NOIR

Chapter One

Substitute

By Steve Edward

The characters of Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura are not owned by me or my original creations. Ryoe Tsukimura is the creator of these two characters from on the original story series Noir.

Other characters presented within are entirely my own and any resemblances to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

Preface

When the headmistress of a private school seeks the help of the Baldwin Foundation, Gina Baldwin a former teacher takes on the assignment as a substitute teacher. However, things are not going well on the home front with twins Olivia and Harmony. In steps Noir, with Kirika Yumura assuming the role of the Baldwin's Japanese nanny to instill some discipline.

Gina soon butts heads with the school's council board president and resorting to having the council removed unknowingly interferes with the plans of a man, the son of a Nazi whose father entombed stolen and looted treasure on the school grounds over sixty years earlier.

As Randy Baldwin and Noir have to go in after her, it is the Soldats joining forces to help free hostages!

Friday, March 31st 1500 Hours, Baldwin Foundation Offices, Paris, France

The Le Charmel International School of Academia located east of Paris, founded in 1950 on the grounds of what once had been a winery. The current Headmistress, Marie Catharine Camus who had been punctual for her appointment with Gina Baldwin waited for Gina to finish reading the request for Foundation intervention.

Gina spoke "Madam Camus your request is rather unusual to say the least. We do not delve into issues involving educational disputes with local governments; however gathering from what I have read, the French government seems satisfied with the schools performance. You have said that the school is or was financially sound until recently, however loss of students and staff turn-over have resulted in losses related to lack of tuition payments."

Marie Camus replied, "That is correct Madam Baldwin. A series of events took place causing some parents to withdraw their children. As you see from the details of the events, many would presume them to be coincidental or in American vernacularism "A string of bad luck" but I firmly believe otherwise. Someone is trying to destroy the school financially by having caused these events. If I thought otherwise Madam Baldwin this conversation would not be taking place."

Gina Baldwin, herself a former educator could sense the anxiety from the headmistress facing the prospect of school closer, but there was something that bothered Gina more. Coincidental or not, the problems that had befallen the private school were serious to have garnered the attention of the local government. With just a week to go before spring break there would be intense examination of the staff and the students to determine if the school would reopen. Closing the folder Gina Baldwin spoke "Madam Camus if you would wait a moment outside, I need to confer with an associate."

Waiting until the headmistress left, Gina pressed the intercom and said "Randy are you busy?" Hearing the reply, she pressed a concealed button, the wall-mounted bookcase moved aside, and taking the folder with her, Gina Baldwin entered her husband's office.

The flight from the Mid-East had been boring for Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura as both having already seen the in flight movie were left to read the magazines provided by the stewardesses. An Englishman with too much to drink during the flight, attracted by Mireille's beauty had pestered her endlessly for a "date". A flight attendant finally interceded and moved the obnoxious drunk with a little help of the co-pilot who had come strolling by. Kirika relieved that the man, separated from them said quietly "They saved me from breaking his neck."

Having tapped Kirika on the knee in admonishment, Mireille finally smiled for the first time since boarding the flight and fell into a light sleep. Awakened by Kirika before landing, Mireille felt refreshed though she like Kirika had wasted no time on leaving Syria. The trip through the desert had left both with sand in places neither wanted to think about and they wanted to be a far away as possible when the discovery of their deed took place.

Having arrived at Orly International, both passed through customs rather quickly and Mireille hailing a taxi as Kirika rolling their bags to the curb looked towards the distant city of Paris, the familiar landmarks emanating warmth and friendliness in the chilly afternoon.

Her husband's rapid fire typing was in rhythmic cycles as he switched between three sets of keyboards. Reflected in the blast proof windows behind him, the 26-inch LCD display monitors showed various screens displaying financial records. This other data came not from the school but others sources had provided on short notice.

Pushing away from the desk, Randy placing his hands behind his neck and tilting the chair back slightly spoke "I have to admit that Madam Camus is careful with funds while balancing the needs of the school both immaterial and material, however she does not directly control all the purse strings. She was fortunate that the events that have taken place so recently did so when students were away for break. The last one concerns me though. According to records on file, the boiler that blew up had in the past year been rebricked, all pipes x-rayed, and all mechanicals renewed.

