Spider's Bite
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"How did you get in here?" Karen Simms questioned.
"The door was open," the stranger replied.
"Not likely. Are you Shaolin?"
The man did not answer the woman. If he spoke the truth and told her who he was, she might prevent him from helping the Shaolin. Perhaps if he simply said his name, it would be enough.
"I am Meng Xupin, I came to help the Shaolin."
"Which Shaolin are you referring to?"
"The young priest, Peter Caine."
"How did you know he was here? Only three people know that." Karen rose to block the stranger, not certain of his intentions. "You're not touching him until I get some answers."
"Please, I know how to stop the drugs that are ravaging his system. If you do not allow me to help, he will die."
"How do you know . . ."
"Enough!" Matthew at that moment came in carrying a tray with a pot of tea. "Is it not enough to know that he has come to help my grandson? You may interrogate him later, Captain. For now, you must see to my son."
Matthew was right, now was not the time, but Karen knew she would be back later to ask the stranger some questions.
As Karen exited the bedroom, brushing past Kermit, she stated in a low voice, "Keep an eye on him. I'll be back."
Kermit was about to question Karen about whom she was referring to when he saw the stranger bending over Peter and checking his forehead and pulse.
"Whose that?" he quietly inquired to Karen.
"Says he's a friend, but I've never seen him before," Karen replied.
"Well if he's here to help Peter, that's all that matters."
"I'm not so sure. How did he know that Peter was drugged? How did he even know he was here?"
"Good question, Captain." Kermit replied, his mercenary instincts kicking in. "You may be right. I'll keep an eye on this guy, and if he tries anything . . ."
"Just remember. You follow police procedure. You're still an officer of the law."
"Don't remind me," Kermit muttered, but said instead. "I'll make sure everything's done right, if necessary."
"I've got to go back to the precinct. Call me if there is any change."
Kermit watched Karen leave then turned back to the stranger. He watched the man examine Peter, right down to the bottom of his feet. He tried not to wince along with his friend when the man got a reaction from touching the soles of Peter's feet.
Peter stirred after that. "Uuugh, can't seem to breathe. It hurts." Peter indicated just below the rib cage.
The stranger proceeded to lift Peter to a sitting position and placed his hand on the young priest's back, about midway down the spine.
"His diaphragm is paralyzed. Soon it will begin to effect the lungs. You will notice his swollen eyelids, abdominal pain, sore muscles, including the soles of the feet. They are all symptoms of poisoning from the black widow venom. Normally a single bite would not be fatal, but this young man was given several doses within the drugs that were injected into his system. He is lucky to even be alive."
"Can you do something for him?" Kermit asked.
"Yes."
The stranger pulled from a pocket a small vial of liquid. He removed the cap then opening Peter's mouth, he poured it down Peter's throat. The young priest did not even protest at the taste.
"Is that it?" Kermit questioned.
"No. That is all I have at the moment. I am going to need to make more."
"What did you give him?" Matthew asked, having just stood there watching, allowing the tea to turn cold.
"It will help to remove the poison from his system. For now, I have at least given him some time. It will take several doses to help clear his body completely of the poison."
"He asked what you gave him," Kermit demanded, his words coming out in a menacing growl.
The stranger gave a deep sigh. It was obvious the older Shaolin was trusting in his abilities to heal the young priest, but the man with the dark spectacles was not.
"Would you know the herbs if I told you what they were?" Meng Xupin answered Kermit's question. "The herbs do not matter, that they work does."
"You said you will need to make more?" Matthew broke in, trying to appease what could be an ugly altercation.
"Yes. I can provide a list of the necessary herbs, but I will need assistance in its preparation. The herbs must be added in a specific order and in specific amounts."
"Please, allow me to assist," Matthew stated.
Meng Xupin gave the elder Shaolin a bow. "I would be honored." He had guessed right in not revealing fully who he was, and by assisting to heal the young Shaolin. Perhaps over time, he would reveal more and hoped to receive absolution, at least from the Shaolin. It was going to be difficult to win the trust of others. Only succeeded in healing the young priest was going to do that. At least it was a beginning.
Continues with Part 30
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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