Prodigal Son
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Sarah was nervous, more nervous than she had ever been in her life. She had never done anything illegal, and here she was helping her brother to get rid of a man. She wished she could say something, but her fear of her brother was greater than her courage. She recalled just what it was Jack had said to her to get her to comply with his demands.
"I know you better than that. You're just as spineless as our father. Do you want to die like him? I can certainly arrange it. Just imagine feeling every breath becoming a struggle as your esophagus is slowly crushed by the hands of your own loving brother."
Those words were enough to bring deep fear into her, so she did as her brother instructed. Deep inside she wept for herself, because she knew her brother was right. She was a spineless coward, afraid of her own shadow. When had she become so fearful? At the hospital, despite the fact that there were those who did not like her, at least she had been respected. If they could see her now, what would they think?
Sarah brought her hands to her head in despair, hearing the laughter of her colleagues in her own mind. Their imagined condescending attitudes seemed to spur her on, to do what she had to do, to be rid of the voices. More importantly to be rid of one particular voice above all others, the voice of her brother.
Time seemed to crawl by as Sarah led the Shaolin to where his sister was supposed to be held prisoner. The night was slowly passing and dawn was not that far off. She kept glancing back to be certain that Peter Caine was following her.
"Are you certain she's here?"
"Yes. My brother would kill me if he knew I brought you here, but I can't stand to see an innocent life die," Sarah lied, doing her best to play the role. Keeping her back to the Shaolin, she made certain he could not see her face. If she looked at him, she might lose her resolve, or he might discover the truth.
"He's placed her in one of these cargo trailers?" Peter asked.
"I'm not sure which one it is, they all look a like to me," Sarah feigned confusion. In truth she knew exactly which one she needed to lead Peter Caine, but she had to appear confused in order so he would not suspect.
"We'll split up. We might be able to cover more ground."
"NO!" Sarah shouted more forcefully then she intended. "I think we better stick together. I got lost trying to find my way out of here, and I'd feel better if we were together."
"Suit yourself. What are we looking for?"
"The cargo trailer has a yellow strip on it. I remembered seeing it because it was the only one among a lot of blue ones," Sarah stated, this time she didn't lie.
"I think I see it," Peter stated and headed in that direction.
"Wait, my brother could have set a trap," Sarah said, trying to appear more cautious, but smiled hesitantly when she saw the young Shaolin take off without any regard to his own safety. She watched as he headed straight for the cargo trailer. It was also the only one hooked up to a crane
From a distance, Sarah watched as Peter opened the trailer door.
"I can't see inside."
"She's probably toward the back. She might be bound and gagged."
Sarah watched as Peter entered the dark cargo trailer. As soon as he was inside, two men came around from their hiding place, slammed the door shut, and padlocked the container, preventing any escape. Then the roar of the crane's engine started. Sarah watched frozen in horror at what transpired next. Her brother never told her just what he was planning for the Shaolin. She only told her to lead him to the place and tell him which trailer his sister could be found.
Sarah watched in fascination as the crane raised up the cargo trailer. It moved until it was positioned over the water of the bay. Sarah nearly jumped as the cargo container was released from its chains. It fell with a resounding splash as it hit the water. Sarah's heart sank just as the cargo container began to sink below the surface.
"You've got the money?" one of the men approached her. She almost didn't hear their words, as her eyes remained transfixed on the disappearing cargo trailer.
"Yeah," she said, and handed the three men a large envelope from her purse.
"You better get out of hear lady. The police will be hear soon."
'You are so right,' the man in the shadows stated to himself. 'If I have anything to do with it.' The man quickly left the scene making certain that he stayed in the dark until he was out of site of the others. Then he got into his waiting car and sped toward Chinatown.
Continues with Part 14
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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