CHAPTER FIFTEEN
 

Cars with impatient drivers lined up behind the Auburn, honking to try to get the one in front of them to move.   Remington frantically looked around Laura’s car and the area surrounding it.  Finally one of the security guards noticed the traffic jam and headed for the cars.  Seeing Remington, the guard spoke, “Sir…Sir, you’re blocking traffic.  You’ve got to move your car.”  Remington ignored the guard and continued looking at the ground.  “Sir…Move your car or I’ll have it towed!” 

Remington looked up and walked to the guard.  “My God, she’s gone.  Call the police.”

“Police?  Why should I call the police?  Sir, who’s gone?  Are you okay?”

Remington paced back and forth, shaking his head in disbelief.  “Laura…Laura Holt… She was here just a minute ago and now she’s gone.  Someone’s taken her.  Just call the police!’

“Okay, okay…Just relax…”  The guard pulled his walkie-talkie from its holster and radioed to the office.  “Henshaw…Call the police and have them come to the garage.  I think there may have been a kidnapping.”  The guard turned his attention back to Remington and calmly asked him to park the Auburn in the empty space a few cars away from Laura’s.  This time Remington obliged.

He stepped back out of the car and frantically paced while he watched the other cars leave the garage.  He was desperate to find anything that might give him a hint of what had happened but knew that the more he walked around the car, the more damage he would be causing to any possible evidence.  He clutched her purse tightly and leaned against the hood of the Rabbit.  When he lowered his head he saw the unmistakable puddle of blood and the strands of long hair mixed in.  “Oh dear God…”

Two officers stepped out of the police car parked in front of the garage entrance and made their way to Remington and the security guard.  “I’m Detective Purdue, this is Detective Morris.  What seems to be the problem?”

“I’m Remington Steele.  My associate, my fiancé, Laura Holt has been kidnapped.”

“What do you mean, she’s been kidnapped?”

“I mean we left an appointment, came down to the garage, went in separate directions and when I turned the corner I saw her car and then noticed her purse on the ground and Laura nowhere to be found.”

“Perhaps she forgot something and went back to retrieve it?”

“She wouldn’t have left her purse on the ground, the keys in the door of the car and there wouldn’t be blood with her hair in it over there.” 

The detectives looked at the Rabbit and saw her keys, then cautiously went over to the small puddle near the fender of the car next to Laura’s.  Detective Purdue looked at his partner and nodded.  Detective Morris went back to the car and requested forensics be sent to the scene.  It wasn’t long after the forensics team arrived that the media converged on the garage, trying whatever they could to get a shot of what was happening inside as Remington and detectives watched the surveillance tape of two masked men abducting Laura.  One had his hand over her mouth and as she fought to break free the other slugged her in the side of the head.  Remington watched her immediately lose consciousness and fall to the ground, hitting her head on the corner of the bumper, then seeing the men toss her limp body into the back of a late model sedan and drive away.

On a two-lane road between Los Angeles and Palmdale, a 1977 Plymouth weaved around cars and passed anything not going at least 60 miles per hour.  One of the two men nervously looked out the window and turned to look in the back seat.  “She’s been out a mighty long time.  Maybe we should find a doctor.”

“Maybe you should worry less about her and more about what the boss is going to say when we show up and finds out the reason she looks like that.”

“All the more reason we need to get her some help.  There was a sign a few miles back about a medical center up the road.  Let’s just stop and have her cleaned up, okay?”

“Fine, but if you had done your job and held her tighter this wouldn’t have happened.  The boss told us ahead of time that she was going to be a handful.”

The car came to a stop outside a small clinic.  The men carried Laura into the building and asked for someone to help.  The two nurses and doctor on duty whisked her into a treatment room just before the show playing on the television was interrupted with a newsbreak.  The kidnappers watched in horror as the tape of Laura being taken was broadcast across the state.  They quickly turned off the television set when the doctor came out of the room to ask what happened.  The kidnappers quickly came up with a story of traveling to their aunt’s funeral and that their sister was so distraught when she heard the news of her death that she collapsed in the bathroom and hit her head on the way down. 

After the doctor telling them that he wanted to transfer Laura to a hospital trauma center, the kidnappers again lied and said they would take her there if the doctor provided directions.  Against his better judgment, the doctor agreed to let them take her.  It would be another five hours before the news of the kidnapping would be aired again and the police were notified of her being in the clinic.  They never took her to the hospital.

