NOIR

Chapter One

Secrets

By Steve Edward

The characters of Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura are neither owned by me nor my original creations. These two characters are based on the original anime series by Ryoe Tsukimura.

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

Any descriptions of buildings, specific locations are from the authors' perspective and any geographical errors are entirely the responsibility of the author.

(For time line references and other information, please refer to the end of Chapter 7.)

The recent past 6 months earlier... near City of Lula, Hall County, Georgia, United States.

Waking up at 5 AM on the late October Saturday, Randy Baldwin headed to do his chores and stopped to check on Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura. He found both bedrooms empty, which he had expected. Their assignment had been completed, and both had little reason to stay further.

Finding the note on the table, Randy read it briefly then smiled. Placing it back on the table he headed to the stable to get the chores done with.

Mireille and Kirika respectfully were looking out their windows, far below the coastline of the United States passed beneath the charted Gulfstream V. The aircraft having lifted off from Peachtree-Dekalb Airport 45 minutes earlier was enroute non-stop to France.

Mireille turned to Kirika, "Did you keep it Kirika? Without turning Kirika nodded, "Yes Mireille I did." So had Mireille, the notes on their individual beds had asked that they keep the keys.

Kirika pondered the saying she had found in her note, "The thread binds, yet it becomes separate. Weaved together, each thread forms a bond that becomes stronger over time, those who are the threads, that may pass in the night but within the day; they will see."

Present day... April. Paris, France.

The outdoor café among the many found in Paris, was not overly crowded. Randy Baldwin sat rereading the final report that he was submitting to his client. Randy had accepted the consulting job after being approached by the financial institution's representative in the United States in early February.

At first the idea that the prospective client was being fleeced by one of their own employees had been hard to swallow but their internal investigation had been stymied with lack of mistrust and cooperation from within their institution. Approaching Randy Baldwin with their problem, he had been requested to handle the matter with the utmost discretion.

Nearly one and half months later he was finished, the employee responsible a computer programmer for the bank had been identified, arrested and was calling a Paris, France jail his new home for now. The man's excuse was to support two families neither of which knew the other.

Setting the report back into his briefcase, Randy took in the ambiance of Paris. The afternoon street traffic was light, pedestrian traffic seemed light as well but that too would soon increase as Parisians left from work to their homes then to casual observers the French penchant for taking a never ending weekend vacation.

Kirika Yumura, walking from the market had turned the corner and with both arms encumbered her at first thought the two men behind her were by happenstance going the same direction she was. Briefly stopping at a shop window display, she observed the two men come to a stop as well with one looking directly at her.

Turning and continuing the same direction she had been walking she approached the next intersection and after debating whether to cross the street she instead turned and headed down the side street. Approaching the outdoor café, she noted that there were few patrons present. With the exception of a lone man and woman each sitting at separate tables there would be no way for her to loose herself in the afternoon crowd passing just beyond.

The two bags of groceries landing directly in front of him on the table startled Randy, that he was already reaching in under his jacket to withdraw the Colt Combat Commander. Turning to see who had disturbed his revere the young woman standing next to him spun around and assumed an unmistakable defensive stance.

Randy could not see who it was initially but standing and pushing the chair away he stepped to her side, "Well fancy meeting you here? Is there a problem Kirika?"

Kirika Yumura withholding the surprise within her, "Mr. Baldwin this is not the time for pleasantries." The two men continued their advance, one of the men smirking, spoke in French "So the yellow bitch has a white dog for a husband."

Kirika about to reply was stopped by a hand being placed on her shoulder by Randy, who shook his head no and replied in French, "She is neither my wife nor my servant. My personal preference is close friend. What ever your game is, I would suggest you turn around and walk away now otherwise retribution will be swift and final."

The snick of a switch blade opening meant to bring fear only served to make Randy smile and to motion with his finger," Bring it on jackass," as Randy stepping ahead of Kirika dodged the slashing movement of wielder then grabbing the wrist; Randy twisted and raising his knee slammed the man's arm into his upward moving knee cap.

