NOIR

Chapter Three

Revelations

By Steve Edward

Friday, December 16th 1000 hours, Baldwin Farm, Hall County, Georgia

Randy helped load 14-B into the horse trailer of the Mitchell's and bid farewell to them. The horse now had a name, Tinker Bell. Inspector Childers signed off on the adoption and departed as well after briefly checking on the remaining horses.

Randy returned to the house and headed downstairs to the workout room where Irena and Nina were working out with Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura. Each girl had martial arts skills that were superb, but each need refinement and instruction to use them properly.

Gina observing from the sideline winced during one particular strike launched against Kirika by Irena and both had ended up on the matt together, but with Kirika on top explaining to Irena what went wrong, "You telegraphed your movement and applied too much behind it Irena. The goal is not to injure or kill but to bring your opponent into a position that you can control.

Randy joining his wife had seen the tail end of the action and had overheard the admonishment from Kirika. Another loud thud and Nina briefly joined her sister as Mireille had slammed her into the matt as well.

Gina frowning, "Randy is this really necessary?" as her husband watched Kirika spin, block and take down Irena again, "Yes Gina it is. They need help in controlling their attacks. You heard Kirika, it is not about injuring or killing; it is about control. If both can obtain that control and maintain it through regular practice we will have little worry about them injuring someone else so badly."

A woman's voice speaking "Knock, Knock" came from upstairs. It was Jill Nagel. Gina stood and walked to the foot of the stairs, "Come on down Jill."

Jill Nagel dressed in karate workout clothing descended the stairs, "Gina. Sorry I am late."

Jill had agreed to help work with the twins. Watching as Mireille and Kirika both blocked and countered Irena and Nina's respective attacks, she tool mental notes of their movements and individual actions. Circling them individually, Jill watched closely as the twins conducted the individual movements to the attacks. Satisfied at what she had seen, Jill interrupted the workout and took the twins aside and began speaking with them.

Randy noted that Mireille and Kirika had hardly broken a sweat, "Comments?" Mireille replied, "Nina has demonstrated familiarity and skill, but like Irena she too has lack of refinement. I consider that lack of control as a direct result from being pushed to learn the attacks but lack of oversight in regards to control those attacks resulted in sloppiness."

Kirika watching Jill adjusting their stances turned back, "I noted improvement in Irena in regards to her style and methods since our last encounter. Had you been working with them a lot?" Gina interrupted, "As much as he could, Kirika. Then there were the workouts with Corey and Ashley thrown in. as well. Randy is rather good at least to me, but there are four of them and with the varied skill levels you can surmise the difficulty of adjusting to each child's abilities."

Kirika cracking a slight smile, "I am familiar with your husband's abilities, he has been challenging in the past, especially down on the matt." Gina turned to her husband who was blushing, "Darling? Just what did she mean precisely by down on the matt?" Randy replied, "Gina, we really don't want to go there." Gina stood looking down at Randy, "We will discuss this later," as she headed for the stairs.

Mireille gave a soft laugh, "Kirika, I do remember the last time that you and Randy had a match, but he put you on the matt in such a way so it would not be so compromising like the previous time." Gina at the top of the stairs quipped, "I heard that Mireille!"

Jill finishing with the twins interrupted "Ok who wants to be the demonstrators?"

Randy looked up and replied, "Ok Kirika you can beat me up again, let me get changed…"

Friday, December 16th 1730 hours, Gainesville Auditorium, Gainesville, Georgia

The auditorium seats were still empty, but in 15 minutes they would begin filling. Behind Randy Baldwin on the center of the stage, a Yamaha Grand Piano its finish reflecting the stage lighting, arrayed on either side two chairs with music stands before them.

The final rehearsal with the twins, Ashley and Corey and Randy's wife Gina had completed 15 minutes earlier. Ashley and the twins were changing and would appear in matching red dresses, while Corey wearing a tuxedo would take his position centered between Irena and Nina with Gina wearing black would take position to the rear of the piano.