It had been fully certified for original operating pressure of 600 PSI, but according to the company did the work it was governed to operate at reduced pressure of just 300 PSI."

Gina Baldwin replied "All that kind of work? How expensive?" as Randy scrolling down the screen replied "About $200,000 US". In theory that overhaul should have kept the boiler operating for another twenty to twenty five years without any major intervention, just routine upkeep; but even insured as the school is replacement costs will be in excess of nearly $1,000,000 US. The original manufacture is no longer in business and it will have to a special build, a one off. Then there is the matter of the structure housing the boiler. In short, to replace it; the new boiler is going to have to be installed from underneath the building and temporary supports will have to be installed while the repairs are carried out to the building."

Returning to the computers, Randy continued and reviewing statistical records said "Academic wise the school has performed well, rather interesting that those who have graduated; 98 percent have gone to higher institutions of learning. The lower enrollment, but higher tuition costs has both a good side and bad side. Close and personal attention by teachers to students gives a friendlier atmosphere but loose those students, and their tuition payments it can have adverse effects on the bottom line. Endowments will only go so far, and those endowments are at the mercy of the national economy in the long term. Start tapping them; you draw down what earns interest. The headmistress has done well, but she is on dangerous ground financially, though the board members of the school council appear to be tampering with some of the funding."

Gina Baldwin spoke "Perhaps they do need an external review and maybe a change of the curriculum, but as a former educator I can tell you from personal experience to do so in the middle of a school year would cause more upheaval than good."

Randy replied "External review by whom, The Ministry of Education? They are already going to be doing that." Gina stood and spoke "How about by someone who has been on the inside."

Randy, standing up from his chair replied "Oh no you don't. Do not even think about that! What about the twins?" Gina said, "Irena and Nina can help take care of them, besides it will be for a week at best. My credentials are in order and I have maintained my requirements. Besides I have certifications from the Ministry of Education because of my work with the refugees and immigrants here in Paris."

Randy could not object and he was not a teacher by any means. His wife had experience and knowledge to do what she wanted. Sure, there were oddities occurring at the school, which to Randy did bear a closer look perhaps by someone used to dangerous situations, but Gina once she set her mind on doing things there was no changing it. Gina seeing that she the upper hand in the discussion said, "I'll call the headmistress back to my office, then give me five minutes and then come in to discuss my assignment." Turning abruptly and leaving his office, Randy sitting back down slowly mulled her last words "Assignment?" and then reaching for the phone as it rang; turned slowly about in the chair to look out onto the streets of Paris.

Friday, March 31st 1800 Hours, Baldwin Foundation Guest Residence, Paris, France

Irena Baldwin charging the length of the hallway tucked her legs beneath her and slid the remaining distance on the wooden floor intercepting Olivia, while Nina snagged Harmony. Both the twins were in their terrible two's and the "Terrible Duo" that had been lofted onto them by Irena was running their stepsisters into the ground.

Guiding the wayward children back to the play area, Irena giving both a toy to play with sat down on the carpet as Nina hurried back off to the kitchen to finish supper. Ashley Baldwin entering from the sitting room held up sheet music then said "Irena? Just how in the world did this happen?"

Irena Baldwin replied, "That I do not know, and I do not know when it happened. You need to remember to keep you marking pens from them. Father and mother will hopefully not pay too much attention to the wall art when they come in."

"Well we can forget about trying to clean the wall art," said Corey Baldwin coming to a halt just outside the playroom. Holding a bucket in one hand and a scrub brush in another the stepbrother to the grown twins setting the bucket on the floor and reaching into his shirt pocket added, "When dad sees the computer monitor he is going to freak! Where did they find all these Sharpie Pens?" Irena replied "The computer in the study?" Corey frowned "Yes the one with the big monitor like he has at the office. You know how much one of those cost?" Irena sighed and then looking at the baby twins, as they seemed to giggle at all of them said, "Well there goes our allowance for the week."

Corey hearing the front door opening turned towards it as his mother and stepfather walked in. His mother saw the "wall art" first and dropped her briefcase followed by his stepfather as both followed the "art" from the entryway with their eyes to where Corey was standing. His mother said "Young man? There had better be an explanation for this."

Nina poking her head out of the kitchen smiled and replied, "Eat first, then we explain. Ok?"

