Something jostled Haruhi and she opened her eyes slowly, trying to get her bearings. "That's right. We're all sleeping together. I hope Coco and Estee are doing okay. I wonder what woke me?"

Looking down, she realized that Coco was no longer using her left thigh as a pillow. Apparently, Coco had rolled over Haruhi's legs and was now nestled snuggly in Kaoru's arms. Haruhi turned her head and found Estee with her back to Hikaru's chest and his arms wrapped around her waist in a comforting embrace. All four had peaceful smiles on their faces.

"I'm glad they've found comfort in each other," Haruhi thought as she looked around to check on the others. Chiharu was cradled gently in Takashi's strong arms. Mitsukuni and Reiko were tangled like a pair of vines. Rene was sprawled off to her and Kyoya's right, with his feet next to her hip.

Carefully she pulled out her phone and took pictures of each of the couples. "These are too cute to pass up."

She was just about to settle back into sleep when she heard Rene whimper. Laying a hand on his ankle, Haruhi whispered, "Shhh. I'm right here." At the sound of her voice, he relaxed with a sigh of either relief or contentment and sank back into sound sleep.

"They're all safe and happy," she thought as she drifted back to sleep entwined in Kyoya's arms.

OHSHC

Dawn peeked through the partially open curtains, waking Estee with the light on her face. As she shifted to move away from the sunbeam, she realized that she was not alone—and it was not her sister with her. She started to panic, thinking one of Aunt Yvette's lovers had invaded their bedroom again after being dissatisfied or turned away by her aunt. The arms tighten gently around her and she heard soft shushing sounds and endearments in…was that Japanese?

She relaxed as memories of the previous day came flooding back. Meeting the Hitachiin twins at the memorial. Dinner with the Hinan family. Sleeping all together for comfort. Reassured, she moved deeper into the embrace. "I'm safe here in Hikaru's arms," was her last thought as she sank back into sleep.

OHSHC

Coco's heart was pounding as she woke up completely disoriented. "Where am I? Where's Estee? Whose arms are wrapped around me? Not another one of Aunt Yvette's lovers! Please, please, please, not that!"

Kaoru felt Coco shaking before she started flailing her arms and uttering inarticulate cries. "Shh, Coco, it's okay. I'm right here."

The heavily accented French confused Coco. "It can't be one of Aunt Yvette's lovers. She hates foreigners. Think, think, think. Where am I?" She pushed at the arms holding her and the grip loosened.

Shifting to a sitting position, Kaoru released Coco from the circle of his arms but kept one hand on her knee. "It's okay. See, Estee is right over there. Nothing is going to happen."

Hearing Coco's rapid, short breaths, Kaoru realized that she was having a panic attack. "Here. Breathe with me. Hee-hee-hoo, hee-hee-hoo. That's right. A little slower now."

Gradually Coco's breathing slowed and her trembling stopped. She smiled at him shakily. "Thanks. I'm sorry I woke you."

"Hey, it's fine. Why don't we head down to the living room to talk so we don't wake everyone else?"

"I don't want to worry Estee."

"I'll leave a note so they know we haven't eloped or run off with the gypsies." He grinned as her giggle signaled a break in the tension.

Kaoru took a piece of paper from the desk and wrote 'Kaoru and Coco are in the living room' before he folded it in half so it would stand up and be easily noticed.

Picking up a spare blanket from the bed, Kaoru offered Coco his elbow and escorted her down the stairs. In the living room, he asked, "Shall we sit on the sofa? It's so much less suggestive than the loveseat."

"Okay," Coco replied as she settled on one end of the sofa. Kaoru arranged the blanket over her and then sat down at the other end of the sofa. He slipped his feet under the blanket and nudged her foot with his toe.

"Feeling better?"

Taking a deep breath, Coco thought about it for moment before she responded, "Yeah. I'm okay now."

"Do you want to talk about it?" His expression was concerned, not pushy or demanding.

Coco shrugged. "I forgot where I was. Memories of some…unpleasant episodes at Aunt Yvette's apartment came back and I panicked."

Kaoru could hear the fear and pain in Coco's voice. He nudged her foot again. "Well, this definitely is not Aunt Yvette's. Do you want me to go see about some tea?"

"No! Please don't leave me alone!" Coco crawled down the sofa and into Kaoru's lap. He wrapped the blanket around the two of them and started rubbing her back.

"I won't leave if you don't want me to. It's okay. Just relax."

