Should Have Been Mine - by Pho
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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."

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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!"

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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.

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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."

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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."

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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.

"Careful - we need the girl alive. She's got the photos." A deep voice rang out over the sound of gunfire.

Sirens could be heard in the background as Peter flung open the passenger door, "Thought I told you to lock this behind me."

Morgan lay sprawled face down on the seat. She lifted her head to meet his eyes, "I forgot, sue me."

Shouts of "Get the girl" made up Peter's mind for him, "Come on, we've got to leave." He grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the car beside him, "Stay very low.

"SH..Shouldn't we wait on the cops?"

"No time - those sirens aren't close enough to get here in time. Besides sooner or later those idiots are gonna hit the gas tank."

"Sh..Shouldn't matter." Morgan cleared her throat and struggled for control, "I filled up just before I met you. There shouldn't be enough fumes to ignite even if a round goes through."

Peter grimaced as he fired again, "Good girl. Where'd you..."

"Four..."

"Older brothers, got it. Come on. I'm going to draw their fire, you duck around the delivery van and run as fast as you can."

"What about you?"

"I'll be right behind you."

Peter grinned when he heard her mutter, "Promises, promises" as he once again raised his Beretta over the hood.

************

It was a dejected crew that gathered around Karen Simms' desk. Kermit sat sullenly in the chair nearest the door. Jody and Mary Margaret took the remaining chairs while Caine leaned against the filing cabinet, eyes closed in an effort to mentally locate his wayward offspring. Frank Strenlich raced into the office as fast as his over-large frame could go.

Karen sighed as she surveyed her staff. "First of all, it is not anyone's fault."

Kermit's anger erupted, "Cut the crap, Captain. I blew it, just face the facts and say so."

She held her temper, barely, "Would it help the situation to place blame? Peter's a cop, he knows the score and he was under orders to stay with you."

Mary Margaret took a chance and interrupted, "Would someone please tell us what's happened?"

Karen shot a look at the ex-mercenary who refused to meet her eyes, "Well, Peter got a call from Sutton Place Hotel and slipped out while Kermit was on the cell-phone with me. We got a search warrant for the hotel's phone records, found that a Morgan Mallory had called him..."

"The young woman from this afternoon?" Caine's voice betrayed his surprise as he interrupted the Captain.

"Yes, that's the one. At any rate, her suite had been trashed so I can only hope she's OK, but it doesn't look good. Your turn, what happened at Caine's? I heard a lab crew got called there also."

Mary Margaret started to explain when the phone on Karen's desk rang loudly.

"Simms!" The speaker button squawked in protest as she hit it.

"It's TJ, Captain. Do we have anything we can bring Maury Spencer in on?"

"Not that I'm aware of, why?"

"Cause this asshole's hired a whole bunch of guys to take candid shots of Peter, but no one's done anything illegal as far as I can tell. You take the photos, give the film to good old Maury, then get paid - by Maury - by the photo."

"Should we put a tail on him?"

"Don't think it will help, but I'll keep an eye on the jerk. Apparently most of his dealings with 'the boss' are done via chat-room. I used a code phrase, Blue Boy, that I got from Hernandez to get accepted as a member of the picture fraternity. If Kermit could do some Internet research on 'Blue Boy' or some variation, then maybe we'd have more to go on."

Karen almost laughed as she watched the ex-mercenary rush across the squad room. "Already taken care of - don't let Spencer see you."

"Right."

************

TJ hung up the pay phone, thinking irritably that his cell phone would have been more convenient, not to mention safer, if he'd just remember to charge it sometimes. Turning, he gasped in shock as he looked down the barrel of a Saturday Night Special.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

part - 19

Ben stood back and surveyed the 'bedroom' with satisfaction. The train set-up had added just the right touch to the far corner of the room. He suddenly realized he was missing a boxcar. The door slid smoothly shut behind him as he returned to his office.

The PC was beeping a message notification when Benjamin walked back into his office. "Damn. What now?" He plopped into his chair and fiddled for a moment with the tiny boxcar as he waited for the energy saver feature on the PC to shut off. His e-mail id'd a request for him to enter his private chat-room. He frowned as he flipped over and entered the appropriate logins. Impatiently, he typed a terse, ~What?~

~Subject spotted in Bayside Park near swings~

~Alone?~

~Not for long, met someone a short time after arrival~

~A cop?~

~Don't think so. Some young woman, a real looker~

He sat bolt upright as he read the message - his Peter meeting a woman in the park, this late? What could the boy be thinking of. Ben would have to be sure to have a talk with his son about this sort of behavior. That last woman, ugh, Ben shuddered to think about what had appeared in those photos. Yes, Peter was long overdue for an appropriate father-son chat and Ben would...

