NOIR

Chapter One

Bobol

By Steve Edward

Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura are two female assassins created by Ryoe Tsukimura which weaved an intricate tale of these two young women who had to undergo extreme life and death trials in the course of their story to finally resolve that each would together become Noir.

Since creating a story arc with these two characters, which have interacted with fictional characters of my own creation, I have enjoyed the writing. With Randy Baldwin's step-children growing older I have decided to flesh them out more. In the story line "Sword", Corey Baldwin age 16, finds his own short comings to be problematic and so he forced the issue and is taken under Noir's wing to become proficient and hone his skills in the martial arts.

With his twin step-sisters, Irena and Nina they are honing their skills as each has found a future calling. In France with Kirika Yumura and Mireille Bouquet, the step children are being instructed by Noir, in various martial arts skills that will bring the confidence to Corey that he so badly wants and for the former Noir candidates Irena and Nina will become turning points in their own lives. And for Mireille she is now 30 years old, and Kirika Yumura is 29.

Previously in Sword…

Randy gave his final farewell, and then with Gina walked away from the Gulfstream. The ground crew secured the hatch and gave the signal to Kay Milroy who started the engines.

Returning to the Armada, Randy and Gina with Ashley watched as the Gulfstream taxied for take-off. Ashley spoke, "Father, do you think this will help Corey and the twins? Maybe my brother really did not want to do it."

Gina Baldwin turned and spoke to her daughter, "Ashley, I think it will help Corey and the twins. Corey will gain strength and confidence and the twins will refine their skills. I think that they will all find the experience well worth the efforts that they and Noir put into it."

Randy turned the ignition key as the Gulfstream roared past them on its take-off roll, "Life's trials come at us all the time. For Corey and the twins, this is but another. Let's go home."

NOIR

Chapter One

Bobol

By Steve Edward

Aftermath…

Kaki Mashimo was tried in the Japanese courts for smuggling and making false statements. He was never charged in the death of his younger brother. He was sentenced to serve 5 years at hard labor. The elder Mashimo eventually did forgive his only surviving son.

The Executive Officer of the North Korean Sang-O class submarine was court-martialed for his actions. His final fate remains unknown.

Honoring Noir's request, Randy Baldwin placed the twin swords within a heavily secured display case that graces the foyer and waiting area of the Baldwin Foundation Offices in Tokyo. Professor Calvin Peters published a paper on European migration that caused considerable controversy both in the East and West. The idea of a western warrior and that it had been a female was very difficult for many to even believe that such a person had even existed and had migrated to Japan at such an early period to influence certain events would for years to come be a matter of conjecture.

Returning to France with Noir, Corey Baldwin and the twins, Irena and Nina continue their instruction from Kirika Yumura and Mireille Bouquet. They would remain in France till the early fall.

With the establishment of the Tokyo office completed, Randy and Gina Baldwin return to the United States the following month. Randy Baldwin would later travel to France, to rejoin his step-son and step-daughters

NOIR

Chapter One

Bobol

By Steve Edward

Seventy-Two hours earlier…

Friday, August 25th 1900 hours, Hotel Le Châtelain, Brussels, Belgium

The conclusion of the week long conference on financial aid to third world countries was nothing spectacular. Randy Baldwin, loosening his tie in the elevator as it ascended to his suite in the Hotel Le Châtelain retrieved his briefcase from the floor of the elevator as its doors opened to his floor.

Entering his suite, he walked to the work area that he had setup previously and setting the briefcase down on the table, then opened and removed the CD-ROMs. Unlocking the nearby cabinet, he pulled the sliding shelf out to bring his laptop into view. Starting the machine and the external fire-wire Maxtor Hard Drive, he retired to take a shower before perusing the CD's.

Returning after the shower, Randy loaded the files from the CD's into the spread sheet program and began reviewing the proposed aid packages. For those not in the number crunching business, the conference would have bored them to tears. Randy whose specialty while in the employ of the Central Intelligence Agency had been just that was looking for several proposed expenditures that had caught his attention earlier in the day.

Using the Internet to retrieve additional information, Randy opened a new file then laying the old data to next to the new proposed data he studied the reports carefully. He had earlier voiced his concerns over the previous expenditures to several other attendees who at first had taken an interest but had declined to speculate on the variations of the figures themselves, theorizing that perhaps not all the actual expenditures had been reported.

