Prodigal Son
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Sarah Masterson nervously entered the alleyway leading to the priest's place of residence. She had never been to this part of the city. Chinatown might as well be the other side of the moon as far as she was concerned. She had seen a few ruffians come into the hospital, but those ruffians were flat on their backs in the ER waiting for treatment. She always did her best to stay clear of them. Their injuries told horrific stories of knifings, shootings, and other violent crimes.
Sarah Masterson shuddered and did her best to look as if she belonged, but in truth, she felt out of place and alone. As she drew near to the fire escape that lead to the fourth floor, the sound of a car backfiring caused her to nearly jump out of her skin and run for cover. She questioned why she was doing this, until her thoughts returned to seeing her father's dead body on the floor of his bedroom, and her brother standing over him. Her brother's threat rang in her ears and the fear rose to nearly paralyze her for a second time. She recalled their last conversation.
"I need to know everything you can about Peter Caine now that he's a priest. Is he still working with the police? What's he really doing." her brother had said. "Find out if he's got anyone special in his life."
"How am I supposed to do that?"
"Simple, you go to Chinatown, ask for Caine. They'll know where to find him."
"I've never been to Chinatown," Sarah replied.
"Well this will be your first time then," Jack Masterson said with sarcasm.
"What am I supposed to do when I get there?"
"Improvise."
'Improvise,' she repeated the word in her head. What was she supposed to say or do if he was there? 'He might ask me what I'm doing here,' she said to herself. Her brother's voice intruded one more time
"I don't care, tell him our poor father is sick. Make something up. Just make certain you engage him in conversation. I want to know what he's up to."
Sarah did her best not to respond to her brother after that. He started muttering and mumbling under his breath. Then he went over and talked with the man named Peterson. She was afraid to know what they were saying. Instead she backed into a nearby chair and sat there, cringing, afraid to move. Now, here she was, helping her brother in fear of her life, and uncertain as to what she was supposed to do.
Sarah climbed to the fourth floor and entered the building. She could hear voices in the background.
"Sure, I'll help you when I get back."
"Okay brother, don't take too long."
She did her best to hide in the shadows as a tall young man entered the hallway and passed her hiding place. As Sarah peaked out to see where the young man had gone, she caught a glimpse of the woman who called him "brother."
Sarah didn't waste any time waiting to talk to the woman. Instead she made her way back down the fire escape, trying not to make any noise or draw any attention to herself. When she was back on ground level, she pulled her cell phone from her purse and dialed a number. Her brother's voice answered from the other end.
"So, what did you find out?"
"He left just as I got there," Sarah replied.
"So, wait for him."
"There's already someone waiting for him to get back."
"Who?"
"His sister."
"So, how long is he going to be gone?"
"I don't know," Sarah answered. "What do you want me to do?"
There was a long moment of silence and Sarah thought her brother must have hung up on her, when he spoke once again. "Stay where you are. I'll come to you."
"But, you don't know . . ."
"I'll find you," Jack interrupted. "Just make certain Peter Caine doesn't show up. Do what you can to stall him if he does."
"What are you going to do?"
The phone went dead, a silent contrast to the fierce beating of her terrified heart.
Continues with Part 8
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2006.
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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