NOIR

Chapter One

Revelations

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 events described taking place 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 author notes, please refer to the end of Chapter 4 .)

The Recent Past…

Wednesday, July 20th 1800 hours, Baldwin Farm, Hall County, Georgia

Randy Baldwin eyeing the closed doors of his study nodded, "Yes, Phil that was the case. When I was involved in the investigation in France, I had no idea just how far and wide it had spread. Had the programmer remained on top of his little program he might have continued undetected, but it caused a cascade effect which eventually involved Irena and Nina."

Phil Nagel shook his head in puzzlement, "The two women, Mireille and Kirika? They were part of an earlier scheme to cause an upheaval, but when things went awry Galen who schemed up this mess decided to create another pair of killers namely Irena and Nina?"

Randy nodded, "Yes. That was his goal, but his was playing with too hot of a fire. Crazy as it may seem he wanted to stage a rift between the European Union countries themselves. Only things went haywire because he got greedy."

Interrupted by the knock on the door, Randy looked up to see Gina who announced; "Dinner is ready you two." Phil grinned, "I am looking forward to it."

Both men entered the porch where the table had been setup and joined their respective wives. Irena and Nina sitting with Corey and Ashley looked up as Randy sat at the head of the table.

Looking around at those gathered around the table, Randy smiled "Let's all give thanks for what we are about to receive..."

Present Day…

Monday, December 12th 2100 hours, Warsaw, Poland

Kirika Yumura slid down the grassy embankment of the Wisla River and continued after her quarry, while above her Mireille Bouquet sprinted along the path to cut off any avenue of escape. He was only known to them as Herman, but others knew him by many other names. It had taken nearly five months to track Herman down.

Herman, a chemist in the employ of the late Sir Richard Galen, had improved a very potent and deadly drug designed to alter ones inhibitions. The drug had been utilized in an attempt to create another Noir. The two young girls under its influence had been directed to retrieve the Lagonel Manuscript and the late Sister Altena's personal diary from a convent near "The Manor" in preparation for their ritual. Stopped by Noir with help from Randy Baldwin, the young girls were living new lives within the United States under the care of Randy and Gina Baldwin.

Mireille Bouquet came to a stop at the top of the stairway leading from the riverside park, and watched as Herman scampered into view. The man fearfully looking over his shoulder at the distant pursuer who had hounded him for nearly an hour, Kirika who could have easily outran Herman had been holding back; driving Herman towards Mireille.

Herman grabbed the railing for support and did his best to take the stairs two at a time, but stumbling in his haste he fell. Getting back to his feet, Herman looked up only to see the other tormentor standing on the next landing above. Mireille looked down, "Hello Herman, time to stop running."

Herman could see Mireille's silhouette and the street light reflecting off the barrel of the silencer attached to the Walther, "Please don't. It will never happen again. I promise never to do it again!" Mireille shook her head, "Herman, there is no forgiveness from me. Goodbye."

Herman spun and realized that his other tormentor was just feet away shielded his face just as Kirika fired twice. Both 9 MM rounds struck him in his heart and Herman collapsed his body tumbling to the feet of Kirika who stood next to a trash can. She looked down in disgust, "Just as well it ends here Herman. You belong with the trash."

Mireille Bouquet nodded in agreement, "Let's go Kirika."

Tuesday, December 13th 1600 hours, Hall County, Georgia

Corey Baldwin tried to twist away and break the grip but pressed against the cinderblock wall of the closed concession stand he could not move. Carl Ellis looked at Corey with a twisted grin, "So Corey are you going to give it to me or do I have to break something?"

Carl, large for his school age had decided that he would pick on Corey. Carl liked to pick on Corey, just because he was small.

Corey had been able to get away before and had never bothered to tell his step-father Randy of his problems at school with the overgrown bully. Carl wanted the CD player and apparently wanted it badly. Corey had worked part-time in the summer and had earned the money for it. He had never asked Randy for money.

Carl gave one last warning, "Ok little boy, like I asked before. Give it up." Corey looking upward in defiance replied, "No. I will not." Carl smiled and reared back with a closed fist aiming squarely for Corey's nose suddenly felt his arm clasped tightly and a chilling warning of his own, "Leave my brother alone!"

