NOIR

Chapter Five

Bobol

By Steve Edward

Sunday, September 3rd 1300 hours, Baldwin Foundation Offices, Paris, France

Meeting Mireille at a sidewalk café, Kirika Yumura and Randy Baldwin had lunch together. Gregor lying between Kirika and Randy was given his own lunch by the café staff. Bidding farewell to both women after lunch, Randy and Gregor headed for the office.

Gina Baldwin back at their home in Hall County, Georgia was on the phone, "How did your trip go?" Randy replied "Rather well, but my 50 pound alarm clock said otherwise this morning. Then of course I had early morning visitors."

Gina replied, "Let me guess. Kirika?" as Randy retrieved another file folder replied, "Yes, along with Mireille."

Gina spoke, "She certainly has a way with animals. I had noticed Gregor had taken an immediate liking to her." Randy replied "In more ways than one." Switching subject's Randy spoke, "How are the kids doing?"

Gina gave a soft laugh, "Corey and the twins are still sleeping. The jet lag caught up to them. Olivia and Harmony were my alarm clocks this morning, but they too are doing well. Jill Nagel enjoyed their company. Ashley has been working on a musical that she wants to put on for Thanksgiving, and the twins and Corey think it will be well received."

Randy spoke, "Well I'll look forward to hearing what Ashley is putting together. I'll give you a call later in the week, when I know I can get Gregor back to the States." Gina Baldwin replied, "Take care husband. Speak to you later." Disconnecting, Randy hung the phone up and continued with his work.

Sunday, September 3rd 1600 hours, Apartment of Noir, Paris, France

Mireille Bouquet tapped the mouse and the reply message was sent to acknowledge that they were accepting the assignment. Kirika Yumura carried the last suite case and set it by the door then returned to sit next to Mireille. "Should we tell Monsieur Baldwin of our travel plans?"

Mireille replied, "Kirika, we have never told him when we have accepted assignments and we will not start now. Randy will know eventually that we have accepted an assignment. He has no direct need to know, and that is what we agreed on previously." Kirika looking out the window, thinking of other things replied, "Perhaps you are right."

Monday, September 4th 0630 hours, Foundation Guest House, Paris, France

Gregor bouncing onto the bed announced it was time to wake up, and Randy giving an affectionate rub to the head of the dog swung his legs over and rose to his feet. With Gregor following him downstairs to the kitchen, Randy opened the back door and let the dog out, then prepping the coffee maker he headed backup to take a shower.

Returning to the kitchen after showering and dressing, Randy had half expected to find Mireille or Kirika in the kitchen but neither was there. Fixing breakfast and feeding Gregor, Randy had his morning coffee in relative peace.

Monday, September 4th 0045 hours, John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York

Mireille Bouquet drove the rental car, as Kirika Yumura perused the package that had been left in a storage locker. The assignment to 'extract' two persons being held against their wills would be challenging. For Mireille it brought memories of her early upbringing within a syndicate family, a family line long since dormant; at least to those who thought the Bouquet Family had been terminated so many years before.

She and Kirika were about to enter the lions den to free and escort to their new home a young widower and her child, heirs to an American syndicate family. Denied their rightful places, by the half-brother who had assumed the leadership position; the widower and her child wanted a new life and freedom. Noir would see to that they would have that wish and for those that were willing to stand in their way, they will pay a heavy price.

To be continued in the next story line…"Of High Regard"

Aftermath of Bobol…

Tiebout Pieter was never charged in the kidnapping of Randy Baldwin. The Belgium Police raid on Pieter's estate served several useful purposes. It gave insight into a financial world that was motivated by greed and bribery of government officials willing to look the other way.

Pieter was implicated in the death of Britt Van-Ness, and stood trial for the charge of murder and numerous corruption charges levied against him. He was found guilty of all charges after being tried before the World Court. Sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole, he is serving his life sentence in a Belgium prison.

Maryse and Sofia Van-Ness relocatedAntwerp to be with Britt's grandparents. The trust fund established, would aid in the care and the education of Sofia who when she grew older was told what had happened to her late father. Sofia, never forgetting the generosity of the American would recall those events twenty-five years later as she stood before delegates of the United Nations as she spoke as a duly elected leader of her people and pressed the world body for continued reforms in financial endeavors. Prime Minister Van-Ness calls would be answered.