Distant Cousins
Please see the disclaimer on the Synopsis page.
Year 1997
"You said my grandfather was searching for this man, but never found him."
"That's correct."
"Who is he?"
"I'm surprised your family never said anything to you about the man."
"My father died 20 years ago when I was a kid. And my grandfather had to raise me. I always thought he seemed to be lost in his own world. He was always preoccupied with looking at maps and searching through journals, but he never said anything to me, even before he died. At least he's no longer suffering now. So, who is this mysterious stranger that my grandfather had been searching for?"
"He's your cousin."
"My cousin? I don't have any cousins."
"You do now."
Mr. Taggett handed the young man a folded up piece of paper and what appeared to be an old journal bound in leather.
"This was left with me to give to you when you were ready."
The young man flipped through the journal. It was far older than anything his grandfather had in his library. He opened the inside cover to reveal the name of its previous owner. His eyes became wide as he recognized the name. The young man then unfolded the yellow sheet of paper and saw it was an old relic of a poster from by gone days.
"This is impossible. This guy is probably long dead by now."
"Not from what I've heard," Mr. Taggett stated. "There still are stories of a Shaolin priest wondering the countryside, helping those in need. The last I heard he settled in a city in the Midwest, in the Chinatown area."
"Just out of curiosity, do you happen to have an address?"
Mr. Taggett handed the young man a slip of paper.
"You've got to be kidding."
"Check it out if you don't believe me."
"How can a man live to be . . ."
"Look, you're a cop," Mr. Taggett replied. "You figure it out. I was told to give you this stuff when the time was right."
"Who told you that?"
"Some old Chinese guy, never gave me his name. He said it could change your future."
"Where is this place again?"
"Some place in the Midwest. The address is somewhere in the area of Chinatown."
"Really. That's a lucky break." The young man stated more to himself but still loud enough that Taggett could hear him.
"How so?"
"I've been assigned to a local precinct there. I'm working on a case that involves a man who came from that area. They want me to investigate and help out the locals to apprehend and bring the guy back here to stand trial."
"Well then. Looks like you'll be leaving soon."
"Yeah, I guess so." The young man stated absently as he once again glanced at the journal and began reading.
"Good luck finding your cousin."
Continues with Part 2
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2003.
This story cannot be reprinted or sold in any other form without strict permission from
the author. It is being distributed here solely for your enjoyment.
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