Order of the Solar Temple

Chapter 2

Claudel Bergeron was finally getting over with the files he had been preoccupied since the morn and was contemplating a lunch break of buffalo wings dipped in hot sauce when the Inspector came by. The two men shared a brief glance before the Inspector turned towards the door. It was a dèja vu of a decade

He closed the last file and joined the Inspector as they took the stairs down. It was a silent rule whenever there was a case to take the stairs, it was an act of clearing the mind and focusing on what was ahead. The two men shared a familiar silence and they winded down the stairs towards the garage.

Now as Claudel took in the scene, a swirl of emotions caught him off guard and he squeezed his face in a grimace.This was bad. Trailing his gaze, he watched the firefighters idle about in their neon green uniforms feeling a little disappointed in themselves, they weren't able to save the situation now someone had to answer for their infidelity.

He glanced at the remnants of the little cottage and wondered what could have gone wrong. Ruling out arson, he kept his mind on natural factors probably the stove, or maybe the gas was left unattented to. Yes, maybe that was it.

How long would you kid yourself. His mind spoke to him

A furtive glance at an approaching Jean Barthe told him the answer. Not too long

"What have you got?" He asked as Jean approached holding a ziploc bag. He handed it to Claudel

"Its a propane" Jean mulled stuffing his hands into his pockets. Claudel remained silent as he studied the piece

"Location?"

"Three yards from the foot of the cottage. Give or take"

"Its still got paint on" Claudel exclaimed still swirling the scrap around before handing it back to Jean

"We still can't establish if it was from within or outside" Jean gave him a puzzled look

"This is found three yards from the foot of the cottage, a gas hose is retrieved at the rear door and we have an explosive mark implanted on the upper soil still at the foot of the cottage? Its pretty sure to me"

"Right" Claudel murmured running a hand through his hair. Refocusing his gaze on the charred cottage he watched as: the green men excavate the charred pieces, the reporters entertain the camera and the squad discuss a pre-explosion theory and he wondered one thing. Why was he so adamant in believing it was arson. It was pretty obvious, the signs were there and so was the answer. He hadn't got the courage to endure incoming months of hell.

Still lost in thoughts, he felt a light tap on his shoulder. He turned to the accuser, Jean pointed to the firefighter giving him a peace sign

"All clear. Let's go in" Claudel hesitated before shuffling his feet towards the cottage

¤¤¤

Aidèen watched as Bertrand took the final turn into the Laurentians Mont-Tremblant and she suddenly felt apprehensive not knowing what to look forward to. All Bertrand briefed her on was in the simple words of 'There was a fire'. For all she knew it could be a bonfire, she wanted to press for more information but the man looked already blue. She didn't want to torture him.

It didn't take long before the scene came into view. It was an unfenced land secured by yellow caution tapes and tall firs of the forest trees now spotting a number of cars and unfamiliar people connected by one tragic turn of event. As Bertrand looked for where to park Aidèen took in the remains of the cottage.

The anterior part of the cottage looked barely burnt but a black soot covered every inch of the exterior giving it a gothic look. Gazing at the cottage she tried to imagine it before the drastic turn of event. A cardboard house she had called it when she was little, with a long smokey chimney and two identical windows by each side. The roof would have a coating of ice, the front porch would be painted yellow and the floor would be woody, the same type with the rocking chair at a side of the porch. The Posterior.. She wondered what the posterior would be like- Yellow paint just like porch with two seats in the case of company probably with logs and an axe brandishing the finish. All gone -She felt an inward disapproving nudge and suddenly felt guilty. Here she was worrying about the house instead of praying for the souls within.

Bertrand wedged the honda beside a red prius before stepping out. As they both made their way to the cottage they took in the activities unfolding in the axis; Members of the SQ had taken refuge near the firs as they congressed in hushed coversation often pointing to different parts of the structure in explanation, reporters were getting warmth in their vans while some against their better judgement went on with their story, the firefighters continued with their evacuation yelling commands every now and then. To say the least it was busy.