The attendees, bankers fronting for private investors who would profit from the future transactions had rebuffed Randy Baldwin, much to his consternation. Declining to join in the celebratory wine drinking that followed, Randy Baldwin had returned to his hotel.

Saving the files to the main hard drive then the fire wire hard drive, Randy placed an order for room service. While waiting for the meal to be delivered, Randy dismantled the fire wire drive from the computer and placed it in the room safe along with the CD-ROMs and set the electronic lock. Returning to the computer he typed out e-mails to his wife Gina, and to his step-daughter Ashley who was now attending the Julliard School of Music in New York City. Having sent them off, he was preparing an e-mail to the remainder of his family when the door knock interrupted his typing.

Glancing briefly at the waiter delivering the meal, Randy directed that it be placed in the dinning area. Turning away and walking back to the laptop which was where his wallet was sitting next to, he never got the chance to get the wallet. The waiter swiftly coming from behind cracked Baldwin on the back of the head, dropping the man to the floor where he briefly groaned before passing out.

Monday, August 28th 1300 hours, Baldwin Foundation Offices, Paris, France

Kelly Summers turned away from her computer monitor to view Corey Baldwin, the step-son of Randy Baldwin as he returned from lunch with the twins Irena and Nina. The young man had seemingly changed before her eyes over the past two months since returning to France from Japan with Noir. There were only two in the offices that knew of Noir also known as Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura besides the Baldwin teenagers and that was she and Lucio Magnus.

For legal purposes, Kelly Summers was acting as their legal guardian while they were in France. She had agreed to do so, after being told what had transpired in Japan. When Noir was preoccupied with their own "assignments"; the Baldwin's teenagers spent time with her. Corey was no longer a reed thin, but muscular in his own right and confidence to match and the twins were both beginning to attract attention not only for their musical skills, but their well toned bodies. Kelly Summers a black belt in karate had become the occasional sparing partner for all three and she was finding that under Kirika's tutelage, that it was becoming very apparent that they were coming very close if not already at her own skill level.

Adeline Adora's call on the intercom interrupted her thoughts "Madam Summers? Madam Baldwin on line two for you." Kelly turning to phone punched the designated line and spoke, "Mrs. Baldwin, Kelly Summers. Good morning."

Gina Baldwin replied, "Ms. Summers? Have you heard from my husband recently? He sent an e-mail to me on Friday indicating that he would be in Paris by Saturday."

Kelly Summers had known Randy was in Belgium attending a conference replied, "Mrs. Baldwin, I am sorry I have not. Would you like me to ask the kids?" Gina replied "Please do so. I need to know if they have heard anything."

Kelly Summers placing the call on hold turned to scan the office and spied the twins and Corey sitting in Randy's office. Tapping the intercom, Kelly called them "Hey you three have any of you heard from your step-father recently?" Corey, looking out the door at Kelly replied with a questioning look, "No Ms. Summers. We all thought he was still in Belgium." Kelly with a gut feeling she did not want took the call off hold, "Mrs. Baldwin, the kids have not heard from him either."

Gina Baldwin briefly closed her eyes and replied, "Kelly, please get to Brussels and check on him. He never goes this long without contacting someone. I will stay in Atlanta for now and let you take care of things." Kelly Summers said her goodbyes and hung the phone up then walked to the office secretary Adeline Adora, "Adeline, please call the hotel where Mr. Baldwin is staying at in Brussels and see if he has checked out. If he has not, have the hotel staff go check the room. Instruct them if they find anything unusual, to notify the Brussels Police Department and to call us back as well."

Kelly knocked then entered the office of Alfred Stolzberg to advise him of Gina Baldwin's concern then she left and walked to the office of Lucio Magnus, who looked up as she entered and shut the door, "Ms. Summers? May I help you?" Kelly Summers leaning against the door replied, "Randy may be in trouble. I might need to go to Brussels." Lucio Magnus, who was the fall back guardian for the Baldwin teenagers replied, "Very well then, I'll see to that Corey and the twins are looked after in your absence. Is there something wrong? I had thought Monsieur Baldwin would have been back already from the conference."