Kirika watched as the second man charged, and he too had a switch blade. The blade glinting in the afternoon sun missed its mark and the man was sent flying into an empty table. Randy having broken his attackers arm twisted behind him and kicked the man's knee's out from under him sending the attacker into concrete pavement face first.

The second attacker should have quit while ahead, but pushing himself off the ground he charged at Kirika again, who met his charge with a flying high kick that connected just below his chin, sending the man backwards into the table occupied by the woman who had been too shocked to move. The woman screaming, picked up a half empty bottle wine and slammed it across the back of the man's head.

The sounds of police whistles coming from several different directions caught the attention of Kirika who turned to Randy, "We should leave now. There could be some difficult questions," as Randy brushing his jacket off "You should leave, I will handle the Gendarmes."

Reaching for a table napkin, Randy hurriedly wrote where he was staying along with a brief message for Mireille and he included the room number and the telephone number and gave it to Kirika, "We can meet later; this is where I am staying. Now go."

Emphasizing the need for Kirika to depart, Randy picked up the grocery bags and placed them in her arms and giving a surprise peck on her cheek, "Kirika don't worry. I will handle it." He turned away and approached the man entangled with the elderly patron and lifted the man from the woman's feet then dragged him next to his cohort.

Kirika walking away looked over her shoulder as Randy Baldwin, slammed the man downward into the pavement the fury that seemed so out of character for the man she had previously known.

Checking to make sure Kirika had indeed left Randy turned his attention to the elderly woman. Speaking to her softly and comforting her, he quickly settled her down then turned to the stunned shop keeper and ordered him to bring another bottle of wine for his patron, which he did so.

Speaking with the first Gendarme to arrive on the scene, Randy gave the officer a business card of an Inspector with the Paris Police with whom he had been working with. By telephone the Inspector had vouched for Randy Baldwin and the authorization that he could carry a weapon. Satisfied with the explanation from Randy Baldwin; the officers hauled off the two offenders the street thugs who had a known history of picking on foreigners.

Noting the time Randy excused himself, and ensured that the elderly patron was taken care of and settled the bill with the proprietor who was compensated for the disturbance and the minor damage to café's property. Heading for the nearby taxi stand, he was unaware that Kirika observing from across the street. She soon lost sight of the American as the taxi bore him to his destination, in her pocket the folded napkin bearing the name of his hotel. She pondered what Mireille would think, as she walked off into the afternoon crowd.

Kirika arrived at the apartment and briefly checked the mail, which there was none. Climbing the flight of stairs, Kirika entered the apartment that she had shared with Mireille for the past five years. Passing the pool table, she saw that the laptop was on but the screen saver was active. Mireille in the kitchen, turned to greet Kirika "Hello Kirika did the shopping go well?"

Kirika setting the groceries down on the counter nodded, "Yes Mireille, I was able to get everything on the list; however two men attempted to accost me on the way home."

Mireille somewhat stunned, "Who were they? Did you know them?" Kirika replied, "No I have never seen them before. The two men were street hoodlums."

Mireille leaning against the counter frowned, "What happened Kirika?" Kirika sighed, "I encountered a man who helped. It was Mr. Baldwin from America, who was sitting at an outdoor café." Mireille whose mouth was half open, "The Randy Baldwin?" Kirika nodded, "Yes."

Kirika went on to explain what had transpired, and in the end his desire for her to leave. Kirika then removed the folded napkin and gave it to Mireille who read the short message and where he was staying.

The meeting with the client concluded shortly before 4 PM. Satisfied that the problem had been handled; the client turned the computer monitor around for Randy to view his compensation. Shaking the proffered hand, Randy nodded and with a tap of the key the agreed upon sum was immediately transferred to an account within the United States. Bidding farewell, Randy headed back to his hotel.

Mireille Bouquet inwardly fumed, "Here in Paris. The audacity to blatantly make contact in such a way, why had Randy Baldwin not called or written that he was in Paris." Kirika noted he was well dressed, but his manner had changed. Outgoing, flirtatious and affectionate had been Kirika's surprising assessment of Randy's personality.

Entering the lobby of the hotel, Mireille observed that it was high end and opulent. The lower rooms were considerably expensive for even the well heeled. The room that Randy had been calling home would make some blanch at the cost.

