The middle-aged, elegantly dressed gentleman standing nearby couldn't
believe his ears as she shouted, "Pierre! Pierre! Find Claude Frollo now!
Jehan's badly hurt!" Pierre Mannette couldn't believe his eyes, either,
but it was HER! He counted himself fortunate to be in la Place de Notre
Dame at the right time. Pierre had just emerged from the cathedral with
his family following morning Mass.
That's when he -- and everyone else in the square -- saw four figures
dashing towards the cathedral: Jehan Frollo, accompanied by the dancer
Esmeralda, her daughter Katerina, and Mlle Ducharme. However, especially
with the rumors flying about that "Dorothy Ducharme" may actually be Danisha
Wood, Pierre took it upon himself to initiate a conversation with this
woman, perhaps jar her memory. But everything happened so fast in those
few fleeting moments.
As soon as the foursome appeared in the square, Clarice Flambert, accompanied
by the children Orry Ouimet and Nadine Frollo, emerged from Chantelle's
confectionery. Then, as if clockwork, Nadine spotted Mlle Ducharme and
called out, "She looks like Mommy!" That voice did it! The sound
of the child's voice forced 'Dottie' to stop running and begin focusing
on the little girl who called her "Mommy".
Then, if things couldn't get any worse, a little Gypsy boy named Baul tossed
a curious looking object into the street. Esmeralda spotted this boy and
called out to him. The item rolled under an abandoned wagon; it was then
that Nadine called out to "Dottie" and began running towards her. When
'Dottie' took notice, she immediately ran to Nadine, but Jehan, not knowing
the dire consequences ahead, sped right behind Dottie, and right in front
of that wagon. Of course when Dottie saw what Baul tossed, Danisha came
roaring out. Nothing would harm her child, especially something as deadly
as a hand grenade.
Rushing toward her daughter, Danisha shouted at the top of her lungs, "It's
a bomb! Everyone take cover!" As she lunged forward to grab her child,
people scattered everywhere. At the same time, Daniel "Iggy" McMullen and
Quasimodo had emerged from the cathedral; Iggy immediately sized up the
situation and warned folks to "Hit the dirt!"
However, just as Danisha cleared her child from the impending explosion,
Jehan Frollo ran up from behind. He didn't quite clear the radius of the
blast, but if he had delayed a few seconds, Jehan Frollo would've been
a dead man.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was an explosion of which these late medieval era folks had never before seen. Imagine, such a small object producing such destruction. The blast ripped the wagon to shreds; nothing, except a mangled axle, was remotely recognizable. Everything within a ten feet radius suffered damage; the most severe being closest to ground zero. Thankfully, Notre Dame and its immediate environs were spared any damage but a few structures on the opposite end of the square were not so fortunate. Several windows had been blown out; a few roof tiles shattered. Praise to the Almighty, thought Pierre, that no one was seriously injured -- except one. Into this scene stepped three men -- three whose lives would never again be the same.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Claude! Claude!"
She called out to him, ran to him, and immediately embraced him. She
covered his mouth with fierce hungry kisses; he could only respond with
equal passion and fervor. "At last!," whispered Claude Frollo over and
over as he held her tightly and kissed her repeatedly. "Claude," she said
breathlessly, "Jehan is hurt...There was an explosion...I don't know how
we ended up in the square. I happened to see that boy roll the grenade,
then Nadine and her friend almost got caught in the blast..."
She rattled on and on as Claude turned his attentions to his wounded
brother. For all the joy that stirred in the gathering crowd -- Frollo
and his lady were at last reunited -- there was sorrow. Jehan Frollo lay
gravely injured. Then there was Evrard Ouimet who witnessed the woman he
had nearly made his own in the arms of another man. That man was Claude
Frollo, and Phillipe knew this woman -- this Dorothy Ducharme -- was, in
actuality, Danisha Wood.
Phillipe Ouimet, the Minister of Justice, noticing his brother's shocked
and bewildered expression, immediately summoned his men to secure the area.
"Phillipe, why is my Dorothy in Claude Frollo's arms?!," shouted Evrard
as tears poured forth. "Why did he rush to her like that? Why...?! Oh my
God! It's her! Dottie is Frollo's lady! The rumors were true, and
you
knew all along!"
Evrard pointed an accusatory finger at his brother as he continued to emit
venomous words. "You knew Mlle Danisha was still alive! You recognized
her the moment you laid eyes upon her! Yet you said NOTHING to me!"
Phillipe listened to his brother's ranting, saying nothing as he watched
Clarice huddle the children close. He studied Orry's expression of disbelief;
the boy pulled at Clarice and insisted that the woman is, "Mlle Dorothy!
She's to marry my father!" To which Nadine Frollo, now flanked by
the Terrells, countered, "No! That's my mommy! See? Papa's happy
to see her. But he's not happy to see Uncle Jehan hurt."
What a spectacle as people gathered about the scene of the blast. Priests
and nuns ventured out of Notre Dame to offer their assistance. With the
initial shock of the explosion now over, everyone focused their attention
on the wounded man. Claude Frollo and his beloved knelt before Jehan, whose
injuries were severe in the extreme.
