NOIR

Chapter Three

Fallacy

By Steve Edward

Thursday, June 10th 0730 hours, The Hilton Hotel, Paris, France

Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura returned to the hotel room. Mireille read the text message and spoke to Kirika, "Randy's Foundation investigators found what they needed. One of the investigators will arrive sometime this evening in Paris with the evidence."

Kirika putting on her sleepwear replied, "The final game is this evening. It will be the most likely opportunity for interference from the outside. Except for Monsieur Wellford, none of the other participants have any idea of the significance of what likely has been planned. Monsieur Baldwin will be hard pressed to cover the venue completely."

Mireille Bouquet pulled the curtain aside briefly and looked out to venue itself. The final game would be played out in the nearby park, where two years earlier on the hill side Noir and the Baldwin's with their newly adopted twins had sat reflecting on the past and the future together. Mireille letting the curtain fall back replied, "Well when the time comes we will no longer be actors."

The surveillance van captured the cell phone call from Wellford to the facilitator, "Are you sure you can do it this evening? I've tried to connect to my computer in Tokyo, but there is a glitch. However I have a copy of what you desire. Once they are gone, and the payment is deposited I will deliver it as promised." The altered voice replied, "You have my assurances that it will be done. If you fail on your end, you know the consequences."

Ken Wellford pacing back and forth in his room stopped, sweating profusely replied; "Yes I do. I will carry out the delivery as soon as possible." The technician listening in snapped the recording off and called Inspector Yannick and broke the news.

Thursday, June 10th 1700 hours, The Hilton Hotel, Paris France

Randy Baldwin stepped from the Land Rover and turned to Irena who was driving, "Get to the airport and pickup Kelly Summers, then take her to the office to get that data secured then bring her here, Ok?" Irena smiled, "Yes Father," and as Randy closed the door, she floored it taking off down the Boulevard.

Randy musing to himself as he knocked on the side of the van, "Never give the twins the keys to the Mustang…"

Inspector Yannick opened the door and Randy entered shutting it behind him, "Something going on?" The Inspector nodded and tapped the playback and Randy listened. Randy sighed, "Great no exact delivery time. So Wellford could have already made the drop anywhere in the hotel already, which means my associates, could be in the line of fire at anytime. What is the schedule saying about the evening?"

Inspector Yannick replied, "The participants will have their meals in their rooms at 1730 hours and then will gather on the patio facing the park at 1800 hours for coffee. Then the final game begins."

Randy turned to open the door then replied, "Well I have a meal to deliver. See you on the patio at 1800 hours. Also you had better read this; I got this information from a local informant. I can say he is very reliable" The Inspector watched as Randy departed and walked towards the hotel, and then reading the paper, picked up his cell phone, "They are holding to schedule. I want that park sealed when that stupid game begins." The Inspector pondered the next move, and looked warily at the park; it could become a shooting gallery inside with too many innocents thinking that it is just a game.

At 1725 hours, the waiter knocked on the door of room 305 and waited to be granted entry. Kirika Yumura looking through the peep hole took another closer look then quickly opened the door allowing the waiter to enter.

Mireille Bouquet turned away from the window pulling the drapes shut and eyed the waiter herself. "Monsieur Baldwin?" Randy having been slouching every since leaving the kitchen stood to his full height spoke, "Good evening ladies, your dinner prepared to your order has arrived."

Randy adjusted the borrowed waiter's uniform then spoke, "I had Lucio get with the Soldats to see if they had heard anything about a contract. Apparently it had been in the rumor mill but nothing more. That of course changed after the murders under the Eiffel Tower on Monday morning."

Setting the plates on the dinning table he continued, "Apparently there was two actors hired to play the bad guys. One of course had blanks, the other did not and he shot and killed Mona, Yokura and the street actor, then reported the hit a success. A Soldat on the west side of Paris overheard the apparent trigger man and plied him with drink. We will likely have a sniper somewhere and at least four to six gunmen to ensure the success so heads up. Also there is an addition to the little coffee party tonight on the patio. I will make an entrance and join you at your table. Try to be buddy, buddy with Wellford and have him with you."

Randy eyed the silver plated hand guns resting on a nearby table, "Ah good, I am glad the inspector got those back to you; interesting addition with the laser sights."

Mireille replied, "Laser tag with guns filled with blanks. That is one possible scenario in the final game. We have to put these on when we get to the patio." Mireille held up a small electronic sensor that the wearer would slip over their heads.