Kirika Yumura and Mireille Bouquet backstage wearing strapless black dresses observed the activities taking place. The charity event had apparently become a sought after event and by word of month and little advertising it had quickly sold out. Among the dignitaries attending, the Governor of Georgia, both United States Senators that represented the state and as well as several members of the United States House of Representatives and numerous lesser politicians.

Randy called out to the lighting director, "Mike, bring that center light on the piano down slightly and bring it to 70 percent. Then mark and lock that spot, Ashley wanted it down a bit." Acknowledging the request the lighting director replied, "Ok Randy how does it look now?" Giving thumbs up, Randy turned away and walked toward Mireille and Kirika.

Mireille had Randy stop and then stepped in front of him. "Your bowtie needs adjustment," as she adjusted the wayward tie. Dressed in a tuxedo, Randy Baldwin tried to peer downward as Mireille made the adjustment, but she tapped his chin back, "Stop squirming."

Sheriff Phil Nagel in a suit with his shield in the carrier hanging from his breast pocket watched in bemusement as he joined Kirika, "Ah everyone dressed to kill." Randy unable to turn his head stood hapless, "Ha very funny Phil. You get to wear a regular suit, while I have to wear this thing." Kirika replied, "It is very becoming."

Sheriff Nagel eyeing the dresses of Mireille and Kirika, "Well Ms. Yumura you are not too shabby yourself. You look how we say, rather attractive as does Ms. Bouquet."

Randy said a silent prayer, "Lord please not now. She can hit him later." Mireille swiveled her head at Phil, "Don't you have to be some place Sheriff?"

Phil seeing the looks swallowed, "Ah thanks for the reminder. Randy the Governor has arrived as have the U.S. Senators. They will be seated first, and then the remainder will be admitted. Oh yeah, you gonna get coverage in the local news. Every major station has a crew here."

Mireille finished the adjustment just as Gina followed by the twins, Ashley and Corey appeared. Gina had a singing role as well and would sing Soprano to Corey's Tenor.

Randy recalled the first performance which had taken place at the high school for the students and faculty. Irena and Nina's playing ability had wowed the music director as had their instruments when they began attending the school. In a natural progression vocals were integrated adding the vocals of his wife and step-son Corey to the Christmas performance that had attracted the attention of several local charities.

Approached and asked to do a large scale performance, the Baldwin's accepted the request with the only requirement that all proceeds go to the various charities. Someone had sent a tape of the performance to the State Capital where it had received considerable ear time, hence the attendance of the numerous politicians.

The final participants appeared, four teenage boys from the high school marching band and they too were wearing tuxedoes. Their drums suspended from white nylon support straps twinkled, the high polished chrome reflecting back the lights of the stage.

Randy satisfied that all that could be done had been done turned to those gathered, "Ok. Places everyone, let's give them their money's worth and a lot more."

Nodding to the stage hand that they were ready, the woman cued the lights and the performance began…"

Saturday, December 17th 0830 hours, Baldwin Farm, Hall County Georgia

Randy mused over the previous night's events as he finished the entries into the logbooks of the horses that he was fostering. Seven standing ovations and five encores, then of course the flowers delivered to the stage from admirers and well wishers. The house was adorned in roses, adding to the color of the decorations.

Mireille Bouquet blocked the strike turned and followed through with one against Irena, who stopped it then sent Mireille to the matt. Both returned to their feet and then bowing to each other concluded their match. Kirika standing with Jill Nagel and Nina Baldwin stepped forward to Mireille, "It is like fighting a mirror image, and the only difference is Irena favors her right while Nina favors her left."

Mireille nodded patting Irena on the shoulder, "True. Who ever initially instructed them apparently had them do matches against each other, and did not focus on each ones attributes."

Irena replied, "When we were receiving instruction, I and Nina would workout against each other. The instructor, he would not engage in match with us."

Jill Nagel frowned, "Irena, the instructor never wanted to engage in a match? Did he ever say why?"

Irena shook her head no, "He never offered explanation." Kirika reflecting commented, "It was perhaps to avoid direct interaction, Mrs. Nagel. Rightly or wrongly the instructor's preferences of only viewing Irena and Nina engaging each other in a match bears out the lack of refinement."

Jill Nagel resetting the matt's stood, "Irena, did the instructor ever give you his name?"

