Chapter 9

Benjamin after having fallen asleep on Cal and Eleonore's living room couch. During the time that had passed while events had unfolded at The Argent Suites Hotel. He hadn't been hard to awaken to be told he was going to finally be saying goodbye the country he'd first starting being in for military duly, months ago. How easily the solider was brought back to being awake and alert, ready to move on to the next thing. The party made a bet and even verbalized it to him when they were back in the truck. Lawrence confirmed what they thought when settling into the flatbed. To get in a relaxed position after eyeing his souvenir beside him in a cupped position to one of his elbows. "The army trains you. Be ready for action always."

The additional cargo to the paintings he now had with him. His souvenir, Eleonore had given the duo employed American, as a departing gift. A Jumeau doll that in her wording to him, she had told him to keep it to remind him he wasn't alone. It had never crossed his mind to ever own such a thing but now in his possession. It's fine art crafted detail sinking into his mind of the skill which had to have been put to work for making such a thing. The bestowed upon it sentiment given to it, as it became his. If anyone working for the military questioned his non-manly small companion made of porcelain. He'd give them an earful for the act.

Sadie's return to the fold had been strange to observe. The Sûreté had known she was the cause behind every vandalized vehicle they had seen in the hotel's parking lot. The information about who had done the act hadn't been volunteered out of her. Instead they knew it because Jocelyn noticing the mystery girl not coming forward with the confession, told them. Amazingly enough though not complicating her departure from their station. They let her go but only after she paid them with the only thing of true value to herself. It also happened to have been what had damaged all the cars. They forced her to turn over her knife to them, and also instead of forcing jail time on her. She was sure two notes to her played in favor of that. One being what they had made her do in going their morgue. Identifying the at first unknown body as her own sister. Two she was a foreigner very far from home. Instead of jail time, she'd been told to leave France to never return again or else she would be seeing bars lining a wall before her for a long time.

What had made her return strange to observe was her in bearing, saddened demeanor. Turned over in emotion fast when she'd come to Cal's pickup truck, looking only concerned with the appearance & status of her paintings. It had raised more than one set of eyebrows at the act. For which she replied, noticing their observation of her. "I've come all this way. I've lost so much. I don't want them damaged too."

Her comment was accepted without verbal question. Even when boarding the re-fueled plane that had been used to get the party to the country in the first place. When Cal had offered his assistance again in moving the paintings. This time politely turning down the offer. It was figured she had a right to be over cautious of the handling of the framed art.

The trip back over the ocean started differently than the first flight had. Because instead of feeling nervous about the flight, ready to do as told by the pair of seniors that had journeyed more than he ever had. This time he wanted to take a chance on his nerves, requesting he get the window seat. Sadie not beside him on the journey back, her placement accepted but all around considered unorthodox, sitting back in the cargo section of the plane as to better keep an eye on her claim. The staff of the aircraft remembering what the mystery girl had done on the trip to France when they noticed her chosen position. Removed the backup fueling drum from her sight. Also removing a jug of concentrated orange juice they were grateful she had failed to notice on the initial Journey. Greg with his more personal suitcase sitting beside him. In what would have been Sadie's seat, watched the plane ascend beyond small wisps of clouds before asking what was on his mind.

Jocelyn and Patrick listened to him, as did Lawrence. He could tell this type of staff member to ACME had never occurred to them before to have. But if it helped getting word out there who they were and what they did. It would likely bring more work to them. More people ready to enlist in service employment to them as the solider put it. Also it would if heard by the right meaning the very worst people out there. Drive more fear into VILE because of their history dealing with the organization. That they were ready for whatever the evil group threw at them.

The idea, the reporter proposed was accepted. It just wouldn't be starting up right after returning to the United States. Details needed to be worked out & formalities had to be addressed, business, financial and social on his end. When everything important got spoken of. Even where current staff brought back to The Empire State, where he'd stay while settling into his homeland again. Further still what could be handled while still away from home. With the exception of the staff not in the cockpit. Them still wanting to keep a leery eye on Sadie even though she was not in a position to further cause trouble. Everyone but the staff rested even dozing off and on while the trip progressed back to New York.

When the plane landed back at Idlewild Airport, Lawrence religiously praised god and all angels he could name off the top of his head. Then he kissed everyone of the party, even including those that kept the aircraft running smoothly. Greg departed their company with promise of following up with them the moment he knew when his recorded on trip content would be broadcast over WGBH's airwaves. Sadie departed company with the ACME staff, thanking them and taking a curtsy. Before she tightened her grip on her things & headed away to try and catch a cab.

Crowded, busy, and looking the same has it had when the pair had left the city. Patrick and Jocelyn felt proud their trip overseas had gone mostly overall well. While they watched streets, buildings and people pass by the cab they were in. What they were used to was here again in their lives and promise was coming things were about to get better. It was only a mild wonder to either of them if by now Bernard Powl was still staying in their home. Likely not but if forced to. If now two guests would be in their home. They had before the trip, debated where Chester would be sleeping in their place. Patrick's bed became the answer to that. Where would Powl be sleeping while arrangements happened to get him back to his family in Missouri? That became Jocelyn's bed. Now returning home, Chester would be leaving their place. So worry about not being able to accommodate Benjamin ceased, remembering that thought. Although that still meant at least one of them had to sleep on the couch. While their employed solider made arrangements to get to his true home.

A polite knock on the door to the grand sized apartment, sounded right before it's residents made their way into it. At hearing the sounds coming from the living room. Chester slammed down the book he'd been reading against the desk before him. Then ran to greet the company having just entered. He had doubted without seeing who'd entered at first, the people intruding on the place were unwelcome guests or potential clients for ACME to take on their cases. He was sure and had discovered he was right, that the people who had entered were his bosses. But he was surprised to see one face he didn't know.

Wanting to question later who was the roughed up looking person who appeared to be a solider. Chester attempted to sound calm delivering news that had been gnawing at his mind ever since he'd learned of it. "The mystery woman, Ms. Sadie Louveofran remember how you had me check her prints? You didn't. I hope you didn't help her abroad right?"

"We did help her. Chester, please tell me you aren't saying what I think you're saying?" Jocelyn asked, removing her lite jacket. To place it on the dual coat & hat rack, not far from the living room's entrance.

"You just aided a career criminal," Chester replied.

The End