guns. They're
holding the guards hostage in the other room. If they see us,
we're dead."
"Oh, god. How many of them?" Now she was scared. What
were they doing here? What would Mildred say when they returned,
or rather, If they returned?
"Those two, plus another two with the guards. Maybe there
are more, I don't know."
They sat beside one another, and Murphy sighed dramatically.
"Oh God, what have I got us into? I should have stayed in
Denver, domestic affairs and all. I'm sorry Laura."
She took his hand in hers. "It's not your fault, Murph.
I came here on my own accord, remember?" She could tell
he was feeling guilty.
Her words didn't convince him. "I'll go take a look. Be
right back."
She tightened her grip on his hand, as not to let him go. He
stopped, and tenderly caressed her wool-covered face "Don't
worry," he said, and he was gone.
Five minutes later Laura saw the two figures coming out of the
main hall, the taller one was carrying the book, the other one,
a woman, trailed behind with a light step. Felicia, no doubt,
Laura guessed as she started to follow them. Where on earth was
Murphy?
Suddenly the to figures stopped walking. What now? Laura wondered.
Her question was quickly answered when the guards entered the
room, escorted by two other figures in black. These two were
carrying shotguns, and the familiar ski masks.
"Deja de joder, hombre," said one of the guards.
The man behind him didn't move, but the other one knocked the
guard over using the butt of his gun. "Callate, imbecil,"
the thief said in Spanish, kicking the fallen guard in his stomach.
"Stop it!" Felicia warned the thief. "Try to keep
calm. It's almost over."
The other guards were also getting restless, and started babbling
something Laura couldn't understand. The thief who acted as translator
was getting more violent by the minute. Where was Murphy?
"Freddy, stop that!" Felicia said.
So it was Hawkes after all. She knew she had been right all along.
Laura didn't dare to move a muscle, but she had to know Murphy
was all right. Slowly she stretched on the floor, as low as she
could and started crawling. She took a peek around the corner.
Nobody. Murphy must be hidden behind some statue as well. She
heard one of the guards cry out in pain, as he was beaten again
in his ribcage.
"Freddy!" Felicia cried out again.
But this time Freddy had had enough. He took his shotgun and
aimed it right below Felicia's chin. "Stop calling my name,
dear, or I'll have to blow your lovely brains out."
One of the other thieves aimed his gun at Freddy. "Cool
it, mate".
English accent, Laura thought, Figures. An international bunch
this one.
"You cool it, buddy," Freddy returned. "Or after
I shoot her, I'll kill you."
Felicia took the end of Freddy's gun with her hand and removed
it from under her chin, as naturally and calmly as if she were
removing a lock of hair that was out of place.
"We'll all stay calm, alright. We got the book. And this
is almost over," Felicia repeated calmly.
Laura could tell Freddy was loosing it, for regardless Felicia's
soothing words, he kept looking around like a wild dog in search
for a bone.
"Where is he anyway?" Freddy shouted.
God, how many of them are there? Laura's line of thought was
interrupted when Freddy shouted again.
"Well I'm tired of waiting!" he growled, and kicked
the guard that lay on the floor. But now one of the other guards
decided it had been enough and aimed a punch at Freddy, hitting
him squarely on the jaw.
Things were really beginning to get out of hand, when a fifth
person entered the room. He said nothing, just gave one of his
men a sign and the man left. Felicia went after him, and then
the other followed their path. Only the new arrival, Freddy and
the guards remained in the hall.
"They know too much," Freddy told the silent man. "And
she said my name!" He sounded frightened.
Oh, oh, Laura thought. The fifth thief just held out his hand
in a silent request for Freddy to hand him his gun. He appeared
to be relaxed, but there was a tension in him that belied that
outward appearance. Freddy faltered a bit, and the man took a
step towards him. He was tall and lean, moving with an unconscious
grace that reminded one of a stalking feline. He reminded Laura
of- Oh, God, Please don't let it be him! Laura lifter her eyes
to the skies, nervous, and a sudden false movement caused her
to drop her backpack.
The noise and been barely audible, but everybody in that room
had heard it. Freddy turned in panic towards the statue and Laura
froze. It was then that one of the guards, the one that had previously
hit him, threw himself towards Freddy. But he wasn't fast enough,
as Freddy turned to him and fired his gun. Before Laura knew
could warn him, she heard three more shots. She saw the guards
falling to the floor one by one.
The tall figure in black stood still, in the middle of the fire.
"Laura, look out!" Murphy cried out.
