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Date Posted: 10:00:45 03/24/08 Mon
Author: Hannah
Author Host/IP: port150.dialup.bfree.on.ca / 66.207.116.150
Subject: Northern Woods, Chapter 146
In reply to: Hannah 's message, "Northern Woods" on 12:47:54 03/09/08 Sun

Chapter 146

“Gagne?” Davenport said, touching his com unit once more.

“Oui.” Came back Gagne’s baritone voice moments later.

“We have a situation, Joseph.” Chris barked. “Send two of your biggest men to rendezvous with me outside of the kitchen.”

“Yes sir.” Gagne replied immediately. “Would Levasseur and Charleau fit the bill?”

“Excellent.” Chris barked. Denis Levasseur and Roy Charleau were the biggest men on all the teams. “I also need a police paddy wagon sent here on the double as well.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” Joseph replied.

Chris grinned. He knew that comment, coming from Gagne was as good as saying that his request would be granted. He liked Gagne, and if all went well with his flash mission to the kitchen, Gagne would be the new assistant chief of security. He’d kept the post open after he was promoted hoping to see how the men performed under pressure. So far, Gagne was his shining star. Tonight’s mission would be the deciding factor.

Minutes later, Gagne signaled him back.

“The men you requested will be there momentarily, and the paddy wagon is on the way.” Gagne reported.

“Good.” Chris replied. “What did you tell the cops to get it so fast?”

“I anticipated we might need one tonight sir.” Gagne admitted. “I requested one be held on standby and used Monsieur Samuelle’s name as leverage.”

“Leverage?” Chris echoed.

“Yeah. I told them if you needed it he would authorize it. You did… and they approved. It seems the Police Commissioner and he are good friends.” Joseph admitted.

“Good work.” Chris said in admiration. “Monsieur Samuelle will be impressed with your planning.”

“Thank you sir. The cops will want to know what charges the men you’re rounding up are to be charged with.” Gagne reminded Chris.

“Conspiracy to kidnap.” Chris said bluntly. “I have intel that Jurgen has hired men to infiltrate the kitchen in order to be in place to kidnap Madame Samuelle.”

“You’ll have to get them to admit it, you know.” Joseph quietly reminded him. “The police are going to want some kind of admission. They’re not going to be happy with the vague tip we got. If we escort them from the premises we’ll be the ones in trouble if we don’t have something concrete to charge them with.”

Chris nodded slightly in acknowledgement of this fact. Gagne had a valid point, but it would be unacceptable for whoever Jurgen planted to get anywhere near Madame Samuelle. The lady didn’t need that sort of stress in her condition. He knew too that if she was frightened or upset in any way, Michel would blame him personally.

“I will.” Chris said confidently. “Just make sure the officers are wired with com units so they hear their confessions.”

“Understood.” Joseph replied, as he readied the required equipment for the officer’s arrival.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Now that Chuck’s little ‘speech’ was over, he relaxed somewhat and sought out his sister, who was sitting with Sarah at a nearby table.

“Nice speech big brother.” Marie chuckled as he sat down between the two women.

Chuck gave Marie a sidelong glance and tried to discern if she was joking or not.

“She’s right. It was a nice speech, sir.” Sarah confirmed quietly.

“Why Sarah?” Chuck inquired curiously. He knew Sarah’s opinion would be based on logic and not emotions like Marie’s no doubt was.

“Well, I’ve been to a lot of gatherings like this and usually speeches are long winded and boring.” Sarah replied sincerely.

“She’s right Chris. I’m glad you’re not a pompous windbag. That wouldn’t have made poor Nikita feel comfortable.” Maria said with a crooked smile.

“Gee thanks, sis.” Chuck said with a smirk. “You sure know how to phrase a compliment.”

Sarah tried to suppress her own smile as she watched the siblings in front of her interact. Tonight was revealing a new side of Monsieur Johnson. He’d been under far too much pressure for the past two years and she was glad for his sake that seemed to be ending.

‘He really is a nice man when he’s not all wound up and growling over business problems.’ She thought. ‘He seems to be really happy for Monsieur Samuelle too. Maybe things will improve at the office now.’

“Not only that,” Sarah continued, “but your speech was fun, direct and brief. It’s obvious that you two are good friends.”

“Thank you Sarah. I’m glad you enjoyed it and you’re right. Michel’s my best friend and I’m very happy for him.” Chuck replied.

“I couldn’t have said it better Sarah.” Marie agreed. “Look! The crowd all seems to be lining up to meet Nikita. The poor girl looks positively overwhelmed!”

‘Sigh!’ Marie thought. ‘I just wish our first introduction wasn’t going to be like this. I’d like to be her friend, not just another face in the crowd! Michel’s been such a good friend over the years… it would be nice if we could have had a more personal introduction.’

“Yes, she does.” Sarah agreed as she eyed her boss’ new wife. The gorgeous blonde had a placid expression on her face, but her eyes revealed her true emotions. The girl was definitely feeling the stress of meeting a lot of people all at once. “Let’s wait for a while, shall we?”

‘Oh my!’ She thought in sympathy. ‘I can’t imagine being introduced to four hundred people all at once! It would be overwhelming to say the least. What had Monsieur Samuelle been thinking?’

Sarah knew the majority of the people present were business acquaintances of her boss, but she recognized many of his friends that she’d met before in the past as well. The crowd was queuing up to met the new Madame, but being the sensitive and shy soul that she was, she determined that she’d be among the last of the people present to do the same.

‘Monsieur Johnson mentioned earlier that she’s very shy. The poor girl! She must feel like she’s on display.’ Sarah thought sadly. ‘Not only that, we’re all strangers to her! I’ll bet she’s scared. I know I would be!’

“Good idea Sarah.” Marie agreed. ‘Sarah’s right. Poor Nikita must feel like a caged animal right now. I’m sure the people lined up to meet her mean well… but they’re staring at her as if she’s some sort of specimen! Chuck says she’s shy and you can tell! The poor girl is trying to stay composed, but I’ll bet she’s terrified! I’m sure Michel didn’t think she’d feel uncomfortable… but these are *his* friends. He *knows* them. Knowing him, I’ll bet he just thought this was the most efficient way of introducing her! Oh well… this is the way it is… whether I like that or not.’

“Oh look!” Marie said, momentarily ignoring the parade of people in front of them. “That must be Nikita’s friend sitting there with Madeleine Robillard. Isn’t she a beautiful lady as well!”

Chuck looked in the direction Marie indicated.

‘Wow!’ he thought as his eyes widened in surprise. ‘What a gorgeous lady! How did I miss seeing her sitting there earlier?’
~~~~~~~
Madeleine gently nudged Lakeisha who was watching the crowd line up to meet Nikita.

“While Michel and Nikita are busy, why don’t I take you over to meet Chuck?” the brunette attorney asked.

“Are you sure we should?” Lakeisha asked uncertainly. “Who’s that he’s sitting with?”

“I believe the woman in the blue dress is his sister.” Madeleine admitted.

“His sister?” Lakeisha asked with a puzzled frown.

“Yes, she’s probably invited herself when she heard about Nikita. They’ve known Michel since he was a teenager.” Madeleine replied with a grin.

“And the other woman seated with them?” Lakeisha inquired further. “She’s very pretty.”

“That’s Sarah Broussard, the office manager at Samtech Industries.” Madeleine replied with a smile.

“Are they together?” Lakeisha asked curiously.

“Sarah and Chuck?” Madeleine asked incredulously as she laughed slightly in surprise. “No, Chuck’s been so busy running things for Michel that I doubt he’s had time to even think about a personal relationship.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~

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