Stopping at the concierge desk to verify that Mr. Baldwin was indeed staying at the hotel, the concierge replied that he was and asked Mireille would she like to call and see if he was receiving visitors. Mireille with a smile, "Mr. Baldwin is expecting me, thank you for your time."

Mireille turned and walked to the elevators and nodded to Kirika who had just entered the lobby. Both women entered the elevator together and Kirika pressed the button for the penthouse floor. The concierge picked up the telephone and dialed the penthouse suite.

Randy picked up the phone on the second ring, "Mr. Baldwin so sorry to disturb your evening but there are two women coming to the penthouse. Were you expecting company?" Randy chuckled, "Mr. Rachis, yes I am. Thank you for the call. I will place an order with room service shortly." Hanging up the phone, Randy turned and walked to the sitting room to await the knock.

Mireille and Kirika stepped off the elevator into the foyer of the penthouse suite, the marbled floors glistened softly. The soft music playing from within the suite a Bach ensemble issued forth.

Kirika turned to her right and walked slowly down the hallway testing the side doors as she passed all of which were locked. Mireille having turned left had done the same then returning to the central entrance doors with Kirika and stepping to the side rapped softly with her knuckles near the middle part of the door.

Debating a moment to himself, Randy noted the position of the knock on the door then shrugging his shoulders picked up the nearby remote and issued the command to open both doors as one.

Instead of one opening as Mireille and Kirika had expected, both rapidly opened fully exposing both to full view from within. Randy Baldwin took note of the Beretta and the Walther that Kirika and Mireille had in their hands, "Ms. Bouquet, Ms. Yumura will you both come in and make yourselves comfortable."

Mireille brought the Walther P-99 into firing position and scanned the room, "Who else is here Mr. Baldwin?"

Taking in the agitated appearance of Mireille, Randy replied "I am alone. Now put the gun down. You too Kirika, Mireille just what the hell do you think you are doing? Had I expected this kind of greeting from either of you I would have reconsidered giving permission for you to access the penthouse."

Standing from the sofa, Randy approached Mireille who continued to aim the Walther at him, "Had you bothered to answer your phone in the past month, you might not be so damn rattled about now."

Randy frowned as the Walther held by Mireille continued to be aimed rock steady at his forehead, "Perhaps I should have not interfered, but being the gentleman that I am, I interposed myself between the hoodlums and Kirika. Is this the thanks that I get from old friends?"

Mireille slowly lowered the Walther, "You tried to call?" as Mireille snapped in reply. Randy who had stopped at an arms length from Mireille replied; "Several times young lady. I have been here in Paris on business for the past month and a half. I was tempted to write you and Kirika while here, but figured with the phone not being answered that you were preoccupied elsewhere. It was by accident that I bumped into Kirika or I should say she bumped into me, so that was when I gave her that message on the napkin."

Randy turned away and walked towards the dinning area, "Well make up your mind. Either come in or leave. I've got to call for room service so if you want to stay for dinner make yourselves comfortable and peruse the menu then tell me what you want. It's on me or I should say the client that I have been working for. They've been paying for these digs."

Mireille followed by Kirika entered the sitting room and into the dinning area where Mireille found a setting for three at the table, "So you did expect us Mr. Baldwin?" as Randy turned and handed both the menus; "Yes, though I was expecting a much warmer greeting from both of you; but I suppose in your line of work it does pay to be careful."

After placing their orders, Randy returned with Mireille and Kirika to the sitting room to play catch-up. Randy started first, "After you both left in October, the investigation into Martinez's activities went into full swing. He had his fingers into various activities, the drugs, human trafficking and weapons smuggling and of course the development of a bio-terror weapon. Martinez was using his legal enterprises to launder his proceeds. The Fed's were kept busy for the next three months shutting down all of his operations. Had Martinez survived there would have been little doubt he would have faced the death penalty."

Randy sat back on the sofa and dropped the bomb shell, "I decided to start a relationship with a young widow; that both of you met. Gina Frazier."