Irena Baldwin locked eyes with Carl, her grip on his arm strong "So you are the one." Nina Baldwin joined in and gripped the other arm, "Let our brother go!" Carl laughed and tried to shrug both girls off, "Get lost; this is between me and him." A third female voice chimed in, "I beg to differ Carl. You pick on him; you pick on all of us." Ashley Baldwin standing directly behind Carl set her book bag down.

Carl let Corey go, but swung his right arm away breaking Irena's grip and then Carl made the mistake of trying to kick Ashley who easily blocked it frowned, "Carl? Knock it off."

Carl who was known for his language, "Fuck you bitch!" and making a fist swung at Irena who dodged the attack and replied with her own.

Jill Nagel coming out of the gym had seen Irena and Nina with Ashley walking together towards the concession stand where Carl and Corey were standing. Breaking into a run, Jill did not get there in time as Nina sent Carl reeling with a devastating flying kick that landed on the jaw of Carl and Ashley Baldwin landed a punch of her own that sent Carl to the ground.

Jill putting herself between the sisters and Carl, she could not get a word in edgewise as the step-sisters and sister examined their brother for injury. Ashley turned back and looked at Jill Nagel, "Mrs. Nagel, Carl started it!" Jill looked down at the trouble prone boy and sighed, "True he may have, but beating him up that bad was uncalled for." Jill removing the portable radio from her waist keyed it up and called the school office and had them call for an ambulance and the sheriffs department.

Wednesday, December 14th 0900 hours, Paris, France

Kirika Yumura fingered the invitation from the Baldwin's in the United States as Mireille Bouquet finishing the dishes in the kitchen was humming a tune that Kirika recalled Irena and Nina having played several months earlier. The Christmas card bearing a photograph of Randy and Gina Baldwin with their children had arrived in yesterday's mail.

The invitation to spend Christmas with the Baldwin's had taken both by surprise but since neither Mireille nor Kirika had family only each other, Mireille surmised it was Randy's way of saying that they were part of his family. Discussing the invitation with each other Mireille and Kirika decided to accept the Baldwin's invitation. Mireille had already charted a private jet that would take them to Atlanta and they would arrive later in the evening.

Wednesday, December 14th 1100 hours, Hall County, Georgia

Randy Baldwin sat musing in the passenger seat of the Suburban as Gina drove to the high school. She had taken the day off in order to deal with the issue of her children being involved in a fight. Randy had read the incident report of the fight and the resulting medical report concerning the injuries to Carl Ellis. Carl was going to be on a liquid diet for a period of time as his jaw had been broken, and then there was the matter of the broken wrist as well.

Jill Nagel's eyewitness account of the fight had been damning, but Randy had accepted it. Regardless of the circumstances, had Jill not been present the likelihood that Carl Ellis would have been killed and this would be an entirely different matter altogether. As it was Randy and Gina were to meet with the principle to discuss the punishment.

Arriving at the school, Randy exited the Suburban and briefly joined his wife, "Gina, go on ahead and I'll meet you at the office. I want to take a look at where this all started."

Gina nodded, "Well Randy don't take too long. The appointment is in 15 minutes."

Going their separate ways, Randy walked to the ball field and the closed concession stand.

Gina, who was greeted by students on their way to lunch, paused briefly to answer a couple of questions educational in nature and continued towards the office. The fight the day before had been the talk of the school body and faculty. There was no love lost with Carl Ellis and the rest of his ilk. His fellow buddies were keeping a very low profile since the incident which suited the other students just as well.

When Irena and Nina were adopted by Randy and Gina Baldwin there had been no reservations in the adoption itself. Both young girls who had forced to become Noir candidates had been happy to leave that life behind. Loved by their adoptive family, Irena and Nina quickly became popular within the school. Accomplished violin players both soon joined the school band where they joined their step-sister Ashley in performing for school functions. Their step-brother Corey had accepted them as if they were of his flesh and blood and though not able to play a musical instrument his vocals with the musical trio had become very popular during local performances. He and Ashley also finally had someone who could make a team to play soccer.

Corey admitted to Randy and Gina that it had not been the first run in he had with Carl Ellis. He had made up the story about getting hit in the face with a soccer ball to explain away a previous black eye. Irena and Nina had overhead a conversation between Corey and Ashley and had apparently vowed to look after their little step-brother after that hence the encounter with Carl Ellis.

