Prodigal Son
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Caine and Peter returned to the apothecary to find it in shambles. It wasn't the first time that the place had seen its share of vandalism. Peter recalled how he had entered his father's place to find a message scrolled in the dirt from a toppled planter. The place had also been torn apart. This time, the message that had been left sent chills through Peter's spine. Hanging from the frame of the French doors was a purse, a very familiar one. Peter raced toward it and tore it down from its position.
"What is it my son?"
"It's Kelly's." Peter visibly swallowed. "Someone's taken her. I should not have left her alone."
"We will get her back, my son."
"Who would do this?"
A small barely imperceptible sound reached the two Shaolin.
"Who is there?" Caine called out, being as gentle as he could in his words. "Please, we will not harm you."
A woman's slight frame could be seen in the shadows. As she moved into the light, Peter could see that she looked familiar, but could not place her.
"Please, he'd kill me if he knew I was here."
"Who will kill you?" Peter asked, his former cop instincts kicking in.
"My . . my brother," the woman stammered quietly.
Both Shaolin could see that she was very frightened as her eyes darted around as if looking for a way of escape.
"You've got to stop him, he's mad. He'll kill her if you don't come."
"Who?" Peter asked once more.
"Jack, Jack Masterson," the woman's voice was now a whisper.
Peter nearly blanched. How was it that he had escaped? "You said he was your brother?"
"I'm Sarah," the woman stated. "Please, you've got to stop him. He'll kill her, just like he killed our father."
"Have you gone to the police?" Caine questioned her.
"No, he said if I did he'd kill me too, and I believe him."
"Pop, I know what Masterson is like. This time, he won't stop until one of us is dead. This is a challenge to the death."
Caine drew in a deep sigh, remembering the challenge that he had faced with Tan, "I know my son."
"I don't want to kill him, but I may have to," Peter said. "The man is so full of hatred. It may be the only way to stop him."
"Who are you planning on killing?" Jordan came into the room, stopping by as always after her shift. "You know I can't allow that."
"Jordan, you don't understand. I have no choice."
"And if you try anything, I'll see that you're put in jail. You can't go around killing people. You're a priest."
"Sometimes the cycle of one person's life has to end in order to protect the innocent."
"That's funny coming from you, Caine," Jordan sneered. "Have you ever taken a life?"
"In the process of defending another, yes."
"Well then perhaps I should be arresting you for murder."
"Jordan, enough. This argument is between you and me," Peter interjected.
"Please, stop this. She'll die if we don't go now," Sarah Masterson added her own fears into the conversation.
"Who?" Jordan questions.
Before Sarah could answer, Peter interjected. "You don't need to know Jordan."
"On the contrary, I do. I'm the police and I'm not going to stand by and have you kill someone who may or may not be holding another person prisoner."
"And how are you going to stop me?"
Jordan drew her weapon. "Peter Caine, I am arresting you on the suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder."
Things just got more complicated.
Continues with Part 11
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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