Remington, Mildred, Abigail, Donald and Frances anxiously waited in the office for any word from the police or the kidnappers.  Mildred kept offering people something to drink.  Donald kept trying to keep Frances calm, who in turn was trying to calm Abigail.  Remington sat at his desk in complete silence and simply stared at the telephone.

Abigail nervously fluffed a pillow in one of the chairs.  “It’s been hours.  Why hasn’t anyone other than reporters called?”

Frances tried to be level-headed for a change.  “Because the police are trying to piece together the events so they have someway of trying to find her.”

Remington put his hand up to his chin and covered his mouth.  Mildred walked to his chair and put a hand on his shoulder.  “It’s okay Boss.  They’ll find her.  Everything’s gonna be okay.”

He sighed heavily and leaned forward in the chair with his head in his hands and then got out of the chair.  “It’s not okay Mildred.  SHE’S not okay.  She’s hurt.  She’s physically hurt and what the bloody hell am I doing?  Sitting by a telephone while she’s out there bleeding and unconscious!”  He turned back to the desk and grabbed the sides of the telephone.  “Ring damn you…Ring!”

Remington was about to throw the phone when there was a knock on the office door.  Everyone’s attention shifted as Mildred said, “Detective.”

Detective Jarvis slowly looked around the room and asked Remington if there was somewhere they could talk.  Remington shook his head.  “This is Laura’s mother, sister and brother-in-law.”

Abigail leapt to her feet.  “Have you found my daughter?”

Jarvis pursed his lips and lowered his head.  “In a manner of speaking.”

Remington stood exceedingly straight as he pressed for more information.  “What exactly do you mean by in a manner of speaking?  You’ve either found her or you haven’t.  Which is it?”

“We haven’t, but the highway patrol found a Plymouth sedan in the desert outside of Palmdale and another set of tire tracks leading away from the car.  There was a dead man next to it and quite a bit of blood in the back seat.  We think the man was hijacked and killed for his car.  The police had the lab rush the results on the blood in the back seat.  It’s Miss Holt’s.”

Abigail fell into a chair and sobbed hysterically.  Frances tried to refrain from crying but it didn’t work and she too began to break down. 

The color drained from Remington’s face as he turned away from Detective Jarvis and walked to his chair.  He sat down and looked up, ashen-faced at the news he had been delivered. 

Detective Jarvis tried to console everyone and added, “Look, I don’t know much more than any of you but I do know whoever’s taken her wants her alive.  We’ve got descriptions of both of the men from two nurses and a doctor at a clinic outside of Palmdale.  The men gave them some story about her being their sister and promised they would get her further medical attention.”  He looked at Remington, Mildred and the family.  “I know it’s not much to go with but every police officer from here to Mexico has been told to be on the lookout.”  He looks at Remington.  “Just remember the most important place for you to be right now is either here or at your apartment in case the kidnappers call with ransom demands.”  Remington halfheartedly nodded.  “I’ll be in touch.” 

“Thank you Detective.” 

Jarvis walked to the door but turned and faced everyone.  “I’ve got a great deal of respect for Miss Holt and I’m just as worried as all of you are.  I promise we’re going to find her.” 

Mildred closed the door as he left.  “Boss…Maybe we should split up and cover different areas.  I’ll stay here and man the phones, Mrs. Holt and Dr. and Mrs. Piper can keep an eye on Miss Holt’s loft, and you can go home and see if anyone calls there.”  Remington blankly looks at her and nods in agreement.

Twenty minutes later he walked through the door of the apartment.  He didn’t bother turning on a light and instead went straight to the bedroom.  Thinking a hot shower might help take the edge off the tension, he went to the closet to get a robe.  He stood in front of the hanging clothing and reached to take out a robe.  Not his, one of hers.  He held the cloth to his nose and inhaled her perfume as he staggered backwards to the bed.  As he grasped the robe and held it close to his body he looked to the ceiling.  “Where are you Laura?  Oh where are you my darling?”

The next morning, in a cabin in the middle of nowhere, the kidnappers were being berated while trying to explain Laura’s condition to their employer.  The faint sound of a pain-filled moan captured the men’s attention and they went to the other room.  “See Boss, she’s fine.  Nothing to worry about.”

