NOIR
Chapter One
Blind Trusts
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. Historical accounts within this storyline are accurate. Some as fact, and others are fiction.
Any descriptions of buildings, specific locations are from the authors' perspective and any geographical errors are entirely the responsibility of the author.
The recent past…
Monday, December 26th 0900 hours, Peachtree-Dekalb Airport, Chamblee, Georgia
The brisk wind and cold air kept Gina who was pregnant with twins inside the parked Suburban, as she watched Randy carry the luggage and gifts to the waiting French registered Gulfstream. Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura had embraced Gina as she sat in the seat bidding her farewell. The children standing next to the boarding stairs each gave their own hugs, the twins Irena and Nina tightly more so.
Walking back with Randy, the children turned one last time to look as the Gulfstream power plants spooled up and the aircraft moved off toward the runway. The pilot waving at the children as he passed received return waves.
Randy gathered the children together and had them get into the Suburban. Getting into the drivers seat, Randy paused briefly and watched as the Gulfstream zipped past down the runway towards France, then put the Suburban in drive. Turning to his wife, Randy smiled, "Let's go home."
The past …
Saturday, March 7th 1964, Cape Town, South Africa
Germund Kristin clutched her dear friend and long time partner Matilda in her arms watching her die. The wound was mortal; there would be no stopping Matilda's impending death. Germund had successfully terminated their intended target, a man involved in the underworld trade of sex slaves but while doing so Matilda had been shot by a body guard who had regained conciseness long enough to pull the trigger on his gun.
The late bodyguard laid nearby his face unrecognizable the result of Germund's retaliation for Matilda's grievous wound. Matilda who gazed upward at Germund displayed a soft smile, "It is all right, our time has come", as Matilda breathed for the last time; Germund sighed then gently lowered Matilda to the floor, "Yes it has my sister, and yes it has."
Germund looking at her late partner for the last time turned and left the room which was part of a small wooden structure house and walked to the front of the house and out the door. Entering a nearby storage shed, Germund briefly returned and entered the house then walking carefully from room to room she spread the liquid contents of the can throughout the structure then departed the house once again.
Saying a short prayer for her late partner, Germund with tears in her eyes took aim and fired at the near empty container just inside the door. The gasoline vapors ignited and soon the flames spread through out the structure as Germund walked off into the darkness and her future alone…
Present Day…
Saturday, September 1st 0100 hours, Shabo, Ukraine
Mireille Bouquet, age 27 landed hard on her back her opponent a woman straddling her trying to regain a choke hold. Mireille twisted and threw off the woman who landed a glancing blow to Mireille's head which left her ears ringing. Lashing out and striking the woman in the ankles, Mireille rolled away from her as she fell.
Kirika Yumura, age 26 warily circled her opponent, who wielded a steel bladed knife that flashed briefly from the light of the house interior. The struggle between Mireille and her opponent was comforting to Kirika in the sense that as long as Mireille was continuing to fight she could concentrate on her own problem at the moment.
Feinting then charging, the other woman charged Kirika, who grabbed her wrist as she passed. Kirika wordlessly and easily snapped it. Crying out in pain and angered, the woman turned about and suddenly stopped short, the silencer on the Beretta M1934 aimed squarely at her forehead was the last thing she saw before blackness descended upon her.
Mireille heard the muffled shot, as she having no choice rammed the hilt of the blade into the heart of her opponent and twisted. Breaking the woman's grip on her throat as she died, Mireille heaving with exertion fell back away from the body.
Kirika entered the room with her weapon raised and then lowered it as she walked to Mireille, "Are you Ok?" as Mireille rose to her feet replied, "I have been better Kirika."
The two women walked out of the room and down the hallway of the house that overlooked the Bay of Dnistrovs'kyy located on the shoreline of the Ukrainian city of Shabo.
Mireille Bouquet entered the study of the man that Noir had been requested to terminate. He lay dead in the hallway just outside the door. Like so many before, he had been involved in the murky underworld of sex slaves, many young girls and boys as well had been his victims. Kirika joined Mireille at the desk with a collection of CD data disks in her hand, as Mireille loaded a blank CD and began to copy the contents of the hard drive, "His choice of bodyguards was unusual," as Mireille briefly winced as she touched the side of her head, "Considering what he did as an occupation it was likely his choice. The women would gain the trust of his victims and they would fall into his trap."
