Anton_Cloche

Wow! “Twelve days, fourteen hours, and twenty-two minutes.” Trust Caleb would know exactly how long his mate Asa was held captive. As for Asa's plan to capture one of the "monsters? One school of thought says "Keep your friends close but your enemies closer", However Montana, indeed the U.S. has to be out of the question. If Sebastian and Co hadn't destroyed the laboratories where scientists created the hybrid pups still existed, it had 'holding' facilities. We don't know if these "monster" super soldiers Huntington created are sentient beings perhaps capable of independent thought, or mindless automatons programmed for killing only. Until we know what they are, and what Kasar has programmed 'it' for, the only logical location is ... the 'Keep' deep beneath the castle in Germany. And the castle emptied of all non essential personnel, with Cassiel and a fae army guarding in addition to Sebastian's version of Seal Teams.

Nice to see Sebastián has fully (?) recovered from the 'misadventure' in KL on his way to Mum & Australia, and that he spent some quality vacation time with William, and his former Tassie school mates (who he will see again next semester when he returns to Oz). After a short vacay at equestrian center Mum owns, and a "tent four hours" (Oz-speak for what the rest of us call 24-hours? ) he and William prepare for trip home to IoM. Unfortunately they have to endure another 4 1/2 hr delay in KL* (staying INSIDE the Transit Lounge) before boarding A380 flight to UK? Guessing Dad and Mom will make sure it's safe, * Other than wanting to inject a cliffie in KL, why would Dad not: 1. Book 'Through' (Direct) Quantas' 'Kangaroo Route' QF1 Non-Stop Darwin 🛫(DRW) to London (LHR) 🛬with NO plane change or delay via KL? 2. Quantas QF2 sometimes stop in SIN (Singapore) but not normally in KL. Then again this is Fiction not Fact. Oops. 🦘

Pierre, 'Dad' Armand and 'Pop' Colin are back in Paris courtesy of Pierre's access to "the company private jet". (More info on that svp @CLJobe ). Safely ensconced at 'Maison Lavigne' (Grandmere's Paris home, now Armand & Colin's), the guys sleep to reset their body clock to Paris time. Pierre wakes them for breakfast, were they are introduced to "Meme" or "Mere". (Typo or some clarification please Cal. Does Pierre call her "Mere" as his honorary 'mother'?); and it turns she knew and was a friend of Pierre's mother AND knows who his father is / was. Is he still alive? On their way to the Louvre and lunch, they stop at the Cemetery and find Arnaud's mausoleum, where Grandmere lies in repose, in complete disarray with overgrown grass and dead flowers. Before they can go to the chapel for some answers from the old head priest (as they had paid for "Perpetual Care"), they are met by a young père est un connard (priest who is an ass****) and full of ... self importance. (you thought I was going to say 'merde'? 💩). GG 🐦 intercedes, twice by "raining on his parade" when they demand to see the financial records. The young 'priest' takes off and they "follow" to the chapel, only to find the frail old priest literally at death's door; "...there was what was left of the old priest. He had lost a lot of weight, his eyes were wet, he was crying. It is hard to tell if they are tears of joy or tears of sadness. I took one hand, and Colin took the other. In a low voice, “My friends. I was waiting for your return and now that you are here I can go on my final rest. There is a record of everything in my diary. The new priest has it but I don’t think he has read it". I could feel his strength leaving, looking at the woman, (housekeeper) she said, “He has left us.” 😢 Following whispered instructions (from GG?) they find the old priests diary "hidden" in the alter. It contains a history of the mausoleum, the 'angel' painting, accounting records along with notations on visitors, gifts. Now the hunt begins. For what happened to the mausoleum, Pierre's mother's and now his 'cottage' and a hidden family (royal) treasure? 👑 "Heavy is the head that wears the crown...

Thank you @Bill W for this timely reminder. BTW, my 'blue tear' emoji was because your story moved me to tears. As the world around us (and I am including both 'the world' outside our doors - if you have them - locally, and the larger 'global' world), becomes more and more fractious, with more and more people, especially children, suffering, homeless (NOT "Housing Insecure") and hungry or literally starving (do NOT call it "Food Insecure"), a Giving Tree may be the only 'hope' for millions. Which is galling when there are people worth hundreds of Billion$. One such heiress has two "superyachts", one worth $300 Million with an annual operating cost of $30 Million. Think how many that would house or feed. A recent U.S. study said $20 Billion could end homelessness in the U.S., and $15 Billion could end hunger in the U.S. permanently. Thank you again Bill. Looking forward to your next story or reminder.

