NOIR
Chapter Five
Fallacy
By Steve Edward
Tuesday, June 15th 0900 hours, Odessa, Ukraine
Commander Bence handed the report of the border incursion to Kelly Summers for her to read as he pointed to area on the map of where it had occurred, "Two groups apparently crossed sometime early this morning. Usually we find out only after the fact, but the crossing was detected when someone tripped a sensor. Our security forces searched the indicated area found indications someone had been ensnared in a trap but had been freed. They lost the blood trail after a short distance. The foot prints seem to indicate a male with a female companion."
Kelly Summers set the report down, "Were any captured?" Commander Bence nodded, "Yes, there were several found, including the so called guide, but they are refusing to talk about where they were going; but the guide mentioned that there was a Frenchman in their midst who was doing an exposé on smuggling. Is this part of your investigation, Ms. Summers?"
Kelly bit her lower lip, "Absolutely not. The Baldwin Foundation does not invite journalists along on active investigations. Commander Bence, let me call Paris to see if they have any information."
Tuesday, June 15th 0600 hours, Baldwin Foundation, Paris, France
Alfred Stolzberg had called Randy Baldwin at the guest house an hour earlier, awaking the head of the Baldwin Foundation. Alfred had stated that a French journalist with an urgent matter needed to speak with him. When Alfred mentioned the name Dumont Didier, Randy asked no further questions and told Alfred to have the journalist meet him at the Foundation offices.
Waking the twins and Corey, Randy fixed breakfast and taking the children with him headed for the offices.
Dumont Didier was the French equivalent of Walter Cronkite. Well respected both in France and Europe as a whole the journalist could either damage or enhance ones reputation. Randy had been grateful for Didier's presence during interviews with the news media. Didier's presence signified that the news interviews was of serious nature and that he could either shorten or lengthen the agony of being raked over the proverbial coals.
Dumont Didier observed the arrival of Randy Baldwin and his step-children as they entered the lobby of the building. At 70 years of age, Dumont had been a journalist for 55 years. He had started at age 12 as a paper boy on the streets of Paris hawking papers. By age 15, he had written his first copy. His reputation as a journalist had been earned through the coverage of world events, one of which crippled him. Leaning on his cane to stand, he was aided by Corey Baldwin the step-son of Randy Baldwin as the group approached the journalist.
Bowing slightly to Randy Baldwin, Dumont Didier greeted him "Monsieur Baldwin, I regret that what I have could not wait till a later hour, but it is rather important."
Randy Baldwin holding out his hand shook Dumont's, "Monsieur Didier, Monsieur Stolzberg conveyed that to me. Perhaps we should discuss this in my office?"
Entering the office, Randy directed the twins to bring some coffee and for Corey to bring in the reports from the duty officer then ushered Dumont to a nearby chair, "Please call me Randy. I hate being so formal."
Dumont replied in kind then he studied Randy as he made his way to the desk, "Randy, you are familiar with this symbol?" as Dumont removing the gold ring from his finger then laying it on the edge of the desk waited for Randy Baldwin to examine.
Randy Baldwin picked up the ring and briefly examining the engraving returned it to its owner, "Yes, I am. I happen to have one of those as well. My two step-daughters each have a necklace with it and my step-son, Corey wears a ring and my wife also wears a necklace."
The knock on the door interrupted the conversation as the twins and Corey entered the office. Randy directed that Corey close the door and for the twins and Corey to take seats.
Dumont glanced at the gathering spoke, "Is this wise?" as Randy sat at his desk placing a stack of folders on the desk; smiled "You can be assured of privacy in this matter. Now what is so important to drag me and my kids out of bed so early?"
Dumont accepting a cup of coffee from Nina who took a seat near to Dumont as he replied, "It came to my attention early this morning that a certain free-lance journalist crossed the Ukrainian border earlier this morning with a group of refugees in order to do an exposé on human smuggling in Eastern Europe."
Randy Baldwin frowning, "Dumont? Let me guess, was the certain reporter named Keanu Benoit by chance?" Dumont nodded, "Yes. The one and the same, he contacted the editor of the local paper to advise he had been successful, but he had been injured in the crossing. He mentioned that he had joined two women who had also made the crossing afterward and filed a brief verbal report mentioning their names but asked that only the first names be printed."
