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Date Posted: 16:33:24 11/04/07 Sun
Author: Hannah
Author Host/IP: port163.dialup.bfree.on.ca / 66.207.116.163
Subject: Northern Woods, chapter 128
In reply to: Hannah 's message, "Northern Woods" on 17:50:56 09/23/07 Sun

Chapter 128

Karine Millette was getting frantic.

‘How am I supposed to *spy* on Elena for Monsieur Samuelle while she’s been in jail?’ she thought fuming.

It had been two weeks since the assault and Monsieur Samuelle was expecting a ‘progress report.’ She’d called Elena’s house every day since the other woman’s arrest but there hadn’t been any answer. Sighing, Karine picked up the phone once again and dialled. This time, however, Elena had answered.

“Yes?” Elena’s haughty voice responded after the fourth ring.

“Elena?” an incredulous Karine replied. ‘Why is she answering her own phone? Where was Madame Bourgeois?’

“Who is this?” Elena said snippily.

“It’s Karine.”

“You. You told Michel I was back in Canada and he took Adam from me.” Elena said frostily.

“No. I had no idea he had come back to Montreal. I really did think he was dead.” Karine said, rushing to defend herself. “I only found out he was alive after you attacked his new wife.”

“And why should I believe you?” Elena snapped.

“Monsieur Johnson told me that you had attacked Madame Samuelle. He figured out that I was the one who notified you that he’d ‘died’ and after what you did at the restaurant, he fired me. I don’t know about you, but I’d like a little revenge. I think we can help each other.” Karine said, trying to build her profile quickly.

“And what makes you think that?” Elena responded archly. “Michel had me arrested and now I’m under house arrest.”

“You mean you can’t leave the house?” Karine asked incredulously.

“No.” Elena bit off the one word response.

“And Madame Bourgeois?” Karine inquired.

“She skipped out. That witch bit Adam and Michel is trying to blame me for that.” Elena admitted.

“Well, from the sounds of things, you need me.” Karine said quietly.

“What for?” Elena replied.

“Well, I need a job and you need a housekeeper and cook.” Karine replied.

‘This is perfect. If she goes for this, I can *spy* on her from inside.’ Karine thought slyly. ‘She can’t leave, so if she tries to plan anything, she’ll need outside help. I’ll be right there to listen!’

“And what makes you think I can pay you? Michel’s lawyer cut off my money after she took Adam.” Elena replied.

“You must have some money, given the neighbourhood you live in.” Karine commented crassly. “I was fired because I tried to help you. You owe me.”

“Oh really. And why would I want to pay a debt like that, supposing I did owe you?” Elena responded.

“Because there’s something in it for you. I’ve just been thrown out of my apartment.” Karine lied. “I need a place to live and you need someone to get food for you and run other errands. I’m coming right over. We need to talk.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At approximately nine the next morning, Chris Davenport found himself knocking at Maria Viscano’s door.

‘Damn… I wish this wasn’t about business.’ He thought with a sigh and a slight grimace. ‘She’s an attractive woman.’

Just then the door opened to reveal Constable Viscano, dressed neatly in her uniform. Her hair was pulled back from her beautiful face in an orderly and rather matronly bun, but that did nothing to detract from her appeal.

“Right on time I see.” She said in a brisk manner.

The handsome man on her doorstep was distracting… tall, well groomed and rakishly decked out in black from head to toe. He wasn’t conventionally handsome like Claude or Monsieur Samuelle, but he cut a dashing figure just the same and she decided to keep this meeting purely professional.

‘The last thing I need is another man in my life right now. I really loved Claude but he made it very clear that he didn’t want to commit to me. Three years! For three years I thought he loved me and that he’d ask me to marry him! I was such a fool! He just liked having someone ‘available’ when it suited him… like most men! I’ve had it with relationships! What I need to do is just take time for myself for a while.’ Maria thought determinedly.

“Yes.” Chris replied in a quiet voice. “It takes about twenty minutes to get to Monsieur Samuelle’s hotel. Given traffic however, I thought it best to come a little early.”

“I understand.” Maria replied as she slipped on her trench coat. She decided to forgo her hat, as she wasn’t on duty, and Adam wasn’t likely to notice. Silently the couple left her apartment and made their way to Chris’ black Mercedes. “It wouldn’t do to arrive late when you’re meeting his new wife for the first time.”

“True.” Davenport replied quietly.

Silently he assisted her into his black Mercedes and rounded the vehicle to start their journey. After about five minutes Maria cleared her throat and began to speak.

“Monsieur Samuelle said that this was his second marriage.” Maria said softly. “What was his first wife like?”

“A bitch.” Chris stated succinctly as he manoeuvred through traffic, watching his rear and side mirrors carefully. “There’s no other way to describe her. She made his life hell. Of course, that’s strictly off the record.”

“Of course.” Maria said quietly… then uncharacteristically, she giggled. “You don’t believe in pulling punches, do you?”

“Nope.” Chris said with a grin. “I didn’t like the woman. Very few people did actually. She was snooty and thought she was better than everyone else.”

“I know the type.” Maria replied softly. “People like that are extremely difficult to deal with… and working for them is worse.”

“You have no idea.” Chris said softly as he took the turnoff they needed.

“And this new wife?” Maria inquired further.

“Well… the only person from work who has met her is Chuck Johnson, our interim CEO. He’s usually a cynic about women from what I’ve seen.” Chris stated softly as he changed lanes deftly on the bustling expressway and headed towards Old Montreal and his boss’ hotel.

“And what is his opinion of her?” Maria queried softly.

“According to what he says, she’s the total opposite of the first one. Sweet, shy and very beautiful. He can’t find enough positive superlatives to describe her.” Chris replied.

