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Date Posted: 02:06:54 01/31/08 Thu
Author: Hannah
Author Host/IP: port189.dialup.bfree.on.ca / 66.207.116.189
Subject: Northern Woods, Chapter 137
In reply to: Hannah 's message, "Northern Woods" on 00:49:40 01/29/08 Tue

Chapter 137

Maria arrived an hour later, and she brought Disney videos, games and a few books with her in a tote bag. By this time, Davenport had a man in place at the penthouse door.

Snow had been with Michael’s team for three years, and was one of Davenport’s most trusted men. He had been expecting the pretty Italian, thanks to the briefing Davenport had given him earlier, and she showed him her badge and photo id when she arrived.

“I’m Constable Viscano.” Maria said in introduction as the tall, dark haired man sitting by the penthouse door stood to greet her.

‘So this is the little “baby-sitter” cop Davenport told me about.’ Snow thought as he looked down on the petite and attractive Italian officer appreciatively.

“Yes.” Snow said as he checked his security list. “Monsieur Davenport said to expect you. I need to examine that bag if you don’t mind, as well as your purse. Then I’ll get Monsieur Samuelle for you.”

‘No wonder he looked so preoccupied when he briefed me on her. She’s a babe.’ He thought.

“Of course.” Maria replied politely. “I understand perfectly.”

Maria surrendered her tote bag and purse for his inspection and waited patiently while he made an inventory of their contents on the card table beside him. His brow rose when he pulled out the child sized vest and he looked at the woman before him quizzically; waiting patiently for an explanation.

“I told Monsieur Samuelle I was bringing this. I’m going to play a game of knights with Adam and this is going to be his armor. I already have mine on.” Maria explained, untucking her blouse slightly at her waist and lifting the material slightly so that he could get a glimpse of her body protection.

Snow smiled slightly at her foresight, but doubted they’d need this measure with him on guard.

“There!” Snow exclaimed as he finished his search. “All done! Thanks for your cooperation Constable.”

“No problem.” Maria replied.

“Here’s the comm. unit Davenport left for you.” Snow said briskly. To Maria’s surprise, she was presented with a device that didn’t look any larger than the eraser end of a pencil. Then Snow reached behind Maria’s ear and fastened it securely to her skin. “This device will keep you updated on the rest of the team’s activities. The child will not hear our transmissions and if you need to contact us, just touch it and speak in a normal voice.”

Maria was impressed. ‘This thing is a lot lighter and much more discreet than the shoulder radios that are part of my equipment at work.’ She thought. ‘I guess the rich can get access to things that the police can’t.’

“Understood.” Maria replied.

“I’ll let Monsieur Samuelle know you’re here.” Snow continued. “I’ll be here all night if you need me. We don’t anticipate that Jurgen will gain access to the hotel, but if he does make it this far, I’ll signal you by tapping the comm. unit three times.”

Maria nodded and waited patiently while he demonstrated.

“Anything else?” Snow inquired.

“No; I didn’t bring a weapon though.” Maria replied in anticipation of his question. “I hope that won’t be a problem, but as an off-duty officer that would be against regulations. Besides, I hesitate to expose Adam to firearms.”

“You won’t need one.” Snow said reassuringly. “The man isn’t going to get this far and his real focus will probably be Madame Samuelle.”

Maria sighed, closing her eyes for a second and shaking her head in dismay. “I can’t believe this is happening. I mean, this Jurgen must be an animal. How could anyone hurt her? I’ve only met her once, but she seems so nice; and she’s pregnant. She must be terrified.”

Snow had met the lovely Madame Samuelle earlier and he agreed with Maria’s assessment of Madame’s character. When he’d knocked on the penthouse door to deliver the wrist corsage of white orchids and pink roses that Michael had ordered, Snow had been surprised to be invited in to deliver the flowers personally.

The lovely blonde his employer had introduced him to had taken his breath away. She had been dressed in red satin; her curling cascade of flaxen hair framing delicate glowing features. It had made him smile to see how pleased she was to receive the simple flower arrangement and how she had smiled so adoringly at his employer. He remembered the former Madame Samuelle, and he’d never seen that woman look at his employer with anything but disdain.

Snow had also been impressed when the lovely woman he’d met greeted him politely, respectfully thanking him for watching over Adam for the evening.

“Hello, Mr. Snow.” Nikita had said quietly. “It’s very nice to meet you. Michael tells me you’re very good at your job. I know I’ll feel much better knowing that you’re outside protecting Adam and I’m sure Michael feels the same way.”

‘The boy’s not even hers and yet she seems to care for him as if he were!’ he realized in wonder. He vividly remembered the first Madame Samuelle. That woman was the child’s mother and even she hadn’t been that worried about him.

“I’ve just met her too. She seems like a nice lady.” Snow admitted as he knocked gently on the penthouse door.

He had been fully briefed by Davenport on Jurgen as well on the new Madame’s condition. He also concurred with the Constable’s opinion regarding Jurgen and he was determined that no unauthorized person would gain access to the penthouse during his watch.

“However, I didn’t notice anything about her manner to indicate that she’s even a bit worried. She and Monsieur Samuelle are trusting us to keep things that way.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“What do you think Madame Samuelle?” Maria inquired.

Once inside the penthouse, she had spread the selection of entertainment she’d brought with her out on the coffee table for the Samuelles to see. She wisely left the child-sized vest in her bag. Only Monsieur Samuelle would see it as she was sure it’s presence would upset the lovely blonde he’d married.

