"But, Jehan, I need utmost cooperation from everyone –
that includes
the Ouimets, you, your brother, and this eyewitness."
"Say no more, Julian," replied Jehan Frollo, "as you
already have Claude's
and my undying support. It is Philippe Ouimet who troubles
me. He's taking
what evidence there is – that ransom note for one – at
face value. He is
convinced that the Gypsies have Orry, but I can tell you,
Julian in all
honesty..."
Julian nodded as he listened to Jehan Frollo tell all
the evidence thus
far. How good it was for Jehan to look up Julian
personally. It was Julian
who helped Jehan out of a precarious situation last summer,
and Jehan never
forgot that. Not long ago, after the "Dottie-is-really-
Danisha" caper,
Jehan, as result of injuries sustained in a rescue attempt,
became addicted
to pain killers. At first it was 21st Century drugs, such
as Percodan.
Then, when he could no longer take the time trips for the
drugs, he relied
on herbals and raw opium. His addiction was so out of hand
that he nearly
died from an overdose. It was this past summer that Jehan
realized he needed
help, so he sought out Julian.
What a godsend! For Julian sat up with Jehan during the
three harrowing
nights
of withdrawal. Jehan remained – still remains – clean and
sober
for months,
and focused on getting his life back on track. He currently
worked for
Alain and Renée LeBeau, a couple who excelled in textile
trade and
dressmaking. But now, it was Julian who seemed to need some
help healthwise.
This morning the man appeared to be in constant pain
despite his usual
cool, urbane demeanor. Julian McNaney, still the stunner
with his dark
eyes and glossy black hair, lit another cigarette as he
hammered out the
final details for this investigation. He looked at Jehan
with twinkling
eyes and said sardonically, "Isn't this about right? I'm
still doing what
got me in this shape in the first place."
He grinned, took a nice long drag, then,
concluded, "Jehan, I want you
to gather all parties involved at Évrard Ouimet's place. I
need
to check out every person who's had close contact with that
kid. Then I
wanna take a peek at the ransom note...I take it Judge
Ouimet hasn't..."
"No, Julian, he left it with Évrard."
"Good! That means I can get handwriting samples from
everyone – and
I mean everyone. No one is without suspicion...Now, do you
still have that
map?"
"You mean the one to the real Court of Miracles? Yes, Julian, and I've let no one see it."
Julian sighed as he got up and changed into more serviceable clothes for 1495 Paris. Something is amiss and he could bet good money that the kidnappers were literally under their noses. The true perpetrators want to blame the Gypsies, because "people like us" don't commit such heinous crimes. Yeah, spread a few lies, plant phony evidence, then let some poor sap take the fall while....
"Come on, Jehan, let's get out of here. Something tells me Orry's days are numbered...and so are the Gypsies'."
~~~~~~
This a fine mess, thought the Gypsy king, and just when
the Court of
Miracles found a new home and the people were, for the most
part, secure
from Ouimet's men. No one knew this place's precise
location – Clopin and
Julian took great pains in keeping the new Court of
Miracles as undercover
as possible. In fact, not even people who professed to be
friends of the
Gypsies' – Quasimodo, Phoebus, or Frollo's New World lady –
knew the Court
of Miracles' precise location.
Initially, it was Julian's idea to situate the elusive
Gypsy home in
an area he knew would off limits to most of Paris'
populace, including
Judge Ouimet. It was an island in close proximity to la Ile
de la Cité,
a deserted wilderness that in reality wouldn't be inhabited
for another
century or so. That was according to Julian, who was true
to his word.
Ile de St-Louis, a wild, untouched stretch of land just
east of the heart
of Paris but far removed from the nearest neighbor, was the
ideal for the
Court of Miracles. It took much getting used to, what with
none of the
trappings of urban life – it was as Esmeralda put
it, "Living in the country
without leaving town."
Actually Clopin rather enjoyed this wild untamed land
with it's endless
dense forests, freshwater lakes, and marshes. An apt hiding
place for the
Roma, where neither Judge Philippe Ouimet nor Claude Frollo
could ever
find. No one would ever suspect this uninhabited land,
almost "unlivable"
according to a local who assessed the island, as
the "almost" permanent
home of Paris' ever-growing Gypsy population.
