Should Have Been Mine - by Pho
part - 01
March 6, 1964
Dearest Benjamin,
It truly grieves me that I cannot be with you now to tell you this
in person. Our relationship has always meant a great deal to me.
When you left for Southeast Asia, you swore you would not be gone
more than four months. It has now been almost twelve and I find
that my feelings for you have changed. I will always treasure your
friendship but I have given my heart to another. I believe that
you would like him, Benjamin. He is also a student of many things,
including the antiquities, though not in the way that you are. He
is quiet and gentle and so very, very loving. We will be married
soon, and I beg you, Benjamin, to wish us joy. I can only pray
that one day you will be able to understand my change of heart and
forgive me for what must seem a cruel betrayal to you.
Forever your friend,
Laura
Bloodshot eyes swam with tears as the memories associated with
this long buried letter forced their way to the surface. As tanned hands crushed the once valued parchment, a ragged voice swore softly, "You will pay, Kwai Chang Caine. SHE would still be alive, with ME,
if not for your interference, and HE, He would be mine. Damn, you
Kwai Chang Caine, HE should have been mine and by all that's holy,
he WILL be mine."
*******
An involuntary shiver raced up Kwai Chang Caine's spine, and he
choked on his tea. Coughing violently, he reached for his napkin.
The Ancient watched sympathetically for a moment, then asked,
"Is the blend too strong? Peter seemed to think so, the last time."
"No," Caine cleared his throat, "the blend is adequate."
"Indeed. Then what is the problem, my dear old friend?"
Caine rose and moved to the window of Lo Si's apartment. He
stood motionless for a moment, studying the chaos that was Chinatown.
"I do not know, Master. I find suddenly that I am afraid but am
unable to determine a reason for this fear."
"Perhaps Peter?"
"THAT has already crossed my mind, but I have discounted it.
Peter is fine. No, it is something else, but what?" The Shaolin
turned troubled eyes towards his older friend.
"I do not know, Kwai Chang Caine. I, myself, have no such
sensations. Nor do I feel a problem where you are concerned. I
am, however, concerned about young Peter."
"Indeed, how so?"
"Peter rarely visits anymore. I find that I miss him."
Caine sighed, "My son has been very busy in the last few weeks.
I, myself, have not seen him in almost two." He smiled, "And, I
also miss him." Reseating himself, Caine pushed his feelings aside,
and returned to his forgotten cup of tea.
**********
Peter Caine sighed wearily as he exited the elevator. An unusually
heavy workload had kept him working sixteen hour days for several
weeks. A wave of guilt passed over him as he realized that he had
not seen his father for quite some time. His mother had been equally
deserted by her number one, and only, son. Simms had ordered him to
take the coming weekend off, and for once he had not argued. Peter
made the short walk to his apartment and deftly juggled two grocery
bags and a case of beer as he searched for his keys. His exhaustion
was such that he initially missed the fact that his door was not
locked.
"What the..." Peter quickly deposited his groceries to the left
of the doorway. Drawing his Beretta, he carefully maneuvered his way
into his front hall. Shaolin senses combined with years of highly developed cop instincts told him that no one was there. A cursory glance into the kitchen and living area proved that nothing was amiss, but a feeling of foreboding almost overwhelmed him as he started for
the bedroom.
"Do you always store your beer in the hall?"
"Only when I have uninvited company. What brings you here,
Kermit?" From the corner of his eye, Peter noted that his friend
had taken a backup position with his Desert Eagle held in readiness.
"You know me, always like to be in on the action. Toss you for
first in."
"Nope, my place." Peter nodded to the ex-mercenary, slowly pushed the bedroom door ajar, and stopped. Kermit, puzzled by Peter's lack
of motion, shoved around him to peer into his young friend's bedroom.
"Oh my God!" Kermit reached into his pocket and withdrew his
cell phone. "Griffin here. I need a lab crew pronto to Peter Caine's
apartment. Yes, that's right. Caine's place."
The older man's words partially thawed Peter's frozen senses
and the young detective moved forward, staring in shock at his
drastically re-decorated bedroom.
"Peter, no. You know the drill. Don't touch anything until
the lab crew dusts it. They'll be here soon."
"Right." The young man replied weakly, "I don't believe this."
"Neither do I, kid, neither do I."
The two men stared at the changes to the room. The furniture
and coverings were the same. It was the additional accessories that
spawned the mystery. A small well-worn teddy bear wearing a new red
ribbon lay in the center of the bed, under it was a large Valentine's
card. And one wall had been virtually covered with photos of a child.
The poses showed the progression of childhood from toddler to pre-adolescent.
"There're you, aren't they, kid?"
Peter nodded and pointed to one, "That's my mother." Kermit
followed the line of Peter's finger and gazed upon the prettiest
young woman he could ever remember seeing. She was laughing and
in her arms was the slightly blurred image of an obviously squirming
toddler. Peter's gasp of dismay caused Kermit to turn swiftly to
his friend.
"What? What's wrong, Peter?" The ashen face of the young man
concerned Kermit Griffin more than the room's new pictures.
"T..that p..picture."
The ex-mercenary looked at the indicated photo. "What about it,
kid?"
"I..It was t..taken just before the t..temple was d..destroyed. Oh, God, Kermit. Father died a few days... No, I mean... Oh DAMN!"
Kermit seized his trembling friend's arm and propelled him out
of the room. Taking a chance that nothing had been disturbed in the
kitchen, he sought out, and found, Peter's only bottle of hard liquor.
The Crown Royal was normally saved for special occasions, and Kermit
thought to himself, "This is certainly an occasion." He quickly
poured a small amount of the golden liquid into a glass and thrust
it into Peter's shaking hand. "Drink."
Peter choked as he downed the liquor in a single gulp. The
feel of the alcohol in his throat served to calm him, as did his
friend's steading hand on his shoulder. "Thanks, Kermit. I..I'm
sorry I freaked."
"Totally justified, kid. I take it you've seen those pictures before."
"Y..yes, but I thought they'd been destroyed with the temple."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
part - 02 ↑
"Somehow I didn't think there were cameras at the temple."
Kermit kept a close eye on his young friend as he spoke.
"Yeah, well Pop was really pretty ordinary when it came to his
family. I mean, he had this camera that Mother bought for him when
they got married, I think it was a Brownie. At any rate he would
take pictures whenever he could get film. He kept them in this
trunk in his room. S..sometimes he'd let me stay up after my bedtime
and we'd sit and look at the pictures a..and talk about them. He
knew the story about every photo he had." Peter's mind shifted back
in time -
Childish giggles filled the night as Kwai Chang Caine lifted
his small son onto his lap.
"Which picture would you like to hear about tonight, my son?"
"Dat one!" The child's voice was emphatic as a tiny finger
pointed to a worn photo.
"Peter, you heard that story last night."
"'Gin, Fadder, tell it 'gin."
Caine smiled and kissed his child's tiny hand. "Very well, my
son. Your mother decided to make cookies..."
"Chocat Chip." The little voice interrupted.
"Yes, Peter, chocolate chip cookies, and you decided to help
her..."
"PETER!"
"Huh?"
"Kid, the lab crew's here, but where were you?"
"Sorry Kermit, those photos kinda brought back memories."
"I'm sure..."
"Peter?"
"Pop! What are you doing here?" As Peter turned to greet Kwai
Chang Caine, Kermit slipped away to supervise the lab crew.
"I felt your distress my son. What has happened? You are all
right?"
"I am fine, Pop. I just got a major surprise when I got home."
Caine patiently waited while Peter gathered his thoughts. "Do
you remember that large trunk in your room? The one with all the
photos?"
"There was a trunk of photographs, Peter, but it was quite small."
"Really? It always seemed so big."
"You are remembering it with the eyes of a child, my son. In
truth, it was no larger than your bread box."
"Oh. I..Well anyway, someone's planted a bunch of pictures from
that trunk on my bedroom wall. I don't understand, I thought they'd been destroyed with the temple." Peter's voice held a mildly accusing tone as he spoke to his father.
Caine's eyes revealed his concern, "My son, the trunk and its contents were destroyed with the temple. You are certain these photographs are the same?"
"Absolutely, I'll never forget some of those photos. Their memories..." Peter's words ground to a halt and he suddenly blushed
and studied his feet.
Kwai Chang Caine gently touched his son's cheek, "were part of
what little you had left. I am sorry, my son."
A familiar voice inserted itself into the conversation, "I hate
to interrupt, but I need to find out what's going on, Detective."
"Captain, you didn't need to..."
"Detective Griffin calls the lab crew to Detective Caine's
apartment and tells them to hurry. I definitely think I needed to
be here. What's happened?"
Peter quickly brought her up to speed on the evening's decidedly
odd happenings. He'd no sooner finished than Kermit Griffin came
out of Peter's bedroom carrying the worn teddy bear and the large Valentine. "It's like we figured, oh, hello Captain, there are no prints. Peter, do you by any chance recognize this bear?"
"Nooo, but it kinda looks familiar." Peter's words coincided
with Caine's short gasp. "Pop?"
"That is LK." Kwai Chang Caine's face was pale and his voice
trembled slightly as he spoke. "It was Peter's favorite toy when he
was very small. It belonged to Laura before we were married. An
old friend had given it to her for Valentine's day. Peter slept with
it every night until he was about five."
"When he got too old for it?" Karen Simms asked gently.
"No, when it disappeared. Your mother gave it to you, my son,
not long before she died. Do you remember?"
"I..I'm sorry, I really don't remember." Peter took the bear
from Kermit's hand and examined it curiously, "Well, not much,
anyway."
"Look Peter, Master Cho has brought you a new bear."
The sobbing child lifted his head from his father's shoulder and
turned to glare at the new toy. "NO! I want LK. I promised M..Mother
that I would take care of him. I promised! Please, F..Father, where
is he?"
Caine pulled the child more tightly into his arms and rocked
him gently. "I do not know, my son, I do not know."
"Peter? You're gone again."
"Oh, sorry Kermit." He turned to his father, "I took him, the
bear, I mean, into one of the gardens and forgot him. When I went
back to get him, he was gone. Isn't that right?"
"Yes, my son." Caine said sadly, "You cried for days because
you thought your mother was angry with you for losing her bear."
"I remember! God!" Peter ran his free hand nervously through
his hair.
Kermit quickly interjected, "Well, you better read the Valentine."
Peter took the very large card from Kermit's hand and opened it.
The Valentine was one of those geared toward children. The sports images on the face and the pre-printed verse proved that it was aimed
at the small boy market. The hand-written note was brief but clear
as Peter read it aloud, "'I am sorry, my dearest child, that I took
your bear. But she was your mother's before she was yours and I could
not allow HIM to pollute her with HIS presence any longer. I return
her to you now as a good will gesture in the hope that we can become close in the near future. Your mother would be so pleased. I was not
able to save your mother from HIM but I can and will save you.'"
Peter could only stare at his dumbfounded father in silent disbelief.
The shocked silence was broken by Karen Simms as she said grimly, "This is bad, very bad."
Kermit Griffin seconded the sentiment, "Oh Yeah!"
----------------------------------------------------------------------
part - 03 ↑
February 28, 1962
Dear Benjamin,
I have finally remembered my manners and am writing to thank you,
once again, for the wonderful stuffed bear you gave me on the 14th.
I shall cherish her forever and I really love the little heart-shaped
necklace that she's wearing. It was sweet of you to have it engraved
with my initials. I must confess to some surprise at receiving any
gift at all from you since we dated for the first time at the end
of January. However, do not think that I am disappointed. Please
feel free to shower me with gifts as often as you like.
Your friend,
Laura
The man let the letter drop from his trembling hands and stared
at the cherished photograph of the young girl. The elaborate brass frame that complemented her delicate features shook as he lifted it
from the desk. "Oh Laura, you were so gentle, so fragile, so vulnerable. HE did not understand how special you were. I loved
you so much, but the opportunities on the expedition were so great.
I had to leave. My darling, I thought you understood why I had to
go. No, I know you understood. HE turned you against me. For that
HE will pay." The snapping motion of his wrist was followed by a
dull thud as the weighted knife pierced the skull of Kwai Chang Caine.
*********
"Peter, no! Kwai Chang, catch him, quickly. Peter, you little
imp. Come to Mama!"
