NOIR

Chapter Two

Revelations

By Steve Edward

Thursday, December 15th 0700 hours, Baldwin Farm, Hall County Georgia

Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura made small talk with Randy while he drove to his farm. Mireille and Kirika both flabbergasted at the news had promised Gina that neither would tell Randy. Besides the doctor only she and Kirika had knowledge of it.

Arriving at the farm house festooned in decorations and lights, the reunion with the children had been joyous.

Randy had bid Angelina and her husband Roberto farewell and wished them a safe trip as they left for the evening. The Lopez family was flying to Mexico to enjoy a family reunion of their own. After settling the children down for bed, Randy finally was able to retrieve the gifts that were in the cargo area of the Suburban with the help of Kirika.

Mireille Bouquet had noted the changes to the house since their last visit, but in the darkness it had been difficult to tell just how much had been added.

Walking into the sitting room, the far wall now gone had been opened and added to the room itself an expansive climate controlled sunroom with a Steinway Grand Piano as its centerpiece, made of Macassar Ebony it rich near rosewood coloring adding to the festive decorations of the sitting room itself where a 15 foot tall Douglas fir stood adorned nearby.

Leaving the sitting room, Mireille walked back to the kitchen and paused briefly at a wall schedule that outlined the daily chores of the Baldwin family till the end of December. Irena, Nina, Ashley and Corey each had their own responsibilities, among them was caring for the horses. Randy's farm had become a temporary foster home for three more horses. In the distance, Mireille could see Kirika watching the activities from atop of Toby, the massive stallion that was a permanent resident with Cumquat the mule standing nearby.

Feeling something brushing against her leg, Mireille looked down to see Crabby the tom cat as it rubbed against her, its gold eyes looking up at her inquisitively. Kneeling down and picking up the cat, Mireille stroked its head as she walked to the front door and exited the house. Crabby satisfied for the moment made movements that it wanted to be set free, and Mireille placed it on the deck of the porch where it immediately scampered off sideways in search of another adventure.

Kirika Yumura atop Toby, watched with interest as the foster horses were put through their prescribed exercises by the Baldwin children. Randy Baldwin before driving off in the Mercedes Benz 600 to Gainesville had outlined to Kirika what each of the children would do.

Irena and Nina had become indoctrinated to the ways of horses and were at the present working with a chestnut colored mare that had been rescued from a life of physical and mental abuse. Tied in such a way that it could reach neither its food nor water mere inches away, then whipped by its previous owner it had been a shell case when it arrived at the Baldwin Farm in late August.

Walking up to Kirika who greeted Mireille, Kirika handed a large notebook to Mireille "That is for the horse that the twins are working with, it contains the historical photographs of the animal and other facts as well."

Mireille climbed the railing of the fence and perching on the top rail; Mireille opened the notebook and began reading.

The first photograph taken the day after arriving showed the condition of the horse. Mireille glanced up at the mare then back at the picture. What had arrived as skin and bones was fully fleshed out, its coat shining in the chilly day. Mireille read the report of the rescue itself, and a picture of a Chevrolet Kodiak 4500 frozen at the moment of impact as it rammed its way through a locked and chained gate. Mireille mused, "So Randy was involved in this one directly," as she turned briefly towards the garage where the same Kodiak 4500 which was fitted with a heavy gauge steel brush and bumper guard sat parked.

Perusing the rest of the notebook, Mireille read the various entries detailing the rehabilitation and the medical condition of the horse. The signatures of the State Inspectors signing off on the progress, detailed and very thorough as it was she noted that Irena and Nina had been heavily involved as their signatures were in the book.

Kirika moved up behind Mireille and handed her two more notebooks, "Those are for the horses that Core and Ashley are working with." Mireille returned the first notebook and read through both the others. The other two horses had been lucky and had been given up for adoption due to difficulties by their previous owners in providing for them. They were being quartered till adoption proceedings were finalized by the state and the new owners picked them up. Mireille felt Toby nosing her in the back and turned back to pat the animal. As Mireille did so, she saw the marked sheriff unit entering the driveway to the farm.