Didier handed Randy a piece of paper with the names which Randy read the cover names of Noir then laid it on the desk, "So you know of Noir's involvement?" Dumont nodded, "I am familiar with certain exploits yes. I was not aware of their current involvement. I recall that they helped uncover certain things which involved the child sex slave ring last year?"
Randy Baldwin replied, "More than I would care to reveal, but since you are a Soldat then you must know the implications of even identifying them." Dumont sighed, "Randy, as a Soldat; I have had to balance my journalistic career with the needs and wants of the Soldats. Mireille and Kirika are familiar to me; however I treasure the responsibility of withholding their identities for many reasons. You can be assured that there will be nothing mentioned in print or in other news venue of this investigation till it is completed and they will never be mentioned even by first name. However if I may ask why such an investigation now, surely the authorities could easily intervene."
Randy Baldwin mused over the previous findings, and then turning to a nearby safe unlocked it and removed a folder and gave it to Dumont Didier, "Monsieur Didier, the investigation is the result of that case file. Please read the background information a moment then peruse the photographs. If you want to see more, I will have Nina call up additional photographs for you to view."
Dumont Didier did so as requested and returning the case file to Randy Baldwin replied, "So someone was utilizing the Fallacy when the vessel sank. Is there a connection perhaps between the smuggling and the loss of the vessel or was it mere happenstance?"
Randy leaned back in his chair, "Dumont that we don't know. The investigation into the sinking found the containers by chance with human remains clearly visible. Since the containers did originate from the Ukraine region, I directed that the investigation continue there. I have hopes of finding out who may have been inside those containers then we can determine if there was a relation to them and the ships loss."
The intercom chirped announcing the telephone call from Kelly Summers which Randy acknowledged, then selecting the speaker phone Randy tapped the button to speak with her, "Hello Kelly, Randy Baldwin speaking."
Kelly Summers spoke, "Randy, sorry to call so early but something came up." Randy glanced at Dumont then replied, "Let me guess. You were calling to advise that we have a French journalist doing an exposé on human smuggling, and he may be with our undercover operatives?"
Kelly Summers with Commander Bence in his office replied, "How did you find that out?" as both Randy and Dumont looked at each other their worst fears confirmed, Randy replied "A certain individual approached me this morning rather early on the same matter. Has there been any word from them direct or otherwise?"
Kelly Summers checked her message system, "A brief text message reporting they are in country which also advised of their encounter with the journalist in question. They advised he was injured in the crossing, but is able to walk. They have decided to keep him in their midst for now, as it may be wise for them to do so. He seems to be announcing to those around him his intentions."
Randy pondered that implication, "Ok, for the time being let them call the shots. But if there is any inkling that they are in trouble, you know what to do." Commander Bence interrupted, "Randy? Sorry to interrupt. But if he is trying to do an exposé on the smuggling and they find out, he could put many in danger. I could try to locate him directly and remove him from the picture."
Randy replied, "Since he is with my operatives, they could get caught in the middle of your attempt to remove him. Stay back for now Commander. Let's see where they are led to. It might be beneficial for us to have two separate contacts within." Satisfied for the time being to take the wait and see approach Kelly Summers disconnected.
Randy turned to the twins and Corey, "Ok. Here is the game plan. Corey, cross reference all container rail shipments scheduled for departure from Ukraine that consist of shipping containers destined for ports of call in France and Germany scheduled to arrive for load out and departure by Saturday and Sunday at the latest. Irena and Nina look at all shipping schedules for outbound container ships, all nationalities with destinations in the United States and take a look at all brief port visits along the way. Match those ships to the Ukraine container shipments then when all of you are on the same page come back and see me and we will go from there."
The young teenagers departed the office to carry out their assignments and Nina closed the door on the way out. Dumont Didier spoke, "You seem to place a heavy responsibility on your step-children, is that wise?" Randy picking up a folder to begin his work day replied, "All three asked to help. They know Mireille and Kirika and consider both to be their Aunts; there was no way I was going to say no to their request. Besides it will help free up the office staff to do other things."
