NOIR

Chapter Two

Bobol

By Steve Edward

Tuesday, August 29th 0930 hours, Brussels, Belgium

Nina Baldwin strolled into the main entrance of Hotel Le Châtelain and requested to speak to the manager. After identifying herself, she had a private meeting then escorted to her step-fathers former suite she viewed the interior. Asking several other questions and being taken to meet additional hotel staff, Nina Baldwin satisfied that what she wanted to know had been answered slipped out the back entrance, just as Inspector Minsart and a bevy of police officers entered the front.

Inspector Minsart cursing under his breath raced out the back to try to catch the teenager, but only saw the tail lights of the Land Rover as it rounded the corner and disappeared from view. A police dragnet of the area failed to locate the Land Rover.

Tuesday, August 29th 1100 hours, Police Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium

Inspector Devoss Minsart looking out his office window turned back to his guests, "His step-children appear to be very determined." Mireille Bouquet herself having already expected such behavior replied, "They are rather close to their step-father, even more so since two of them are adopted." Inspector Minsart replied, "The twin who called herself Nina, had asked to be taken to her step-fathers suite and then asked to speak with several of the service personnel privately, which was done. I had been called by the manager and told that she was speaking with his staff. Of course Monsieur Stolzberg had spoken to me minutes earlier and I hastened to the hotel, but arrived too late to stop them. I saw a Land Rover matching the description of vehicle you are looking for driving rapidly down the alley, but by the time we could get our officers alerted to the vehicle's location it somehow slipped through."

Kelly Summers replied, "Inspector, don't worry about it. At least we know the step-children are here. Did by chance you learn which of the service staff Nina Baldwin spoke to?" Inspector Minsart replying, "Yes, Madam Summers I did. Ms. Baldwin spoke with the service staff responsible for the laundry." Kirika Yumura spoke, "Do you have photographs of the room?" The inspector handed the stack of photographs to Kirika who flipped them aside quickly then stopped as she held a photograph of the bed, "The bed sheets and bed spreads? Are they taken from the hotel to be cleaned somewhere else?"

Tuesday August 29th 0500 hours, Baldwin Farm, Lula, Hall County, Georgia

Gina Baldwin sitting at her husbands desk in the study listened as both Lucio Magnus and Alfred Stolzberg tried to comfort her long distance. Gina replied, "Gentlemen, I am not blaming anyone over this. I should have expected this with them, but not Corey. But since all three are obviously in Belgium we at least know they are somewhere in Brussels."

Alfred replied, "Randy may have stumbled onto financial fraud that is involving loans to third world countries. The conference was just that, to establish a central repository for aid loans similar to the World Bank. The account department did a full review of the proposal and looking at previous figures things did not add up."

Gina, her attention drawn to that statement replied, "If that is the case then contact the organizers. Have them provide a list of all attendees and back track them to their respective countries. See if anyone else by chance is missing and get back to me."

Lucio replied, "We have already done so Madam Baldwin and so far no others have been reported missing or unaccounted for. Randy by chance was invited by a member of a French bank and attended in his place. I believe they had no idea who they kidnapped, but in all likelihood do have that knowledge now."

Gina Baldwin paused briefly as Else F. Conroy entered the study with a female deputy sheriff. Else smiled, "The ride is ready Mrs. Baldwin." Gina nodded and replied to Lucio, "Keep whoever you have digging, dig even more. I am on my way to Atlanta and will be monitoring what is going on. No matter how trivial, please keep me informed. Goodbye."

Time and Date Unknown

His wish had been granted, it had been the first decent meal he had eaten in several days. Of course as promised, he returned the utensils and the coffee cup. What some failed to realize that even though he had no actual time piece, he had his own built-in time piece and it had been his facial beard; its growth now long enough he could gauge the length of it and guessed his total time of captivity. Randy returned to the cot in the shuffling walk musing to himself it had been more or less four days.

Tuesday, August 29th 1330 hours, Brussels, Belgium

Corey and the twins Irena and Nina were sitting at an outdoor café, with their back packs lying nearby. The Land Rover parked in a multi-level parking garage was hidden from casual view. Nina's quick survey of the suite had paid off despite the risk. The service workers at the hotel had told Nina that the sheets and bed spreads were taken off premise for through cleaning and they had even provided the name of the company that did it.