Reaching the cottage, Aidèen found Xavier the pathologist at a quiet corner having a light conversation with Leo the photographer, they were going through different polaroid of the structure and discussing more angles to take from. As his eyes met her, he gave her a nod of recogition which she reciprocated.

The guard barricading the door gave them a once over

"Carte d'identite" he demanded gruffly. They fished out ther ID's and handed it. He glanced at it, his expression softening before handing it back with a side gift of hard hats.

"Un instant Docteur" He hollered a colleague, once the subject made his appearance he instructed guidance for the two to the 'main scene'. As the pair were about to make their appearance inside a crumbling noise erupted from within, they were immediately shoved back by the guard as surprised yells arose from the compound.

The posterior had collapsed

"Arrestéz" the guard said to them before venturing bravely into the crumbled piece that was now letting off smoke. Aidèen stood at the sideline clutching Bertrand, her heart still racing with a thousand beats from a near death experience

A few minutes later, a spluttering Claudel stumbled out covered in soot coughing violently. Aidèen unwrapped herself from Bertand and huttled towards Claudel patting his back comfortingly. He reached for his pockets struggling to bring something out, she reached in for him and pulled out an inhaler. Unclipping it, she handed it to him and watched as he took a few sucks from it before becoming somewhat stable. Though his eyes still tinged red with irritation.

The remnants inside the house were evacuated successfully though some were seen spotting mild injuries. For a three hour duration the territory was declared unsafe before it was finally cleared. By that time the weather has plummeted by another ten degrees

Trailing the charred passage way in lead, Aidèen observed the damage of the inferno. The wood decor had split and cracked revealing plumbing wires melted to wax by the heat, the rear end of the house had collapsed creating a gaping hole and inviting a stream of dusklight.

The next area was the kitchen and the trio couldn't help but stop to survey the damage; The fire had licked up everywhere black so intense that smoke still emanated from the hunged cabinets, the sink had split into two but not completely barely hanging unto a lone nail happered into the wall, the island in the middle of the kitchen had seen better days as the black mixed with the former white covering of the top, broken utensils and burnt debris decorated the ground covering the split wood barely strong enough to carry a foot weight. As if they had all had enough they turned away continuing down the small passage

"Take a left" the fireguard commanded from the rear.

Aidèen obeyed and found herself in a room. It was a 3x3 square meter footing. The fire must have been very intense here as the celeing had giving away now hanging lowly metres away from touching their heads. A cupboard stood tall at the extreme right with what looked like two abandoned boxes sprawled infront all covered in hard black soot and melted goo, a dresser was at the side with a broken mirror and charred tabletop with damaged products.

Aidèen unhooked her paraphernalia and retrieved two pairs of gloves. She handed one to Xavier and pulled one on.

Crossing to the dresser, she picked a product and rolled it, the cap squealed in dispproval before popping out. It was a lipstick. Definitely a girl's territory

She walked towards the cupboard and drank in the ajar door with two sprawled boxes on the ground, she tipped it open it was full of now condemned clothing.

Trailing back to the dresser, she noticed the quantity of products sprawled on the desktop, some already packed into a clumped purse not yet zipped. She followed the trail of shoes being gathered under the dresser into a bag, it was never completed.

She took a complete glance at the room and its features. She was very sure. Whoever it was she was trying to abscond but she didn't make it. She was stopped. The question is by who?

The droning of Xavier's voice caught Aidèen's attention and she joined him as he recorded the scene- and the body.

Aidèen hadn't noticed the bed when she entered but as she did she felt very sorry for whoever that was on it

The body was lying in a supine position in an odd angle with eyes rolled up staring blankly at the celeing gleaming white, teeth bared in defiance viciously set for attack, A hand was flung sideway bearing sharp indent running from the elbow to the wrist adjacently -Defense wounds, Aidèen thought-, the other clenched ready for an attack, legs stiffly hanging outside the border of the bed still containing socks.

