Spider's Bite
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Matthew made his way through the corridors of the office building where the Black Widow order made their home. There were no more traps that he could sense, only those that were set to prevent his escape. He had gone searching for his grandson only to find that he was no longer in the building. The order had taken him elsewhere. Perhaps by doing so, Peter could escape and seek out his father, but Matthew did not know what was transpiring outside.
As Matthew was rounding a corner, he quickly stepped back when he saw two men standing in the corridor. Puzzlement crossed Matthew's face as he saw that one of the men appeared to be his grandson. He knew that was not possible because of the drugs that had been pumped into Peter's system. So, who was the man who had Peter's face?
Matthew peaked around the corner one more time and got his answer. As the two men conversed, the false Peter started to peel away the skin of his face. Layers of latex and make-up came away as easily as peeling an onion. Then the man pulled off the wig that adorned his scalp and Matthew saw the true color of the man's hair. The man was Chinese. Though Matthew did not recognize him, he was certain that Peter or Kwai Chang would. Matthew watched as the second man handed the first a stack of bills. As soon as their transaction had been completed, Matthew ducked back around the corner and waited for the two men to pass. There was one question that Matthew had, why would someone impersonate his grandson?
As soon as they passed, Matthew fell in step behind the two men. Silently Matthew followed until both men parted company, each going in different directions down another set of corridors. Matthew followed the man who had taken off the disguise. And when they were sufficiently far enough so no one would hear them, Matthew made his move. Grabbing the man from behind, he pulled the man into a large walk-in closet that turned out to be a janitor's closet.
<What is going on? Why have you brought me in here?> the man asked in Chinese still holding onto the remnants of his disguise. <I am to report to Kai Mow.>
<Why were you dressed as Peter Caine?> Matthew asked.
<Kai Mow did not tell you of his plans? You must be new to the order.>
Matthew realizing the man did not know who he was, played along. He quickly searched for the words he needed to convince the man that he was part of the order. <The Shaolin has escaped. If he sees you, there could be trouble.>
<Peter Caine has escaped?>
Matthew did not correct the man's mistake.
<We must tell Kai Mow. I must report to him of my mission.>
<No, I will tell him. Tell me of your mission and I will inform Kai Mow. You must get out of those clothes or someone else may see you.>
<Very well.> The man then proceeded to tell all that he had done to try to discredit the young Shaolin. He then raised his arms to display the brands.
Seeing the brands on the man's arms nearly caused Matthew to loose his temper. To falsely take brands and then use those skills to harm other Shaolin deeply angered the old priest. He had never known such betrayal in his lifetime. The man had been a priest and was now working for the Order of the Black Widow. It was time to put a stop to their plans once and for all.
Keeping his anger in check Matthew stated, <I shall inform Kai Mow.>
At that moment, Matthew covered the man's mouth and placed a finger to his own lips to signal silence. The man's eyes narrowed confusion apparent on his face. Both men waited and within a minute footsteps and voices could be heard in the corridor.
"I thought I saw him go down this way."
"We've got to find that priest or Kai Mow will have our heads."
"I didn't think the old guy could move that fast."
As the voices and footsteps faded, Matthew released his hold on the man who, moments before, had been his grandson.
<You are not part of the order,> the man stated, realizing just who was in the closet with him.
Without another word, Matthew reached up and applied pressure to the proper qi gong point. "No, I am not and you are not my grandson," the old priest stated with disdain.
The man slumped to the floor at Matthew's feet. Matthew then quickly grabbed a piece of rope from the mop and tied the man's hands together. He then proceeded to pick up what remained of the man's disguise and placed it in a nearby plastic bag. This would certainly come in handy where he was going. After checking to see that no one else was in the corridor, Matthew closed the closet door behind him and before he left, used his qi to lock the door.
Matthew then proceeded down the corridor to the nearest exit. The Black Widow order would have to wait. His grandson's reputation and honor were at stake. Without Matthew's testimony and the evidence that he carried, Peter would be charged with murder, and if there were witnesses, it was going to be very difficult to prove that he was no where near the scene. His son would be forced to choose between allowing his son to face certain death by the hands of the law or leaving Chinatown for good. The community would no longer trust the Shaolin and would certainly turn to the Black Widow order for aid. Matthew knew that he and Kwai Chang would be forced to move on from the community or face death at the hands of the Black Widow Order. He also knew that the police would not help. Peter's friends will turn against his grandson, if they have not already.
Continues with Part 22
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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