“Nothing to worry about?  Look at her!  Her clothes are filthy; she’s got bruises all over her arms and stitches in her head! Not to mention, you’ve taped her hands and ankles together!  How is this nothing to worry about?”

“We didn’t want her to escape and well, if she was taped up she wouldn’t be able to run.”

Laura moved her head and winced in pain, but remained silent until she heard a vaguely familiar voice.

“I told you just to grab her and bring her here.  She wasn’t supposed to be roughed up or get hurt along the way.”

She moaned again and slowly tried to open her eyes.  “Murphy?”

He stared at the kidnappers, who immediately took their cue and left.  Kneeling next to the cot, he leaned in so they could hear each other speak.  “It’s going to be okay Laura.”

“When did you…”  She tried to raise her head but immediately became dizzy and laid back down.  “Where am I?  What’s going on?  Why are you here and where’s Mr. Steele?”

“You’re perfectly safe Laura.  You had a little accident and I’m going to take care of everything.  Now the first thing we’re going to do is take this tape off of your ankles and wrists.”

“Tape on ankles and wrists?  I don’t understand.  I thought you moved to Denver.  Where’s Mr. Steele?”

“Don’t worry about him Laura.  That’s why I’m here.”

“You came for our wedding?”

“In a way… I came to keep you from making the biggest mistake of your life.”

“I don’t understand…Those men…”

“Those men were hired by me.  They weren’t supposed to hurt you and I’m really sorry they did, but I can’t let you throw your life away on him Laura, and you’re not leaving until you realize what kind of man he really is and the disaster I’m saving you from.”

Remington walked through the door of Suite 1157.  Mildred noted how incredibly haggard he looked.  His suits were unexpectedly wrinkled, his face unshaven and his twinkling eyes glazed over as if they he hadn’t slept in weeks.  He walked to her office door and silently stared at the empty chair behind the pristine desk.  He sighed deeply, lowered his head and walked into his office.  Mildred slowly followed and placed a cup of tea on his desk.  Remington looked up and with little emotion left in his voice asked, “Anything?” 

Mildred shook her head.  “Nothing.  I keep staring at the phone just wishing it would ring with Miss Holt on the other end but the only calls are from people reporters wanting interviews with you and her family.”

“I’ve racked my brain trying to think of anyone at all who could do something like this.  Someone bent on revenge, somebody Laura and Murphy had a hand in putting in prison, someone out to get back at me for some wrong I committed, but I can’t think of a single person who would take her and not contact anyone with a note, a call, a ransom demand.  It’s been three days Mildred, why hasn’t there been a single word from the kidnappers or the police?”

“I know Boss but maybe the fact that we haven’t heard from the police might actually be a good thing.  They may not have found her, but at least they haven’t FOUND her.”

He looked at her with pleading eyes.  “I wish I could believe that Mildred.  If it were any other circumstance I would say there’s nothing to worry about, that she’s just waiting for a chance to escape and she’ll be walking through the door any minute, but this isn’t any other time.  She was unconscious and bleeding.  The doctor who said he had treated her said she was still unconscious when the kidnappers left with her.  They’ve not taken to her a hospital or any other doctor that we know of.”  He rose from his chair and began pacing.  “That’s probably why there hasn’t been any contact Mildred.  She’s dead and they’ve just left her somewhere.”

“Boss, you can’t think like that.  Miss Holt is a strong woman.  She’s been in tough situations before and she always finds her way out of them.  I’m sure she’s just waiting for the kidnappers to drop their guard and bam – she’ll break free and run for the first telephone. You’ll see…”

Remington circled the desk and placed an arm around Mildred’s shoulder.  He unconvincingly nodded his head in agreement while she gave him a much needed, reassuring hug.

The two men watched as Laura slept on the cot in the corner of the room.   Fearing being discovered, Murphy was the only person who came or went from the cabin.  Laura hadn’t moved very much in the past few days and was rarely awake for more than a few hours at a time, during which Murphy endlessly tried to fill her head with all of the horrible things her “Mr. Steele” had done in the past. 

“You know, this thing the Boss has with her is kinda strange.  Don’t you think it’s a little funny to hire people to kidnap someone and then just sit here and talk to them about some other guy?”

“Yeah, and I bet that other guy would probably pay some good money to have her back too.  Did you hear when he was telling her about all of the jewels this Steele guy has taken over the years?  You know he’s gotta be loaded.”

