"Damn it!" Peter began pacing the room "Not Mom too, that bastard!"

"We will get them back, my grandson," Matthew stopped Peter with a hand on each shoulder. "We must keep a clear head." Matthew spotted an envelope on the coffee table in the living room. It was addressed to 'Shaolin Cop'

Peter opened the envelope, and unfolded the letter inside.

"I thought your father would like some company for a while. Your mother is a beautiful woman, I'd hate to see anything happen to the 'blind chick'.

M"

The next clue appeared at the bottom of the letter. Matthew, who brought the chess map with him, laid it out on the table.

"I know where this is," Peter whispered.

At that moment, two uniformed officers burst into the room, their weapons drawn. Both Shaolin looked up.

"Don't move!"

Another familiar plain-clothes officer entered. "Relax fellas. I know this guy."

"Jody. am I ever glad it's you."

"Peter, what's going on here?"

Peter turned back to his grandfather, not sure where to begin. If he didn't make a statement here and now, they might not get to the next clue. He could see the questioning look on his former partner's face. For now, introductions would have to wait. Both his parents' lives were at stake.

**********

"Caine, what did they do to you?" Annie helped Caine to the floor. She felt his body trembling.

"I was drugged. Whoever this man is, he wants to see our son suffer."

"That's right, priest," a voice came over the speaker on the wall. "And he is going to suffer like he's never suffered before." A maniacal laugh trailed off into renewed silence.

"Oh, Caine," Annie's voice cried out in anguish. She felt him give her hand a gentle squeeze.

"Our son is not alone, Annie, he has his friends at the precinct. My father is also here to aid him in finding us." He could feel himself getting weaker, his voice falling to a whisper.

"Your father? I don't understand."

"Yes, Matthew Caine, my father and Peter's grandfather. I thought Peter had told you that we found him in France. I went to him when my search for Laura proved in vein. He agreed to return home with me. I am sure he and Peter are togeth . . . . . AH!" he recoiled in pain.

"Caine? What is it?" she reached for him and could feel his body shaking.

"The drugs they have given me, they are creating a disharmony in my chi," he said through clenched teeth. "I must try to center myself. Please, can you help me to sit up?"

Annie did as Caine asked, feeling the fever rise even as she supported him.

"Caine, you need a doctor. You know you are part of our family, we need you . . . Peter needs you. It would destroy him if anything happened to you."

"Thank you Annie. Your concerrn does you honor. " he managed to get himself into a lotus position, took a cleansing breath, and began concentrating on strengthening his body.

*****************************

Peter and Matthew arrived at the Sutton Place hotel after nearly an hour of talking with Jody and informing her what had happened. He also told her that Kermit was helping him and if she wanted to know more, she would have to speak to him. Jody had not been too happy when they left the scene, but Peter did not want her following them. He hoped Kermit would find out more about what was on that tape so this nightmare would be over soon.

Peter reread the clue to be sure of what he was looking for.

"What importance does this place have, Peter?"

"This was where my sister, Carolyn, held her wedding reception. That bastard really did his research into my background. Now to find out where in this hotel the next clue is . . . . . AH!" Peter doubled over in pain. At the same time Peter cried out, Caine had felt the pain from the drugs shoot through him.

"Your father . . . . . he is in great pain." Matthew put his hands on his grandson, supporting him until the sensation passed. He could feel it too, but not as strongly as Peter.

"Yeah," Peter tried to bring his breathing under control. "I'm tired of playing this game!" he said letting his frustration show.

"Were you able to reach your father?" Matthew asked.

"No. It was too fast. I only felt his pain," Peter responded breathlessly. A look of despair crossed his face, and yet, the realization that their link was not totally gone gave him some comfort.

"I believe the kidnapper is trying to make us lose hope so he can feel he has won. We will not let him do that. Peter, we must have faith that we will find them. Now let us find the next clue."

"I am glad there is one thing this bastard doesn't know."

"What is that, my grandson?"

Peter handed his grandfather the envelope and pointed whom the note had been addressed to.

"Shaolin Cop?" Matthew gave a quizzical look.

"Don't you see it? That's old news. He doesn't know I'm a priest."

"Ah. Perhaps we may use that to our advantage?"

Peter gave his grandfather a wide grin. Perhaps it was time to use those Shaolin skills his father kept telling him he now had since the branding. He only hoped that time would not run out before they could find Kwai Chang Caine and Annie Blaisdell alive.

End of Part 8 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.