Sheriff Phil Nagel parked the cruiser in front of the Kodiak and exited the car. Stopping briefly at the hospital to check on Gina, he had continued to the Baldwin Farm seeing Randy drive south towards the hospital in the Mercedes Benz. Walking up to Mireille and climbing the fence to perch along side of her, greeted her and Kirika, "Ms. Bouquet. Ms. Yumura. Good morning to you both."

Kirika retrieving the notebooks from Mireille backed Toby away, "Good morning to you as well Sheriff Nagel." Phil sighed, "Mireille, sorry I missed you last night at the hospital. Jill told me that both of you were in town visiting."

Mireille smiled, "There is little need to worry Phil. I and Kirika are here strictly for pleasure." Phil nodded, "So you are not here about Irena and Nina then?"

Mireille shifted position on the rail, "No we are not. Though we did not learn of the incident till we arrived yesterday, neither I nor Kirika have any desire to remove them."

Phil nodded, "Randy has had that thought cross his mind as well as Gina." Mireille looked at the twins, "Gina expressed that to us. How much did Randy and Gina tell you about the twins?"

Phil frowned, "Enough to scar me to say the least. Randy and I have conversed over the past several months. That little demonstration of opening a can of whop-ass on the bully was an eye opener and was the icing on the cake." Mireille seemed to nod in agreement, "Have you yourself noted any behavioral problems or have you heard of anything out of the ordinary?"

Phil chuckled, "My wife has discussed the twins with me. They are in her gymnastics class. Jill noted that when the girls are doing exercises on the parallel bars that both tend to do them with their eyes closed and smiling to boot. Behavioral wise neither has shown aggression of any sort inside or outside of school that I personally know of till that incident. Mireille just how good are they at martial arts? My wife she is black belt herself, but the skills that Irena and Nina have demonstrated frankly put hers to shame and those are her words not mine."

Mireille looking briefly at Irena and Nina replied, "Both have received extensive training in the art of killing. The martial arts are just one aspect of what they have been instructed in. From what Randy learned, they had been in training since the age of 6 undergoing various forms of training from survival in the wilderness to survival on mean city streets. Then there was the matter of firearms training, both are very skilled in handling different types of firearms from hand guns to full fledged and full sized automatic weapons." Mireille pointing to Sheriff Nagel's .40 caliber Glock, "Phil they could easily field strip and reassemble your weapon in the dark and use it without chipping a nail."

Phil Nagel looked down at his holstered weapon and swallowed, "How many others were there Mireille? Randy mentioned something about that." Mireille frowned, "Nearly two dozen others who were also young female teens. None had been exposed to the harsh training that Irena and Nina were exposed to and of course our own training regime surpassed those that been apparently selected."

Mireille continued, "The others were found at a former private school in Germany, after our encounter with Irena and Nina. Other individuals are working with them closely and all soon will be adopted."

Phil nodded, "Well that's a comforting thought. Mireille, has Randy talked about Irena and Nina in regards to revealing their true past? I mean sooner or later it is going to happen."

Mireille looked directly at Sheriff Nagel, "Yes he has as has Gina. Your wife Jill, she is still in the dark about me and Kirika's true career work?"

Phil frowned, "Yes. Very much in the dark, Jill still thinks you are just associates of Randy and nothing more though since Irena and Nina arrived, they have been referred to being your cousins. Jill who has worked with them more than anyone else at the school had been voicing some skepticism to me, but not Gina. Jill will likely not be fooled too much longer I'm afraid."

Toby's head came into view over Phil's left shoulder, Kirika had drawn closer interrupted, and "Mr. Baldwin and Mrs. Baldwin have given much consideration to revealing the truth. Besides your wife Jill, there are two others who have no knowledge of the twins past. They are Corey and Ashley Baldwin." Phil looked off into the distance; all four children had been out of earshot of the conversation, he replied, "Then it is going to have to be settled. My wife Jill with Corey and Ashley will have to be told." Turning to Mireille, "Ms. Bouquet with all do respect, I believe it might help to drop your charade as well. If we going to break the news to everyone we might as well give them a whooper of a secret to boot."

Mireille nodded in agreement, "We should discuss this further with the Baldwin's since it will be their choice and not ours to make."

