NOIR
Chapter Four
Substitute
By Steve Edward
Sunday, April 2nd, 2045 Hours, Le Charmel School of Academia
Risto Ganic shifting to high beams after leaving the paved highway entered the woods that lay on either side of the school's access road. With the wind rising and the rain shifting directions he was being pummeled by the rain.
Entering a slight curve, Risto adjusting his speed could begin to see the lights of the school buildings as he entered a slight straightaway. The blinding flash of lightning coming from behind him reflected off the mirrors; but did not distract him. It was the sudden sensation of a wheel locking up as the motorcycle began to dip.
The next flash was not lightning as Risto seeing the blast recalled seeing such sights in his youth in his old homeland; reacted instinctively gunning the motorcycle then dumping it onto its side a moment later.
By momentum, the BMW K1200 GT slid across the gravel surface with Risto tucked protectively on the left side of the fairing. The loud thump in front of him made him brace, but not fast enough. The impact as the rear wheel made contact with the trunk then the front wheel impacting, tossed Risto nearly upright where a tree limb whipping violently sideways slammed him violently off the remains of the motorcycle.
Headmistress Camus reading within her small but austere apartment where she lived on the campus looked up from her book, as the distant blast mingling with the thunder seemed to send vibrations through her living quarters.
Rising slowly and walking towards the window to look outward, the reading lamp which Marie was using flickered; and then died plunging her quarters into darkness.
Lucio Magnus speaking to an associate in Paris heard the crackle of the lightning coming through the telephone line, and then the thunder when his associate's voice was cut-off in mid-sentence. Tapping the switch with no success at regaining the phone line as the lights went out in his quarters; Magnus reaching for his cane returned the receiver to the phone. Getting to his feet, Lucio tapped the tip of the cane onto the stone floor and headed for the door.
Oliver Heaton walking cautiously down the stairs with flash light in hand met Gina Baldwin as she was leaving her living quarters "Madam Baldwin, we will need to check on the dorms. If power is out there as well, we will move the students to the main hall and gymnasium."
Gina Baldwin replied, "With what? The golf carts?"
Heaton spoke, "Under emergency conditions Madam Camus allows the use of motor vehicles. We have one bus that can seat 75, since it is a short distance the seating rule is waved and we will have to make only two trips."
Gina replied, "Well who is going to drive it?" A voice from the darkness said, "I'll drive it." Kamille Parshall with her sister Damia came into view. Oliver spoke, "Very good Kamille. Go fetch the bus, while we get the students ready. Damia, Gina bring you carts. I will use mine too and we can transport any necessary items the students may need to bring with them. That will save space on the bus."
Lehman Hermes studied the screen message briefly then speaking to Allen King a fellow Watch Room attendant, "Allen verify the emergency beacon from Mister Ganic's motorcycle."
King typing several commands and viewing the results replied, "Confirmed. Telemetry indicates the bike is down. Relative angle indicates it is on its left side. Sensors recorded impacts consistent with a crash. Information sent indicates a brief speed burst, then impacts three and four seconds later respectively. Mister Ganic was on the access road leading to the school."
Timothy May listening to the conversation interrupted, "The access road is gravel, perhaps he lost control. The weather in Le Charmel is rather bad at the moment."
Lehman spoke, "Perhaps, but the speed he was going was well below anything I would consider reckless. Allen, try his cell phone again."
Risto felt the wetness on his face, and licking his lips tasted salt and blood. Laying flat on his back, he tentatively reached for his face shield only to find most of it gone. What remained of it was shattered. The blackness hid his motorcycle beyond him, the remains concealed in the branches of the fallen tree.
Removing the damaged helmet, Risto felt for the source of the blood. A small cut above his eye and another near the ridge of his nose. Tossing the helmet away, Risto checked the rest of his body and found no other injuries, till he tried to stand. Reaching for his lower left leg, he found another wound. The gash caused as he separated from the motorcycle, though not too deep was painful and required treatment.
The small first aid kit he always carried on his belt, still attached contained enough wrappings for what he needed. With no light, except his cell phone providing illumination he set about the task of treating the injury.
Finishing the task, Risto scrolled through the address book of the phone and finding the telephone number of the foundation watch office pressed the send button. The tone coming from the speaker signified no signal and looking at the display; Risto muttered out loud, "No tower?"