Phillipe Ouimet turned to his captain, and issued orders that several soldiers
assist Claude Frollo. The Minister of Justice then ordered that, "Whoever
is responsible for this is to be brought to me -- dead or alive!" He then
took Evrard aside, gently saying, "My dear brother, seeing that my men
have secured the area, let us leave this place. Evrard, there is so much
to tell you..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Claude, I don't think Jehan will make it. We have to take him to the
21st for treatment or else he'll die....Why are you looking at me like
that?"
Danisha cradled Jehan Frollo in her arms; she could tell at a glance that
his wounds were life-threatening. A piece of shrapnel caught Jehan in the
back and left thigh, nearly severing a major artery. The bleeding was profuse
although Nisha stuffed the ghastly wounds with pieces of her petticoat.
The younger Frollo's breathing was rather shallow and he was barely conscious.
"Nisha," Jehan whispered feebly, "is it really you? That was...some flight,
eh?"
Jehan swooned away while Nisha continued to cradle him; Claude held his
hand. "Jehan," his brother said gently, "you have to hold on...We are taking
you to the 21st Century..."
He motioned to Jacki Terrell who by now rushed forward to help. Claude
asked with trepidation, "Jacqueline, will a trip to 2005, to seek healing
for my brother...?" Jacki's immediate reply: "You mean if taking Jehan
to the 21st would perhaps tamper with history? No,
Claude, because this
was an unscheduled event. In reality, Jehan will live for many years to
come."
So, there was no harm in seeking post-modern medical attention for
Jehan, but to conceal the transtemporal transport from Minister Ouimet,
among others. "Claude," said Danisha, "we need to get going. Jehan's pulse
is getting weaker by the minute...Hey!"
She paused to see her father hurrying across the square. Odd, she thought,
why is Daddy here? "Claude, what's up? Why is my father here? And why is
everyone else -- Fern, Iggy, Jacki, Tony -- here? And who is that
kid with Nadine...?"
The questions came fast and furious as Joe Wood crossed the square to
his daughter's side. At once the good professor embraced his firstborn
with all the love and tenderness a father could muster. "Daddy, what's
wrong?," she asked as she wiped away her father's tears. "Why is everyone
freaking out so? Like that man standing over there with Phillipe Ouimet.
He's been staring at me ever since Jehan got hurt..."
Claude Frollo stared into her eyes then shifted his focus on the Ouimet
brothers. There was Evrard -- embittered, betrayed, confused -- cursing
Phillipe as he left this mad scene. Then Frollo caught Clarice Flambert's
eye. She was now joined by Isabelle and Vincent LaCroix, who in turn tried
to explain Danisha's sudden "resurrection".
"I do trust Evrard not to hold any of this against me," Claude said to
Danisha, "He fell in love with you, my dearest...And Orry...My sweetness,
he so looked forward to calling you 'Mother'." She stared at her
beloved with a mixture of total puzzlement and disbelief. "What do you
mean? I don't know that man, this Evrard person...Claude, you have to tell
me what's going on!"
In time, Danisha would learn the devastating details of a most complicated
plot that altered so many lives. However, it was Jehan's life that needed
special attention. Like clockwork, Quasimodo, Phoebus, and several bystanders
helped to ease Jehan's broken body onto the makeshift stretcher. Into the
wagon bed ever so gently they placed him. It would take almost too many
precious hours to reach Chateau d'Arcy by horse and wagon. Claude and Danisha
stayed in the back with Jehan, keeping him conscious and comfortable. Poor
Jehan winced and whimpered in excruciating pain but at least he was surrounded
by people who loved him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On the way, Minister Ouimet, in his carriage, recognized the wagon's
occupants and ordered his men to stop. Leaning out the window, Phillipe
addressed Claude Frollo, "Please accept my prayers for Jehan's recovery.
And accept my apologies for the bad timing in all this madness. Evrard
has returned home with his son; he said the most bitter words to me..."
Claude lifted his hand as if to calm his friend. "Do not blame yourself,
Phillipe. You did -- we all did -- what we thought was best...By the way,
what was that...er...explosive device? And who set it off? Phillipe, I
want whoever is responsible to pay dearly. Bring in the guilty party alive!
I want to see for myself the person who nearly killed my brother!"
Danisha, upon overhearing most of the conversation, pleaded with Claude.
"Honey, we need to hurry. Jehan's slipping away." Her stoicism in the face
of catastrophe was beginning to give way. No doubt, thought Phillipe, she
has yet to learn of her brief time as Dorothy Ducharme. When she regained
her memory, it's as if she has totally forgotten every event of the past
month!
Minister Ouimet turned to Claude Frollo, saying, "My friend, attend to
your sibling. As for outstanding warrants -- you know what I mean -- my
men are combing the city. Hopefully, our wanted men and the person who
threw that explosive will find themselves behind bars before day's end."
Jehan Frollo, upon hearing this, stirred himself, looked into Danisha's
eyes, and squeezed her hand tightly. He feebly whispered, in a voice barely
audible, "I love you, Nisha...If I'm to die, then I want you to remember
how much I tried to save you..."
