Caine headed away from the airport in the direction of the city. The message had only said that someone required his assistance and they lived somewhere out near the airport, the rest had not been so clear. The area around the airport was open and devoid of trees and there were very few residences. As Caine walked toward the city, something about the note bothered him. Who knew that he had returned? He had not sent a message to Peter, though he was sure that his son would soon be aware of his presence; their link being stronger than ever since Peter had become Shaolin. He had only gone about a mile when he felt the danger. He quickly turned to deflect a dart aimed in his direction. Another dart came at him and Caine reacted with speed that defied imagination. Then more darts were coming at him from several directions. Finally, one found its mark and landed in his left thigh. The drug surprisingly took effect far quicker than Caine expected. He found his world becoming hazy and he collapsed onto the side of the road.

"Your Shaolin skills are formidable, but not infallible."

Even through the drug filled haze, Caine sensed his attacker approach. The man's face came into view but it was distorted. Caine thought he knew the man but he could not be sure. His last thought was to berate himself for being so naive at not recognizing the trap sooner. All too soon the darkness claimed him.

"Take him to the van. And keep him sedated."

The man pulled out a map and a manila envelope addressed to Peter Caine, Chinatown.

"The game begins, my friend. Let's see just who can win this match."

****

Peter Caine felt strong arms lift him just before a warm liquid was poured into his mouth. He sputtered at the taste but continued to swallow, feeling the effects of the healing brew. He opened his eyes and stared into the face of his grandfather. Peter did not question how or why Matthew Caine was there, he was just grateful for his grandfather's presence. As Peter let the herbal tea work through him, his awareness of himself and his surroundings came back to him, along with his memories. He had been meditating when he suddenly became aware that his father was returning home. His feelings of joy were suddenly cut off when he felt great danger concerning his father. The next thing Peter knew, he was spinning out of control into darkness. His last moments of awareness were filled with a certainty that his link to his father was gone.

"Something's happened to my father. You've got to help me find him grandfather," Peter said, an urgency edged his voice.

Matthew sighed, "I do not know if I can, my grandson. My skills are not as great as your father's"

Peter bowed his head, tears rimming his eyes as fear for his father's safety threatened to swallow him in its darkness. Matthew felt his grandson's distress.

"Peter, I will do what I can to help. The fact that something has happened to Kwai Chang also disturbs me."

"I'm sorry, Grandfather. You must be feeling more helpless than I am. You're not able to move around as easily."

"I am not totally helpless, my grandson," Matthew countered. "But you are right. You must do all my fighting for me."

At that moment, a noise drew both men's attention. Two men entered the apartment from the balcony and one other entered through the door. They were dressed in black and their faces were covered. Peter reacted immediately, quickly dispatching the first man who came at him and turning toward the second. One of the three men came after Matthew brandishing a club, but the elder Shaolin was able to deflect the blow and used his cane as a means to take down his attacker. Soon all three men were racing from the apartment, their attack thwarted by the two priests.

"All your fighting? I'd say you're pretty good with that cane."

Ignoring Peter's comment, Matthew asked, "Who were those men?"

"I do not know," Peter answered, sounding like his father. "But I'm pretty sure they'll be back."

"Obviously. Could they have played a part in Kwai Chang's disappearance?"

Giving his grandfather a puzzled look, Peter again answered, "I do not know." This time adding a shrug. The question, however, started the young Shaolin to thinking of several possibilities. If the men had played a part in his father's disappearance, why did they attack? Why not simply give him a message? Or more likely, the men may have had nothing to do at all with his father's disappearance; just another Chinatown gang testing their abilities against this newest Shaolin in the community.

Matthew smiled at his grandson's words and gestures. He certainly was a Caine. Then Matthew spotted something by the door that Peter had not. One of the men must have dropped it. The attack could have been a diversion, but why?

"Peter." Matthew handed his grandson the large envelope.

Peter opened it and pulled out a folded sheet of paper. As he opened it, a second slip of paper dropped onto the floor. Examination of the first sheet proved to be a map of the city, but this map had some extra lines drawn on it. The additional markings divided the city into 64 squares, making it look like a strange checkerboard. Upon closer inspection, letters and numbers also appeared to have been penciled into the corners of each square. After scanning its contents, Matthew handed Peter the slip he had picked up off of the floor.

"Are you game for a rematch Caine? Your first clue. PK4. Don't you hate being late for a funeral?

M"

Peter stared at the note and then turned back to the "board." Whoever M was, he knew that person was playing a deadly game, one that Peter had to win at all cost.

End of Part 2


Alisa Joaquin & Linda Schwartz Copyright@2000.
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.