Xavier clicked the dictaphone shut, solemnly he turned to Aidèen giving her a sad patronizing smile

You don't have to smile, Aidèen thought shifting her gaze back to the body She zoned in at the head, tilting it up she observed; the hair of the victim has burnt off to the roots in some parts while other parts remained shortened. In a sum up, it looked like a badly chopped hair or a victim of alopecia. The left ear had burnt so bad, it had twisted into an odd shape breaking the skin and revealing mushy white pulp that oozed out. Turning slightly, she spared Xavier a glance. The pathologist had scrunched up his face, his jaws bunching and unbunching, his eyes set in deep thought staring at the victim. He heaved a sigh and looked at Aidèen

"Shall we?" He said giving her a sad smile. This time she didn't judge him.

It was already twilight when all activites were wrapped up. The body had been transported to the lab and tonnes of rubble had been excavated. The axis had already been emptied of most cars and it looked uncharacteristically wide. Aidèen tightened her parka to her chest as she tried to breathe warmth into her fingers that hung limp and cold. She had planned to go to the University and retrieve her car before going home but now she wasn't so sure.

Instead she joined Bertrand on the ride home. Riding shotgun she was a first hander and of the glorious warmth of the heater. Feeling her frozen parts thaw, she snuggled against the window and dozed off

"Earth to Aidèen" Bertrand breathed snapping his fingers in her face. Her eyes fluttered open before relaxing back. She was drained of energy having spent most of the time with Xavier extricating the body that was somehow glued to the bed trying as much as possible not to break the skin as it was still very tender.

"Am i home?" she drawled rubbing her eyes

"Yes, we are literally by your doorsteps" She opened her eyes and took in the familiar decor of her house

"Thanks-" she grumbled getting out of the car "-talk to you tomorrow" she said as she heaved up the stairs

"Tomorrow is a Saturday" Bertrand countered putting the car in reverse

"Oh" she turned and looked at him momentarily confused

"Well then see you on Monday"

"Right" he chuckled pulling out of the driveway hitting the road

Aidèen fumbled for the door handle in a half daze. As she latched on it she soared in heading straight for her room but was momentarily stopped by the crackling from the parlour. She peeped in

The T.V was tuned on but with low volume. Light sufficient enough to highlighten the tiny figure that lay sprawled on the couch sharing the comfort space with a little canine seeking warmth by her bossom. Aidèen smiled tiredly as she entered, picked up the sleeping angel and headed for the rooms. As she laid the sleeping girl in bed, love bubbled in Aidèen's heart for her daughter. The little girl had been waiting for her for hours to come home and had innocently slept on the couch in her waiting hours. She couldn't ask for a more precious gift.

As she turned to go, she noticed a paper being clutched by the sleeping child. Carefully, she peeled the determined fist open and retrieved the paper. Unrolling it, she read the crayon scrawled message with a smile.

I am waiting for you but just in case i sleep off. I made you dinner its in the microwave. I love you

Maria

Aidèen laughed silently wondering what the girl had cooked up, heart filled with more love. She gazed at the child with awe and attacked her cheeks with kisses till the girl stirred and she backed off, afraid to wake her.

After a hot bath, she retreated to the kitchen and retrieved the food from the microwave. Settling down on the couch, she took a bite of the toast and let the taste simmer it was almost perfect save the outrageous amount of oil that was being swallowed but it didn't matter it was a food made out of so much love and she was going to finish every bit.

Lippy bounded on the couch and into Aidèen's lap just as she had given up on the toast. Ruffling the dog's ear, she cooed.

"Hey boy, want some?" The dog eyed the plate but made no move to take up her offer.

"I promise you a whole plate of treats" she bribed bringing the food nearer. Lippy sniffed the food suspiciously then lurched on it chewing happily

"Good boy" Aidèen praised giving him loving ruffles all around.

After some good minutes bonding time with Lippy. Aidèen locked up and crawled under the covers. Ascending up to cloud nine as soon as her head touched the pillow.