Tuesday, June 15th 1000 hours, New York City
Carl Greensand riding shotgun in the unmarked Impala viewed the city streets as the car made its way to the waterfront. The Detective 1st class of the NYPD driving the car, Ann Shelby had been his partner before he retired, "So Carl, see anything familiar?" as the female detective navigated the crowded streets.
Carl turned to her, "Too many. One reason I left. I investigated a hell of a lot of homicides through here and on the waterfront. Every time I went out for a walk, I usually passed a spot where I did an investigation. It got to be depressing remembering them all."
Ann Shelby then a newbie had been trained by Carl Greensand. She made Detective 3rd and then Detective 2nd under his tutelage. Together they had investigated and solved nearly 700 murder cases in their 10 years as partners. Ann recalled privately the most bizarre case they had investigated, the body disposed with the use of a wood chipper. One of the few pieces of the body that had survived had been the teeth. Carl had personally dismantled chipper in a NYPD property warehouse to recover the teeth that were stuck in the chipper blades. It had been a gory job, but it helped solve the case; and when the reconstructed teeth had been entered as evidence it had been enough to send the killer to prison for the rest of his life.
Turning onto the pier, Ann flashed her shield at the gate house and the security guard a retired NYPD officer waved her through. Pulling into the parking area, Ann turned off the car and with Carl exited the vehicle and walked towards a small office attached to a storage warehouse.
Megan Wallace greeted the visitors, and cooperated. She was nothing more than a manger of the storage warehouse, but considering the events of the past several years no New Yorker wanted to turn down or impede the New York City Police when it came to conducting investigations. Megan did advise that if any containers had to be opened they would have to present a search warrant.
Carl Greensand reviewed the current storage agreements of the containers inside the warehouse and pointing out an item on the list to Detective Shelby he spoke to Megan, "I noticed that there is several spaces reserved, but they are not yet occupied. It indicates that the containers were to arrive in late March. Do you know anything about those?"
Megan Wallace looked at the list and then called up the information on her computer, "Ah yes. The containers that were supposed to be stored there did not arrive due to being on a ship that sank in the Atlantic in March of this year. A replacement shipment is to arrive next Friday." Carl Greensand replied, "Interesting. Did you happen to know what the contents were supposed to be and who had reserved the storage spaces?"
Megan Wallace tapped another key, "It says perishable, some type of vegetable product from the Ukraine and frozen fish from Iceland. The company that made the reservations is the same company that lost the ship. H-D Transoceanic," as Carl Greensand taking notes looked up, "Who made the request? Do you have their name by chance?" Megan tapped a key and a laser printer spat out a sheet of paper which she gave to Carl, "That has the contact information and container numbers of the original shipment. The information on the lower section is the updated container numbers and their arrival schedule in New York. The vice-president of H-D Transoceanic Shipping Operations, a Mister Trevor Sullener made the storage reservations again as well. Should I call him to verify that for you?"
Carl Greensand replied, "No that will be all right. I need to see him about a certain matter Ms. Wallace. Thank you for your assistance." Detective Shelby studying the various photographs of ships hanging from the walls of the office noticed one draped in black with a small photograph of a man incased with the photo of the ship, "Ms. Wallace? Was that someone you knew?"
Carl turned to view the photograph as Megan Wallace walked past, "Yes, Detective. That was my fiancé. He was lost on the container ship Fallacy when it went down in March. That was the ship that was carrying the containers that were supposed to be stored here. We were to be married when the ship arrived."
Both Carl and Ann offered their condolences before they left. Carl walking back to the car turned to look back at the office where he saw Megan Wallace tearfully clutching the frame as she returned to her desk spoke to Ann "This crap has gotten even more complicated. Ann drop me off at my hotel. I'll call you later, I need to check in and advise what I have found so far." Detective Shelby replied, "That will give me some time to make some inquiries of my own. What ever the hell happened involved the containers and a lot of people died because of it. Maybe your Mr. Baldwin was correct in the assumption after all."