But
there was always a chance someone, one of Ouimet's spies,
would discover
the Court of Miracles. Thank Julian and Clopin who laid an
intricate obstacle
course full of booby traps. No wonder any of Ouimet's spies
had failed
to find the Court of Miracles; very few survived their
first few moments
on the island. The security system was that impenetrable.
False roads,
deep pits, mud bogs, tripwires that activated rigged
crossbows, explosives,
snare nets – All of these devices and more greeted anyone
who decided to
snoop around without authorization.
Whew! So far, the traps worked and the Gypsies were safe—until now. Who knew, despite the careful planning and precautions, that the Gypsies' near undoing would come in the form of a household servant and an aging prostitute. Clopin pondered all ramifications as the little group recounted the moments leading to Orry Ouimet's kidnapping.
If only that servant was here, thought Clopin, as he listened to Katerina's eyewitness recount of the crime. How dare this dastardly one commit the worst of offenses; how worse still to blame other, "more likely" suspects.
*****
"Of course, I, having to keep watch over young Master Orry, saw those evil Gypsies lurking near Frollo's lady's home. You know, young Orry likes to visit Frollo's daughter. Although I didn't see them take the boy, I did see a little Gypsy girl and another couple linger in that alley only moments earlier..."
Ah, nothing like a few well placed, exaggerated lies to
whet the crowd's
appetite for mob justice – and throw the suspicion off
himself, thought
Imbert. But in his mind, it wasn't outright lying; it was
just reiterating
what the general populace knows about Gypsies – that
they're notorious
child stealers.
"After all," Imbert reasoned to the crowd, "people like
us – normal God-fearing
people at that – would never think of doing something as
awful as kidnapping
a child. Now, I tell this to you: my employer's brother,
Philippe Ouimet,
our most noble Minister of Justice, has yet to arrest the
guilty party.
I say we find the Court of Miracles ourselves, apprehend
the heathen scum
who so mercilessly snatched a little boy from the his
father's bosom. Then
we shall make them pay their crimes. Why wait on Minister
Ouimet, who at
this moment, is dragging his feet..."
*****
"I don't like this, Hugues," said Quasimodo as he quaffed his ale. "Imbert has everyone believing the Gypsies have Orry, but deep in my heart I know it isn't true. There's a witness somewhere; anyone could've seen the crime. Why won't that person step forward. Sure would save Minister Ouimet a lot of work."
Hugues Jouet, old Victor's son and the manager of La Belle d'Avignon, stroked his plump chin and ran his fingers through thinning black hair. "Ah yes, I don't envy the man one bit, what having to search for his own nephew – his brother's child at that. What a time for Frollo to be away..."
He paused a bit to gaze out of the window and watch
Imbert stir the
crowd. What is it about this man, this Imbert l'Etrange?
The man simply
is not all that concerned about his young charge.
"Hmm," Hugues said after a long silence. "According to my
father, Imbert
has been in here several days prior to the kidnapping. A
woman accompanied
him; she goes by the name Fabrisse...A...umm...working
girl, if you will.
They
sat there."
Hugues indicated a lonely table in a back corner. Now
Quasimodo was intrigued.
"Tell me more, Hugues."
"Papá says they sat there together, just the pair of
them, almost
all afternoon and evenings talking about something. At
first we thought
the man and woman were lovers, but Jehan Frollo thinks..."
"Jehan Frollo? What does Jehan suspect?" Just as Quasimodo spoke a voice came up from behind. "Quasi, we need to get over to Évrard Ouimet's...Both Jehan and Julian are there, as well as Minister – er, I mean, the former Minister Frollo."
Quasi, looking rather puzzled, asked, "Why us, Phoebus? What do the two of us have to do with..."
The bell ringer paused, gathered his thoughts and said
as it all dawned
on him, "Oh I get it. So, Frollo's figured it out, or did a
certain someone
confess?"