Embarrassed, Coco hid her face in the crook of Kaoru's neck. "I only met you yesterday, but I trust you. Please just hold me."

He stroked her hair gently and whispered, "Why don't you try to get a little more sleep? I'll stay right here with you." He placed a kiss on the top of her head and settled down to sleep again himself.

OHSHC

Estee was frantic when she woke up. "Where's Coco? What happened to her? I have to find her!"

Haruhi looked around for the cause of Estee's distress, noticing that Kaoru was missing as well. Then she saw the note propped up on the desk. "It's okay." She pointed to the desk. "She and Kaoru just went down to the living room."

Sighing in relief, Estee took several deep breaths. "I know I shouldn't worry so much, but she's my baby sister and all I have left."

Haruhi patted her shoulder. "It's perfectly understandable. Even though all of them are adults and most of them are older than me, if one of the guys was missing, I'd worry too."

Mitsukuni disentangled himself from Reiko, yawned, and mumbled, "I'm hungry. When's breakfast?"

Kyoya put on his glasses and looked at the time on his phone. "It's probably waiting for us in the dining room since it's already seven o'clock."

Rene popped up from where he was lounging beside Kyoya and Haruhi. "What time do we need to leave to catch the Eurostar to Paris?"

"The tickets are for the ten o'clock departure so the transport will be leaving the house at nine so we can make it through Customs. We should have plenty of time for breakfast and packing if no one dawdles," Kyoya stated.

Rene perked up. "That means we'll be in Paris at lunch time. That's perfect since I want to go straight to Tom and Sabine's bakery first to ask them about my mother. We can get lunch while we're there. You'll love their quiche."

"Mmm, I love their quiche. Their macarons are amazing, too," Estee added. "Those are just two of the reasons they're considered the best bakery in Paris."

Haruhi stood up. "Okay, so we have lunch decided. How about we all go get dressed so we can have breakfast first?"

"I'll go down and get Kaoru and Coco," Hikaru offered.

Noticing the smirk he was trying to hide, Haruhi intercepted him and pointed him towards his room. "You go get dressed. I will go get them. It's not that I don't trust you, but I don't think Kaoru needs to be teased right now."

"Yes, okaa-san," Hikaru pouted as he headed to the bathroom.

Estee watched him go. "You handled that well. Do you have younger siblings?"

Haruhi smiled sadly. "No, I'm an only child. I'll tell you my story during breakfast."

Kyoya slipped up behind Haruhi and hugged her gently, kissing the top of her head. "For now you need to go get Kaoru and Coco while the rest of us get ready. Then you three get ready and we'll see you in the dining room."

Turning in his arms, she stood on tiptoe and kissed him. "Sounds like a plan."

"It's not world domination, but it will have to do for now."

The others laughed as they headed to their bedrooms and bathrooms to get ready for the day.

OHSHC

As the group was finishing breakfast, the head of security approached Kyoya. "Sir, if I could get everyone's documents, I can get the Customs process started and arrange an appointment to expedite your departure."

"Thank you for your efficiency." There was a twinkling in his eye when he teased, "Or are you just trying to get rid of us because we've been so high maintenance."

Chuckling, he replied, "On the contrary, we have enjoyed having all of you here. However, I also realize that Master Rene is anxious to locate his mother as soon as possible. We wish you the best of luck on the remainder of your trip."

"I commend you on the good job you are doing here. Thank you for all your hard work. Please pass my thanks along to the rest of the staff." Kyoya stood and turned to the others. "If everyone is finished, we should get our documents together and then get packing."

"Aye, Aye," the twins chorused, tossing him a sloppy salute before heading out the door.

Estee and Coco exchanged a look and Coco whispered, "Those two are a lot of fun. I'm glad we met them."

"They do tend to grow on you," Haruhi confided quietly. "I didn't know what to make of them when I first met them. They lived in a world all their own."

Mitsukuni interjected, "In a way, Takashi and I did as well. Our families had been intertwined for generations. Rene brought our worlds together in the Host Club, but Haruhi opened our worlds to the wider world around us."

"That explains why you are all so fond of her," Estee responded.

"Okay, we can tell more stories on the train. Right now, we get our documents and pack," Kyoya reminded everyone.

"Let's meet in the living room," Reiko suggested as she headed out the door.

"Okay," everyone else chorused.

OHSHC

Estee and Coco shrank from the frowns leveled at them by the people waiting in the line for Customs. "You need to wait your turn like everyone else," a particularly belligerent man barked.

