Temple: A New Journey Begins
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Kermit arrived at the county morgue. It was small compared to others he had visited over the years. Kermit sealed himself as he prepared to face his old friend. For now, he would stick to the business at hand. He wasn't in any mood for idle gossip or bringing up the past. He just hoped Nicky would remember and take the hint.
Kermit stepped into the office of the coroner only to find it vacant. He didn't like waiting. He was about to see if he couldn't find the wayward coroner when in walked Nicky with the very folder that Kermit needed.
"Kermit, didn't expect to see you. The Sheriff called and said he was sending over a detective to pick up the file on the dead prisoner. You working on a case or is this a social call? Of course you and I haven't spoken in five years, so it must be . . ."
"This is business," Kermit said coolly. "I'm the one the Sheriff was referring to. The person who was murdered you and I should remember. If you don't, let me jog your memory for you. It was a pretty high powered case. Look closely at her face. You might remember her victims before you'll remember hers. She was killing young men to get a certain Shaolin priest's attention."
"I'm not following you," Nicky was puzzled by Griffin's words.
"Oh, you remember the case Nicky. Peter went undercover to draw the killer out. She later tried to accuse Peter and Caine of entrapment and molesting her."
"Wait a minute. I do remember that case. There were at least three deaths of young men around Peter's age and build. What was the woman's name?"
"Xia. Xia Tan."
"Was she ever convicted of the crimes?"
"You know what happened during the pre-trial hearings," Kermit said with distaste. "The case was thrown out."
"If that's Xia, how did she end up here?" Nicky questioned.
"That's what you're supposed to find out, how she died."
"No, I mean what was she doing in this part of the country? And why did she end up dead?"
"That's what we're trying to determine. Your autopsy report is why I'm here."
"But what are you doing here, I mean why are you involved?" Nicky asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"Helping out an old friend," Kermit simply stated. The look on his face was enough to let Nicky know that to inquire further would put him on dangerous ground. "Do you have the autopsy report?"
"I though you retired?" Nicky stated, still trying to get information from Kermit. "I mean it must have been a blow to learn that the woman who tried to kill Peter was here, and well with Peter gone now after all these years . . ."
"Paul still thinks Peter is alive," Kermit said through clenched teeth. Knowing what he now knew, it was going to be difficult telling anyone until the proper time. No one would probably believe him even if he did.
"I mean it's been ten years now. You'd think by now something would have been known. Poor Peter, I bet KC is really heart broken. His father disappearing. No word. Peter can't be alive after all this time. I'm sure he died and no one knows . . . "
"Nicky, I don't want to discuss the past," Kermit growled.
"I mean Peter had all the luck. Finding a great woman like that. I never found anyone who was remotely interested in . . .
Kermit moved closer to Nicky, clearly annoyed at the coroner's rambling. Leaning in close, his voice was cold enough to cut steel. "If you're through, I'd like that autopsy report. And if you're not going to hand it over I might just forget who I'm talking to. I get really cranky when I haven't had my morning coffee and when I don't get what I want when I want it."
"Oh, well. Um, here." Beads of sweat appeared on the coroner's brow.
Kermit grabbed the file from Nicky's hands and tried to read the contents. After a few minutes, he stated, "You know I can't read your handwriting. Why isn't this typed into something legible." Kermit nearly tossed the file back into Nicky's face.
"I was just coming to my office to do that when I discovered you sitting here. Part of the report is already in the computer. This is what I found from examining the stomach contents in the lab. If you want the whole report, you're going to have to wait for another fifteen minutes. If you want it faster, I can dictate it in."
"No, just give me what's important. I don't need to read all the gruesome details or listen to you dictate them either. I've seen enough during my lifetime."
"All right. In short, the woman was poisoned," Nicky stated. "Do you want to know how?"
"Go on," Kermit coaxed though the words came out with sarcasm.
"Looks like the poison was put in a bunch of chocolates. She must have eaten the whole box too. That was all she had in her stomach. Hadn't seen a case of poisoning of this type in years, not since that case where . . . "
"Nicky, I don't have all day. What kind of poison was it?"
"Oh just your typical household type that you can buy in your local hardware store, you know the kind. You can get it in liquid form and it's found in a lot of sprays to kill insects. The main ingredient in this poison is chlorophyitis. It's pretty potent stuff. I'm surprised she didn't notice it sooner. Then again it didn't have to be put in all the chocolates, just a select few and only a small amount, say about a tablespoon or two would do it. The killer must have stood there while she ate everyone to be certain she ate the ones that were poisoned. I mean that's what I would do if I was going to poison . . . "
"That's all I need to know. When you're done with that file, email it to me." Kermit tossed Nicky one of his cards. "I'm assuming you no longer have it. Don't bother sending images. The report will do."
Kermit got up to leave.
"Kermit, wait," Nicky gave a deep sigh. "Look, I'm sorry for all the things that I've said. I know how you felt about Peter. It was a hard blow for all of us. If it's any consolation, I came to this part of the country to get some answers myself. I guess I was hoping to find something, anything, but I guess I just wanted to be near where it happened. Just in case, you know. If there was a body . . ."
Kermit kept silent for some time. He never heard Nicky open up like that. Being sympathetic wasn't one of his strong suits. "Look, I know what you're trying to do. But my mind is made up. You will never convince me that Peter is dead. I almost half believed it myself. But without a body, as far as I am concerned Peter is still alive and out there somewhere. When he's ready, he'll show himself. Maybe something is preventing him from doing that. I just know he will be back."
"You really believe that?"
"Oh yeah," Kermit then turned his back to hide his own emotional turmoil and said more to himself, "More than ever."
Continues with Part 42
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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