~Hey, you still around?~

~Yes. Did they do anything?~

Ben could almost hear the laughter through the PC, ~You mean like last time? No, but they did leave together~

************

Peter opened fire, watching out of the corner of his eye for Morgan to get around the delivery van. As soon as she disappeared, he reloaded his weapon and leaped quickly to his feet. Firing in the direction of the closest thug, he had the small satisfaction of hearing a scream, followed by violent cursing. The distraction was enough to give him time to follow Morgan's path. He rounded the van and sped up the side street not far behind the young woman. She made a quick turn into a nearby alleyway and Peter followed, catching up with her as she reached a ten foot fence.

"Dammit, OH!" She whirled and barely pulled her side-kick as she recognized the young detective.

"Whoa. It's just me." Peter jumped backwards to avoid the kick.

"Give me a leg up. I can't reach the top."

Peter Caine quickly cradled his hands, and pushed upwards as she inserted a booted foot. She grabbed the top of the fence and gracefully hauled her body into a balanced position on the boards, "Better hurry, Peter!"

He glanced behind him and saw their pursuers. Backing up slightly, he ran and leaped for the top. His fingers barely caught the upper edge of the fence. Morgan braced herself and grabbed his belt. Jerking upward, she managed to give Peter the momentum he needed to make it all the way to the top of the fence. She lost her balance and tumbled into a pile of rubbish on the other side. Peter flipped on over, missing the trash and gave her a quick hand up.

"Come on, we've gotta get out of here." Peter took off, still holding her hand, pulling her down the alley. They slowed as they approached the main stretch of road, filled with the denizens of the night. "I think we've lost them for now. We'll merge in with the night crowd and find some place to get some rest."

"And food?"

"I'll see what I can do."

"Great! Oh, Damn!"

Surprised, Peter apologized, "I'm sorry, Morgan. I know it's been a rough night, but what's wrong?"

Morgan made a disgusted face, "Shit."

Peter's confusion was evident, "Huh?"

"Oh, sorry. That damn rubbish heap. I seem to have fallen into a pile of shit. It's all over my jeans."

*************

Ben sat back and stared at the picture of his son. Peter had grown into such a handsome man. Laura would be so pleased. It was really too bad that the boy had no taste in women. Ben's eyes were drawn suddenly to the flashing screen. He'd been so engrossed in what he would say when he finally met his child that he'd forgotten to log off.

~There was nothing in her room. She must have taken the pictures when she left~

It took a moment for Ben to realize that this was a different person than before, ~I must have those photos~

~Understood. She'll be in our care soon. The man she met will not be~

~No wit~ Ben suddenly stopped typing. Bayside Park was quite close to..., "Oh dear GOD, NO!"

~Where did they meet?~

~Bayside Park, near the swings~

Ben hands trembled as he typed, ~Change of plans. MAN is not to be harmed. Capture him, uninjured at all costs. Additional 50,000 if he is not harmed~ The distraught 'father' held his breath as he waited an eternity for the reply.

~Done. Later~

Ben buried his head in his hands and wept in relief. He'd almost inadvertently killed his son.

**********

Peter quickly whirled Morgan around, "Ugh! You're right."

"Duh! I cannot walk the streets..." Morgan glanced quickly at the people nearest to the alley, "Peter, give me your belt."

"What?"

She unzipped her jeans and slipped them over her boots, "Just give me your belt."

Stunned he watched as the long T-shirt she wore dropped almost to her knees. She grabbed the belt out of his hands and tightened it around her waist, bunching the shirt over the top of the belt. He laughed as he realized what she was up to.

"Good move, we'll certainly be less noticeable if you're one of the ladies, but the 'dress' will have to be shorter for it to work."

"Right." Morgan pulled more material over the belt, "Now?"

"That does it. Come on, Madam. Let's find a no-tell motel."

"And food." She added firmly.

"Oh, yeah!"

**********

Kwai Chang Caine sat in a full lotus position in the relative calm of Karen Simms' office. He'd attempted to center himself for the last ten minutes, but without success. His mind kept alternating between fear for Peter's safety and Laura's past with Benjamin. She'd told him once that her relationship with Benjamin had been 'wrong'. He'd blissfully assumed that she meant that Benjamin was not the right man for her. Now he wondered if there had been a deeper meaning to her words. A flash of anger brought his thoughts back to his only child. He barely stifled as sob as he pleaded, "Please, my son. I am sorry. Do not block me. Let me help you."