Irena swallowing a bite of a ham sandwich spoke, "It was likely father was taken from the hotel in a laundry cart. Once away from the hotel, they whoever abducted him then transferred him to another vehicle." Corey replied, "You are likely correct Sis. Father would not have necessarily gone of his own volition. It was done in a rush and sadly an innocent man is dead because of their actions. We must of course find father, but also find those responsible for the waiter's death."

A shadow passing across the table stopped and the figure blocking the sunlight pulled a chair to the table and joined the trio. The young Belgium teen holding his hands in supplication before him spoke in French, "I am sorry to intrude. My name is Clementius, are any of you named Baldwin?"

Nina turning to confront the brash intruder was stopped by Corey as he replied, "No Sis, don't. Yes we are the Baldwins'." Clementius replied "Word of your search has spread to many and you are no longer alone," as Clementius held a hand up, the sight of the ring was enough for Corey to reply "Can you help us find the company where the laundry is done for the hotel?"

Clementius replied, "There is no need. Others have already searched the business. Someone did locate the driver of the truck who admitted to being paid to pickup a laundry basket from the hotel. He was instructed to make a brief stop and not to look out of the vehicle under any circumstances. We have the location where he made the stop. Would you like to come?" The trio rising from their seats all nodded as one and picking up their back packs followed Clementius.

Tuesday, August 29th 1400 hours, Brussels, Belgium, Cleaning Company

The sight of the trussed up driver, would have been cause for concern to Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura but Kelly Summers display of womanly anger had visibly shaken Inspector Minsart when Summers had picked up the hapless driver slamming him into the interior sidewall of his truck. Mireille noted that Kelly was not holding back and stepped in to stop the rough treatment.

Mireille placed her hand on Kelly's arm, "Enough Ms. Summers." Turning to Kirika she nodded and Kirika speaking rapid fire in the Dutch language began her own interrogation.

Five minutes later, at Kirika's direction Kelly Summers let the now thoroughly frightened driver fall to the floor of the truck. Stepping away then leaving the truck the women gathered around Inspector Minsart, "Well at least the step-children did not do that to him," as Kelly Summers watched as a Brussels police officer struggled with the bindings holding the driver.

Kirika spoke, "He admitted to taking a laundry cart from the hotel and being paid to take it to a certain area. He had been instructed not to look out of the vehicle during the stop and when he heard the pounding on the side of the truck he was to leave." Inspector Minsart replied, "Ok. So he made the pickup and the drop and left, but if Baldwin's step-children did not do that to him then who did?" Mireille Bouquet replied, "I know who did, but it is irreverent at this point. Kirika what was the address he gave you?"

Time and Date Unknown

The disembodied electronic voice that Randy heard, ordered him to get on his knees and face away from the door and place his hands behind his back. Randy Baldwin replied, "So are we going on a trip?" There was no humor in the reply, "If you do not comply you will die where you sit." Taking that as a yes, Randy shuffled to where he had been directed to kneel and placed his hands behind his back. Hearing the door opening, he felt the cold steel of a handcuff being placed on his wrist then a cloth being forcefully place on his mouth and nose. The last thought he had was "Oh nuts not again…"

Tuesday, August 29th 1600 hours, South of Brussels, Belgium

Clementius directed Irena to pull to the side of the highway then exited the Land Rover, "Monsieur Baldwin, I regret I can not travel further with you but if you continue to the next intersection take the right fork. We believe you may find what you seek. Good luck to all of you." Stepping away from the vehicle, Clementius waved farewell as the vehicle drove away. Waiting for it to disappear from view, Clementius opened his cell phone and dialed a programmed number. When the voice answered he replied in Dutch, "I made the decision to approach the step-children, but they were receptive to my assistance. They are headed for the general area now. Please have the others keep watch. I find Irena and Nina both rather pretty and Corey to be a rather intelligent conversationalist." Disconnecting, Clementius descended the embankment of the highway and disappeared from view.

An hour behind the Land Rover, Kelly Summers driving the Audi broke free of city traffic and pressed the accelerator to the floor as Mireille closed her cell phone. Mireille spoke "The Soldats are involved. Kelly cursing under her breath as she switched lanes to pass slower traffic replied, "The Soldats? You mean they kidnapped Randy by accident?"

Mireille replied, "No. They were not involved in the kidnapping and were appalled at such behavior. Lucio called them to request assistance in finding our wandering teenagers. A Soldat, made contact with them nearly two hours ago and gave them information on where Randy might be found. The twins and Corey are on their way there now."