Thursday, December 15th 0830 hours, N.E. Georgia Medical Center, Gainesville

Gina Baldwin sat in the hospital room gathering her thoughts while waiting for the mandatory wheel chair to appear. Randy had left carrying what belongings she had brought with her the day before. Musing to her self, "Pregnant, the doctors had said I would not be able to conceive again, yet I have. The doctor cracked the proverbial joke to her, "Yes Gina you definitely do have two more in the oven.""

Gina smiled, "Well that would make six. At least the house is large enough, and with the elevator I will be able to get up and down from the second floor."

The soft knock on the door announced the presence of the nurse who greeted Gina, "Ready to go home Mrs. Baldwin?"

Wheeled at to the main entrance, Gina spied the morning paper in the newspaper box the headlines screaming "TEACHERS ASSAULTED!" and in smaller type, "GANGS and BULLIES WITHIN", then the photograph of the school and her own photograph staring back at her along side Jill's.

Randy stood next to the car, with the door open he too had seen the morning paper and had read the articles before leaving the farm. The paper carrier had left an extra copy in the box with a yellow sticky note attached, "Mr. Baldwin, Gina and your kids are in our prayers call if you need anything…" There were still people in the county who held traditional values. If you called they would come and they would not be alone.

Ensuring Gina was comfortable and belted in; Randy closed the door and thanked the nurse for her assistance. Entering the car and starting it, Randy turned to Gina, "Well are you ready?" Gina smiled, "Let's go home please." Putting the car into drive, Randy left the hospital for their home.

Thursday, December 15th 1600 hours, Langley, Virginia

Tabitha Alexander reread the Hall County Sheriff Departments incident reports on both incidents at the high school, then glancing at the local newspaper from Gainesville, Georgia the two separate editions reporting on the initial occurrence then the attack on two school teachers, one of which was Randy Baldwin's wife Gina who had been hospitalized after the attack.

Randy had not left out any detail in the initial e-mail nor the follow up. It had been part of the agreement to adopting the twins that Randy would report any violent behavior from the twins. She turned to the confidential psychology report on both young girls and reread it as well. Though each girl apparently had suppressed memories of certain experiences neither had what could be called a trigger that would turn them into unthinking killers.

Tabitha remembered the emotional meeting in Paris with both Irena and Nina. Quietly asking each young girl certain specific questions had revealed to Tabitha more than she herself had any right to know. Tabitha came to the same conclusion as Randy had; the attack itself against the bully was an emotional act of love for their step-brother Corey and nothing more. Picking up the large filing folder, she placed the items within and sealed it and stamping it with the highest possible security clearance which would only be allowed to open it and even view the contents, Tabitha called her assistant in and handed off the folder directing that it be taken to the secure filing area immediately.

Turing to the window and briefly gazing into the wintry landscape, Tabitha Alexander turned back to her desk to resume her work.

Thursday, December 15th 1900 hours, Baldwin Farm, Hall County, Georgia

Monopoly, a simple fun board game that had survived in an era of computer games and other electronic entertainment devices was the focus of those gathered around the kitchen table. Irena and Nina were on a tear and threatening to take over Mireille's and Kirika's combined properties in one feel swoop, as Phil Nagel and his wife Jill sitting in the proverbial poor house could attest to.

Randy with a grin watched them do it on the next move. Corey and Ashley had played with the twins knew just how dangerous Irena and Nina were when it came to Monopoly and had shielded themselves using their Aunts as bait. Three moves later the twins finished up and took over Corey and Ashley's properties as well ending a hard fought game. Mireille tilting her head to the side, "Randy you set us up." Randy still grinning, "Do not say that I did not warn you." Mireille had in fact been warned before hand about the twins playing ability. Kirika an eyebrow cocked looked over the board one last time, "We should have heeded it more closely."

Gina returning from the sitting room placed her hands on husband's shoulders, "Randy everything is ready." Randy nodded and then looked at Phil Nagel who silently acknowledged the signal. Phil Nagel turned to Jill his wife, "Hon, the Baldwin's have something to tell us and the kids so Randy asked me to bring you to hear it."

