Mélanie Mercier née Markowitz (15)

The defeat

Jean Michel Jakobowicz, UNOG

22 km from Bourg en Bresse (France)

The night over the country side was very dark. Clouds were hiding the dim light of the moon. A thin veil of fog was floating over the meadow. A sneaky shadow progresses slowly, hiding behind each tree. The shadow seems perfectly trained for this type of exercise. At the top of the hill, a house totally dark and sombre. No lights.

The mission is relatively simple: only two elderly to protect the two kids. The man has several capsules of sleeping gas in his pockets everything has been carefully planned. The whole operation should not last more than six minutes. In fact, its most difficult part is to carry the two kids in the stolen car, which has been parked just 50 meters from the entrance of the house. But that also shouldn’t be a problem. At that time of the night there is absolutely no chance that any car would drive through this small path. Once this part of the operation is done, the second step would be even more enjoyable …

Geneva, headquarters of the Organization

Melanie was pacing in her office. She worked pretty late this evening; nobody is waiting for her at home¨! She took advantage of this freedom to get some more work done. All of a sudden, without any apparent reason, she feels worried. Her anxiety is growing rapidly. What is happening?

Why is she suddenly anxious? On the contrary she should be happy: her study has been a success. But it is the rest that worries her: the plan which was elaborated with the office of the Secretary General, the French and the Swiss authorities does not work for the time being. In a nutshell it is a very simple plan: to make believe that her kids have disappeared so that her tormentor and the killer of David, who is surely one single person, would make a mistake. The scenario was simple: her father and the kids would hide at one of her father’s old friend.

She, Mélanie was supposed to look like a totally lost mother. After that … but nothing seemed to work: the killer didn’t move. Not even the slightest message. Her mother was becoming completely crazy. And her former husband was ready to call some of his «friends» to rescue the children. At one point Mélanie was on the verge to tell both of them the truth, but finally she had decided for the kids’ sake not to say anything. But today, Mélanie was completely depressed it was too hard for her just not to be able to speak to her children. She knew that everything had gone well; but since then nothing, not a word.

She looks at her watch. It is 11:30 p.m. She wonders what her father is doing. He surely is asleep by now like her two little ones. She is in such a hurry to see them back home!

Mélanies’ flat

Mélanie is deep asleep when the phone rings. She gropes for her alarm clock, opens one eye. It is 5:47 am. An enormous ball builds up at the back of her stroke. She feels on the verge of fainting... everything is spinning in the room. She reaches out for the receiver with a shaking hand.

Geneva Head quarter of the organization

Christian Melnick, the Secretary General of the Organization looks extremely tense. Mélanie just left his office where she just collapsed. And he can understand her feelings. A few years ago, he had been in a similar position when he thought that Julie his daughter had been kidnapped (Threat over the Organization). He couldn’t sleep any more until she reappeared. Poor Melanie! What was worse is that she felt guilty to have followed this damn plan…

Three persons are seated next to the Secretary General: Mr Marin from the French Ministry of the Interior, Mr. Brülich his Swiss counterpart and Mr. Dupond Tonnerre the Chief of Security of the Organization. — I though that everything was carefully planned, said the SG in a rather dry manner to his interlocutors. — It is incomprehensible, said Mr. Marin. Apparently there has been a dysfunction — «Apparently there has been a dysfunction» repeated the Secretary General. That is the only thing you are able to say. Two kids have been kidnapped just under the nose of your services and the only thing you have to say is that there has been a dysfunction! — An administrative inquiry is …. Une enquête va être … — I don’t care about your administrative inquiry, said the Secretary General in a voice where his anger was more than pointing. What I want is to get the kids back full stop. Do you have any trail? — For the time being: no had to admit Mr Marin! Some farmers heard a car around mid night. That’s all.

Christina Melnick didn’t answer. The case seemed too hopeless.

— Gentleman what do you propose? did he ask. First what are we going to say to the press? Kids have been kidnapped a few days ago for fake have now been kidnapped for good. Imagine how stupid we are going to look! — We could keep a low profile for the time being and say nothing, suggested the Chief of Security of the Organization.

- No, said Christian Melnick, no more lies I am afraid that we will have to face our responsibilities. - You will understand that I will have first to report to my capital, said Mr Marin. Furthermore are you sure that it is the best solution for the children's safety? - You believe that this story will remain between us, asked the Secretary General. With the father of the children who is ready to take his former wife to court. And the grand mother who wants to divorce because her husband kept her in the dark!

A three floor house on 87th Street between Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue

John Gardiner is sitting in front of a chimney where he has just burned a number of documents. Less than one hour ago he had made a series of phone call so that his vengeance would get started. In a few minutes a taxi will take him to La Guardia airport where his private jet is waiting for him. His house will be sold in a few days and the money will be given to some charity for the elderly. That is the least he could do for them.