----------------------------------------------------------------------

part - 20

Karen Simms yawned as she walked into Kermit's den. She'd forced Skalany and Powell home to bed. The APB out on Peter had been in effect for several hours with no results. Frank Strenlich was occupied reviewing reports from other precincts looking for anything that might point to Peter. TJ was watching Maury Spencer, hoping for a lead and Kwai Chang Caine was meditating in her office. She'd tried to get him to go home, but he'd proven as stubborn as his son, claiming that he needed no sleep - meditation would do just fine.

"You need to rest, Karen." Kermit's eyes never left the PC monitor as he spoke.

"You've been up as long as I have."

"Mercs don't need a lot of sleep."

"Oh, I see, they fall into the same category as Shaolin?"

"Yep, and police captains."

Karen's retort was blocked by Frank's appearance in the doorway, "Captain, that rental car belonging to the Mallory woman was found earlier in a sidestreet off of Canyon. According to the officers at the scene, it was shot up rather badly."

"Any sign of the girl?"

The Chief glanced at the fax in his hands, "She's not mentioned. The report states that the witness didn't see anything more than a very large gun firing at him. From the way it sounds, he was lucky to get away himself. I've got a car checking local motels but so far no sign of her."

"What about Peter?"

"Sorry, Captain. Nothing." He smiled, "I've heard from every precinct in the city. Peter's disappearance seems to be rating top of the 'wanted' list everywhere."

Karen stifled a yawn, then replied tiredly, "OK, my guess is that if Peter got away, he's gone to ground somewhere. Frank, go home. There's nothing else you can do, tonight."

"What about you, Captain?"

"I'm outta here in a little while. Kermit's leaving too."

The ex-mercenary's head shot up, but he remained wisely silent. Frank Strenlich nodded in acquiescence and took his leave.

"You do realize I'm staying here."

"No."

"Ye..."

"Kermit, you're exhausted, just like I am. How much good are you going to do Peter if you miss something because you're tired?"

"I won't miss anything."

"Famous last words. Leave your PC on search." She held up a hand to stop his protest. "OK, I'll compromise. There's a sofa in my office. Use it, Detective. And call me if anything turns up."

"Yes, K..Captain."

She paused as she left the office, "Kermit, the entire city's looking for him. They'll find him."

He watched as she headed for the elevators. Rubbing his eyes tiredly, he sighed, "Yeah, Karen. They'll find him, but will it be in time?"

**********

~Done. Later~

Benjamin lifted his head and stared for a moment at the blinking screen. How did Morgan find his son? Did she somehow already know the boy? No, it had to be fate. Perhaps..He'd liked the girl from the moment he met her. What a wonderful idea. Now if he could just implement it. Noting that no signoff had been received, he typed ~Wait~ and once again held his breath.

~What?~

~Change in plans. Deliver BOTH unharmed~

~What about playtime?~

Ben scowled, he'd forgotten about THAT. ~How much not to play?~

~I don't know. She's quite pretty. The boys are anticipating~

~How much?~

~100,000~

~Done~

~It's your money~ The faceless employee signed off before any further changes of plan could ruin his night.

Ben leaned back in his chair. This was very good. He was glad he'd thought of it. Morgan was an excellent choice for his son. So much better than the 'women', Ben choked on the word, that the boy had been seeing. Laura, he was certain, would have agreed with him. Ben was sure of that. They'd seen eye to eye on everything until HE... but there was no use dwelling on that. But one thing had become painfully obvious. Their son had needed a firm hand and the impostor had failed miserably in the boy's upbringing. It was well past time for Ben to step in. Really, Peter deserved to be punished, but that was a FATHER'S job. He opened a desk drawer and lovingly fingered the razor strap that lay there. "Yes, my son," he smiled as he spoke, "I think it's high time that the seat of YOUR jeans was introduced to your grandfather's form of discipline." Testing the strap on the palm of his hand, he added, "You might want to call it one of OUR family traditions."

***********

Morgan Mallory sank gratefully down into the only chair available in the dingy motel room. She allowed her eyelids to slide closed as Peter Caine checked the locks on the outer door, then went into the bathroom.

"DAMN!"

Instantly alert, she asked quickly, "What's wrong?"

"Bathroom window's too small for either of us to get through if we have to."

"OK, I'd like the unabridged edition of an explanation now. AK47's are NOT on my list of top ten things to experience before I die."

