Spider's Bite - Part 7

Spider's Bite
Part 7
by Alisa Joaquin

Please see the disclaimer on the Synopsis page.

Kermit walked around the loading dock area that was the main entrance that led up to the Caine apartment. He insisted on stopping at the warehouse before proceeding on to the apartment. He asked those working if they had seen anything. No one seemed to pay him any attention, preferring to keep their distance and minding their own business.

"Look, did any one see Peter Caine or his grandfather?"

The mention of the young Shaolin brought stares and whispers.

"I know someone saw something," Kermit pressed. "Are you going to tell me or am I going to haul you all in for questioning."

"That may not be a wise choice," Caine stated.

Kermit nearly jumped out of his skin when the older man came up behind him. "You trying to tell me my job Caine?"

"I am merely saying that those who work at the warehouse may not be able to tell you anything. They fear the police. Many of them came from China and other countries to get away from police harassment. They also do not understand a word you are saying."

Kermit glared at the Shaolin behind his trademark sunglasses. "You mean I've been wasting my time here because no one understands what I'm saying?"

Caine gave Kermit a shrug.

"Then perhaps you can do a better job."

Caine nodded then proceeded to approach one of the men carrying a sack of potatoes. The man recognized Caine and placed the bag down on the ground.

Caine then proceeded to ask the man in fluent Chinese. <I beg pardon. Please can you tell us if you saw my son and his grandfather?>

<Yes.>

Caine shook his head then headed back to Kermit's side.

"You were with him a long time. Did he see anything?"

"No. But there are others who might have."

Kermit watched as Caine once again approached another person. Time and time again, no one seemed to know anything.

"Come one Caine, there's got to be someone who saw something."

"I have asked all who work in this place. No one saw a thing."

As the two men left the warehouse to head back up to Caine's apartment to search for more clues, something caught the ex-mercenary's eye. He moved over toward the wall and bent down to stare at what looked like a syringe. He could see there were still a few drops of liquid inside the tube that had not been expelled.

"Caine, I think I found something."

Caine approached and crouched next to Kermit. He started to reach for the syringe when Kermit stopped him.

"Don't touch it. There could be finger prints on it."

Kermit reached inside his pocket and pulled out a small, clear plastic bag. He used it to pick up the syringe and deposited into the bag.

"I'll have Nicky Elder go over this. It might not be anything related to Peter. Could have been left here by a drug addict."

"I know my son was drugged," Caine stated.

"That may be so, but it still might not be related to Peter. We'll have to check it to be sure. Come on, we better get up to your apartment and see what other damage might have been done."

Kermit followed Caine in silence and pocketed the plastic bag. Deep down he was hoping the syringe was linked to Peter, but he also knew that he had to follow procedure just to be certain. If he didn't and Captain Simms got wind of it, he might not have a job any more. That wouldn't be so bad except he had gotten used to receiving a steady paycheck. Still, if the sect were taking revenge as Caine suspected, Kermit didn't know if he would be able to hold back the rage he that was feeling inside. If Caine's son and father were harmed in any way, Kermit knew what rules he would have no qualms about following. If it came down to it, it would be mercenary rules.

Continues with Part 8

Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2002.
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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