Randy musing over what he had learned stood at the concession stand and looked at the ground. Clear evidence of the fight had remained; the dirt scarred from the fight had not been disturbed. Discarded rubber gloves from the paramedics lay nearby ending at the tire tracks of where the ambulance had been parked. Looking upward, Randy gazed at the light poles on each side of the concession stand, and then he smiled. The security cameras which had been installed had a perfect view of the incident site. Satisfied, Randy turned and nearly bumped into two sheriff deputies, Deputy Allen Winters and Deputy Sandra Collins who had silently come up behind him.

Deputy Winters tipped his hat to Randy, "Mr. Baldwin. Good day sir." Randy smiled and held out his hand which was shaken by Deputy Collins, "Allen. Sandra. Good to see you again." Sandra clearing her throat, "Mr. Baldwin you read the report?" Randy nodded then turned motioning for both to follow.

"Yes I did Deputy. Detailed and concise, I expected no less." Both deputies remembered what had transpired three years earlier, the man before them a sworn deputy within the department but considered to be a reserve officer still garnered considerable respect from their fellow officers but his peers as well. The deadly shootout in the middle of a Georgia thunderstorm in which their boss Sheriff Phil Nagel who also had been involved had garnered national headlines was still talked about. The Deputies had dreaded being involved in this incident, Randy Baldwin's reputation was on the line and both knew it. Allen walking to the left of Randy noted he was unarmed; there was no bulge beneath the suite jacket. The Colt Commander usually carried by Randy Baldwin was absent.

Gina Baldwin heading to the conference room had turned the corner and saw Donald Ellis, Carl's father walking towards her. Unlike Randy who was wearing a suite to the meeting, Donald had worn a faded and stained pullover that had seen better days. The expression on Donald's face was anything put pleasant when he deliberately bumped into Gina knocking her into the wall.

Jill Nagel having turned the corner as Donald knocked Gina into the wall interrupted, "Mr. Ellis! That will be enough!" Donald turning his attention away from Gina confronted Jill Nagel, "What the fuck is it to you bitch!" and swung with his left hand. Randy Baldwin with Deputies Winters and Collins had entered the school and were walking down the hallway when the screams began. All three broke into a run towards the sounds of the screaming. Randy slowed to a walk as a large disheveled man went flying head first into student lockers mounted on the opposite wall, the impact reverberating down the hallway.

Jill Nagel had blocked the swing and sent Donald flying. Tumbling backwards to her feet Jill spun and just as Donald staggered backwards from the lockers, two sheriff deputies slammed bodily into him knocking Donald to the floor. Randy Baldwin glancing at Jill as he joined in with the struggling deputies finally subdued Donald Ellis in an arm lock while Deputy Collins applied the handcuffs.

Principal Andrew Bell had run from the conference room to witness the aftermath and took in Gina Baldwin slumped against the wall and Randy Baldwin with two sheriff deputies on the floor struggling with Donald Ellis, "Mrs. Baldwin? Gina are you ok?"

Gina had thumped her head on the cinder block wall and had slumped to the floor. Trying to regain her composer, Gina turned to see her husband Randy yank Donald Ellis off the floor, "Randy don't!"

Deputy Winters put his hand on Randy's shoulder, "Randy. I'll take care of it." Though an inch taller than Randy Baldwin, Donald Ellis was not touching the floor. Baldwin had lifted him cleanly and the steel-grey eyes were boring into his, "Listen you stupid bastard! I have had enough from both you and your son. Now you have screwed with my wife! You have crossed the line!" as Randy turned and bodily slammed Donald Ellis once again into already fight damaged lockers. Allen cringed from the sound of the impact and pulled Randy off Donald, "Mr. Baldwin! That is enough Sir, please no more."

Randy relaxed and let Donald fall to the floor then turned to look at his wife, "Somebody get the school nurse up here now!"

Sheriff Phil Nagel fish tailed the cruiser into the school parking lot followed by three additional cruisers, two ambulances and a fire engine. Exiting the cruiser he ran into the school past closed and locked classroom doors, the occupants with their teachers within on emergency lockdown.

Jill Nagel seeing her husband jerked her thumb down the hallway while staring coldly at Donald Ellis who was face down on the floor. Phil going in the indicated direction entered the conference room where Randy and Gina Baldwin were sitting with Andrew Bell.