“Really?” Maria asked somewhat cynically.

“Yeah.” Chris quietly replied. “I’ve seen her on a security video. It wasn’t the best quality so it’s difficult to form an opinion on her appearance. She’s younger than Monsieur Samuelle I believe, and she does seem to be attractive. More importantly in my opinion, she has restraint.”

“Restraint?” Maria replied in surprise. “Explain.”

Chris obliged by describing the contents of the security tape where Elena had attacked Nikita.

“And this Nikita… she didn’t say a word or do anything during this attack?” Maria asked quietly.

“Nope. Oh she was scared… you could tell. I mean, who wouldn’t be scared if some nut came at you with a knife?” Chris replied.

“True.” Maria conceded. “Keeping quiet like that would also take a fair amount of courage, in my opinion. I mean, you never know what the nut with the knife will do, now do you?”

“No, you don’t.” Chris replied. “Speaking of nuts… do you know a ‘nut’ that drives a silver 2004 Nissan X-Trail… license number AR3 257?”

“Why do you ask?” Maria inquired breathlessly; her eyes opening wide in surprise.

“We picked him up outside of your apartment… and he’s been with us ever since. Friend of yours?” Chris asked unemotionally.

‘Claude. Oh my God…. What is he trying to prove?’ Maria wondered.

“Yes. Claude Laurent. He’s my ex-boyfriend.” Maria admitted calmly as she stared straight ahead, too embarrassed now to meet Davenport’s gaze.

“Was the ex part his idea or yours?” Chris queried quietly after what Maria found to be an excruciating pause.

“His.” Maria admitted reluctantly in an embarrassed whisper.

‘A fool.’ Chris thought. ‘What man in his right mind would willingly give up this lady?’

“What’s his problem, then?” Chris demanded.

“I have no idea. Maybe you’d better pull over and let me straighten him out before we reach the hotel.” Maria replied.

“Sure. I have to gas up anyway.” Chris said in agreement as he pulled into the next service station. “Is he a cop too?”

“Yes, he is.” Maria admitted reluctantly. “He works out of the same station as I do.”

‘Geez… that’s got to be awkward!’ Chris thought in sympathy. ‘That’s why I never date any of the women at work!’

“Is he likely to cause a confrontation?” Chris asked curiously.

“I honestly don’t know.” Maria admitted. “He does have a temper, but it was his idea for us to break up.”

‘A fool with an attitude.’ Chris thought, amending his earlier thought with a sigh. ‘A potentially dangerous combination.’

“All right. If there’s going to be a altercation, I’d rather do it in front of witnesses than at the side of the road.” Chris stated bluntly as he pulled his car to a stop by the fuel pump and prepared to get out of the car. “Do you want to handle this, or shall I?”

“No… I will.” Maria stated quietly. “I’m sorry about this.”

“Don’t be. You didn’t do anything. Just try to resolve this quickly, all right? We’re expected at ten and we’re a good ten minutes away from the hotel.” Chris stated tersely as he scanned his watch. “If this ‘nut’ gets to be too much for you, let me know, okay?”

“Agreed.” Maria replied. “Don’t worry, this won’t take long. I can handle Claude.”

Chris nodded and exited the car. He began fuelling up his vehicle while Officer Viscano made her way over the silver Nissan X-Trail that had followed them onto the service station’s property.

Chris tried to focus on what he was doing in order to avoid a potential conflict, but he found he couldn’t help but look at their pursuer. He wondered what sort of man the pretty Italian had been attracted to.

What he saw was a good looking dark haired young man who gestured wildly in his direction. Their voices were kept low, but he could tell that the Nissan’s driver was upset.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Maria cautiously walked over to Claude’s Nissan and quietly greeted him.

“Bonjour Claude. Why are you following me?”

“You loved me, you said.” Claude spat out.

“Yes, I said that. And it was true.” Maria replied quietly.

“Was?” the young man shot back.

“You didn’t want me Claude, so why is this an issue?” Maria retorted, not bothering to argue about what was.

“If you love me, why are you with that guy? It didn’t take you long to get over me, did it?” Claude said sarcastically.

“Love isn’t one way Claude. If you loved me, you wouldn’t have moved out to be with that… that…” Maria said emotionally, trying to find an appropriate word for the bimbo who she knew Claude was currently living with.

Claude opened his mouth to retort again, but Maria just held up her hand and shook her head.

“Enough of this. You didn’t want me Claude and you don’t own me. I am ‘with’ that gentleman over there because we’re going to a business appointment. His boss is offering me an off duty security assignment and I’m going to an interview with him. Now leave me alone and go back to your new woman.” Maria said tersely.

“Maria…” Claude began once again. “I…”

“No. Leave me alone. It’s bad enough that I have to work with you. Go now please.” Maria asked softly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Just as he finished fuelling his car, Chris was relieved to see the young man get in his car and abruptly drive away. Silently he watched Officer Viscano return to his Mercedes, and quietly get in the passenger side.

‘That was quick.’ Chris thought in surprise. ‘I wonder what she said to him? Oh hell, I might as well ask.’

“Is everything okay?” Chris inquired softly as he got behind the wheel once more.

Maria sighed. ‘This is embarrassing! How could Claude do this to me? First he doesn’t want me anymore and now he’s doing the “jealous boyfriend” bit? He’s such a jerk! What will Monsieur Davenport think?’

“Yes. I reminded him that our break-up was his idea and told him he didn’t own me. I also told him that our being here was strictly professional.” Maria admitted, staring out the passenger window.

“I see.” Chris replied as they left the service station and he concentrated on getting back on course. The first statement relieved him, and he wished the second one wasn’t true.

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