Kyoya donned his best Shadow King scowl and pointed to a sign. "If you had used the expedited service they offer and made an appointment as we did, you wouldn't be standing in line. It pays to plan ahead." With that parting remark, he followed the others as the Custom's officer led them through to the boarding platform for the Eurostar.

"Thank you for your patience when your appointment was delayed," the Custom's officer said. "Please enjoy your trip."

The group called their thanks as they boarded the Eurostar and found their seats. Checking the time, Mitsukuni said, "Well, we have about two and a half hours until we reach Paris. How should we spend the time?"

"We were promised stories," Coco reminded them, clapping her hands in glee. "Who's going first?"

OHSHC

"Fifteen minutes to Gare du Nord station in Paris."

The announcement over the public address system caught everyone's attention. "It's been over two hours already?" Estee asked in bemusement.

"I guess time really does fly when you're having fun," Coco teased. "That trip felt like it took forever yesterday when we headed to London."

"So, did you pick up some good traveling companions in London?" Kaoru teased.

Coco reached over and poked him in the ribs and squealed in delight as he made a grab for her.

Haruhi saw the look on concern on Kyoya's face and glanced over at Rene. Noticing he had paled and gone quiet after the announcement, she asked quietly, "You okay?"

Acting as if he didn't hear her, Rene stared out the window, though there was really nothing to see.

She nudged his knee and said, "Come on. Let's take a little walk to the Café Métropole."

"We'll be eating at Tom and Sabine's…" Rene began.

"It's not for the food, it's for the walk. And a private talk if you need it." She stood and pulled him to his feet. Wrapping an arm around him, she guided him in the direction of the Café. Once they arrived, she sat him at a table and went to purchase two bottles of water.

When she returned, she handed one bottle to him and opened her own. "What has you worried now that we're so close? Are you afraid to find that she's already died?"

Rene rubbed the bottle back and forth between his hands. "Actually, I have a feeling that she has died. I had a long talk with the doctor after my test results showed I had the same condition as she did. He told me I probably wouldn't reach thirty and mother was already in her thirties when I last saw her." He opened the bottle of water and took a long drink.

Haruhi waited patiently for him to gather his thoughts and continue. She sipped her water and watched the emotions cascade across his face.

"I think I'm more scared…worried that I won't be able to find out what happened to her. It's been five years and I've had no contact. If her own family doesn't know where she is, how am I supposed to locate her?" Tears glistened in the corners of his eyes.

Patting his hand comfortingly, Haruhi said, "You have all of us to help you and we have time before we need to return for the beginning of University classes. And never doubt the information sources of your brother, Kyoya."

Rene took a deep breath and then finished his water. Disposing of the bottle in the proper recycling receptacle, he replied, "Thanks, I needed that. Let's get back to the others and get ready to head to Tom and Sabine's."

As they walked back to their seats, Rene told Haruhi a little about Tom and Sabine. "Remember I told you about my friends Marinette and Nino? Tom and Sabine are Marinette's parents. Maybe she'll be at the bakery and I can introduce all of you."

"About time you two showed up," Hikaru teased.

"We were beginning to think that you would try to leave without us," Kaoru added.

Kyoya looked at Haruhi with a raised eyebrow. She smiled and nodded in return as she slipped back into her seat next to him. Rene headed to his seat to collect his belonging and repack them in his satchel.

After the Eurostar pulled into the station at Gare du Nord, Kyoya stood up to get everyone's attention. "Let's wait for most of the passengers to disembark before we exit, that way we can all leave together. My Paris security chief should be waiting with our transport." He returned to his seat

Their group remained seated as the other passengers hurried by. There were several groups that were pointing at Hikaru and Kaoru. "I didn't know the Hitachiins were in town." "I heard they took over their parents' fashion house." "Maybe they're in Paris looking for new talent—photographers, models, or interns. Let's update our resumes and check the message boards."

As the group disembarked, Hikaru and Kaoru remained at the back of their group, looking around cautiously. Hikaru whispered to Estee, "Do you think we'll get mobbed here like we did in London?"

Estee thought for a moment, then shook her head. "Not like in London. There will probably be less of a fuss here because you can't swing a cat without hitting someone involved in the fashion industry in some way, shape, or form."

"That's not a very nice thing to do to a cat," Coco teased. "But it does graphically express the sentiment."

