NOIR

Chapter One

Deception

By Steve Edward

The recent past from Fallacy… Saturday, June 18th 1400 hours, Paris, France

Randy turned to his wife Gina, "So who has been taking care of the Atlanta office?"

Gina smiled, "Martha has things well in hand. Carl Greensand said he would check in on things when he got back from New York."

Randy glanced at his watch, "Well I suppose we can fly home tomorrow, but tonight let's have a get together at the guest house. Mireille, Kirika, both of you are invited." Kirika smiled, "I would like that," as Mireille chimed in, "As I would as well. Perhaps we can do some catch-up."

Bazyli Besnik by official records, retrieved from the Aegean Sea Island by US Marines attached to the USS Iwo Jima; was arraigned in Federal Court in the State of New York on charges of conspiracy to commit murder, sabotage and human smuggling. Tried on the anniversary of the sinking of the Fallacy the following year, Besnik was found guilty on all charges and was sentenced to death. During the automatic appeals process, Bazyli Besnik would be housed in the Maximum Security Prison near Greeley, Colorado.

Trevor Sullener, whose trial was held in October, was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole.

Noir continues carrying out assignments around the world, their untold involvement in bringing about the capture of those involved remains a closely held secret.

Keanu Benoit and Dumont Didier would eventually write with the permission of Randy Baldwin an exposé that detailed the complexities and dangers of human smuggling. Both Keanu and Dumont interviewed Randy Baldwin, Kelly Summers and Carl Greensand at the Baldwin Foundation Offices in Atlanta, Georgia in early August. The exposé published later that month won such acclaim, that both journalists were jointly nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Both men were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for literature in December.

The Baldwin's continue in their work in the foundation, with Gina Baldwin resigning her teaching position to assume a more active role in the foundation and to raise the Baldwin twins, Olivia and Harmony. The Baldwin children continue attending high school in Hall County, Georgia and to perform musical recitals.

NOIR

Chapter One

Deception

By Steve Edward

Forward . . .

Piracy takes many forms, from bootlegging of commercial DVD's and CD's to robbery of transportation services and hijacking of both ship's and aircraft that includes the kidnapping of both passengers and crews. In the year 2004, the International Maritime Bureau's piracy reporting center based in Malaysia reported 325 known acts of piracy on the high seas with 30 mariners murdered during those acts of piracy.

Present Day…

Saturday, October 20th 0130 hours, Strait of Malacca

The Motor Yacht Candice was mid-way through the Strait of Malacca, when the Master of the Candice, Trevor Mittens noted the contacts on the yachts navigation radar veering towards the vessel on a collision course. Picking up the microphone to warn the crew of the impending situation, Trevor never had the chance to utter the warning when the bridge of the Candice, a 175 foot yacht was raked with automatic weapons fire.

Candice Nattier woke with a start at the gunfire. At age 22, she had been raised around guns by her father and mother both. An Australian by birth, she had been raised in the outback and knew the inside and outside of firearms. Onboard the yacht named for her, Candice quickly dressed then reaching into the nearby nightstand removed a Sig Sauer 9MM and jacked the slide.

Candice, entering the passageway from her cabin never had the opportunity to use her gun, the pirate who had entered the living quarters saw her, and without a sound approached her from behind and cracked her on the back of her skull with his AK-74 rifle.

Monday, October 22nd 1100 hours, Paris, France

Mireille Bouquet with Kirika Yumura sitting next to her in the hair and nail salon waited for the finishing touches to be completed on her nails. The last assignment had been rather harsh on her hands and nails. Mireille had noted after she had slugged the object of the assignment that she had cracked three of her nails in the process. The beautician had made numerous noises about the abuse Mireille was inflicting on her hands as she set to work but Mireille replied, "Yes it was rather rough on them, but you are such a dear at making them right again."

Kirika Yumura having her hair done, silently noted that if Mireille would keep her nails shorter she would not be breaking them all the time.

