NOIR

Chapter Two

Secrets

By Steve Edward

Gina Frasier stood inside the Fixed Based Operations building of Epps Aviation at Peachtree-Dekalb Airport watching Randy Baldwin finish the post-flight checks of the Gulfstream. She had last seen him in mid-February, during the preparation for his departure. Between the bitter cold and the snow showers Gina had felt more like she was in Michigan than in Georgia.

The passing thunderstorms had cleansed the air, the sun breaking through the clouds raising the steam from the pavement; Randy finally made his way to the Operations Building with his two guests, Kirika Yumura and Mireille Bouquet. Placing his flight case and luggage on the floor Randy embraced Gina rather tightly, "I missed you. How are the kids?"

Gina stepped back and smiled, "Corey and Ashley both are doing well. How was the flight?" Randy chuckled, "Over the Atlantic it was fine, but coming south along the seaboard it was nothing but a traffic jam. Thank god I did not have to go into Hartsfield-Jackson otherwise we would still be up there."

Turning to Mireille and Kirika, Gina welcomed and then embraced Mireille and Kirika, much to the surprise of both. Gina smiling offered to help carry their luggage, "Angelina had your rooms prepared and everything is ready for you. Oh yes, Randy I had a rental car delivered to the farm so that if they wanted to go anywhere they could. I figured they would like to have their own car."

Exiting the building, the group walked to the Mercedes Benz 600 which Gina had driven from the farm "Randy did tell me to bring the Benz; at least it was better than having to drive that big Hummer the last time." Kirika replied, "You had to drive the Hummer?"

Gina frowned, "Yes. It was in February when Randy left, a rather nasty snow storm comes through and he had to drive the Hummer down here. It took me four hours to get back to Hall County from here. So many people got stuck in the snow that it messed up traffic. I was impressed with that thing; it sure goes through the snow rather easy."

Loading the luggage in the trunk, Randy was passed the keys by Gina who got in the passenger seat and Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura took the rear. Exiting the airport and heading down Clairmont Road, Randy got on at I-85 and pointed the Mercedes Benz northward toward Hall County.

Gina turned in her seat and looked back at Mireille, "Ms. Bouquet, if I may ask how long you and your friend will be staying? We have some interesting events taking place locally that you both might enjoy."

Caught by surprise Mireille spotted two fingers being discreetly held up by Randy, "Two weeks no more no less Mrs. Frazier." Kirika looked on in puzzlement at Mireille.

Mrs. Frazier rather joyful, "Oh that is so wonderful. I have heard how much you and Kirika have to work so hard, you will both enjoy what we have here or for that matter just a short distance away by car. There are so many things you will find relaxing."

Entering Interstate 985/Highway 365, the V-12 powered Benz easily accelerated to well past 80 MPH, the Saturday afternoon traffic sparse for the early afternoon. Crossing into Hall County, he tapped a pre-programmed button on the Benz's cell phone and placed a call to Sheriff Phil Nagel.

Sheriff Phil Nagel, sitting in his cruiser at the northern end of Lake Lanier when the call came in "Nagel," Randy replied "Phil, I am back in the county. I have two old friends with me."

Phil chuckled over the phone, "Who did you bring with you?" Randy with a slight smile, "Mireille and Kirika," as Sheriff Phil Nagel cursed under his breath then twisting the key and starting the cruiser Phil was already beginning to roll, "Randy where are you?"

The Benz flashing past the Oakwood exit, Randy replied "Just passed the Oakwood exit. There is no rush; we will meet at the house. Is that Ok?" Sheriff Nagel replied, "Uh sure, at the house; will see you there Bye."

Gina Frazier listening in to the odd conversation, "Randy was Phil ok? He sounded like someone took the wind out of him."

Randy glanced at Gina then Mireille and Kirika in the rear view mirror, "Oh he's fine. I forgot to tell him that they were coming for a visit."

Exiting onto Highway 52, 20 minutes later Randy pulled the Benz into the gravel drive and ascended the drive to the garage. Gina's Ford Explore was present as was a Chevrolet Impala which was the rental car for Mireille and Kirika then next to the smoke house sat Sheriff Phil Nagel, leaning on the fender of his cruiser."

Putting the car in park, Randy popped the trunk and opening the door for Mireille. Sheriff Phil Nagel walking into the garage opened the doors for Kirika and Gina, "Well Ms. Yumura and Ms. Bouquet welcome back to Georgia, it is a pleasure to meet you both again." Phil holding out his hand shook hands with Kirika.

