A Shaolin Easter to Remember
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Kermit woke to the strong smell of acid and felt another's touch.
"Caine? Where are we?"
"In the center of the labyrinth."
"Oh my head."
"Easy Kermit. You may have suffered a concussion. Was my son with you?"
"We were together in the tunnel when it collapsed. I don't know if he's all right. He may be dead."
"He is not"
"How do you know?"
Just then Nelson entered from another tunnel.
"We've got company." Kermit said quietly.
"Welcome, Detective Griffin. Nice of you to drop in."
"And you're Nelson I see. Where's Peter Caine?"
"Don't worry, he's still alive. But not for long. And you two won't be either."
"What do you mean?"
"Take a look."
Kermit looked around and viewed the island of rock he'd been placed on with Caine.
"So? What's so special about this place, other than the décor."
Nelson's smile turned into a frown. "I'd thought you of all people would discover the truth."
"And what truth is that."
Nelson walked over toward a large plastic drum. "Tell me Detective Griffin, what happens when metal and sulfuric acid meet?"
"It will produce a flammable substance and potentially explosive hydrogen gas. So Peter was right. You did add more acid to the pond after blocking the exit flow. And by placing Caine on this island you ensured he wouldn't escape._"_
"Very good Detective, though I wish I had thought of that. There really was no need. I only made the suggestion with certain cues and let my victim's imagination do the rest. Isn't that right Caine?"
Nelson produced a small object and tossed it into the barrel. It caused the acid to bubble and fumes rose to fill the air.
"What about the water level in the pond?" Kermit questioned.
"What level?" Nelson questioned innocently.
"Don't play innocent with me, you changed the water level."
"Again, I didn't have to. Nature did that all on her own. I just took advantage of it."
Caine listened with rapt attention. So, Nelson had not been responsible. And all that had transpired had been a game to keep him from leaving.
"Why did you do this?" Caine questioned.
"How else was I going to produce my lure and bait my trap."
Kermit spotted movement from behind Nelson but did not react. He had to keep Nelson talking to allow Peter to act.
"How do you plan on getting rid of us if you didn't add acid to the pond or changed the water level."
"Really detective. Do I have to spell it out for you? You see this barrel? Well, you are correct in that it does contain a substantial amount of sulfuric acid. I thought about adding it to the pond, but to really change the levels I would have had to add at least 10 barrels, an undertaking that would have taken far too long. So I devised another simpler method. You will notice that the barrel is placed at the narrowest portion between the island and the mainland, to couch it in those terms. What you haven't noticed is there is an iron block hanging from a rope above that barrel. I figured out a long time ago just how much acid was needed and how large the block needed to be for an effective explosion to take place. I'm certain you can figure out the rest."
"You'll never get away with this. Peter will stop you."
"I'm counting on him trying. But I don't think he will with that shoulder of his."
"You do not know my son."
"Oh, but I do. Very soon now, he should be rushing head long into this room. And I will be waiting for him, elsewhere of course."
"I don't think so Nelson." Peter proceeded to strike Nelson from behind with a flying leap, trying his best to keep his left should protected.
"No! That's impossible. You're not supposed to be here yet. You won't stop me. I will succeed where Dao didn't!" Rather than face Peter, Nelson ran for the other tunnel.
"Peter! The tunnel. He's going to the next level."
Peter ran after Nelson. He had to stop him before Nelson could drop the iron block. Peter spotted where Nelson entered into another opening. So there were other levels. He suspected there might be, realizing that there had to be a way for all those traps to be set.
Peter could feel that his shoulder started bleeding again. He could not let that hamper him in any way. Suddenly off to the side Peter spotted a lance. Images of his own training with certain weapons came back to him.
"You do this and I will haunt you for the rest of your life, Nelson!" Peter spotted the man as he reached the release mechanism.
"Too late. You should have died. You should have all died!" Then Nelson pulled the trigger.
But nothing happened. Peter had thrown the lance, jamming it into place and preventing the block from being released. Nelson stepped back. His plans were ruined.
"No. Damn you Peter Caine." Nelson swung at him and Peter dodged the swing with ease. He tried to move from the opening but Nelson tried to press him further. Again Nelson tried to come at him but Peter avoided his advances. Suddenly, Nelson dove after Peter. But in his rage, he did not look where he was going. He fell, straight down through the opening. Peter watched in horror as Nelson's head struck the iron block and then fell to the surface of the pond, just barely missing the barrel.
When Peter returned to the pond's edge, Kermit was helping Caine back across the pond.
"Pop." Peter drew his father into his arms. Not a word was said. All he wanted to do was hold his father close. Never before in his life had he come so close to loosing his father a second time.
Suddenly, dizziness swepted over Peter. The loss of blood was getting to him. Also, with Nelson gone, the release of adrenaline stopped; and with it, Peter's energy wavered. He fought to try and stay conscious.
"Peter. I am very proud of you." Kwai Chang could feel the stickiness of the blood soaked cloth. "You are badly hurt. We must get you to a hospital."
"You done good kid," Kermit patted Peter on the back, avoiding his left shoulder. "Now, let's go home."
End of Part 11
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2001.
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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