Temple: A New Journey Begins
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"I want to come with."
"No, Sally. It could be too dangerous for you." Vance countered.
"If something is going on up at the old temple, we would know how to handle it," the man with the sunglasses added.
"But . . ."
"We are grateful for the warning that you have given us," Caine stated. "Kermit and Vance are correct. It will be too dangerous."
"What about you guys?" Sally questioned.
"I always carry a little extra protection," Kermit brushed his coat aside to reveal the shoulder holster.
Sally's eyes became wide when she saw what rested inside.
"Are you still carrying that Dessert Eagle?" Caine asked.
"You know I don't go anywhere without it, KC."
Kwai Chang Caine gave Kermit Griffin a credulous look, then stated, "I think it would be wise if you change into something more suitable than a suit and tie."
"Hey, we're going to a temple."
"But this temple is in ruins, and it will be a difficult climb where we are going."
"Where exactly are we going?" Kermit asked.
Vance shrugged his shoulders as if to say that he didn't know, and Caine just stood silently by.
"All right, I'll get changed. So, when are we going to check this place out?"
"Tonight."
"You can't be serious," Kermit replied. "Won't it be better to go during the day so you can see what it is you're looking for?"
"And have someone else see us if there is trouble?" Vance answered.
"I get your point." Kermit turned on his heels and headed back to the house, then turned back to the small group. "You don't happen to have something a little more suitable to wear?"
"Ask Sam. I am certain he has something."
"Where is Sam, by the way?" Vance asked.
"He is making arrangements," Caine said quietly, his head bowed and sadness entered his eyes.
"What kind of arrangements?" Sally asked.
"Funeral."
"There's been another death among the monks," Vance said. "Caine thinks all the monks were murdered."
"Who is doing this?" Sally asked.
"Someone who knows the touch of the dim mak," Caine replied.
"What's that?"
Caine didn't say a word. Not everyone would understand that someone could kill with just a touch. It was not unheard of from his background and knowledge, but those who had not had the training that he had received would not believe him.
"It is something quite deadly," Caine replied instead.
"Sally, please go home. You don't want to get involved with these people. Let us handing it."
"Vance, if the sheriff finds out that you're doing this . . ."
"He already knows to an extent," Kermit Griffin stated, "But he thinks it has something to do with the CIA. He won't interfere."
"How did you manage that," Sam Lowery stated, overhearing the conversation as he approached. "He usually doesn't allow people to go up to the temple. A few who have either disappeared or they were arrested for trespassing."
"Let's just say I have my own way of handling law enforcement, having been a cop for several years as well."
"Did you know Peter Caine?"
"He was my best friend," Kermit stated with sadness and yet there was an edge to his voice.
"Kermit has never accepted the death of my father," Caine stated. 'And neither have I,' he thought.
"You know his disappearance was unsolved. As long as there is no body, I will not accept that he is dead. I will keep searching. That marker that was placed by your father's grave up there at the temple is just a sham. It will never be real to me until I find some hard evidence."
"Oh, the arrangements have been made," Sam stated. "A memorial service will be taking place at the end of the week. They would like you to officiate, KC."
Everyone grew silent at that statement. Kwai Chang Caine kept his thoughts to himself. The memorial for the monks that Sam was arranging reminded him too much of his own father's memorial ten years ago. He had been just a kid when his father disappeared. Hearing Sally's story at least confirmed that his father had returned here, but where he had gone, there was no clue. The last postcard that he received from his father had the Braniff postmark. When no other postcards appeared after several weeks, they assumed he had been killed or disappeared. Young Kwai Chang Caine did not want to accept it. When the rest of the family, his Aunts Kelly and Carolyn, wanted to put a marker by the lake near the temple, KC did not protest. At the age of 15 he did not have any say in the matter. It was a bitter day when that marker had been placed there. It was then that KC remembered his vow that he had made a long time ago.
"I will find you my father. And if you are dead, I will find those who harmed you and bring them to justice."
Perhaps it was time to renew that vow.
Continues with Part 21
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2004.
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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