Kelly switching lanes again replied, "Then it was the Soldats who trussed up the driver?" Kirika replied, "Yes Ms. Summers that is correct. The driver described those who tied him up as two adult men. They asked the same questions as we did, so we can assume that the Soldats are very much involved and interested in Baldwin's safety and the safety of his step-children."

Kelly replied "Ok I'll bite Mireille. Why are they suddenly interested in Randy's welfare?" Mireille replied, "Baldwin is still considered an outsider by many within the Soldats, but one that can be trusted to safeguard certain secrets. He has come to know the inner workings of the Soldats and of course Noir rather too well, but he uses the knowledge wisely."

Tuesday, August 29th 1630 hours, Baldwin Foundation Offices, Paris, France

Lucio looking briefly into the camera and monitor snapped his briefcase shut and spoke, "Madam Baldwin. Information has been obtained to where your husband may be found. Kelly Summers and her associates are on their way there now, but it will be at least an hour before they can catch up to the twins and Corey." Alfred Stolzberg standing next to Lucio spoke, "Gina, Lucio has hired two trustworthy pilots to fly the Gulfstream to Brussels. Lucio leaves in 5 minutes."

Gina Baldwin leaning against the desktop replied "Well don't waste any further words. If it becomes necessary, I'll bring the damn Hercules to Belgium to get him. Just get him and my children back safe Lucio and convey to your friends to do the same."

Lucio acknowledged the request and closed the connection as Alfred looked on. Alfred spoke, "Monsieur Magnus? I have largely ignored the odd interactions that have taken place here, but who or whomever our additional friends may be, please give them my thanks." Lucio exiting the conference turned to Alfred and replied, "I will do so Monsieur Stolzberg. Good afternoon sir."

Time and Date Unknown

Still somewhat drowsy, Randy Baldwin after he regained consciousness took stock of what he felt and heard. Lying on his side, he felt the cold metal beneath him. The sound of the motor was of a diesel engine, small displacement with a turbo. He heard no conversation.

The hood that had been placed on his head blocked his vision and any visible light. The rough ride soon smoothed out, then what felt like they had crossed railroad tracks and coming to a brief stop the vehicle turned and accelerated, the driver quickly shifting through the gears as Randy counted. Five Speed.

The ride lasted for a short period, no more than ten minutes, based on a mental time count. Feeling the ride change again, returning to unpaved road the sound of gravel passing beneath the tires. Then the vehicle halted. Randy braced himself for what was going to happen next.

Hearing doors opening, Randy was dragged out of the vehicle and someone undid the confining leg chains from his ankles. Staying limp, he was bent over then felt the handcuffs being removed. Then with hands under each of his armpits he was dragged across the gravel then feeling grass, he was brought to a stop. Still staying limp and keeping his eyes closed, he felt the hood being yanked off his head and then he was pushed. Unable to react, he tumbled down an embankment to a small stream below, where he landed fortunately upright. The cold water a shock to his system caused him to involuntarily flinch. The gunning of the motor told him that the vehicle was leaving.

Randy waited for the sound of the vehicle to fade, then gingerly raised himself out of the water and looked at his wrist and smiled. The old Seiko had been put back onto his wrist and for the first time he knew what day it was and the time. It was Tuesday, August 29th 1735 hours. Trying to climb out of the creek, he fell back into the cold water and inwardly groaned as his right ankle added to his share of pain; "Now if I can just figure out where the hell I am, maybe I can get somewhere which I really want to be."

Tuesday, August 29th 1815 hours, South of Brussels, Belgium

The three women surrounding the teens conveyed their anger with Kelly Summers standing toe to toe with Corey Baldwin, "Young man? Do you realize just how much worry you have caused all of us including your mother? Just what heavens name were all of you thinking?" Corey returned the look and replied "I was thinking of my father. Don't push it, Ms. Summers." Kelly Summers mouth agape looked on in shock.

Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura were holding their own respective conversations and finding that the Baldwin twins were being just as stubborn. Well aware of the twin's abilities, Mireille and Kirika were standing out of easy reach. Their body language signaled their intense displeasure at being stopped. It had taken a threat from Mireille to shoot out the tires on the Land Rover to make the teens stop. None of them were very happy.

Randy finding he had twisted his ankle had found a fallen branch and turning it into a make shift crutch had surveyed the terrain. Picking a northerly direction, he had been hobbling along till he reached pavement, then turning onto the side of the roadway he continued his travel.