Monday, October 22nd 1000 hours, New York City, New York

Randy Baldwin, with Kelly Summers and Carl Greensand sat in silence within the courtroom. In front of them, Trevor Sullener the former vice president H-D Transoceanic Shipping Operations stood before the judge to hear his sentence from Honorable Judge Drew Barnes, "Trevor Sullener, in my 28 years on the bench I have never seen such atrocities inflicted to a point where you would treat a human lower than an amoebae. You did it purely as a form of making a profit while inflicting human misery. You have heard the charges and of course have been found guilty by a jury of your peers. I hereby sentence you to life in prison with no possibility of parole. May God have mercy on your soul. This case is now closed." The slamming of the gavel hammered home the sentence and those in attendance rose as the judge left for his chambers.

Randy Baldwin turned and glanced at Trevor Sullener as he was being led away in handcuffs, "One down and one to go…" As Kelly Summers seemed to nod, "A three week trial to find Trevor guilty, I wonder how long Besnik's will be?"

Carl Greensand gathering his coat replied, "With all the charges he is facing, look at it lasting six weeks. At least it is not till March." The trio exited the court room and encountered the large gathering of journalists, camped out near the court room itself.

Giving brief statements each made their final comments concerning trial itself.

Randy Baldwin giving his final comment was briefly joined by French Journalist

Keanu Benoit, who seemed more mature than he had been in August when he had last interviewed the trio in Atlanta, took Randy to the side. "Monsieur Baldwin? Are you happy with the decision?"

Randy leaned against the granite wall of the building, his steel-grey eyes nearly unreadable, "Yes and no Monsieur Benoit. He should have received the death penalty for what he had done, but still the punishment he will face is a rather loud message for those engaged in those kinds of activities." Keanu Benoit nodded at the statement replied, "We can perhaps hope that will be true. Thank you for your time, Monsieur Baldwin."

Kelly Summers joined Randy and watched the journalist disappear into the crowd, "He seems to have become wiser." Randy nodding, "Being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize will do that to you. Both he and Dumont deserve it. If both should win, I plan on being there to see them get it."

Leaving the courthouse together, they returned to the Westin Hotel where they had been staying for the duration of the trial. Having lunch together, Randy, Carl and Kelly had mused over the past events. Carl's testimony had been pivotal, from the video of the sunken Fallacy to the high resolution color photographs of the human remains still within the container stack; Carl had been able to backup his testimony with the riveting images.

Sullener's defense team had tried but failed to shake Carl's testimony on the stand and began to fight in earnest to keep their client from facing the death penalty. Kelly Summer's testimony outlining how the smuggling was carried out followed by a live satellite interview of Ukrainian Police Commander Bence who demonstrated to the American Jury, just how smugglers used shipping containers; had been damning enough. Randy Baldwin's testimony with video taken from the United States Air Force Blackhawk as he and the twins; with Nina and Irena Baldwin wearing small recorders that had captured the horrors of the interior of the sabotaged container as they entered it from the hatch had been the final nail. The graphic photographs from the German National Police of the deceased victims frozen to the steel and wood decking had brought many of the juror's to tears.

Saying their farewells, they departed and prepared to pack. Kelly Summers was returning to Paris to rejoin the Baldwin Foundation offices there, Carl Greensand needing a long deserved vacation was flying to San Francisco to see his daughter, Anne who is a detective with the San Francisco Police Department and Randy Baldwin headed back to Atlanta.

Tuesday, October 23rd 0800 hours, Darwin, Australia

Willie Nattier sat at his desk reading the demand note once again. The dark circles under his eyes and the nearly three day growth of beard belied the fact that he was one of the richest industrialists in Australia. His wife, Natalie sitting across from him looked just as bad as he did, "We will bring her home alive, Natalie. That I promise. Those responsible will pay heavily for what they have done."

The ringing of the phone interrupted the conversation and Willie answered, "Yes this is he." The voice of the government defense minister replied, "Willie, I am sorry but there is little we can do. Our government has the policy of not keeling into blighters wanting ransom. Your daughter is not the only one in this situation. During the same morning three other vessels were also attacked and several crew members from each were also taken. Reports of similar demands have been made as well, with each based on what the pirates think their hostages are worth."