Mireille with a frown, "So you have come out of your shell," as Randy blushed; "You could say that Mireille." Kirika took the news in stride, "I wondered why you were so emotional. You seemed to be enjoying yourself today." Randy chuckled, "Ah yes the street hoodlum, and I did rather enjoy smashing his face into the pavement. I guess I got carried away; especially when he tried to call me Kirika's husband that is what I took offense to."

Mireille noting the briefcase, "Randy what kind of business trip were you here for in Paris? A month and half seems a bit much."

The knock on the door interrupted the conversation. Room Service had arrived with the meal. After the plates were set, Randy dismissed the waiter with a sizable tip and returned to his guests.

Randy took up the question, "I was retained for a consulting assignment here in Paris at the behest of a financial institution that had a sophisticated employee scam involving skimming monies during money wire transfers. The financial institution had recently upgraded their software and it was only then that they found the ongoing issue. Their internal investigation was getting nowhere so they contacted me.

I found the culprit and he is now residing in a local jail. The total take was in the millions of Francs, based on the length of time he had the scam running."

Kirika raising an eyebrow, "Just how long had the man been running the scam?" Randy setting the wine bottle into the chiller, "Nearly 24 years, the man who was a programmer for the financial institution was supporting two families neither of which knew about the other; at least not till now, and adding to the mess was that he had several co-workers covering his activities in exchange for part of the take. His co-workers by the way have joined him as cell mates."

Announcing that all was ready, Randy seated Mireille and Kirika then opening the wine bottle, Randy served the White Chardonnay to both then took his seat. Mireille noting that Randy was not drinking, "Mr. Baldwin is there a reason you are not partaking?" Randy nodding his head yes, "I wish I could but I am flying in the morning, so I like to have a clear head."

Mireille setting the wine glass down, "I had assumed you were flying commercial, did you utilize another method?" With a smile Randy replied, "Yes. I flew my own plane here to Paris, which I own. It is a Gulfstream V."

Randy taking a bite of his Ribeye, "Now it's your turn Mireille. What have you and Kirika been up to?"

Mireille taking a bite of her Duck, "After we left the United States and returned to France; we had other assignments to complete. We have been rather busy of late."

Mireille musing, busy was a misnomer. Both she and Kirika had been back in Paris for only 3 days and neither had taken anytime off between assignments.

Randy taking note of Mireille's somewhat jittery behavior, "So in short Mireille, you and Kirika have been going at it non-stop since the last time we met and that was October?"

Kirika interrupted, "Yes, except for a brief lay over here in Paris, we would go to our next assignment."

Mireille frowned, "We did take brief periods of rest." Randy glanced up from his baked potato, "Where on an airplane? That is no place for rest or relaxation." Randy mused a moment, "Mireille, the offer that I made to you and Kirika is still open. Perhaps it is time to take me up on that offer?"

Kirika seemed to reflect on something, "Then it would be no trouble to stay at you home, especially with Mrs. Frazier being present?" Randy chuckled, "No trouble at all. Corey and Ashley both have been asking about both of you recently. They took a liking to the both of you."

Randy pushing aside his plate, "Look, it is not everyday you can go somewhere and just relax, Mireille. Only Sheriff Phil Nagel, Doctor Francis and his wife Darla know your true identities besides me. Gina and the kids think you are private investigators. There are plenty of things to see or do and if you want to relax on the porch then that will be fine too."

Randy turned and retrieved a pad of hotel stationary, "I will be at the airfield by 8 AM, and will depart by 9 AM. Bring what ever you want, including your weapons. I'll make arrangement with US Customs for clearance at Brunswick, Maine then it will be a straight flight to Atlanta from Brunswick. If you feel you can't take up my offer call that number by 8:45AM. But I would appreciate the company, it gets lonely up there."

Bidding farewell to Randy Baldwin, Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura departed the hotel and returned to their apartment. Mireille sitting at the laptop looked that the list of waiting messages. Their writers had sent them with various levels of urgency, the e-mails a never ending stream calling out for the services of Noir.

Kirika watering a plant near the window, "Mireille, perhaps Mr. Baldwin is correct. We do need a break from our activities." Mireille spun in her chair, "Kirika! Are you getting soft on me?" as Kirika frowned then replied, "No Mireille I am not. But you have become edgy of late. May it be due to lack of needed relaxation?"