Andrew with his hands clasped together on the table was speaking, "Mr. Baldwin in light of what has transpired I am going to reconsider the suspensions of your children and will reinstate them all immediately." Randy holding a cold pack to Gina's head seemed to nod absent-mindedly, "Thank you Mr. Bell for your consideration." Phil interrupted, "Mr. Bell? What the heck happened? The 911 call said my wife was involved?"

Andrew Bell turned in the chair then stood, "Yes she was Phil. It seems Mr. Ellis deliberately provoked Mrs. Baldwin and knocked her into a nearby wall where she banged her head. Your wife, Jill intervened and was attacked by Mr. Ellis who I might add came to his meeting smelling of alcohol. Jill defended herself appropriately and sent Mr. Ellis headlong into some student lockers where he suffered some facial injuries. Mr. Baldwin and two deputies came running down the hallway and took Mr. Ellis into custody. I was the one that called for two ambulances, one for Mrs. Baldwin and the other for Mr. Ellis."

Sheriff Nagel spun around and left the conference room making a bee-line for Ellis, but Jill stepped into his path, "Let him be Phil. He has been punished enough." Glancing at Deputy Collins Phil spoke, "Sandra? Did you see all of this?" Deputy Collins replied, "Only the part where we saw Ellis flying through the air into the lockers. I and Allen tackled him and we had to have help from Mr. Baldwin to him into restraints, sir."

The gaggle of paramedics with firemen hurrying down the hallway paused briefly till one group was directed to the conference room, the remaining stayed with Sheriff Nagel who directed them to begin treatment on Donald Ellis. Phil looked down at his wife, "You did that to Donald?" Jill with a sly smile nodded, "Yes I did and I enjoyed every minute of it."

Phil sighed then turned to Deputy Winters, "Allen place that freaking idiot under arrest and charge him with assault and get a blood sample at the hospital. If you have to get a warrant for the blood from Judge Blackworth, I want to know how intoxicated he is and if he drove here in that condition charge him with Driving Under the Influence after the fact along with public intoxication then after treatment lodge him in Habersham County. Get that SOB out of my sight!"

Wednesday, December 14th 1400 hours, Brunswick, Maine

The charted Gulfstream V similar to Randy Baldwin's aircraft settled to a smooth and uneventful landing at Brunswick, Maine for a brief customs check and inspection. Both of its passengers Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura were admitted to U.S. soil and given clearance to continue their travels. Mireille phoned the Baldwin residence and instead of getting Randy or Gina Baldwin spoke with Angelina Lopez his house keeper who broke the news that Gina Baldwin had been hospitalized.

Replaying the conversation in her head as the Gulfstream hurried down the runway for Peachtree-Dekalb Airport in Atlanta, Mireille turned to Kirika "Gina Baldwin is in the hospital. She was attacked at her high school this morning." Kirika frowned, "Why was she attacked? Does the housekeeper know?" Mireille glancing out at the snow covered ground passing under the wings replied, "The house keeper said a parent of a student attending the school attacked her and another teacher in a hallway. There was apparently a confrontation yesterday involving the Baldwin children, specifically Irena and Nina in which they stopped an attack against Corey. The house keeper said that the school bully was in still in the hospital being treated."

Kirika recalled the hand to hand fight she had with Irena at the convent in France. Irena had given no quarter and had refused to give in, that is until Irena and she was shot with a tranquilizer gun by accident and had collapsed. It had taken the combined efforts of Randy Baldwin and Mireille to free Irena's death grip from around her throat, "If Irena and Nina attacked the bully; they must have done it for a reason. If Corey Baldwin was being attacked, then as small as he is they stepped in and used their skills."

Mireille sighed, "They apparently did. Just how much they remembered is what bothering me. Did we make a mistake in letting Irena and Nina to be adopted by the Baldwin's in the first place? Monsieur Baldwin has likely given that some thought as well. The offensive and defensive combat skills that both posses are well advanced for teens training in martial arts, both could in certain conditions overcome the inhibition to kill and do so in a blink of an eye. The need to protect someone that they love or one that loves them could result in the death of an attacker."

