Prodigal Son
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While Peter and Kermit were speeding through the city, Kelly made her way through those same streets. It took her at least an hour to get her bearings before she finally found herself back in Chinatown. It took even longer because her ankle didn't allow her to move very fast.
She was surprised that while wondering around, no one seemed to notice that all she was wearing was a bra and skirt. It probably helped that the bra that Kelly wore was a soft black sports bra, making it look like she was wearing a halter-top. She was lucky that it was warm and not freezing cold or snowing. Though she was equally lucky to find herself alive and free, silently tears ran down her face as she thought about how Peter was going to react to the news that Masterson wanted his father. Kelly knew she should have gone to the police, but fear of an unknown gunman stalking her every move kept her from doing so. If she were to even set foot near a police station, she would probably find a bullet in her back, so Kelly kept on walking, until she found herself in front of the alleyway that led to the Caine home.
For a brief moment she stopped as if deciding to enter, but she was soon crossing the threshold and heading toward the fire escape leading to the fourth floor knowing what was at stake. It took her twice as long to reach the landing with her injured ankle holding her back. She bit back the pain and entered the top floor, still unsure of what she was going to say. Secretly she hoped Peter wasn't there so she could talk to Caine alone, but that would mean once Caine had gone, he would be in Masterson's hands and Peter would once again be facing a madman for his father's life.
'I hope Peter kills him this time,' she thought. 'We've had enough grief from this man.' Kelly was so wrapped up in her own thoughts, she didn't know she had walked straight toward the apothecary room. She could hear voices arguing.
"You must not go."
"I must. What has been placed in motion must be fulfilled."
"You will die."
"I will not."
As she reached the apothecary room, everything went silent. She swore she thought she heard voices, but as she reached the French doors, silence ensued and there was only one person sitting at a small table. The French doors were wide open and a breeze blew through them. The smell of brewing tea scented the air.
"May I help you?"
A strange but familiar voice brought Kelly out of her misery. She blinked twice at seeing the old man, not because he was old, but because he looked so much like Caine that she was taken by surprise. At first she wondered where the other person had gone, but then saw the pot of tea resting on the table. He had poured two cups and gestured for her to sit down. Her stomach at that moment gave out a tiger-like growl.
"You're not Master Caine, but you look so much like him, except for the glasses." There were also some scars on his face, but Kelly neglected to mention those.
"I am Kwai Chang's father, Matthew," the old man spoke, his voice gravelly. He also gave Kelly a bow and a disarming smile, one that was so familiar. It was the kind of smile that Kwai Chang Caine and Peter both used. "Please, sit. You are injured. I will attend you as we talk."
'So that's where the charm comes from,' Kelly thought as she sat in the chair opposite the old man. "I don't know if you can. I was hoping to speak to . . ." she almost said "Caine," but here was one sitting in front of her, though a bit older than she anticipated. "Maybe you can. I have a message to give to your son, but I don't know if it would be right."
"My son is not here, and I have just returned. Is this message urgent?" Matthew asked, as he rose and moved toward the shelves.
Kelly debated whether to give it to him. Instead she asked her own question. 'Do you know when your son will return?"
"I do not know. It could be several hours or it could be several days. Ah, here we go," he said and selected a small ceramic container from the shelf. "This is a salve. It will relieve the swelling in your ankle."
'I can't wait for several days,' Kelly thought, then made her decision. "Well, I guess it would be okay for you to see the message, since your Kwai Chang's father."
Kelly handed Matthew the message.
"It would be best that you lay over there where I can reach your ankle better," Matthew indicated toward the raised platform.
Kelly gingerly moved to the raised platform so Matthew could tend to her injury. Once the old priest gently applied the salve, Kelly tried to get a glimpse of what was written in the note while Matthew read. What she saw killed her to the bone.
"As you read this, there is a gun pointed at the heart of Kelly Blaisdell. If you do not agree to go to the address below, the Blaisdell girl will die and you will have to explain to your son how you allowed it to happen. Nod your head if we are in agreement. I will expect you at the address below."
Kelly's eyes scanned the address just as Matthew had done. She watched as he moved to the small table and placed the note by the teapot, picked up a nearby cane and slowly moved toward the door.
"Where are you going?" Kelly exclaimed.
"To do as the note instructs," Matthew stated.
"You can't do this. The note was meant for Kwai Chang."
"And if I do not, you will be killed. My son is not here. Whoever sent the note is not going to wait until he returns."
Kelly watched helplessly as Matthew Caine walked out the door, and possibly to certain death. Kelly curled up into a ball as she laid on the raised platform. "'What have I done,' she cried, "What have I done."
Another emerged from the shadows. He, too read the note, and was quickly gone.
*** Darkness was falling as Peter silently entered the private kwoon and meditation space followed by Kermit. He placed the small plastic bag on the floor and started to light the candles. He was aware that Kermit hung back by the doorway.
"I should be kicking myself. I should have done this a long time ago. I would have found Kelly sooner."
"You can't be blaming yourself, Peter."
"I could have meditated on her purse, but I let everyone distract me," Peter stated, ignoring Kermit's comment.
"Peter, you only behaved in the way that you always behaved. You were acting like a cop."
"I'm a priest, Kermit. I've got to find a way to do things differently."
"Bullying Nicky Elder into giving you Kelly's shirt wasn't acting very priestly. That's my job."
"I know. It just suddenly occurred to me that I could find her by feeling her chi on her clothing or something she touched recently. I just had to have it. The sooner I find Kelly the sooner this whole thing can be taken care of. I'll make it up to Nicky."
"You better."
After Peter was done lighting the candles, he placed a small rug on the floor next to the altar. He then sat in lotus position and prepared himself to seek out his sister's chi, but it didn't take long. His eyes suddenly flew open when a voice cried out behind him.
"Peter!"
A bewildered Peter rose as Kelly limped toward him and threw herself into his arms.
"Kelly," Peter breathed a sigh of relief and astonishment overtook him as he hugged her close. "How did you escape?"
"I didn't," Kelly explained as she pulled away from Peter's embrace to face her brother. "He let me go. Peter, you've got to go after him. He'll kill him if you don't."
"Whoa, who will kill who?"
"That madman, he's got your grandfather."
Continues with Part 22
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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