Spider's Bite
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Kai Mow's second in command entered.
"The old one has escaped," Kai Mow stated without looking at his associate. "You were supposed to be watching him."
"No one expected the old one to get out of the room."
"He also was able to escape the nets."
"I am sorry, Master. The old one proved trickier than we expected."
It no longer matters," Kai Mow said, dismissing the issue. "He is no threat to us. My sources tell me that Peter Caine was picked up by someone from the 101st precinct. And his father is in jail as well. The Ancient has also disappeared. There is no one to oppose us. We can begin distribution. Contact our dealers. Have them here in the morning. Bi Kanghao should have returned. I want him found. If the police catch him, there could be problems."
"Bi Kanghao returned two hours ago. I do not understand why he has not come to you. I saw him and paid his bonus as you instructed."
"Then search the premises. Let us hope he did not run into the Shaolin. Go, there is much that needs to be done."
Kai Mow's smile faded as his associate shut the door. Everything was going according to plan, almost everything. The fact that Matthew Caine had been able to escape and Bi Kanghao had not reported in worried the leader. Even though the man was old, he still could cause trouble for the order.
Kai Mow pushed a button on the intercom. Another associate entered Kai Mow's office.
"Yes, Master."
"Send three men to the home of the Shaolin. Make sure Matthew Caine never leaves."
Kai Mow had underestimated the old one. He would not do so again. Though the Ancient was also old, he had been a respected part of the Chinatown community. His voice would have swayed many from getting involved with the order and their products. The Ancient had to be taken care of, just as much as Kwai Chang Caine and his son. But Matthew Caine was an unknown and also Shaolin. That should have made him dangerous. But the order had been fooled by his elderly stature. Now he had to be eliminated. There was no telling whom Matthew might have met after his escape. Perhaps it was wise that the order move to their alternate location, the home of the Mother. Moving, however, was going to take time.
Kai Mow ran his hands along the mahogany desk. If they were to move, they would have to abandon many nonessentials. That could mean the desk that he worked so hard to earn could be left behind. He was not ready to see it end up in the hands of the police. The desk held too many secrets. He would have to rely on his own men to take care of the problem. Besides, the dealers would be coming over in the morning to receive their orders. He would not wish to disappoint them.
***
Matthew slowly climbed the fire escape to the apartment. It would take time to search through his son's apothecary for the right herbs. He was not familiar with the drugs that the order used. More than once he wished his son was with him. Right now, Peter needed him more. The withdrawal was taking its toll and Peter needed to have his qi strengthened if he was going to survive what had been done to him.
The disappearance of Lo Si had been disturbing. In private, just before he and Captain Simms left, Kermit had indicated that Lo Si had gone to Shambhala. Perhaps he was still there and had yet to return, but why had Mary Margaret Skalany not called Kermit to inform him? There were just too many unanswered questions. At that moment, Karen Simm's cell phone rang. Perhaps they would receive some.
"Yes? She's what? Okay. Thanks for calling Kermit. Seems Skalany was caught up at the precinct. She never got back to the Ancient's home. It's up to us to get him."
"I will try to be as quick as possible," Matthew stated.
They entered into the Caine home. The mess that had been caused by the earlier attack had been swept clean. Matthew lit candles then went over to the shelf and started pulling down jars of herbs.
"Is there anything that I can do?"
"Look for something that we can put the herbs in."
Karen looked around and found a small crate. "Will this do?"
"Yes."
Matthew was just adding what he needed when three men came in from the balcony.
"Captain Simms!"
Karen just missed nearly getting caught in one of the nets. The three black clad figures did their best to ignore her, preferring to go after Matthew. To them, she was merely an obstacle, someone who was a nuisance and to be brushed aside. Karen did her best to keep between Matthew and the three assailants. It wasn't easy. Suddenly, Karen was draped in a net. She felt her breath being taken away and blackness tried to overtake her. She struggled to remove the net, but it became more painful to breathe. She found herself collapsing to the floor.
Through the net's mesh, she could still see Matthew struggle with the three men. Matthew managed to knock out one and injured another. The third was soon sprawled along side the first. Despite his apparent age, Matthew could still be a formidable opponent. Karen nearly succumbed to the blackness when Matthew dropped down by her side.
"Do not struggle. I will remove the net."
Matthew tore at the strands freeing Karen from their constricting hold. When she could breath again, they both looked around to discover that all three assailants were gone.
"Was that who I think that was?" Karen asked.
"Yes. They were members of the Black Widow order."
"We better get those herbs and back to Peter."
Matthew didn't say another word, but silently agreed.
As they were about to leave, Karen Simms picked up the remains of the net and stuffed it into her purse. Whatever was on this net it was worth analyzing. The net also was evidence. She wasn't about to leave it for the Black Widow order to come back for it. Without realizing it, the order once again had slipped up. Eventually, they were going to get caught, caught in another net that they would not be able to find their way out.
Continues with Part 27
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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