Spider's Bite
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"Four more reports have come in," Jody Powell told her partner.
"We're going to have to talk to Captain Simms about this," Kelly stated.
In the background Chen stated, "Where's Kermit, his office has been dark for two days."
"Simms is going to be livid with him," Blake muttered under his breath.
At that moment, Captain Simms burst from her office. "What is going on around here? I'm getting phone calls left and right from the Commissioner's office and even from the Mayor saying that our new resident Shaolin priest has gone crazy. Does anyone know about this?"
Jody and Kelly both glanced at each other. Others around the room did their best to avoid their captain's inquiry or the look on their faces were just simply blank stairs as if it was the first they heard about it.
"Powell, Blake, in my office, now."
Blake rose from his desk and was about to follow Jody when Kelly spoke. "I think she means me."
Both detectives entered Captain Simms office, their heads bowed.
"Close the door. We don't want the whole bullpen hearing this conversation now, do we?"
Kelly turned and shut the door to the Captain's office then turned back to face her superior.
"I want both of you to investigate these sightings," Captain Simms stated as she sat back at her desk.
"Captain, it's probably someone playing a sick joke so they can get him off their backs," Jody stated, not looking forward to investigating her former partner.
Kelly didn't say a word as Jody spoke. She really wasn't as sure of what was going on as Jody seemed. The last person who called gave a very good description and it certainly sounded like it was Peter Caine to her.
"I don't want to hear any excuses," argued the Captain. "Either you investigate this, and I mean quietly, or I will have to call in someone who will and they might not be as gentle about this." Captain Simms gave a deep sigh. "I know you are both concerned. So am I. I don't want to have to think that Peter Caine has gone bad. It would break his father's heart, not to mention put a very bad light on this precinct. Have I made myself perfectly clear on this?"
"Yes, Captain," Jody answered.
"Yes, Captain," came Kelly's quieter reply.
"I expect a report as soon as you know something. Do not report to Chief Strenlich. He's got his hands full with other matters right now. Go talk to Caine, find out what you can from him. Dismissed."
Both detectives left the Captain's office down hearted, knowing that they had to do their jobs or someone else would do it for them. They also had to try to keep quiet what was turning into a circus. The one person they were going to have to keep this from was Sandra Mason. She had not been a fan of the 101st precinct and especially of Peter Caine. When the former cop became a Shaolin Priest she had all but hooped and hollered over the fact that maybe his hotshot ways had been stopped. But Peter Caine and his father and now his grandfather still made headlines, a fact that had not gone unnoticed.
"Come on, we'll take the back stairs."
"Where do you suppose Kermit has been the last couple of days?" Kelly asked.
"If I know him, he's with Caine. I didn't want to say anything, but I overheard him talking to Kermit when he came by yesterday. Kermit had left his door open. Seems there was trouble and Caine was asking for his help."
"Was it about Peter?"
"Sounded like it was," Jody replied. "Caine was pretty upset."
"How can you tell, I don't think I've ever seen him upset."
"I noticed his face was all pale when he walked through. He also looked tired."
"Jody, what do you really think is going on?"
"Unless I see with my own eyes that Peter is behind these attacks, I don't want to believe it."
"You think something else might be going on?"
"I don't know. I really don't know. But I'm going to find out."
Continues with Part 17
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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