The twins breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed as they followed the rest of the group. While Kyoya spoked to his Paris security chief, Mitsukuni and Takashi helped stow the luggage in the cargo area of the transport.

After they were all settled and belted in, the driver asked, "Where to?"

Kyoya looked to Rene. "Please take us to 12 Rue Gotlib," Rene directed.

"Oh, you want to go to the Tom & Sabine Boulangerie Patisserie. Very good, sir." He started the transport and skillfully merged into traffic.

"You weren't kidding when you said it was popular," Haruhi commented to Estee and Coco.

Fifteen minutes later, the transport pulled up at their destination and everyone climbed out. Kyoya instructed the driver, "Please take the luggage to the house. I will call when we need you."

The driver nodded in acknowledgement and then pulled away before the other drivers waiting to drop off passengers could get impatient.

Rene looked up the bakery's façade in awe. "Except for the new 'T & S' logo, it hasn't changed a bit in the five years I've been gone." Slowly he pulled himself out of his reverie and pushed the door open, holding it for everyone else to enter.

"Welcome to Tom and Sabine's. How may I help you?" Sabine asked before turning around to see who had entered. "Estee. Coco. Your aunt was in yesterday and again this morning looking for you."

Estee rolled her eyes. "We went to the memorial in London. We left a note on the refrigerator where she couldn't miss it."

Coco remarked, "I'm more convinced than ever that she can't read. And that just explains SO much."

Noticing the others, Sabine was about to ask if they were friends of Estee and Coco when she spotted Rene and paled. She immediately moved from behind the counter to wrap him in a hug, crying, "Rene. It's you. It's really you. You're alive!"

Before anyone could react, she turned her head toward the kitchen and called, "Tom, come out here. You won't believe this!"

Tom walked through the door from the kitchen wiping his hands on his apron and saying, "What's all th…" Seeing Rene, Tom pulled him into a bear hug.

After a minute with no sign of Tom letting go, Rene wheezed, "Need to breathe."

When Tom didn't respond or take notice, Rene cast a look of appeal at Takashi.

Smiling, Takashi plucked Rene from Tom's grip and set him on his feet. "Déjà vu?"

Rene immediately turned to Haruhi, got down on one knee, took her hand, and murmured, "I apologize for all those times I hugged you and didn't let go when you said you couldn't breathe. Now I know why you called for Takashi's assistance."

"I'm glad you understand now." She helped him to his feet and ruffled his hair, much like Takashi usually did to her.

Tom looked sheepish. "Sorry. I just got so excited. When the charges were filed last week, we were sure we'd never see or hear from you again."

An expression of confusion settled on Rene's face. "Wait. What charges?" he asked.

Sabine and Tom exchanged a glance before Sabine explained, "The lawyer for your mother's estate has filed suit against Shizue Suoh, her chauffeur, and security guard for wrongful death and conspiracy to commit murder in your disappearance. I think she mentioned that the Tokyo police have also filed charges against Shizue for evidence tampering."

"My mother's estate?" Rene gasped, looking stricken.

Kyoya and Haruhi stepped forward and wrapped their arms around Rene, supporting him as he collapsed in grief.

"I thought I could handle it. I thought I was ready for the news that she was gone, but I'm not," Rene admitted to himself as sobs wracked his body.

All the others gathered around, offering their comfort and support as they mourned with their friend and brother.

Kyoya looked to Sabine and asked simply, "When?"

Sadly, she responded, "The same day as the Knightsbridge bombing in London." Tom and Sabine joined the group hug around Rene, offering their condolences as well.

Taking a deep breath and a firmer hold on his brother, Kyoya said softly, "Rene needs some time to process this. Would you please join us for dinner this evening?"

"What is the address and when to you want us there?" Tom asked as Sabine's voice failed her because of her tears.

"I will send a car for you at whatever time would be most convenient for you. I realized you have a business to run," Kyoya replied.

"We'll be ready at eight o'clock," Tom stated.

"Thank you. I will make all the arrangements." Kyoya pulled out his phone and called for the transport. As soon as arrangement were complete, he closed the phone and slipped it back into his pocket.

A few minutes later, the transport pulled up in front of the bakery. The group surrounding Rene slowly dissolved until only Kyoya and Haruhi were supporting Rene. Takashi stepped forward and picked up the blond.

"If you would get in first," Takashi directed Haruhi, "I'll put him next to you and then Kyoya can get in."

Before climbing into the vehicle, Haruhi turned to Tom and Sabine. "It was a pleasure to meet you both. I look forward to talking more tonight over dinner."