The young Shaolin stood motionless outside the garden gate and
watched, seemingly mesmerized, as his beautiful wife chased the
giggling, naked toddler around the garden.
"Kwai Chang, he just had his bath! What will the neighbors
say?" Laura Caine was almost in tears.
Caine reached over the gate and captured his errant son on the
next pass, "They will say he is a very clean baby, my dear." He
tucked the struggling child under one strong arm, opened the gate
and moved forward to hug his young wife. Uncharacteristically, she
dodged his embrace and fled into the house. Concerned, he followed
her quickly through the front door and found her sobbing on the sofa.
"Laura? Your headaches have returned?" Placing the child on the
floor, Caine sank down beside her.
Tears streamed down her face as she turned to face him, her
answering 'yes' almost too quiet to be heard. He pulled her into
his arms, and whispered, "I will make you Ping Hi's special tea.
It has always helped you."
She nodded her agreement as he settled her back against the cushions. He gently kissed her soft hair and hurried toward the kitchen. As the tea brewed, he went to check on her and stopped in
the doorway. She had moved from the sofa to the old rocker and sat quietly rocking a now diapered little boy. As he watched, a tiny
hand touched her face, "Mama sick?"
"No, baby, Mama's tired."
"Need nap?" The hazel eyes watched her face with a concern
far beyond his eighteen months. His large yawn brought a smile
to her lips.
"I think we both do."
"NO!" The terrible two's were beginning to assert themselves.
She kissed his head and reached for a small stuffed bear. "LK
needs a nap, Peter, but she doesn't like to sleep alone." The child
looked at the little bear suspiciously. Laura continued, "If you
promise to take care of her, I will give her to you for your very
own."
The whistling of the tea kettle pulled Caine back into the tiny
kitchen. When he returned to the living room, he smiled sadly at
the image of the young mother, gently rocking her sleeping toddler,
toy bear dangling from a chubby fist.
Peter's anguished cry of "NO!" pulled Caine quickly from his thoughts. The Shaolin whirled to find the source of Peter's pain.
The lab technician stared in amazement at the young detective,
"Sir, I've got to take all of this stuff."
"No. Just take the card. Leave the rest!" Peter stood with
crossed arms, blocking the door into his bedroom. The lab tech
appealed silently for aid to Kermit.
"Kid, this is all evidence. You know the drill. The lab has
to tag it and store it downtown."
Peter adamantly shook his head, "NO!. It all stays here."
Simms moved toward the altercation. Motioning the lab tech to
leave the apartment for a moment, she said, "Peter, I know that these
things mean a great deal to you, but ..."
"Captain, please." The anguish in Peter's plea caused his father
cringe.
"I'm sorry, Peter, but we've got to follow procedure." Simms
was sympathetic but adamant in her decision.
Peter stared at his colleagues for a moment, took a deep breath,
then said, "Captain, I apologize. I made a mistake. Those pictures
and the bear have been here all along. Only the Valentine is new."
"Peter."
"Kid."
"My son."
"I'm quite serious. Don't know what I was thinking earlier."
Peter could look no one in the eye as he spoke.
Simms frowned at her best detective, "You would swear to that
it a court of law?"
There was no hesitation to Peter's emphatic, "Yes."
She looked at him closely, then said, "Very well, Detective,
we'll concentrate on the card, starting with a handwriting analysis.
If you should have a change in memory, call me first." Plucking
the Valentine from where it lay on a nearby table, she exited
the apartment, dismissing the lab crew as she went.
Peter sighed with relief and unconsciously clutched the little
bear to his chest while nearby, Kermit and Caine exchanged concerned
looks.
**************
The door to the bedroom opened swiftly and he looked around
approvingly. A single bed with a dinosaur comforter occupied the
center of the room. The curtains matched the primary colors of the
comforter. Stuffed animals lined the wall nearest the closet. A
bright blue toy chest overflowed with toys, and the beginnings of a
race track occupied the far corner. "It's almost complete, my dear
boy. Soon you will be safe." The bars on the window formed ominous
shadows across the bed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
part - 04 ↑
"Morgan?" The fifty-something man walked into the near empty
chamber and glanced around, confused.
A pretty, young woman with piercing brown eyes rose from behind
a display case, "Over here, Dr. McKensey."
"Ah, there you are. Nothing's arrived yet?"
"Sir, I'm sorry, I got the word while you were out. The shipment
has been delayed again."
"Damn IT! More trouble with Customs?"
"No, sir. Weather. All flights have been canceled out of
Newark due to heavy fog. The airline says that they'll try to get
it out on the next available cargo run but that passenger flights
are taking priority. They say thirty-six hours, tops, if the fog
lifts."
The archaeologist shook his graying head and said, "That won't
do, Morgan. I personally promised Dr. Alexander that the exhibit
would open a week from Sunday. He's arranged for a private viewing
with all the local brass and the press on Thursday. If everything
was here now, it would still take twelve hour days to get it ready
in time."
"Well, then, we'll just have to work eighteen hour days, won't
we, sir?"
"Morgan, my girl, I can't ask the team to..."
"You don't have to, Dr. McKensey. We're all aware how important
it is to get this exhibit permanently secured somewhere. And I know
how lucky it was that Dr. Alexander had just taken over the museum
here and wanted to start his, uh, reign, with something new. I've already talked to the boys, they're willing to do what it takes."
The older man smiled, "Morgan, did I ever complement you on your
efficiency?"
The girl's long brown hair swung freely as she shook her head
and tried to stifle a yawn, "Well, not in the last twenty-four hours."
"I'm sorry, my dear, it's very late. Go back to the hotel and
get some rest."
"What about you, sir? Did you finish your errands?"
"Not all of them, Morgan. But I got enough done for tonight.
I'll finish later."
***********
"Kid, of all the bone-headed, lame-brained..."
"What, Kermit?" Peter Caine did his best to feign innocence.
"What! You damned well know what! In all my years of working
with you, I've never seen you do anything that, that stupid. While
I understand your reasons, I..."
"You don't understand shit, and I don't owe you any explanations
for anything, Kermit." Peter snapped angrily.
A hand firmly moved the fuming ex-mercenary aside, "Kermit, may
I speak to my son, privately, please?"
Kermit sighed deeply, "Yeah, Caine, I was fixing to leave anyhow,
but Peter needs to realize two things before I go."
The indignant young voice was controlled as Peter asked, "What?"
"First, if the Valentine doesn't turn up anything, then we may
need the pictures to track the nut down."
"I'll deal with that when the time comes, and the second?"
"You look really ridiculous clutching that bear." Kermit nodded
to Caine and vanished quietly from the apartment.
As the door closed behind the older detective, Caine said quietly,
"Peter."
"What?" Curiosity, anger, and guilt flavored Peter's tone as he
spoke.
Caine was quick to notice that his son would not meet his eyes.
"My son, I understand why you felt it necessary to retain control
of the photographs and the bear, but would they not have been
returned to you eventually?"
"Y..Yes, but I might have had to wait for months, Pop."
"Indeed, but would that not have been preferable to allowing
your commanding officer to know that you will not only lie, you
will lie to her?"
Peter looked startled, then blushed with shame, "I..I didn't
think of that."
"No, you did not."
"I'm sorry Father."
"I am not the one to whom you must apologize."
"I know." Peter sighed heavily. His next words were interrupted
by a knock on the door. He smiled an apology at Caine and moved to
his foyer.
"Be careful, my son."
Annoyed that he'd forgotten that his apartment had been violated,
he replied, irritably, "I will, Pop.... Who's there?"
"Delivery for Peter Caine."
Peter glanced over his shoulder to notice that his father had
moved closer. Caine answered the unasked question with a single
word, "Backup."
The young detective nodded grimly, opened the door slowly and
gasped in astonishment, "What the heck?"
A teenage delivery boy juggled a floral Valentine display
situated in a large red bucket. The assortment of red and white
carnations was highlighted by Baby's Breath and ferns. The largest
balloon Peter had ever seen floated above the basket in the shape
of a Hershey's Kiss. Dangling from it was a small bag of the candy
that the balloon represented. The kid said tiredly, "Sorry I'm
late, the address was wrong. Took this to the other side of town
then had to come back here. Where do ya want it?"
"I'll take it." Peter tucked the bear under his arm and held
out his hands.
"OK, but you gotta sign for it."
Peter balanced the arrangement in one hand, signed the receipt
and tipped the kid. Closing the door, Peter returned to the living
area and placed the container down on his coffee table.
"Well, Pop, since I'm not seeing anyone right now it's a good
guess this came from my mystery visitor." He eyed the card for a
moment then started to remove it from the arrangement.
Caine placed a hand on his son's, "Peter, should you not 'dust'
it for prints first?"
"No, Pop," Peter grinned at his father's words, "I've sent enough
of these to know that this card was written off of a telephone order.
The only prints will belong to the florist, and the kid that just
left."
**********
"Late? What do you mean late? How late? Great, just great."
He slammed the phone down hard, cracking the plastic casing.
"Is there a problem, Dr. Anderson?" McKensey inquired.
"What? Oh, uh, your shipment's delayed."
"I know, I just found out from my assistant a few minutes ago.
I'm very sorry, Dr. Anderson."
"Dammit, everything's been late today."
Benjamin McKensey nodded in angry concurrence, "Tell me about
it."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
part - 05 ↑
Peter groaned and covered his head with the extra pillow. It did
nothing to drown out the ringing telephone. A long arm shot out
from the covers and dragged the offending mechanism closer. Pulling
the hand set under the pillow to his ear, he mumbled a barely
intelligible, "Hewwo?"
"Detective Caine?"
A too familiar voice caused the young man to sit bolt upright
in bed, the extra pillow falling unnoticed to the floor. "Captain
Simms?"
"Yes, Detective. I apologize for the early morning call but my
answering machine light is out and I did not realize you'd left me
a message until a short time ago. Your 'admirer', for lack of a
better word, sent you flowers?"
"It looks that way, Captain. They arrived last night. I didn't call the lab crew because it was apparent that it was a simple call-in order. The card was just signed 'We'll be together soon, with love', nothing else".
"Have you contacted the florist?"
"I tried last night but the florist was already closed. I'm
planning on going there first th..."
"No. Skalany and Powell will go. I'll also let Frank know
ASAP."
"Captain, it's my case."
"Wrong, Detective. You're the victim, not the investigator.
Skalany and Powell will handle the florist."
"Captain!"
"Peter, I know this is not the part you want to play, but this
man has given you a new role. Where is your father?"
"He spent the night here. Why?"
"Because I'm inclined to put an officer on protection duty and
if the two of you are together, I only have to send one person to
guard duty."
"Captain Simms, I, that is, we can take care of ourselves."
"Detective Caine. Perhaps I wasn't clear, YOU ARE THE VICTIM.
Someone has broken into your home, leaving you that Valentine note.
While the wording on the note does not threaten your father directly,
it does allude to 'saving you' from him. I realize that the 'being together soon' note you got on the flowers last night was not overtly threatening either, but it could be interpreted that way. MY assumption at this point is that this man will probably attempt to kill your father, or kidnap you, or possibly both."
"Or neither, he could just want to get to know me because of
my mother." He hoped he didn't sound as inane to the Captain as he
did to himself.
"Peter."
"OK," he thought, "It did sound just as stupid." Aloud he
sighed, "I know, Captain, but..."
"The addition of the flowers to the one piece of evidence we
have causes me to feel justified in ordering you and your father a bodyguard."
Peter winced at her words, then said softly, "Captain, you've
got more than that. The photos and the b..bear were left also. I..I
was l..lying before. I'll take them to the lab shortly."
"I know, Peter, and I do understand, that's why I didn't press
the issue. Now about that guard..."
"Do I have a choice?"
"Not really, I already called Kermit..."
"Kermit!"
"Problem, Detective?"
"Uh, no, ma'am" Peter groaned inwardly as he remembered how
angry he'd been with his friend the night before.
"Good, he'll be there shortly, I'm sure."
"Captain, I, uh, I'm sorry I lied to you last night."
"Oh, don't think we won't discuss THAT at a later date,
Detective."
"Yes Ma'am. I understand." To himself, he muttered, "Great, I'm
dead."
"And, Peter?"
"Yes, Captain?"
"I promise we'll get the photos and the bear back to you as
quickly as we can."
*********
"Ms. Mallory?"