Jill turned to look at her husband, "This had better be good." Randy smiled I think everyone will be happy that we did. It has been a long hard decision for some of us."

Adjourning to the sitting room, Gina passed out the refreshments then took a seat next to Randy.

Randy had pondered how he was going to explain things to Corey and Ashley then of course to Jill Nagel. Gathering his thoughts, and standing Randy began to speak.

"First off, Corey, Ashley I and your mother want to apologize for misleading you over the past several months. For Jill, it has been nearly a year for you." Jill looked at her husband who nodded.

"Corey, Ashley. When we first met in the meadow a year ago it was indeed an accidental meeting for all of us. The two women, who you have affectingly labeled as your Aunts, are not really related to me in anyway. They are friends of mine who I first encountered over five years ago under less than desirable conditions.

Jill. Phil decided that it was in our best interests that he would withhold certain things, which frankly I agreed with at the time that we should do so. Kid's I was with the United States Central Intelligence Agency as a field agent for 17 of my 20 years with the Agency."

Corey looked at his step-father, "You did not tell us because you did some things that you can't talk about?"

Randy nodded, "Yes." Ashley spoke, "Something has happened, which is the reason you are telling us now?"

Gina replying, "Yes Ashley, something did happen."

Randy continued, "Aunt Mireille and Aunt Kirika who are really Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura have both agreed that it has become necessary to tell the truth to not only you Corey, Ashley but to Mrs. Nagel as well. There is also Irena and Nina. You need to know about their true backgrounds.

Jill looked at her husband, "Phil, this started in October of last year? That mess in Habersham County, the raid on the Martinez Mansion?" Phil Nagel shook his head yes, "Well it started before the raid took place, but it had sort of continued since then."

Mireille spoke, "Mrs. Nagel, I and Kirika are assassins. We are called Noir."

Ashley looked directly at Mireille, "You have to kill people?" Mireille nodded with sadness, "Yes Ashley that is I and Kirika's line of work. It was five years ago that we nearly killed your step-father during an assignment. Something inside of me said no and I let him live. He ended us rescuing the both of us during a gun battle that occurred during the assignment, and he carried Kirika out on his shoulders because of her wounds. Four years after we first meet, he would do the same thing again only this time he rescued me after I was wounded in a gun battle outside the Martinez Mansion."

Jill absorbing the news looked at Mireille "Why Martinez?" Phil replied, because the bastard's criminal organization was responsible for the murder of Father George Skinner. Noir's assignment was to kill him." Jill looked at her husband, "He was yours and Randy's childhood friend."

Randy stood and walked over to a framed photograph of the three men, "Yes he was Jill; a very close friend indeed."

Randy continued, "There was more than met the eye to Noir's assignment. You of course saw the news reports and read the newspapers. Martinez was going to use his drug smuggling operation as a way of introducing a biological weapon into the United States. He had already completed the lab itself that would have produced it on the mansion grounds itself. Noir took it upon them selves and entered the grounds again at great risk to make the discovery. Kirika nearly did not make it out."

Jill turned to Randy, "The morning of the raid, people said helicopters were landing somewhere near here?" Randy turned around, "The raid helicopters picked me and Noir up here at the farm and we all participated in the raid with the exception of your husband. Martinez met his end at the hands of Noir, and Father Skinner was avenged."

Jill thought a moment, "Ashley's kidnapping?" Randy frowned, "I had invited both Mireille and Kirika to the United States for relaxation, and Phil did not like the idea at the time either. But they were here to help bring Ashley back home which they did. It was when I and Gina had the falling out and it was at that time Gina found out their true identities. She finally found out the truth about what happened to me during my Agency from Noir. It had been something I had been carrying inside of me for a long time."

Gina smiled, "Then we got married, but such a short honeymoon it was." Phil spoke, "You and Randy flying to Europe and coming back with Irena and Nina." Jill looked at Irena and Nina, "Oh my god, you mean they were…"

Irena spoke, "Our step-father prevented us from completing a task and thus saved I and Nina's life. We were to have become the next Noir."