Appreciate the information and feedback @Ajbt2001. My awareness and information is based on historical references, and as we all know, history is nothing if not open to interpretation. Apologies to anyone negatively affected by my comments, as that was not the intent.

Oops

Interesting story thus far, few hiccups that need editorial input, except for one continuing error (depending on where you live as a reader or author). The term 'Witch, from 14th Century and earlier Old English is derived from wicca, rooted in European folklore and superstition for a practitioner of witchcraft, magic or sorcery, and generally refers to female gender. A 'witch' of male gender normally referred to as warlock. (Except for Russian and slavic nations pre-1800's). Rasputin was called by both names (allegedly for a voracious sexual appetite with no boundaries). In neopagan religionsuch as Wicca, the term has meanwhile been adopted as the female term for an adherent. If you are using 'Wicca' (established in 1950's Britain) as the basis for using 'witch' for both sexes, Anglo-Saxon England did have feminine and masculine versions, In ancient Ireland and other Celtic nations, 'witches' are predominantly female going back to ancient writings.

Mom's recorded family history goes back eight generations in France, and no gold centimes or other coins 🪙 found or spoken of. Yet my maternal grandfather and great grandfather (born in Maine but raised in Québec) had the funds to attend colleges and attain B.Eng & M.Eng degrees . Hmm?

The Baxter Boys has become a wonderful book to read. Let me explain. When I started reading, it was just another story about two brothers really down on their luck. Michael was seriously ill and Charlie was just about worn out. It seemed like a bad end was approaching quickly, especially when they were harassed passing the construction workers. Then a angel disguised as supervisor Max appeared, and good things started to happen for Michael and Charlie. Flash forward a few days and it is like a miracle occured. Michael is recovering nicely from pneumonia and ready to be discharged and go 'home' to finish recovering. Thanks to Max, husband Stacy and son Jason, the boys have at least a temporary home to go to. Charlie rediscovers his career as a 'vehicle technician' thanks to Stacy and his brother Spencer's garage. Michael's concern over an elderly patient in the bed next to his, who seemed to have given up on living, sparked something in Michael. A sense of giving back for good things that helped him. His empathy for Harry Willets allowed him (with the help of Stacy's homemade soup) to break through Harry's 'wall'. Over a day or two, Harry became 'Gramps' then nearly died of a heart attack. Perhaps the spark of knowing he had people, a new family if you will, who cared about him, gave Harry the will to come back from the dead. While in ICU, Police tell Harry his home was broken in to. Michael, Charlie, Stacy and family offer to go and fix the damage and keep an eye on 'Gramps' home until he gets out of hospital. Harry also learns that Stacy (as Miss Daisy Chain) knew his late son Mikey from the club 'Daisy' performed in. At this point ICU 'Dr' Bowels (because he's an arse and full of 💩) turns out to be a raging homophobe spewing vitriol. Thankfully his loud tirade is overheard by the whole hospital ward, and Charge Nurse Judy reports him to his supervisor which could (should) see him lose not only privileges at this A&E, but his license to work at NHS or anywhere in UK. So eager to see what's next for our Baxter Boys (and now extended family). Thank you.

And planted by whom? My immediate guess is a disgruntled, frustrated cop who knows he's never climbing the career ladder without a slam-dunk arrest. And who better to frame than a native Seminole Floridian Micco. And that creepy cop? Calhoun! Micco needs a first rate Band attorney who has beat this type of institutional racism before.