Kelly Summers replied, "Gina just called and asked that very question. I have a gut feeling about it. If I leave now, I can be in Brussels in less than three hours. I am having Adeline call the hotel now. If everything is ok, she can call me and I'll just turn around and come back; but if it is not I have a head start." Lucio replied, "Get going, Ms. Summers."

Monday, August 28th 1400 hours, Air France Flight A1651

Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura sitting in the first class section of the massive Airbus 300 felt the aircraft orientation change as it began its descent for approach to Orly International Airport at Paris, France. Both had been in Brazil for the previous week attending to a certain matter.

The outright slaughter of an environmentalist and his family by a land syndicate in Brazil over his interference with their plans to do uncontrolled slash and burn of a section of rain forest resulted in Noir taking action to prevent another planned murder against another environmentalist who had taken the man's place. Four members of the land syndicate had paid for the senseless slaughter with their own lives and the land syndicates assets were now frozen and under the care of the Brazilian authorities who were investigating the previous operations of the syndicate. Those that had survived Noir's wrath were either on the run from the authorities who were tracking them down or already in jail.

The evidence for the crimes committed by the syndicate had been thoughtfully dropped off at the central police station in Brasilia by Mireille herself after the termination of the syndicate members involved. The desk sergeant had tried to describe who had given him the envelope but the only thing he could really remember was the blue eyes and the blond hair of the woman. She and Kirika watching the news at the airport before departure had seen the composite drawing made of Mireille. Kirika spoke after seeing the drawing, "Your sunglasses covered rather well when you were not flashing your eyes at him, but he got your hair style wrong."

Mireille remembering that conversation spoke, "Kirika? Was my hair really that much out of place?" Kirika glanced at Mireille replied, "Putting it into a pony tail was overkill."

Day and Time Unknown

When Randy came to, it had been a painful awakening. Coupled with the throbbing headache was the bitter aftertaste in his mouth. He had lain awake on the cot listening intently. No sounds, except for the sound of air coming through a vent. Rising to a sitting position, wincing as he did so he took stock of his possessions, which had been left on his person and they were very few.

His late grand-fathers watch a Seiko, simple but accurate time piece used by railroad employees was missing. His grand-father, though a banker had worn the watch for many years its simple analog watch face with its large numbers had been easy to read. His wedding ring was still present as was the Seal of the Maiden ring which was part of the wedding band. The Seal Ring a gift from Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura had been given to him by the two women he whom he also knew as Noir.

Randy found that he had leg shackles adorning his ankles, the short chain would not allow him to walk normally, and he would be restricted to a shuffling walk. Surveying the room he was in, it was windowless. The heavy steel door was his only entry and exit. Randy doubted that it would be easy to penetrate. He found the two cameras on the second try, their field of view unrestricted would allow his captors to see his every move. He would have little privacy while in the room.

Getting off the cot, he shuffled to the door and began pounding on the door to attract his captor's attention. Musing as he did so, he hoped they had something decent to eat and drink.

Monday, August 28th 1600 hours, Hotel Le Châtelain, Brussels, Belgium

Kelly Summers had overestimated the time it would take her to get to Belgium. She had done so in less than two hours, thanks in large part to the Audi she had been driving. When she had arrived at the Belgium border crossing, a Belgium Highway Patrol Officer had been waiting, not to give her a speeding ticket but to escort her to Brussels. With the powerful BMW Police Motorcycle leading the way, Kelly Summers had arrived at the hotel by 1500 hours.

Inspector Devoss Minsart of the Brussels Police Department had greeted Kelly Summers when she arrived and had escorted her to Randy's suite, "Monsieur Baldwin's whereabouts after the conference indicated that he had returned to the hotel immediately after the end of the conference itself. How or when he departed the hotel is still unknown."

The hotel staff had originally attempted to check on Randy as requested, but found the electronic lock damaged and inoperable. In the end, working with the Brussels Fire Department, the hotel staff had finally gained entry to the suite to find it in disarray and Baldwin's laptop smashed. Inspector Minsart had been called to the scene by the local beat officers.