Helping Randy carry the luggage in Sheriff Phil Nagel paused outside the house as the women entered the house, "Ok Randy why are they here again? Who is the target?" Randy setting his luggage down, "Phil there is no target, they are here on vacation." Phil Nagel rocked back on his heels, "Vacation? Are you sure?"

Randy cracked a grin, "Of course I am sure, I invited them to stay here and even flew them from France this morning on the Gulfstream." Phil blinked his eyes, "Randy you are certifiably nuts!"

Randy quipped, "I sometimes wonder that myself. Let's get inside; I don't need to keep the guests waiting."

Sheriff Nagel and Randy Baldwin entered the house and going past the kitchen, both men climbed the staircase to the second floor where they deposited the luggage in the respective bedrooms of Mireille and Kirika then both headed for the kitchen.

Gina Frazier pouring coffee stopped and turned as Randy entered the kitchen with Sheriff Nagel, "Randy do you want a light snack? I fixed some sandwiches." Randy shook his head no, "Thanks anyway Gina, put I'll get one later. Just put them in the fridge."

Sheriff Nagel with a big grin, "Gina, I'll have some! I am famished." Randy cocked his head to the side, "Phil how does Jill put up with that tape worm of yours? You eat everything in sight that is not nailed down or glued."

Phil swallowing a pimiento cheese sandwich, "I am a growing man. I need my food." Randy frowned, "Phil stop kidding me, you stopped growing a long time ago." Mireille watching the friendly banter among the two men felt more relaxed by the moment, "Randy perhaps he does have a tape worm. Should we get Doctor Francis to examine him?"

Sheriff Nagel looking at Mireille could not comment with his mouth full could only blink his eyes at her. Gina Frazier smiled, "Sheriff Nagel, I'll give you a couple of sandwiches for the road, just don't tell Jill."

Sheriff Nagel accepting the sandwiches wagged his finger at Mireille and walked out the front door and drove off.

Gina noting the time gave Randy a quick peck on the cheek then turned to go out the door, "Ms. Bouquet, Ms. Yumura. I am so sorry to run but I have got to pickup the kids from their practices. See you later Randy."Gina waved farewell and disappeared out the front door.

Mireille taking a sip of the coffee, "Randy are we now alone?" Randy nodded. Mireille leaning forward, "Just what is the idea of us staying here for two weeks?" Randy taking a seat, "Because both of you need the rest. After the final trial that Altena put you both through how long was it after that trial that we first encountered each other?"

Kirika replied, "It was six months after the final trial at "The Manor" when you first met us in the villa in the Mid-East." Randy did a mental calculation, "So at the time you and Mireille were around 19 and 20 years of age?" Mireille interrupted, "That is not important."

Randy replied, "Yes it is Mireille. I was just 45 years old at the time, and I will be hitting the big five-oh in June. I am not going to bother with your birthdays, but the both of you will be 25 and 26 respectfully this year." Silence coming from both confirmed Randy's suspicions.

Randy taking a sip of his coffee, "Mireille I am seeing the classic signs of burnout in both you and Kirika. The mistakes that you make during the course of an assignment can add up and be compounded. There is a rush to complete the assignment then go to the next one. Altena may have in her mind trained you extremely well to kill; but she was an idiot when it came to the human condition needing relaxation and plain old rest."

Mireille frowning, "What are you saying Randy? That we have lost our edge?" Randy replied, "Very close. I suspect my note that Kirika passed on to you may have rattled you a bit, considering the expressions that the both of you displayed when the double doors came open. Mireille you likely expected only one to open. Not both. The excuse of just coming off an assignment will work only so much. Except for the unplanned stay back in October, I gathered that neither of you had a decent break since beginning Noir. It is time to reassess Noir from your perspectives."

Kirika speaking up, "Reassess Noir? Why?" Randy sat back, "The overall operating procedures that you and Mireille have used for the past five years need to be looked at. Accepting the number of assignments that you have carried out are having a toll on the both of you. Continue the current pace, neither of you will live to be 30 years old. Do you think that I got where I am today by doing back to back assignments? No. I had to take Agency mandated breaks, cool down periods if you will before beginning the next though there were a few that we went out on due to operational commitments."