Sunday, April 2nd, 2130 Hours, Foundation Guest House, Paris, France
Randy turned the picture frame towards him, looking at the photograph of his wife Gina. Picking up the telephone receiver, Randy dialed Gina's cell phone. The standard message of the user unable to be located sounded. Randy slightly puzzled by the recording, redialed. Flipping through the old-fashioned rotary phone file, Randy dialed Lucio's cell and hearing the same message hung up, and then tried to call the school itself. Slamming the receiver down so hard that Randy's stepson Corey came from the sitting room into the hallway to see his stepfather heading for the front door. Corey calling out asked, "Father? Is there a problem Sir?"
Randy reaching for the ignition keys to the Defender on the hook next to the kitchen replied, "I am heading to the office, you mother missed check-in and the cell phone provider reports she can't be reached. Tell the twins and your big sister, if I am not back by 2300 hours to go to bed. Don't wait up."
Closing the door as he left, the flash of lightning from the distant storm caught his eye. Baldwin pondered if he was over reacting, but his gut said something else as he swung the gate open and headed for the Defender.
Lehman Hermes answering the phone and hearing the callers voice replied, "Miss Summers, Mister May conducting research uncovered an incident that took place prior to the schools inception, the data indicates Nazi involvement." Another phone line rang, and Allen King taking the call said, "Lehman? It is the boss. He wants to know if we have heard from his wife."
Lehman handing the receiver to Timothy said, "Fill her in, sounds like Randy is already headed in." Taking the phone from Allen, he spoke, "Randy, Lehman speaking. I was about to call, are you headed in?" Randy shifting gears replied, "Yes I am, Gina missed a check-in call. What is going on?"
Lehman replied, "Risto's bike is down and hard. The emergency system activated indicating a crash. I have his position on the school grounds itself, about 500 yards from the Administration Building. Attempts to reach his cell have been unsuccessful, and we tried to reach the school as well but it appears hardwire lines are down too."
Randy fishtailing as he turned a corner spoke, "Verify through other means what is going on there. There was a storm coming through there, could it have taken the power and phone lines out? Also, check the cell providers. The Le Charmel area has several cell towers too. See if any are out. I will be in the office in about 15 minutes." Disconnecting, Randy concentrated on his driving; the sprinkles of rain annoying at first were now falling heavier.
Gina Baldwin watched in dismay as Damia Parshall backing the bus, drove it backwards into the soft ground where the wet ground promptly swallowed the rear axel. Damia gave up after a brief attempt to free it. Madam Camus watching the scene playing out sighed then turned away and returned to the main hall where the student body gathered.
Lucio Magnus holding a clipboard checked off the last of the students as they entered.
The headmistress walking past the Ministry of Education review team who had arrived just two hours before ignored them for the moment and approaching Magnus spoke, "The last of the students have arrived. Is your own review in agreement Monsieur Magnus?"
Lucio replied, "Yes it is. Any word on what has caused the outage?"
Madam Camus spoke, "Monsieur Heaton made a quick survey and found a massive tree across the road just a short distance away. When it fell, it destroyed the power lines and the telephone lines. Also have you noticed that all cell service is out as well?"
Lucio replied, "Yes I have Madam Camus. The people from the ministry reported that the storm was rather bad when they headed this way. At least for now, the children are safe and we do have power from the generator. I suggest we set watches, one male and female, till morning."
Madam Camus replied, "That will be done immediately. You should also know we have lost use of the bus. Damia backing it out found a soft patch of soil, it is rather severally stuck." Lucio replied, "That can be attended to when daylight comes. Perhaps we can obtain the services of a farm tractor." The headmistress excusing herself, headed towards Gina Baldwin who had walked in with one of the students, named Tonya.
"I do not think there will be anything to worry about," said Gina to Tonya as they walked together to where the female students would be sleeping. Tonya who carried her book bag replied, "Well I guess you are right Madam Baldwin. Thank you again." Then Tonya skipped off to join her classmates.
The phone call was brief and to the point. Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura stood waiting by the curb under the single umbrella shielding both from the rainfall. Mireille spoke, "Monsieur Baldwin sounded rattled? He rarely gets that way unless it involves either his wife or children."
