Thanks again, everyone, for bearing with me through this. Your comments really help to keep me going! There will definitely be another story after this one, hopefully starting over the next few days ( Read more... )

Steele woke slowly, gradually noticing that he was alone in bed. He sat up and looked around the darkened loft. There was light coming from the bathroom. The door was closed, and he thought he heard the shower running ( Read more... )

“And - and then Mr. Steele and he fought, and I - I picked up the gun and shot him in the leg ( Read more... )

Steele stroked his chin nervously and twisted the volume dial on the microphone receiver. Mildred reached out and turned it back.

“Too loud,” she said apologetically. “Everything’s okay so far, Boss.”

He nodded and went back to listening as Laura’s voice, clear and confident, came floating into the van. “How are you liking Los Angeles?” He hoped ( Read more... )

“Bill Peterson?” Laura held out her hand. “Laura Holt. Tony Roselli gave me your address. I’m trying to help him.”

Peterson took her hand, looking her up and down as he did so in a way that sent shivers through Laura’s back. He stood aside for her to enter.

“My apologies for the mess, Miss Holt. I’ve only just moved to Los Angeles.” ( Read more )

Steele pulled his baseball cap further down over his eyes and adjusted the bright orange jumpsuit. Should he try the cockney rogue or the bumbling Yorkshireman? Deciding the Yorkshireman sounded slightly more trustworthy, he picked up a small tool kit and made his way to the front door of number ninety-two. ( Read more )

“I need to go in alone.”

Steele brought the car to a screeching halt and turned to face her. “We agreed, Laura! No chances on this one!”

Laura sighed. She knew he’d react like this. “I need to provoke him, force him into admitting he’s the killer. He isn’t going to try anything if you’re with me.” ( Read more )

“I had a think last night, Laura.”

Laura smiled and took another bite of her omelette. “What about?”

“Our wedding. The next one, I mean.”

She frowned. “Having second thoughts?”

“No, no. Making plans.” He grinned at her. “For your approval, of course.” ( Read more )

Laura yawned and looked across at Steele, still sleeping beside her. She smiled as she watched him. He looked endearingly vulnerable - boyish, almost - when he was asleep. She knew he’d been awake much of the night, but had decided that her staying up to worry with him would only make him more upset. Truthfully, she found it quite flattering that ( Read more... )

Steele couldn’t sleep. After lying awake for some time, he carefully untangled himself from Laura’s arms and slipped downstairs, stopping to pull some pajama bottoms out of his overnight case. He found himself at the piano. ( Read more )