Randy picking up his briefcase replied "Ok that sounds fair enough," then heading for the study past Corey who looked at Irena with a panicked expression. Gina not missing his expression said "Husband, I think there is more "art" else where…" as Randy moving the childproof gate aside replied "Probably is…" as his voice drifted into silence. Gina picking up her briefcase walked past Corey who was wishing he were invisible and small but not succeeding. Entering the study, Gina said "I guess they wanted to play with Mickey Mouse," as she took in the 26 inch LCD display which had on its surface a crude likeness of a famed cartoon character and a couple of his sidekicks. Randy replied, "Goofy needs work."

Kirika Yumura poured the contaminated cleaning solution from the tanks from the sonic cleaners of which there were two. In the baskets of each machine holding respectfully Mireille's Walther and her Beretta resting in the nearby sink, she poured fresh solution in each then returning the baskets restarted the machines to begin the deep cleaning once again. Mireille looking up from her laptop spoke "How many times does that make Kirika?" Kirika replied quietly "Three. This should be the last, and then we can reassemble."

Mireille closing the Internet connection stood up from the pool table then walked past Kirika to the oven where a small roast was baking. Checking its progress and satisfied that it would be ready shortly; Mireille said, "If you don't mind please set out the dishes. I'll get the wine ready."

Reaching into the cupboard and retrieving the dinner plates Kirika spoke "Does it appear we will have anything pressing?" Mireille replied "Nothing pressing for the moment, though if anything is in the Mid-East again I will decline for the time being. I think we both have seen enough sand for awhile." Kirika nodding silently in reply to her comment removed two plates and walked to the pool table."

"Teaching!" echoed the twins together as Gina made the pronouncement at the dinner table. Randy spoke "Just was a week as a substitute teacher at a private school named the Le Charmel International School of Academia in a town of the same name. The headmistress came to the offices today asking for assistance. There have been strange things going on with the school, but nothing that I would term dangerous. Your mother/step-mother will be conducting a review of the schools curriculum to see if any changes are required. Because she is doing this covertly with only the headmistress knowing she is who she is, commuting is out of the question and she will be living in the faculty living quarters. So as such, you two Irena and Nina will assist with caring for the little twins with Ashley and Corey helping when they can. They have their own studies they have to concentrate on."

Irena spoke "So does that mean you are not too mad then about what happened?" Gina replied, "A little shocked at the "art", but angry no. Your step-father was amused at the monitor anyway since it gives him an excuse to replace it with a new Plasma display that happens to be sitting downstairs in storage."

Nina replied "The walls then? Replace too?" Randy spoke "No. We just repaint. I will have Adeline hire painters to come in and do the work. The little ones will go to the office with us. Which reminds me, did any of you see which one climbed over that gate? It was guaranteed to be child proof."

Unable to figure out which twin had climbed the gate, Randy finished his dinner and with Gina headed for the bedroom of the baby twins where they prepared the young children for bed. The soft clicks of an animals nails falling onto the wooden floor outside the bedroom silenced upon entering the carpeted room. Brushing up against his leg, Randy glanced down then lightly scratching Gregor's left ear returned his attention to Olivia and then Harmony.

Both girls tired from play, were sleeping peacefully and Gina with Randy turned away and headed for the hallway. Gregor taking position between the beds lay down, ears upright and alert. Looking back Gina seeing the light reflected in the dog's eyes reached over and shut the lights off.

Returning to the study, Randy and Gina found Corey hooking up the new monitor while Ashley setting the old unit into the box with the help of Irena tucked the packaging. Reaching for her briefcase which she opened, Gina removed all the contents then opening a nearby cardboard box removed its contents and placed into the briefcase.

Picking up a printout Gina began checking each item off and satisfied handed the list to her husband who repeated the process, finishing Gina reached for the cover and closing it spoke "Now I know what it feels like when you do covert operations."

Randy replied, "Well at least you won't have to jump out of a perfectly good plane."

Corey spoke "Well it's ready to go father," and stepping out of the way, Gina took his spot in the chair then bringing of the list of files that had uploaded to the office main servers began reading. Gina spoke "Linguistics Department Head is Oliver Heaton, age 57, has been in that position for 8 years, with no black marks or complaints; previously taught in linguistics positions at public schools in England and came from a private school position in Ireland."