Wednesday, December 14th 1600 hours, Peachtree-Dekalb Airport Chamblee, Georgia

Standing inside the Fix Based Operations Building listening to the air traffic control radio conversations, Randy Baldwin sipped the coffee. Gina had been insistent that he meet Mireille and Kirika at the airport. Angelina Lopez had phoned the hospital informing Randy that his friends had called from Maine and that they would be arriving at the scheduled time. Gina who had suffered a minor concussion was being kept overnight for observation. Gina had joked that if Mireille and Kirika found out about the incident, Donald Ellis would be facing something more serious than a judge if Noir went after him.

Randy had driven alone to the airport, leaving the children in the care of the house keeper Angelina. Gina was likely correct, if Noir found out about Ellis and where he was there was no guarantee of his safety, if he was not there to assure them that things were fine; Mireille and Kirika's fondness of Gina which had been noted by Randy could entail Donald Ellis meeting a worse fate than that of a judge. Frankly, Randy cared little about Ellis at that moment but justice would have to serve in its own fashion. The French accented voice speaking English caught the attention of Randy and he turned back to the window and watched as the French registered Gulfstream touched down on runway 21 Left.

The pilot announced in French that it was safe to move about the cabin and Mireille with Kirika stood to gather their belongings. The chilled afternoon air much warmer than what had greeted them in Maine flooded into the cabin as the co-pilot opened the exit door of the aircraft. Mireille on her way out passed an envelope to the pilot who tipped his hat and bid his passengers farewell and a merry Christmas. The black Suburban giving the wing a wide berth came into view, the parking lights glowing in concert with the flashers.

Tripping the tailgate release, Randy Baldwin exited the vehicle then took in Mireille and Kirika standing at the bottom of the boarding stairs.

Randy embraced both and gathered their luggage. Turning back to look briefly at the aircraft he caught the eye of the pilot exiting aircraft who nodded at him. Randy smiled and waved having met the pilot at the French airfield outside of Paris. As pilots of Gulfstream's the two men shared a common bond. Each had shared their experiences of flying the aircraft with each other and had exchanged tips. It did not really matter what language one spoke, if you flew a Gulfstream you were in elite company.

Settling into the driver's seat, Randy started the Suburban and headed for the exit gate waving at the co-pilot as he passed. Mireille looked at Randy, "Ok Randy. What happened with Irena and Nina?"

Randy sighed, glancing at Kirika in the rearview mirror "They defended their step-brother from an over-grown bully twice his size and theirs. Corey had been hiding his encounters with the bully from me. The twins overheard a conversation between Corey and Ashley about the bully and decided that if another encounter occurred that they would intervene. Irena went after the bully first, and then Nina and Ashley followed through."

Kirika cocking an eyebrow replied, "Ashley?"

Randy looking perplexed nodded, "Yes. Ashley. I have been giving her instruction along with Corey. The boy had managed to pin Corey so he could not strike back and defend himself. The twins and Ashley saw what was happening and interrupted. The boy in addition to using rather foul language tried to kick Ashley inappropriately and Irena struck back. Nina landed a kick on the boy's jaw which Ashley herself apparently followed through with a punch of her own which broke the boy's jaw. Jill Nagel the wife of Sheriff Nagel saw the whole thing. It was also captured on video disk."

Mireille chuckled, "Then force was appropriate." Randy negotiating the I-85 on-ramp glanced over at Mireille, "To a point it was. If Mrs. Nagel had not intervened we might be looking at an entirely different scenario altogether." Mireille sighed, "Randy you knew there was a risk with the twins when you abruptly decided to adopt them."

Randy nodded, "Yes I know. But their behavior has been extraordinarily good. Both are doing well in school and with other students as well as being good with Corey and Ashley. Corey and Ashley accepted their background as has the other students. I believe it was fear that Corey would be harmed that drove both to attack the bully in such a fashion and with such force."

Mireille watching the scenery pass by the window replied, "Has Mrs. Alexander been informed?" Randy shook his head yes, "I sent an e-mail yesterday. Tabitha was concerned about a change in their behavior and wanted to be kept abreast of anything that happened. She already likely has a copy of the police report already. I have been keeping track of the others who are in the care of Sister Katrina and nothing untoward has happened with them, which leads me to believe that the skill levels of Irena and Nina though well advanced for those of their own age and similar training in martial arts will pose little threat to others from now on. I read the riot act to both along with Ashley and Corey."