"Hiding over here, Dr. Anderson." She stood up from a position,
behind a display case, thinking, "Geez, this is getting to be a habit."
"I came in early and saw the sign-in log. It's only 7:30. Why
are you here so early?" the older man spoke as he advanced on her position.
She smiled and handed him a tape measure, "I plead workaholic.
Please, walk to that wall. I need some measurements for the display."
"Ms. Mallory, our people have already determined the precise
measurements necessary for Dr. McKensey's exhibit."
"I'm sure they did the best they could, Doctor, but I know the
pieces better than just about anyone. I've already determined that
the other room is six inches too small to handle all the pieces
that were supposed to go into it."
"What!"
"Yep, that's why I'm measuring this room, it's slightly larger
than the other one so we may just flip-flop the displays."
Obediently the older man started toward the wall, "Have you always
been this precise?"
"Sorry, it gets on people's nerves sometimes. My brother says
it's a female thing, something to do with nesting instincts."
"Wouldn't know about that, only have a son myself."
"Only child, eh?"
"Yes," the administrator replied sadly, "but I haven't seen him
in years."
*********
Peter stumbled groggily into the living area of his apartment,
"Pop?"
"Ah, my son, you are awake." Caine rose from the floor where
he had been meditating.
"Not exactly. God, I hope I set the timer on the coffee."
Peter climbed the steps into his small kitchen. "YES!" Gratefully
downing his first cup of the day, he said, "That tastes good."
"Herbal tea would be more healthful, my son."
"Pop, I know you want to believe that but this is hi-test,
herbal tea is regular." Peter smiled at his father's confused look,
"Sorry, Pop, I need the caffeine kick."
"Pour me a cup."
Peter whirled with astonishment as Kermit entered the kitchen.
"How, when?"
"About thirty minutes ago, kid. You were still in dreamland.
Now about those pictures."
"I already spoke to the Captain. They go to the lab this
morning, along with the b..bear."
Kermit studied the younger man's face for a moment, then said,
"Good. Now, I need to know everything there is to know about those
pictures."
*********
The sales clerk sighed with relief as the young mother finally
forced her screaming twins away from the stuffed animals and out
of the store. He wondered again why he'd taken a job at a toy
store; he hated screaming children. Glancing at his watch he saw
with dismay that it was only 10:30. Turning to the distinguished
looking gentleman waiting patiently at the counter, he asked, "May
I help you sir?"
"Yes. I purchased this race track here a few days ago and have
found that I bought the wrong item. I'd like to exchange it if
that's possible."
"No problem, sir. What would you like to buy to replace it?"
"I need to see what you've got in the way of train sets."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
part - 06 ↑
The bells on the door jingled loudly as Mary Margaret and Jody
opened the door to Adelle's Flowers. It had taken the better part
of an hour to find the little shop, closeted as it was between a
large grocery warehouse and a 'super' pet store. The flower shop
itself was typical of the small, family owned business. Silk
arrangements dominated the shelves with live plants scattered at
random among them. Large fern and Wandering Jew arrangements
cascaded from the ceiling. An elderly woman appeared as if by
magic from a back room, "May I help you?"
"Yes, Ma'am, I hope so." Skalany flashed her badge and identified
both herself and Jody as police officers. "We need to ask you a few
questions about one of your deliveries."
"Of course. I'll answer anything I can."
"Thank you, Ms..?"
"Adelle, Mrs. Carl Adelle."
"Yes, thank you Mrs. Adelle. Did you get an order for a delivery
to a Peter Caine yesterday?"
"Just a minute, I'll check," reaching under the counter she pulled
out a large ledger book, "No, Nothing came through for a Caine."
The two detectives looked puzzled, "Ma'am, an arrangement from
your shop was delivered to him yesterday."
"Yes, I know, it was late getting there. Robbie is not very
careful about addresses."
"But you said no one ordered anything."
"No, I said no one ordered anything yesterday. Didn't think
anything else had been purchased, but thought I better check. My
granddaughter was running the shop for part of the day, you see."
"Mrs. Adelle, I'm a little confused, when did the order for Mr.
Caine come in?"
"Oh, that came in about two weeks ago. The instructions were
most specific. It was to be delivered by six p.m. yesterday."
Jody quickly interjected, "How was it paid for?"
"Oh, cash. It was rather odd, but, well, green does still spend,
at least in this shop."
"Cash?"
"Yes, a large manila envelope came in the mail with fifty dollars
in tens and twenties along with instructions for the arrangement. You
know, what kind of flowers, when to deliver it, that kind of thing."
"Do you remember anything special about the envelope or the note?"
"Other than the cash payment, it was just plan paper with written
instructions and a plain envelope."
Disappointed, Mary Margaret said, "Well, thank you, Mrs. Adelle.
We appreciate the help. Here's my card, if you can think of anything
else, please let us know." She and Jody were almost to the door, when
the elderly woman called out,
"Would you like the note and envelope for anything?"
Whirling the two women said "Yes" in unison.
Mrs. Adelle leaned down and looked under the counter, "I think
that, yes, I thought so." Standing she passed a worn envelope and
white stationary to the two women. "Forgive the crayon, my great-
granddaughter likes to draw so I keep any kind of paper that comes
in."
***********
June 13, 1962
Dear Benjamin,
I can't believe that I've actually been lucky enough to get this
summer job at camp. I've been here two whole weeks now and the
first group of kids go home tomorrow. For the most part, they've
been great, although I have to confess that I prefer the boys to
the girls. Boys are so active and into everything. The girls
are adorable but usually don't want to get dirty. Mind you, some
of them do but the rest have been talked into be real little neat
fiends by the age of ten. Thank goodness Mom and Dad encouraged
me to play any kind of games I wanted to.
There's one little fella that reminds me of you. He's very smart
and sweet and I think he's got a crush on me. Poor little guy, he
cried buckets when he found out he had to go home.
Well, I hear my crew returning from their nature hike so I'd better
end this note quickly.
Love,
Laura
"Laura, my darling, you were a wonderful mother to little Peter.
I'm so sorry that I couldn't get to both of you in time. Peter should
have had brothers and sisters. And Peter, Peter has been corrupted
by HIM, but he is a smart boy, just like his mother. It will not be
hard to lead him back to the right path." Benjamin stared at the
array of photos on the table, "I wonder, Laura, which picture he
will like best." He sifted through the various photos and finally
selected one, "Yes, this is the mother he should get to know. My
dear boy, you'll finally get a chance to know your mom." He took a
quick survey of the bedroom and frowned as his eyes came to rest on
the train. "It needs something, doesn't it, Laura, but what? I
know, dear, I'll go to the hobby store that nice young clerk told
me about." He swiftly rose from his seat, placed the chosen picture
in an envelope and left the chamber, locking the steel door behind
him as he went.
***********
Peter Caine walked the halls of the 101st like a condemned man
on his way to the gallows. Caine and Kermit followed a few steps
behind. Peter paused outside the door to the lab, and turned to
face his shadows. "Pop, Kermit, there's no need to follow me in
here. I really am going to give all this stuff to Carrie."
Caine granted his son a small, polite bow as Kermit replied,
"OK, kid, we'll be out here."
The young detective nodded and disappeared through the door.
"Caine, will he be all right?"
"I do not know. His balance has been greatly disturbed by these events. Images from the past rise again to confuse and frighten
him."
"Frighten him? How could pictures from his childhood frighten
him?"
"They are reflections of a past he has long chosen to bury. A
past that may be too painful for him to remember."
***********
The fax machine in the squad room beeped a warning of an incoming
message. Broderick wandered idly up to the machine and watched in
fascinated confusion as the cover sheet emerged. His eyes widened
as he saw the image on the second page. Not waiting for it to finish
printing, he dialed the Captain at home.
"Hello?"
"Ma'am, Broderick here, there's an unsigned fax coming in for
Peter, and Captain, it's a picture of a young woman."
"Peter's supposed to be in the building sometime this morning.
Find him but don't show him the picture until I get there. I'll be
about twenty minutes."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
part - 07 ↑
Kermit could think of nothing to say to Caine's declaration
concerning Peter's state of mind. Instead, he opted to walk down
the hall and around the corner. Caine chose to keep pace with the
ex-mercenary. The Shaolin recognized the concern in the man beside
him as easily as he saw the fear and confusion in his only child.
He was grateful that Peter had such a friend. Kermit was on the
verge of renewing the conversation when Caine suddenly whirled and
went back the way they'd come.
"What the..." Kermit picked up speed and followed the priest.
As he rounded the corner he saw Peter slumped in despair, supported
by the door frame. Kermit forced himself to stop at the corner as
Kwai Chang Caine approached his son.
"Peter?" the father spoke softly, not wishing to intrude if he
was not wanted.
Peter looked at Caine, "Damn that was t..tough." He choked on
the last word and quickly cleared his throat, "I..I'm sorry, I..I'm being stupid. I'll, I mean, we'll get them back sooner or later."
As Peter glanced behind him at the closed door, it was obvious to
the observant ex-merc that 'later' was the younger man's fear.
Caine placed his fingertips under Peter's chin and gently forced
his son to meet his eyes, "Yes, my son, we will."
Kermit decided he'd played voyeur long enough and moved to join
the pair, "I don't know about you two, but I'm starving. I vote we
go get breakfast."
The young detective forced a grin, "Sounds good to me."
The three men made it halfway up the stairs when hurried footsteps
caught their attention. An over-weight middle-aged woman called
out, "Peter, Wait!"
"Carrie? What is it?"
Breathlessly, she answered, "Broderick just called. He says you're
needed in the squad room."
"It's my day off."
"Hey, don't shoot the messenger, but he sounded really strange."
Kermit interrupted, "Strange?"
"Yeah, kinda tense. He was real relieved to catch up to you
down here."
**********
A security guard appeared in the doorway of the exhibit room,
"Miss Mallory?"
"Yes?" She and Dr. Anderson turned their attention to the young
woman in the door.
"You have a phone call, ma'am. You can get it on line one in
the office over there."
"Thank you." Morgan hastened to the office and impatiently
punched the line one button. "Mallory, here...WHAT!...But that was
already...missing...fine. I'll be there as soon as possible." She
hung up the phone with a disgusted "Drat!"
"Problem?" Dr. Anderson was watching the young woman curiously.
"There's a screw-up with the shipment. They can't find part of
the paperwork and are refusing to ship some of the items without it.
I've got to go to the airport and sign the forms. They won't take
a faxed copy."
"Which pieces are in danger of not arriving?" Dr. Anderson was
concerned; he gone out on a limb to bring this exhibit to the museum
and fervently hoped that the bad luck plaguing getting it would not
continue once it was installed in its new home.
"I don't know. The woman at the airport didn't have the list
in front of her. Will you fill Dr. McKensey in when he gets here?
I'll be back as soon as I can."
"I may not be here myself but I'll leave word at the security
desk. Go ahead and go out the side door. It's closer to the parking
lot. I'll explain the alarm to the guards on my way out."
**********
Karen Simms glared at the pictures on her desk. She'd made
record time to the precinct, hoping to beat Peter to the squad room.
By the time she'd arrived the fax was long since complete. The
return number on each page had been traced to a local office supply
warehouse on the other side of town. Knowing it was futile, but
hoping for the best, Broderick had contacted Skalany and Powell on
their way back to the precinct and redirected them to the store.
Glancing up, she saw Peter hit the top of the stairs, followed
closely by Caine and Kermit. Peter's face registered his surprise
at the sight of his Captain in her office on a Saturday morning.
His commentary on 'surprises' was forestalled by Broderick's
"Captain wants you in her office, Detective."
The three men crossed the sparsely manned squad room and entered
Simms' domain.
"Captain?"
"Gentlemen, please take a seat." She allowed her eyes to be
drawn once more to her desktop. "Peter, there's no easy way to do
this." She gathered the faxes from her desk and passed them to the young man. "These came a short time ago."
Peter could not help but grin in delight at the first image.
His mother laughed brightly at him from inside a Harlequin costume.
The black and white outfit and equally silly hat complemented her
fair features and her face was filled with a joy of living that Peter had never seen in his mother before. His only images had been of a slightly older Laura whose personality had been tempered by the disease that claimed her life. He stared at the photo, eagerly drinking in every aspect of Laura.
