Code 47 to BREV Force Cracko

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 18

Those thoughts and now, sitting in the Cottage years later, knowing everything that happened next caused Martin to want to stop thinking about the past... but his mind wouldn't let it go. He heard a frightening voice in his mind that propelled him back to the next moment.

A woman's scream jolted Martin awake. He heard the sound of an anguished cry as he bolted down the stairs. Madame Dubois was crouched at the open door clutching the newspaper to her breast, yelling, "Mort! Mort!"

"Who is dead?" Martin tried to comfort her. "Mort?" he said to her asking, who is dead?" The newspaper fell out of her hands, onto the floor and the headline told it all. The French words took Martin a minute to translate but once he looked at the picture, he knew!

It read: "Fatal Accident Claims Life of World's Youngest Nobel Prize Winner."

Martin's knees felt weak. He gave in to the weight of the news and dropped to the floor next to Madame Dubois. He put his arms around her and let her cry. He stared in disbelief at the picture, forcing himself to keep his emotions in check while he read the rest of the story.

The publication reported that a grey Jaguar, registered to Dr. Marcel, had plunged down a mountain side into the channel. The car was retrieved but no body was found. It was believed to have washed out with the tide... Remy was gone!

Martin spent the next few hours talking via Vid-Conferencing with Vivian and Dr. Schmidt about Remy. No one seemed to be able to make sense out of this tragedy.

Schmidt expressed the shock and sadness of the scientific community but nothing relieved the ache in Martin's heart.

Vivian was heartbroken for him and said she would immediately fly to Paris but Martin thanked her and just said he would be home soon. Vivian knew Martin well enough and replied, "I'll be here when you are ready to come home!"

Three days later, after attending the state memorial service, Martin and Madame Dubois rode back to Remy's house in a limousine provided by the French government.

Dominique, still trying to save face, did not attend the funeral. She feigned illness but Martin knew it was extreme grief and guilt. She called Martin in secret and cried for hours but he couldn't convince her, this wasn't her fault or worse, he couldn't convince her to finally tell her mother the truth.

"He is gone now, what good would disgracing his name and mine do? My mother loved him as a son and would feel betrayed. And, in the long run none of that would help our baby?"

Martin was sorry she felt that way. He knew how much Remy loved her and Martin promised her that he would be there for her and her child.

Dominique thanked him.

Remy had no known relatives. In his will, he left the house and its contents to Madame Dubois. His assets were left in trust to an undisclosed benefactor, which, of course Martin realized was Dominique and the baby.

Martin had a feeling something about this whole situation was just not right. Remy was excited when we spoke before I boarded the plane for Paris. His not being at the airport or here at home, no messages or calls and then this ...a tear welled in his eye...this accident... No, I am positive something is wrong!

He went to the police station every day to try to convince them this incident wasn't an accident. The police investigated but couldn't find anything to indicate that it wasn't exactly what it seemed.