The threesome stood in shock staring down at the figure lying still on the slab, looking as if it was in peaceful repose. Peter's eyes were riveted to the face, refusing to believe what his eyes were telling him. He reached toward the figure, a lump catching in his throat. As he touched the beloved face, he recoiled in surprise.

"What the hell?"

Peter quickly examined the body and found it to be no more than an extremely lifelike dummy dressed up to look like Kwai Chang Caine. The dummy wore his father's white crane shirt and brown leather jacket. It even had a sash around the waist. Peter lifted the left arm of the dummy and could see the brand of the dragon imprinted on it. Every detail had been thought out carefully. The face had been so lifelike it would have fooled any expert.

Nicky breathed a sigh of relief that he would not be attending a funeral for his friend. Still, he could not believe that someone would be so bold as to arrange a morbid surprise such as this.

"Whose idea of a sick joke is this?" Nicky asked, shaking his head in disbelief.

"I do not know, but I may have some clue," Peter mumbled, his thoughts torn between the relief he felt that this was not his father's body, and the agony of knowing somewhere his father was being held by a madman.

Matthew came forward and ran his hands over the "body." As his hands brushed along a seam that had been torn open, he pulled out a pebble. The dummy was filled with them. Peter took the pebble from his grandfather's hand.

"I've seen these before," Peter stared at it.

Nicky went over to where the new arrivals' personal effects were kept before they were given to the families. In the one box marked for the male figure, he pulled out an envelope, walked back over, and handed it to Peter.

"Apparently this was the only thing found on the body,"

Oddly enough, the note was addressed to Peter Caine. Peter slowly opened up the letter, dreading what he might find, but somehow knew it would be another clue.

"Am I invited? That is just SO sweet. Do you like my surprise, Peter? Isn't it a shame it wasn't the real thing? Before this is over it WILL BE! Can you figure out where to find the next clue?

M"

"Do you know what this means, my grandson?" Matthew reacted to the stunned expression on Peter's face.

"Yes, grandfather, I know exactly where the next clue is," Peter said, opening his hand to reveal the pebble that still rested there.

"I'm, uh, glad it wasn't your father, Peter." Nicky said as he continued to look at the dummy. "But shouldn't you let Captain Simm's know. You may need backup." Nicky looked up and realized he had been speaking to empty air as the two visitors had vanished quickly.

*****

They rode to the park in silence. Peter pulled the Stealth over by a familiar spot and turned off the car.

"What is this place, Peter?" Matthew placed his hand on his grandson's shoulder and could feel the young priest trembling slightly.

"This is my secret place. I come here to get away from everything. I had a secret place near the temple as a kid when I needed to be alone. My father would come to find me. We shared a ritual. He knew he could only come when he was invited. He'd always asked if he was and if I felt like talking, I'd . . ." Peter fought back the hot angry tears that threatened to engulf him as his voice trailed off. A deep sense of violation spread through him. "No one else knew about this. Someone must has been following us, listening in on our conversations." Peter remembered the time his father had visited him here, especially the time he had tried to save Maxwell Forrester's life, only to see the man killed. His father had remembered the ritual, and it warmed his heart to know that he had not forgotten it. There had been other times after that as well. Right now, he wished his father was there continuing that ritual.

"I do not understand, who would do this?"

"I don't know," Peter said angrily. "But I'm going to find out who the sob is," he said as he climbed out of the car and slammed the door.

Peter walked toward the lake, looking for signs of the next clue, but still caught up in the turmoil of emotion. To think that one ritual that he and his father shared was being used against him brought the tears again to his eyes which he fought to keep under control. He could not let himself be drawn into dispair. He had to remain calm, but it was so difficult when he knew his father's life was in danger and he had no knowledge as to where to begin to even look. That clue could be anywhere. It could take hours, maybe even days to search. He leaned up against a nearby tree and rubbed his eyes with his left hand while his right supported his body as the gravity of the situation threatened to weigh him down further. As his hand pressed against the trunk, he felt something strange. He straightened to find that something had been carved in the tree. His fingers traced the familiar image left behind as the next clue to his father's whereabouts. The carving again brought tears to his eyes. It was a shape that, as a teenage boy, he would draw when he was feeling most alone, wishing for all the world that what had happened had been nothing more than a bad dream. The carving was a small, simple version of the Shaolin temple.

It was then that Peter realized that there was no note that acompanied the carving. Had they reached a dead end? What was this clue trying to tell him? Peter felt the weight of despair pressing down on him and he rested his head against the rough bark of the tree. He was so tired. The emotional energy was draining him and the thought that he might not see his father alive again threatened to engulf him in that darkness one more time.

Not wishing to disturb his grandson, but knew he was needed, Matthew asked, "Am I invited?" following the mentioned ritual thinking that Peter might need some comfort and to let him know he was there. Not getting a response, Matthew started to leave when Peter shot out a hand and grabbed his grandfather's arm. Peter did not wish him to leave, but indeed needed his strength and comfort to continue as if his own father was there. The eldest Caine turned back to his grandson and asked, "Did you find anything?"

Peter showed him the carving without saying a word. Matthew examined the carving then turned toward his grandson, aware that Peter was in need of rest.

"You are tired, my grandson. Perhaps if you return home and meditate, it will ease your weariness and you might be able to reach your father."

Peter nodded his response. There wasn't much more they could do. Perhaps the best thing was to go home, but he could not help wonder that his father's kidnapper was toying with him in some way. Peter knew if it had been him, his father would not rest until he was found. Peter turned back to the carving.

*I will find you, father. No matter how long it takes. I promised neither one of us would ever be alone again. I intend to keep that promise. I swear, on all that is good, I will find you.*

End of Part 4 To be continued . . . .