Wow. Thank you @CLJobe. La pièce est tombée. ("The penny has dropped), and with the information that Richie and Colin uncovered, Pierre's former business colleagues will face U.S. justice for crimes including robbing Pierre (misdemeanor), but drugging him constitutes 'False Imprisonment' / 'Forcible Confinement', a felony punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison. Add forcing Pierre to sign away ownership of his Paris home (cottage) could add more prison time. Christian may fight extradition to the U.S. to face charges citing his French citizenship (Google Roman Polanski), but could face arson charges in France. While we wait for l'autre chaussure tombe ("the other shoe to drop"), two important things to note. First, the three Louis XIV gold coins are worth more than their value. Their unique edge inscription is a veritable map to where the Royal Treasury may be located (in or under Pierre's cottage burnt down and rebuilt by Christian. Or buried somewhere on property?). Second, the "French Royal Treasury" does not refer to a stockpile of money in the form of gold. It is in fact the French Crown Jewels, including a treasure trove of uncut or loose diamonds, gems, in addition to crowns, orbs, scepters etc., which were stolen or "disappeared" during the French Revolution (including some 20 crowns), following Louis XVI. (grandson to XIV, but this is Fiction, so forget historical timelines). FYI - All of France's 'Royal Treasury' 20 crowns of previous 'Ancien Regime' Kings, kept in the Basilica of Saint-Denis, were supposedly destroyed in 1793 during the French revolution. The crown of Louis XV is the only one to survives and counts, with those of the 19th century, among the only six remaining French crowns. In 1885 the French Third Republic sold the remaining Crown Jewels. Given its historic importance, Louis XV's crown was kept. The 140 carat blue 'Regent Diamond' in the front center above the square ruby, is valued at €48 Million. So whatever is hidden, that only Pierre's 3 Louis XIV gold coins will find, may make Pierre rightful heir to Arnaud (who I believe was in fact 'Duc' or Duke), but also wealthy enough to emulate Armand and Colin's lifetime of aid to children in need. 🫂

A vacuum cleaner named Kasar would be appropriate as he both sucks and blows.

Sorry to flop foam fingers and deflate / pop oversized balloons, but EVERYONE who raced to post so they could be 1st (to 10th) DO NOT COUNT! Why? Well to quote a certain author (name hidden to protect the... _______?) "You have to read the chapter fully before you comment". And lest they protest, being a "Beta reader / editor" meaning you read the unpublished chapter, manuscript etc. in advance, is the akin to making a bundle $£€¥ buying a stock when you had insider information that it was going to increase A LOT! (BTW, this includes EVERY member of U.S. Congress since the SEC was created. Thank you Carlos Hazday for having CJ point this out!) Now, back to our story, already in progress somewhere. Will someone shed light on Asa, when they open a slot to feed him? Will a crack appear in Kasar's defense? Thankfully Sebastian, Reilly and the others have Caleb's back!

Nice chapter Preston! Great to learn that Seb/Mitch is safe and sound, memory mostly intact and almost home with family and 'close' mates. It seems his parents and Auntie are aware of his 'close and personal' connection with William, and have no issues with it. Some mystery still remains around the 'accident' with Seb being hit by a car in KL. The very high number of Security CCTV cams in KL, especially around the airport, should have a record of the incident, unless it somehow mysteriously disappears. Hobart (Tasmania) with its sub-tropical weather and four distinct seasons, is a lot different than Darwin and its two wet and dry seasons. For example, Dec 1st in 'Tassie' is 15° with low humidity, versus Darwin where it is 27° and muggy with humidity making it feel like 32°. Ugh! Like wearing a wet doona (duvet).

Day arrives in the Rowe-Roberts house, with some answers, questions and possibilities. Surprisingly painting does not seem to be on Armand's 'To Do' list. Has he lost his muse? Surely the latest children at The Home offer inspiration? John arrives from Ritchie's and confirms Pierre was drugged. John leaves for the Club to check "the books" and Armand says he'll wait for Pierre to wake before heading to Ivan's farm to pick up food for The Home. Armand sits alone in the kitchen and thinks: "The house became quiet. You don’t think about the quiet when you are sitting there, but today waiting for Pierre to wake up, the quiet seemed to yell at me". 🐦? Pierre finally wakes around 3pm (from the drug effects), and comes down to the kitchen where Armand fixes him a couple of scrambled egg crêpes. Pierre explains "one of the Directors" inviting him to an "... after meeting party at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel" where he was "handed a glass of water..." but remembers nothing else. Armand tells Pierre he was drugged, robbed and forced to sign away his Paris cottage home, before Ronnie and Ritchie, who had arrived to pick him up, rescue him and have the bad guys arrested. After eating, Armand and Pierre go to Ivan's farm and Pierre stays to begin roasting the peanuts. Armand heads back to The Home with some of food, where the boys prove the old saying; "Many hands lighten the load" as they unload the van, before heading back to Ivan's to pick up Pierre, more food and the sacks of peanuts. Ivan looks like he will finally buy the other farm between his and The Home, enlarging his operation (and hiring more "graduating" 18 year old "boys" about to leave The Home?). The boys ask "Granddad" Armand to stay for dinner (not surprise his answer is YES). While there he learns a new cook may be coming to The Home from Italy. Armand's late friend Maria's younger brother Roberto (who previously 'hit on Mary Ann' during his last visit to America) may return. Thankfully Mary Ann is happily married. Just maybe things won't seem so quiet now, but GrandDad and GrandPop may be finding their big house (with multiple levels) is too much. Their original smaller 'walk-up' apartment over the Club won't work. Plan 'B'? Thank you @CLJobe for another wonderful chapter. Still more to come Cal, as your Christmas 'concluding' date keeps getting pushed back ... just a bit? Take care. 🫂