Irena shook her head no, "He refused to give his given name and only would be addressed as Instructor."

Mireille interrupted, "Jill, the Soldats tended to work in compartmentalized groups. They would not reveal their true names easily, or unnecessarily."

Gina Baldwin coming down the stairs with Ashley brought refreshments, "Time to take a break everyone."

Gina handed a hot tea to Jill, "How are things progressing?" Jill smiled, "Looking better. I can not fault your decision to enlighten me about Irena and Nina. Considering the circumstances refocusing and refinement is going well. Since I have been able to observe more closely, it is going to benefit them both. Their so called previous instructor focused on power training than traditional skills."

Gina taking a seat replied, "Power?" Kirika replied, "Yes, Mrs. Baldwin. Irena and Nina were taught skills that would be capable of causing considerable harm to their opponent. Martial Arts are defensive and offensive, it is meant for the opponent to be disabled and to live, not to be killed. The power training was to focus their abilities into killing rather than disabling."

Ashley adjusted her workout clothing and turned to her mother, "When Dad first demonstrated to me what Martial Arts were really about, it changed my perspective. To be able to defend oneself against a large person it was using those persons advantages to benefit our own defense. Irena and Nina were never given that perspective."

Ashley turned to Nina, "Let's have a match sister."

Saturday, December 17th 1600 hours, Baldwin Farm, Hall County, Georgia

Randy and Corey Baldwin watched as the Suburban descended the driveway towards the road. Gina Baldwin adamant that they could not go shopping were left behind to fend for them selves. Mireille waved goodbye to Randy as she shifted the vehicle into drive. The twins with Ashley and Kirika in the rear and Gina riding upfront Randy wondered what else Gina could possibly buy but with Mireille and Kirika along the odds were high that the Suburban would be full when it came back.

Saturday, December 17th, 1730 hours, Mall of Georgia, Gwinnett County, Georgia

The Christmas was on and the huge shopping mall was a shopper's delight. Splitting into two groups, the women headed for their respective stores. Nina had paired with Mireille and Gina with Ashley pairing with Kirika and Irena.

With the women gone, Randy and Corey had a small dinner together then they returned to the garage. The Model A Coupe had been sold to a collector in South Carolina and with the proceeds Randy purchased another man toy much to the dismay of Mrs. Baldwin when Randy had driven it to the farm.

Gina had showed her displeasure by giving Randy crossed looks after coming to see the car. A two door, four seat coupe the 2005 Ford Mustang GT could not carry all of them at the same time. Corey had been wowed by the first ride, the gun metal gray Mustang's long sloping hood seemed to disappear from his seat. The twins with Ashley had ridden next, pressed into the seat backs as the 4.6 liter V-8 power plant ate up the road. Then Gina grudgingly accepted the car too after Randy promised she could drive it too. But she never had sat behind the wheel. Randy mused that Gina had allowed him to keep it to have some form of escape.

With Corey belted in, Randy turned the key and the muted burble of the 4.6 liter engine settled to a steady idle. Satisfied that everything was in the operating range, Randy shifted the Mustang into drive and eased out of the garage towards the highway.

Heading north on Highway 365, Randy headed for the Baptist Church, where the late Father George Skinner had been interred after his death. With Corey at his side Randy knelt before the grave and said a prayer then placed fresh flowers upon the marker. Corey who had heard the story of his step-fathers friendship with the late priest knelt as well and said his own prayer. Taking one last look at the grave, Randy with Corey turned and headed back to the Mustang.

Kirika and Irena eyed the programmable robot as it performed its functions. Conferring with Ashley it soon joined the growing pile of gifts. Gina and Mireille had their own conference as well. With Nina helping carry their purchases they rejoined the others in the food court for a quick meal, then they all headed for the parking lot.

Saturday, December 17th, 1945 hours, Mall of Georgia, Gwinnett County, Georgia

Craig Seth, a petty criminal had been busy, and he had made some lucky scores. With people in a rush they tended to do things that they would not ordinarily do and even with the public messages from law enforcement officials telling people not to leave gifts or other items in full view they still did.