Kirika replying as she saw the headlights of the Defender appear, "When he said be ready to go in five minutes and pack heat then hanging up with no further explanation I consider him rattled."
The Defender slid to a stop on the cobble stone pavement and Mireille with Kirika entered the vehicle. Randy waited long enough for the doors to shut then spun the tires on takeoff. Mireille glanced at Baldwin the said, "One can presume things are not going well?"
Randy replied, "Communications are down, and a courier that was sent to Le Charmel, the emergency system on his motorcycle indicated a crash condition. His phone is not responding to calls either."
Kelly Summers turned into the parking deck and descended to the reserved parking area. Parking then exiting her car, the noise of Defender entering the parking garage came to her. Standing at the elevator, Kelly waited until its driver parked the Defender and then called the elevator. Turning back to the Defender, Kelly saw Noir with Randy Baldwin.
Kelly pressing the floor button leaned against the wall and spoke, "Randy, how's your mood for history?" Randy replied, "Kind of low on my list of things to do at the moment. Is this history lesson related to the school?" Kelly nodded slightly then said, "Timothy uncovered an incident from World War II involving Le Charmel before it was a school. It has ties to the Nazi German Army and their activities after the liberation of Paris."
Stepping off the elevator, the group continued into the main office area, where Randy stopped. Looking at the Watch Room Randy spoke, "Liberation of Paris took place in late August of 1944 if I remember correctly. Germans fought tooth and nail before retreating looting in the process. What they could not carry they burned. Some called it the Dark Ages of the Arts."
Kelly replied, "Rather true. What else?" Mireille spoke, "A vast number of art works were lost. Presumably by Allied bombers targeting Berlin and Frankfurt, and then there was the matter of the treasure trains. Some were bombed in rail yards carrying their cargos back to Germany, or accidentally destroyed by activities of the French Underground."
Kelly spoke, "Both of you have studied history rather well. Timothy May took a lot longer to explain it to me, but here is the caveat. Hitler's original plan to invade Great Britain ended in failure; however, planners had prepared invasion currency to placate the local citizenry after the invasion. Therefore, they minted coins instead of paper script, which would have circumvented counterfeiting. That invasion loot if you want to call it was stored right here in Paris up to the day allied troops entered to liberate the city. Guess where it was routed?"
Randy replied, "Through the back country by rail. Le Charmel was one of the destinations?" Kirika spoke, "For face value they would be worthless, collectable but few would purchase such coins with a stigma attached. However, the value would lie in the rare and valuable metals. Gold and silver, even today is used by investors as a hedge against inflation world-wide and in bar form is considered to be more easily exchanged."
Randy studied Kirika's matter of fact expression then said, "You have been investing I see, well put. Kelly, have Timothy put together the information and prepare for a briefing. I have some calls to make, and then I will listen to what he has to say." Kelly replied, "Give him thirty minutes to put that together and yes by the way Le Charmel was listed as a stop for a treasure train." Turning away, Kelly headed for the Watch Room.
Lucio Magnus settling in a chair near his cot, opened a notebook which he began reading through. Headmistress Camus soon joined him. The woman bringing a chair with her spoke, "Monsieur Magnus, if I may ask. Has the ministry representatives spoke out about the current conditions?"
Lucio setting the notebook down said, "They seem unconcerned, only congratulating the staff on the quick and safe movement of the students and nothing more. Some would think they would voice more than they have." Marie leaned forward then said, "Was there not supposed to be a woman in the review team?" Lucio turning a page spoke quietly, "Yes and I did ask about her, however the team leader stated simply that she had fallen ill. I have left it at that for the moment."
The conference room contained a bank of LCD Television monitors, each one displaying photographs both black and white and in color when Randy Baldwin walking in, stopped to look at the displays.
Timothy May leaning over the computer keyboard looked up at Baldwin the said, "Ready to go whenever you are sir."
Stopping by Kelly Summers, Randy passed a note, which she read then looking at him when he silently acknowledged stood up and departed the room closing the door behind her. Mireille observing the exchange silently waited until Randy sat next to her then said, "You found something?" Randy replied, "Ned is on his way here. Kelly is getting the armory ready."