The two nameless women, who had fought Noir, had been masquerading as his house staff. They were anything but as Mireille and Kirika soon discovered in the fight. Both were of European descent and with their well toned bodies they were no sex slaves but bodyguards. Their respective fighting styles suggested that both had received military training, and one having spoken in Russian it was likely they had been in a branch of the Russian military. Picking up the CD from the opened tray, Mireille took one last look around, "We will leave the rest to the uncorrupt authorities to deal with. Let them clean up the bodies."
Mireille and Kirika walked out of the study and exited the house. The glimmer of the stars overhead was the only light remaining as both disappeared into the darkness.
Saturday, September 1st 1100 hours, Pas de la Casa, France
Sister Katrina, age of 85, the Head Mother of the convent near Pas de la Casa, France looked one last time at the e-mail she was preparing to send to an American named Randy Baldwin and the carbon copy of the e-mail to the current Noir.
It read in part.
"Dear Monsieur Baldwin and Friends,
It is my sad duty to inform you of the impending passing of a former friend named Germund Kristin who currently resides in Sweden. Monsieur, through an earlier agreement between you and I, it is requested that you assist in her final affairs. I and Sisters Jane and Kanna will meet you and our other friends in Stockholm on Monday evening, September 3rd of this year to prepare for her passing. Though I wish our next meeting should be under better circumstances I look forward to seeing all."
Sister Katrina added a few personal lines to the individual e-mails then clicked the mouse button to send the messages. The satellite internet connection came briefly to life and each message began its quick journey to their respective destinations. With Sister Kanna aiding, the Head Mother stood and turned away from the computer and exited her living quarters to begin the long and sad journey.
Sunday, September 2nd 1400 hours, Baldwin Farm, Hall County, Georgia United States
Gina Baldwin with one foot rocked the baby chairs of the twins, Harmony and Olivia as she reread the e-mail message received the day before. Her husband Randy Baldwin entering the study with two more suit cases and adding to the growing pile of luggage, stopped briefly next to the twins both of which would be three months old tomorrow and gazed at both while making funny faces that caused the babies to smile, Gina turned to her husband and watched his antics; "You are going to spoil both."
Randy chuckled then replied, "The more the merrier," as he joined his wife at the desk and took a seat next to her. Randy retrieved a folder from the desk drawer and opened it.
Reading the contents, Randy checked his previous notes as he went along "Germund Kristin current age 98, former Noir deactivated in 1964 after the death of her partner Matilda in Cape Town, South Africa. Born in 1909, she along with Matilda her late partner became Noir in 1928 at the age of just 19. She was 55 years old at the time of Matilda's death."
Gina Baldwin had read of their exploits including the final and sad assignment in which Matilda had perished. Gina looking at the notes spoke, "Germund and Matilda had they survived that last assignment would have retired, as it was Germund as the only survivor she had decided that she would never marry and lived the rest of her life alone in Sweden. After becoming too frail and needing nursing care she was placed within a Soldat cleared nursing home near Stockholm, Sweden in 1999 where she has been ever since."
Randy recalled the odd request from Sister Katrina asking that he become Germund's Advocate and Executor of her estate in mid-January of this year after it became apparent that Germund's health was beginning to rapidly decline. He had traveled briefly to Sweden to attend the court hearing that would recognize his official duties and had visited Germund in the nursing home. Randy while there had retained the services of a local attorney who would make periodic and unannounced visits to check on the welfare of Ms. Kristin.
Ms. Kristin had continued to be well cared for and had sent occasional postcards to the Baldwin's that contained pictures of various Swedish landmarks. The early morning phone call from the attorney in Sweden had interrupted Randy and Gina while they were feeding and burping the twins at 3 AM in the morning. The attorney having received word that Ms. Kristin had taken a turn for the worse had visited her and seeing her condition had without thinking about the time differential had called the Baldwin's.
Gina sitting at the desk in the study with nothing else to do had retrieved the e-mail and the message from Sister Katrina had caught her attention. Deciding that it would be feasible, Randy and Gina both decided that they would travel to Stockholm and that the entire family would go as well.
Randy and Gina looked up as the rest of their children arrived in the study and deposited their luggage and the children then joined their mother and father. Corey had gone through an embarrassing stretch of growth spurts now stood taller than his older sister and step-sisters that sat across from his step-father, "Dad that is the last of everything. Would you like me to load the Suburban?"