Tuesday, June 15th 1500 hours, Odessa, Ukraine
Mireille Bouquet with Kirika Yumura exited the small tavern located near the main port. Mireille had a point of contact and a time of where they would be able to meet him. Returning to the hostel where they were staying with the French reporter, Keanu Benoit; Mireille sent an updated message to Kelly Summers on the particulars. From this point on out, Noir would not be able to make quick contact.
Keanu Benoit writing in his journal of what had taken place so far was interrupted when Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura returned, looking up he welcomed them back "Was the meeting successful?"
Mireille nodded, "Yes, things were fruitful. We have a meeting later tonight. Are you well enough to travel?"
Keanu replied, "I will be able to walk, yes. I will not slow you and your friend down." Kirika Yumura having purchased bandages motioned for Keanu to lift his leg so she could change his dressing. Kirika wordlessly did the chore, letting Mireille do the talking.
Mireille spoke, "My friend did a lot of that where we are from. You were rather lucky Monsieur Benoit that it was not razor wire. Had it been, the wound would have been much more serious."
Keanu replied, "I am grateful for the treatment that you have rendered. I will do my best to repay you both for your services."
Tuesday, June 15th 1700 hours, Baldwin Foundation, Paris, France
Randy Baldwin glanced briefly to the computer monitor to look at financial figures then focused on the video conference monitor, "Gina, if Carl is thinking along the same track as I am has he planned to visit the corporate offices of H-D Transoceanic?"
Gina Baldwin replied, "He is on the way there now, along with the NYPD as backup. How did you connect Iceland and Fallacy besides the scheduled stop?"
Randy having noted the scheduled pickup having never taken place had called the port master of Reykjavik to ask about the shipping containers. The port master had confirmed that the containers had never left the port, even though according to later shipping schedules that another H-D-Transoceanic ship had in fact made a port of call a week later for a delivery of cargo. Why had that ship not picked up the cargo that had been destined for Fallacy?
Carl Greensand's fax helped answer part of it. Randy held it in his hands, "The shipping containers that were supposed to go on Fallacy were never picked up. H-D Transoceanic even had another ship in Reykjavik a week later. There were of course other ships in and out and they could have been easily loaded onto those vessels but were not. Then of course Carl finds the storage warehouse where they are supposed to be. The same containers are showing up for a cargo pickup on Sunday, by the container ship Ravenous, which happens to belong to H-D- Transoceanic."
Gina Baldwin sat back and pursed her lips, "Then if that is the case Mireille and Kirika both will likely get a bite today. If the shipping schedules hold true, then they would have to begin their journey by tonight."
Nina and Irena had scanned the list of cargo scheduled for delivery to various ports. It was the shipping schedule of the Ravenous that had caught their attention when Corey Baldwin brought it to their attention. All three teenagers realized they had a match when the fax from Carl Greensand arrived. Ravenous was scheduled for a brief stop in Iceland as well. Backtracking the teens found a high speed freight train was to leave Tuesday evening from Odessa. The containers were scheduled for load-out early Thursday morning in Germany.
Randy nodded, "We figured out which containers. Our kids made the match by the way. I had figured they would hold true to form and ship it to arrive by Sunday, but the storage dates listed made no sense. Ravenous arrives in New York on Wednesday, and then the containers go to the warehouse on Friday. Where is the two missing days? From a trucking point of view it is less than two hours from the off-load area and even accounting for customs inspections, they should arrive on the same day."
Gina picked up the copy of the fax and saw the discrepancy as well, "Ok Husband? Where do the containers actually go?"
Randy smiled, "Someone diverts them and their contents are off-loaded and then replaced with another container with a duplicate identification number, they make their way to the storage facility."
Tuesday, June 15th 2000 hours, Odessa, Ukraine
They had been thoroughly searched, but the men had paid closer attention to Keanu Benoit. Mireille and Kirika not interfering had observed that the men had been overly rough in their examination of the French journalist. They of course found his cell phone and disposed of it. Each woman submitted to a search as well. None of their hidden items were discovered in the frames of the backpacks that each carried.