Randy then addressing Timothy said, "Ok Mister May, let's hear what you got." Timothy spoke, "Yes sir as you wish. Displayed on the center screen, an aerial surveillance photograph taken in late August of 1944 by a British RAF Mosquito of what was the winery that is now the Le Charmel School of Academia. The aircraft was enroute to a mission at Reims, France. Allied forces were in pursuit of retreating German forces and they were seeking to locate high value targets in the area along with estimated troop strengths."
Changing the display Timothy continued, "For practical purposes, nothing unusual was observed in these segments of photographs except for what appeared to be a large number of box cars and their accompanying locomotives seen departing the winery. The train's position and direction of travel was reported, and later attacked by a US Army Air Force P-38 squadron returning from a daylight bombing raid escort mission; of which the after action reports by the pilots indicated that the train was empty when attacked."
The display changed again as Timothy spoke, "The winery did not appear to have defenses and therefore was never bombed, though allied ground forces later did capture it. Action reports indicate that the winery had been a recuperation center of sorts along with being a rear command center. Please take note of the center building please. That is currently the Science building of the school."
The image shifted then Timothy spoke, "It served as a power generation plant for the winery during the war, making the facility suitable for German occupation forces to be independent of the electricity grid which became frequent targets for the French Underground and allied bombing. Since it was out of the way and appeared low key, it never attracted much attention until the fall of Paris. Then the Germans were in full retreat racing for the German border. Going back to that train we observed, there were frequent rumors of the Germans transferring high value material paintings, statues etc, back to Germany along with gold and silver bullion. Allied forces did in fact capture several trains before they could make good their escape and they were able to liberate the materials onboard taken as loot."
Randy replied, "The rumors have persisted, yet no solid proof. The train left Le Charmel empty, however the winery obviously searched closely by ground troops and nothing turned up. Perhaps the P-38 pilots were mistaken about the train being empty. They used wooden rail cars in those days and they would easily burn. An incendiary round could start a fire easily."
Timothy spoke, "That is true. Nevertheless, take a close look at the rear of the power plant, near the smoke stack as I overlay a commercial satellite photo of the same building. This photograph is from early 2005. Notice that the original rail bed is now just a road, but was used to bring rail cars full of coal to fire the power plant. Do you notice the slight rise in the 1944 photograph and those pipes as well leading to that rise?"
Randy replied, "Steam distribution trunks. Those if I remember correctly are blanked off at the building exterior or were till the boiler exploded." Timothy changed the display again then said, "Yes, but in 1944 they lead underground. That slight rise is the presumed location of a reinforced concrete bunker. I can only guess at the actual measurements, but here is a surprise from ground level. This photograph taken September of 1944 by a US Army Combat Photographer, who snapped the shot, was not interested in what was at the power plant but the vehicle in the background. Take a look at the foreground closely."
Mireille replied, "The steam distribution lines are gone. It appears the area was backfilled." Randy muttered, "Son-of-a-Bitch!" as he got up from his chair and walked to the computer terminal then typing quickly displayed the digital photographs taken by his wife earlier.
Timothy spoke, "Mrs. Baldwin took those from nearly the same angle, so they match fairly close." Kirika spoke, "Monsieur Baldwin? Was the head of the school board opposed to further excavations?"
Randy replied, "Yes he was. Mister May, would you bring up Investigator Summers report file SummersLC04PP please. It has a blue print of the work proposed by Legard Industrial & Fabrication. It should have the precise measurements of the excavation required. Taking into account those measurements, can you do a quick transparent overlay of the 1944 photograph with those measurements?"
Timothy doing as directed began inputting the information as Kelly Summers returning to the conference room entered followed by a visitor. The voice familiar to Mireille spoke, "Well that old tank brings back memories," as Ned Smith walked to the end of the table and leaning on it took in the other visual displays.
Randy replied, "What about the tank?" Ned spoke, "The infamous Tiger-2 interesting that a piece of equipment that important being recovered intact, not to mention it being at recuperation facility; what was the caption on the photo?"
Timothy May replied, "Simply stated, "Captured Tiger-2, Le Charmel, France. The National Archives forwarded it with material I had requested."
Kirika spoke, "Subterfuge. The tank was at the railhead load area. It would point to the departing train carrying military cargo. Allied intelligence would order any train in the area to be open targets. If one recalls the aerial photograph the same tank is visible just to the rear of the train."