Caine watched his son for a moment, then slowly held out his hand,
and asked gently, "May I?"
Reluctantly, Peter Caine relinquished control of the old photo
to his father. Peter quickly turned his attention to the next fax
image, thus failing to see his father's confused frown as he looked
at his long deceased spouse. Peter's gasp of astonishment drew his
father away from his thoughts, "Peter?"
Peter Caine thumbed rapidly through the rest of the faxes, passing
some to Kermit as he went. The older detective's features grew
increasingly grim as he studied the fax sheets. Noticing the concern
in his father's face, Peter handed him some of the pictures also.
Karen Simms was the first to break the silence, "Unless I'm wrong,
Peter, I believe these pictures were all taken in the last six months."
Peter glared at the image in his hand, "Nine, Captain, nine. This
son of a bitch has been watching me for nine months."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
part - 08 ↑
Benjamin jumped slightly as he entered the hobby shop. The small
robot positioned at the door gave a stilted greeting as each new
customer arrived. Benjamin watched it for a moment as mechanical
arms moved through a programmed pattern and then reset, awaiting the
next person to open the door. He wandered up and down aisles that
were crowded with a wide variety of items including rockets, telescopes,
microscopes, and race cars. Frowning, he was on the verge of leaving
when he rounded a corner and found, at long last, trains and their accessories. He stared in amazement at the wide variety of items available. His eyes were drawn to a western town layout, complete
with rickety water tower and saloon. As he gently touched each
miniature building, he thought, "Oh, Laura, Peter will be so pleased."
"May I help you, sir?" The middle-aged clerk eyed the newcomer
in anticipation of a large sale. He was not disappointed.
"Yes, I'd like the entire western town and two of the tunnels."
"Yes, sir."
Benjamin looked at his watch, "And do you have a phone? I need
to make a call."
*********
Lunch had been a somber affair. It had followed a frustrating
conversation with Karen Simms on exactly who was conducting the
investigation of this particular stalker. The young detective argued vehemently to be allowed to handle the case. It had take Karen, Kermit and Caine the better part of an hour to force the angry young man
to calm down enough to do a reality check. He finally conceded, none
too gracefully, that he was too close to the case to be the primary.
Even so, he found himself flanked closely by his father and his friend
as they left the precinct.
Peter sat silently at the table, idly chasing his peas around
his plate. Kermit sat in nervous anticipation. He knew that this
abnormal silence on the part of the youngest Caine would probably
be followed by an unusually high flurry of activity. Activity,
which, if past patterns held, would be based on emotions and have
little if no logical thought surrounding them. So engrossed was
the older detective in following Peter's fork that the vibration
of his beeper startled him. Glancing quickly at the number, he
excused himself from the table, dodged a nearby waiter and went to
find a phone.
Caine took advantage of the ex-mercenary's absence to start a
dialog with his son. "My son, we must talk."
Peas merged with corn as Peter continued to play with his food.
"Peter!" The Shaolin's sharp tone drew a quick reaction from
his son.
"What?"
"These pictures of your mother and yourself have been very
disturbing for you."
"No kidding, Pop. Tell me something new."
Caine ignored the sarcasm and continued, "But that is not all?"
Peter refused to look at his father, "It's just that you
usually sense when something's wrong. I guess I'd kinda grown to
count on it. And after the Eagleton visions, I sort of thought
that I'd know if something was awry in my life as well. Instead,
it seems that we were both surprised that this, this jerk even
existed."
"I confess to no small amount of confusion myself. The only
explanation seems to be that this poor, tormented soul has never
posed a threat to either of us. And that something has happened
to change that."
"Poor, tormented soul? Pop, get real. This asshole stalked
us before MOTHER died and is stalking me right now. And all the
time you stay the perfect, inscrutable Shaolin priest. Doesn't
anything ever bother you?"
"Peter, I assure you that I am just as disturbed by these events
as you are."
"Well, why don't you show it? All I've seen so far is mild
concern."
"Would my ranting and raving about the pictures change the
situation in any way, my son?"
"N...no," Peter reluctantly admitted, "but it would make you
seem more human."
Caine sat silently for a moment, then commented, "Peter, I promise
you that I have feelings about these photographs. Rage is probably
the foremost emotion that I am attempting to deal with."
Peter looked shocked at his father's words but before he could
reply, Caine went on, "These stolen pictures from our past anger me
greatly. Almost all were taken by either myself or your mother. I
do not understand how he obtained copies. But your mother is beyond
his grasp. You, my son, are not. The photographs that were faxed
to your precinct show that he has been too close to you on at least
one occasion."
Peter blushed, "I didn't think you saw that picture in the park."
Caine gently cuffed his son's chin, "It was a most interesting
photograph."
"Yes, well, uh." Peter cleared his throat, "Oh, all right, he's
been close but I'm on my guard now. He won't get that close again."
"I wouldn't be too sure." Kermit Griffin placed a sheet of paper,
face down on the table in front of the Caines. "This just came over
the restaurant's fax machine, while I was on the phone."
Caine was once again too fast for his son and turned the paper
over as Peter watched. A familiar image of Laura laughed at the men
from her Harlequin costume.
Peter stammered, "T..This i..s the picture t..that came to
the s..station. How?"
The ex-mercenary's voice was grim, "I do not know, kid, I just
dammit, do not know."
*********
Morgan Mallory parked her rental car in short term parking and
raced into the airport, long dark hair streaming behind her. The
baggy sweatshirt did nothing to conceal her tall slender figure and
her tight-fitting jeans caused more than one head to turn. The
metal detector spasmed twice as she attempted to reach the local
office of the air cargo company her boss had contracted with. She
stomped her foot impatiently as the security guard ran the hand-
held wand over her body. The large belt buckle at her waist was
revealed as the culprit. The guard finally waved her on through
the check-point and she increased her speed as she sought out the
cargo offices. Fifteen minutes later she was signing the last of
the clearance forms. The clerk had been unusually sympathetic to
her cause and Morgan's mood was improving rapidly, "This stuff may
just get here after all."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Sorry, I was talking to myself. Bad habit."
"I see, well there's only one more form." With that he passed
a yellow form to the girl. Morgan barely managed to suppress a
smile as she read it. "This is too weird," she thought. The sender
on the last set of paperwork was listed as 'Benjamin A. McKensey',
the recipient was 'Benjamin M. Anderson'.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
part - 09 ↑
"OK, let's trace the number on this fax." Peter flung himself
desperately into cop mode.
"Already called it in." Kermit replied dryly.
"Well?"
"Well what?"
"Where's the location?"
"Excuse me, kid, but that information belongs to the primaries
on this case, Detectives Skalany and Powell."
"Dammit, Kermit, I'm a cop!"
"Not on this, you're not!"
Caine watched as the stand-off developed. His soft, "Peter"
went unheeded by his son. He repeated, equally softly, "Peter."
The young detective kept his glare fixed on Kermit but finally
responded, "What?"
"Did not your commander order you to leave this alone?"
"Y..Yes."
"Did you not give her your word that you would do so?"
An embarrassed Peter Caine turned to his father, and replied
with a quiet, "Yes."
"Then you will compromise your honor if you go against her wishes."
"I..I just want it to stop, Father." Peter slouched into his
chair.
"I know, my son, I know."
"Just knowing he's been out there, watching, for over half of
the last year is really getting to me."
Kermit Griffin placed a supportive hand on Peter's shoulder.
Glancing back at his friend and coworker, Peter said, "I'm sorry Kermit."
"No problem, kid,"
The uncomfortable silence that followed caused Kermit to take a
different tack, "OK, Peter, since it is your day off, what were you planning to do today?"
The young detective replied sadly, "Well, before all this garbage
happened, I was going to the hobby shop in the Southeast mall."
Kermit looked puzzled, "Kid, just curious, but there're several
shops closer than that one, why it?"
For the first time in almost twenty-four hours, Peter's face
came alive with excitement, "They've got the best supply of train
stuff. I've had my eye on a HO scale Boston & Maine 4-6-2 steam
engine and the store's running a sale on their HO stock."
************
A very dejected pair of detectives returned to the 101st just
after one. Broderick pointed them to Simms' office without a word.
"Captain?"
"Sit down, ladies. From your faces, I can see you didn't find
anything on the faxes."
"No, Ma'am. The fax machine is in an open location but unless
someone asks for help, no one pays any attention to it at all."
"Captain," Jody asked, "are the faxes still here or does the
lab have them?"
Simms passed her the packet of faxed images, "I held them until
you could take a look. All but one were taken relatively recently."
Skalany leaned in as Jody studied the first image of Laura.
"Poor Peter, first the pictures in his bedroom, now this."
Jody let the picture drop to the Captain's desk. Picking up the
next one she let out a startled, "Whoa!"
Skalany's eyes widened as she looked at the shot. "Peter
Caine! In the PARK?" Recovering quickly, she asked, "Captain,
do we know who the young, uh, lady, is?"
Karen Simms grinned, "Yes, Officer Bernice Holden of the 42nd."
"How red was Peter when he saw this?"
"Detective Powell, let's try to maintain a professional demeanor."
Simms paused for a moment, "Very red. I suggest that one of you
interview Officer Holden to see if she remembers anything unusual about that night."
Mary Margaret and Jody shared a silent "I doubt it", then Jody
offered, "I'll talk to her. What about the other shots?"
"As you can see most are candid distance shots, Peter going into
the dry cleaners, grocery store, that sort of thing. The ones taken
at events like the all-star hockey game last month are also pretty
useless. The reception at the mayor's was small enough that someone
might have seen something but it was five months ago. No, Officer
Holden is our best chance."
The buzzer went off suddenly and Karen punched it hard in
frustration, "Yes."
Broderick's voice came through the line, "Captain, Kermit just
called from the restaurant they went to. That last image of Peter's
mom was just faxed there."
"Damn! Return number on the fax?"
"Being traced even as we speak."
"Jody, you talk to Officer Holden. Mary Margaret, this fax is
yours."
************
Jody arrived at the 42nd; grinning she noted that the chaos
component was just as alive there as it was at the 101st. The
desk sergeant directed her to the office where Officer Holden
was waiting.
Jody took a deep breath to settle her nerves, then entered
the small office, "Officer Holden, I'm Detective Powell from the
101st."
A nervous voice replied, "I've been expecting you, the Captain
said you wanted to ask me some questions. Am I in trouble?"
"Oh, no, nothing like that. We're just hoping you might have
noticed something that will help us."
"I don't understand."
Jody hesitated a moment, then passed the woman the picture,
"This pretty much tells it all."
"Oh, shit! Who took this?"
"That's what we hope to find out. Did you see anyone in
the park?"
"No, not that I remember."
"How about any other night you were with Peter Caine?"
The young woman sighed with relief, "Oh, this is about PETER."
"Well, yes. Now about other times..."
"There weren't any other times. This was it."
"I don't understand."
"Well, Peter's a great looking guy and really, really, uh, good,
but..."
"But?"
"He's dull."
Jody was shocked almost speechless, "D..Dull?"
"Well, tame might be a better word. Look, Detective Powell, for
what it's worth, I like my sex on the wild side and it took the better
part of an evening to get him to even consent to sex much less do it
in the park."
"I, uh, I see," Jody gulped in a mind-clearing breath, "So there
wasn't anyone in the park."
"No, I tried to talk him into the movie theater, but he said there
were too many people there. He was afraid someone might see us."
"But they might have." Jody couldn't control her shock.
"That's half the fun, Detective. Sex in public and not getting
caught." Bernice giggled as she spoke.
"Well, thank you for your time." Jody was anxious to make an
exit.
"No, problem, any time."
Jody was edging toward the door when Bernice suddenly called out,
"Hey, there was someone outside the park. A man."
"Can you describe him?" The eagerness in Jody's voice made
the other woman laugh.
"Better than that. It was Maury Spencer. He's a sleaze-ball
private detective that usually operates in our precinct. But he
wasn't following us. It looked like he'd been there for quite some
time when we arrived."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
part - 10 ↑
Kwai Chang Caine stood back and watched his son. When they'd
entered the hobby store, Peter had been greeted, by name, by every
clerk in the store. He had returned their greetings enthusiastically,
but never wavered from his course toward the back of the store. Caine
had trailed behind the excited young man, somewhat befuddled by the
wide variety of hobby accessories on sale. They'd temporarily lost
Kermit at the front door, when the little robot did its welcome. The
ex-mercenary was now leaning against a wall, watching the Shaolin
watch the young cop.