Randy looked up briefly and smiled, "Sure why not. That will save some time in the morning," as he closed the folder.
Standing and walking to a nearby locked bookcase, Randy keyed the electronic lock and retrieved the historical volumes on loan from Sister Katrina that chronicled the assignments of Germund and Matilda, and then brought them to his desk.
Nina and Irena had helped with the translations of the text within the books, and for the Baldwin's it had been an intriguing look into the highly secretive world of Noir.
Both Germund Kristin and Matilda Bjorn were 19 years old at the time of their own trial that took place at "The Manor" in 1928. The Noir pair had conducted assignments for an astonishing 36 years before the death of Matilda in Cape Town, South Africa in March of 1964.
Their assignments had been varied and had taken place on virtually every continent on earth including the United States. World War II though interrupted much of their activities, but they used their skills to aid in the fight against Nazi Germany. Germund and Matilda had rescued numerous allied bomber crews who had been shot down over Europe and aided them in returning to England to rejoin the fight.
In the aftermath of World War II, they hunted down war criminals that had sought succor in several South American countries to avoid war trials. Randy had reviewed some of the names mentioned and after some research concluded that Germund and Matilda had indeed found many of their targets after visiting the National Archives in Washington D.C.
Germund and Matilda continued with assignments into the 1950's and early 1960's and it was the passage found by Gina Baldwin that mentioned the rescue of a young girl named Altena from a war torn county. That historical reference uncovered during the Baldwin's stay at the convent near Pas de la Casa, France during which they stopped a ritual from taking place a year earlier involving Nina and Irena had opened the door to discovering the background of the late Sister Altena.
Randy closed the last book, then placed it and the others within a briefcase and locked it. The telephone ringing interrupted his thoughts and Irena being the closest picked up the handset, "Baldwin residence, Irena speaking how may I help you?"
Mireille Bouquet hearing the familiar voice, "Irena this is Mireille. Is your father there?" Irena replied that he was and handed him the phone. Randy engaged the speaker phone and set the cradle down, "Hello Mireille, this is Randy."
Mireille replied, "I can assume you received the e-mail from Sister Katrina?" Randy sitting back in the chair replied, "Yes I have. I also was notified by an attorney of whom I have on retainer in Sweden. Germund's time is very short."
Mireille nodded, "I then can anticipate your presence in Stockholm on Monday?" Randy smiled, "Yes you can and the entire family as well. Harmony and Olivia will be coming of course and that will give you and Kirika a chance to see the kids in person since you are their "God Mothers".
Kirika listening in to the conversation interrupted, "I look forward to meeting them Randy."
Mireille smiled then frowned, "Randy can we go private for a moment?" Picking up the handset, Randy switched off the speaker "Go ahead Mireille, I am on the handset."
Mireille replied, "Randy, I have in my possession certain items that your expertise could help with. I and Kirika completed an assignment involving smuggling and trade."
Randy leaned back in his chair, "What kind of smuggling and trade?" as he reached for a notepad.
Mireille replied, "Sex slaves." The dead silence coming over the line as Randy Baldwin sat speechless was enough to concern Mireille. "Randy are you still there?" Randy replying, "Yes, I am. Was the assignment involved?" Gina Baldwin dotting on Harmony and Olivia turned and looked at her husband, "If I overhead Mireille correctly, that is what Germund and Matilda were doing on their last assignment."
Mireille replied, "Yes he was. I heard Gina's comment. What is this about Germund and Matilda's last assignment?" Randy tapped the pen on the note pad, "They were in Cape Town, South Africa to terminate a slave trader. It was carried out but Germund's partner Matilda died after the assignment was completed."
Mireille sat back in her chair and briefly closed her eyes, "Perhaps we should exchange notes when you arrive. It may prove beneficial." Randy nodded, "I agree. We will discuss this more when I arrive. Mireille, would you bring the Land Rover with you and Kirika? I am still going to rent a mini-bus, but it will help with the transportation needs." Mireille replied that she would and then said goodbye and hung up.
Randy hung up the phone and then rubbed his temples, as Corey returning to take more luggage entered the study, "Corey get the computer cases out of the closet, all three of them. We will be taking them as well." Corey acknowledged the request and with Irena and Nina along with Ashley they carried the remaining luggage to the Suburban.