Switching to the next file, Gina Baldwin said "Head of History Department is Alair Bontecou, age 55 and her husband Kerman; age 57 is a teacher of grades 10 through 12. Both rated excellent by peers in their fields. They have been at the school for ten years."

Gina continued and then stopped at the Sciences Department "Interesting. Post for department head is vacant, but Madam Camus said she was to interview the finalist in the morning. Teaching posts held by two French Nationals, sisters Damia and Kamille Parshall ages 26 and 27 respectfully. Both hired respectfully one year apart as each prior instructor retired. The previous department head resigned to take a post at a private school in Germany."

Randy spoke as Gina continued reading silently "Athletics Department has a mix of activities. Soccer is number one with gymnastics second." Corey replied "Boys for soccer and girls for gymnastics?" Gina glancing at her son spoke "Actually they have both boys and girls soccer teams and boys and girls gymnastics." Ashley replied "Go figure brother, and you play soccer too!"

Randy diffused things and said "Corey? Remember you played against the girl's soccer team in Colorado last year. They can be just as good as boys." Corey replied, "Yes father I remember…"

Coming to the last file, Gina spoke "Last and least is music department. Small choir and strings department. Department Head is David Rosencrans, a Dutchman age 42. Has held post of Department Head and Instructor for two years; Headmistress Camus said that they perform during holidays and other special functions."

Ashley Baldwin spoke "Did you say Rosencrans?" as she came over and joined her mother to look at the screen. Gina replied "Yes. There is a photograph of him. Do you know him?" Ashley replied, as she looked "Yes, but only in passing. He was a guest vocalist instructor at Goddard in New York, but that was two years ago." Randy viewing the biographical information spoke "Apparently he took the job after his stint at the Goddard School of Music. Interesting he would take a step down on the professional ladder."

Gina replied, "One sometimes gives up things to focus on others. Perhaps he felt more comfortable in less pressured surroundings?" Randy understanding where his wife was going with the conversation spoke "He yearned for the more focused learning, the untapped talent waiting to be found. The student's at Goddard were at their near potential already and just needed a brief polish, David wanted to be the craftsman that shaped the jewel."

Closing the files, Gina asked that everyone leave except Randy. Doing as she asked the twins with Corey and Ashley headed for the sitting room. Waiting until the door closed, Gina spoke "Look I know you are a bit worried, but things will be fine. I will call you every night and fax out to you anything interesting. Just consider it an educational opportunity for me." Then standing, Gina kissed her husband softly on the cheek.

Saturday, April 1st 0600 Hours, Foundation Guest Residence

Setting the luggage into the rented Opal, Randy closed the hatchback and then approached the open driver's door where Gina sitting behind the wheel waited. Gina adjusting the seat and rearview mirror spoke "I should be there by ten or so. Madam Camus will meet me at her office on campus by 1030, so that I can be in my living quarters by the afternoon. The weekend is free for me, but I will have to go through the motions of getting ready for class by Monday. I will let you know by tonight how things went. Now take care of the twins big and small husband and please behave."

Randy replied as he closed the door, "I'll behave. Be careful on the drive out. You don't want to impede any Frenchman hurrying to get a few hours of fun." Gina gave up a giggle as she started the car and shifted into gear "I will stay in the proper lane."

Backing out, Gina gave a last wave to her husband Randy and to her children who had gathered on the porch then drove away.

Noir, whose biological clocks were still in a different time zone, woke up one after the other. Kirika and Mireille having an early breakfast tried to settle into a normal routine. Making a shopping list, Mireille with Kirika headed out early to a nearby market to get fresh vegetables. Neither paid much attention to the car, which passed them, the driver a woman from her silhouette was concentrating on her driving and paid no heed to them as they passed each other.

Kirika approached the stall containing sacks of onions from around the globe and wondered among the wares. Finding a familiar symbol, Kirika selected a small plastic mesh sack; then picking it up rejoined Mireille who glanced at what Kirika was carrying and said "Is it not too early yet for those?"

Kirika replied, "They smell sweet," as she continued onward towards the tomato stalls. Mireille smiled briefly recalling that the onions that Kirika carried were from Monsieur Baldwin's home state of Georgia from a place called Vidalia. Kirika had taken a liking to the vegetable after seeing Baldwin eat one like an apple. One had to have the nose and the taste buds to eat such things, but still it lent itself to adding an interesting flavor to certain meals when properly cooked.