Peter looked at his companion. She was very pretty and, he thought approvingly, had really great legs. "OK," he admitted to himself, "She's smart and brave too and her hair is - get a grip Peter." Shaking his head, he responded to her query, "It's like I told you earlier. This guy that used to date my mother is stalking me. He, uh, he's decided that he's my real father and has been watching me for about nine months."

"The life-cycle of a pregnancy?"

"Yes," Peter responded, surprised. "He only surfaced Friday night. My apartment was, shall we say, redecorated. I'm guessing that he's going to make his move to grab me soon."

"And you don't want anyone else around that might get hurt."

"Right."

"Special. So either Dr. McKensey or Dr. Anderson is a true nutcase."

"My money's on McKensey. He was the one that called you."

"Tr..ue."

"You don't sound convinced."

"I know Dr. McKensey better than Dr. Anderson and he's always seemed, well scattered and smothered but safe, if you know what I mean."

"How long has he lived here?"

"That's the other thing. Neither of them has been here for more that a couple of months. Anderson came from Portland to take over the curator position and McKensey settled here not long after, when Anderson agreed to give McKensey's pet project a home."

"What pro..." Peter's head turned toward the door. Holding up a hand in a plea for silence, he listened closely as footsteps approached the door, then receded down the hall. He smiled grimly, "My imagination's running overtime. Sorry."

"No sweat. What now?"

"Well, the first thing is to get you to safety. Then I'll go..."

Morgan screamed and leaped out of the chair as the only door crashed inward. Peter went for his Beretta but froze and raised his hands as the firepower in front of him took aim. Glancing apologetically at the girl, he mumbled a quiet, "Sorry."

The largest of the thugs pointed his weapon at Morgan's head. "I suggest you behave, Mister, I'd hate to ruin the lady's looks."

Peter scowled as another man frisked him expertly, "Hey, we've got a cop."

"Handcuffs?"

"Yep."

"Well, well, well. Let's see how well he wears them."

----------------------------------------------------------------------

part - 21

The first rays of morning sunshine slipped through the dirty windows that adorned the 101st precinct. Jody Powell's course intersected with Mary Margaret's as they steered their respective vehicles into the parking lot. The two women met at the bottom of the stairs and turned to watch as Frank Strenlich's ancient Buick pulled into his reserved spot. Captain Simms' car was already in its assigned place and the Kermitmobile, well the lack of tracks in the snow proved the green Corvair had never left.

"Anything come in after we left, Chief?" Jody asked the question as the portly figure huffed his way through the snow.

"Nothing on Peter, but the Mallory girl's car was found all shot up and no sign of the girl."

Mary Margaret was horrified, "That poor girl. Any chance Peter was with her?"

"No one knows."

Even the brightening rays of the sun could not dispel the gloom as the trio entered the precinct.

**********

Peter cursed silently to himself. His hands were firmly secured with his own handcuffs behind his back, making sitting on the hard floorboard of the van very uncomfortable. His feet had been shackled together, with a length of chain connecting his ankles to his wrists. This allowed him the 'freedom' to walk but kicking was out of the question. He was deeply concerned about Morgan. The young woman had been forced into a separate vehicle as he watched helplessly. His eyes met hers as she was pushed unceremoniously into the car, and he'd seen both fear and defiance in her gaze before his own captors had forced a hood over his head. He could only hope they were being taken to the same place. Peter had read unadulterated lust in the face of at least one of the men with Morgan and he was truly afraid that she would be raped and murdered before the night was over. His despair, and anger, deepened as he realized that he'd been incredibly stupid. Kermit's presence might have turned the tide in Peter's favor. By sneaking away, Peter Caine knew he was solely responsible for whatever happened to Morgan Mallory.

**********

Karen Simms called brusquely for order in the precinct. Everyone was trying to talk at once. Silence fell as she whistled for the third time. "Thank you. Kermit, anything?"

His hollow, black-rimmed eyes proved he'd had little if any sleep as he responded, "There're around 2200 entries, minimally, with 'Blue Boy' as the key words. Entries range from horses to bars to art by Gainsborough." He hesitated briefly, then continued, "I, uh, I'm concentrating on the sites dealing with Gainsborough."

"Why?" Mary Margaret asked the question they were all thinking.

"Well, at first I thought 'blue boy' meant, 'boys in blue', or cops, but then I remembered that Morgan Mallory works for a guy that's donating his private art collection to the local museum. Turns out this guy, Dr. Benjamin McKensey, has a collection of works varying from ancient Egyptian to the 1700's."

