Grimacing from what Frollo had just told him, Judge Ouimet leaned
back in his chair as he pondered his next move. The facts -- or at least
what Claude could permit himself to reveal -- were there: Danisha Wood
was indeed murdered, but how and by whom was still a mystery. Frollo revealed
that Danisha had been given a hand-carved box which contained several pieces
of candy. "The box did look rather familiar, Phillipe," Claude said. "I
recall seeing it in Chantelle's confection shop just days before Bernard
LaCroix's murder. The boy carved it himself and gave it to Danisha -- How
it turned up in Chantelle's is still a mystery."
The lid's carving -- a scene featuring exotic wildlife and the words
"Je ljubav zauvijek?" ("Is love forever?" in Slovenian) -- was a mystery
as well. Claude Frollo never recalled seeing those words until now -- Even
Danisha herself knew that, "Bernard didn't do that inscription; he did
just the animal scene. Aren't those words in a Slavic language or something
similar?"
It was Phillipe who figured out the language. "I don't understand that,
Claude. Why, the phrase's language and the picture are not remotely related
to each other...Why, an African scene with a Slovenian caption 'Is love
forever?' are so incongruous..."
Claude Frollo sprang to his feet and began to pace the room furiously.
He was decidedly livid that one of his trusted spies may have had ulterior
motives. Yet, Claude couldn't tell Phillipe everything -- the time travel,
the many 20th and 21st Century friends he had made -- so Claude Frollo
made do with Fern's findings. Yes, that candy -- little sweetly spiced
gumdrops -- had been generously laced with a toxic substance, but whose
properties were still being tested. All Fern could tell Frollo was that
the toxin was "close to that poison Marcel painted on Henry Clay's peppermint
sticks"
Then there was the matter of the missing device; someone had that thing
and recently blasted him or herself to somewhere in or near medieval Paris.
And Johnny Elmore...What was his angle? Why would Johnny so suddenly take
an unauthorized time trip? It all didn't make sense. "Unless, there IS
a connection between Clopin and..."
Claude's face hardened as he continued to pace about like a caged animal
awaiting feeding time. He felt frustrated and betrayed beyond imagination.
"Phillipe, I can't believe this is happening! One of my own spies -- total
disloyalty! But Johnny Elmore was one of Nisha's childhood friends; why
harm her? I don't understand it..."
Phillipe Ouimet, finally persuading Claude Frollo to relax and sit down,
told him that he already had every available spy combing "every square
inch of Paris and beyond. If your Johnny Elmore is in any way involved,
I'm sure the evidence will eventually reveal itself."
He sighed; something else was on Phillipe's mind. Seeing fit to change
to the subject for the time being, Phillipe suggested a day trip to the
country. "Claude, I have yet to call on Evrard, and it will give us a chance
to talk along the way. Truthfully Claude, I want your Madame Fern and M.
Julian McNaney on this case; perhaps we can include her brother..."
The former Minister of Justice managed a slight smile -- He actually
looked forward to working with Fern again, even though Claude Frollo was
merely in an advisory position. No longer was he Judge Frollo and he had
to remind himself of this every day despite his 21st Century friends' insistence
on addressing him as "Your Honor".
However, at this moment, neither Claude Frollo nor Phillipe Ouimet
would have the pleasure of postmodern expertise; an accidental transport
forced the inventors of the Timescape to take drastic measures.
Suddenly, without warning, Jacki Terrell immediately broke down in uncontrollable
sobs. The young woman who wanted to be "just like Ms. Wood", with all the
strength and courage, could no longer hide her frustration. Her husband
knelt beside her, took her in his arms and gently rocked her. "I know it's
been hard on you, baby...I think stuff is happening a little too fast for
my comfort." After he convinced his wife to take a break, Tony volunteered
to send the message to all their time traveling friends.
To everyone:
As soon as you receive this message the Timescape will be shut down for an indefinite period. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TAKE TIME TRIPS OR SEND & RECEIVE MESSAGES! So for the time being, your devices are useless; you can't even open them. But keep them close by as Jacki and I should have the problem cleared up ASAP. We will issue an "all clear" message (the beeps will sound like "Row Your Boat" -- don't ask -- it was the boys' idea) Keep the peace
Tony
What a time for Antoine to shut down the entire system! And I could use some help from Fern and Daniel (Iggy)...And where is Julian?
Just then Claude's device went off again. It was a personal message
from Jacki.
Claude:
Tony told me about the murder investigation -- I'm going over the transtemporal transcripts right now although it isn't easy -- I can't stop thinking about Nisha and all. Maybe it's why I'm doing this...I found something interesting right away. Johnny made several trips to 1962 Detroit without our knowledge...I have no idea why he took these trips but they were made right after Nisha died. I guess you hoped Fern and Iggy could come to the 15th and help you out. I haven't heard from Julian but if you're worried about him you -- make that we -- should be concerned. Last time I checked he was in 1889 Johnstown PA (the great flood of '89) Let's pray he'll be all right. Love to you and all our 15th Century friends. Hopefully we'll get Timescape fixed before Minister Ouimet's formal induction.