Paying for their purchases, Kirika and Mireille walking back to their apartment took a shortcut through the nearby park, which held a small pond. Though chilly, it was comfortable and peaceful. Taking a walking path that would take them towards their apartment, both women heard running feet approaching with that of a dog paws running in rhythm with its master. The hooded figure, head slightly down, at first did not see the women as they closed with each other but sensing their presence looked up in time and slowed to a walk, pulling his hood back as he did.

Randy Baldwin spoke "Well hello to both of you."

With Gregor resting his head on Kirika's feet, Mireille and Randy shared with each other on what each had been doing the past couple of months.

"So that was where he was hiding. I would have loved to been there to see the expression on his face, when he went bye-bye."

Mireille replied, "He was crossing the border with impunity. That is why we spent so much time in Syria and Iraq. We had to be cautious with the military forces in the area as the last thing we wanted was to engage any of them by accident." Randy spoke "So the rumors had been true after all. What a US Marine Battalion had failed to do, Noir had accomplished."

Kirika spoke "They mean well, but such a large group can be seen and avoided. Small numbers however can not." Randy slicing open an onion replied "While they tend to look at the big picture too and not the smaller one. At least you got the bomb maker out of the picture."

Kirika spoke "How are Olivia and Harmony?" Randy about to bite the onion stopped then said "The Terrible Duo as Irena and Nina call them? Up to their usual mischief, I am going to have the guest house repainted because they got hold of some Sharpie markers and not the crayons."

Mireille replied, "How is Madam Baldwin?"

Randy spoke "Doing fine. She is away for a week having taken a temporary teaching position at a French private school at Le Charmel. It is having some difficulties of which may be internal strife or just plain bad luck depending on one how views it."

Kirika replied "Internal problems?" Randy spoke "Kind of hard to explain, you would need to read the background. How about dropping by for lunch and I'll show you."

Agreeing, Noir and Baldwin went their separate ways, with Kirika saying she would look forward to seeing the godchildren. Randy hoped Kirika would have patience; he knew Irena and Nina were reaching theirs.

Saturday, April 1st 1030 Hours, the Le Charmel International School of Academia

The winding road leading to the school was gravel, but well cared for. Gina Baldwin after passing through a stand of trees entered the grounds, which like the road were neat and trim. The buildings dating from the mid-1800 reminded her of her visit to "The Manor".

Dismissing those thoughts, Gina followed the road, which passed through a wall of ancient stone and brick. Following the signs, she continued into the courtyard and parking the car entered the Administrative Building.

Oliver Heaton having seen Gina arriving greeted her as she entered the office "Ah, you must be Madam Baldwin. It is a pleasure to meet you, I am Oliver Heaton," as he held out his hand in greeting. Gina taking it replied "Thank you. Headmistress Camus said you would be here."

Mireille Bouquet holding Harmony in her lap closed the folder then setting it out of the child's reach spoke "If the incidents had not occurred so close together, it would appear to be random incidents. There is a pattern though; each did happen when students were away." Kirika responded "However there were some still at the school. It has boarding facilities and though few in number any of the incidents could have posed a danger to them."

Randy spoke "Agreed, it could have. Nevertheless, Gina thinks that there is another cause. She went to not only teach but also observe. Morale may be part of it. Did someone unhappy with the school cause anything to undermine the school spirit? Think about the student who is working towards his or her goal. It can cause students to loose focus if they have to have on their minds what else might happen, and this can be passed on to the parents or guardians who are footing the tuition. If they feel that their son or daughter is in danger or perceive they are in danger; they will yank that child out without batting an eye."

Mireille replied, "What are you going to do about Madam Baldwin going there in the first place? You showed some concern over her safety, are you satisfied for the time being she is safe?"

Sitting back in his chair Randy spoke "For the time being I am."

The luck of the draw fell to Kelly Summers who was conducting a follow up on the incident at the school. Being that it was the weekend, she had assumed the boiler repair shop closed for the weekend; however arriving at the business, which she found bustling with activity she finally found the owner who was on the shop floor. The secretary having given her ear protection had warned her to be wary of the moving equipment and noise then sending her on her way had announced her presence. The oversized loud speakers barely made a dent in the overall noise.