Are you implying that Willa's been ledering him around by the hosen? Is she the wurst brat ever? Old castle fortresses with secret passages, nooks and crannies?

Being in league with Kasar (willingly or unwillingly, but I suspect the former).

Do feel free to share, NOW! Extra Beta readers and Editors (hint, hint) are standing by. Call now! As for Kasar, that evil furball deserves everything that's coming to him, but let the punishment fit the crimes. Let it be slow, horribly painful, don't let him shift and keep reviving him when he passes out. Oh and do let the hybrid pups have a kick. Holding back how I really feel.

Preston, interesting discovery and a strange, possibly terrorizing development. This has opened a proverbial Pandora's Box, so bear with me. First Sebastian is getting changed in his room after a shower when his mates William and Jordan come in, and Seb drops his towel. Not unusual for boys who attend all boys school together. The two boys leave, but Jordon returns to the bedroom where he and Seb 'compare' and something almost occurs? Later, Seb flies to Australia via Malaysia with his Dad's assistant Henry only going as far as KL before returning to London. Dad thought Seb would be safe by himself as his 4-hour layover was in the secure 'Transit Lounge' (monitored by airport Security and Immigration / Passport Control), before his 8-hour flight to Melbourne and his Mom. After a 'Transit Lounge' café meal and a few bottles of water, Seb heads to a washroom. After cleaning up, Seb exits the wrong way and gets locked out of the lounge. He wanders around, unable to get back in, and ends up in the Arrivals main hall and then goes outside to see a water fountain (not stopped by Immigration authorities?). The next thing is Seb wakes up in a 'General' (public) hospital in Banting, (FYI 30 kms away from the airport, but there is 1 'General' and 1 'Private' "Gleneagles Hospital" within 3.5 kms of the airport). Seb has no memory of who or where he is, has no passport, wallet, ID or mobile phone; somebody just dropped him in the A & E and took off. (Not arriving by ambulance is a BIG hint Seb was targeted and robbed). The nurse says he "appeared to have been hit by a vehicle", has a concussion and has "been in a coma for a few days" of the six he's been in ICU? Three things are 'off' here. First, airline regulations normally require 'Unaccompanied Minors' (UM) passengers to be escorted on and off planes, and accounted for at all times. However some international airports are lax and allow UM fliers between 12 and 18 with passports not to be escorted. Second, Immigration, airport Security and police are supposed be alerted when the passenger manifest shows a missing passenger, especially a minor, BEFORE a plane is supposed to be allowed to leave. Finally, his Mom would have raised an immediate alert when Sebastian / Mitchell did not arrive. 🚨