Ned spoke, "Ok history aside Randy, I ran your inquiry through contacts back home and others here in Europe. They think the story about the Nazi gold and art train is a fable; however there are some that believe it is true."
Ned pulling a chair from the table then sitting continued, "When the Germans beat feet, they were selective in what they took. Take that tank for example. It was part of a unit guarding the Central Museum in Paris. The Tiger-2 carried the markings of that unit which is why I know that. If the art treasures or other valuables moved, they moved under escort. I likely think the tank was left behind because it mission was done; however the Intel people at that time presumed it was a token defense unit."
Kelly spoke, "So where is this non-existent fable supposed to be?" Timothy May replied, "Likely in a place one would not expect to find. Mister Baldwin, the computations are complete." Randy facing the screen and viewing the display replied, "Where one would not want another to dig."
Ned replied, "Nice graphics, so you think there is a hidden entrance?" Timothy May spoke, "Taking into consideration of the steam trunks originally observed there is high probability of that being so."
Ned spoke, "Well that cinches it. Randy, the Germans had their own curator running the show during their occupation of Paris and the eventual with drawl with the treasures if that is what you want to call it. His name was Doctor Dieter Mallwitz with an assistant named Lars Geckler who held the rank of Hauptmann or Captain, merely to have some pull over the German soldiers guarding the museum."
Randy replied, "I am assuming that you know more about these two men then?" Ned spoke, "Both men have been on watch lists since 1945 according to my contacts. Never mind now that both are likely dead, their names are still listed by Interpol. This purported fable and the train at Le Charmel are the one and same. None of the artworks listed missing was located. How much value in today's Euro and American dollar would these artworks be worth?"
Mireille spoke, "Dependent on the artist, their specific influence and rarity the artworks could top several hundred million in Euro and Dollars; that of course taking into account being on the legal markets of auctions. It would be much greater in underground auctions, where many would go to private collections and those that would pay such sums would only question the authenticity of the artwork and not the legality of how they were obtained."
Ned grunted in approval then withdrawing a USB Jump Drive from his coat pocket passed it to Baldwin then said, "Files on both men and the list of the fabled items." Inserting the Jump Drive, Randy downloaded it to the computer and displayed the photographs of the men.
Timothy May interrupted, "Mister Baldwin, Miss Summers? There is a name match with the Sanford Christopher file." Ned spoke, "Who is Christopher?" Randy viewing the new information replied, "A snake helped by another snake. I will tell you more on the way. How many others did you bring with you Ned?" Ned Smith replied, "Uh just me? Am I missing something here?" Randy spoke, "Yeah we all did. Kelly, Mireille, and Kirika get ready we are leaving in 15 minutes. Ned, go with them to the armory and choose your poison. Timothy, backtrack the new information. Same last name is too coincidental, and since he is claiming to be a doctor too; I would like to know of what. When you find it, download directly to my PDA is that understood?"
Timothy May acknowledged as he saved the files to the main frame and shut down the conference room terminal. Watching Randy Baldwin leave alone, Timothy wondered silently if Randy would have enough people to get the job that he wanted done.
Sunday, April 2nd, 2300 Hours, Le Charmel School of Academia
Oliver Heaton had missed Risto Ganic during his brief inspection of the fallen tree. Risto painfully making his way towards the Administration Building through the wood line, stopped to observe a man standing near the wall and gate entrance. As a young boy in Bosnia, Ganic had come to know those who were professional military soldiers and the average militia soldier. Withdrawing back into the underbrush, Ganic pondering his options followed the wall with his eyes; then making his choice headed for wall where it met the brush and tree line.
The Major waited as the backhoe removing the final shovel full of dirt had struck cracked and broken concrete that was last exposed to the elements in 1944. Directing the remaining men to begin their delicate work, the Major walked away from the worksite towards a Mercedes Benz SUV.
The right passenger door opened as he approached and the man silhouetted within became visible. Doctor Dieter Mallwitz spoke, "Major? How long before you will setoff the charges?"
The Major replied, "Thirty minutes is the soonest. The men have to ensure precise placement of the charges, otherwise there could be a grave chance of collapsing the bunker." Dieter spoke, "How far the concussion will be felt?" The Major replied, "It should pass unnoticed because of the storm, mere vibrations." Dieter reaching for the door said, "Ensure that the staff is kept occupied by your men. The sooner we are able to access the bunker, and remove what is there, the quicker we can leave. That is all for now."