Jacqueline
"Well, seems one of my 21st Century spies owes an explanation...Quasimodo,"
Claude turned to his charge and asked a favor. "I'm aware that I'm no longer
Minister of Justice, and that I should let Judge Ouimet do his job with
no interference from me. However, seeing that our futuristic friends are
unable to make a trip, it is up to us..."
The bellringer already read Frollo's mind. "You want me to keep my
eyes peeled in case Johnny shows up."
"Precisely, dear boy," said Frollo as he prepared to leave. "Since you
have the ability to move freely about Paris as 'just the bellringer', no
one would suspect a thing...Yes, keep a bright lookout for Johnny Elmore."
Then, just before descending the bell tower steps, Frollo expressed hope
that all will go well, but, "Right now my heart aches for Nadine; she is
still dealing with the loss of her mother...Ah, speaking of children and
lost mothers...!"
Claude Frollo nearly forgot that he promised he'd accompany Phillipe to Maison des Chenes, the new home of Phillipe's brother, Evrard. In a way, Claude welcomed this time for a little diversion; besides, he was about to lay eyes on the man with whom Claude had taken a vested interest. He hadn't seen Evrard for more than a decade; in fact, the last time he saw Evrard was a full month before Claude met Danisha that summer. Late during that spring of 1482, Evrard decided to take off to Marseilles in search of greener pastures.
Phillipe was waiting for Claude at Notre Dame's main entrance. Like
clockwork the new Minister of Justice said to Claude Frollo, "I am sorry,
but I just received word that your M. Elmore has been seen somewhere near
that old monastery...My contacts are certain that this place is the Court
of Miracles."
Claude was literally salivating at the thought that the famed and elusive
Gypsy home was now within his grasp. However...
No! This is Phillipe's...I am no longer Judge Frollo...must resist...
"I see, Phillipe. And I've received word that my New World friends are
unable to make the journey -- Hmm -- conflicting schedules and all. As
much as I'd looked forward to..."
"Say no more, Claude. I had expressly hoped to work with your Madame Fern
and M. McNaney." Judge Ouimet, seeing that Claude Frollo had not quite
divorced himself from his former life, quickly changed the subject.
"All this development has altered my plans somewhat. If you should see
Evrard please give him my regrets..."
All the while Phillipe made up some excuse why he couldn't call on
his brother, Claude Frollo's thoughts turned to Jehan -- and to Evrard.
Why? Why are two brothers so different? Jehan and I...Phillipe and Evrard...
Evrard is a model sibling; Phillipe should be honored to have such illustrious
kinsman....Jehan has done nothing but made a shambles of his life -- The
little he's done can't ever foster any sense of pride...
...Evrard was Francois' favorite; that, among other reasons, is why Phillipe is so bitter...
Orry Ouimet, a bundle of seven-year-old energy, had fibbed that he was going out to meet his father. So, when no one was looking, Orry stealthly made his way towards the stranger's bedchamber. He had to see for himself this intriguing woman Clarice found two days before. They found her lying in the snow-laden meadow, all shivering and quite unconscious. She wore very strange clothing -- the black dress was so short; her legs all exposed; the hose too sheer and flimsy; the hair a mass of tangles. Yet there was something about the woman's face that made Clarice take pause. This woman, a total stranger, had the bearing of nobility. "I could see it in her eyes as we brought her to the house," was what Clarice told her husband Anseau. For two days, the woman hovered in and out of consciousness; it was feared the poor soul wouldn't last beyond the first night.
Upon entering, Orry crouched down to the floor as not wanting to be
detected. He scrambled to the enormous velvet draped bed; he was relieved
that no one else was in this room. That is of course, besides this house
guest. He peeked through heavy burgundy velvet drapes and finally saw her
close-up. Orry Ouimet smiled even broader as he gazed upon her bright and
clear honey-brown complexion. The shape of her features were quite pleasing
to the eye. Oh she is so pretty! Father will like her, I'm sure.
Orry stared at her for what seemed like an eternity but he knew it
would be a matter of time before Clarice discovered his deception. He turned
to leave the room when he suddenly heard her stir. She stared right at
him when she finally said somewhat groggily, "W-Where am I? What is this?
Who are you?" Orry smiled and said, "My name is Orry. This is my father's
house. My cousin Clarice and her ladies found you in the big meadow."
The woman struggled to sit up; Orry, ever the little gentleman, assisted
her. He handed her a shawl as she replied, "Pleased to meet you, Orry.
Mine is Dorothy Ducharme."
She managed to smile at the boy, then became rather curious herself.
Upon examining her current surroundings, the way Orry was dressed, and
herself dressed in a chemise of creamy silk, she asked Orry, "Excuse
my ignorance, but...What year is this?"
Orry Ouimet giggled with delight and amazement when he replied, "Oh
what an odd question to ask! But maybe you don't know, with you being out
in the weather for so long. It's January 1495."
COMING SOON:
Two people become better acquainted...A desperate meeting...A
bogged down investigation...
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