Finding Brent Legard was not difficult at all for Kelly, the man stood out on the shop floor. Legard seeing his visitor signaled for her to go towards a glass walled office and following her, he opened the door to allow her entry then closing it softly removed his hardhat and said "Mademoiselle, please may I get you anything before we start?"

Asking for coffee, which Brent procured for her they settled at what first appeared to be a large table until Brent settling his large frame into a chair turned and typing on a keyboard pressed several buttons along the edge and said "The full blueprint of the Le Charmel boiler."

The digital display shifted slightly then seemed to move outward and as it did so the building housing the boiler appeared as an outline and then stopping the blueprint began assuming various colors.

Leaning over to look Kelly spoke "Impressive and very detailed. This is the former boiler that was destroyed?"

Brent replied, "Yes Madam it is. However, why it failed in such a drastic manner is puzzling. My company, which bears my name, is a family concern. Four generations of Legard's have headed this company. We have never in the history of this company had a boiler under our care fail."

Brent adjusted the view and rotated the image then said "Legard Industrial and Fabrication assumed responsibility of maintaining the boiler and its associated components some 56 years earlier. That was one year after the school opened. In its original configuration, the boiler was coal fired and fed by an automated feeder system until 1965 when it was converted to oil fired."

Kelly tracing a colored box spoke "This area here was that the coal bunkers?" Brent grunted then replied "Yes. After the conversion, an external above ground storage tank, that is the area in yellow. Then in 1995, conversion to burn natural gas, supplied through a distribution manifold, which is in green. The oil tank was removed at that time and the original auger feeder for the coal system was finally dismantled."

Summers reviewing her notes spoke "The most recent maintenance was rebricking and retubing by your company altered the actual output of the boiler from 600 to 300 PSI, can I ask why?"

Brent replied "Unneeded excess. Original configuration was to power two steam turbine generators. It now only has one, and the steam distribution system bypassed in favor of individual heating and cooling units in most of the occupied buildings. The plant building is used as a science building and it had much lower power requirements than it did when it served what were the winery manufacturing facilities."

Kelly spoke "What has this done to your company personally Monsieur Legard? I have read your testimony to the Ministry of Engineering when they investigated the failure. You were adamant it could not have been material failure from anything that your company did to the equipment. The final results from the investigation were inconclusive."

Brent sighed then said "Madam Summers it has affected my business, my reputation and personal integrity. I have gone to great lengths to make things right, absorbing costs of designing, fabrication and installation of a new boiler even without payment by insurance by utilizing a repair bond established when the original contract written to include that measure. I will not be satisfied until I am able to do the installation. Unfortunately, the school council and the president of that council whose name is Sanford Christopher will not allow me to replace it because they now consider my work shoddy. Until then we are at an impasse. Is there any other questions you have?"

Kelly Summers replied, "No there is not, but I would like to see the remains of the boiler. I do understand that you do have it here do you not?" Brent Legard stood shutting off the table display then spoke "Yes, I do. Please put on your hearing protection and follow me please," then Kelly pondering what Brent had said asked another question "Monsieur Legard can you tell me about this repair bond you spoke of while we examine the remnants of the boiler?" Legard opening the door nodded in silence as he exited the office.

Saturday, April 1st 1230 Hours, the Le Charmel International School of Academia

Oliver Heaton assisted Gina Baldwin from the table then together they walked out of the school dinning facility to where the motorized cart sat parked. Getting behind the wheel Heaton spoke "I regret that you could not meet more of the staff, but in truth very few of us live here in the faculty living quarters. Madam Camus had hoped to be here but I guess the final interview took longer than expected."

The hum of the motor began, and the cart moved along the pea gravel path back towards the Administration Building. Since large vehicles prohibited from driving on school grounds, her rented car had remained behind in the parking lot. Gina spoke "Perhaps she may have had to do another interview?"

Oliver replied as he turned the cart onto the path that would take them to the parking lot "Only one applicant responded. From what I understand, the bloke had been in Syria teaching and may have been her last but only choice on short notice. Ah perhaps they are here now. Madam's Camus car is back."