"Benjamin! That's the name Caine remembered."

"Oh Yeah, and some of the paintings are Thomas Gainsborough's from the 1700's."

"Kermit..."

"I'm getting there. While on-line, I accidentally found an image of Gainsborough's painting 'Blue Boy' done in 1770."

"So?"

Kermit sighed, "I may be wrong here, but that painting is of a young boy, about 10, maybe 12 years old and so help me, the kid looks like Peter."

Karen Simms looked thoughtful, "So you're suggesting that Ms. Mallory's boss is the guy after Peter?"

The ex-mercenary nodded slowly, "It's a long shot, I know, but it's as good as anything we've gotten so far."

"Skalany, what about Caine's letter?" Jody asked quickly, "Did it have anything useful in it?"

Mary Margaret blushed in embarrassment, "I, uh, haven't read it yet."

All eyes turned to her in astonishment, "Well, we got interrupted first by the garbage at Caine's place, then we had to come here..."

"Skalany!"

She winced, "I know, I know, but Caine's here, so we can look at... where is he?"

It took less than five minutes to determine that the Shaolin was no longer in the station house.

************

Kwai Chang Caine walked quietly toward Chinatown. His emotions were more raw than they'd been in many years. This madman was after his son and he was powerless to stop the man. Peter was refusing all comfort and aid because of Laura's letter. And Laura... What of her? He'd known she'd dated many men before he'd been lucky enough to gain her love, but he'd always thought he was her 'first'. She'd been so shy and insecure on their wedding night. But this 'man', Caine thought the word with disgust, this man actually believed he was Peter's biological father. That could only mean that he and Laura had been intimate. What if... no, Peter was born too long after he and Laura had married. It was not possible. But, if her former lover had returned for a time? Caine had been gone for several weeks before Laura announced she was pregnant. "No! I will not think such things. Laura would NEVER have betrayed me."

The disturbed Shaolin did not realize he'd spoken aloud until a young voice spoke near him, "Master Caine? Are you all right?"

Startled, he turned to stare at the young man who faced him, "I am fine, Jeremy." Confused, Caine glanced at his surroundings. He was much closer to his home than he'd realized. He started to continue his path, but Jeremy Woo put a strong hand on the older man's arm.

"Master Caine, I've been looking for you. This package showed up at my newsstand when the morning papers were delivered. It's addressed to you."

Caine's hands trembled slightly as he took the small box wrapped in brown paper, "Thank you Jeremy."

The younger man nodded and left Caine to his thoughts. The frightened father stared for a moment at the package, fearing the worst. Tearing into the paper, he lifted the lid on the box and found Peter's badge. The note read simply, 'He is mine now.' Clutching the paper convulsively, he noticed a small matchbook underneath the badge. The river restaurant it advertised had been defunct now for several months. A mysterious fire had gutted the building leaving its uninsured owners bankrupt. Kwai Chang Caine turned leaden feet toward the river. He'd failed Peter once, he could not, would not fail him again.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

part - 22

TJ Kincaid returned to the squad room at the height of the search for Kwai Chang Caine. To his utter relief, no one noticed his entrance. He slumped into his chair and concentrating on typing his report. Karen Simms nearly ran over him as she stormed back toward her office. Her eyes widened in astonishment, "Kincaid? You're supposed to be watching that Spencer character. Why are you here?"

TJ sighed heavily, "I left you a voice mail, Captain. I, uh, lost him."

"LOST H..." Kermit was livid.

Karen silenced the ex-mercenary with a look. She'd noticed the bandage on the back of the young detective's head. "What happened, Detective?"

He gulped, "I..I got off the phone with you, and, well, I..,uh, I got mugged."

"Are you all right?" Kermit had just spotted the bandage and concern laced his tone.

"Yeah, just got a knock on the head, Kermit. Fortunately it's hard."

"TJ, you should have called us. Should you be driving?"

"Captain, I'm fine. Just a couple of stitches and a headache. The hospital didn't even want to keep me, but I did leave you a message and Roger picked me up at the emergency room. No big deal. Anything on Peter?"

"Detective Kincaid, who were the investigating officers? I should have been paged."

"Captain, I am fine. Embarrassed but fine. I told them not to bother you. You've got more important problems than a knot on my head."

Karen Simms fumed inwardly. TJ Kincaid was a good detective but tended to believe he was useful only as a conduit to his father, the Police Commissioner. And the idiot Commissioner did everything in his power to reinforce the young man's beliefs. She spoke carefully, "TJ, you are as important to the operation of this precinct as anyone else. Do not EVER let me hear you say otherwise. Since Spencer's slipped away, get with Kermit on 'Blue Boy'. YOUR lead may have given us the first real break we've had." She left the stunned young detective staring at her back.