"He certainly is engrossed, isn't he?"
"Yes. He is unusually enthusiastic." Caine smiled as Peter moved swiftly from one item to another. The priest in him had no need of material things and frowned at the youngest Caine's self-indulgence.
The father in him quickly silenced the priest and relished the sight
of his only child enjoying his hobby. Caine was startled to realize
that he rarely spent time with Peter doing what Peter enjoyed. Instead
Peter did whatever Caine, or Lo Si, required of him. He was saddened
deeply to recognize that by ignoring Peter's interests, he had
effectively locked himself out of this portion of Peter's life.
"Hey Marty?" Peter hailed an older clerk.
"What, Peter?"
"Did you finally sell that Western town as a set or did you
have to break it apart?"
"Sold it just this morning to some guy, and two tunnels as well."
"Whew, dude must have money."
"Probably, he paid cash but he either didn't know anything about
trains or he's into it in a real big way."
"What makes you say that?"
"Well, Peter, he bought some track almost as an afterthought,
but bought 'Z', 'N' and 'HO' scale."
********
The phone was once again ringing off the hook as Karen Simms
opened her front door. She reached it by the third ring, barely
beating the answering machine. "Simms."
"Captain, it's Mary Margaret. That fax number turned out to
be across the street from the restaurant in one of those quickie
copy shops."
"I take it no one saw anything."
"Not around the time of the fax, no. It looks like another
dead end."
"Keep me posted, Skalany."
"Yes, Ma'am."
As she hung up the phone, Karen Simms punched the sofa in
frustration, "Damn it to hell. We've got to get this jerk."
********
The sale had been a good one and Peter had been delighted to be
able to purchase the engine he'd been looking at, as well a Diner car,
for the original price of the engine. So high were his spirits that
he was not at all perturbed by the unusually high traffic near downtown.
Even thoughts of the stalker were banished by his good mood. He chattered merrily away about his purchases while his hands beat a
snappy tune on the steering wheel.
Kwai Chang Caine had elected to sit in the back seat, leaving
the front for Kermit. The Shaolin sat lost in his thoughts until
he suddenly heard,
"Earth to Pop!"
"My son?"
"Where were you, Pop? I've called you three times."
"I am sorry, my son, I was thinking."
"'Bout what, Pop?" Peter asked curiously.
Taking a deep breath, Caine asked tentatively, "I do not understand
why it was wrong to purchase 'Z', 'N' and 'HO' track."
Both Kermit and Caine could plainly see Peter's pleasure in being
asked the question. Truth be known, Kermit was interested as well.
"Well, Pop, it's not actually wrong, but it is unusual. 'Z', 'N' and 'HO' are three different sizes of track. Cars that run on one, won't
run on the other. 'HO's the most popular so it's got the widest
variety of accessories. It gets pretty expensive to set up all three
since they really need separate layouts to look right. I've only
got 'HO' and that's enough for me."
Peter brought the Stealth to a smooth stop as the light changed.
A blue mini-van moved carefully into the intersection in preparation
for making a left turn. An approaching siren caught their attention
and Kermit switched on the police bands to see what was happening.
Almost simultaneously, a small pickup truck came from nowhere and
swerved around a slow moving Jeep. To the horror of the onlookers,
the driver of the litle truck lost control and spun-out, T-Boning
the mini-van. The cruiser in pursuit screeched to a halt as Peter,
Kermit and Caine raced to the stricken vehicles. The screaming woman
in the driver's seat was struggling to remove her belt as Peter jerked open the door. He released the catch and pulled her away from the van as she fought to free herself from his grasp.
"MY KIDS ARE IN THE BACK, I'VE GOT TO GET THEM." Her frantic
scream almost deafened Peter as he shoved her into Kermit's arms
and raced back to the van. Caine, and the cruiser officer were
assisting two shaken, but uninjured teenage boys from the truck.
"HOW MANY?" Peter screamed back at the woman.
"Two in the back, and the baby's in the center seat. Dear God,
I thought she'd be safe there." She collapsed in hysterical sobs
as she spoke and Kermit passed her care onto Caine, who'd left the
boys to assist with the victims from the van.
Kermit ran toward the center doors and found them crushed shut,
windows now mere slits. "Shit, kid, the fuel tank's ruptured, this
thing can go at any moment."
Two terrified and bloody faces screamed at the rear window as
Peter fought with the door. He managed to get it ajar enough for
the frightened children to scramble to him. He passed them quickly
to the ex-mercenary who raced them back to their frantic mother.
Racing to the side window, he saw the infant seat jammed up
against the crushed doors. To his relief, he heard the baby's
frightened wails as he crashed through the windows. The narrowed
windows were too small for his frame to slide through. "Damn IT,
I can't reach her." He begin what he knew would be a futile attempt
to pry the window further open, when a voice behind him said urgently,
"Move, I'll fit."
Moving quickly aside, he barely had time to see the slender figure as the young woman squeezed quickly through the narrowed opening.
Her jeans ripped at her hips as she forced her way to the baby. Releasing the crying infant from her bonds, the young woman carefully passed her to Peter, "Careful, her neck could be hurt, that infant
seat's in real bad shape."
Kermit arrived back at the van as Peter turned to race to safety
with the baby. Seeing sparks fly under the van, Kermit gave the
young woman no time to make a graceful exit. As her head and
shoulders cleared the broken window, he reached in, yanked her out
and with a non-stop motion, carried her away from the van. The
explosion that followed threw both of them to the ground at Peter's
feet.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
part - 11 ↑
Caine assisted an uninjured Kermit to his feet as Peter knelt
beside the young brunette, "Are you all right?"
"Just peachy. How's the family?" She turned her head in search
of the van's occupants and watched as Kermit made his way toward the
fire chief. She then attempted to rise, wincing as her bruised
muscles protested. Peter held firmly onto her arm as she got shakily
to her feet.
"Various cuts and bruises, and the mother has broken ribs but
no life-threatening injuries." Caine nodded toward the departing
ambulance, "You were in time."
"Barely," she replied. Turning to the young man at her elbow,
she asked, "You were careful, weren't you?"
"Yes," he smiled, "I was careful. The paramedics even said so."
She looked at him suspiciously for a moment, then returned his
smile, "Good. That car seat was almost non-existent."
Kermit returned from checking with the fire chief, "Everyone
was very lucky. The chief says if the two kids had been in the
center seat, they would have been badly hurt. It was only the
infant seat that saved the baby."
The young woman turned quickly toward the ex-mercenary, "Thank
you. I wouldn't have gotten out it time if you hadn't pulled me."
"You were very brave; you didn't have to go into the van."
Kermit answered, embarrassed a little by her praise.
She looked vaguely surprised, "Yes, I did, if I wanted to live
with myself."
Peter interjected, "Still, you were very brave, Miss?"
"Mallory, Morgan Mallory." She glanced down at her shredded
pants, "Oh, geez, I better get off the streets before I get arrested
for indecent exposure."
Peter laughed, "Well, Ms. Mallory, I can guarantee that no one
will bother you."
"How come?"
Peter nodded to Kermit, and replied, "We're cops."
***********
It was late in the afternoon before Benjamin McKensey arrived
at the museum. As he checked in at the security desk, the guard
on duty checked his id. "Oh, Dr. McKensey?"
"Yes?"
"Dr. Anderson left word that Ms. Mallory had to go to the cargo
offices at the airport. Something about paperwork."
"Great, just great."
"Sir?"
"I'm sorry, thank you for the message. Where is Dr. Anderson?"
"He left just after Ms. Mallory to run some errands."
"Oh, I see. If he returns, will you ask him to come to the
second floor display hall?"
"Certainly, sir."
McKensey signed in quickly then headed for the exhibit room which
would soon house, he hoped, his life's work.
***********
Chaos reigned for a while at the crash scene as fire trucks
threw water on the inferno. Police officers from the local precinct
arrived to do crowd control and take statements from all witnesses available. The young cruiser officer was badly shaken by the events which were beyond his control.
"But, sir, that family could have been killed. I shouldn't have
pursued those kids."
Peter asked severely, "Then why did you?"
"They were driving recklessly, sir. They'd already sideswiped
another car about two miles back."
"Then your pursuit probably didn't make much difference, now
did it?" Peter had deliberately softened his tone.
"Sir?"
"Did they increase speed when you turned on your siren?"
"No, sir, they were going pretty fast al.. OH!"
"Exactly, they would have hit someone sooner or later, anyway.
I'll testify to what I saw at the hearing. Now you'd better get
back to your precinct and fill in the paperwork."
"Y..yes, sir. T..Thank you, sir."
Morgan Mallory was finishing up her statement to a patrolman as Peter walked up. Caine had lent her his long jacket to prevent her
from 'exposing herself to the world', as she put it. He smiled at
the pretty young woman and asked, "All finished?"
"YES!" she said fervently, "Do you suppose anyone will have a
hissy fit if I leave now? I'm already really, really late."
"We've got your address?"
"It's on the statement."
"Then I guess we can part with your company, reluctantly, but
we'll make the sacrifice."
"You're not Irish by any chance, are you?"
"No, why?"
"Cause that, Mr. Cop, was the biggest bunch of blarney that I've
heard in a while. Surely a man of your obvious talents can do better
than that."
Peter blushed, "Yes, uh, well,"
"Oooo. You do turn a pretty shade of pink." Morgan laughed at
his increased embarrassment, "But seriously, could I call you later
and find out how that family is doing? I know they won't give me
any information at the hospital, but as a cop, you should be able
to find out how they are. I'm really worried about that baby."
"No problem." Grateful for the change in subject, Peter gave
her his phone number as he escorted her to her car.
As she handed him Caine's jacket, Morgan added, "Thank your
father again for me. His jacket came in really handy." With that,
she started her car and drove away.
Peter walked slowly back to the Stealth. Kermit and Caine
were waiting for him there. "Here, Pop, Ms. Mallory says thanks."
"She is most welcome. She is a very brave young woman."
"Not to mention, very pretty." Kermit added slyly.
Peter smiled broadly, "That she is, and she's got MY phone
number."
"Don't let it go to your head, kid. You ready to get out of
here?"
"Yeah, let's go back to my place. I'll call the hospital from
there and find out how everyone's doing. AND I've got an engine to
try out."
**********
Twenty minutes later, Peter unlocked his apartment door. The
horror of the near tragedy had faded and his excitement about the
new train pieces had increased as he got closer to his home. He
was once again chatting merrily about the set-ups he would try
when he froze in the foyer and gasped, "Oh, my God!"
Caine and Kermit pushed their way around the stunned young cop
to stare in dismay at a living room filled with balloons. Only
weights attached to the streamers prevented them from floating freely
to the ceiling. And in the far corner, near the train set, stood a life-size photo of Laura, again in the Harlequin costume. As Kermit reached for his cell-phone, Peter sank slowly to the floor, "Oh God,
for a little while I'd forgotten about HIM."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
part - 12 ↑
Mary Margaret gasped and clung to the door handle of Jody's
Buick. "Good Lord, Jody, did you take driving lessons from Peter?"
"No, why?"
"Because," she squealed, "This is a sedan, not a Stealth. I
don't think you should take the corners like that."
"We've got to get to Peter's."
"Yes, but I'd like to get there, EEEK! ... alive."
"Fine. I'll slow down."
"Only," her shaken partner replied, "because we're here."
Jody pulled her car into the closest parking space she could
find, then she and Mary Margaret raced to Peter's apartment. The
elevator ride gave them a chance to catch their breath. Skalany
shook her head in mild amusement as Jody forced her way through the
opening door. Arriving at Peter's apartment, Kermit admitted them
and pointed grimly to the living room. The lab crew was already hard
at work dusting for prints. "Non-existent prints," was Kermit's only
thought. Jody's thoughts circled around Peter and how he must feel.
Mary Margaret, on the other hand, could think only of Caine.
Jody walked slowly toward the balloons. There were nine sets
of balloons, all pale blue with various baby decorations and ranging
from one to nine balloons in each set. The set with nine balloons
had candy cigars attached to every one. A card dangled enticingly
from one of the streamers. She looked expectantly at the nearest
lab tech.
"No prints, Detective Powell, go ahead and look at the note."