They looked at Laura again as she started to stir.  “Maybe we should take a picture and send it to him.  That way, if the cops get too close we can blame it all on the Boss and we’ll be sitting pretty somewhere in Mexico.”

“Think it would work?”

“Don’t see why not.  Grab the camera.” 

Not knowing what kind of condition Laura was in, they propped pillows up against the wall before sitting her up and leaning her towards them.  She woke up while they were setting the stage for their pictures.  She closed her eyes and winced in pain when the flash on the camera went off.  Putting her hands over her eyes to block the light, Laura fell back on the mattress as the front door to the cabin opened.  Hiding the camera from sight, the kidnappers made it appear they were trying to help her as she backed herself against the wall.

“What’s going on?”

“Nothing Boss… She woke up and saw light and the next thing we knew she was like this.”

Murphy put down the bags of groceries and sat on the side of the cot.  “Laura, Laura what’s the matter?”

She rocked from side to side, holding her hands over her face, clinging to her head and cried.  “It hurts Murphy.  Please, it hurts.”

Murphy reached out his arms and tried to hold her but she backed herself to the other side of the bed.  He waived for the other two to leave and waited until they were out of the room before trying to reach for Laura again.  “Laura, I want to help you but I can’t if you won’t let me.”

She looked at him with tears running down her cheeks.  “If you want to help me, take me home.”

Murphy stood and walked to the table where he started unpacking the groceries he had purchased.  In an almost monotone voice he answered her.  “I’m sorry.  I can’t do that.”

“You mean you won’t.  There’s a difference.”

“Yeah, there’s a difference.  I love you Laura and I can’t sit back and watch you throw your life away on someone like him.  He’s no good.  He’s been bad news since the day he walked into the office pretending to be someone else and he’s done nothing but cause trouble ever since!”

“You’re wrong Murphy.  Yes, he pretended to be someone else and yes, he was nothing but a complete pain in the neck in the beginning.  But that was then.  He’s a different person Murph.  He’s the man I envisioned when I created Remington Steele.  There are still a few things that need a little work, but I wouldn’t trade those days now for anything in the world and all I want is to go home.  Can’t you understand that?”

Murphy looked at her with a hardness that she hadn’t seen before.  Taking a package of cookies, he placed them on the end of the cot.  “Here, you haven’t been eating and I remembered you always used to like these.”  He finished putting the last of the boxes in a cabinet and walked away. 

“Murphy…”  Laura heard the deadbolt as the door locked.  She looked around the windowless room trying to think of any way to break free but knew she would never get far with three men always on guard.  She pushed the cookies onto the floor as she lay back down on the cot and wiped the tears from her eyes.

The limo pulled up in front of the brick building and Fred waited as Remington stepped out of the car.  “Go ahead Fred.  I’ll find my own way back.”

“Night Mr. Steele.”  The car pulled back into traffic and Remington watched the taillights fade into the distance. 

He turned and walked up the steps to the front door.  Using his standard lock pick he opened the door with ease and proceeded up the stairs until he reached the third story.  He stopped and looked back at the stairs and thought about how many times he had cursed the days he had to climb them to get to see her.  Now he would climb a thousand of them if it he knew she would be there.  He knocked on the door to her loft and waited for Abigail to answer then remembered she was spending the night with Frances while Donald was out of town for a few days.  Picking that lock too, Remington went inside and slid the door closed again.

The room was dark and cold.  He turned on a light and stood there just looking at the empty room.  Her furniture was still there but there was no life, no feeling of joy, no feeling of home.  He slowly walked around the room and stopped to run his finger over the smooth top of the baby grand he had given her.  A faint smile came across his face as he saw the gift card displayed on a tiny stand.  “Play it again, Sam…” Then a light sigh was followed with a deep breath and a whispered, “Play it again, Laura…”

Placing the card back on the stand, Remington looked at a photo of the two of them.   It was the snapshot taken by that rat in Mexico of them kissing at the airport.  Despite the circumstances and the fact that they were simply trying to fool Immigration, that kiss was just the beginning.  “Just the beginning,” he thought while he walked up the steps to Laura’s bedroom and found a wedding invitation on the dresser.  One of her closet doors was open and hanging in plain view was a magnificent bridal gown.  He sat down on the bed and alternated looks between the gown and the photo, stroking his thumb over her face.  “Just the beginning…The beginning or the end?”

