NOIR

Chapter Four

Of High Regard

By Steve Edward

Saturday, September 9th 1900 hours, Baldwin Farm, Lula, Hall County, Georgia

The burbling of the hot tub mixed with the melody of Beethoven's Moonlight in C minor was his only company besides Gregor who was sitting on the exterior bench. He had passed out briefly after the hard landing on mat. Only Kumara and Kirika knew that he had been knocked out.

At 53 years of age, the amount of abuse heaped upon his body over the past several years was catching up. Randy musing that it had been as though he was a first year student all over again when he and Kirika conducted the match. That little tweak he had done to Kirika had only served to get her angry, and she had not held back.

With his eyes closed, he heard the footsteps as someone entered the room and crossed the slats. Gregor's friendly groan of welcome as they entered the tub taking a seat across from Randy caused him to finally open his eyes.

Mireille silently greeted him with a smile then spoke, "Feeling better?" Randy replied, "Barely. One thing is for sure, no more tweaking Kirika. She has no sense of humor."

Mireille replied, "Doing what you did in front of those attending was not the wisest thing to do. Kirika is all business when it comes to being in a match or a true fight. You had Gina a bit worried when you did not get right back up. She likely knows by now."

Randy shifting his position replied, "So Kirika tattled me out then?"

Gina's voice coming from behind replied, "More than you know husband. Trying to hide the fact from me did little good." Gina joining Randy and Mireille in the tub was soon followed by Kirika Yumura herself.

Kirika spoke, "That little provocation was unneeded. I am not that ticklish." Randy glanced at Kirika who slowly submerged till her ears were just above the water replied, "I'll make a note of that," as Kirika submerged and disappeared fully for a moment beneath the water.

Gina spoke to Mireille, "So are you two leaving tomorrow? You are both welcome to stay longer if you like." Mireille Bouquet replied, "We need to return to France and considering the events of the past few days it would likely be best if we do so." Randy seemed to nod, "I'll call the Daniel Winters and Ian White for the flight, they can have you in Paris by tomorrow night."

Sunday, September 10th 1100 hours, Dekalb-Peachtree Airport, Chamblee, Georgia

Standing next to the boarding stairs, Corey Baldwin bid Kirika Yumura and Mireille Bouquet farewell as both women boarded the Gulfstream V. Handing up the final piece of luggage to Ian White then folding the boarding rails into their stowage position, Corey with his step-father Randy assisted with closing the door.

Randy gave a thumb up to Daniel Winters who returned the gesture, and then the starter cart's engine took the load of starting the Rolls Royce power plants. Entering the gate of Epps Aviation, Randy and Corey turned back to look as the Gulfstream began to taxi. Corey spoke, "Thank you father."

Randy Baldwin leaning against the chain link fence replied, "You are welcome. Remember what Kirika has taught you and your step-sisters. The skills will serve you well. But most of all keep applying to improve yourself, don't quit. All of you have come too far to turn back now." Corey replied, "Kirika told us the same thing father."

The rise in sound signaled that the Gulfstream had began its take off roll and Randy with Corey watched as the plane flashed past their observation point then climbing skyward, it turned briefly before settling on an eastern heading and disappearing from view.

Kirika Yumura gazed out the window till the airfield faded from view, the Gulfstream already cleared for its service ceiling the angle of the cabin indicating that Daniel Winters was wasting no time in the climb out. Kirika pondered if she had overreacted to Randy or putting aside that it was only a demonstration match had gone all out against him.

Mireille seeing the troubled expression on Kirika face spoke, "Are you worried about Randy?" Kirika replied, "He still insists on pushing himself beyond his limits. He will have to realize that he can not continue getting into extreme and risky ventures."

Mireille looking at her reflection in the window replied, "Till Randy makes that decision, we will see more of him."

Aftermath…

Joyce Milan with daughter Zetta returned to New York one month later with Dora Marino's blessing. Reassuming control of both the Milan and Marino families businesses; Joyce Milan who never remarried became a successful business woman in her own right. Zack Milan, tried in Federal Court under the Federal Racketeering Act (RICO) was found guilty of numerous charges. Zack Milan is serving a life sentence in a federal penitentiary. Both Federal and State authorities never determined who carried out murders at the Milan Mansion in New York and the case remains unsolved.