"Really? You got something?" The astonishment in TJ's voice caused the ex-mercenary to think bad thoughts about a certain father.

"Yes, we got something, we think. Come to my office and I'll bring you up to speed. And TJ?"

"Yes Kermit?"

"You ever pull a stunt like that again and I will personally shoot you."

************

Kwai Chang Caine carefully maneuvered his way along the overgrown property by the river. The ten foot fence and 'no trespassing' signs had done little to hinder him from his objective. He heard the flow of the river's current as he walked but the peaceful location did nothing to calm his emotions. He froze as the skeletal remains of the restaurant came into view. The chimney still stood partially erect amid the charred timbers of the structure. But it was not the burned out husk that held his attention. Life size images of friends long gone were carefully positioned amid the rubble. Caine quickly inhaled a deep, steadying breath and moved cautiously forward.

************

The van carrying Peter Caine to an unknown destination bumped along the rough roads, much to the consternation of the detective. The sounds of the city had long since faded, along with his faint hope that a traffic violation would at least slow the van's progress. The vibrations of the van suddenly worsened as it made a turn onto what could only be a wooden bridge. His relief was almost overpowering as the van left the bridge and he could hear the sound of a second vehicle on the wooden structure. Perhaps Morgan was still alive.

************

The noise of the explosions were almost overwhelming and fire appeared to be all around him. The others... Caine shook his head to clear his thoughts. That was the past. He must not let the aged photographs of dying friends blind him to the present. Peter was what mattered. Nothing else. This madman, with his bag of tricks from bygone years, must not win. Anger flitted across his face as he realized the first photograph was of a young Shaolin who died in the inferno of the temple. Caine ripped the cardboard cutout from its post and proceeded deeper into the rubble. His fury rose as each new image presented itself. All had been either killed or horribly maimed when the temple was destroyed. He bowed his head in silent prayer for souls long gone.

************

"So far," Morgan thought, "The last twenty-four hours have really sucked." That young cop was bound securely in the van in front of them and she was watched closely by a couple of armed gorillas that should have been in a zoo somewhere. They'd force her to lie face down on the floorboard of the sedan, then bound her wrists behind her back. She was thankful that she'd removed Peter's belt from her slender waist before the goon squad had arrived. The long T-shirt she'd stolen from her oldest brother had done an excellent job in preventing Dumb and Dumber from seeing too much of her posterior. Irritably she tested the cords that bound her wrists. To her complete annoyance, her struggles only appeared to tighten their hold. She'd contemplated screaming for help while still in the city limits, but feared for the life of the helpless young man in the other vehicle if she made a scene. She blamed herself for his current predicament. From what little she'd seen, it was apparent that he had some form of martial arts training, probably Kung Fu. It was equally obvious that only fear for her safety had kept him from putting up a fight in the motel room. Peter would have no way of knowing that her own karate background would have provided admirable backup for any fight he wished to undertake. As the car slowed to a stop, she could only hope that they'd get the chance to use their respective skills.

************

Kwai Chang Caine raised his head and wiped the tears from his eyes. The images of the temple were leading him deeper into the burned out restaurant. He pushed a twin pair of cutouts aside and stared in horror at the recumbent figure, in Peter's clothing, a dozen feet away. Caine frantically reached out mentally for his son, but his grief and dread had grown so great that he could not be sure Peter still lived. Sobbing openly now, he edged forward and laid a trembling hand on the familiar shirt sleeve.

The noise of the explosion was almost overwhelming.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

part - 23

"All clear. Get 'em inside. Girl to the basement. Cop to the upstairs bedroom, last one on the right."

Morgan Mallory was jerked roughly to her feet, "Hey watch the hands, bozo..." Her words faded away as the incredible hulk glowered at her disheveled figure. She gulped as she sized up the muscles on the man in front of her. "Oh, shit', she muttered under her breath, "He's built like a damn tank." The nameless giant nodded his approval as the two thugs dragged her unwilling form toward the basement stairs.

The giant grinned as the bound young woman resisted all the way into the house. Turning he moved to the van and jerked the door open. Reaching inside he pulled Peter to his feet. Silently, he studied the bound and hooded detective. Grinning he reached forward, seized Peter Caine by the shirt and flung him roughly over a massive shoulder. The furious young man struggled within the limits of his bonds but to no avail. He was toted like a piece of old luggage up the stairs and dropped onto a bed. Peter blinked rapidly and struggled to see as his hood was yanked off in the bright light of the bedroom. He forced his body into a sitting position and angrily demanded, "Where's the girl?"