Mireille sitting next to Kirika inside the shipping container braced herself as it lurched once again then the dull thumps as it settled on a rail car coming to her ears turned to Kirika, "It appears they have bypassed the customs inspection procedures." Kirika Yumura eyed a dejected Benoit, "They are obviously well organized. Let's hope our little crumbs will be helpful."
Kelly Summers had received the pickup point information from Mireille, but by the time she and Commander Bence had arrived to observe the pickup; all she found was the small hand written note stuck to a small tracking device.
Kelly read the note briefly then turned to Commander Bence, "Someone is on to them, likely that stupid journalist." Summers and Commander Bence had missed the pickup by five minutes.
Mireille noted that there were ten in all inside the container. From the front end of the container to the 20 foot point of the container was packed with legitimate cargo. The false bulkhead insulating them from the cargo was nearly two feet thick. The cargo was frozen fish.
Kirika had briefly explored the interior confines of the converted refrigerated cargo container, and noted the rerouted cooling and heating systems. Kirika was checking those vents now as the interior temperature continued to drop, "It appears someone has deliberately rerouted the cooling system to cool this section as well, it will be only a matter of time before we are below freezing," as Mireille joined her.
Tuesday, June 15th, 1300 hours, New York City
Carl Greensand followed by Detective Shelby and four other detectives and a dozen uniformed officers entered the offices of H-D Transoceanic. Henry Davis, the owner of the company met him at the receptionist, "Mister Greensand, good to see you again," as each man shook hands.
Henry Davis had turned to the Baldwin Foundation after getting no where with his own internal investigation. Henry had started his career in shipping when he was just 16 years old as a cadet. Working his way up through the ranks he had eventually became Master of his own ship at age 27. He started H-D Transoceanic when he was 30 years old; Henry nearly 67 years old had built his company very well. H-D Transoceanic had numbered twelve ships before the loss of the Fallacy, the safety record of his company was extraordinarily good. In thirty-seven years of operations H-D Transoceanic had never lost a ship till now.
Henry stepping back, "Carl, when I got your phone call, I did as you told. Trevor has been kept busy." Carl scanned the interior cubicles, "Henry where is his office and does it by chance has a private exit to the hallway?" Henry acknowledged it did, Detective Shelby directed the red haired female police sergeant to take some officers to the hallway in case Trevor decided to make a quick exit.
Trevor Sullener on the phone tried to reason with Bazyli Besnik, "Bazyli, I gave you my word damn it. What the hell are you trying to do to me? Sink another ship?"
Bazyli taking a drag on his cigarette chuckled and replied, "Nothing so drastic this time. The Fallacy was but a warning, it was too bad that you played such a stupid game. However you should know that when the container arrives in the United States, the contents will be well frozen. Until our next shipment, Trevor good bye."
The knock on the door interrupted his train of thought and about to yell at his secretary for interrupting him; Trevor looked up at his boss Henry Davis as the man entered the office followed by several others including uniformed police officers.
Wednesday, June 16th 0200 hours, German/Poland border
The engine change out had been completed, and the fast freight was rolling again at high speed with a German Railroad Freight Engine and engineer at the controls. Inside the container, Mireille and Kirika were trying to help others survive. They had attempted to open the concealed hatch but to no avail, all ten were sealed in and there had been little use in yelling. Sound proof the container hid their cries for help. The moister from their breathing had already begun freezing on every surface. The time of year was working against them. None had worn heavy clothing because of the summer temperatures and what clothing they had was frosting over.
Mireille had attempted to get a cell signal but failed. The heavy gage steel of the container was an enemy to all of them, "Monsieur Benoit give your coat to the child please." Keanu did so as asked and gave the thin coat to the only child among them, "Do you think it was deliberate?" as the parents grateful for the gift wrapped their child in another layer.
Kirika speaking French for the first time surprising Benoit, "Yes without a doubt, Monsieur. It is likely the other container in this shipment has been done as ours. They too are likely slowly freezing as we are." Mireille Bouquet spoke, "Either way Monsieur Benoit, your so called exposé on smuggling by announcing what you were doing may have been overheard and very well sealed all our fates."