The phone rang at 8:30AM.  Remington reached for the end table and answered.  Mildred was on the other end.  “Oh Boss, thank goodness I’ve found you!”

“What is it Mildred?”

“A messenger came by and delivered an envelope.  When I opened it there was a note and a picture in it.  The note says “what’s she worth to you?” and the picture is Miss Holt.”

Remington sat straight up.  “Call the police and the Piper house Mildred.  I’m on my way.”  He shook his head in an attempt to fully wake himself up then realized he had spent the night at Laura’s.  Grabbing the photo of their “honeymoon” kiss, he tucked it in his jacket pocket as he made a hasty departure.  Suddenly remembering that he told Fred to go home, he ran to the nearest busy intersection and hailed a taxi to take him the rest of the way.

Detective Jarvis was already there when Remington arrived.  “Mildred… Oh where is it, where is it?”  She handed him the note and photo and watched as his expressions switched between the agony of seeing her being held captive and the utter joy of knowing she’s alive.  “Oh thank God.”

Jarvis reached for the envelope lying on Mildred’s desk and searched it for any kind of clue of where it had come from.  Remington held the photo up to his eye level and began to pace around the office. 

“What are you doing Boss?”

“Trying to see if there’s anything here that might give us an idea of where she might be.  I remember Laura once told me that the key to being a good detective is to see what others sometimes miss because they’re too busy looking at the subject in the photo instead of truly looking at the entire image.”

Mildred and Jarvis looked at each other, both somewhat confused as they kept watching him pace.  Suddenly Remington came to a stop and held the photo completely still.  “That’s it!”

“What’s it Mr. Steele?”

“There… Right there…  Do you see it?”

Jarvis looked at the photo.  “See what?”

“That… The radio… The radio is on and set to a station.  All we have to do is find out where that station broadcasts from and to where and we’ll have a lead as to where she is!”

Mildred took the photo from them and wrote down the radio’s dial setting then nearly sprinted to her trusty computer. 

Detective Jarvis held out his hand to shake Remington’s.  “I’ve got to hand it you Mr. Steele.  That’s a very good piece of detective work.  I’m going to head back to the station and see what we can find out.  I’ll keep you posted and call me if you find anything else.”

Remington anxiously tapped on Mildred’s desk while she input the numbers.  She too was anxious to see what results the computer would come back with.  She looked at him and smiled.  “You know Boss, Miss Holt would be very proud of you right now.”

“Why would you say that, Mildred?”

“Because you were calm and level-headed, you remembered what she had said to you earlier about being a good detective, and you’re actually willing to do legwork!”

Remington gave her a smile that she hadn’t seen in the nearly two weeks since Laura disappeared.  “Anything for a good cause, eh.” 

Abigail and Frances rushed through the office doors.  “What’s happened?”

“She’s alive, we’ve got a photo and Mildred is at this moment waiting for the computer to tell us what vicinity she may be in.”

“Is she okay?  Where’s the photo?”  He handed it to Abigail and watched her breathe a sigh of relief.  Frances had the same reaction but winced at the sight of the bruise on Laura’s temple from where she had been hit.

“PAYDIRT!!!”  Mildred reached for the paper coming from the printer and handed it to Remington.

He quickly scanned the paper.  “Call Detective Jarvis and tell him I’m on my way to Barstow.  It’s as good a place to start as any.”

“Be careful Boss.”

“I promise.”  Looking at the three women he smiled with that magical twinkle in his eye.  “I’ll bring her home, she’s coming home... Ladies, I believe there’s going to be a wedding next Saturday evening.”  With those words he turned and left, determined to find his missing bride.

Murphy couldn’t help but notice the strange behavior the other two men were exhibiting.  Every time the sound of a car or truck would come close to the cabin they would jump from their chairs and peer outside the window.  “You two expecting someone?”

“Course not.  Why would you think that?”

“I don’t know… Maybe because every time there’s an engine within a mile of this place the two of you are on your feet faster than I can blink.”

“That’s ridiculous.  We’re just making sure the cops haven’t tracked us down or anything like that.  I mean, it has been almost two weeks since she went missing.  Someone’s bound to catch up to us sooner or later.”

“Yeah, well, it’s going to be later.  I’ll let her go right after I’ve made sure she’s not going to marry that creep.” 