The Inspector continued, "Monsieur Baldwin, made a phone call for room service and placed a meal order shortly after 1900 hours on Friday, then shortly before 2000 hours the front desk received a call purportedly from the monsieur stating that he wanted to extend his stay through the weekend. The service staff noted that the "Do Not Disturb" sign was on the door throughout the weekend and was still there when the door was removed by the fire department."

Kelly turned to view the meal cart the looked at the inspector, "What about the waiter who delivered the meal?" Inspector Minsart replied, "The waiter has gone missing, Madam. We already have had his apartment checked, but he was not there. His absence was noted after the meal delivery to Monsieur Baldwin's suite." Kelly Summers surveyed the room once again and replied, "Well then Inspector, I would suggest that this hotel be thoroughly searched. I suspect the waiter will be found here somewhere." About to turn and leave, Kelly Summers saw a partially open cabinet door, and with the toe of her shoe she opened it, revealing a safe.

Kelly Summers looking about found the representative for the hotel standing nearby, "Would you please provide the override code for that safe. I would like to see its contents."

Monday, August 28th 1700 hours, Apartment of Noir, Paris, France

Corey Baldwin climbed the staircase then approached the door to Mireille and Kirika's apartment. Hearing the soft music from within, he knocked on the door and waited to be granted entry after identifying himself.

Kirika Yumura opening the door looked at Corey standing in the doorway and ushered him inside. Mireille Bouquet looked up from her laptop computer and could see the facial expression, "Young Corey, please take a seat. What is troubling you?"

Monday, August 28th 1900 hours, Baldwin Foundation Offices, Paris, France

It was 1300 hours in Atlanta, the afternoon sun baking the hot skyline of Cobb County even more as Gina Baldwin addressed the Paris and Tokyo offices by video conference, "As you know by now, my husband Randy has gone missing under mysterious circumstances in Belgium. I want all field offices to review current active cases and those that have been closed to review any persons involved in those cases that have been suspected of criminal activities or found to have been involved in criminal activities. At this time there has been no communications received from Randy since last Friday or those who may be involved in his disappearance have yet to make contact."

Mireille spoke, "Mrs. Baldwin, I have concerns that others may be targeted." Gina Baldwin replied, "Until we can determine that precisely, I have heightened our security. Mr. Carl Greensand is in New York, looking after Ashley along with the New York Police Department. As for myself, I am in good hands."

Kirika Yumura replied, "Who is looking after you Mrs. Baldwin?" A familiar voice replied off-camera as its owner walked into the picture, "I am Ms. Yumura." Sheriff Phil Nagel coming into view stood slightly to the side of Gina.

Sheriff Phil Nagel, longtime friend of Randy Baldwin since childhood and a former Navy SEAL looked into the camera, the concern evident "We have the farmhouse locked down and under 24 hour surveillance. Gina for the time being will be commuting by helicopter so to minimize any attempts. The babies are safe as well. If kidnapping is a goal they will have to go through me first."

Gina spoke, "Lucio any word from Kelly Summers?" As Lucio stood to reply the door to the conference room opened and Kelly Summers walked in. "Gina? I have both good and bad news."

Kelly Summers paused and turned to the twins, "Irena, Nina. In my car in the trunk and back seat there are several boxes. Please bring them up" Tossing to keys to Irena who hurried past with her sister; Kelly Summers waited till the door closed, "Gina. The missing waiter was found deceased in the basement, stripped of his uniform and stuffed into a laundry basket. A surveillance tape showed the replacement waiter in the freight elevator with the serving cart, but a direct view of his face could not be obtained."

Gina replied, "Ok what is the good news?" Kelly Summers replied, "Randy was working on something before the meal was delivered. The laptop he had is pretty much scrap and I suspect the hard drive is damaged beyond any sort of meaningful recovery, but I did find the CD's he was working on along with his backup hard drive in the room safe. We might be able to learn something from that."

Monday, August 28th 1400 hours, Julliard School of Music, New York City

Ashley Baldwin rested her fingers on the keys as the final note faded. Her instructor smiled and congratulated her on the performance then standing the instructor looking at an observation widow nodded. Foundation Investigator Carl Greensand, a retired New York City Homicide Detective getting up from his seat entered the practice room and joined Ashley Baldwin as she gathered her possessions to head for the next class.