Kirika crossed her arms, "Perhaps as Noir we should talk to both and make sure that there is a clear understanding?" Randy raising an eyebrow over that comment, "Just as long as you and Irena don't get into another tussle like you did at the convent. I don't have the tranquilizer rifle with me; I left that at the embassy in Paris."

Kirika tempted to smack Randy on the back of the head gave it second thought as the barrier wall raced past at 70 MPH, changed the subject "How is Gina?"

Randy grinned, "Feisty and really pissed. She got a mild concussion when she banged her head into the wall, but will be out of the hospital in the morning. I can not say the same for the boy or his father. Jill took on the father after he attacked her, and sent him flying into some student lockers. I added to the damage and slammed him into the lockers with his hands cuffed behind his back after I saw Gina, and dislocated his shoulder in the process of doing that stunt."

Mireille frowned, "Are you facing charges?" Randy shook his head no, "Thankfully not. The judge held a first appearance hearing at the hospital and watched the DVD video on a borrowed player and a large screen TV in a nearby conference room. Donald Ellis, which is the father, was seen lunging at me so my self-defense statement was backed up. Sheriff Nagel had him lodged in the Habersham County jail since it got too personal with his own wife involved. Habersham County sent deputies down to take him into custody. Neither he nor his son will likely be out of law enforcement custody anytime soon considering what has happened. Since the fight yesterday other students have come forward to lay more accusations on his son and his little school gang. I can say that Sheriff Nagel is now on a tear and hell bent on cleaning up the mess."

Mireille smiled, "Since the hospital is on the way, can we stop by and visit Gina?"

Randy expecting the request had already planned to do so, "Gina is expecting both of you. She wanted to explain in her own words to both of you what occurred. I guess a woman to woman thing."

Wednesday, December 14th 1830 hours, N.E. Georgia Medical Center, Gainesville

Randy sat within a nearby waiting room with Jill Nagel who had been keeping Gina company at the hospital. Today had been the last day of school for the holidays and instead of getting off early as planned, Jill had accompanied Gina in the ambulance while Randy had followed in the Suburban. Jill had been present when the principal, Andrew Bell attempted to serve the letter to Donald Ellis informing him of his son's permanent suspension from school. The still aggressive father had the audacity to charge the principal in the treatment room only to get bodily slammed onto the floor by a Habersham County deputy who took the letter and jammed it down the father's shirt who then turned to the startled principal, "Consider him served! Good day sir."

The judge having just visited Donald Ellis tacked on additional charges before he left ensuring that Donald would have a considerable period of time to reflect on his actions. Jill remembered that Randy Baldwin had been in the other treatment room with his wife and had missed the event. Had Donald made it to the hallway, Randy would have been waiting and she had little doubt that Baldwin would have taken care of the matter that is if her husband had not been standing there as well. It would have been a race to see who could land the first blow.

The two women entering the private room greeted Gina like long lost sisters, Jill remembering both from nearly eight months earlier when they were involved in rescuing Ashley Baldwin from her uncle who had kidnapped her for ransom. Mireille Bouquet the blond haired, blue eyed Amazon like woman moved with cat like grace of a panther and poise a huntress missing nothing when she walked in, followed by Kirika Yumura who like her friend attentive to her surroundings had briefly locked eyes with Jill the fathomless darkness in the young woman eyes that sent chills down her back.

Gina had told her they were coming for a visit, Mireille Bouquet was somehow related to Irena and Nina had wanted to see her cousins. Randy explained to Jill that Mireille and Kirika had wanted to make up for some lost time and to hear from Gina what had transpired with Mireille's cousins in private so she and Randy were sitting in a waiting room waiting for the reunion to end. A reporter had stopped by to get a take on what had happened earlier in the day, and to Jill's amazement Randy Baldwin granted the interview.

Jill glanced at the discarded newspaper that had reported the fight at the school from the previous day; Jill imagined that with what the reporter learned tonight the headlines would be blockbusters in the morning. Unlike the bigger city schools, the smaller local community took great interest in the happenings of the local community schools. The gang activities highlighted so far would get greater attention in the coming days as would the bully problem in the schools themselves.