Jody detached the card from the balloon and returned to where
her friends were. She started to open the card, then looked at
Peter. Unable to deny him, she passed the card to her dearest
friend. Peter took a deep breath and started to read. He choked
on the first words and Kermit took it from him:
My Dear Child,
I am so very, very sorry for the pain you have suffered at
HIS hands. Rest assured your mother never told me of your
existence. Had she done so, I would have returned, no matter
the cost to my career, to make her my wife. Soon we will be
joined as only a father and son should be.
With much love,
Daddy
Silence hovered over the group like a shroud. Skalany was the
first to speak, "Caine, I must ask. Is what he suggests possible?"
Kwai Chang Caine positively blanched, "NO! Laura and I were
married almost two years before Peter arrived."
Caine was so intent on Mary Margaret's face, that he missed
Peter's sigh of relief. Kermit, however, did not. "Damn the man,"
he thought, "He screwing with the kid's mind, big time."
*********
Morgan Mallory parked her car in the parking garage of Sutton
Place, as close as she could get to the elevators. She climbed
gingerly from her car, the bruises on her hips aching as she moved.
Glancing down at her ravaged clothing, she regretted again not
keeping that nice Mr. Caine's jacket for a while longer. Moving as
quickly as possible to the elevator she impatiently punched the
button, over and over again. After what seemed an eternity, the
doors opened, and she was able to slip in and punch her floor.
She muttered a small prayer of thanks as she slipped, unnoticed,
into her room. Once there, she froze at the mountain of paperwork
that had obviously been delivered in her absence.
"Thank you very much Dr. McKensey or is some of this from
Dr. Anderson?" Laughing, she knew she'd get no answers from the
pile of paper, so she opted for a bath instead.
*********
Mary Margaret had also not missed Peter's sigh of relief but
chose to ignore it. She had a job to do and personal feelings had
to be cruelly suppressed for her to be successful.
"Caine, I know this will be hard for you but we really need to
hear the story behind this latest photo of your wife."
Kwai Chang Caine turned troubled eyes to the younger woman, "I
fear I cannot give you what you wish."
"Great," Mary Margaret thought, "I've touched a nerve." Aloud,
she said, "I'm sorry, Caine, I don't like having to pry, but it may
help us find this nut."
"You misunderstand, Mary Margaret, I do not know the story.
Until today I had not seen this photograph of my Laura."
*********
Morgan sipped at her hot chocolate, grateful once again for the
wonderful extras this hotel provided. She'd muddled her way through
much of the paperwork, dividing it into two stacks, one for her Dr.
McKensey, the other for Dr. Anderson.
"Why on earth did I agree to handle the museum opening for Dr.
Anderson at the same time I'm handling the exhibit setup for Dr.
McKensey? I really need to stop this over-achiever nonsense. What
on earth?" Her eyes settled on a manila envelope with no markings.
She quickly flipped it over and was surprised to see nothing there either. "OK, fine. I'll open you now." She ripped into the sealed envelope and withdrew a series of photos. Her brow furrowed with
confusion at the first few photographs of a young woman in clothing
that looked like something out of the sixties. "OK, this is weird."
The next series of photos caused her to gasp in surprise, "What the heck?" She stared in shock at a series of pictures of the young cop
she'd met at the wreck.
*********
After an agonizingly long stay the lab crew finally departed.
Peter sat slumped on his sofa, attempting to sort out his thoughts.
"OK, Kid, you've got that 'I have got an idea' look. What?"
"Kermit, this guy thinks he's my dad, right?"
"Looks that way."
"Well, when a woman's pregnant, what happens?"
The puzzled detective looked at his younger friend and searched
his face. Finding only a sincere interest in the answer to his
question, Kermit responded, "Well, if everything goes normally she
delivers a baby in nine..."
"You got it, Kermit. A woman is pregnant for nine months."
Mary Margaret spoke up, "The balloons - there were nine sets,
to symbolize the nine months. It makes sense, in a crazy sort of
way."
"It does fit with the baby toys, but why now?" Jody asked.
"And it's obvious this guy's one card shy of a full deck."
Mary Margaret couldn't hide her concern as she addressed Peter,
"So this guy's counting down to your birth as his son?"
"That's my guess, and as to why now," Peter sighed, "My birthday's
next week."
Kermit looked grave, "Kid, what comes at the end of a pregnancy?"
"A baby."
Kermit shook his head as Caine responded, "Yes, my son, but before
the baby there is the very pain filled process called 'labor'."
Peter Caine's eyes traveled from one person to the next, his only
response being, "Oh, shit."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
part - 13 ↑
With the revelation that Caine did not recognize the Harlequin
photograph of Laura, Mary Margaret had elected to bypass further
discussion of the issue until the lab personnel had departed. The
frightening thought that this madman looked as if he were planning
for Peter's birth had served to suppress the necessary questions for
an additional space of time. A sideways glance in the direction
of the train set, where the image had stood, pulled the question
back to the surface.
"Caine, you said earlier that you didn't recognize the photo of
Laura that was here. D..Did she ever speak of such a costume?"
"Laura spoke of many costumes," Caine replied sadly, "She was
heavily involved in community theater. That is where we met. I
was the janitor at the theater where she was acting."
Peter stared at his father, "I..I didn't know any of that. Y..You
never told me that."
Caine gently touched Peter's face, "I am sorry, my son. She has
been gone so long. I did not think you would find it interesting."
"ANY piece of Mother is interesting, Father. It's not like I
have a lot of her."
Kwai Chang Caine barely controlled his hurt as Peter spoke,
"When this is over, we will speak of your Mother."
"Yeah, right. Like we've talked about those fifteen years!"
Caine could not suppress his feelings this time, "Peter!"
The younger man visibly cringed, "I..I'm sorry, Father. I..I
shouldn't have said that."
The Shaolin's eyes filled with tears as he pulled his son into
an embrace. "I understand, my son, but we will talk. You have my
word." Peter pulled out of the hug and nodded without speaking.
An embarrassed Mary Margaret gulped, then spoke, "I know this
will be painful, Caine, but we really need to know about Laura. Did
she ever speak of old boyfriends?"
"Laura was very beautiful and very popular. She had many dates
but she was never seriously involved with any of the ones I knew."
Caine's pride in his late wife showed in his face as well as his voice.
"What about ones you didn't know?"
The Shaolin's slight frown showed Mary Margaret that she might
have struck pay dirt. His reply was slow in coming, "There was one
whom I never met. He was out of the country when I found my Laura."
"Do you know anything about him?"
Caine hesitated, glanced at Peter, then replied, "Laura had to
go out of town for a while. An old friend was having surgery and
needed her help. This was shortly after we became engaged. She
wrote me about a letter she received from him after she became
engaged to me. I do not know what he wrote but his letter caused
her much pain."
"No name?"
"Yes. Benjamin."
"No last name?"
"I do not think so."
"Do you remember anything else that might help us?"
"It has been so long since I read the letter."
"Well, I really meant anything else, friends, co-workers at the
time. Particularly since the letter's gone."
"It is not.. Gone." Caine spoke with obvious reluctance.
All eyes stared at the Shaolin.
"But I thought, I mean, the temple..." Mary Margaret's words
died on her lips as she caught sight of Peter's pale face.
He stuttered, "Y..You have a L..LET..TER from M..Mother t..that
you n..never sh..showed me?"
"It is not a letter that a child should read."
"I'm not a child, Pop." The anger and hurt in Peter's voice was
unmistakable..
"You misunderstand. It is not a letter that a son should read."
"POP!"
"NO, Peter."
The youngest Caine glared at his father for a short moment then
stalked away to fiddle with his beloved train set.
Keeping her voice low, Skalany asked, "Caine, Jody and I need to
read this letter. Will you permit that?"
Caine nodded slowly, then sadly looked toward his son. Peter would
not turn to face him. Caine sighed deeply and followed Mary Margaret
and Jody out the door.
***********
Morgan's thoughts went into a tail-spin - who was the young woman
in the pictures and why were her photos in with what appeared to be
surveillance photos of that cop? Better yet, what the hell were the
things doing in HER hotel room. "Settle down, Morgan, there's got
to be a simple explanation for this, but what?" She paced up and
down the small confines of the suite but try as she might she didn't
like what she came up with. The simplest explanation was that the
manila envelope had been delivered by mistake with the remainder of
the items from Dr. McKensey and Dr. Anderson. "OK, there could be
a really innocuous reason why one of them has a folder full of
pictures of, what's his name, Patrick, no, Peter Caine. Yeah, right,
Morgan, like taking telephoto shots of a cop is a national pastime."
She crossed to the phone, and dialed a familiar number.
After what seemed an eternity, a male voice answered
"Hello?"
" Jeff, it's Morgan."
"Hi, Little Bit, what's up?"
"Jeff, can you think of any reason someone would take candid
photos of a cop?"
"Sure, lot's of em."
Morgan waited a moment, "Well?"
"Well, what?"
"Dammit, Jeff! What reasons?"
"Touchy aren't we, little sister, you didn't ask what. What is
this book about anyway?"
"Huh? Oh, I'm not researching a book, this time. I'm still helping
Dr. McKensey get his exhibit set up. Now what reasons?"
"OK, he's under investigation by the Feds or Locals, or on the flip
side, he or she is being set up, or even targeted for murder. Those are
the best I can do right now. I've got to be at Linda's in thirty minutes.
Now answer something for me, Why?"
Morgan hesitated a moment, then blurted out the story.
Jeff Mallory's voice was grim, "This doesn't sound good, Bit.
Have either of your doctors been acting odd lately?"
She snorted a laugh, "McKensey's always odd, and I hardly know
Dr. Anderson. But even so, with the problems we've had even getting
this stuff into town, both of them are as jumpy as the proverbial cat on
a hot tin roof. So, do I try to charm the info out of the Docs or do I
talk to the cop?"
"Do not, under any circumstances, let either Doctor know you've
got the pictures. Get hold of this cop and show them to him, fast. It
sounds very bad to me and he needs to be warned. BUT, you need to
be careful. You're young, not immortal."
"Jeff, I can take care of myself."
"Right. Girl knows a few moves and thinks she can take care of
herself. "
"Excuse me, but I took you down last time we sparred."
"Yeah, but you lost to Mark and Mike."
"They are Navy Seals, and you lost to them, too."
"Yeah, but I'm a JAG lawyer. Seriously, sis, be careful. My life
expectancy will be short, if anything happens to you and I didn't call
the others about your, uh, problem."
"You aren't going to call them, are you? Daddy will just go
ballistic."
"Little Bit, I assumed that's why you called the lawyer in the
family. You know, attorney/client stuff."
"Thanks, Jeff."
"Don't mention it, uh , ever. And go call that cop."
"Right." Hanging up the phone, she fumbled through her purse,
searching for the card with his phone number on it. Morgan finally
located it lodged between her make-up case and wallet. She reached
for the hand set. The sudden ring caused her to jump nervously and
she practically yanked the phone off the table answering it. "Hello?
...Oh, hi Doc...yeah, uh, e..everything was here when I got here...
don't worry, I'll handle it...You're welcome...Oh, I've taken care
of the airport mess....Yeah, I'm sorry I couldn't get back to the
museum, but there was a wreck on my way ba...No, not mine...But
I was a witness and the p..police needed a statement....OK,
Tomorrow. Bye!"
***********
"Damn! Damn that security guard!" He threw a piece of unused
track across the bedroom, "That hesitation - the pictures are there
and she's seen them." He walked toward the live-size blow-up of
Peter Caine. Gently touching the image's face, he said, "Nothing
will separate us, my dear boy. Nothing. But it's a pity. She's very
young." As he spoke, his hand traveled the length of the blow-up's
figure, stopping to rest delicately on the visible portion of Peter's
Beretta.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
part - 14 ↑
As the door closed behind Caine and the two detectives, Kermit
waited in silence, knowing that Peter Caine would speak sooner or
later. He didn't have long to wait. Peter fiddled with a small box
car for a moment then placed it gently back on the tracks. Kermit
winced as Peter slammed a fist into the wall beside the track. Still
not willing to meet his friend's eyes, Peter said quietly, "He's going
to let them read the letter, isn't he, Kermit?"
"Yes, kid."
