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Chapter 7 - American in Paris
Immediately after the execution of Marie-Antoinette and the discovery of the body of Sally Hemings, the citizens went to the Committee of Public Safety to cast their votes and decide upon the next to be executed in an endless string of state sanctioned killings, a trademark of the Reign of Terror. The votes were split between Feld Marschall von Blücher, who was there only in body but not in spirit and Thomas Jefferson, who was missing since evening the day before. Robespierre cast the deciding vote saying “The only good German is a dead German”.
And Blücher was taken to Place de la Révolution, where he was asked for his last wish and final words.
“Ich wünsche die Mafia ermordet euch alle!”
„Kill the German swine“, Danton cried and Robespierre pulled the handle and the head of Jamski was swiftly severed from his body. Not that he noticed anything.
General Napoléon Bonaparte and Private Nicholas Chauvin were watching the execution.
“Sir, I have examined the strange wooden cross found at the last murder scene. My father is a carpenter so I have some knowledge in the area.”
“Excellent work Chauvin! Taking initiative! That’s my lad! Now tell me if you have found anything important.”
“Indeed I have Sir. The cross was only a part of a frame which in addition to this cross comprised of four more pieces of wood placed in a rhomboid shape, the cross representing the diagonals.”
“A very interesting analysis Chauvin, but I don’t know if it helps us at all.”
“Neither do I, but one other thing is sure. The wood was exposed to intense heat for a short period of time. There are some burn marks.”
At that moment Robespierre approached the general.
“General Bonaparte, it appears that Mr. Jefferson has knowledge of the events of the last several days. You must find him and take in for questioning.”
“Yes Sir, but it’s going to be a very difficult task. Mr. Jefferson has spent many years in Paris. He knows the city and he has connections.”
“I trust you will employ all resources at your disposal to locate and arrest Mr. Jefferson.”
“I’ll do my best Sir.”
Robespierre left.
“I guess no day off today either Sir?
“You guessed right Private Chauvin.”
********
Later, in the evening, Private Chauvin was searching the city for Mr. Jefferson. At barrière du Trône he noticed bloody marks on the pavement. There was also a trail of blood starting by these marks and leading who knows where. Chauvin followed this trail and finally reached Place de Grève where the trail ended. Near the sewer shaft, he saw a naked body of Theben, his arms and legs tied, gagged and flogged to death. His body was already badly decomposed having bite marks of various species of small mammals such as mice, rats, weasels, etc.
The others came quickly.
“Well, he was definitely suspicious character. But he obviously wasn’t the killer we were looking for”, observed Desmoulins “I shall write an epitaph about his glory and his fall.”
“He might be the poisoner”, replied Danton.
“Oh yes, he might.”
“Let’s see if the tidy flogging killer has left something behind this time. Turn Mr. Jeffersons body Chovin”, Bonaparte ordered.
When they turned him, they noticed a small jade figurine.
“Hmm, a first clue, or so it seems. Our killer is becoming careless”, Napoléon made a comment about the find.
“Citizens, come tomorrow to the Committee of Public Safety. We must address this latest security issue.”
And with this Robespierre’s remark everybody left home fearful of the future attacks of the mafia.
Immediately after the execution of Marie-Antoinette and the discovery of the body of Sally Hemings, the citizens went to the Committee of Public Safety to cast their votes and decide upon the next to be executed in an endless string of state sanctioned killings, a trademark of the Reign of Terror. The votes were split between Feld Marschall von Blücher, who was there only in body but not in spirit and Thomas Jefferson, who was missing since evening the day before. Robespierre cast the deciding vote saying “The only good German is a dead German”.
And Blücher was taken to Place de la Révolution, where he was asked for his last wish and final words.
“Ich wünsche die Mafia ermordet euch alle!”
„Kill the German swine“, Danton cried and Robespierre pulled the handle and the head of Jamski was swiftly severed from his body. Not that he noticed anything.
General Napoléon Bonaparte and Private Nicholas Chauvin were watching the execution.
“Sir, I have examined the strange wooden cross found at the last murder scene. My father is a carpenter so I have some knowledge in the area.”
“Excellent work Chauvin! Taking initiative! That’s my lad! Now tell me if you have found anything important.”
“Indeed I have Sir. The cross was only a part of a frame which in addition to this cross comprised of four more pieces of wood placed in a rhomboid shape, the cross representing the diagonals.”
“A very interesting analysis Chauvin, but I don’t know if it helps us at all.”
“Neither do I, but one other thing is sure. The wood was exposed to intense heat for a short period of time. There are some burn marks.”
At that moment Robespierre approached the general.
“General Bonaparte, it appears that Mr. Jefferson has knowledge of the events of the last several days. You must find him and take in for questioning.”
“Yes Sir, but it’s going to be a very difficult task. Mr. Jefferson has spent many years in Paris. He knows the city and he has connections.”
“I trust you will employ all resources at your disposal to locate and arrest Mr. Jefferson.”
“I’ll do my best Sir.”
Robespierre left.
“I guess no day off today either Sir?
“You guessed right Private Chauvin.”
********
Later, in the evening, Private Chauvin was searching the city for Mr. Jefferson. At barrière du Trône he noticed bloody marks on the pavement. There was also a trail of blood starting by these marks and leading who knows where. Chauvin followed this trail and finally reached Place de Grève where the trail ended. Near the sewer shaft, he saw a naked body of Theben, his arms and legs tied, gagged and flogged to death. His body was already badly decomposed having bite marks of various species of small mammals such as mice, rats, weasels, etc.
The others came quickly.
“Well, he was definitely suspicious character. But he obviously wasn’t the killer we were looking for”, observed Desmoulins “I shall write an epitaph about his glory and his fall.”
“He might be the poisoner”, replied Danton.
“Oh yes, he might.”
“Let’s see if the tidy flogging killer has left something behind this time. Turn Mr. Jeffersons body Chovin”, Bonaparte ordered.
When they turned him, they noticed a small jade figurine.
“Hmm, a first clue, or so it seems. Our killer is becoming careless”, Napoléon made a comment about the find.
“Citizens, come tomorrow to the Committee of Public Safety. We must address this latest security issue.”
And with this Robespierre’s remark everybody left home fearful of the future attacks of the mafia.
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