Mireille tapped the keyboard to continue scrolling through the messages, "I am not edgy, what makes you think that I am?" Kirika walked next to Mireille and place her hands on her shoulders, "Because you are overly tense and you have been snapping at me for no apparent reason. Then there was of course your behavior towards Mr. Baldwin. You were snapping at him as well."

Mireille seemed to flinch, "I was not snapping at Randy!" Kirika sighed, "Yes you were and you are doing so now. Mr. Baldwin not only observed your agitated state but sensed it as well." Kirika turned and walked to her bedroom, "Mireille, I have decided to accept Mr. Baldwin's offer; I am going to pack." Mireille watching as Kirika ascended the stairs to her sleeping area clinched her hands in anger but relaxed them. Sighing Mireille stood as well, "Kirika if you are going, then I will as well."

Randy Baldwin arrived early at the airfield located near Toussus-le-Noble, France and began preparations for departure. Stowing the few extra goodies that he had purchased for Gina, Corey and Ashley; Randy having ensured the additional fuel load out had been carried out began pre-flight of the Gulfstream V.

The fuselage a sky blue and the contrasting pale green underbelly glistened with the morning sun rise. Randy within the right landing gear bay examining the hardware extracted himself to find a pair of feet standing next to the starboard wing.

Kirika Yumura had watched Randy Baldwin closely scrutinize the Gulfstream. Walking to the right wing, she waited for him to come out of the landing gear bay.

Duck walking till he cleared the wing, Randy Baldwin then stood to his full height of 6 feet 2 inches and grinned as he embraced Kirika, "Well I see that you have come. Where is Mireille?"

Kirika who had blushed, "Mireille is behind you." Mireille coming around the tail of the aircraft had witnessed Randy's embrace of Kirika, "Mr. Baldwin, I decided to consider your offer..." as Mireille was interrupted by Randy warmly embracing her as well.

Randy stepped back taking in Mireille's surprised expression, "That was for last night, it is rather difficult to hug a woman pointing a gun to one's head." Momentarily speechless, Mireille took in Randy's humorous expression, "You did that deliberately!"

Randy bending over and picking up Mireille's luggage, "Of course I did. Everyone needs a hug every now and then." Turning to Kirika, "Hey Kirika where's your luggage?" as Randy began to walk around the nose of the aircraft, Kirika replied, "It is sitting at the boarding stairs."

Climbing onboard and stowing the luggage, Randy placed two phone calls. One to his home in Georgia and leaving a message on the answering machine which Gina Frazier would get later in the morning, for her to bring the Mercedes Benz 600 to the airport for picking him and his guests up and to have Angelina Lopez prepare the guest rooms.

The other call to advise US Customs of his expected arrival in Brunswick, Maine.

The caterer brought the meal orders to the aircraft 15 minutes before departure and Randy stowed them in the galley. Satisfied that all was in order, he slipped off the coveralls he had been wearing and then stepped out to the boarding stairs, "Well all aboard to Atlanta, Georgia. Mireille and Kirika climbed the boarding stairs and with the assistance of the ground crew, the boarding door was secured."

The Gulfstream lifted cleanly from Toussus-le-Noble at 8:55AM then circled over Paris as Randy pointed the aircraft's nose westward, and clearing French airspace 35 minutes later the Gulfstream continued its climb to its service and cruise altitude of 50,000 feet.

Randy called out over the intercom that it was safe to move about the cabin and Mireille walked forward to the cockpit, "Randy may I join you?" Randy glanced up and nodded with a smile then patted the un-occupied co-pilot seat, "Have a seat Mireille, what's on your mind?"

After adjusting the seat with the help of Randy, Mireille sat "How did you know about the number of assignments?" Randy chuckled, "It is not hard to guess. Before October of last year how many other assignments did you take on previously?"

Mireille closed her eyes briefly, "Too many Randy." Nodding in agreement Randy adjusted the throttles, "I went through the same situation several times. There was always something that suddenly became a high priority issue that had to be resolved then and there."