Murphy got out of the chair and walked towards the door to Laura’s room.  He could hear the sound of the radio playing and the DJ announcing the dedication.  “This one is going out to Laura from Remington with a message.  Hold on, I’ll be there soon.” 

The men were talking and Murphy shushed both of them to hear exactly what was on the radio.  “The story of my life… is very plain to read.  It starts the day you came and ends the day you leave.  The story of my life…begins and ends with you.  The names are still the same and the stories still the truth. 

I was alone. You found me waiting and made me your own.  I was afraid that somehow I never could be, the man that you wanted of me.  You’re the story of my life…and every word is true.  Each chapter sings your name.  Each page begins with you.

It’s the story of our times…and never letting go.  And if I died today, I wanted you to know.  Stay with me here, share with me, care with me, stay and be near.  For when it began I’d lie awake every night, just knowing somewhere deep inside, that our love affair just might thrive.

The story of my life…so very plain to read.  It starts the day you came and ends the day you leave…”

The two didn’t realize that Murphy was still within an earshot when one nudged the other.  “I told you we shouldn’t have taken and sent that picture to Steele.”

“You what?!”  Murphy rushed to the men and grabbed one by the shirt.  “You took a picture and sent it to him?!  What the hell where you thinking?” 

The kidnapper pushed Murphy across the room.  “We were thinking that if since you’re the one who wanted to take her, you’re the one who should get caught with her.  We just want the money and we’re taking off but since they’re probably on to us by now, we’re just gonna take the two of you instead.”  One of the men held Murphy while the other took his keys.  Unlocking the door, he grabbed Laura by the arm and pulled her into the other room as well.  After making sure the coast was clear, the men forced Murphy and Laura into the delivery van they had stolen and headed for the Mexican border. 

As they drove into Oceanside it occurred to them that the police were sure to be looking for the stolen van.  Pulling up to a vacant house next to the beach, they forced their way inside and ordered Murphy and Laura to sit on the laundry room floor.  Taking a padlock, they locked the door and proceeded to consider their options.

Remington, Detective Jarvis and what looked like half of the California Highway Patrol drove up and down the streets of Barstow and the surrounding areas until they found a run down cabin on the outskirts of Baker on a stretch called Hollaran Springs Road.  Surrounding the cabin the officers announced their presence and ordered everyone to come out with their hands in plain view.  When no answer or people were forthcoming they rammed down the door and went inside. 

Searching the three room shack, the police found the remains of food, an assortment of men’s clothing and a barrette.  Remington took the barrette from the officer and confirmed that Laura was wearing it the morning she was taken.  Clutching her barrette firmly in his hand, Remington’s moment of bliss was once again returned to agonized worry and despite his solemn promise, he would return to Los Angeles alone.

The beach house was quiet.  The only thing that could be heard was the ocean waves crashing against the sand.  After four days the kidnappers made a run for it in the middle of the night, leaving Murphy and Laura trapped in the small laundry room.

“I’m sorry Laura.  I didn’t mean for things to turn out this way.”

“You hired two goons to kidnap me.  You’ve held me hostage for I don’t know how long anymore and for what Murphy?  So you could try to convince me not to marry Mr. Steele?”

“That’s just it Laura.  He’s NOT Mr. Steele.  Remington Steele doesn’t exist, remember?  You made him up and just because there’s a con man masquerading as the head of the agency doesn’t make him worthy of marrying you.  If anything you should be thanking me for saving your life instead of letting you throw everything away on him!”

“I’m going to ask you something and I want the truth Murphy.  Did you really do this for me, or did you do it for you because you can’t stand the thought that he might actually care for me as much as you say you do?”

“I did it for you, and for me, and because I still believe we could have something very special.  You think this is easy for me Laura?  I know what he’s like and I’m just waiting for the day when he decides he’s tired of hanging around and then you’ll be alone and wondering who’s left to care for you.  And you’ll come running back to good old faithful Murphy.”

For the first time since being taken, Laura moved closer to Murphy and sat down beside him.  “Murphy, we do have something special and we always will.  You’re one of the best friends I’ve ever had and as much as I’m upset with you, and I am, I also know that you’re doing this because you think it’s what’s right for me.  But it isn’t…at least not anymore.”