"I'll let him tell you once we get there. Come on."
Quasi paid for his drink, bid Hugues good-bye , then
exited the tavern
with Phoebus. Just as they were leaving Imbert walked in
with a pair of
gentlemen. As always, he requested wine for his party then
escorted his
companions to the back table, away from prying eyes and
ears.
Once served, the first man spoke. "Imbert, despite the
misfortune that
has befallen your master's family, you still owe debts. We
intend to collect
our share, Imbert, with interest..."
The second man chimed in, "And you promised us 500 florins, more than enough to take care of your debt..."
"Gentlemen," the servant replied, "I promised I'd have your money; I fully intended to ask M. Ouimet for an advance. But with Master Orry missing and all..."
The first man glared at Imbert with an awful fire, saying through clenched teeth, "Well, you had better come up with the money by sundown tomorrow, or we'll take it out of your hide!"
Imbert tried not to look frightened; indeed, he kept a tight rein on his emotions. No, must not show my fear – or guilt. It might tip their hand... As Imbert continued to chat with his companions, his eye was caught by a familiar plump female form. Fabrisse rushed through the door, scanned the room, then silently motioned to Imbert. She looked worried, concerned, and a bit apprehensive.
"Gentlemen," he announced as he arose from the table, "my lady friend and I wish to be alone. But you have my solemn promise: I shall, without fail, have what you seek tomorrow at sundown."
That's all the men needed to hear. They said nothing as both prepared to leave, but the first man leaned over to whisper, "You had better have those florins, or else!"
As soon as they left, Fabrisse rushed over to Imbert. After a few pleasantries, the pair sat in a hushed huddle. Hugues Jouet glanced over every now and then, trying to fathom about what those two could possibly be so secretive. If he only had super hearing!
"Imbert," the aging courtesan hissed, "Frollo has returned! And he's brought along one of his spies! A man named Julian. And Jehan Frollo's with them, too! They're visiting Évrard Ouimet as we speak."
The servant's face blanched; the man reeled a bit, took
a healthy gulp
of wine, saying, "Are you sure, Fabrisse? Why, Claude
Frollo supposedly
departed for the New World just last night. He'd be gone
for months...And
Jehan Frollo's there as well?"
"Yes, Imbert. What do we do?"
Imbert stroked his chin then drained his wine cup. He
had a plan, a
plan to throw Frollo and friends off the trail. "It can't
fail, Fabrisse.
We send another note tonight, detailing the drop-off
procedures. Then I
want you to come forward as an eyewitness...Tell them
anything that would
shift blame off of us. When Évrard drops off the money, I
want you
to release the boy the moment I return. Then I'll take care
of my obligations."
"But what about the Frollos, and that spy?"
Imbert smiled thinly, saying in an endearing voice, "My dear Fabrisse, that's where you come into play again. Since Jehan Frollo is – or was – one of you regulars, I want you to keep the man occupied. Fill him with enough wine and passion to distraction. As for the spy, well, you let me handle Monsieur Julian-whatever-his-name is."
After a brief silence and upon downing his second cup of wine, Imbert suddenly thought of something. Where's Philippe Ouimet, the current Minister of Justice, and Évrard's elder brother? Fabrisse could answer that as well.
"I have my sources...Hmm...One of my young protégés has
His Grace...umm...'tied up' at the moment. But I can tell
you this, Imbert:
Philippe Ouimet knows nothing of Claude Frollo's return. In
fact, according
to Beatriz, Judge Ouimet has intimated that he flatly
refuses any help
from Frollo. As far as he's concerned, it's Gypsies who
have Orry. He's
sent out more spies in search of the Court of Miracles."
Ah, thought Imbert, so Philippe has refused any assistance from Frollo, and His Honor is still looking for the elusive Gypsy hideout. Ooh, things are working in my favor after all.
"Fabrisse," he said ecstatically as he leaned forward and kissed her cheek, "I can't thank you enough for all your help. And when this is all over, I shall reward you handsomely."
Copyright©2001 by FrolloFreak® AKA "The FanFiction Diva"