As Haruhi situated herself, Hikaru said, "Hey, Takashi, someone might get the impression that you have a thing for blonds."

Kaoru interjected, "That might be the case if it weren't for the two brunettes he likes to carry around as well," casting a look between Haruhi and Chiharu.

Estee smiled and shook her head at the twins' antics. Addressing Tom and Sabine, she said "Pay them no mind. They are a very close family and tease each other to show their affection."

"How did you meet Rene and his friends?" Sabine asked.

"Actually, they're family. We met in London at the Knightsbridge memorial. The two teasing the tall one are…well, were the Hitachiin brothers. All the young men were adopted by the Hinan family for one reason or another," Estee explained.

Seeing that everyone else is already settled in the transport, Coco interrupted, "Maybe we should wait until dinner tonight to tell all the stories."

Sabine hugged the two young ladies and said, "You're right. This can wait. You go with your friends. Don't forget to call your aunt."

Estee and Coco both cringed at the mention of their aunt. "We will," they chorused solemnly before hurrying to the transport where the others were waiting for them.

On the way to Kyoya's Paris house, Estee asked, "Could you drop us off at our aunt's?"

Hikaru and Kaoru both yelled, "No!"

Reiko looked at the pair sternly. "You two have no say in their lives. It is up to them."

"But you haven't heard the stories about her aunt and the things that have happened to them at her apartment," Kaoru protested.

Reiko looked to the Beringars. "What do you want to do?"

After exchanging a look with Coco, Estee spoke up, "We really don't want to go back there but we need to get the rest of our things. Aunt Yvette doesn't know that we overheard her plans to kick us out next week. We hoped to find a place before that happened."

"You are welcome at my Paris house," Kyoya interrupted. Raising an eyebrow at Hikaru and Kaoru, he continued, "We will be in Paris for at least a week. Maybe we can help you examine your options for the future while we're here."

Sighing in relief, Estee said, "You don't know how much that means to us. Thank you."

"For today, I think Hikaru and Kaoru should accompany you to your aunt's apartment," Kyoya stated.

"I'm coming too," Takashi stated firmly.

"Me too," Mitsukuni added.

"Don't forget us," Reiko and Chiharu chorused.

"Just let us drop you and Haruhi off at the house to comfort Rene and we'll go take care of business with the Beringars," Hikaru stated, wrapping his arm around Estee.

"Very well. Just behave yourselves," Kyoya admonished.

"We will," the six accompanying the Beringars said in unison.

"I can't vouch for Aunt Yvette," Coco muttered.

"Then that's her problem," Kyoya acknowledged.

Haruhi started to snicker and everyone looked at her. "I just think it's funny that you all are wearing your 'Classic Blunder' shirts."

The transport pulled up in front of Kyoya's house. Kyoya and Takashi climbed out. "I'll be right back as soon as I take Rene in," Takashi stated as he lifted Rene from Haruhi's embrace.

"What are these shirts?" Coco asked, looking at Kaoru's.

He grinned and waggled his eyebrows. "We'll explain on the way to your aunt's apartment."

After Takashi returned, Estee gave the drive the address of her aunt's apartment. "Okay, what's the deal with the shirts," she prompted.

Mitsukuni spoke up. "Are you familiar with the American movie 'The Princess Bride'?"

Coco squealed, "I love that movie!"

"So you remember the scene where Vizzini and the Dread Pirate Roberts are matching wits over the poison?" Mitsukuni continued, pulling out his phone and typing rapidly.

"Yes?" Estee confirmed tentatively.

"Well, what the shirts say in Japanese, roughly translates to 'Avoid the Classic Blunders-Never get involved in a land war in Asia; Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line; and Never, ever cross the Hinans when family is at stake.' It was something I said when we left the Hitachiin estate after Hikaru and Kaoru parents were killed. Rene got all of us these shirts for Christmas as a reminder that we look out for each other."

Hikaru held his phone out. "These are photos from the Halloween cosplay the Host Club did before our parents were killed. Kaoru and I made the costumes."

Estee and Coco looked through the phots. "Those costumes are pretty impressive," Estee commented as she handed the phone back.

Kaoru spoke up. "Do you think your aunt will recognize us?"

"Hardly," Coco huffed. "She's not into fashion. She prefers car races—or should I say race car drivers. She's more likely to watch Le Mans or a Grand Prix than a fashion show."

Takashi asked, "How widely known is the Hinan family in France? Paris, in particular."