Peter whirled to face the older man, "I can't believe he never
showed me the letter, Kermit. He never even TOLD me about the
letter."
Kermit shrugged helplessly, "I don't know, Peter, maybe it was
too personal for him to share."
"He's going to share it now!"
"Only to help you, Peter."
"But..."
His comment was cut short by the telephone. As the young detective
turned to answer it, Kermit couldn't help but worry about the sudden
rift that had developed between father and son. He knew from past
experience that his young friend had a tendency to become reckless
when his relationship with Caine was in turmoil.
Peter's sudden exclamation of "WHAT!" occurred just as Kermit's
cell phone rang. The ex-mercenary tried to focus on both Peter and
his own conversation but found it to be an impossible task.
"Kermit, are you listening?"
"Yes, Karen." Kermit watched as Peter spoke softly into his phone
and began pacing within the limits of the phone cord.
"Detective Griffin, I need your undivided attention and you need to
be able to speak without Peter hearing you. I don't want that young
man any more involved in this case than he has to be."
"Yes, Captain." The older detective glanced at his younger friend.
Peter's conversation was too low to be heard but had the appearance
of being a long one. Kermit moved quickly into Peter's bedroom and
said, "Go ahead, Captain."
"Fine. Mary Margaret did a good job. Even though there were no
witnesses, she had the fax machine across from the restaurant dusted
for prints."
"Something turned up?"
"Oh, yeah. Ricardo Hernandez."
"THAT Sleazebag! What the hell?"
"TJ's going to interview Mr. Hernandez and Maury Spencer."
"Spencer!"
"Yes. Evidence looks like both may be trailing Peter."
Kermit was stunned, "Wait a minute. You're telling me that two
Private Detectives have been trailing Peter, and Peter didn't notice?
I don't think so. The kid's too good for that."
"I don't make up the facts, Kermit, but Spencer was at the park where
some of the first pictures were taken..."
"Ouch."
"Right, and with Hernandez's prints, well, Peter obviously missed
something. Facts don't lie."
"Karen, you can think that if you wish, but I'm telling you something's
really wrong. You'll never get me to believe that Peter didn't know about
those two dirt-bags. You'll keep me posted?"
"You'll know as fast as possible. Take care of Peter."
"Oh, yeah." Kermit snapped his cell phone shut and returned to the
living room. "Peter, who was th..." The ex-mercenary stared in horror
at the empty space where Peter Caine had been.
*************
Peter Caine felt a momentary pang of guilt as he climbed aboard the
city bus two blocks down from his apartment building. Saying a "Sorry,
Kermit", he dropped into a seat near the front. As he stared morosely
out of the window, he thought he recognized a figure on the sidewalk
he'd just vacated. Glancing quickly backwards, he found no one there.
"Naw, I'm just seeing things. Carl Reynolds digs up most of his dirt
in the 110th's area. He'd never be in this neck of the woods."
*************
Kermit raced down the steps to the garage, cursing as he went. He'd
taken a short moment to check the number on Peter's caller id device,
then darted out the door. He clicked opened his cell phone and managed
to call in an APB on Peter's Stealth and a trace on the call the kid had
received as he ran down the stairs. Interference from steel beams
ended his conversation with Broderick before he reached the bottom
of the stairs. Cursing loudly, he snapped closed the useless phone,
thrust open the garage doors and raced for Peter's regular parking place,
hoping against hope to catch the young idiot before he left the garage.
The ex-mercenary slid to a stop and glared at the Stealth. "God dammit,
kid. Where are you?"
The frustrated detective headed for the nearest exit to the garage. A
horn blared and he leaped out of the path of a red Taurus. An angry man
yelled, "What are you, nuts?" as the car disappeared into the bowels
of the building. Kermit ignored the near disaster as he hit the sidewalk.
Breathing very hard, he glanced in both directions. No sign of Peter.
He leaned down, resting his hands on his knees and tried to regain
some control on his breathing. When at last he could speak, he lifted
his cell-phone and called the station.
"Broderick, cancel the APB on Peter's car. He didn't take it. Run a
check on the cab companies and see if they picked up a fare near here
that matches Peter's description. Also, find out when the last bus left
the bus stops within a two block radius of here. Can we get anything
on that call he got from Sutton Place?"
"No dammit. His caller-id only got us there. It's their main number
going to an internal phone system that doesn't show up on caller id and
the damn manager is asking for a court order to produce his call-out
records."
"Did you explain..."
"Yes, Kermit. The Captain spoke to the asshole herself. He has to
protect the privacy of his guests. Captain Simms is working on a court
order but it is Saturday night." Broderick spoke with a sneer.
"Shit. I'm going to Sutton Place. Get a car to Sutton Place. Tell them
to keep Peter there for me, even if it means cuffing him."
"Kermit, are you sure..."
"YES! Peter is not operating at full throttle and this nut appears to
have all the cards. Cuff him and throw him in the squad car if necessary
and keep me posted."
***************
Twelve blocks from his apartment complex, Peter Caine climbed out
of the bus. He quickly purchased a baseball cap at a nearby shop and
walked half a block to the nearest cab stand. The bored cabby sized
up the younger man as he climbed into the cab.
"Bayside Park and hurry."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
part - 15 ↑
The ride to Kwai Chang Caine's living quarters was made in silence.
Jody was too uncomfortable with what had occurred to speak and Mary
Margaret was too worried about Caine's letter to start a conversation.
As for Caine, Peter's anger had hurt him deeply and left him with his
emotional defenses at a low ebb.
Mary Margaret pulled into a parking place close to the Shaolin's
abode and all three started for the brownstone. As they started to climb
the stairs, Caine suddenly held up a hand, stopping the women, "Someone
has been here." Before either detective could prevent it, Caine took
the remainder of the steps two at a time. Jody and Mary Margaret
raced after him but his lead was too great.
"Caine, don't!", Mary Margaret tried in vain to prevent the man she
cared deeply for, from entering his living area without her.
A strangled cry from inside the rooms caused both women to draw
their weapons and increase their pace. They froze in the doorway at
the site in front of them.
Jody recovered first saying, "I'll call it in" as she disappeared back
down the stairs.
Mary Margaret moved slowly forward and knelt beside the distraught
figure huddled in a heap on the floor. Tears streamed down Caine's
face as he turned to look at the younger woman. "I am sorry, Mary
Margaret, this is just, just...." His voice broke and he buried his head
in his hands.
Not quite knowing what to do, she opted to take a closer look at the
additions to Caine's apartment. Her eyes widened with horror as she
realized that the enlarged photographs were a series of shots taken
of a horrible fire. Judging from Caine's reaction, this had to be the
destruction of the temple. Terrified occupants could be seen fleeing
the flames. Each image was increasingly worse, with walls beginning
to crumble and people falling to the ground underneath the debris. An
out of place arrow caught her eye and she moved toward it. Looking
closely at the figures indicated by the arrow, she was shocked to see
a much younger Kwai Chang Caine being helped from the building,
blood streaming from a gaping head wound.
A trembling voice spoke from behind her, "This was attached to the
arrow." Caine thrust a crumbled letter into her hand and backed away
from the photograph.
She tore her eyes away from the shaken man, and started to read the
letter out loud. The words on the paper put a chill in her soul.
"Peter was still inside, Kwai Chang Caine. You left her son to die.
He was inside, screaming for you to help him. You left him there. You
ran away to save yourself and left him to die in the flames. She will
never forgive you for that. I will never forgive you for that and Peter,
well, Peter will soon learn he should not forgive you for that.'"
***********
Peter paid the cab driver at the entrance to the park and watched
the cab drive away. Walking quickly into the park, he headed for the
children's playground. The stars were clear in the moonless night as
he approached the deserted swings. Exhausted, he realized that he'd
been up entirely too long. He'd need to sleep soon, but there was so
much left to do. The motion of the swing in which he'd sat down
dulled his senses enough so that the girl's voice took him by surprise.
"Detective Caine?"
He jumped out of the swing and faced the pretty young woman.
"Miss Mallory, thank you for meeting me here."
"It's Morgan, and I don't really understand why you wanted to meet
in a deserted park, this time of night. Wouldn't my room have been
better, Detective Caine?"
"Peter, please. No, I, uh, had to slip a body guard to get here and
my caller id gave the number of your hotel, besides I don't want
you involved in my problem."
"I see and you want to ' fix' the problem yourself because you
don't want anyone hurt on your account and you really don't need
any help."
Peter blushed in embarrassment, "Well, yes. Something like that.
How did you know?"
"I have four over-achieving, macho older brothers, Peter. Any one
of them would have done exactly the same thing. I suppose you'd
like to see the photographs now."
"Yes, by all means."
"I left them in the car. Come on, we'll take my car and go somewhere
with better light. Some of the details won't show in the car lights. Then
you can tell me the whole story."
"Look, I don't want to get you involved. If you'll just give me the pic...."
"Don't think so." It was Morgan's turn to look embarrassed. "I, uh,
neglected to mention that Dr. McKensey called before I called you.
I'm afraid I was a little nervous on the phone with him and trust me,
he'll have noticed my tension. Even if Dr. McKensey isn't behind the
photos, they still came to my place, and whoever had them taken is
going to suspect that I've seen them. So correct me if I'm wrong but
I think I'm involved whether I want to be or not. We'll look at them
together." Morgan turned and started toward her car, "Coming?"
Peter shook his head and followed, "I think this is a mistake but I'm
too tired to argue." He walked beside her for a short distance, then
asked, "FOUR brothers?"
"Yepper, four OLDER brothers."
***********
"Caine, you can't let this madman get to you. It didn't happen like
this." Mary Margaret once again found herself kneeling beside Caine's
trembling form.
"You are wrong, Mary Margaret. Peter was still inside then. Ping Hi
had Kahn help me out, then went back to rescue others. My child was
only twelve, Mary Margaret. He was surrounded by flames, screaming
for me. I heard him and could not get to him because of the flames. The
ceiling collapsed on him and his screams died with him or so I thought.
I could not get to him, Mary Margaret, but I heard him, then and for the
fifteen years that I wandered. I heard him, and could do nothing. Laura,
forgive me, I could do nothing."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
part - 16 ↑
Anger was the primary emotion on the man's face as he read the figure on the
PC monitor, ~250,000~.
His tanned fingers typed a response into the private chat room, ~50,000~.
~No deal, 200,000~
~I can get cheaper~
~But not safer - results guaranteed or your money back and I've already got
a tail on her.~
~100,000~
~150,000 and I get to play first~
Benjamin leaned back in his chair and thought for a moment. Morgan was
a sweet child but there was too much at stake. He gently touched the framed
picture of Peter on his desk. Leaning forward he typed his final response,
~Done. The girl is yours, but NO witnesses~.
**************
"Drive north on Cannon." Peter instructed as he dropped his tired frame into
the passenger seat.
"Where are we going?"
"Doesn't much matter. That area has several all night coffee shops and restaurants
that we can go to. Have you eaten?"
"No." Morgan admitted, "I haven't had time."
"Me either. You like Mexican?"
"Yes. The hotter the better."
"Great. Then look for The Matador. The food's good and the lights are not so
dim that I can't see the photos. How many are there?"
"Twelve but only eight are of you."
The young man next to her took a deep breath and asked, "And the other four?"
"Some young woman in a get-up that looks to be straight out of the sixties."
Peter reached into his wallet and removed a picture. He said nothing else
until she stopped at a light. "Is this her?"
"Yes. Who is she?"
His reply was almost too soft to be heard, "My mother."
**************
Kermit Griffin restlessly paced the lobby of the Sutton Place Hotel. The night
manager was growing increasingly uneasy with the behavior of the strange man
in sunglasses. Guests and staff were taking a wide berth around the man and even
the two uniformed patrolmen were showing signs of discomfort. The appearance
of a lovely blond in the outer door was a welcome distraction to all present.
Karen Simms acknowledged Kermit's presence with a slight nod as she made
her way to the front desk. "Mr. Rafferty?"
"May I help you, Madam?" The manager was entirely too eager to please.
"Here's your court order. I want those phone records now!"
The stunned man stared blankly at the papers in his hand, "Y..You're a cop?"
Karen bit back the sarcastic remark that rose to her lips, they might need this
idiot's help, "Yes, now about those records."
"It should be simpler than that, Captain," Kermit spoke in icy tones directed
at the overwhelmed manager, "With the system they've got, you should be able
to enter the number dialed in the computer and get the room it was called from."