Largely ignoring the passing countryside, Randy listened for sounds of approaching vehicles but heard none, but he was beginning to hear voices. They were not conversing normally either. Rounding the bend he took in the sight of the gathering on the side of the road and mused, "I wonder who is arguing. Oh well I hope they are in the mood to help, because my feet are killing me."

In the gathering darkness, Mireille continued to argue with Irena "Young woman that is enough. Now get into the car." Irena standing her ground replied, "No I will not and you can not make me. Leave us now, we must find father!" Kirika was finding that talking to Nina was not having the desired effect and stepped towards her, "Do not force me, Nina! Remember the last time." Nina smiled and assumed a defensive stance then replied "I remember well. Come to me Master."

Randy Baldwin stopped and blinked at the scene and mused, "Ok. I am having a really bad dream and I should wake up about now or this is really happening."

Realizing that every one was about to square off including his step-son, Randy peered into the Audi and smiled then removed the Glock, which belonged to Kelly Summers.

The view of what was taking place blocked by the Land Rover, Randy stepped around and croaked a greeting but the arguments were drowning him out. In dismay, Randy took aim at the embankment and fired.

The gunfire had the desired effect; Mireille spun and aimed her Walther P-99 in the direction as did Kirika Yumura with her Beretta. Kelly realizing her weapon was still in the car, dived and brought the teens down as a group.

Mireille eased her finger off the trigger as did Kirika. Both women looked at the apparition then Mireille spoke "Monsieur Baldwin?"

Randy seemed to smile at them and gave a thumb up then promptly fell over barely missing the fender of the Land Rover. It was 1830 hours.

Tuesday, August 29th 2100 hours, Private Clinic, Brussels, Belgium

Lucio Magnus stood within the waiting room observing the rear doors of the private ambulance being thrown open and then the stretcher being removed that bore Randy Baldwin. Turning back to another window the head lights of the Land Rover and the Audi parked side by side switched off and the doors of the vehicles opened.

The doctor standing next to Lucio excused himself and hurried after the gurney bearing his patient. The briefing chart handed to the doctor from the ambulance attendant, as he hurried past.

Lucio with cane in hand strolled to the entry door and planted himself in the path of Corey Baldwin as the teenager ran into the waiting room. Trying to side step Lucio, Corey found his movement blocked, "Please get out of the way." Lucio replied, "No young man, I shall not. Now sit down in a chair before something happens." Kelly Summers slid to a stop and watched the stare down.

Lucio looking down at Corey reiterated the command, "Young man, I will not repeat myself again. SIT!" Corey replied, "Yes sir." Then taking a seat as directed was joined by his step-sisters who also looked rather crossed.

Smacking the brass tip of his cane on the floor, Lucio Magnus wheeled about and walked down the hall speaking as he did so, "Young children, your father is not going to be happy with your behavior when he wakes up. Madam Bouquet, Madam Summers and Madam Yumura you have my permission to shoot them if they get out of their seats, but please do it outside. This is a clinic after all."

He had been in and out of consciousness during the ride in the ambulance; the ambulance attendant a female paramedic comforted him during the ride. Waking up again while being wheeled down the hallway the overhead lights his only view, he felt the gurney turn and then coming to a rest next to a table, he heard a number count then was lifted from the gurney and set down gently as possible. The talking head that appeared introduced himself as a doctor in flawless English, a British accent more precisely then he passed out again.

The doctor turned to the nurse, "Full blood work stat." Checking the monitors once again, the doctor stepped away briefly and approached Lucio, "First and foremost is sheer exhaustion, coupled with hypothermia. Then the aftereffect of what was used to render him unconscious. I will do x-rays to verify, but the bruising found and the lacerations on the rear of his head are consistent with being struck by a blunt object with considerable force. He may have a concussion to boot.

The doctor continued, "He is a victim of incarceration. The welts around his ankles indicate he had at one point sported leg irons and of course bracelets for his wrists. From the length of growth of his facial hair, I would place him being held captive at least 4 days with very little food or water provided. He was lucky to have been found." Lucio Magnus replied, "You could say he found us."