The defense minister continued, "Willie, the region is still unstable even three years after the tsunami. No one is sure even where the pirates are operating from as the original known locations were destroyed during the event, and many of them blokes likely died. Now they are kicking into high gear again and as such the local authorities are hard pressed to find the piracy bases. All we can do is hope that someone will rat some of their competition out and we can then act on the information; till then we can not actively put an interdiction operation into place since there are so many islands they could be operating from."

Willie rubbed his temple, "What the hell do we do then? I got a bloody reminder from them bastards. They ripped a ring from her finger to prove they have her! And it is very bloody with her skin on it!"

The defense minister sitting in his government office in Canberra replied "Willie, I do have a suggestion…"

Monday, October 22nd, 1845 hours, Baldwin Foundation Office, Atlanta, Georgia

Gina Baldwin eyed the evening traffic on I-285 from the 15th floor of the Baldwin Foundation offices as her husband, Randy finished his work, and she spoke "We are going to have a long commute tonight. I've already called Angelina Lopez to tell her we will be late."

Looking up and smiling, Randy replied "Well Harmony and Olivia get along rather well with her. I am sure they will not mind." Gina Baldwin cocked her head, "That I am sure of, since both are speaking Spanish and English."

Irena Baldwin followed by Nina then Corey and Ashley entered the office. Nina interrupted, "Father there is a phone call from Australia for you. The caller identified himself as a Willie Nattier. There is a second person on the line who states that she is his wife. She identified herself as Natalie Nattier."

Gina Baldwin rolled her eyes, "Don't take too long, Irena would you please get the Suburban ready. We will be leaving after the call." Irena smiled, "Yes mother" then left the office.

Randy about to key up Nattier's name into the computer was saved the trouble by Corey, who pointed to the monitor on the desk as he brought the biographical information up for his father to read.

Willie Nattier sighed with relief as Randy Baldwin answered, "Mr. Baldwin? I am sorry to be calling so late in your time zone but I have a rather urgent matter that I need to discuss." Randy letting out a mental sigh of his own, keyed the speaker phone then set the handset down.

"Mr. Nattier, what can I assist you with?" As Corey furiously typing with his sister, Ashley sitting at another terminal joined in bringing up information files. Willie Nattier replied, "Sir, your foundation has been recommended to me because of what you have previously been able to accomplish. I am calling because my daughter has been kidnapped."

The sharp intake of breath from his wife Gina with the memory of Ashley's kidnapping nearly three years earlier punctuated the sudden silence. Randy paused briefly and looked at his wife then replied, "Mr. Nattier, with all do respect Australian authorities should be able to assist much more ably than I."

Willie Nattier had done his own quick background check on the head of the Baldwin Foundation, Randy Baldwin. Willie knew that prior to Baldwin's marriage to Gina, which her daughter Ashley, now the step-daughter of Randy Baldwin too had been a kidnap victim. He had read the archived news articles of the event in the United States, and of her rescue.

Mr. Baldwin, "My daughter was kidnapped during a piracy operation in the Straight of Malacca, Saturday morning this past weekend from my private yacht which was attacked. My pleadings for assistance have so far fallen on deaf ears in my government. However one made a recommendation to contact your Foundation. You have an apparent knack for bringing people home alive, as you did with your step-daughter Ashley."

Randy Baldwin too taken aback by the mention of Ashley's kidnapping, which had been carried out by a near relative to Gina's family recalled what he had felt like. Had Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura discreetly known as Noir not participated in the daring midnight rescue things would have likely ended differently.

Randy replied, "Ok, Mr. Nattier. I will agree to help. I would like you to gather together all the information that you can on the attack of the yacht including photographs if they are available from authorities. I would like to see a copy of that ransom demand as well. Also keep us informed of any further contacts from those who are holding your daughter, and if they make a demand for the ransom to be delivered, do try to stall for the time being."

Natalie Nattier spoke, "Mr. Baldwin, we are prepared to pay the sum and more to get our daughter back." Randy Baldwin picked up the handset and replied, "Yes, Mrs. Nattier I know you will; however that will play into their hands. The piracy that is taking place in the Straight of Malacca is being carried out by more than one group. Each has their own agenda's. You will likely receive additional ransom demands as word gets out about your daughter being a kidnap victim. The copycats will come out of the wood work."