The small Toyota parked between the black Suburban and the Expedition was hidden from casual view and Craig had successfully entered the car. Removing the purchases quickly and piling them next to the rear tire, Craig failed to notice he had company.

Kirika stopped at the rear of the Toyota and looked at the man pulling the shopping bags from the car. The packages blocking access to the Suburban had fallen over onto the side of the vehicle, "Excuse me sir, are you having difficulty?" as Kirika was joined by Gina.

Gina Baldwin eyed Craig, "Kirika. There was a woman driving that car and she was alone. I remember she was ahead of us."

Craig finally noticing he had company tried to bluff his way out, but failed. Kirika placing her shopping bags on the ground, "Sir, with all due respect please put the items that you have taken out of the car back into it."

Craig chuckled, "Fuck you bitch!" and charged Kirika.

Mireille pulled Gina Baldwin clear and held the twins back along with Ashley and they watched as Craig Seth snapping a knife blade open tried to stab Kirika. Kirika dodged, grabbed Craig's wrist and snapped it downward.

The security camera's caught the fight as it took place and both Security and Gwinnett County Police units were dispatched to the area of the incident. Craig Seth trying to get off the ground felt the impact of Kirika's kick to his chin then nothing. When Craig did finally wake up, he was face down and he was handcuffed, the shiny black dress shoes of a Gwinnett County Police Officer the first things he saw followed by the angry glare from the officer himself.

Saturday, December 17th, 2030 hours, Mall of Georgia, Gwinnett County, Georgia

Taking side roads, Randy arrived 20 minutes after the phone call. Mireille turned briefly to look at the Mustang parked behind a Gwinnett County Police unit, Randy Baldwin discussing what had transpired with the Mall Security personnel and Gwinnett Police stood next to the Toyota with its owner who had returned to find that her car had been at the center of it all.

Gina Baldwin unharmed and unshaken had calmly called 911 then her husband. Kirika unharmed as well had retrieved some ribbon and a bright red bow from the rear of the Suburban and had secured her unconscious attacker. The bright red bow still securely fashioned to the man's head; had been the first thing the police officer had noted when he had arrived.

Finishing the discussions, Randy Baldwin and the officer returned to Craig Seth still face down on the ground. Snapping his Old Timer knife open, Randy sliced the ribbon securing the man's feet then helped the officer lift the man to his feet. Randy then stepped rather close to Craig, "Mr. Seth. Consider yourself fortunate. The young woman went easy on you. Had you harmed my wife on the other hand, all bets would have been off; do pray that we never cross paths again." Craig looking up and meeting the eyes of Randy Baldwin could only gulp.

Shaking hands with the officer, Randy turned towards the Suburban then strolled up to Kirika and looked down at her, "Kirika. Thank you." Then he embraced her.

Gina smiled, "There was little worry Randy. The man was an amateur." Randy stepping away from Kirika turned to his wife, "Amateur yes. But still an idiot with a knife, let's get home."

Sunday, December 18th 1300 hours, Baldwin Farm, Hall County, Georgia

Package wrapping was something that Randy was not entirely good at. Fighting the ribbon then getting it entangled with the bow, he sighed in frustration and tried once again. Knitting he could do, but getting the ribbon aligned was another. Satisfied that things were a straight as they would be getting Randy set the package on a nearby table in the study. He was currently barred from the sitting room as the women were wrapping in there. He could hear the occasional giggles coming from there, which made him wonder just what they had purchased.

Corey Baldwin knocked on the study door, behind him Phil and Jill Nagel; standing and waving both in Randy shook hands with Phil and gave a brief hug to Jill. Jill eyed the package, "Wrapping things Randy?" Randy chuckled, "Trying my best." Phil taking a seat, nodded at his wife who headed for the sitting room.

Phil turned back to Randy, "Well I heard about the incident at Mall of Georgia. I guess the fellow should have picked some place else." Randy returning to his desk, "I believe he is likely thinking the same thing. He is damn lucky he is still alive. Kirika could have broken the man's neck in one move."