Mireille sighed, "What do you propose Mr. Baldwin?" Randy smiled, "First off no thinking about work or possible upcoming assignments. This is a cool down period for the both of you. You especially Mireille, snapping at me as you did in Paris did little to endear you to me. Kirika, as for you letting those hoodlums get so close was a mistake, that by the way was my personal view of the situation. What if it had been an innocent businessman sitting at the table instead of me, he would have been gutted had he tried to take on the street scum."

Mireille frowned, "Randy you are behaving as though you are trying to be a father to the both of us. I neither want the attention or the criticism from you." Randy his slate grey eyes bored into Mireille's "Ms. Bouquet, I am offering you constructive criticism. I have no desire to become your step father or Kirika's for that matter. I had twenty-five years of field experience with the Agency when I finally retired and I can never hold a candle to the abilities that the both of you possess. Your skills are excellent, but scheduling the assignments is another. Frankly you suck at that and that is what needs a serious reassessment."

Kirika interrupted the argument, "Mireille. I believe Mr. Baldwin is correct, we both need to consider the constructive criticism, and gain from the knowledge that Mr. Baldwin is offering."

Randy slid a notepad of paper across to Mireille, "Make a list Mireille, divide it with the pro's and con's of the assignments. Write down what you are looking to achieve. Does the prospective client have a good reason to engage the services of Noir?

What length of time do you allow yourself for completing an assignment? If there is a failed attempt does Noir continue the assignment or does Noir withdraw to a more suitable playing field?"

Mireille frowned, "What is this? Back to basics?" as Randy stood up and withdrew the carafe from the coffee maker.

Randy nodded, "Yes, you could say that. Neither you nor Kirika are invincible, and with the current number of assignments that have been carried out by the both of you the probabilities keep getting lower to the day one or both of you are killed. I can only offer encouragement and advice. I will not delve directly into your chosen work as it is your own business, and the reason I am offering this advice to you now is to give you both a chance to live beyond age 30 and hopefully become grandmothers."

Mireille looked up from the notepad, "Very well Randy. I accept." Kirika smiled as well, "Changing the way we conduct the assignments would benefit ourselves and our prospective clients. The waiting period would perhaps weed out those that are less serious."

Randy thought a moment, "Mireille, how many of the assignments are given to Noir by the Soldots?" Mireille studied Randy Baldwin, "Relatively few." Randy replied, "So the majority of the assignments that you engage are separate from the Soldots themselves?"

Mireille drew a dividing line on the pad, "In the past five years, the Soldots have called on our services fifteen times. The remainder of the assignments has been the result of my original line of work, which I used the proceeds to support myself and eventually Kirika as well."

Randy nodded, "Ok. The assignments from the Soldots would likely take precedence, followed by the regular requests. Mireille here is some interesting homework. You know what you and Kirika need to live on, it may be time to review the fees that you charge for the non-Soldot, and frankly let others handle some of these jobs that you have been taking. Look at quality and not quantity as a goal, but don't dwell on it right now, Mireille as you have two weeks of rest. As for any expenses their on me they are on me so please do relax and enjoy yourselves.

Mireille looking at the relaxed manner of Randy Baldwin, seemingly with no concerns apparent "Very well Mr. Baldwin. Your generosity is appreciated."

Randy gave a soft laugh, "You and Kirika are welcome. Please feel free to come and go as you please and do enjoy the sights." Randy stood and walked down the hallway to his study.

Kirika turned to Mireille, "Mireille do you suppose Mr. Baldwin has done us a favor?" as Mireille set the pen down, "Perhaps he has Kirika. Perhaps he is trying to repay us both for something that only he knows as a personal debt."

Randy entered the study, and sat at his desk. Pausing briefly to look out the window of his study; the picture frame of Julia Summers came into focus. Julia's smile frozen forever in time met his gaze. Smiling briefly, Randy placed his hand on the frame and adjusted its position. Turning back to the desk, he pulled the keyboard of the computer closer to him and then began to address requests for his consulting services from individuals scattered around the globe.

Gina Frazier wheeled the Ford Explorer into the high school parking lot from Highway 23. Corey who had been waiting for his mother was deftly bouncing the soccer ball from foot to foot as she drove up. Getting in the rear seat, Corey placed the ball in the rear of the Explorer, "Mom, is Mr. Baldwin finally back home?" as he buckled the seatbelt.

Gina nodded to her son, "Yes Corey he is finally back. He brought his two friends with him, Ms. Bouquet and Ms. Yumura. They were in France and had some leave time from their company so they are spending it here with him."

Corey smiling, "Wow that's great. I really like them both. They were so nice to us, does Ashley know yet?" Gina shaking her head no, "Not yet."