Corey Baldwin in Paris spoke to his step-father Randy by phone, "Father, according to border crossing the freight train passed through into Germany, two hours ago." Randy had been briefed how the border crossing worked. Each container sporting a barcode on its side passed a fixed and mounted scanner that scanned its entry. The engines had been replaced in Poland then Germany. Now the freight was clocking nearly 150 MPH and had been since engine change out.
The first inkling that Randy Baldwin had that things were going wrong was the phone call from New York with Gina Baldwin listening in from Atlanta, as Carl Greensand made his report, "Trevor was not initially cooperative and denied any kind of involvement, but Henry Davis took matters into his own hands and made Trevor talk."
Carl Greensand sitting at the desk of the former vice-president who was sitting handcuffed across from him continued, "Trevor was being blackmailed by a fellow named Bazyli Besnik, a Ukrainian who brokers shipments from various companies and in turn as a side hobby smuggles certain things within the containers. You can imagine what has likely been smuggled. Trevor skimmed from a shipment in December of last year. Trevor admitted that Bazyli ordered the destruction of the Fallacy. Also he advised that Bazyli told him the contents would be well frozen upon arrival with the current shipment. Henry Davis advises that those refrigerated containers have their own built-in equipment and can drop and hold the temperatures well below zero."
Randy having heard enough instructed Carl to take Trevor into custody then he got busy making calls. Randy left Corey with Lucio Magnus to coordinate further communications. He and the twins headed for the airport, and 30 minutes later the Gulfstream V roared skyward, it's destination the United States Air Force Base in
Ramstein, Germany, where it was now 0400 hours.
Wednesday, June 16th 0400 hours, North East of Ramstein, Germany
Lucio Magnus had his work cutout for him. He had made the right calls and had obtained a German Court Order to have the freight train stopped when feasible. Randy eyed the borrowed Gore-Tex suits worn by Irena and Nina. The Air Force SH-60B helicopter flying in formation with two others headed towards the expected stop point of the freight train in the darkness, the red lights inside the aircraft thankfully did not reveal too much of either Nina or Irena's figures, though each of the twins had their figures displayed in the lighted area of the ready room which caused more than one enlisted man in the area to do double takes.
Mireille shivering and rubbing her arms was standing next to Kirika Yumura and Keanu Benoit, as each took turns trying to rub the other in the coldness, "We can hope someone may have heard something or perhaps a Baldwin Foundation investigator may have made some headway. We will not survive much longer."
Keanu Benoit had been quietly informed of Mireille's and Kirika association with the Baldwin Foundation, but not their true identities as Noir. Keanu resigned to the fact that associates of Randy Baldwin were in his midst spoke, "It is my fault, and they very likely targeted me."
What had been a relatively smooth ride suddenly became rough as the train began jerking movements indicating it was rapidly slowing, one of the other occupants of the container lost his balance and fell to the floor unmoving and unresponsive. Kirika and Keanu together picked the unconsciousness man back up and supported him between them. Leaving him on the floor would have resulted in his bare skin freezing to the surface.
Wednesday, June 16th 0445 hours, Heidesheim, Germany
The freight train maneuvered to a siding as the US Air Force Helicopters sped overhead, Randy looking for the refrigerated section of the train soon located it and the two containers. With the top of the train lighted by the landing lights, Randy and the twins jumped clear and landed with loud thuds that were heard from inside by Mireille. An Air Force Rescue Specialist added his own thud to the mix and for Mireille there was no doubt, there was someone on top and there was a helicopter too, the sound unmistakable and very familiar that of a US Military Blackhawk.
Randy briefly looked off into the distance at the gathering blue strobe lights of German Police, ambulances and fire apparatuses. The Air Force Specialist found the concealed hatch as Randy waived the Blackhawk away, "Sir! We got a hatch of some type. Looks like somebody locked it shut!"
Randy turned to the Air Force Sergeant, "Well bust that damn thing and open it, then go to that next container. We got people inside freezing to death!" Mireille heard the metallic clang as the hatch opened, and then two figures in black gracefully tumbled in as the train came to a halt. Irena stepping forward eyed the figures covered in frost, "Aunt Mireille? Aunt Kirika? Are you in here?"