Randy recognized the device, "Terrific. A target that makes a racket when you are tagged with a laser, well it can't be helped; just make sure you bring the real things. Enjoy your meal. I'll see both of you in 25 minutes.

Thursday, June 10th 1745 hours, Streets of Paris

Kelly Summers hung on for dear life and closed her eyes while letting out an involuntary screech as Irena blew yet another red light at nearly 80 KPH. The suspension of the Land Rover absorbing the impact from the road dip as it roared through. Kelly suddenly wishing she had driven pleaded with Irena, "Irena, slow it down! Please!" as the Land Rover went into a power slide and changed directions.

Irena replied calmly while taking a bouncing shortcut on a sidewalk, "No time. Father is going to be in trouble!" Nina taking the ride in stride replied, "Don't worry. Sister drives like this all the time."

Lucio Magnus heard the horn blowing and turned in the direction of the sound and observed the Land Rover coming at him directly. Stepping out of the path of the vehicle, Irena slid the Land Rover to a stop. Kelly Summers, frazzled from the ride heard Lucio ask for the package. Nina retrieving it from the floor board handed it out the window to Lucio and yelled, "Go Sister!"

Lucio leaned forward slightly to watch as Parisians scattered for any safe place they could find as the Land Rover finding an opening to the roadway roared away. Turning back to walk into the entrance of the building housing the Baldwin Foundation, he heard the angry sound of horns…

Thursday June 10th 1805 hours, The Hilton Hotel Patio, Paris France

Ken Wellford had swallowed nervously when a man he had seen somewhere before suddenly sat down directly across from him with another gentleman. Mona had greeted him warmly as had Yokura.

Randy watched Ken closely as he unzipped the windbreaker and let it fall open revealing the shoulder holster bearing the Colt Combat Commander. The glancing at Inspector Yannick who had unbuttoned his coat as well Randy spoke, "Mr. Wellford? I am Randy Baldwin. I am head of the Baldwin Foundation; here is my card which by the way that is the real thing and not the fakes that were created by the tour company. The man to my right is Inspector Thibaud Yannick of the Paris Police Department." Randy waited as the inspector held up his credentials.

Ken Wellford turned to look at Kirika who was no longer playing, she had her blue steeled Beretta M1934 leveled directly at his side, "I am his associate, Monsieur Wellford as is the woman you know as Mona. She is Mireille Bouquet and I am Kirika Yumura, the weapons that are pointed at you are real and contain live ammunition."

Ken Wellford trying to laugh it off, "Ok sure Yokura, I'll play along. Is this part of the final game?" Mireille about to intercede decided against it, as Randy appeared to be loosing his patience needed to blow off some steam. Randy reached across the table and yanked Ken Wellford to his feet, "Mister Wellford! This is no longer a game! People have died because of you; I want some answers on why you did what you did."

Inspector Yannick stood and stepped around Randy Baldwin into the path of the tour guide who was going to interrupt, "Monsieur. Official Police business, your game is cancelled. Get everyone off this patio now!" as the brick work above Wellford's head shattered and Randy climbed over the table landing atop Ken Wellford.

Mireille Bouquet and Kirika dived for cover pulling the table over as they went; Inspector Yannick pulled another table over as well. Ken Wellford's whimpering beneath Randy, as more shots rang out served to make Randy even angrier; "Oh please don't let them kill me. Please don't let them kill me!" Randy looking down at Ken Wellford frowned, "Oh shut the hell up!" and then he punched Ken out cold.

Mireille and Kirika scanning the area from where the shot came looked at the upper works of an apartment building; Mireille calmly spoke "Randy, the sniper is likely on the top of the apartment building roof." Randy entangled with Ken Wellford yelled, "Hell that is not our only problem! Six O'clock low."

Kirika opened fire at the same time as Inspector Yannick, one went down the other bringing to bear a fully automatic assault rifle never had the chance to pull the trigger as Mireille heard the roar of the Land Rover as it came down the embankment and hit the gunman dead on, then continuing past the patio someone inside firing at another target.

Kelly Summers, firing at a man who had suddenly sprung from the bushes, the weapon all too real for her liking dropped him on the first pass. The rear side windows of the Land Rover shattered from an incoming round from the sniper as Irena madly fishing tailing the vehicle in the grass nearly sideswiped a tree before finding cover behind a large water fountain.

