Spider's Bite
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Kwai Chang Caine had been in jail before, but this time, it was different. He had been aware of his son suffering under the Black Widow Order's influence for hours but could not go to him. The pain that his son was enduring tore at Kwai Chang's heart, but all he could do at the moment was meditate. He did not know where his son was being held and his father too could not help Peter, being a prisoner himself. If only there was another way. He knew he would not be able to trick the guards into placing him in solitary a second time. The best he could do was sit and wait in a corner of the public jail cell among the drug addicts, drunks, and other accused prisoners.
He knew the truth of his son's innocence would come to light, but he also feared that it might come too late. His son was dying from the poison that ravaged his system, his qi growing weaker with each passing minute. As long as they remained prisoners of the Order of the Black Widow and he a prisoner of the police, the chances of Peter surviving were growing slimmer and slimmer.
*Please, my son. You can fight this.*
Caine tried once again to connect to his son and tell him he was not alone in his fight, but Peter was unresponsive. If only the Ancient had also not been struck down with one of the Black Widow's poisons, then Peter would have a chance, but all seemed hopeless. Caine pondered on what the Ancient had said. If Peter were to die, he would not remain in Chinatown for very long, just long enough to pack his and his father's things and return with Matthew to St. Adele. They would not wish to remain, even if Peter's innocence were proven to be true. The death of his son would be a blow he would never recover from. His life would once again be that of a wanderer until the day he died. Those thoughts did not comfort Caine. To return to those years of isolation with no one to comfort or care for would surely kill Kwai Chang Caine's spirit.
"Hey Caine!"
Kwai Chang Caine looked up to see Broderick calling his name.
"I've been calling you for five minutes, you're free to go."
Caine rose from the floor and as he brush pasted the officer Caine gave him a slight bow.
"Captain Simms wants to see you in her office. Look, I'm really sorry about this."
"You have nothing to be sorry for, you were only doing your duty."
"Yeah well, some people wouldn't think so."
Caine gave Broderick a shrug then proceeded up the stairs and back into the bullpen. He knocked on the door to Captain Simms's office, then entered.
"You wish to see me Captain?"
"Yes, there's someone who wishes to apologize to you."
Caine turned to see Kelly Blake standing in the corner behind the door. He could see the look of embarrassment and shame on her face.
"Well?" Captain Simms prompted the detective.
"Look Caine, I'm really sorry about what happened. It's just that I was really sure it was Peter whom . . . Damn, I'm not good at this."
"There is no reason to apologize . . ."
"You must really hate me . . . I mean, I nearly accused Peter of murder . . ."
"Please," Caine raised a hand to silence the embarrassed detective. "What you did you had to do. My son would understand."
"But I accused you of lying. How can you forgive me for that?"
"I am a priest. Forgiveness is a part of the job," Caine quipped.
Caine watched Kelly breathe a sigh of relief then started to leave. "Captain, I must go. My son needs me."
"Wait a minute Caine. I need your help. Your son is being cared for."
"What?"
"Your son's safe. He's no longer a prisoner. He's at Kermit's, but there's something I need to discuss with you."
Caine turned back around to face Captain Simms. If his son was safe, where was his father?
"Where is my father?"
"He's safe as well. Apparently he escaped, but we don't have much time. The Black Widow Order knows he escaped and tried to kill him. They did not succeed, but they made one fatal error. They left behind evidence this time, twice."
"Indeed. That is not like them to . . . slip up?" Caine stated, using the vernacular.
"No, and we can use that to our advantage to catch them."
"What is it that you would have me do?"
Continues with Part 32
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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