Standing and stretching, Randy continued "Mr. Nattier, if at all possible have all that information forwarded to Atlanta by the next available commercial aircraft. If you time it right, you should be able to get the crew of the Qantas flight leaving from Sydney in five hours to courier it for delivery to Hartsfield-Jackson International. I will have a representative meet them upon arrival."

Willie Nattier began gather together all that had been asked of him, with the exception of the ring which he locked in his office safe he directed his personal pilot to deliver the package to Sydney.

Hanging up, Randy placing both hands on the desk did not look up when he spoke, "Corey, Ashley. Dump all that you have to the secure mail server at the farm then let's go home. Your mother and I are going to have a long day tomorrow."

Tuesday, October 23rd, Time Unknown, Daylight, Riau Island Chain

Candice Nattier squinted at the bright sunlight streaming through the rusty bars that covered what passed for windows of the hut she was being held in. The back of her head still throbbed as did her hand, where a ring given to her by her father had been forcefully removed. Her inexpensive Casio watch was missing as well. Candice mused, "At least they put a bandage on it…" As she struggled to her feet, she nearly lost her balance. Reaching out into the semi-darkness of the hut to catch herself; Candice felt the presence of another.

Letting her eyes adjust, she took in the huddled form of a child; the girl had scurried away from Candice into the corner. Speaking softly Candice made introductions and waited. Yoko Yoshiro, age 14 hesitantly replied, "I am Yoko, from Japan" her English nearly fluent.

Candice found that Yoko too had been kidnapped from her father's tugboat during the previous weekend along with her brother Kyushu who was 13. Candice musing silently, "So I am are not the only one."

Tuesday, October 23rd, 0600 hours, Baldwin Foundation Offices, Atlanta, Georgia

Martha Edelstein entered the foyer of the office building and greeted the armed security officer then entered the elevator for the 15th floor offices of the Baldwin Foundation.

Exiting the elevator, Martha placed the card key against the pad and waited to be admitted by the security system.

Stopping briefly at her desk, Martha headed for the duty room where the night shift was wrapping up. Handed several folders, then a large cup of coffee from the watch team Martha headed back to her desk to begin her new day. Laid off from her managerial position, Martha had been worried about finding a new job but her fears had been laid to rest nearly a year earlier. At 55 years of age, starting a new career would have been difficult for some. For Martha she was just hitting her stride and when she was interviewed by both Randy and Gina Baldwin, it had been an in depth and deep interview.

Martha proved herself immediately, and had become an asset. Her old employer had actually asked her to come back, but Martha refused and stayed with the foundation. The e-mail from Randy flashed on her screen as the computer awakened from its silent slumber. Reading it briefly then printing it out for future reference, Martha began making phone calls, and then she began adding tick marks to the assigned tasks as she reviewed the various folders contents from the night shift.

Tuesday, October 23rd, 0015 hours, Baldwin Foundation Offices, Paris, France

The e-mail from the home office followed moments later with a voice call from Martha in Atlanta, sent the Paris duty team into action. They were to start researching all piracy activities within the Straight of Malacca for the past year. All outcomes were to be explored. A message for Kelly Summers to call Atlanta was left with the duty team and as they began their assignments, pages were sent to all concerned parties.

Tuesday, October 23rd, 0800 hours, Baldwin Foundation Offices, Atlanta, Georgia

The Suburban driven by Randy Baldwin, backed into the reserved parking then both he and Gina set about getting Olivia and Harmony into the baby stroller for the trip to the 15th floor. Greeted by the security officer who opened the handicap access door to admit the stroller, Randy Baldwin was advised he had a phone call from Paris.

Martha tripped the entry door for Randy as soon as he and Gina exited the elevator. Martha held up two fingers as he passed by, "It is Kelly Summers."

Entering his office followed by Gina who closed the door, Randy tapped the speaker phone, "Good morning Ms. Summers. How long have you been holding?"

Kelly Summers lying in her bed replied, "About 5 minutes, Mr. Baldwin. I know your schedule" Randy elicited a soft laugh; "I suppose you do."

Kelly Summers with notepad in hand cradled the phone to her ear, "Ok, I am ready here. Martha stroked the fires under the Paris office, what's going on in Southeast Asia that has got you suddenly interested?"