“I remember when you started the agency Laura.  You came to Havenhurst and told me to stop being the token jock turned detective that they keep around to play golf and impress the clients with.  You were filled with so much energy and hunger to make it on your own.  You were so full of life and I bought into that energy and your energy sparked mine.  Together we were going to set the private investigation industry on its ear.  This wasn’t the way it was supposed to be Laura.  I had so many dreams…”

“We’ve all had dreams Murph, but I’m not a ballerina and I’m not the first woman astronaut.  What I am is a woman with a mother and a sister that I’m finally getting along with, an agency I’ve spent almost seven years building, and a man who has shown me that three words aren’t the only things that make a relationship.  As much as he drove us all completely crazy back then is almost as much as I love him now.  He’s not the man you remember and he may not be the man you had in mind for me, but he’s the one I want.”  She looked at Murphy as he lowered his head and looked at the floor.  “Do you love me Murphy?”

He looked at her face.  “You know I do.”

Laura lowered herself back to the floor and took his hands in hers.  “Then love me enough to let me be happy.  Please Murphy, take me home….  Let me marry the man I dreamed of with the blessing of the best friend I could ever ask for by my side, and have faith in the bond you and I share because I’m always going to love you too.”

“Laura…”

“Please…”

Remington and Donald stood in what was a bedroom in the house that made up part of the McCullum Estate.  As Remington reached for the cuff links that went with the ivory tuxedo jacket he was wearing there was a knock at the door.  One of the wedding coordinators handed Donald a single red rose for Remington to wear as a boutonniere.  As he handed it to Remington he read the card attached.  “Never lose faith in love.”

“I don’t know why Abigail is insisting we go through all of this.”

“According to Frances, everyone was so excited about the thought that you had found her and was bringing her home, they called everyone to tell them the wedding was on and then forgot to call them all back and say otherwise.  So I guess we’re getting dressed for the sake of telling people there isn’t going to be a wedding.”

Remington adjusted his jacket and took a last look out the window as the California sun set over the lush grounds of the estate.  He let out a heavy sigh, looked at Donald.  “Let’s get this over with.”

The trees were filled with hundreds of twinkling white lights as they lit the way through the grass to where a gazebo had been constructed especially for the ceremony.  Rows of chairs lined the grass and were occupied by friends, family and former clients.  Even Estelle Becker and Gladys Lynch were in attendance to witness the nuptials and close the Holt-Steele marriage investigation once and for all. 

Remington and Donald walked across down a path until they reached the gazebo filled with red and white roses and soft, glowing candles.  The minister assumed his position and asked that Remington and Donald stand in theirs as well.  When Remington tried to protest the minister took placed a hand on his shoulder and said “The Lord works in mysterious ways.  Never lose faith in the power of love.”  With that he nodded to the violinist and harpist Abigail had hired. 

As the musicians played Pachelbel’s Canon in D, Frances and Bernice walked from the opposite direction to stand on the other side of the minister.  Remington faced the minister with a look of sorrow then turned to face the congregated guests to break the news that there would be no wedding because Laura had yet to be found.  Looking to the ground he began.  “Ladies and Gentlemen, there’s something you should know.”  Before he could say anything else, the musicians began playing The Wedding March.  Remington raised his head to ask them to stop but stood there absolutely speechless as he saw her standing at the end of the tree-lined path.  As he watched Murphy walk her up the path to the gazebo, Remington’s eyes filled with tears.  Unable to believe what he was seeing, he reached out and wrapped his arms around her, partly out of sheer relief and partly to make sure she was really there. 

Sensing his cue, the minister began the ceremony.  “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and in the presence of this company to join this man and woman in holy matrimony.  Who gives this woman in marriage?” 

Laura turned and looked at Murphy then gently smiled as she touched his cheek.  “I do.”  Murphy leaned in and kissed Laura then turned to Remington and reached to shake his hand.  “Take care of her.” 

Remington nodded in agreement.  “You have my word.” 

As Murphy turned to find a seat, Remington tapped him on the shoulder and motioned for him to join Donald as a groomsman. 

Laura and Remington returned to face the minister.  “If anyone has just cause why these two should not be joined let them speak now, or forever hold their peace.”  With not so much as a whisper blowing through the wind, the ceremony continued.  “Do you Remington Harry Chalmers Steele take Laura Elizabeth Holt to be your wedded wife?  Do you promise to love and cherish, honor and keep her, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her so long as you both shall live?”

“I do.”

“And do you Laura Elizabeth Holt take Remington Harry Chalmers Steele to be your husband?  Do you promise to love and cherish, honor and keep him, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him so long as you both shall live?”