Phil nodded, "Thankfully she did restrain herself. Besides the gifts we are dropping off, I wanted to bring you this. It was hand delivered to the Department yesterday anonymously, and found at the Dispatch Window. No one saw who dropped it off."

Sliding the manila envelope across the desk to Randy, Phil waited till he opened it and read the contents. Randy sighed and put the letter down on the desktop, "So there has been a threat made." Phil frowned, "Unfortunately yes. However if it is real or not is another matter all together, besides that envelope another was delivered naming my wife."

Randy turned and gazed briefly out the window, "A threat against Gina, the twins and your wife yet no mention made of Corey and Ashley. Phil? Does Jill know yet?"

Phil looking at Randy, "I am for right now holding back. I am though going every where she is going, but I am running out of excuses."

Randy mused a moment, "Well it is time to break the news. I'll go get them." Randy stood and while walking past Phil was stopped, "What do you have in mind?" Randy briefly looked down at his friend, "What may have to be done Phil."

Randy knocked on the sitting room door and opened it; Gina about to admonish her husband saw the serious look upon his face, "Something wrong Dear?" Randy nodded then spoke, "Gina, Mrs. Nagel, Mireille, Kirika please come with me. Nina and Irena you two stay here with Ashley." As the adults left, Ashley looked at her step sisters, "What did we do now?"

Jill sitting next to her husband saw the concern on his face that matched Randy Baldwin's. Both men looking at her, then Randy turned to look at Gina then walked and sat at his desk.

Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura both had seen the look on Randy's face before. He did not hide his emotions very well as Mireille sitting next to Gina spoke, "Randy what is going on?"

Phil interrupted, "Ms. Bouquet, Ms. Yumura, two letters delivered anonymously to the sheriffs department yesterday have indicated that there are death threats against my wife Jill, Mrs. Baldwin and the twins Irena and Nina."

Jill turned to her husband, "Just how long have you known?" Phil sighed, "Since last night. Randy found out about it just now himself."

Gina looked towards her husband, "What about Corey and Ashley?" Randy looked up from the letter, "No mention made of them, but I am including them both in the threats."

Mireille replied, "Could it be a prank?" Phil replied, "I don't know Ms. Bouquet. Considering the events in the past few days, anything is possible."

Randy Baldwin turned to Jill Nagel, "Jill, I have to consider the threats as real. Until then I would like to have you over as a house guest as it will free up Phil from having to worry about your safety." Jill about to argue was interrupted by Kirika Yumura, "Mrs. Nagel, please do so. There is plenty of room here and it would give Mr. Baldwin and your husband time to investigate the threats if they are indeed real."

Gina turned to Jill, "My treat Jill," as Jill Nagel sighed, "Ok, Gina I'll do it." Randy stood and smiled, "Good. Phil take Jill home and pickup some things for a three day stay and bring her back. Gina, have the twins help setup the spare bedroom. Then after that is done, bring all the kids in here and we will tell them what is going on. Phil after you get back we will go to Gainesville. There are some people I want to talk with there."

Randy waited for the Nagel's to leave then turned to Mireille, "Mireille, I would like to make a request." Mireille holding up her hand, "Consider it done Randy." Randy turned to look at Kirika who as well acknowledged the request. Both Mireille and Kirika left the study as well without another word being said. Gina looked back at her husband, "Randy? Keep the violence to a minimum," and she walked out of the study leaving her husband alone.

Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura entered their bedroom and closed the door and both retrieved their respective weapons. Sitting across from each other at the table in their room Mireille and Kirika began field stripping and examining their respective weapons.

Mireille with practiced hands disassembled her Walther, silently reflected back to five years earlier. Randy Baldwin then an agent for the Central Intelligence Agency had encountered both her and Kirika in a Mid-East villa. At the time of the meeting she and Kirika had just carried out an assignment of which Randy Baldwin knew nothing about. Mireille had the option at the time of putting a bullet into Randy's forehead but had not.

Instead Mireille had let Randy live so he could carry out his own mission. While she and Kirika were egressing from the villa, a sleepy guard had found them and sounded the alarm. In the ensuing gun battle Kirika had been wounded. She and Kirika had made an agreement that if either were incapacitated that the other would end the life of the other.