She saw him running towards the hall, and felt utterly useless
as Freddy aimed and shot one more time. Murphy fell to the ground.
Freddy, breathing heavily and clearly over exited, kept pulling
the trigger of his now empty shotgun.
"Murphy, No!" Laura ran towards him, not caring about
anything that was going on around her.
Freddy stood there in shock, the bodies of the guards at his
feet. Murphy was still alive. Finally Freddy woke from his trance;
he looked around with fear and his eyes stopped on his silent
companion. Not able to bear the man's stare, Freddy ran away
in the direction that Felicia and the others had taken.
Laura finally reached Murphy's side. He was badly hurt on his
upper thigh, and he was desperately trying to reach for something.
"Gun," he managed to say.
The remaining thief had heard him too. With catlike movements
he threw himself over Murphy, pushing Laura away. He turned the
detective over and took his gun. However, before he could stand
up again, Laura jumped on him, trying to get hold of the gun.
They both rolled and struggled on the floor for a few seconds,
but the man was stronger. He secured the gun and straddled Laura's
waist, preventing her any movement. For a moment she thought
that was it. He was going to shoot.
He took a pause and their eyes met. It was only for a brief second,
because he pulled
Laura's ski mask over her eyes, revealing her face to him.
The thief's heart missed a few beats. He had dreamed about her
face for more years than he could remember.
"Come on. Let's go!" Felicia shouted, reappearing on
the corner.
He looked up and nodded, then looking back down he removed Laura's
mask with urgency. He just had to see her. Their eyes, hers brown,
his deep blue, locked for a few seconds, which seemed like years.
The thief swiftly rose and ran away.
************* ************************* *******************
Posada de la Corrida. 4:15 AM
"Mildred. Mildred, get up" Laura shook the woman's
arm.
"Miss Holt! What happened, are you alright?" she asked,
noticing Laura's appearance, and began to stand up.
"I'm ok. But Murphy was shot," she answered in a calm
voice that was ill match to the excited light in her eyes. "He's
in the hospital. It wasn't serious."
"Oh, God!" Mildred cried, " What happened?"
To her surprise, Laura turned away, her back to her. "Mildred,"
she said quietly, "Mildred, I saw him."
"Of course, hon," Mildred replied, a bit confused.
"You said he was in the Hospital"
"No," Laura said, turning to face her friend. Her face
was somber and her eyes where shining with a strange light in
them " I saw Mr. Steele tonight--"
************* ************************** *****************
House on the Calle del Retiro. 4:28 AM
He banged the door shut with more force than he needed to.
He was confused, and tired, and all he wanted to do was hide
for even a longer time that he had before. But he knew he couldn't
do that. Not now. Not anymore.
"Start packing, Felicia, we have to go," he said in
a quiet, controlled voice.
Felicia looked at him with a mixed look of worry and fear. "Not
so soon, darling. It'll look suspicious if we run away now. There
is no way they can trace that to us-"
"Felicia, please don't argue with me and do as I say, ok?
We'll go to Daniel's for awhile--"
"What about Freddy?"
"Let him take care of himself. He doesn't know who we are
or where to find us. None of them do, only-" he stopped
himself before he said too much, "We need to keep it that
way. We need to get out of this city, of this country. Fast."
Felicia looked into her husband's handsome features, and immediately
knew something was really wrong. A cold chill went down her spine.
It had been two years since she'd seen that look in those eyes.
"Michael, what happened?"
He looked away, not wanting to face her. But she cupped his face
and stared into his deep blue eyes. She saw the clouds beginning
to form there. He raised his hands and removing them gently,
he brought his lips to hers. He wanted to reassure her, and himself
as well. He needed to be certain. This was his wife, this was
the woman he had married, had planned to spend the rest of his
life with. His mind told him he was doing what was right for
them, but he found his heart was in doubt. A doubt planted in
soul by that other face, those dimples, and those sparking eyes.
Damn.
They kissed for a long time, before he finally let her go.
"What's wrong Michael?"
"Laura Holt was at the Museum tonight," he said quietly,
" I think she might have recognized me." He looked
up and met Felicia's eyes. He saw her reaction even before she
fastened her arms tightly around him and buried her head against
his chest as if silently vowing that she would never let him
go.
"I'm sorry, luv," he said, and then fell silent. There
was really nothing else for him to say right now. When would
he have peace? Would Laura Holt's memory ever stop torturing
him? But then again--Did he really want her to stop?
End Part 1
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