Tuesday, August 29th 1530 hours, Baldwin Foundation Offices, Atlanta, Georgia

Gina Baldwin listened to the speaker phone as Lucio spoke, "Madam Baldwin, your husband is being treated at a private clinic here in Brussels. He is suffering from various maladies including a possible concussion, being drugged and some rather rough treatment at the hands of his former captors, who we have not been able to identify. Then there is the matter of your children, Corey has become rather challenging to handle as have the twins. Noir and Kelly Summers nearly came to blows with them when they forced them to stop the Land Rover."

Sheriff Phil Nagel raised an eyebrow over that comment but remained silent as Gina replied, "Corey is likely reacting over concern for his father as are the twins, but just in case would there be any way to put them on a plane back to the United States?" Lucio sounding slightly alarmed replied, "I dare say Madam Baldwin that if we tried that, they would find someway to get back here or to Paris. They will not leave of their own accord and Corey and the twins both have so much voiced that they have a score to settle." Phil Nagel reached for the mute button, "Hold on a second there Mr. Magnus," then he muted the speaker.

Phil Nagel spoke, "I have a lot of leave time on the books and Jill is not doing anything. Let me call her and have her take care of Olivia and Harmony. You get your pilots and charter something that can fly the distance one way. If I recall, Randy flew the Gulfstream to Paris and this Mr. Magnus hired some pilots to fly the Gulfstream to Brussels. I'll be going with you Gina. It is about time to repay a debt to Randy that I owe him."

Taking the mute button off, Gina spoke "Lucio, I and a friend will be coming to Belgium by morning. Would you see to it that arraignments are made to pick us up from the airfield where you have the Gulfstream at? I will put you on hold briefly so you can give that information to Martha here in Atlanta." Tapping the intercom and speaking with Martha Edelstein, the office manger for the Atlanta office Gina briefed her then closing the intercom rose to her feet, "Mr. Nagel if you will lead the way. We need to go home and pack."

At 1830 hours the chartered corporate jet with Gina Baldwin, Phil Nagel and pilots Kay Milroy and Else F. Conroy flying as passengers lifted off from Briscoe Field in Gwinnett County. Jill Nagel accompanied by a female deputy sheriff turned to see what Olivia and Harmony had just said shook her head in astonishment, "Gina warned me, but I did not believe her." Japanese from Olivia and French from Harmony as Jill put the barrowed Suburban into drive, the giggling babies in their elevated perches watched as the world passed by.

Wednesday, August 30th 0700 hours, Private Clinic, Brussels, Belgium

When Randy woke up again, his first sight of anyone was of Phil Nagel dressed in civvies sitting next to the bed reading the New York Times International Edition. Phil seeing movement on the bed turned and greeted Randy, "Hello sleepy head welcome back from La-La Land."

Croaking a response, Randy replied "Where the hell am I?" Phil Nagel discreetly pushing the call button replied, "Still in Brussels, but at a private clinic." Randy blinked, taking in the surroundings, "If this is Brussels, then what in heavens name are you doing here Phil?" Phil Nagel, Sheriff of Hall County, Georgia rising from his seat to allow a nurse to check Randy, he replied "For you, my friend. I came with Gina last night from the States."

The doctor requesting that Phil Nagel leave momentarily, closed the door as he left the room; coming down the hallway was Kelly Summers with Noir. Phil seeing the three women smiled, "Hope all of you had a good rest." Mireille Bouquet replied, "Better than expected. Gina said to expect you. How is Randy?"

Phil replied, "Just woke up, still a little bit on the woozy side. Considering what was injected into him, then inhaled and the crack on the head it's a miracle he still has the mental faculty to carry on a conversation." Phil Nagel then brought up the Baldwin children, "Ok, now tell me what went on with Corey and the twins. From Gina's conversation with Mr. Magnus it sound like you three nearly had to start a war with them. Is that true?"

Kelly Summers saw a nearby lounge and replied, "Mr. Nagel, you should perhaps be sitting down when you hear this. Something has come over all three and frankly we are at a loss to explain."

Phil Nagel turning towards the lounge replied, "Well I've got some time. It will be a while for the doctor to finish with Randy. Tell me what happened out there."

Gina Baldwin who had arrived at the clinic alone after Lucio Magus had dropped the remainder of her party at a nearby hotel had briefly visited her husband, and then took up the matter of the unruly teenagers. Utilizing the cafeteria, she prepared hot meals for everyone then dismissing Kelly Summers and Noir; Gina Baldwin began to talk to all three. No yelling, screaming, just a soothing mother to son and step-daughter talk.