The woman before her looked amazing! Her long blonde hair was artfully arranged and tumbled down her back in soft waves while the raspberry coloured gown she wore lit up her fair skin and eyes. She wasn’t wearing a lot of makeup either. She didn’t need to… she was simply stunning just the way she was.

Maria also noticed the dazzling jewellery surrounding Nikita’s neck and stared at it in awe. As an officer of the law, she had to be aware of jewellery and it’s quality. The precinct she worked in had recently sent her and a few other officers on a course to increase their knowledge on this subject.

Given what she’d recently been taught, the jewellery encircling the blonde’s neck had to be worth thousands of dollars not to mention the earrings that twinkled in her earlobes. Most women she’d encountered in her job that could afford such things put on airs and their phoniness made her shun them in disgust. Knowing this made her awe of the blonde’s continued natural sweetness increase.

‘It isn’t possible,’ Maria thought, ‘but she looks more beautiful than she did the first time I met her.’

“Bambi, Cinderella, The Sword in the Stone, The Lady and The Tramp. Impressive. Where did you get all these?” Nikita asked with a gentle smile.

‘I thought Michael mentioned this lady was single. Why would she have children’s movies?’ Nikita wondered.

“I borrowed them from my sister’s children.” Maria said; smiling back at the beauty beside her. “I thought they were age appropriate, don’t you agree?”

“Oh I see. Well, I like all of them, but I’d like Michael to look at them.” Nikita said quietly.

“Of course.” Maria replied. “I understand.”

‘I can’t believe it! I don’t think she’s even aware of how beautiful she is! She’s unaffected and so nice too.’ Maria thought in admiration.

“Michael, come and see the things Maria brought with her to entertain Adam.” Nikita called out softly, as she reviewed the selection in front of her.

Michael walked into the room just then, and Maria’s eyes widened and she swallowed heavily.

‘Mon Dieu! What a gorgeous man! That tuxedo certainly sets off his appearance! He looks like Claude does when he’s all dressed up! Stop it!’ she reprimanded herself. ‘Claude’s out of my life… if he’s looking gorgeous for anyone now, it isn’t for me! Ohhhh I miss him!’

Michael walked over to the coffee table and silently looked over the movies Maria had brought with her. After a while, he nodded his head and picked up two of them.

“Bambi and The Lady and The Tramp I think.” He said decisively while glancing up to look Maria in the eyes. “I doubt you’ll have time for both of them, so you and Adam will have to make a choice.”

“I never thought we’d have time for all of them Monsieur.” Maria replied softly. “I just thought a selection would be nice.”

“I see.” Michael replied, nodding his head in agreement.

Noticing that Nikita had drifted away slightly, Maria tugged a corner of the vest out of the bag so that Michael could see it.

“Is that what I think it is?” Michael inquired.

“Yes, it’s the item we discussed earlier in your office.” Maria confirmed.

“Is it necessary?” Michael replied.

“I’m not sure.” Maria confessed. “It depends of whether or not that madman you’re expecting to come here tonight gets this far. Do you think he will?”

“I doubt it.” Michael replied. “I appreciate your foresight, but I don’t think that item will be needed.”

“I understand.” Maria replied. “Just know, that if worse comes to worse, it’s here and I will make sure Adam wears it.”

“I appreciate that too.” Michael replied; convinced more than ever that he’d found the person meant to be Adam’s bodyguard. “We’ll discuss this later.”

“Very well Monsieur.” Maria responded; not quite sure what he meant.

Having made his decision on Adam’s entertainment, he looked across the coffee table at his son was industriously colouring and ignoring the adults around him.

“Adam?” he said quietly. “Your Mommy and I have to go to our party now. May I have a hug before we go?”

Maria watched as the dark haired tyke looked up, grinning at his parent and dropped his crayons on the table. Then he shot up from where he’d been crouched and raced around the coffee table in a burst of energy that only children are capable of.

Michael crouched down too, and opened his arms wide, grinning at his son’s exuberance. The two collided and Michael’s strong arms quickly surrounded his child.

When the two parted, a soft voice from the other side of the room made both male’s heads turn.

“Adam?” Nikita said quietly. “May I have a hug too?”

Maria watched with a grin of appreciation as the handsome Frenchman released his hold on his child and the child barrelled towards the blonde.

Nikita was sitting sedately on the divan and held her arms wide. Adam hugged her too and Maria could tell that it was a gentle embrace. Then the child patted her silk covered stomach and began to speak.

“Bye baby. Be good at the party.”

‘That’s so sweet!’ Maria thought as she realized why the child had been so tentative in his embrace.

She watched then as the blonde blushed and smiled sweetly at the child beside her.

“Be a good boy tonight, okay Adam?” she said softly.

“Yes Adam.” Michael echoed. “I want you to be good for Officer Viscano.”

“Monsieur?” Maria interrupted quietly.

“Oui?” Michael answered, surprised at her interruption.

“ ‘Officer Viscano’ is quite a mouthful for a five year old, don’t you think? I would prefer it if Adam called me Maria.” Maria said decisively. “That is, if that’s alright with you?”

“It is, and thank you Maria.” Michael replied with a slight smile.

Nikita smiled too as she listened intently.

“Adam” Michael said again, as he crouched down to Adam’s eye level, “I want you to be a good boy tonight for Maria. She’s going to stay with you tonight and the two of you will have a lot of fun watching a movie she’s brought for you. When it’s over, I want you to go to bed without arguing, okay?”

“Okay Daddy.” Adam said quietly.

“Your Mommy and I will be here tomorrow when you wake up.” Michael said. “I promise you.”

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