The silent giant tossed a pair of keys onto the bed beside the young cop and left the room. The door slid silently shut behind the man as Peter wrestled his form toward the keys. In less than five minutes he'd freed himself from his bonds and stood, rubbing his aching wrists. He moved quickly to the door and examined it closely. To his utter disgust there was no knob nor visible lock. He slammed the door with a fist and turned to examine his surroundings. His eyes widened with astonishment at the sight before him. A single bed with a dinosaur comforter occupied the center of the room. Stuffed animals lined the wall nearest the closet. A bright blue toy chest overflowed with little boy toys, but the thing that caught his attention the most was the train set-up in the far corner. Peter's eyes wandered over its layout in thinly disguised envy. He finally forced himself to continue his examination of his latest prison and frowned as he saw the bars on the single window.

A noise behind him attracted his attention and he whirled around, body poised in a ready position. The television set on the low table near the desk rumbled into life. His mother's image filled the screen as a man's voice spoke, "Hello, my son, I am sorry I could not be present to greet you in person but perhaps it is just as well that you have some time alone in your room. I hope everything meets with your approval. We have much lost time to make up for. Your mother, God rest her soul, was a beautiful, intelligent, loving person. She was much too good for that half-breed who forced her into a loveless marriage. If only she had confided in me about her condition. Dear sweet Laura, she was always so concerned that my studies and career not be harmed. But first, Peter, I fear I must perform a fatherly duty. Your unseemly conduct with such wanton women is not the sort of behavior that I can condone." There was an insane laugh to the man's voice, "The phrase 'wait until your father gets home' was all it ever took to keep me in line as a child. Your grandfather was a very strict man who brooked no disobedience, from myself or your grandmother. Yes, my son, you must be punished severely for your misbehavior. It is my responsibility, as your father, to ensure that you learn the error of your ways. I have done a great deal of research on the subject of child discipline in preparation for fatherhood. The experts are divided on the subject, but I tend to think that your grandfather had the right idea." There was a heavy sigh from the unseen voice, "A sound thrashing will do you a world of good but I am as yet undecided between a razor strap, belt, hickory switch or riding crop as the means of delivery. Your grandfather's personal favorites were the strap or the crop. Oh, well, just wait 'til your father gets home, Peter." The voice faded away, and Peter Caine stared as the image of his mother disappeared with it. Glancing irritably around the room, he muttered, "It's gonna be a real long day."

*********

Morgan Mallory gazed in dismay at her dirty accommodations. She'd been released from her bonds and pushed into the makeshift cell. A lone cot occupied one corner of the little room and a sink with running water occupied another. Nothing else was present. Her blood ran cold as she heard the argument heat up outside her prison.

"Dammit! I was looking forward to playtime. She's quite pretty."

"Well, it's off. At least for now, but HE could always change his mind again."

"What do ya think he wants with the cop?"

"Who gives a shit. The pay's good and if a cop gets taken out in the process, so much the better."

*********

Peter Caine watched as the trains on the track ran their courses. The set-up was one of the most elaborate he'd ever seen and any other time he'd have been completely engrossed in watching its operation. Now, however, his mind flitted between concern for Morgan, plans for escaping this nightmare and images of a long dead mother. How could she have ever been involved with such a man? He suddenly remembered a lesson his father had presented to his class as a child, something along the lines of 'if one does not grow and learn from life's experiences, then stagnation and disease set in and death of the spirit is the result.' Neither he nor his classmates had understood it at the time, but thinking back, it had been directed at Master Dao.

Surely his mother must have enjoyed this Benjamin character's company to have been involved with him at all. Perhaps his life's experiences had been too much for him, sending him into madness. While Peter knew he was not yet safe, this thought caused him to pity the other man. Peter smiled as he realized that his Pop would be proud of his line of reasoning.

His thoughts turned to his father. More than anything, now, he regretted his pettiness about the letter. "I'm sorry, Pop." His whispered apology echoed in the large room. Almost simultaneously an intense pain shot through his head and chest, spreading to his leg. Rocking backwards, he folded his arms across his chest and collapsed onto the single bed. In his mind's eye, he saw Kwai Chang Caine, lying gravely injured and helpless in a pool of his own blood. "Noooo! OH, NO! POP! Oh, don't die. Please, Father, don't die."