Randy selected Nina's Cell Phone number and called her. Nina answered, "Yes Father?" Randy replied, "Just what the hell are you and your sister doing? Who has that gun?" Nina passed the cell phone to Kelly Summers, "It's for you."

Kelly Summers peering over the hood ducked as another round flew by, "Yes sir?"

Randy glancing at Kirika and Inspector Yannick spoke, "Kelly stay where you are at, we got a sniper on the apartment roof across from the park," as Kelly replied dryly "So I have noticed."

Irena tapped Kelly on the side and pointed, "Someone coming." Summers spun around and fired. Randy saw the gunman dropped.

Inspector Yannick, yelling into his portable radio looked up in time to see a man enter the patio as did Kirika Yumura. Kirika fired first followed by Mireille Bouquet. The man punched backwards by the impacts tumbled over the patio railing lifeless; the Uzi spraying live rounds skyward joined the cacophony.

Above their heads, the sounds of automatic weapons fire then silence followed by the metallic sound of a gun falling to the concrete then the thud of a body. The radio chatter briefly increased from Inspector Yannick's radio then the familiar sounds of French Police sirens filled the air.

Thursday, June 10th 2230 hours, Baldwin Foundation Offices, Paris, France

Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura sat across from Ken Wellford his jaw swollen. Nina Baldwin lightly holding an icepack against the jaw stood behind him. Ken could not move anyway, since both his hands were shackled to his waist and his ankles were bound in leg iron chains.

The decision to interrupt the final game had been wise as Randy Baldwin and Inspector Yannick walked through the park counting the dead. The two initial gunmen at the bottom of the patio steps, one of which was mowed down by Irena driving the Land Rover, the other shot and killed by Inspector Yannick and Kirika Yumura, the two shot by Kelly Summers, another taken out by Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura together on the patio. Two more hidden in the park upon seeing their cohort on the roofline taken out fled, but were captured as they exited the park by Gendarmes racing to the park to seal it off.

Whoever had taken out the roof top sniper was unknown; Inspector Yannick confirmed none of his men had done so, as he and Randy discussed what had transpired at the Baldwin Foundation Offices. The automatic weapons fire had come from the roof of the Hilton. Gendarmes inspecting the area found no spent shell cases. Upon hearing that Randy Baldwin glanced at Lucio Magnus who had overheard the conversation and only shrugged his shoulders and gave a slight smile.

The ongoing discussion with what to do with Ken Wellford was occupying Randy's time though he was not involved directly. France having no death penalty, the charges of conspiracy to commit murder, treason, and theft of proprietary information and technology was just the beginning of the charges and for several of the charges the ultimate penalty was death.

Alfred Stolzberg who had successful concluded negotiations in Switzerland had returned to Paris to find his skills needing to be utilized on short notice. The suite cases sitting next to the secretary's desk remained unpacked, as Alfred in the nearby conference room began to hammer out the agreement that would eventually seal Ken Wellford's fate with French and US authorities.

Opening the door of the office, Randy motioned for Mireille and Kirika to enter. Irena fresh from a scolding by her step-father took their places looked very crossed. It made Ken Wellford even more nervous. Nina glanced at her sister, "Ms. Summers said you were going too fast!"

Kirika closed the door behind her and joined Mireille, "Irena seems a bit angry?" Randy tapping a button turned to the video screen, "Considering the number of complaints that the Paris Traffic Enforcement got on her driving, she is lucky I don't ground her for life!"

Mireille replied, "Well she did arrive at a most opportune time." Gina Baldwin with the Marietta, Georgia skyline in the background replied, "Mireille, there are just some things that young women do not do and that is one of them."

Gina looked at the gathering, "Is it over?" Randy who leaned back in the chair, "Almost, Alfred is finishing up the negations now. Ken Wellford is going to face charges here first in France then will be extradited to the United States to stand trial. The FBI and other agencies want to have a long discussion with him."

Gina looked at a notepad, "Who was Ken's contacts?" Randy replied, "Certain individuals with a Mid-East country. The French National Security forces tracked them down by their cell phones to Marseille, France. All are in custody. One of the men was found with an electronic voice altering device that was still hooked up to the cell phone when they boarded the ship they were on in the harbor. Wellford admitted he had already made the drop prior to the gun battle and told the inspector where it could be found. The local police recovered the data disks an hour ago and we have them in our custody."

Gina flipped a page of the notepad, "I spoke with Tabitha on the matter and she has given her thanks. She also said that Albacore, LLC has been stripped of the research contract because of lax oversight. You should know that the code name for the program was Project Fallacy."