Ashley Frazier was walking to the small park from her piano instructors' home where she had spent a better part of the day honing her piano playing skills. The delicate sonata which she had finished playing 30 minutes before continued to run through her head and she hummed the tune.

Entering the park to where she was to wait for her mother, Ashley sat at the bench where she did so many times before. Removing some sheet music, Ashley reviewed what she was to play on the next visit, "Rhapsody in Blue" by George Gershwin. Ashley absorbed in reading the musical notes did not hear the footsteps from behind, the lake within the park having ducks for residents covered the sound of the man's approach with their noise.

Gina Frazier turned into the park, and drove towards where Ashley was to meet her and Corey. The park had been where Gina and her late husband William had met for the first time years before; the park bench overlooking the lake had become a place of remembrances for her.

Parking the Explorer, Gina and Corey walked towards the bench where Ashley was supposed to be sitting. Gina walked to the bench and sat, the afternoon sun's rays streaming through the trees striking the bench and bringing warmth to its surface. Corey who had gone towards the path exiting the park to the nearby residential area expecting to find his sister had returned to his mother, "Mom, I can not find Ashley anywhere. Do you suppose she may still be at Mrs. Pike's?"

Gina frowning pulled her cell phone from her purse and dialed the piano teacher who stated that Ashley had left over 30 minutes ago. Gina stood then scanned the area, looking for Ashley who perhaps had gone for a walk. It was the ducks that caught Gina's attention. The ducks were pecking at something in the water, a blue book bag. Horrified Gina without explanation to Corey ran into the water and pulled the blue book bag from the lake; on the name tag of the bag, Ashley Frazier.

The incessant ringing of the telephone from Randy Baldwin's study attracted the attention of Mireille Bouquet as she descended the staircase. Randy who was out at the stable with Kirika attending to Toby and Cumquat had apparently forgotten to turn on the answering machine. Entering the study Mireille picked up the phone, "Baldwin residence, Mireille speaking." It was 6:15 PM.

Sheriff Phil Nagel knew he had opened a can of worms when he placed the call to Randy Baldwin. Standing at the rear of the medic unit observing the paramedic treating Gina Frazier for shock, the unmistakable sound of a Ford 4.6 liter police interceptor at full throttle came to his ears at the car accelerated through the near vacant park.

Mireille Bouquet had first ignored the suggestion at buckling up from Randy Baldwin when the Crown Victoria peeled out of the garage. During the power slide across the divided highway, Mireille hurriedly snapped the buckle in place. Kirika already having experienced Randy's driving habits was snuggly secured and had simply braced herself while observing Mireille clawing for the overhead grab handle. Kirika sitting in the rear noted that the speedometer had never dropped below 100 MPH after getting on Highway 365.

Randy stopped briefly at the road block, just long enough for the deputies and the Gainesville Police Officers manning it to lift the crime scene tape. The flashing of the strobes reflected off the side of the paramedic rig, where Sheriff Nagel was standing. Turning to see Randy drive up, Sheriff Nagel was a bit surprised to see both Mireille and Kirika exit the car with Randy.

Randy walked up to Sheriff Nagel, "Ok Phil, when did this all happen?" Phil sighing as both Mireille and Kirika took position on either side of Randy, "Gina placed a 911 call to Gainesville PD at about 5 PM local. First unit arrived on scene at 5:12 PM and after initial interview requested additional units for manpower to scour the park. My department was called in to assist with search and to call out the dive team.

The lake is very shallow, only 7 feet deep at its deepest point. But to be frank, I do not believe Ashley is in the lake."

Sheriff Nagel turned to a nearby plastic bag lying on the ground, "Gina saw Ashley's book bag floating in the lake about 15 to 20 feet from the shoreline and removed it from the water. The clasps were undone and one storage compartment was already opened. Ashley's cell phone was found in the second compartment which was still sealed along with other items.

According to Ashley's piano tutor Mrs. Pike, Ashley had placed sheet music within the first compartment before she had left the house. We have not found the sheet music anywhere on the lake, so we are checking every trash container and the underbrush for any trace of it."

Mireille interrupted, "Sheriff Nagel? What was the title of the music that Ashley had with her?" Sheriff Nagel replied, "Rhapsody in Blue" by George Gershwin. Ashley's tutor stated that Ashley was to play that for the next session with her."