Gina frowned, "Just what did Mireille and Kirika find?" as her husband stood and picked up the briefcase, "Something that is likely to have repercussions on an international level, and the irony of it, is that Germund and Matilda were trying to put an end to it 43 years ago. That historical reference in the book, we can consider it a message in a bottle."
Monday, September 3rd 1300 hours, Mid-Atlantic, Onboard Gulfstream V
Two hours from touchdown, Randy turned and looked back into the passenger cabin of the Gulfstream V. Harmony and Olivia asleep in custom made aircraft safety seats had complained little during the takeoff and climb out from Peachtree-Dekalb Airport. Irena and Nina sitting next to each their hands resting lightly on the sleeping babies were lightly sleeping alert to any movement.
Corey sitting in the co-pilot seat scanned the instruments and with confidence made a slight adjustment to the throttles controlling the Rolls Royce power plants, "Dad, the skin temperature crept up a bit."
Randy nodded and turned back to controls then pushed his seat back and exited the seat, "You have the ship Corey," as he headed aft.
Ashley was sitting next to her mother as both reviewed the music that would be played for Germund's funeral. The heartbreaking phone call from the Swedish attorney Lucio Magnus had interrupted the evening meal. Germund had suffered a massive stroke and passed quickly. Randy had asked that Lucio make arraignments for the services of a chapel for her funeral, then after hanging up called Murielle and Kirika who were driving to Sweden to advise them of Germund's passing.
Randy also had managed to reach Sister Katrina as she was changing trains in Paris, and when informed of the passing Sister Katrina advised she would contact a priest in Stockholm to give the final blessings.
Gina paused from her work and looked up to her husband, "Things going well?" Randy nodded, "We have a bit of a tailwind pushing us so we will arrive earlier than expected. I have already contacted Swedish customs and they will be waiting to clear us upon landing. How is the music selection going?"
Gina smiled, "Ashley has several selections. Would you send Corey back so he can look them over, as he will be singing." Randy acknowledged that he would and returned to the cockpit and relieved Corey.
Sitting back into the pilot seat, Randy had hoped to speak with Germund before her death in regards to the final assignment that she and Matilda had carried out in Africa, but it was not to be.
Slavery itself dated to Biblical times and before that as well. No matter what form it took Randy considered slavery barbaric and in modern times it had taken the form of sex slaves, which crossed all age groups and nationalities. The sex slave trade was given much unwanted exposure in the media after a disastrous tsunami in December of 2004 in the Indian Ocean that claimed the lives of nearly 300,000 men, women and children. Children that survived found themselves in many cases orphans and they became victims once again as they were forced into becoming sex slaves for sex addicts around the world.
Already pressed to provide relief services, many local governments had to few resources to stop such acts, though some were successful many young girls and boys ended up being taken from their homelands by well organized gangs who did not care who they took. In some cases children of foreign nationals that had been vacationing in the region also became victims of the slave traders.
The tone from the navigation computer brought Randy's attention back to the present and scanning the instruments once again, he keyed the headset "Ok everyone, prepare for landing. Irena, Nina double check the twin's seats and set them for landing. The seatbelt light is now on. We are beginning our decent into Stockholm."
Monday, September 3rd 1900 hours, The Sheraton Hotel, Stockholm, Sweden
The after dinner gathering was subdued. In a nearby ballroom, a piano and violins played as the twins; Irena and Nina practiced the funeral music with Ashley. Closed to the public they practiced privately, the few that could hear the performers had to be contented with listening from the outside. Randy had little desire to repeat the spectacle that had taken place the year before in Paris.
Mireille turned to Gina, "The selections are appropriate, as Germund Kristin apparently was very fond of both piano and violin."
Gina smiled while holding Harmony, "Randy had taken a CD recording of the musical performance at the Fox Theater to her when he became her advocate." The burp from Olivia being held by Kirika interrupted the conversation.
Kirika holding Olivia away from her briefly for examination returned Olivia to her right shoulder and patted her on the back again, "Germund and Matilda, I have been told were apparently the second longest serving pair. The only other ones that served as long were active in the 1800's."
Sister Katrina nodded and replied, "Yes that is correct Kirika. My Noir pair who retired in 1985 had succeeded Germund and Matilda. It was not until your trials and selections that there was an active Noir, though many did assume the name in essence they were not the true Noir."