Randy pondered that a moment and replied, "Strange way describe a project of this type." Mireille replied, "Deceptiveness? To mislead someone in some fashion, this whole week has been filled with deception." Kirika spoke, "Randy was nearly deceived by photographs. We in turn deceived Ken Wellford and the others."

Gina replied, "I have a question about that. The two women were on the flight from Los Angeles to Paris with Wellford. Surely he would or should have recognized the differences between Mona and Mireille and Kirika and Yokura? How did Noir carry it off?"

Randy replied, "Rather easily for both. Wellford when it came to flying hit the proverbial bottle. He was dead drunk an hour after the charter lifted off from LAX. Inspector Yannick whom I have been working with interviewed the remaining participants about that. The late Ms. Shipp and Ms. Kanbe kept well away from Wellford. The participants recall that Ms. Shipp was a brunette when the plane landed at Orley and Ms. Kanbe was brown haired. The night they died, they had altered the color of their hair. Ms. Shipp was a blond and Ms. Kanbe was black. Also Wellford had never directly interacted with Ms. Kanbe in Japan, which was learned by Kelly Summers. The participants themselves thought Mireille and Kirika were Mona and Yokura."

Gina smiled, "Well that was interesting. Husband, when are you and the kids coming home?" Randy looked at the desk calendar, "Corey has another week. The team he is practicing with is on its way to London, so not until at least next Monday at least."

Gina replied, "Well for your information, you can do the news interviews. I have directed the networks that they can visit you in Paris. I think we overdid it with the boarding of the cruise ship." Mireille turned to Randy, "You had a cruise ship boarded?"

Randy not looking forward to the interviews replied, "Yes. I approved the request sent to the FBI and the Pentagon. I did not expect them to use a Navy Destroyer with a Coast Guard Drug Interdiction Team to do it." Saying goodbye to his wife Gina, Randy closed the connection.

The knock on the door interrupted any further conversation as Alfred Stolzberg walked in. Behind him in the background, Inspector Yannick and two Gendarmes were walking Ken Wellford down the hallway. Alfred greeted Mireille and Kirika then spoke, "Randy, the French have agreed to turn him over to US authorities after his trial. I spoke with the Attorney General directly and he has agreed not to seek the death penalty."

Standing up from the desk, Randy thanked Alfred and dismissed him for the evening. Looking out into the office area, Randy pointed to both Irena and Nina summoning both into the office. Nina closed the door behind her, as Mireille and Kirika made room for them; Randy spoke "Both of you know my feelings concerning what you did earlier tonight. I don't know how Kelly Summers pulled that shot off with the Land Rover bouncing around as much as it was. Irena mowing down the gunman with the assault rifle was the right thing to do, however please if there is a next time; stop, look, and listen before charging in. Until the Land Rover is repaired, we are going to have to take the subway, since we do have other investigations going and I do not want to take a vehicle away from an investigator, so will one of you go find a schedule and I'll join you shortly."

Mireille spoke, "Irena, Nina. Remember what I and Kirika talked about previously last year. Randy has little desire to have you become like us. Focus on other more important matters ok?"

Nina bowed slightly, "We will remember Aunt Bouquet, but please remember if father is in danger or any of our family is in trouble we will act." Both twins turned away and walked out of the office.

Kirika watching them leave replied, "Some how I find Nina's statement comforting." Mireille seemed to frown, "Kirika. If something like this was to happen again, we can all hope they will do the right thing with proper judgment and restraint."

Friday, June 11th 0900 hours, Orley International Airport, Paris, France

Randy Baldwin stood on the tarmac watching the shipping containers bearing the remains of Mona Shipp and Yokura Kanbe being loaded onboard two different airliners. Representatives of the Japanese and US Governments stood nearby as well. Each container bearing a casket was covered with a US and Japanese Flag.

Randy had personally penned condolence letters to each family, describing what had happened and why the families had lost their loved ones. The Japanese Government would ensure a representative would deliver it to the family of Yokura Kanbe.

Lucio Magnus stood to the rear of Randy Baldwin observing. Lucio had been informed what had transpired on the patio of the Hilton, where Randy Baldwin had apparently used

his own body to protect Ken Wellford; when he could have easily sought much safer protection. The eight, .50 caliber rounds pock marking the wall where Baldwin had crouched had come perilously close to him. A Soldat having already been in place on the roof of the Hilton had ensured the sniper would not leave his nest alive. Lucio had thoroughly been chastised by Noir for allowing the sniper to continue for so long.