"Is this true?" Karen glared at the manager.
"Y..Yes, C..Captain. W..What number do you need?"
The ex-mercenary handed the man a scrap of paper with Peter's number and
within minutes, the hotel room popped up.
"Who's room is that?" The question came from Simms and Griffin simultaneously.
"Morgan Mallory."
"What!" Kermit was stunned by the revelation.
"You know this man?" Karen could not hide her surprise at Kermit's exclamation.
"Woman. It's, I mean he's a she. Peter and I met her for the first time today at
a wreck downtown. She helped us pull a baby out of a van before it exploded."
"Any chance the wreck was staged?"
Kermit thought for a moment then spoke slowly, "It's possible but I'd have to say
highly unlikely. Too many factors came into play for a staged accident."
"Then let's go visit Ms. Mallory."
"Oh, yeah!"
***************
"Why would pictures of your mom be mixed in with yours?" Morgan's
curiosity was beginning to run rampant.
"OK, I'll give you the Reader's Digest Condensed Version of the story."
"Please."
"Some guy my mother dated before she married my dad is stalking me.
That's pretty much it."
"Except?"
"Except what?"
"Look, I'm not stupid. He's got you under really tight surveillance. Some of
those shots were taken in rather interesting places. There were a couple in a
park...."
Peter blanched, "Oh, shit. They weren't, uh, kind of..."
Morgan kept her eyes on the road, but her voice held a hint of laughter, "All I
can say is that the young woman is very, shall we say, athletic."
**************
Kermit knocked on Morgan Mallory's room, "Police, Ms. Mallory. We need to
speak with you a moment." Trying the knob, he found it to be unlocked. He
glanced at Karen Simms for permission to enter.
Captain Simms hesitated a moment, then said, "She could be in trouble. Go on
in. I'll deal with the fall-out later."
Kermit thrust open the door, and stopped dead in his tracks. What was visible
of the suite was completely trashed. Concerned, he raced toward the bedroom,
fearful of finding the young woman's body. Karen Simms was right behind him.
They both breathed a sigh of relief when the bedroom and bathroom were found to
be trashed but empty. Simms ordered one of the accompanying patrolmen to call
the lab crew and sent the other to search the garage for the rental car Kermit had
seen the girl in.
"Let's just pray she went to meet Peter somewhere." Karen's voice was grim,
"Otherwise, seeing the condition of this place, I can't say much for her chances."
***************
"DAMN!" Morgan suddenly braked hard to avoid hitting the van that wanted
her lane. "There's never a cop around when you need one."
Peter grinned in spite of himself, "I'll have to see if I can rectify that." Warning
bells went off in his head as the van slowed. Glancing behind him, he saw a small
pick-up closing in from behind. "TURN RIGHT, NOW!"
The girl reacted remarkably quickly, but the corner was too tight to take at the
wrong angle. The stop sign made a horrible metallic grating sound as it thudded
underneath her car. "Great, how am I going to explain this to the rental company?
I assume we're being tailed?"
"Yes, dammit. I'm sorry. How did they find me so fast?"
"They probably followed me." She spoke contritely, "I was kinda stupid.
Didn't think to look for a tail."
"Why would you?" Peter grabbed the arm rest as the little car took another
corner rather quickly. "Left at the next street."
"Daddy will have my hide for coming out this time of night and NOT looking
for a tail. He and the boys have drummed it into my head for years that a
woman alone is fair game for some creeps." She jerked the wheel to the left
as Peter clung more tightly to the arm rest.
"Where'd you learn to drive like this?" He gasped as she barely missed an illegally parked car.
"Italy. Daddy was stationed there for a while. Uh OH! "
The large delivery van blocked the side street completely. No driver was in sight but the lights in the restaurant behind the van were a good indication of where he might be found. Morgan threw the gear shift into reverse but it was too late.
Peter glared at the armed thugs cautiously approaching the car, then said quickly, "Stay inside. I'll try to talk them into just taking me and leaving you alone. Lock the door behind me." Before she could respond, he'd leaped out of the car.
"OK, fellas. Let's leave the girl out of this."
The tall man in the front snorted with laughter, "I don't think so and the boss said no witnesses."
"She doesn't know anything. Let her go."
The man in the lead couldn't hide his pleasure, "HER? She's why we're here. As for you...." The AK47 suddenly pointed in Peter's direction. His gasp of surprise coincided with the loud discharge of the weapon.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
part - 17 ↑
Kwai Chang Caine sat motionless, an immovable object in the
center of the chaos in his home. Mary Margaret kept a concerned eye
on the Shaolin as the lab crew completed its work and packed up to leave. All photographs had been cataloged, tagged and boxed safely away. Since his completely out of character outburst earlier, Caine
had gone to the other extreme of absolute silence. He'd folded up entirely when the lab crew brought a previously unnoticed picture
of a child to Mary Margaret's attention. Caine had taken a brief
look at the photo, identified it as his son, then sank to a full
lotus position in the center of the room and withdrew into himself.
As the lab crew left, Jody nodded toward Caine, "What happened?"
Mary Margaret looked grim, "This." Handing Jody the photograph,
she added, "It's Peter."
Jody glared angrily at the picture in her hand, "What the hell!
It looks like the asshole tried to burn it, wonder why?"
Caine's tired voice was barely detectable, "It was taken three
days before the temple was destroyed. HE wishes me to be reminded
of my unforgivable failure."
"Caine, you did not deliberately abandon Peter. You would not
have left the temple if you'd thought he was alive."
Kwai Chang Caine's features had turned to granite as he rose
to his feet, "I thank you for your faith, Mary Margaret, but HE
is correct. I did not check to see if Peter still lived. I saw
him fall and the path to him was difficult. I chose the easy path
to self-preservation, leaving my child to die."
"You were injured, Caine, not thinking clearly...."
"You may make as many excuses as you wish, Mary Margaret, but I
have finally seen the truth, thanks to a madman. He is right. Laura would never forgive me for my actions. I should have saved my son."
***********
TJ Kincaid checked the address one more time. He groaned loudly
as he realized that his quarry's apartment was on the fifth floor of
an older building with no elevator. He glanced at his watch and was
surprised to find that it was already after midnight. His little
chat with Hernandez had taken much longer than he anticipated but
had pointed the trail back to Spencer. Of course the slight amount
of cocaine found in Hernandez's possession had given TJ a much needed
edge. The private detective readily admitted that he'd been hired
to photograph Peter Caine whenever possible, but adamantly denied
following the young detective. TJ'd almost lost his patience as
he tried to piece together the facts concerning Peter. Hernandez
was more concerned with the loss of his license and alternated
between usable information and whining. It was with undisguised
relief that TJ had turned Hernandez over to the booking officers
with instructions to "hold up the process for as long as possible."
The young detective sighed and started the long climb to Maury Spencer's latest place of residence.
***********
Jody listened to Mary Margaret and Caine's conversation with
mixed emotions. She cared deeply for Peter but knew that he cared
for her as a friend, not the lover she so desperately desired to be. She quickly realized that her feelings for Peter Caine were getting
in the way of her objectivity, at least where his father was concerned.
She'd read the vicious letter and heard Caine's heartfelt declaration
to Mary Margaret and, while moved by his obvious distress, found that she agreed with him. In her opinion Caine had deserted Peter as
surely as if he'd left him by the side of the road. She needed to
get away from this place and get herself back under control. Peter
was in danger from this madman and she'd be damned if anything was
going to hurt him. "Mary Margaret, I'm going back with the lab crew. T..There's some things I need to check on."
"OK, Jody, I'll join you when I finish here."
"No! I mean, don't bother. I'm going home to bed. You should
do the same."
Skalany's confusion was evident but she conceded the point as
she checked her watch. "It is late, much later than I thought. Eight
tomorrow, at Peter's? What about the second shift?"
"Peterson and Hendricks are outside, front and back so Caine
should be safe. And eight's fine." She nodded briefly to Caine and
cringed inwardly as she realized that he knew what she felt. Jody
quickly rushed from the room before she lost all semblance of control.
Mary Margaret shook her head as Jody left, "What on earth..."
Caine replied, sadly, "She has much anger."
Skalany sighed deeply, "You're right, this whole mess is getting
to all of us. OK, I really hate to bring this up again, but I have
to see that letter."
Caine nodded silently, reached into his ever-present pouch and pulled out an time-worn envelope.
Stunned, Mary Margaret said, "You had it with you at Peter's?
Why on earth did we have to come back here to read it?"
"I always have it with me, Mary Margaret. If I had removed it
in his home, his anger would have become even greater than it was."
"I don't understand."
"I," Caine paused, "I cannot let him read this letter. It is
the first letter Laura ever sent me. It contains sentiments that I
would have preferred remain between Laura and myself."
"I'm sorry, Caine."
"It is not your fault, Mary Margaret, but if I may ask a favor?"
"Certainly."
"If it is possible that only you read this letter, I would be forever grateful."
"I'll do my best, Caine, but I can't make any promises."
"I understand." He handed her the envelope, then left her side
to stare forlornly out of the window.
**********
TJ knocked on the dilapidated door. A few moments later, the
door shifted slightly ajar.
"What?"
"Maury Spencer?"
"Who wants to know?"
"My name's TJ Kincaid. We have a mutual acquaintance in Ricardo Hernandez."
"Never heard of him."
"That's not what he says."
"He's lying."
As the door slammed shut, TJ blurted out, "Blue Boy."
The door re-opened, all the way this time, "Why didn't you say so? Come on in."
**********
Before Mary Margaret could pull the letter out of its envelope,
running footsteps could be heard on the landing. Jody Powell thrust
her head into the room, "Skalany, Caine - Captain wants us back at
the station, yesterday."
"What, Why?" Mary Margaret asked quickly.
"That damn Peter slipped away from Kermit of all people. We don't
have a clue where the idiot is."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
part - 18 ↑
TJ tried to suppress his revulsion at the private detective's
living conditions. Empty potato chip bags littered the floor and
beer cans lined the desk and coffee table. Spencer swept a stack
of newspapers out of a chair, "Have a seat."
"No, thanks, I won't be here long. Just tell me what I need
to do."
"First tell me how a guy dressed like you comes to me for a
job."
"Bad investments have left me strapped for cash."
Spencer eyed him closely, "I see. Got any more suits like that?"
"A few, why?"
"Cause the place we've had the least coverage is the uppity
parts of town. Caine doesn't get there much but when he does we
lose him."
"What does the job pay?"
"$5 per regular photograph, $15 for intimate shots BUT only if
you're not spotted. Zippo otherwise."
"So I just follow Caine..."
"NO - absolutely not. Damn cop's got eyes in the back of his
head. What are you, new in town?"
"Yes, if I don't follow him then how..."
"Think of this as a side venture. Keep your camera with you
and take photos if you see him, just make sure that he doesn't
notice you."
"I don't understand. I thought we were tailing this, uh, cop?"
"Naw - it's really kinda fun. Nothing illegal to it so the
cops can't arrest you for more than loitering. If we spot him then
we get pictures. And Caine, well that cop's so active that getting
a shot or two a day is possible for at least one team member. Like
I said, with you concentrating on the uppity areas of town, we
should get even more pictures."
"But, why?"
"Damn you're nosy. Doesn't matter, cause I don't know. I
just deliver the film. By the way, don't develop the film, just
give it to me raw. I'll have your cash a couple of days after
that."
"But..."
"Look, if it helps just think of us as cop paparazzi and
the buyer likes his privacy."
"His?"
Spencer shrugged, "Could be a her actually. Hard to tell
gender in Internet chat-rooms."
************
Peter Caine threw himself behind the rental car, cringing as
the rounds from the AK47 impacted with the metal body of the car.
He whipped his Beretta out of its holster and prepared to return
fire, knowing full well that the handgun's ammunition would run out
way before the fire power he faced died down.
A loud, "What the hell?" came from the lighted doorway followed
by a yelp of "Oh, Shit - Harry, call the cops". Another burst from
the automatic weapon impacted with wood, telling Peter that the
thugs had attempted to take out an innocent bystander. Furious, the
young cop returned fire from his Beretta, hoping to draw attention
back to himself. It worked. Metallic pings rang against the side
of the little car as he made his way back to the passenger door.