The irony of the situation was that Randy Baldwin had appeared out of no where and scooped Kirika up without a word being said and made a run for it, while blazing away at the remainder of the villa guards. She had been unable to fulfill the pact, and instead worked with Baldwin to get her and Kirika out. Baldwin who had only minutes earlier faced both in certain death had put his own safety aside to ensure theirs.

Mireille drove the escape vehicle, while Baldwin began to treat Kirika's wounds. He could have easily killed them both and no one would have been wiser yet he had not.

Randy had gone so far as to extricate both from that Mid-East country onboard a US Military helicopter. While onboard the aircraft carrier, where doctors continued to treat Kirika, Randy had not left her side nor Kirika's. He had vouched for them both.

Fast forward four years, and Randy Baldwin is retired living in a rural North Georgia County. He was fishing that night when he stepped in and saved her own life. Looking up briefly at Kirika, Mireille smiled. Randy Baldwin had brought her to this very same house over a year before where a country doctor treated her gunshot wounds. Kirika had been outside waiting for an opportunity to get into the house to rescue her. Randy Baldwin knew it, and had willingly gone outside to retrieve Kirika. As Sheriff Phil Nagel once commented, the encounter was rather comical.

Both Randy Baldwin and Sheriff Phil Nagel had joined forces with Noir after learning what they were there for. It was during that assignment, that the then Gina Frazier and her two children entered Randy's life. The man responsible for the death of a priest who had been childhood friends to both Baldwin and Nagel was successfully terminated. The revenge that both men had sought had been satisfied.

Mireille glanced briefly at the photograph on the night table of a group shot taken at Six Flags over Georgia. Randy Baldwin's invitation to return to Georgia for a well deserved vacation after he encountered Kirika in Paris had been accepted. A set of events took place that would eventually cement their friendship with the future Mrs. Gina Baldwin and her two children, Corey and Ashley.

Then only a couple of months later, Randy and his new wife Gina were in France working with Noir to stop a new pair of assassins from being formed. Irena and Nina the former assassin candidates having been adopted by the Baldwin's were part of their family.

The Christmas invitation had been accepted and she and Kirika had returned to Georgia to spend Christmas with the Baldwin's. Now someone wanted to be a grinch. Neither Mireille or Kirika would allow that to happen. Regardless of Gina Baldwin's wishes if their intervention called for violence, there would be plenty. Mireille loaded the magazine and flicked the slide lock off and watched as the Walther slammed a round into the chamber. Kirika following suit with her Beretta looked up and nodded. Both women stood and exited the bedroom.

Tuesday, December 20th 2300 hours, Highway 23, Hall County, Georgia

Randy had been at it for two days and had not been back to the farm since leaving Sunday evening. Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura were there instead watching over things. The undercover officer sitting in the driver seat, Clarence gazed briefly at the honky tonk joint and then looked at Randy sitting in the passenger seat, "Well Randy, you wanna go pay a visit?" Randy nodded and exited the car followed by Clarence.

Sheriff Phil Nagel had put the word out discreetly that every snitch was to be shaken and shaken hard. Death threats against officers were common place, but when it involved family members the rules changed. Clarence Hillman an undercover officer with the Sheriffs Department had been assigned to work with Baldwin. Clarence had started his career by being "arrested" and thrown into the jail. African-American, Clarence at nearly 6 foot 3 was imposing and had put on a pretty good display of resisting arrest and getting tasered while inside the jail processing facility.

Since that "arrest", Clarence had been a very successful undercover officer and still very good friends with the officer who had tasered him. The little arrest act had been almost too real for some of the deputies who actually knew what was going on. But the inmates who witnessed the altercation gave Clarence a great deal of respect on the street.

The cinder block structure that Clarence and Randy entered had changed hands and names so many times that neither bothered to look at the current name, the darkened interior festooned with garish Christmas decorations and lights stunk of piss, vomit and beer.

Randy noted it had seen better days; it once had been a family BBQ restaurant now a beer joint where fights were common and the blood sometimes flowed too freely. Randy's appearance had changed since Sunday. When Clarence had first met Randy, he was well dressed and walked with confidence. Sporting working clothes, boots and a two day growth of bearded stubble and walking slouched he was an entirely different person than the man he had met Sunday.