Engaging the autopilot Randy pushed back the seat and briefly scanned the instruments, "There are only the two of you, you happen to be your own boss and you make the decisions on where and when to act. You and Kirika go in, take care of the assignment and then go home for just enough time for planning the next assignment and then carry it out. It's a vicious circle and it seems never ending."

Mireille took in the relaxed attitude of Randy Baldwin, "You seem so carefree now, what happened to make the change?" Randy grinned, "Well I told you that I've started a relationship with Gina Frazier. I guess she has settled me down a bit. The guilt that I carried from Julia Summers death had weighed me down too long and I had little interest in women as a whole. After you and Kirika mashed it out of me in the parking lot of the wildlife preserve; I realized afterward that the only ones in my life who I had any sort of relationship with had been with the co-workers in the Agency or others engaged in my type of work."

Mireille smiled, "Gina has gone one to wrap you around her fingers has she not?" Randy grinning, "Yes you could say she has. Corey and Ashley have garnered my attention as well."

Mireille became more serious, "How much does Gina know about your true background? As Mireille turned sideways in the seat, Randy replied "She knows about the Agency work and of course the killing that I have done. Neither Corey nor Ashley does not know, Gina and I agreed upon that."

Randy adjusting a setting on the overhead control board, "Gina of course still thinks of you and Kirika as private investigators and has no knowledge of your true occupation, which is something I prefer that the both of you keep from Corey and Ashley."

Taking a note of the time, Randy scanned the instruments and satisfied that all was in order, turned to Mireille, "How about a bite to eat. It's definitely not airline fare. I had the caterer pickup the order from my hotel where I was staying. Brazed beef tips with buttered asparagus and a side of salad. It will tide us over till we get to Atlanta, besides the best time will be to eat now, because I'll be busy in the cockpit once we hit the States."

Joining Kirika in the main cabin, Mireille accepted the dinning plates from Randy who passed them from the small galley. Kirika who had perused the interior set her meal on a nearby table and waited for Randy to join, "Mr. Baldwin is this aircraft yours?"

Randy leaned out of the galley and nodded, "Yes it is Kirika. Bought it used. It had three hundred hours on the airframe. The previous owner got into a tad bit of trouble over failure to pay taxes, so I got it for rather good discount."

Strolling aft, Randy paused at a display screen and turned it on. It was displaying the vital statistics of the aircraft, "His personal tastes left a lot to be desired so I had to fly it to the factory so Gulf Stream could refurbish it. This thing used to sport a miniature rotating and vibrating bed about where Mireille is sitting. Then there were the interior colors, the guy loved pink and reds with matching lights to boot. I really have no idea how the previous pilots could stand to fly this thing. The exterior paint job was a lime green, ultra-brilliant shade. From a distance it looked like a flying fire engine."

Mireille laughed, "What did the previous owner do for a living?" Randy thinking a moment, "He was in the music industry if I recall, but certain things happened and he ended up going bankrupt after the tax issue came up."

Randy glanced briefly at the display monitor and turned to Kirika, "So you are wondering what I would need this aircraft for? Big side benefit one does not have to fly in the commercial cattle cars. Being in consulting, there are times that when I need to address a clients' problem at multiple locations. With little worry about having to live by the flight schedules but set my own, I can address the concerns of a client more quickly."

Finishing the meal, Randy returned to the galley and stowed the dishes, "Kirika if you would like to take the right seat for the landing at Brunswick you might like the view." Mireille nodded to Kirika who briefly smiled and then walked into the cockpit with Randy, who announced; "45 minutes from touch down Mireille. Please bring all trays to the stowage position at this time and please buckle up." The humor of the statement not lost on Mireille as she realized she still had to put her dishes in the galley.

The brief lay over in Brunswick to clear customs last less than 15 minutes and after topping off the tanks, Randy lifted the Gulfstream off the runway and headed south.

Arriving at Peachtree-Dekalb Airport two hours later, and 20 minutes late because of thunderstorms; Randy set the Gulfstream down smoothly. Taxiing to Epps Flight Services he could see Gina Frazier standing at the window looking out as he brought the aircraft to a smooth stop.