Satisfied that all that could be done had been, Randy Baldwin turned and walked towards the terminal. Looking up he observed Irena and Nina with Noir. Lucio joining and walking in step with him spoke, "Monsieur, will you need time to prepare for the news conference? It is in four hours."

Opening the door to the access stairs, Randy replied "I am already prepared. Lets get this mess over with shall we?" as they ascended the stairs to the passenger terminal above.

Friday, June 11th 1315 hours, Baldwin Foundation Offices, Paris, France

It was hurry up and wait, but Randy mused as to why the still photographers insisted on snapping their flashes every few seconds as he answered questions. A familiar reporter spoke, Mr. Baldwin? Should some type of independent oversight panel be established to ensure that the checks and balances are being followed?"

Randy Baldwin replied, "No. The US Military followed standard protocol. It was within the company itself where the deception began. It was an exploratory contract, not a full developmental contract. The Pentagon, I believe already addressed that. Next please."

Keanu Benoit the French reporter who had exposed his participation in the raid in South Africa spoke, "Monsieur Baldwin. Since when does a private organization such as yours wield enough influence to commandeer a United States Naval Destroyer and a United States Coast Guard Boarding Team to board a foreign flagged cruise ship in International Waters namely the Caribbean Sea to remove an American Citizen from said ship?"

Mireille and Kirika watching from the sidelines both cringed as did the twins. Kirika had thoughtfully remembered to have Randy take his ever present shoulder holster and Colt Combat Commander off before the news conference began. The sudden silence in the waiting area of the Baldwin Foundation where the news conference was taking place was noticeable. Gina Baldwin watching in the United States at the Farm House with Ashley said a silent prayer.

Randy focused intently on the French reporter but smiled, "Very simple. After discovering what had transpired, we had advised the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation of the whereabouts of the president of Albacore, LLC. Considering the circumstances, it was the FBI who requested assistance from the United States Coast Guard to retrieve the individual from the cruise ship. It is a matter of official record. The Coast Guard Drug Interdiction Team embarked on the Naval Destroyer had the authority to board the vessel. The heavily armed appearance of the boarding team was matter of protocol as well. Also the country of record of which the ship was sailing under their colors was notified and gave its permission to board."

Somewhat deflated the reporter struck back, "Monsieur Baldwin? Why were Baldwin Foundation investigators part of the interview team in Miami, Florida? Surely the FBI agents are well trained to conduct their interviews?"

Randy about to reply felt a hand on his arm as Kelly Summers stepped into the field of the camera, "Yes. FBI agents are well trained as I can attest being a former Special Agent with the FBI. I was leading the Foundation investigation to the matter at hand and needed certain information that I can not reveal to you. The Foundation investigators involved requested permission to speak with Mr. Welshman directly who had an attorney present. Mr. Welshman granted the audience of his own free will, which he will confirm. The FBI had their questions and we had ours. All were satisfactorily answered very truthfully and a forthright manner and were not ambush questions unlike yours have been previously."

A senior French reporter well respected amongst those gathered rose and spoke, "Monsieur Baldwin, thank you so much for your time. That is all the questions we have," as the senior reporter turned and glared directly at the young reporter who was still trying to make a name for himself.

Alfred Stolzberg winking at his old friend as they passed each other took the podium to close the news conference, "If there happens to be any other questions that you would liked asked, please submit them to me directly. Thank you all for coming."

Kelly followed Randy Baldwin to Alfred's office and closed the door, "Mister Baldwin? You were lucky. He was about to launch a loaded ambush question." Randy, pressing the hidden call button waited as the side door opened revealing Noir and the twins, "No joke Ms. Summers. Ms. Yumura, I know you hid it. Where is my Colt?"

Randy removing the tie and the dress jacket was handed the shoulder holster by Kirika who had placed it in a nearby filing cabinet, "Remember Monsieur do not do anything rash." Randy looked at Kirika, "Since when do I do anything rash?" Which Randy realized she was about to answer in front of Kelly Summers, "Uh never mind, don't even bother. I remember."

Alfred Stolzberg knocked then entered, "Mr. Baldwin, will you be able to sign off on the expenses today before the weekend. Randy chuckled, "Sure, bring everything next door. It is about time I gave your office back."

