Temple: A New Journey Begins
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Caine sat in meditation, contemplating all that had transpired. His eyes looked toward the temple, and his heart soared. To think that his family had owned the land for six generations was staggering. If that was the case, then who built the temple? Truly, his great-great-grandfather had not. There was no mention of building a temple in the first Kwai Chang Caine's journal. KC did read and was surprised that there had been a second son of Kwai Chang Caine, his first to be exact. His name was Chung Wang and at one time had been controlled by the Manchus who sought his great-great grandfather's death. Perhaps it had been he who built the temple, but that would have been impossible. Chung Wang had died before Matthew Caine had been born. Each journal that KC read gave him no clues as to who built the temple. Even his father's journal gave no clue. There was a history of his earlier life, more of a synopsis of when he had been a boy at the temple, but no clue as to when it was actually built. Perhaps all that information had been lost when the temple had been destroyed.
KC Caine sighed deeply. He had not thought of his father for several days. All this business with the temple and the murder of the monks had him worn out and left him confused. He still did not understand why he had been drawn back here, only that something was telling him that it was time. The temple needed rebuilding. The Shaolin were returning to the world, but they needed a place to teach. The temple near Braniff had been the first of its kind in all America. When it was destroyed, it had been a major blow to the world. New temples were opening in China with the return of the imperial line. Though the art of Shaolin martial arts had survived, the teaching and philosophy had been clouded. It was time once again to spread the full teachings of Shaolin not just its martial art.
KC turned his thoughts back toward the moment at hand and realized that Kermit had been gone all day. KC had hoped to speak with him and ask Kermit about his trek to the temple. Kermit, though, was busy helping the Sheriff to solve Xia's murder. As his thoughts turned toward the family friend, KC could not help but notice something had changed Kermit. He had become more moody. Had something happened while he had been investigating the temple?
After he had risen from his slumber, KC knew Kermit had gone up there when he found the climbing gear gone and Kermit's red tie lying across his laptop. Kermit had never accepted the death of his father. KC remembered Kermit vowing to find out what had happened to Peter Caine. It was on the day the marker was placed by the lake. Had Kermit found something? Or had Kermit found nothing, and that was why he seemed more moody than his usual want.
KC knew for certain, that something had happened while Kermit had been exploring the temple. His clothes should have been dusty, but when he returned, they were clean as if they had been washed that morning. His hands and face had shown evidence that he had been there. They were scratched and there was a bruise above Kermit's left eye. Kermit had tried to hide his hands in his pockets, but KC had seen the telltale signs. Something had happened up at the temple to Kermit Griffin, and Caine was going to found out what.
KC pulled out the envelope that Kermit had handed to him. He had not opened it until now. Even this was a mystery. The envelope looked new and yet the dates written on the surface indicated that what was held inside, was nearly as old as the temple itself. What was it? KC reached for the flap to reveal its contents, but hesitated. Something told him not to open it now. It was as if something was telling him that if he did, he would be acknowledging his father's death. KC placed the envelope back in his brown pouch. He would deal with that in time, for now, he had a friend that needed him.
Continues with Part 45
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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