“I do.”

“The rings please.  Remington place this ring on her finger and repeat after me.  Laura I give this ring as a symbol of my love and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you in the name of God.”

“Laura I give this ring as a symbol of my love and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you in the name of God.”  He gently slid the diamond covered band on her finger then raised her hand to kiss it.

“Laura place this ring on his finger and repeat after me.  Remington I give this ring as a symbol of my love and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you in the name of God.”

“Remington I give this ring as a symbol of my love and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you in the name of God.”  Laura smiled as she clutched his hand with both of hers.

“With the taking of vows and giving and receiving of rings, I now pronounce you husband and wife.  What God hath joined together, let no one put asunder.  You may kiss the bride.”

Remington cradled her head in his hands and stared into her eyes until a tear fell down her left cheek.  He leaned in and kissed the tear away then pressed his lips to hers as those in attendance applauded.  As the kiss came to an end the minister made one last announcement.  “Ladies and Gentlemen… It is my pleasure to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Remington Steele.”

The ballroom was filled with candles, flowers, tables and chairs as people sampled the various dishes Mildred, Abigail and Frances had selected for the reception.  Champagne and laughter was flowing through the room and one-by-one everyone stopped to express their gratitude for Laura’s safe return and good wishes for the happy couple.  As soon as everyone’s glass was filled with Dom Perignon 1976, Remington stood and asked for everyone’s attention. 

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to propose a toast to my lovely bride.  There are moments in life when there are no words to express the feelings one has about another and somehow simply saying I love you doesn’t seem sufficient.  So instead I want to say thank you.  Thank you for sharing your laughter, your thoughts and dreams, the good times, the bad, the mediocre ones in between.  Thank you for giving me a reason to wake up in the morning, to go to the office for nothing more than to see you smile.  You found an empty shell of a man, breathed life into him and for the first time taught him that life can be more than the allure of diamonds and other gems.  Because of your faith and the love you’ve given me, I know that no matter what temptation is within reach it will never compare to the most precious jewel of all…you.  Thank you my darling.”

Wiping tears from her eyes, Laura lifted her glass and also stood.  “What now seems like a lifetime ago, the name Remington Steele meant nothing more than any other name in my imagination.  But one day that name began to mean more to me than anything else in my life and soon it consumed my every waking moment.  That is until I met him.  As I stood face to face with the man before me, I had no idea of the amount of exasperation, aggravation, or frustration I was going to be put through.  But for every one of those moments, there was another filled with compassion, tenderness, and a vulnerability that everyone tries so hard to hide.  It took some time but I found that underneath that flip exterior was the man that I had spent my entire life believing only existed in my dreams.  So now it’s my turn to say thank you for reminding me that life is meant to be lived to the fullest and that every day should be filled with the people you love and care for around you.  Thank you for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself and above all else, thank you for teaching me to love me because it allowed me to open my heart to love you.”

As the crowd clinked their glasses Remington and Laura shared a soft kiss.  Putting their glasses down, Remington offered his arm.  “Would you care to dance Mrs. Steele?” 

Laura looped her arm around his.  “I would be delighted Mr. Steele.”

The lights in the ballroom dimmed as the band began to play.  One male and one female singer took the stage.  Remington twirled Laura onto the dance floor and took her in his arms as the lyrics began.

“You are the love of my life, I knew it right from the start.  The moment I looked at you, you found a place in my heart.

You are the love of my life, you give me reason to live.  You taught how to be strong.  With you is where I belong.

No one’s ever touched me, quite the way you touch me.  People spend a lifetime to find what we have. 

You are the love of my life, the one thing that makes sense in this life.  I’ll spend the rest of my days just loving you.

You are the love of my life, and I thank God I’m alive. To share my lifetime with you, you are the love of my life.”

As the music came to an end, Laura rested her head on his chest and felt his arms close around her body.  She heard a rustle in his pocket and reached to the inside of his jacket.  Feeling something inside, she pulled the item from his pocket and smiled when she saw the photo from their Mexican honeymoon.  Holding the photo she looked at him almost quizzically.  “What’s this?”

Every dazzling feature his face held lit up as he looked at her holding the photo.  He took it back and put it back in his pocket before holding her as close as he could.  “It’s the beginning…”

FADE TO BLACK
THE END