Randy picked up Harmony then walking to a nearby rocker, set the little baby girl into its seat, and Harmony then grinned and began happily swaying, "Kidnapping and piracy on the high seas. A wealthy Australian industrialist named Willie Nattier has become the victim of a kidnapping and extortion. His daughter Candice was kidnapped from his private yacht in the Strait of Malacca on Saturday. The yacht was attacked with full automatic weapons. The yacht's master was critically wounded in the attack itself, three more crew members died during the attack. The young woman, Candice Nattier age 22 was taken by force and is currently being held at an unknown location."

Jotting downing the details, Kelly Summers replied, "So I am assuming we are going to explore all the venues?" as Randy who had paused a moment replied, "Yes we are. Kelly, make contact with Noir and bring them into the loop. They have operated in that region before. Also connect with Lucio Magnus; we will need some input from him as well."

Kelly Summers set her notepad down then after bidding goodbye to Randy Baldwin, fell back to sleep.

Tuesday, October 23rd, 0715 hours, Apartment of Noir, Paris, France

Mireille Bouquet stood at the stove scrambling eggs, when the telephone rang. Kirika Yumura picked up the receiver, "Yes this is she. Yes, Ms. Summers one moment please." Kirika Yumura handed the cordless handset to Mireille, "Yes Ms. Summers?"

Tuesday, October 23rd, 1430 hours, Baldwin Foundation Offices, Paris, France

Mireille Bouquet with Kirika Yumura sat in the conference room watching the video monitor displaying Randy Baldwin with Gina in the background, "Candice Nattier was not the only victim to the piracy acts. Three other vessels were also waylaid. They were a Japanese tugboat with barges, a Philippine registered freighter and a New Zealand Tanker."

Mireille replied, "The apparent increased aggressiveness of the piracy attacks suggest they care little for life." Randy seemed to nod, "I have to agree. All of the attacks occurred at night during a moonless night. The only vessel that did not suffer any loss amongst its crew was the Philippine freighter. We can assume that the pirates have a pretty good idea who has money to burn and who does not. The New Zealand freighter lost its master and third mate along with a young sea cadet and the Japanese tugboat lost two children who are related to the tugboat master. They are age 13 and 14 respectfully."

Mireille replied, "Has ransom demands been made for those taken besides Ms. Nattier?" Randy replied, "Yes. The shipping concern that owns the seagoing tug received the ransom demand early this morning as did the shipping concern for the New Zealand Tanker. Their governments of course will not officially negotiate nor become involved. However they have been informed of our interest and will assist with certain matters."

The soft knock interrupted the conversation as Lucio Magnus entered the conference room, "Good afternoon Monsieur and Madame Baldwin," as Lucio made his way around the conference room he briefly greeted Kelly Summers and Noir as he passed.

"Monsieur Baldwin, I have done as you have asked. The information will be here when you arrive." Kelly Summers looked up from her notepad, "Randy? You are coming to Paris?"

Randy Baldwin smiled, "Yes. I will arrive sometime 0600 hours local time there tomorrow at the usual airfield. Mireille, Kirika, no need to travel light same goes for you Kelly. I'll be spending the night in Paris, and then we all leave for Darwin, Australia the next day."

Mireille Bouquet seemed to smile, "We will be ready Randy."

Cutting the video feed, Kelly Summers swiveled in her chair to look at Mireille Bouquet, "Ok. Multiple victims, a large area of ocean populated by numerous islands; it is going to be like trying to find a needle in a hay stack." Mireille stood and walked to a large display screen showing the region, "The island chains scattered to the south and west of the Straight of Malacca are full of hiding places. The Riau Island chain would be the likely area where they are being held."

Lucio Magnus spoke, "Madam Bouquet is likely correct. Piracy is no stranger to that region. There was a two year lull in activities and until this year had not escalated so much. Many believe that the tsunami in December of 2004 wiped out many pirate bases and destroyed their craft and killed many of those involved in the activities themselves. It likely took them this long to rebuild. Their utilization of ransom is one way to build their coffers and rebuild their strengths."