Followed by Clarence Randy Baldwin, entered the establishment. The regulars and the irregulars looked at and gave both men a passing glance and returned to what they were doing. The hooker, a young white girl about to offer her services was met with a look from Randy that stopped her in her tracks. Seeing Clarence and the looks that he was giving her as well, she wisely returned to the battered stool,

Pork sat at the table to the rear, eating a not so fresh ham sandwich when Clarence and Randy joined him. Pork knew Clarence from way back and felt comfortable with him but the other dude was giving off bad vibes.

Pork stood up, but was stopped by the firm hand on his shoulder and with the steel-grey eyes focused intently on him, Pork was shoved not so politely back into the battered chair as the man uttered, "Sit Pork and stay a while."

Clarence watched the transformation before his eyes. Sheriff Nagel had been correct, the man could show his stuff when he had to.

Randy nodded to Clarence then relaxed in his chair, Pork seeing the butt of the Colt Combat Commander barely concealed beneath the battered Levi jacket looked at Clarence, "Yo bro, what the hell man?"

Clarence with a slight grin, "Pork, the man needs something and we heard you might have it."

Randy watched Pork's body language. Fight or flight? Pork would take off like a scalded chicken at the first chance and he really did not want to get into a foot chase with Pork, who despite his street name was skinny as a rail, "Pork, don't even think about running as I am not in the mood for a run in the night. Besides it is cold out there."

Clarence crossed his arms, "Pork he will make it worth your while, so listen good." Pork swallowed then nodded, "Ok Dude? What do you want to know?" Randy his eyes locked with Pork's explained the situation.

Wednesday, December 21st 0100 hours, North Bound Highway 23.

Pork had confirmed that someone was gunning for the Baldwin's and the sheriff's wife. It all had to do with the school thing. Someone had wanted some heavy artillery, long range stuff. Clarence heard the name spoken by Pork and frowned. Nodding to Randy that they had what was needed, the two men had stood to leave.

The flashing blue strobe lights disappearing from view was the result of a fight that had broken out after one of the irregulars smelling a target had accosted Randy Baldwin as he passed by. Clarence had seen the proprietor going for the shotgun and had given him a stern look then watched as Randy Baldwin cleaned house.

Clarence had stayed out of it for the most part, tossing the ones that Baldwin had connected with to the side to give Baldwin some room. The last guy had gone out through the painted over plate glass window and landed on the hood of a pickup truck out cold. Clarence quietly chuckled when Randy turned around and asked, "Anybody else want to fuck with me? Go right on ahead." There was no reply and the only ones still sitting or standing was the hooker, the proprietor and Pork trying to make himself very small in the corner and of course Clarence who had to step over several prone and still bodies lying on the floor to join Randy as they walked out the door and past the deputies coming in.

Clarence had already called 911 and the first patrol unit had already rolled up in the middle of it, the officers in the cruiser well aware that there were undercover officers inside. The deputies finally exited their car after the last man Randy Baldwin dealt with went flying out the window.

Randy holding the mini-mag in his mouth looked at his notes as Clarence continued north, then satisfied Randy removed the mini-mag and turned it off, "Clarence thanks for letting me vent." Clarence smiled in the darkness, "No problem, besides that place needed cleaning out. What now?"

Randy sighed, "First off we get some sleep. Phil has the information we got already and he is waking the judge to get the warrants. After some sleep we are going to pay a visit with full force. To think that someone wants to get even over something that took place within a school, which was a minor event to begin with leads me to believe that there is more to the school gang than either I or Phil realized."

Clarence turning off of Highway 23 towards the Baldwin farm nodded, "It certainly is cause for concern especially when a 18 year old wants to blow your brains out at long range."

Mireille Bouquet had taken the morning watch and stood concealed at the corner of the house when the car drove up. The headlights had been turned off at the highway before coming up the driveway where it stopped. The passenger door opened, but no dome light came on. The car parked outside of the security lights backed away leaving a man standing in the shadows.