Ned Smith cradled Randy's PDA as he reviewed an update from Timothy May. The whine of the turbo-diesel in the background, told Ned that the Defender was at near maximum safe speed with the weather being the culprit. Scrolling the display Ned said, "Christopher's court case in Berlin aside being dismissed because lack of cooperation from the victim and her family, had a filing of a statement made by Mallwitz attesting to Christopher's integrity.
Furthermore, per your researcher Mallwitz holds a doctorate in conservation specifically that of art restoration techniques; indicates in his bio that he was born in Argentina, but over the course of his education studied in both France and Germany, and officially applied for and cleared for German citizenship in the 1970's."
Mireille spoke, "Then one would theorize that Mallwitz's parents fled Germany before the Third Reich fell in 1945. South America became refuge for those fleeing. Mallwitz carried the secret of where he stored the looted art treasure in hopes that there would be a Fourth Reich. Likely he knew that he would not live to see his dream come true so he revealed the information to his son, who would follow in his footsteps."
Randy replied, "And somewhere along the way he found Christopher who had aspirations of increasing his profile in business and recruited him. Allowing for this assumption, Mallwitz knew the old winery had become a small but successful education institution. Therefore, he began orchestrating a series of events that began to shake the confidence of those attending the school. Since Christopher was the president of the council, he could manipulate those on the council and controlling the operating funds he would eventually force a closure of the school."
Kelly Summers replied, "But what I don't get is why got to the trouble of force the school to close early? They could have waited a week." Ned spoke, "They had an opportunity they could not pass up, Miss Summers. Bad weather moving in would conceal their activities and if I am not far off the mark; they have plans to move what ever is there likely towards Germany. I would guess the Mosel River near Metz, France. A lot of barge traffic in and out of there, and with the weather the way it is, local authorities have their hands full with emergencies, since Randy could not get anyone from the National Police to go to the school that pretty much left us."
Monday, April 3rd 0005 Hours, Le Charmel School of Academia
Gina Baldwin rose from the cot unable to sleep. The vibration she had briefly felt had seemed like a small earthquake initially. Putting on her shoes, Gina headed for the dining hall and kitchen. Along the way Francis Davis with Kamille Parshall, returning from their rounds joined her.
Kamille spoke, "Madam Baldwin. The storm has been the worst I have seen in many years did you feel the ground shaking earlier?" Gina replied, "Felt like a small earthquake to me. Maybe another tree fell somewhere close by?"
Francis spoke, "It was different in some fashion. It reminded me of explosives being set off." Kamille replied, "How would you know that Monsieur Davis?"
Francis spoke, "Having spent several years in the Middle East, I experienced the effects of roadside bombs being set off. The vibrations though masked, can feel like an earthquake to some. Every time I felt the vibrations, I knew someone had either been wounded or killed, and for me it drove me to drink; something that I am not proud of."
Gina pulling open the door to the dinning hall began to speak but stop in mid-sentence, "Give it some time Francis, I think being here will help you to…"
Francis nearly walking into Gina who had suddenly stopped looked to where Gina herself was staring then said, "Sanford Christopher? What in bloody hell are you doing here?"
Sanford spoke, "Exercising my legal rights. Though prohibited from making any direct decisions, I still represent the council. The Ministry allows my presence." Gina Baldwin replied, "Really? Then how did you know about the emergency?"
Sanford said, "Madam, I am touched but I was called about this matter by the Ministry Review Team."
Francis Davis spoke, "They called you? Interesting, when did they do that?" A man's voice replied, "After the power failure." Gina looking around to find the man, who had spoken, found him with two others. None was wearing their suites but clothing she was all too familiar with. Francis Davis spoke, "I do no believe for one minute you are with the Ministry of Education. Just who are you and why are you here?"
The man coming out of the shadows replied, "That is none of your concern. Now all of you come this way. Cooperate and none of you or the children will be harmed."
Gina spoke, "Where are the people from the Ministry of Education? What have you done with them?" The man replied, "Out of the way for the moment, and they have not been harmed. Just merely sleeping; now do as I said."