Gina replied, "Jill, it is complicated to say the least but Randy and Noir did stop something in Europe, that had it not been stopped would in likelihood have plunged Europe into a war." Mireille spoke, the twins had been in training as assassins since they were six years old, and you have already mentioned their martial arts skills to your husband in passing. They are quit capable of defensive and offensive measures, some of which you likely witnessed during the fight at the school.

Jill looked at Irena and Nina with a new found understanding, "The people who did this have they been held accountable?" Kirika replied "The last one known to have been involved died three days ago in Poland."

Randy smiled, "So you found Herman." Mireille replied, "Yes. Herman was disposed of." Gina looked at Randy, "Herman?" Randy spoke, "The chemist responsible for the formulation of the drugs that we found in the twins backpacks in France and who oversaw the manufacturing of the drugs in the factory that was raided by French authorities in July. He had been on the run for five months, till Noir located him in Poland." Gina frowned, "I thought you said it was over with?" Randy shrugging his shoulders, "It was personal Gina," as Randy turned towards the twins.

Jill sighed and leaned back, "Ok. So I have been teaching two former assassin trainees in gymnastics and of course thinking that I was instructing them in martial arts they were actually teaching me some new moves instead, which I used one of them on that idiot Ellis by the way and all the while my husband had full knowledge of their existence and their prior history and I did not, how nice to know now." Phil trying to elicit a smile but failed, "That pretty much sums it up."

Gina looked at Jill, "Please do not blame Phil, as he had to take into consideration certain things. Those that hold the knowledge of Noir are few." Jill looking at Mireille then Kirika, "Who else knows if I may ask?" as Randy refilling his coffee turned around, "Doctor Harold Francis and Darla as do Roberto and Angelina Lopez are the only other ones that know what they look like here in Georgia and there is of course the head of the CIA, Tabitha Alexander my former boss." Gina quipped, "Who I might add got us into the last mess."

Corey and Ashley looked at each other then Corey interrupted, "Well neither I nor Ashley hold it against you Dad or you Mom for not telling us about Irena and Nina, besides they told us what happened to them two weeks after we got home. I and Ashley know about our step-sisters so no big deal."

The adult's reactions varied, Randy nearly spewed coffee over everyone, Phil started laughing, Mireille and Kirika joined in and Gina turned red from embarrassment and Jill turned around trying to smack her husband.

Randy, stared at Corey "You knew all this time? How? I told them both that we would discuss it at a later time!" Ashley looking at her step-father, "Because I told them that we wanted to know and that we would keep it a secret between us, and after they told us what you and mom did for them then telling us what happened to them before they came to live with us, I and Corey told them never to tell any of the kids at school or anywhere else because it could be very bad for all of us if they did."

Randy sat back down in the chair looking at Corey and Ashley. He had severely underestimated their maturity. Keeping a secret could be hard for a young teenager but both had withheld Irena and Nina's dark secrets from others and that they had not told Randy or Gina they were already aware made him feel confident that Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura had little fear that Corey or Ashley would even discuss their Aunt's true line of work. Jill Nagel though was another matter.

Randy turned to Jill Nagel, "Jill, I had second thoughts about revealing Irena and Nina's pasts. I can not undo what had discussed here openly. I was walking around confident that Irena and Nina had maintained the cover that had been crafted for them, thankfully I have two wonderful and very mature step-children who behind my back and Gina's discovered it on their own, but they withheld that knowledge and ensured that the twins would not speak of it outside of this house. Officially in the adoption records that are on file in Paris, France and at the Federal Court House in Atlanta they are cousins to Mireille Bouquet. You of course now know of Noir. Keep that knowledge to your self."

Randy turned to Corey and Ashley, "Did you know about Noir already as well?" Nina interrupted "Father we did not tell them that." Corey acknowledged her answer, "Dad it was news to us. We will not say anything." Jill spoke, "Mr. Baldwin, your secrets revealed as they have been shall remain in confidence. You have my word."

Gina silently thank Jill turned and retrieved a sealed envelope from beneath the lamp table and gave it to Randy directing him to open it. "For the final secret, I might as well tell you now."