Randy returning from the ballroom had met his local attorney Lucio Magnus and together they joined the gathering where Randy made the introductions. Lucio approached Sister Katrina then knelt before her, "Head Mother, it is my pleasure to serve you," as Randy stopped and cocked his head to the side, "So you are a Soldat as well Lucio?"
Lucio Magnus after kissing the ring of Sister Katrina stood then bowed slightly before Randy Baldwin, "Yes sir, I am a Soldat." Sister Katrina interrupted, "Monsieur Baldwin, there was no attempt to mislead you. Considering the circumstances it was in the Soldats best interests that this matter be handled discreetly. Monsieur Magnus is well adept and familiar with the local laws here in Sweden. I made the recommendation to you with the utmost confidence in his abilities and had little concern over how Lucio would handle local matters involving Ms. Kristin."
Lucio cleared his throat, "Monsieur Baldwin I have something that you should review. The items I am about to give you outline Germund's and Matilda's accomplishments. Obviously because of the circumstances they should not be revealed to the general public. The service that we will be participating in tomorrow will be very private and attended only members of the Soldats and of course yourself and your family. These accomplishments were not fully covered in the historical references forwarded to you in the United States. Please respect the sensitivity and nature of what you are about to read and see for the first time. They will be returned to secure storage and will likely not see the light of day again."
Randy nodded and accepted the large folder then eyeing the wax seal broke it and removed the documents. Spreading the documents across a nearby table in chronological order along with photographs that were Black and White, Randy Baldwin stood back in wonder, as Lucio joined him and began to speak.
"Unlike the late Sister Altena's method of choosing candidates, both Germund and Matilda were volunteers and became Noir on their own choice as did the candidates that succeeded them. Both began their training to become assassins at the age of 12 with the full blessings of their immediate families. Neither Germund nor Matilda has living blood relatives, you Monsieur acting in the capacity of Executor can be considered the only legal representative for the late Ms. Kristin."
Gina Baldwin carrying Harmony joined her husband, "Randy told me of the graves at "The Manor". Can you explain those, Monsieur Magnus?" Lucio nodded, "The so called final ritual of fighting to the death between the final Noir candidates was abolished by the Soldats themselves in the 1400's. The late Sister Altena revived the practice which resulted in the death of Noir candidate Chloe. If your husband was to examine the gravesites more closely he would find that the next oldest grave site besides Chloe is from the year 1405."
Sister Katrina interrupted, "Madam Baldwin, what Monsieur Magnus says is true. My own candidates were themselves volunteers and had been in training in preparation for the retirement of Germund and Matilda from their duties. We did not conduct the death ritual for the pair that I initiated in 1965 as the barbaric ritual had been banished by decree."
Randy sighed, "Gina, drop the issue. There is no sense in arguing over it. The Soldats themselves obviously saw the original ritual as described in the Lagonel Manuscript even too horrific to continue. Monsieur Magnus please continue."
Lucio nodded, "Very well Monsieur Baldwin. Germund and Matilda became Noir during a time of critical history in our world. The events of World War II would take them from their Noir duties and thrust them into fighting against Nazi Germany. The Soldats had given consideration to the assignation of Adolph Hitler as early as 1934, however because some still had hopes that war could be averted the assignation order was never issued."
Randy sighed, "Untold millions died as the result. By the time someone had considered issuing the order it was too late and Hitler was protected so heavily that not even a modern day special forces unit would have had any hope of succeeding." Lucio frowned, "You analyst of the situation is correct. Noir would have failed."
Lucio continued, "Throughout the war years, Noir used their training extensively taking out many local area commanders which at times sowed confusion during certain situations. When Noir was not involved in those types of assignments they busied themselves with retrieving downed allied airmen. You saw mention of that in the historical references."
Randy viewed a group shot of both Germund and Matilda taken with some United States Army Air Corps crewmembers from a downed Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress called "The Darling," the hand written sign held up by a youthful crewman who had survived the bailout, it was dated January 3, 1944. Lucio saw Randy gazing at the picture, "Yes Monsieur Baldwin, Noir did in fact smuggle them back to England. Nine out of the ten crewmembers survived, the tail gunner sadly perished in the crash of the aircraft west of Frankfort, Germany."
Gina interrupted, "Was it a bit dangerous to be doing that? The risk of the film being found and developed it could well to say the least lead to some problems." Lucio nodded, "Noir was well aware of the risks, yet they seemed content to add a photographic records of their deeds. There are many more photographs Monsieur and Madam Baldwin of their rescues that is but a single sample." The loud burp from Harmony on Gina's shoulder seemed to stamp the history lesson home and to ease the tension.