Tuesday, October 23rd, Time Unknown, Nightfall, Riau Island Chain

Candice Nattier shielded her eyes from the beam of the flashlight that came from the open door. The male voice making demands in a language she could not understand finally entered the hut and physically grabbed her.

The man appeared Asian, but darker skinned. His face closed with hers and the ugly yellow teeth came into view. Candice felt his hands trying to yank her shorts down, but twisting away she backed against the wall of the hut as the man advanced. She saw him drop his pants and with a twisted grin he came closer.

"Please don't do it. Please don't," as Candice tried to push him away; she felt his hands trying to yank her shorts down again. Candice remembered something her father had told her years earlier, and she thrust her hands downward and grabbed his manhood and yanked.

Gnu Gorman heard the screech of a man in pain, and headed towards the source. Gnu entered the clearing where the prisoner huts were located. On the ground, withering in pain was one of his so called crew and of course a female hostage on top giving another yank on the man's manhood. Gnu, pushing Candice aside stared down at the man who had tried to rape his hostage then pulling a Beretta 92SBF 9MM from his holster; Gnu fired twice both rounds going into the rapists head.

Candice Nattier looked on in horror; she had never seen anyone die before. She looked at the tall man before her, his eyes now focused on her he spoke, "I regret that this occurred. Please get back into your hut now." Candice aided by Yoko entered her hut and the door clanged shut behind her."

Wednesday, October 24th, 1100 hours, Nattier Industries, Darwin, Australia

Willie Nattier was carrying on as directed by Randy Baldwin. The second notice demanding ransom had arrived earlier in the morning, but as the American had predicted it had been a bogus claim. The previous ransom demand had been well crafted with deliberate thought put into its contents. The one he held in his hands was grammatically incorrect, and of course his daughters name was misspelled. The odd request from the American requesting information about local airfields, he had personally answered with help of his corporate pilot. He turned out to the window and pondered, just what the American was up to and why did he want an airfield that could handle that kind of aircraft?

Tuesday, October 23rd, 1630 hours, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Atlanta

Clearing the inspection point, Randy entered the Air Cargo terminal area of Hartsfield-Jackson International. It is an area rarely seen by most utilizing the airport for air travel. Passengers in commercial jet airliners could catch a glimpse of it on their way to landing or take-off, but for the most part it was isolated from the main passenger terminals itself.

Wheeling the Hummer around a hanger, Randy Baldwin paused briefly to view the aircraft in front of him. Baldwin Foundation II, with its blue and green paint scheme glistening in the afternoon sun was officially aircraft number 2 in the Baldwin Foundation air fleet. The Gulfstream V was aircraft number 1.

Moving onward towards the aircraft, Randy aimed the Hummer towards the rear ramp and parked parallel to the ramp itself. Looking into the aircraft he spied Lisa Mead, the cargo loadmaster for BFII.

Lisa at age 24 was the youngest of the all female flight crew that manned BFII. Descending the cargo ramp she held out her hand and greeted her boss Randy Baldwin, "Mr. Baldwin. Good afternoon sir." Randy returned the greeting then gazed towards the massive wings, "Are we on schedule Lisa?"

Lisa smiling, "Yes sir. Just waiting for your Hummer, shall I load it onboard now?" as the pilot and co-pilot of BFII strolled from opposite sides and approached. Kay Milroy and Else F. Conroy both 29 years old, ex-US Air Force and commercial airline pilots added their greetings as Lisa entered the Hummer and began to maneuver the vehicle for loading. Kay Milroy shook hands with Randy and then all three stepped out of the way for the Hummer to backup the ramp.

Kay satisfied that Lisa had things in hand turned to her boss, "Fully fueled including long range tanks. Flight plan filed for Paris as requested. We will likely be IFR on approach, a front moving over England is going to play havoc with air traffic but BFII will get in with no problems."

Satisfied that all was in order, Randy acknowledged the report then walked up the ramp into the interior of the aircraft. The Baldwin Foundation had only had the aircraft since August. Justifying the lease to own had made some sense for Randy when he had crunched the numbers, after he was contacted about the plane itself. Who in their right mind would turn down an offer for a C130-J Hercules with no strings attached?

At precisely 1715 hours, BFII lifted off from Hartsfield-Jackson International.