Kaoru used his phone to run a search. "We should be okay. The only mention of 'Hinan' is the press release Hitachiin Fashions provided to the standard fashion magazines—Elle, GQ, Vogue, Marie Claire, Allure, InStyle, Essence, and Harper's BAZAAR—about our adoptions by the Hinan family. It appears no other news outlets picked up the story."

"Then we shouldn't have to worry about Aunt Yvette trying to exploit the relationship of Estee and Coco to the Hinan family," Mitsukuni stated firmly.

"Good to know," Estee said. "She may hate foreigners, but she loves money."

Aunt Yvette was just leaving her apartment when the transport pulled up and Estee and Coco climbed out. "Where have you two been?" she shrieked. "There's been nothing to eat since yesterday and the apartment is a mess."

When she saw Reiko, Chiharu, and the four Hinan brothers follow the Beringars out of the transport, she ranted, "You've been out slumming with foreigners like the little tramps you are!" Pointing to the apartment, she growled, "Get in there and clean it up. Then get some groceries. I should have known you'd be shirking your responsibilities to go whoring."

Reiko stepped up beside Estee and said coldly, "Estee and Coco are only here to pick up their things. After today, they won't be bothering you."

Chiharu planted herself by Coco's side and the men formed a wall behind them.

"Who do you think you are, giving me orders?" demanded Yvette. Eying the four young men with distaste, she continued, "Are these the pimps or the johns my nieces have attached themselves to?"

Reiko could tell the men did not understand the colloquialisms being used, but she did and her expression turned stormy. "I'd advise you very strongly to watch your language. You will stand aside while Estee and Coco gather their belongings."

Yvette stepped forward and raise a hand to strike Reiko, but Mitsukuni was faster and grabbed her arm. She tried to pull away, but his grip, though not painfully tight, could not be escaped.

Looking at Reiko, Mitsukuni said in Japanese, "I take it that the words we can't understand are colorful expletives and derogatory language?"

"Correct," Reiko replied through clenched teeth.

Chiharu nudged Coco's shoulder and gestured to Estee. "Let's go get your things packed and loaded into the transport. Then we can get you both out of here."

Estee and Coco led the way into the apartment while Takashi, Chiharu, Hikaru, and Kaoru followed.

Hikaru asked, "Based on Reiko's reaction, your aunt said some pretty nasty things to and about you, didn't she?"

Estee shrugged. "Nothing we haven't heard before."

Kaoru scowled. "I don't like her or the way she treats you. Will you allow me to ask Kyoya to have his security investigate her?"

"I doubt it will do any good. Like I said before, she's spent all the money and ruined her own reputation," Coco replied off-handedly.

"It will make me feel better," Kaoru asserted gently.

"Be my guest."

"Then while you're collecting your things and packing, I'll send a message to Kyoya and have him get started."

The Beringars didn't have a lot to pack, aside from their small wardrobes. Most of their possessions had been destroyed or sold by their aunt during the eighteen months they had lived with her.

As they were retrieving some keepsakes from very obscure hiding places, Kaoru asked, "Are there any documents or records from your parents or their estate that you can bring?"

Estee held up a small portfolio she'd just pulled from behind a hidden panel. "All the legal and banking documents we have are in here."

"Good. Those may prove very useful in Kyoya's investigation," Kaoru said with a smirk as he sent another text.

Fifteen minutes later, all of Estee and Coco's possessions were stowed in the cargo area of the transport.

"Where do you thieves think you're going?" Yvette demanded, making a grab for Estee and Coco.

Takashi and Mitsukuni block her path and Mitsukuni growled, "Don't you touch them."

After the others were settled in the vehicle, Takashi and Mitsukuni joined them and signaled the driver to leave.

They ignored Yvette who stood screaming at them as they drove away.

OHSHC

That evening when Tom and Sabine arrived for dinner, Sabine had a message for Rene. "I called Catherine Touren-Grosseau this afternoon. She is the lawyer for your mother's estate. I arranged an appointment for you tomorrow morning at eight o'clock. Since that will be four o'clock in the afternoon Tokyo time, it will allow for contact with the Tokyo police if the need arises."

Rene pulled her into a tight hug and whispered, "Thank you. I can't express how much it means to me that I can get closure about my mother."

Patting him affectionately, she replied, "Glad we could help."

Pulling back, Rene looked around and announced, "Let's go eat dinner. There are so many stories to tell."

14