Jill mused over the behavior of the Baldwin children. All four were exceptional students with no disciplinary problems till now. All four were athletically inclined and with the exception of Corey who did not play a musical instrument but sung instead had enriched the school they attended in several areas.

Irena and Nina besides playing violins were within a class of their own when it came to gymnastics and their martial arts skills surpassed that of Jill's to a point where she had been focusing her spare time into honing their skills and hers. Neither showed fear when it came to the parallel bars in the gym, twirling and twisting about, it was not until Jill watched a video taken of their workout that she realized they were doing the exercises with their eyes closed and smiles on their faces.

Gina had elevated the head of the hospital bed and looked at Mireille and Kirika sitting on either side, "How much did Randy tell?" Mireille crossing her legs leaned back in the chair, "Enough that I and Kirika have concerns over whether Irena and Nina should be here now. Randy said things had progressed extremely well considering what Irena and Nina had been exposed to in the past. I have concerns that if another event was to take place that it would not bode well for either child or the person triggering the event."

Gina Baldwin had witnessed the terrifying battle in the darkness lit only by the flares launched by the trip wires and her husband at the convent in France from a window overlooking the route that the young assassins took. It had been a terrible burden on her husband Randy, had he missed a second time he would have likely executed Irena on the spot and would have been forced to kill Nina afterward as well. But good fortune had smiled on his second shot and final tranquilizer round finding its target after he had shot Kirika by accident. She had seen Mireille and Randy struggling to break Irena's grip, if all else had failed, Randy had the deadly Colt Combat Commander already prepared to fire a round into the head of Irena. But the Colt stayed silent and was quickly returned to the holster as her husband ran with a paralyzed Kirika in his arms.

Gina returning to the present, "I believe we owe both Irena and Nina a chance. They have come such a long way since that night at the convent. What happened was done out of love for one that has come to love them both. I doubt Randy would allow them to be taken away as would Corey and Ashley. I will stand by their sides as well." Kirika frowned, "Has Corey or Ashley been told of their true background? Does anyone else have knowledge of their abilities?"

Gina replied, "Only Sheriff Phil Nagel knows of their true backgrounds as he knows of yours. Corey and Ashley have not been told as of yet. Randy and I decided on that earlier." Mireille sighed, "Gina, it will be only a matter of time. Even though both were examined by psychologists to determine if there were any hidden triggers for violence you and Randy have to make the decision to enlighten Corey and Ashley as well as those who interact with the twins on a day to day basis. It is likely some aspects of their previous training have come to light already only you and Randy do not realize it yet."

Gina remembered the martial arts work out between Randy and the twins in the basement. Neither Corey nor Ashley were present when it happened. Nina had launched into a series of attacks that had driven Randy to the matt and Irena coming from behind had landed a surprise blow that knocked her husband out cold. The twins had then dropped to their knees in shock, trying desperately to wake their step-father. Gina who broke an ammonia capsule had finally roused her husband from his stupor.

Gina locked eyes with Mireille, "Ms. Bouquet I have seen their abilities and frankly it is scary to see such abilities in children of their ages; however they are now my children and I accept them for what and who they are as does Randy and nothing you or Kirika say will change my mind. Is that understood?"

Mireille taken aback by Gina's angered reply nodded, "Gina, I understand as does Kirika. Perhaps while we are here we can work with them in some capacity to help control their abilities and maybe find a way to enlighten Corey and Ashley as well."

Gina sighed, "Ms. Bouquet that would likely entail revealing your own true identities to Corey and Ashley as well, since they both consider you and Kirika as "Aunts". Kirika raising an eyebrow smiled, "We are prepared to do that if you and Randy decide that we must do so." Gina briefly grimaced at that thought, her head throbbing once again sighed, "Ms. Yumura then it is likely it will have to come to pass and as for working with Irena and Nina it will be welcomed as I really do not know how much more punishment Randy can absorb from all four children. Those martial arts lessons are taking a toll on him."

Gina cast her eyes down then sighed, "Mireille there is also another matter as well." Mireille shifted in her chair, "Go on Gina." Gina looked at Kirika then back to Mireille, "Randy does not know yet as I asked the doctor not to tell him." Mireille glanced at Kirika then replied, "How sensitive is it?" Gina smiled, "I am expecting." Kirika raised an eyebrow, "You are pregnant?" Gina nodded, "Yes, with twins."