Carl standing next to her spoke, "Your mother has asked that for the time being, that you keep a low profile till the situation is resolved." Ashley replied, "Mr. Greensand. I will do as she asks. Has there been any further word?" Carl replied, "Ms. Summers returned in the last hour with your step-fathers possessions to Paris. The Paris office is coordinating every thing for right now, and your mother's own security is being taken care of by Sheriff Nagel so there is no need to worry and I will be close-by and so will several others. My old friends in NYPD are helping out with this."

Day and Time Unknown

Getting no response to his pounding on the door, Randy returned to the cot. His shoes had been removed and replaced with slip on shoes. His belt was missing as well. Isolation would be the best description to his current predicament, as being unable to tell whether it was day or night or even what day, Randy looked at the concrete walls that made up his prison and mused, "Either they are well aware of my background or they are trying to break me down." The metal clank of the small door signaled that he was getting a delivery. Shuffling to the cell door, he viewed the small plate which had chicken and rice but nothing else and spoke "Hey you forgot the napkin!" as he removed the plate, the panel clanged shut. Randy mused, "Obviously no one has a sense of humor."

Monday, August 28th 2100 hours, Baldwin Foundation Offices, Paris, France

Alfred Stolzberg viewed the monitor, "The conference was to plan future financial aid to third world countries. Instead of individual countries providing individual aid, the goal was to coordinate private individual donations to provide the financial aid in one pot, from where it would be distributed. It also would benefit in that fashion of tracking the expenditures much more closely."

Corey Baldwin tapped the mouse, highlighting another column "My father had apparently accessed the internet to retrieve the data on the left. Based on the file time stamps, he was comparing the figures to the new distribution formulas. My father apparently discovered several discrepancies." Alfred looking at the separate windows agreed, "But which ones? Corey lets leave this for the accounting department to do a forensic breakdown. They tackle figures all the time; they are rather good at what they do and its time for them to earn their pay. Dump the files to the storage server so they can access them, and then dump the CD data files as well. Perhaps by morning they will have some answers for us. Now get your sisters and go home." Doing as ordered, Corey Baldwin left with Irena and Nina. Declining a ride all three teens took public transportation much to the consternation of Kelly Summers and Noir.

Tuesday, August 29th 0500 hours, Belgium and France Border Crossing

Irena downshifted and accelerated from the border crossing and steering the Land Rover towards the first exit within Belgium glanced into the rearview mirror, "There is no one behind us Corey."

Corey replied, "That's good sister. Stay to the side roads. It may take us longer to get there, but it makes it harder for them to find us. And Irena please watch your speed."

Tuesday, August 29th 0630 hours, Baldwin Guest House, Paris, France

Kelly Summers reread the note on the kitchen table with displeasure then spoke to Mireille and Kirika, "We were scammed. Those conniving teenagers must have doubled back after we left the office and retrieved the Land Rover. The night duty officer reported that Irena had signed the vehicle out at 2200 hours."

Mireille replied, "It would not have mattered either way. They would have obtained transportation in one form or another. As it stands at least we know they are in the Land Rover."

Kirika Yumura replied, "But they will be off the main highway. They are taking side roads and even country roads that would be deemed useless to patrol by law enforcement. Though it is considered slow on normal pavement the Land Rover, is perfectly suited for unpaved roads. I believe Irena has had suitable practice for such conditions considering that her step-father has a Hummer."

Kelly Summers agreed, "Considering her driving style, I am surprised she would not be driving recklessly but with Corey and Nina with her they will be on their guard to keep themselves unobtrusive as possible. We better get to the office and tell Lucio and Alfred what is going on then get to Belgium ourselves. God help us if the teens have armed themselves."

Day and Time Unknown

Waking up, Randy turned over onto his side gathering his thoughts then swung his feet to the ground. The crackle of a speaker came to his ears, the voice electronically altered spoke, "I hope that your stay has been so far pleasant Mr. Baldwin?"
Searching for the source of the voice but giving up he replied, "The chicken was a tad bit dry and the rice was mushy and there was no napkin. Eating the rice by hand was messy."

The voice replied, "A sense of humor, which seems to serve you well. You are likely wondering why you are here are you not?" Randy replied, "The thought has crossed my mind several times. Considering the line of work I am in, I was a bit surprised to find myself here, where ever it is we are."