Tonya Manning missed being away from her dorm room. Though having a petite figure she snacked to help her study and having missed her evening snacks woke up. With stomach growling, Tonya had left her fellow students and headed for the dinning hall. Hearing the teachers apparently arguing with someone inside, Tonya had crept in through a side door and watched the men round up the teachers including the substitute teacher an American like her Gina Baldwin and taking them to the center of the dinning hall. The three men all armed, left little doubt to their intentions.
Slipping out, Tonya hurried back to the gymnasium in hopes of finding another teacher; but another voice belonging to a woman was arguing in the hallway. Seeing that it was Damia Parshall, Tonya watched as Damia taken by the arm and forcefully led away to the dinning hall.
Ducking into the boy's side of the divided gymnasium, Tonya began searching for Shane Whitfield, a fellow American student.
Risto Ganic slipped over the remains of the wall that had fallen in disrepair and continued through the underbrush. Pausing near the parked motor vehicles of the staff, Risto pondered using one of the cars to make his escape, but each leaned. Looking closer at the vehicles, each had a flat tire.
Timing the movement of the guard, Risto hobbled quickly across the open yard and coming to a stop in the shadows pausing long enough to ensure there were no other guards and then continued towards the dinning hall following the wall of the administration building staying in the shadows as he did so.
Gina Baldwin tested the bindings on her wrists. Nylon, three strand she thought. The other teachers similarly bound were in a semi-circle. Speaking softly Gina said, "Ok, any ideas why Christopher is doing this?"
Alair Bontecou sporting the beginnings of a black eye the result of a punch replied, "Perhaps the previous history of the school may have something to do with it. We have seen by now that Sanford has been diverting funds. Perhaps there is a monetary reason."
Christopher's retort from behind silenced Alair, "Monsieur Bontecou, more than you can imagine or even earn in a life time. What I am doing is well worth the trouble of having to start a new life when this is over with."
The protesting voices of Headmistress Camus and Lucio Magnus filling the dinning hall stopped further conversation. Lucio with one arm locked behind him upon seeing Sanford said, "So Monsieur Christopher, you stoop lower than I would have thought. You realize you will have no place to hide. I will see to that!"
Christopher walking quickly towards Magnus and removing a glove backhanded Lucio; the blow leaving a cut on his cheek from a ring that Christopher wore.
Ignoring the pain, Lucio spoke, "You are truly a coward Christopher. May God have mercy on your soul when judgment comes."
Sanford replied, "And who will render this judgment that you speak of? You? Old and feeble as you are, you speak rubbish. Guards, bind and gag him. I tire of his voice."
Risto Ganic grimaced slightly as he lay next to the roaring diesel generators situated near the loading dock of the dinning hall. Observing that there were two guards on the loading dock platform, Risto stayed low to the ground and crawled back to the wall of the administration building where it joined with the dinning hall.
Resting then rounding the corner of the building, Risto came face to face with two figures dressed in black, the slighter of the two yanked him forward then forced him into the ground while the other displayed a large knife as he yanked Risto's head back by his hair.
The man with the knife seemed to recognize Risto and sheathing the knife motioned in silence that Ganic was to follow.
Shane Whitfield the son of an American executive doing technical work for a French engineering firm in Reims, crouched at the side door of the dinning hall. Retracing his path after observing the activities within he rejoined Tonya Manning. As captain of the boy's soccer team, Shane well respected for his playing abilities and his leadership had carefully chosen those he wanted to assist.
Tonya Manning holding a notepad waited as Shane brought the other students with him to where they could talk in safety and be unobserved.
Shane spoke, "Ok listen up. It looks like Christopher is behind this whole mess. First off is the safety of others. We have to ascertain that no bombs are in place. Wilhelm, Claude check the hallways first. Make sure that nothing is out of the ordinary, then work your way as you do in a crisscross pattern down field through the gymnasium. Careful not to wake the younger students. Understand?"
Wilhelm replied, "Shane? Once done what should we do then?" Shane leaned against the cinder block wall said, "Then we will secure the doors from within. We will need to try to create a diversion when the time comes to leave. We must have an escape path that is easy for us, but difficult for the adults to follow. There is the nature center trail that is but a short distance from the emergency doors of the gymnasium. Though it is raining, we can seek shelter at the outbuildings in the nature center. When the time comes, we will prepare obstacles to hinder any pursuit."