Oliver stopping the cart, stood up and walking to the door of the Administration Building opened it for Gina then followed her inside. Madam Camus's voice heard coming from her office "Monsieur Davis I am sure that there is no need to remind you that your stay will be probationary. I expect one to be fully sober and in full control of their faculties when on campus. Is that fully understood?"

Davis apparently tried to appear chastised enough, the voice in reply "Yes Headmistress, it will not happen again. I assure you that I will meet your standards and more."

"Very well Monsieur Davis, you are excused. Monsieur Heaton and another arrival Madam Baldwin will be here shortly. You can catch a lift with them to the faculty living quarters, you are excused."

Francis Davis left the office and seeing both Oliver and Gina averted his eyes as he passed both. Oliver watching him leave the building spoke "That does not bode well."

Gina turning to face the office found the headmistress standing in the doorway and spoke "I suppose it is not the best way to start off a new job."

The headmistress addressed Oliver "Monsieur Heaton when Madam Baldwin is ready please taking her along with our new arrival to the faculty living quarters so that they may be settled. Madam Baldwin you will find a cart for your use there so that you can become familiar with the campus. You will have free time till 6 PM where we will have dinner at the dining hall with the school council; until then good day," then Headmistress Camus turned away and closed the door.

Oliver spoke "I think that was our cue. Madam Baldwin I will help with your luggage. Shall we proceed?" Gina seeing a different side of the headmistress she had not seen before replied, "Lead the way please."

Saturday, April 1st 1500 Hours, Foundation Guest Residence

Olivia and Harmony seemed to clap at the end of the music after the final note performed by their half-sister Ashley, and then they managed to get to their feet and walking in a wobbly baby fashion headed for the hallway where Irena their stepsister stood waiting.

Gathering the "Terrible Duo" together, she guided them off towards the playroom followed by Gregor.

Finishing up in the kitchen, Corey heard the doorbell ring and entered the hallway to answer the door. Checking to see whom it was, he announced to Randy his stepfather as he came out of the study "It's Ms. Summers!"

Opening the door and greeting her, Corey spoke "Working on a Saturday?"

Patting Corey on the shoulder, Kelly replied "Sometimes we have to do that in France," then greeting his stepfather; Kelly returned to the study with Randy and the doors closed.

Randy returning to his desk spoke "How did the visit turn out?"

Kelly replied, "Legard's pride has been hurt badly as has his reputation. I went by his house first expecting him there, but his wife said he was at the plant. Sure enough he was. It was going full bore. Legard brought up an interesting point not in the report. Legard's company cannot replace the wrecked boiler, even though he did remove the wreckage. He has manufactured a new one and it is ready to go but the school council is refusing him permission to enter the premises to install it. He went so far to state that he had offered to pay another firm to do the installation but the council again refused."

Randy replied "Money issue perhaps? I did review the financial situation and the school is on bad ground. Perhaps the council wants another company to design and build the new boiler at a cheaper cost."

Kelly withdrawing a folder replied, "That may have been implied; however Legard has a repair bond. The bond was part of the first contract written 56 years ago; in case of catastrophic failure, the boiler had replacement guarantees. No need for insurance or for that matter tapping funds earmarked for education of the students."

Randy turned to the computer keyboard and typing several commands brought up the financial records to review them again then said, "Ok so what the hell is going on? What else did you learn?"

Kelly spoke as she handed Baldwin photographs "Close up's of some of the components. See anything that might catch your eye?"

Taking them from Kelly, Randy perused them one by one then returned to a photo of a safety valve and spoke "The adjustment bolt has tooling marks, looks like something made by a pipe wrench."

Summers replied "Good eye. Legard's people never ever use such tools when making adjustments. They use calibrated spanner wrenches fitted with torque devices to make adjustments. That bolt head was part of a safety valve of which there were five fitted to the boiler system. Based on their individual positions, each valve was set to increase maximum pressure settings far beyond specifications of the boiler itself. In short, sir, it was sabotage. The remaining valves that were found showed the same adjustments as well."

Randy spoke "What was the hold-up for the installation of the new boiler in the first place besides the school council?"

Kelly Summers reviewing her notes said, "It would have required a deep excavation to tunnel underneath the building. That was what caused the council to veto the installation. There is no money issue. Never has been. I do not think even Headmistress Camus is fully aware of what is going on. Someone is trying to deceive her and the parents of the children attending that school."