Randy walked through the side door to his true office, leaving Alfred to his own. Kelly Summers and Noir followed with Nina pulling the door shut.

The knock on the door followed with Adeline entering with a large number of folders and depositing them on his desk, "Monsieur Baldwin, those all contain the items requiring your direct signature. Please let me know when you are done and I will have taken to accounting." Thanking Adeline, Randy eyed the large stack, "Somehow I think this is going to be an expensive week."

Randy looking at Mireille and Kirika spoke, "Something on your minds?" Mireille taking a seat on a nearby couch with Kirika replied, "I believe you know that it may be time to tell Ms. Summers, Monsieur Baldwin."

Kelly Summers looking at Mireille with a questioning look, "Ms. Bouquet? I beg your pardon?"

Randy studied Mireille closely, and saw the nod. Randy Baldwin turned to Kelly Summers, "Kelly, the only time Ms. Bouquet calls me Monsieur Baldwin is when she is getting serious. How much do you remember of the raid on the Martinez Mansion that took place nearly five years ago?"

Kelly Summers replied, "I remember you and they had come in with a Special Strike Team. The gun battle inside the mansion itself, I remember that Martinez died during a shootout on the second floor where I was being held. It was rather crazy at the time since I was drugged."

Randy sat back, "Kelly, during your career with the FBI did you ever hear mention made of Noir?" Kelly Summers replied, "I occasionally heard something about Noir, but the men who talked about it did so as to make Noir out to be some kind of mythical assassin. One that would be utilized in certain circumstances; one old retired agent talked about Noir going after those who had planned the assignation of President John F. Kennedy, but you know rumor mills.

Randy chuckled, "Kelly to be frank, I was in the same boat too when I worked for the Agency. I heard the rumors, sometimes from older agents on the verge of retirement. Guys who had been through the wringer a few too many times, that was until I encountered Noir nearly seven years ago. We celebrated our anniversary just last year with the Fleet Admiral who was then a Captain of a Nimitz class carrier who risked his ship and crew to extract us from a hot zone," as Randy pointed to Mireille and Kirika.

Kelly Summers turned to the two women sitting on the couch behind her, "Meaning no disrespect to either of you, but that would make both of you, well rather old."

Mireille replied with a laugh, "I am 28. My partner and my friend Kirika is 27."

Kelly turned back to Randy, "Generations of assassins?" Randy nodded, "Except for Gina and a select few others no one knows of Noir's true identities. Most rumors have Noir as a man and not two women. It's complicated, I know. My two step-daughters nearly became their replacements by force. If I had not interceded with my wife, the face of Europe could have very well been changed."

Kelly Summers somewhat tense replied, "Why tell me now?" Mireille replied, "Because of your interaction with the twins among other things and it would likely be only a matter of time before we would meet again under less than ideal conditions."

Kelly, astonished replied to Randy Baldwin, "You use assassins?" Randy replied, "Kelly, I do frankly abhor their line of work. But there have been times when there is no other way. I have worked with them in the past to bring about certain things. You of course remember the child slavery incident, the one where a certain French reporter connected me to the operation? Kirika Yumura was the one that located the island where the slave compound was, she infiltrated the island and of course you know the rest."

Kelly Summers recalled the extensive coverage, how US Naval aerial surveillance had located the compound from the air, "Then the story about the island being found by Naval Aerial surveillance was a fabricated lie?" Randy nodded, "Yes. To protect the identity of Noir and others of course, the video shot on the island after being edited? The original tapes were returned to me and I burned them on the Essex."

Kelly Summers relaxed then replied, "So you have had your own fallacies as well. Why?"

Randy replied, "To protect what has happened. When that sorry excuse of a French reporter started digging, I had some heavy choices to make. Wait to see how much he had dug up on my own activities or have him killed. I sacrificed my privacy to prevent Noir from being revealed, and to save the reporters life."

Kelly spoke, "You would have killed him?" Mireille replied, "Monsieur Baldwin would not. I would have."

Randy stood and walked around the desk, "Ms. Summers, it would have been her decision not mine. Perhaps it is time you have a long talk with Noir and my step-children as they are women you perhaps would be able to understand why I have done what I did. Mireille, Kirika? Why don't you take Kelly out for an early dinner some place private perhaps; Irena, Nina go with them go ahead and tell her your background."

Kelly Summers stood and joined Randy Baldwin, "So what do you want in return?" as Randy Baldwin walked to the coffee pot, "Your trust, understanding and forgiveness."