The voice replied, "You voiced concern over some figures before you left the conference, but many largely ignored the concerns. However I did not, and as a result I could ill afford you conducting an inquiry into financial going on's." Randy replied "Then you are aware of my background then?" The voice replied, "I know that you do financial investigations on occasion as a free lancer, but little else."

Randy pondered that statement then smiled as the answer came across his mind, "They don't know about the Foundation. This just might work but then again, they could come in and shoot me and be done with it."

"So you are not aware of my connection with a certain foundation then?" The voice replied, "Which one Mr. Baldwin?" Randy looked up towards one the cameras and replied, "You are obviously clueless and a dimwit to boot. Do a Google search for the Baldwin Foundation and when you find the web site, I suggest you take a very close look at the founder, and then reconsider how you are treating me."

Randy adjusting his position on the cot continued, "Since I don't know how long I have been here, I can pretty much guess that my foundation investigators are already searching for me. Oh yeah how about a decent meal this time, since I have not been served what passes for breakfast, please have coffee, eggs, and toast with bacon with prepared. Sunny side up for the eggs please and I would like some decent eating utensils too, which I promise to return." With no reply from the electronic voice, Randy surmised that he had just dumped a bombshell of sorts on them. Lying back on the cot, Randy hoped they would do the eggs right.

Tuesday, August 29th 0730 hours, Ukkel, Belgium

The interrogator ran his hand across his face in disbelief and shock. The American was not being boastful. Turning back to the camera monitor, he increased the magnification of the camera and zoomed onto Baldwin's face with its fourth day of beard growth. So it was the Randy Baldwin. Baldwin's Foundation did more than simple investigations. But why was not news of his disappearance in the news? The interrogator picked up the phone and pressed the intercom button, "Please see to it that my guest is fed much better this time and include eating utensils. He has requested eggs, sunny side up with toast and bacon and provide him some coffee as well." Listening to the reply, the interrogator angrily replied, "Do as I say! Is that understood?" Slamming the phone down, he returned to the computer monitor and began reading more about his involuntary guest.

Tuesday, August 29th 0800 hours, Baldwin Foundation Offices, Paris France

Lucio had dismissed Alfred Stolzberg to oversee the required tasks then ensuring the door was locked turned to Kelly Summers and Noir, "Belgium authorities confirmed the Land Rover crossed the border at 0500 hours this morning on the main highway to Brussels. There were three occupants, one male and two females, all teens. They stated their purpose as to visit their uncle for a hiking trip. The customs officers inspected the vehicle and found nothing unusual and allowed them to proceed. They noted back packs in the rear of the vehicle during inspection but did not see the need to search them. A dog trained in the detection of both explosives and drugs gave the Land Rover a clean bill of health, so we know at least at that point they are not armed."

Kelly Summers replied, "They don't need guns. Those three given what training they have been exposed to would give a lot of people a run for their money." Kirika interrupted, "Given the original nature of the twins, they will let little stand in their way. They are with Corey are now actively hunting for their step-father. If they get a lead to where he may be being held, they will go in without second thought."

Lucio Magnus replied, "Then I suggest that all three of you get to Brussels before all hell breaks loose and try to locate and contain them. I am having Alfred contact Inspector Minsart with the Brussels Police, to have him assist in locating the Land Rover. I have instructed that they are not to be approached under any circumstances except by our own people. We are running short of time. Lets get moving on this."

After the women departed, Lucio Magnus picked up the phone and dialed a number, "This is Magnus. Advise the others that Monsieur Baldwin's whereabouts are still unknown. His step-children have taken it upon themselves to search for him. It is imperative we find who is behind this."

Replying to the voice on the phone Lucio replied, "Yes. Aid them when necessary but do not approach unless absolutely necessary, Baldwin's safety is our primary concern as is the remainder of his family. Baldwin stumbled into something we were not aware of and someone is going to great lengths to maintain his silence. Also Noir is now active as is Investigator Summers. Do not fail us."

Hanging the phone up, Lucio acknowledged the knock on his door and stood as Alfred Stolzberg followed by a foundation accountant entered his office. Alfred held up a printout, "Lucio? We might have some answers. Take a look at this."