Randy looked within and withdrew two photographs taken during a sonogram and looking at the date imprinted on the pictures he turned to Gina, "You're pregnant?" Gina smiled, "Yes my dear I am." Mireille interrupted, "With twins no less." Phil chuckled, "So that's why I saw the chocolate candy when I came by." Jill turned to her husband, "You are a knucklehead."

Randy sat back a bit in shock and happy at the same time, then looked at Mireille and Kirika "She told you while you were visiting? Kirika smiling, "Of course, who else would have she told?" Jill raised an eyebrow, "Well Gina, why not me?" Gina blushed, "I did not know how well it would be received by you. Besides you tend to bubble over every time someone is expecting." Jill laughed for the first time that evening, "Well I guess you are right. Every time someone at school gets pregnant I have been the last to be told."

Corey interrupted, "Um so, where are they gonna sleep?" Randy chuckled; I think we will have plenty of time for that Corey. Your mother is not that far along.

Friday, December 16th 0900 hours, Baldwin Farm, Hall County, Georgia

Case Number 05-A0014B was the single line on the title coversheet. Year, month, incident number and the letter B signified that there were two separate cases. Case A, was found deceased, State Inspector Bart Childers had been there as a witness, he was observing Case B, that should by all rights be dead as well. Turning to Randy Baldwin, the Inspector grinned, "Randy, incredible hand-work."

Randy acknowledged the compliment but directed Bart to look at Irena and Nina, "Bart they are the ones that did it. I merely instructed them on what to do and the girls took it from there."

The mare, was showing affection as well as the horse could to its two care takers who had nursed it back to health and giving it a second chance at life. Randy had decided not give the horse a name, reserving that for the new owners standing nearby who watched as their young son was introduced to 14-B by the twins.

Bart recalled the rescue, the vet advised Case A had died within the last 8 hours on the blistering hot August day. The man responsible having chained and then tack wielding the access gate shut had laughed and cursed not only Bart but the Sheriff Deputies and then Randy Baldwin. Bart smiled at the memory of the surprised look on the face of the man when Baldwin telling the deputies to get of the way had backed up the Kodiak and the attached fifth wheel trailer hooked up behind the truck.

The gate never stood a chance against the 30,000 pound truck and trailer when Randy Baldwin drove through it. The second mistake was coming off the porch to confront Randy Baldwin. The deputies and the State Inspector charging in on foot heard the sound of a human body crashing into metal. When Bart rounded the front of the truck, the man was face down on the ground and the nearly 400 pound metal gate on his back.

Bart returned to the present, and entering the paddock approached 14-B. For the final test, a test that would tell Bart; if the young girls had been successful in the rehabilitation of the mare itself, it was simple. There were no extreme physical maneuvers or anything out of the out of the ordinary. The horse had to trust a relative stranger going about his or her business around the animal and not strike out in fear.

Irena and Nina directed by their step-father to return and observe the test from outside the paddock did so. Bart nodded to Randy, pressed the send button on his cell phone, Bart's began to ring. 14-B ears perked a bit, and she turned her head slightly as Bart walked in front then down her side then to the rear, placing a reassuring hand on the rump as he walked around the rear and came to a stop from where he started.

In a soothing voice, and gentle touch Bart examined the hooves then running his hands up the legs and giving gentle pats of assurance. Satisfied, Bart turned to Randy, "Ok Mr. Baldwin. Saddle the horse."

Already saddle broken, 14-B would have to trust the stranger that had recently been around it. Bart rechecking the harness and saddle mounted the mare and with minimal urging 14-B trotted off towards the end of the field where Bart proceeded to guide the horse through a series of simple maneuvers. Wheeling the animal about, Bart eased the mare into a slow gallop and maintained it till slowing the horse to a trot then to a full stop. Then he dropped the reins, and signaled to Randy again. The ringing of the cell phone did not bother nor startle 14-B and it stayed where it was.

Satisfied and grinning Bart dismounted and led the horse back to the paddock gate handing the reigns to Nina, "Young lady well down for both you and your sister." Nina acknowledges, "Thank you sir. This was our first."

The Mitchell's Dan and Cindy with son William were ushered into the paddock for a full introduction. Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura having observed the inspection from the fence climbed down and walked back to the house to prepare for Irena and Nina.