Randy having observed the area, "Ok Phil, if you don't think Ashley is in the lake do you suspect that her disappearance is a kidnapping?" Phil nodded, "Yes. I do. The book bag was a ruse to focus our attention on the lake, but I am not falling for it. I had Murphy brought in. He got a hit on a scent trail leading from the bench away from the lake towards the south parking lot where it ended."

Kirika turning to Sheriff Nagel, "Who is Murphy?" as Randy glanced in her direction "Murphy is a purebred bloodhound with the Sheriff's Department. He is a very good tracking dog with an excellent record."

Randy peered briefly into the ambulance, "Phil what did you use for a scent sample?" as Sheriff Nagel tilted his head to the microphone on his shoulder, "Gina had a pair of Ashley's running shoes in the back of her Explorer." Pausing a moment, Sheriff Nagel with a slight smile, "One of the search teams has found the sheet music stashed in a recycling bin at the south parking lot. The sheet music was buried under a bunch of soda cans."

Randy before heading to the south parking lot entered the ambulance where Gina was resting on a stretcher. Nodding to the paramedic who moved away, Randy took Gina's hand "Gina. It's me Randy. How are you doing?" Mireille turned to Kirika, "Find Corey and stay with him," as she too entered the ambulance.

Kirika turned and walked to a nearby deputy who took Kirika to Corey. Corey sitting in a Sheriff's unit saw Kirika coming towards him and exited the car and ran to her.

Gina, bleary eyed looked up at Randy and Mireille, "Why Randy? Why did they take Ashley? She has done nothing wrong!" as Randy gripped Gina's hand, Mireille placed her hand atop of his; "Gina, it is something we don't know right now, but we will find out and we will bring Ashley home to you; ok?" Gina trying to blink back tears could only sob in reply.

Mireille exited the ambulance with Randy, "She should not be taken back to her home, it is likely best that she and Corey go to your home;" as Randy nodded at her comment, "Have Kirika take Gina's Explorer and drive Corey, you stay with me. After we are done here we will go to Gina's house and do a check of the house then pickup clothing for Corey and Gina. I'll call Doctor Francis and have him meet the ambulance at my house. As for the bastard that did this, they are going to regret ever doing it in the first place."

Randy turned to the paramedic and instructed him on what to do, then walk with Mireille who found Kirika with Corey who wrapped his arms around her waist, "Kirika. Take Gina's Explorer and drive Corey to Randy's home and stay with him. I and Randy will retrieve clothing from Gina's house after we search it. The ambulance will follow you."

Kirika nodded, "Be careful Mireille."

Randy and Mireille joined Sheriff Nagel at the south parking lot, where he was observing the removal of the recycling container.

Sheriff Nagel turned to Randy, "The sheet music was buried beneath the cans. Whoever shoved it in there got careless and shoved too many cans aside and did not bother to put them back, so we are taking the whole thing including the cans on the ground with us for closer examination. Hopefully we will find something we can use from that mess."

Randy musing a moment took in the number of cans on the ground. He or she had been in a hurry, as most of the cans were still at their original size but badly deformed. The bin had been near capacity but not overflowing. Eyeing the cans, Randy observed all were soda cans except for one, "Phil. Out of all the cans in there except for one they are all soda cans. That Budweiser is very much out of place."

Phil had noted it as well, "I noticed it as well. The consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in this park..." as both men looked at each other realizing the significance; Sheriff Nagel walked to the can then knelt and getting a plastic evidence bag from the crime scene technician; carefully scooped the can into the bag, then turned to a nearby deputy, "Cromwell, rush this down to the lab and have it checked for latents and have them do a DNA swabbing. Let's see if we get any thing from it."

Deputy Cromwell accepting the bag from Sheriff Nagel careful initialed and noted the time of receiving it from Sheriff Nagel then jogged off to his cruiser. Randy turned to Phil, "I and Mireille are going to Gina's house up in Habersham County. Will you place a courtesy call to Sheriff Ferrell for me and let her know we are on our way up there and the reason for it. Sheriff Nagel acknowledged that he would as both Randy and Mireille walked away.

Mireille approached the parked Ford Crown Victoria and instead of getting in the passenger seat opened the driver's door and got in the car. Randy standing next the car befuddled by her actions tried to have her move over, "Mireille, I will drive move over."

Mireille frowning at the order, "No you will not! Get in the passenger seat. I am driving as I have had enough of your driving for one day."

Sheriff Nagel coming from behind, "Randy, you should let her drive at least for now ok."