Corey had explained his fears as had Irena and Nina. Gina not having seen Corey since Japan had seen the marked change in his appearance and demeanor and that of his step-sisters as well. As a former high school teacher, she had seen the same changes in other teenagers as they graduated from teenager to young adult to adulthood. The confidence building had helped all three, but as she explained to them there were limits that even they could not and should not cross. Gina realized that all three were at the crossroads to adulthood and they had arrived sooner than expected.

After getting all three bedded down, Gina herself went to bed and asleep on the borrowed cot, where Phil Nagel found her and adjusted her blanket Gina slept peacefully till daybreak.

Wednesday, August 30th 1000 hours, Private Clinic, Brussels, Belgium

The room was rather crowded, but Randy did not mind. At least he knew he was back amongst friends and loved ones. Phil Nagel seemingly unruffled by lack of sleep spoke, "Well Randy the hard part begins. We need to try to have you recall everything that happened to you, since last Friday."

Gina replied, "Phil is this necessary now?" as Phil Nagel setting a digital voice recorder down on the roll-around tray platform replied, "Yes it is. Inspector Minsart still has a murder case to deal with and we have to get the memories while they are still fresh." Randy spoke, "Gina. It is all right. I would do the same thing if in Phil's position." Phil nodded, "Ok. Let's begin at the conference. Who did you voice your concerns to about the loan figures and then we go to your hotel." Inspector Minsart taking a seat along side Sheriff Phil Nagel spoke, "Monsieur Baldwin please feel free to take a break when needed. Do not rush it."

Wednesday, August 30th 1400 hours, Private Clinic, Brussels, Belgium

Randy left out the minor detail of his step-children having the road side confrontation with Kelly Summers and Noir, since Inspector Minsart would likely raise an eyebrow over that with Randy having to fire a couple of rounds off to break it up. With Inspector Minsart now gone from the clinic, he could speak more freely.

Randy addressed all three teens, "Your mother already told me about her chat with you. I can understand your concern, but placing yourselves into a situation as this you provided an open invitation to trouble." Corey about to reply was stopped as Randy held up his hand, "I am not finished. Your mother and step-mother made the decision to accept Kirika Yumura as your instructor in martial arts. You three had faithfully followed Kirika's commands to the letter as well as those of Mireille Bouquet and Kelly Summers. Yet, when I arrive in Europe, you still obey them up to a point and though I end up in trouble, you disobeyed them when it came to becoming involved."

Nina interrupted, "But father, they never told us not to become involved. They only told us to go home." Randy sighed then replied, "Regardless if they told you or otherwise rushing off with little clue to my whereabouts was the wrong thing to do. What did you three expect to see? A sign with an arrow pointing "Your Step-Father is Here" and expect to find me that easily? Come on your three get real."

Corey replied, "We did it because, I knew it would force Mr. Magnus to muster additional help." Randy looked at the three young adults, "The Soldats?" Irena replied, "Yes, the Soldats. A young Soldat named Clementius made contact with us and told us to go to a certain place where we would find you."

Stunned at that statement, Randy pressed the call button and when the nurse replied to his call, Randy asked that Lucio Magnus come to his room immediately and then he dismissed the teenagers as Lucio walked into the room with Noir.

Lucio Magnus impeccably dressed as usual, sat at the end of the bed as Randy queried him. "Lucio how much did the Soldats know about my disappearance?" Lucio replied, "Very little at first. After they had been informed about your disappearance and notified about your step-children's wandering antics they focused their attention on locating you and getting your children back unharmed."

Randy replied, "Ok, how nice of them to do that. Irena told me a young Soldat named Clementius had approached them in Brussels and told them where they could find me. How did they know that and do they have an idea where I might have been held captive?"

Mireille replied, "The Soldats had come across information pertaining to where you were removed from the vehicle that took you from the hotel. A Soldat, we are not sure who it was made a connection with the vehicle that eventually transported you. Your captors likely started feeling the pressure from information that they had received about you or, I believe through third parties to release you. The Soldats were not very explicit on where to find you but that you were to be released where you could be found."

Randy remembering the tumble down the embankment into the creek replied, "Had I not been conscious when I landed in the creek and had I ended up face down I would have drowned. So much for being told to release me and where." Kirika replied, "But you survived and that is what counts." Randy replied, "Yeah I guess you are right. They could have easily put a bullet into my head and I could not have done anything about it."