Randy moved onto the next photographic record that lay next to a yellowed parchment, the man within the photograph one of the most recognized faces in World and United States History, Brigadier General Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Lucio continued, "Germund and Matilda's actions were recognized by the General himself at the end of World War II, in a very private and confidential ceremony. The General at the time was not aware that Germund and Matilda were Noir. That of course would come later." Randy smiled, "I can imagine that Ike was entirely too surprised considering what transpired in May of 1954."
Mireille who had been listening intently spoke, "What happened in 1954 Randy?" Randy turned and looked at Mireille, "An attempt to overthrow the United States Government by members the Puerto Rico Nationalist Party. Three men and one woman opened fire inside the United States House of Representatives wounding five state representatives. Some consider that the first act of terrorism on U.S. Soil. Though many members of the Nationalist Party were located and tried for their crimes, other coconspirators were never located, now I know why."
Lucio smiled and continued, "Yes Monsieur Baldwin your assumption is correct. A member of the Soldats within the Eisenhower Administration did inform the President of their existence. President Eisenhower became the first sitting president to have knowledge of their existence and he did utilize Noir."
Randy looked at the yellowed photograph of President Eisenhower, the date of August 1954 written on the border, Germund and Matilda likely then 45 years old standing with a man who had issued the termination orders. The photograph taken with what then passed for an instant camera, there would be no negatives to suddenly surface.
Lucio stepped close to the table and moved several more documents for closer inspection, "World history was being made by the minute, hour and day during the turbulent events so recorded. You have already noted there is no mention made within the historical documents of who gave Noir their assignments. If such information came to light, you can of course realize the results." Randy replied, "Utter deniability, there could be no connection with any government any where."
Lucio paused briefly then moved another photograph bearing the likeness of another U.S. President along with a letter that Randy had laid next to it, "You of course recognize President John F. Kennedy. It would become tradition within the White House that the sitting President would brief the incoming President on certain critical matters. President Eisenhower did inform President Kennedy of Noir's existence.
Another instant photograph taken with President Kennedy, from the background it looked like it had been taken onboard the Presidential Yacht, the date of August 11, 1963 written on the border. Lucio nodded, "Yes three months before his assignation in Dallas, Texas."
Randy sighed, "The Soldats were any involved?" Lucio turned to see Randy, his anger slowly creeping into his features, "Monsieur Baldwin, I can assure you that the Soldats were not involved. The Soldats themselves were just as shocked at his assignation and endeavored to uncover the truth as well. Germund and Matilda did have a hand in terminating several parties involved. They did it of their own accord."
Gina interrupted, "That is why there is a gap in the last historical record. Germund and Matilda went how shall I say it, rogue?" Lucio nodded, "Yes, much to the concern of the Soldats. They returned to the fold so to speak in December of 1963 and resumed their assignments. President Johnson was not informed of Noir's existence until he was sworn in for his first full term in 1965. By then Sister Katrina's Noir pair had assumed their duties and as for their history until they too pass, it must remain in the darkness."
Lucio carefully gathered the aged documents slipping each into protected wax dividers and then taking the folder he quickly resealed it for the final time, "Everything that you have seen and heard must never be repeated, not even to your own grown children. Though they are aware of the current Noir's true identities, the accomplishments of past Noir's can not and should not ever be revealed. It is regrettable that this must be so, but it is the wishes of those who are part of the Soldats."
Randy nodded, "The wishes of the Soldats shall be followed," as the music subsided and the remaining Baldwin clan entered the meeting room; Irena and Nina each carrying their violins within their protective cases followed by Corey and Ashley they took seats that had been arranged in a semi-circle. Randy turned back to Lucio, "Monsieur Magnus. I believe it is time for the other matter." Lucio nodded and placing the folder within his briefcase, Lucio removed another and moved to the speaker's podium standing before the chairs, "I am Lucio Magnus, retained by Monsieur Randy Maynard Baldwin for matters pertaining to Ms. Germund Kristin hereby announce the reading of the her final Will and Testament shall take place at this time."
Randy taking a seat next to Mireille Bouquet with Gina Baldwin at his side nodded to Lucio to begin. Lucio acknowledged and began, "I, Germund Kristin of sound mind and body bequeath…"