Thank you @CLJobe for this morning wake up brief to wet our appetites. Someone recently reminded me: "I wonder if you realize I don't post until you have commented. Every time I think of ending the story, something rattles the brain ergo another chapter". So here goes ... James has a few sources for support staff (chefs waiting to be trained?). One option could be local community colleges with 'apprenticeship' programs, however he would likely have to retrain them to his (Marcel, Armand & Colin's) standards. Option 'B', check with Tommy and Pepe to see if any older teens in Angel's Home are showing an interest in how meals are prepared there. If they are approaching their 18th birthday where they'd normally have to leave a state-run 'home', unprepared for life, they might be interested in being trained by James and Charles. Perhaps Colin, Ritchie and Tommy could get James certified to 'teach' (adjunct CIA* campus like Le Cordon Bleu used to offer?) and have students achieve a college-equivalent diploma, and be able to enter the workforce. As for Armand's "I realized that this would be our normal breakfasts from now on. Just the three of us with an occasional Charles. The house seemed eerily quiet. The children gone". What? So quiet that you could hear a rocking chair squeak or a 🐦 cheep, and yet nothing? GG 's suddenly gone quiet, or is she busy doing "parish" visits and making things "right" elsewhere?? Then there is Pierre and strange things going on. Someone(s) is behind what happened to him at the hotel after the "business meeting" supposedly with his New York counterparts. What did Ritchie and Colin come up with? What do the blood tests Louis did at the hospital reveal as far as Pierre being "drunk" or drugged (slipped a mickey) or worse, potentially deadlier drugs? And what ounce of preservation within Pierre, allowed him, when forced to sign away his Paris cottage home, to protect himself by signing 'Christian Arnaud'? Have I given you enough "homework" Cal? Stay well. 🫂 * Culinary Institute of America, NOT Langley "spy-craft" factory.

Fotos for 'tabloid' type of 'newspaper' (likely the online version for instantaneous response and 'sharing') that has a bit of a 'dodgy' reputation? Got to be careful, not just protecting the company reputation, but Brian and Gordon's, and protecting Toby - especially from his mother (not 'of the year') Dierdre. Thanks @Robert Hugill for another great chapter.

Wait, WHAT? Is it only the editor in me that read and understood what @kbois wrote in her closing comments for this chapter? "Still feeling under the weather and it's been a challenge with Gnomie down too. It's hard being the same person". Does this explain how Gnomie is virtually always thefirst to comment 99.999% of the time? Is our author pulling a Shirley MacLaine and going Out on a Limb? Are we dealing with a version of ... As for Corbin and Willa, (and her showing him the 'secret passages' of the castle), 'Wilbin' is the best name anyone came up with for the couple? When a more appealing name looms as big as King Kong. That's right ... Corilla. 🍌

Or just use Otto to correct?

Kind of like finding out you're related to exiled monarchy, who before being forced to abdicate, filled wine casks with priceless Crown Jewels, and others with gold coins, then secretly sent them, and an 'unknown' heir, to America for safe-keeping. Mini-casks you discovered among real wine-filled barrels in the cellar of a centuries old stone house you inherited. Or discovering the old oil painting of a great-great grandfather 'Manny', hanging in the library, above an antique Victrola, hides a vault full of jewels and gold. Hmm, wonder what made me think of that? 🫂

Interesting developments in this chapter @CLJobe. Armand reveals his feelings for all 'his' children: "Leaving the Home was getting harder and harder for me. Those children need love, a touch, a funny word, a kiss on their head, and a hug it meant a lot to them but to me, it was the richest feeling a person could ever have". Strange things are occurring when Pierre attends hotel business meeting for his company. Something that asks: Qu'est-ce qui se passe? (French for 'What is happening'?) Appears 'someone' was hired to force Pierre to sign away the Paris cottage given to him by grandfather Arnaud. 'They' either drug or get Pierre drunk enough in order to get him to sign the papers, (but Pierre signs as 'Christian Arnaud?). The illegal activity is discovered when Ronnie and Richie arrive at hotel to pick up Pierre. They find a 'compromised' Pierre being robbed by one of the assailants who reaches for a hidden gun, (only to get his arm broken by Ronnie). Cops arrive and get involved. Ronnie, Richie (and Louis?) take Pierre to hospital to get blood sample to verify if he was drunk or drugged by assailants, meaning he was coerced and legally voids anything signed. Is something hidden in the cottage or grounds that Christian wants badly enough to do this? Don't forget he refused Arnaud's dying request to look after Pierre, causing Arnaud to ask Armand and Colin to adopt Pierre and 'protect' him. Seems a simple conclusion of this story of Armand and Colin's lives is getting harder to do, or is this just tying up loose ends Cal? (Darn does this require another chapter, or five? ). Reminds me of “Godfather III,” when Michael Corleone, trys to turn his mob empire “legitimate", only to say ... 🫂