Randy sticking his hands in his pockets walked around to the passenger door and got in, "Mireille, what is wrong with my driving?" as Mireille glaring at Randy started the car and threw it into reverse spinning the rear tires, "Sometimes you lack finesse and that is all I am going to say about it;" as Mireille stomped on the brakes and spun the car 180 degrees and headed out of the park.

Sheriff Nagel shaking his head at the maneuver turned to the on scene investigator Detective Sean Brewer, "Sean, go ahead and notify the Georgia Bureau of Investigation that we have an active kidnapping case involving an 11 year old girl. Also I want to request an Amber Alert Nation Wide is that understood?"

Detective Brewer nodded, "Well let's hope we find who's responsible before Baldwin does. Otherwise all hell is going to break loose." Phil Nagel turned one last time to look at the lake agreed, "Yeah, but it would be hell three times over," as Sheriff Nagel walked away Detective Brewer pondered that last statement.

Sheriff Janice Ferrell who had been enjoying the early evening with her family had hurriedly left her home in her cruiser headed for the Frazier farm at the request of Sheriff Phil Nagel. Along the way, Sheriff Ferrell had requested that additional deputies be called in and for them to meet at the Frazier farm.

With Mireille driving and Randy giving directions they arrived about the same time as Sheriff Ferrell did. Parked out of sight from the farm house, Randy briefed Sheriff Janice Ferrell on what had happened.

Janice removed a land map from the trunk of her cruiser and set in on the hood of Randy's Crown Victoria, "The tree line to the west will provide good cover; to the east the frontage allows little cover. To the north the open field but it has been plowed recently and anything low clearance will not make it so the Crown Vic's are out. Southern approach also out due to the field being plowed and this is supposing you want to make an unannounced approach."

Randy eyed the terrain map, "Put four of your men on the west tree line, I and Mireille will go up through the frontage directly. Put two men on the northern end of the field and two on the southern. If anyone makes a break for it they will have to cross those fields and your men will have clear shots. I want to stress no shooting unless they come under direct hostile fire then they have the authority to defend themselves."

Sheriff Ferrell nodded at the plan and then added, "I will be coming with you as well, no sense in taking the risk alone Randy." Mireille turned but was stopped by Randy, "Mireille, I have vests in the trunk along with Remington assault shotguns. Let's get dressed out."

With Sheriff Ferrell leading the way, Randy and Mireille who was still driving entered the Frazier farm. After clearing the outlying buildings they approached the farm house, with Randy taking the lead.

Mireille broke to the left and Sheriff Ferrell to the right and both women advanced on either side of the house checking the interior as they passed by the windows. Meeting at the rear porch, both women prepared to enter the house.

Randy with the house key, unlocked the front door and pushed it open with the barrel of the Remington shotgun. Mireille entered the rear with Sheriff Ferrell, "Randy. Kitchen is clear. Janice is coming through to the living room and I am headed towards the bedrooms." A single mike click acknowledged the report.

The single story ranch layout allowed for a quick check of the house. Satisfied it was secure; Sheriff Janice Ferrell called her deputies in from their positions.

Mireille perused the layout of the house; the photograph of Gina's late husband on the wall was that of middle aged man standing in one of the nearby fields proudly smiling as the crop behind him flourished.

Sheriff Ferrell spied the blinking light on the answering machine, "Randy. Gina has some messages waiting." Randy retrieved an Olympus digital recorder from his pocket and powered it up then placed it on the speaker then pressed the playback.

The first two messages were from friends, but the last three was from the kidnapper. The first of the three messages announced that the man had Ashley; the second was the demand for Gina to pickup the phone and finally the third, "Listen bitch! And listen well. You have 48 hours to get $500,000 together if you want Ashley back. If you don't start answering the damn phone by 11 PM, you will get a special delivery on Sunday and it will be pieces of your kid starting with her fingers. You got that bitch!"

Randy noting the time, it was now 9:15 PM commented "Well it is obviously no prank. Sheriff Ferrell put the farm house under observation for now and have the phone forwarded to my home immediately." Mireille replaying the messages in her head turned to Randy, "Randy let's get to your home now. Sheriff please keep Sheriff Nagel informed on anything that you may learn here and we will reciprocate."

Sheriff Ferrell nodded, "Randy, for what's it worth my department is at your disposal. I've been informed that Sheriff Nagel has called the GBI and has requested an Amber Alert. It is in effect now. We will find that bastard and make him pay."