Kermit rewound the videotape, placed it back in the bag, and headed out the door, leaving grandfather and grandson alone.

"Who is Annie?" Matthew Caine asked his grandson, with a twinkle in his eye at the promise of great-grandchildren to come.

Peter could sense what his grandfather was thinking and gave a short laugh. "It's not like that. I don't have anyone special in my life right now. Annie is my foster mother. She and her husband, Paul Blaisdell, and their two daughters, Carolyne and Kelly, took me into their home when I was about 14. Shortly after the temple was destroyed, and I thought my father was dead, Old Ping Hai told me he was dying and he could not take care of me. I was sent to the orphanage. There were a couple other foster families but they were short lived. I don't remember very much about them, only that I acted like a brat and they couldn't handle me so . . . " Peter trailed off. "Anyway, one day, this cop came into Pine Ridge to give a lecture on police work. He asked me if I was interested. At first I said no, then I thought better of it. I figured it would get me out of a math class. He just kept coming around after that, wanting to spend time with me. I guess, in some respects, he sort of saved my life. I was so filled with hate and bitterness after I thought Tan had murdered my father. As far as I was concerned, I was just biding my time until I could get out of the orphanage and hunt Tan down. I had every intention of avenging my father's death. Only it didn't happen that way."

"And now you are feeling that way again," Matthew commented.

Peter's head snapped up.

"Peter, you must let go of your anger or it will destroy your chi. As a priest, you know this to be true."

"How can I forgive what's being done to my father? This man has every intention of trying to destroy what I have left. He may come after you. The cycle of his lives must end or we will never be free of him."

"I do not ask for you to forgive him. I ask for you to let go of your anger, your hatred, so you may see more clearly where your father may be found. I, too, am filled with rage at what has been done to my son, but I cannot allow that rage to control me. Whoever has done this thing will pay, but not by your hand or mine. His own arrogance will be his downfall."

Peter listened to his grandfather's words. He had been caught up in his own feelings and had not realized the pain that his grandfather must be feeling at Caine's disappearance. 'Seeing the videotape must have been just as devastating for him as it had been for me,' he thought. "Oh grandfather, I'm sorry." Peter swallowed the hard lump that was forming in his throat. "I've been blind to the fact that . . ."

"Do not be ashamed, my grandson." Matthew put a comforting hand on Peter's shoulder. "Maybe we should take your friend's advice to heart. Perhaps he will learn something later and you can introduce me to your foster mother?"

"Sure, why not. Besides, Annie makes the greatest chocolate raspberry cheesecake you'll ever taste."

*****

Fiften minutes later, the two Shaolin priests were on their way to the Blaisdell home.

"Don't be alarmed when you see Annie," Peter said. "She's been blind most of her life, but she's got the senses of a Shaolin priest. She's amazing."

"I will be on my best behavior, my grandson."

Peter parked his Stealth in the drive, and went around to the passenger side to assist his grandfather from the car. Instead of going to the side door, Peter headed to the front. This would be a more formal introduction. As they drew closer, Peter was suddenly aware that something was amiss.

Sensing Peter's concern Matthew asked, "Is something wrong, my grandson?"

"I don't know. Stay here."

Peter moved forward and immediately noticed that the frame pf the front door was busted, leaving the door itself wide open. Without conscious thought, Peter tried to draw a non-existent gun from his back as he stepped into the all too silent hallway. He could sense that the silent alarm that guarded the house had been tripped not that long ago. Peter moved into the living room and just stood and stared. Suddenly, he was aware of a presence beside him. Both priests stared at the message that had been haphazardly painted in red on the living room wall.

"Knight takes Queen, Check.

M"

Both men heard the approaching sirens.

*****

"Let me go! Who are you?"

"I have a roommate for you. Enjoy it while you can. You won't be together for very long."

The man shoved the woman forward and she felt strong arms catch her as she was propelled forward. The woman screamed and tried to struggle out of the man's grasp.

"Mrs. Blaisdell, Annie, please, it is all right. Do not be afraid. It is Caine."

"Caine!" The woman said breathlessly. "Where are we? Who was that man?"

Caine reached up to Annie's face and tried to calm her chi, though his own chi was far from calm or well. It had taken all his effort to stand, let alone catch the woman who had been flung at him into their prison room.

"I do not know who has done this or why."

"Caine, can't you get us out of this?"

"No." His voice was weak and his knees were beginning to buckle from the strain.

"Caine, you're ill." Annie reached up to find his face and could feel the fever radiating from his body. "You better lay down. Does Peter know? Can he find us?"

"I do not know."

Caine's words chilled Annie to the bone. If Caine could not help them to escape and Peter could not find them, what hope was there?

End of Part 7 To be continued . . . .


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.