"What did he mean by that, Claude?," she asked after Claude Frollo and
Phillipe Ouimet parted. Claude wrapped one long arm about brother and the
other around her shoulder. He replied very gently, "My love, when -- if
-- Jehan recovers, we need to talk. So many things have happened over the
past month...Danisha, it is so incredible! But for now, let us focus on
Jehan..."
The road to Chateau d'Arcy seemed longer than usual, given the circumstances.
With every bump of the wagon, Jehan Frollo held onto life with an iron
will almost equal to that of his elder brother's. He opened his eyes and
beckoned to Nisha. "I saw the boy who threw that explosive," he said silently,
"but don't ever let Claude or Phillipe learn that. Those people saved our
lives; we should be grateful."
Nisha didn't quite understand as she read Jehan's lips, but in due
time everything would finally fall into place. Poor Danisha Wood endured
an incredible ordeal, and she had a former 'friend' to thank for it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tears rolled down the boy's dusky face; his dark eyes swollen from weeping. "I'm sorry, Esme! I only took it from Monsieur Johnny while he slept. I had it with me the whole time and I only played with it today. I was looking at it when I pulled out the pin. Then I heard a hissing sound...I got scared...That's when I threw it..." Baul could say no more, and Esmeralda believed the child when he said it was all an accident. Yeah, an accident...but will Frollo or Judge Ouimet believe it...
Esmeralda removed her hood as she studied her surroundings. An old house in a wretched part of town, abandoned years ago. Few people lived in this area other than beggars, prostitutes, and vagabonds. But it was home for the time being. Esme graciously accepted the cup of wine Katerina offered. She then thought of Danisha, snapped back into reality by Nadine's voice. How fortunate that Nisha reacted just in time to shield her child from harm. The Gypsy dancer also thought of her own child. Johnny Elmore could have hurt Katerina, and I would've done anything to protect her. Well, thought Esmeralda, that's one thing Danisha and I have in common: we love our children...
"Mamá!", said Katerina in a hushed voice; she busily peered through
the chink in the wall. "You can see them!"
"See who, dear?"
By now both Esmeralda and Baul had their ears pressed to the wall, straining
to hear the conversation going on in the next room. Esmeralda could recognize
three voices, but didn't know the others. "Clopin and Mander. They have
Johnny Elmore, but who are the other people?"
Baul and Katerina listened again, then the little boy, upon peering
through the chink, exclaimed, "That's him, Esmeralda! I know his
voice! He was here before. I know 'cause he taught me a magic trick!"
Upon a closer listen, Esmeralda suddenly realized this man's identity. Who was this other man?
Clopin ordered Elmore's ears unstopped, but nothing else. "No, he won't
escape this time. Mander, bring that knife a little closer to our guest's
throat. He will do exactly as I say or else Monsieur Elmore will find himself
on the next ship to the New World -- in a coffin!"
Johnny Elmore perspired heavily as he shuddered at the thought of being
stabbed to death, or having his throat slit. Either way, it's not a pleasant
exit -- too much suffering...Which is exactly what Clopin wants!
"Listen to me carefully, Elmore. If you fail to follow instructions,
Mander will draw your blood drop by drop until you die!"
The burly Gypsy cupped Johnny's head from behind and had the blade
poised on the man's cartoid artery.
Clopin continued, "I want you to backtrack to that day Julian nixed
'Plan B', yet you had other ideas. I want details, Elmore! Confess to it
all: How you got 'the formula'; how you doped an unsuspecting Danisha;
how you kept the poor woman in a trance whilst her nearest and dearest
mourned her 'death'; how you planned to leave me...er...'holding the bag'.
Confess everything! Truthfully and in your own words, Elmore! I have a
man standing by to write down your every sentence. The blindfold will come
off only after you've made your confession. Then you'll have your freedom."
"What'll you do with the confession?," Elmore mumbled against the stinking,
greasy rag which gagged his mouth.
Clopin laughed and replied, "Oh yes, that. If your statement is to my satisfaction then you will have the pleasure of watching me burn it. Only then will you have your freedom! I won't tell a soul, Elmore. It will be our little secret."
Someone removed Johnny's gag. The still-blaindfolded man took several
gulps of stale fetid air -- he wanted to retch on the spot but resisted
-- and said, "Hey, man, what about Frollo and Ouimet? You'll still have
a price on your head!"
"Don't worry about me, Elmore! Now, talk!"
With the sharp blade lightly grazing his skin, John Elmore then began the long confession. For his life and freedom, he spilled the beans about everything: Plan B, the frame-up, the elaborate ruse, the 're-progamming' of Danisha Wood...
When all was said and done, Clopin ordered the blindfold removed. Johnny Elmore's eyes blinked then nearly popped out of their sockets when he saw the two other men standing before him. What the Hell is going on??!!
"I don't believe this! Dammit, Clopin, you tricked me!!"
COMING UP:
What did Clopin do exactly? Will Jehan live or die? And how
will Nisha react when Claude tells her the truth?
Find out in The Final Chapter!
Copyright©1999 by FrolloFreak®