Temple: A New Journey Begins
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Rather than go back to the Sheriff's office, Kermit decided to head back to Sam Lowery's and get on line. This called for a different kind of investigation. He would need hard evidence to back up what he was about to do. Kyle Jameson clearly did not mention fully his involvement with Jake Carson and his son. It was apparent they knew each other, and have known each other for many years. They, along with Vance Cavanaugh's father, were involved, and he knew exactly what they were doing.
Kermit pulled into the farmyard and was heading up the steps to the house when he was startled from his thoughts.
"You look like a man who is on a mission," the voice stated, sounding more like a lost friend.
"KC, don't do that. You nearly gave me a heart attack."
"That was not my intent."
"I can't talk right now, I've got to check something out."
"We must talk Kermit," Caine said and approached his friend. "You have been distant since your returned from the temple. Something happened while you were there. Please, tell me."
Even though Kermit had his customary green shades in place, he still tried to avoid Caine's eyes. He did not want to reveal what he knew, and yet his own conscience warred with him, telling him that KC had a right to know the truth. He wished Peter had not charged him to keep this secret. It felt too much like another, very old and dear friend, now long gone. That old friend had also kept a secret. For fifteen years, that secret had torn two people apart, until they were finally reunited. Kermit did not want to carry such a burden. He did not know how long it would be before the temple would be rebuilt, and Peter Caine's return. It could take years, and he knew he didn't have many to spare.
"Look, I don't have time to talk right now. I've made some headway in the investigation. I've got some things I need to check out. If my hunch is right, I'll be able to not only catch a murderer, but I can also pin conspiracy, fraud, and a whole host of other charges to go with on those that are involved."
"Kermit . . ."
Kermit Griffin turned on his heals and walked into the house, leaving Kwai Chang Caine behind. He hated to turn his back on the kid, but he could not deal with what he knew. If he had stayed, he would be tempted to tell him the truth. The truth would have to remain buried for now.
Kermit entered the kitchen and found Vance and Sam having a cup of coffee. "That looks good. I think I'll have one." Kermit poured himself a cup and sat down. "Vance, you haven't talked with your father yet?"
"No. I though about what you said. If he's involved he's going to be really pissed that I found out. You could be right about me taking a chance there. If one of his friends killed that woman, they could kill me, too."
"I think you should, but I'll be there to back you up. Before you do, I need to gather a few items."
"What are you planning on doing?" Sam asked.
"Can't say for certain right now. Vance, you still have that piece of ore?"
"Yeah."
"Bring it with. We're going to need it."
Kermit got up, refilled his cup and headed to the living room. He opened his laptop and began typing. Sam at that moment came into the living room.
"Look, I know you've got to do some research, but I need my phone line back. I've got an extra one just waiting to be used in my office. Why don't you use that one."
"You kicking me out?" Kermit questioned.
"I need to make some phone calls. My Mom hasn't been able to use her phone in a couple of days."
Kermit gave a deep sigh, "You're right. I should remember I'm not at the precinct any more. This is your house, not mine."
Kermit packed up his computer and got up to leave.
"Wait Kermit, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so harsh. We're all on edge.
"In another time and place, if someone said what you just did, I'd put them right on their ass. I must be getting soft in my old age. Don't tell anyone. I've got a reputation to maintain. I'll have the door shut. Better knock first or I'll bite your head off."
Kermit stocked off to the office and once again hooked up his computer to the phone line that was available to him. He liked this arrangement better. At least there was a less likely chance he would be interrupted. He could shut a door, and that is exactly what he did. When he shut the door to his office at the precinct before he retired, no one entered without knocking.
Kermit was quickly back in his own world. The world of temples and monks was gone for the moment, giving him the moment of peace that he needed. His thoughts would continue to drift back to KC, but he would dismiss them and he was soon back searching the net for information.
It didn't take him long until he logged onto the National Geological Survey. He typed in the catalog number he had memorized and pulled up an existing map. Sure enough, the map did show that a cave existed on the site, but the cave was nowhere as large as what they had found. Apparently, no one had informed the registry that mining operations had taken place in this location.
Kermit hooked up Sam's printer to his laptop and began printing out the map, tiling it so it could be printed in sections and pieced together. The map would be key evidence in the investigation.
Kermit then went to a second site and found what he had been looking for. Though it would have been just as easy to go to the office to pick up the forms, he doubted they would have been so cooperative. This information he printed out as well.
His third site that he looked at was to just verify information that he still had. Sure enough, what he had still held true. It was one more piece to the puzzle and one more nail in the coffin toward the perpetrators.
His final piece of information would take a bit of hacking to get. Bank records were not so easily obtained, but Kermit prevailed. What was revealed about those records caused him to dig deeper, and soon enough, he hit pay dirt. Now it was time to take what he and Vance knew and talk with Vance's father.
Continues with Part 48
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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