----------------------------------------------------------------------

part - 24

The noise of the explosion was almost overwhelming and the flash was blinding. Kwai Chang Caine could neither hear nor see anything as pain erupted in his head and chest. The ground opened beneath him and his arms flailed wildly as he tumbled into the old wine cellar. A sharp stab of agony engulfed his leg as he felt the bone snap. As a soft moan escaped his lips, he heard a harsh voice above him, "Yes, Kwai Chang Caine. This is your final resting place. Peter's shirt added just the right touch don't you think? Scream if you wish. No one will hear you. I wonder how long it will take you to die? Will you succumb to your injuries quickly or will thirst and starvation be your end? I rather hope for a long, pain filled death, such as the one you inflicted on Laura. And as you die, remember, Peter is mine now to do with as I please. You will never see him again, and I am free now to mold his character into the man he should have been."

*********

Gasping, Peter slid from the bed onto the floor and attempted to center himself. His breathing slowed and his concentration intensified as he struggled to ascertain his father's condition. The prone figure filled his mind's eye, an out-of-focus image of indeterminate gender. As the young detective honed in on the recumbent form, he was horrified to realize that this was indeed Kwai Chang Caine. Blood oozed from a head wound and the older man clutched his chest as he struggled to breathe. Peter winced in empathy as his mental image brought into focus the bone that protruded through his father's trousers.

Peter's cry of "Father" caused the Shaolin to make a feeble attempt to open his eyes.

"P...Peter?" The mental query was feeble but concern for his son's safety made it through the waves of agony.

"I'm fine, Father. Just hold on. I'll get to you soon. I promise." Peter thrust all the confidence he could into the mental vow that he broadcast to his father. Kwai Chang Caine managed a weak smile before awareness deserted him. Tears streamed down the son's face as he realized that his father was dying. Peter's prior experience with injuries had left him well-prepared to diagnosis Caine's condition as critical. The head injury probably included a concussion and his father's ribs appeared to be broken. That in turn might indicate a punctured lung. The broken leg, while not life-threatening in itself, only added to the trauma the older man had experienced. Peter sprang to his feet and desperately renewed his search for a way out.

*********

The buzzer on Kermit's phone caused TJ to jump in nervous anticipation. The older cop frowned, and punched the button, "What?"

"Call on one for TJ. Girl's been calling off and on all night but won't talk to anyone but TJ." Broderick's tired voice was edged with irritation. "She sounds a little young for you, TJ."

"Thanks for the advise, Sergeant." TJ quickly lifted the hand set and spoke into the phone, "Thomas Jefferson Kincaid... Maude, baby where are you?....yes, I do think that's a good... WHAT! WHEN?...Good Girl! Give it to me..." TJ swiped a pen from the astounded ex-mercenary's hand and started to write, "Got it. Thank you, Maude....Yes, baby, anytime... I promise... Yes, call now... Thank you baby." TJ disconnected and turned his attention back to Kermit, "That was one of my snitches. She saw Peter and a girl matching Morgan Mallory's description dragged out of a motel earlier this evening. Peter was put into a van, the Mallory woman was put into a car."

"Plates?"

"Maude got 'em. Here." TJ handed Kermit the paper with the license tag numbers. Kermit immediately changed screens on his PC and entered the first number. "Hooker?"

TJ winced at the word, and spoke softly, "Yes."

"You're not, uh, involved with her?" Kermit hoped he'd read the conversation wrong.

Thomas Jefferson Kincaid was horrified, "No. Absolutely not. She's just a kid, can't be more than sixteen. Ran away from her mother's abusive boyfriend and into the arms of an abusive pimp."

"And?"

TJ flushed with embarrassment, "I, uh, I've been trying to get her to call home, again. Last time she found out her mother had thrown the bum out."

Kermit looked up to face the younger detective, "And you've done what?"

"I've kinda, well, I sorta, Dammit, I told her I'd pay her way home anytime she wanted to go."

Kermit Griffin stared at the younger man, "I see. Peter rubs off, doesn't he?"

"Yes. Yes, he does."

*********

Morgan paced the confines of the basement room. She hadn't been this frightened since she was eight. She tried not to let her mind dwell on the past but this room was too similar to the one that had imprisoned her then. Her father had brought her to safety that time but he didn't even know she was missing now. "Damn," she thought angrily, "I don't think I've been gone long enough to even be listed as a missing person, even if someone knew I was missing." Her eyes widened and she inhaled a quick breath as she heard the light tread on the wooden staircase. As the knob on the heavy door was tested by the person on the other side, Morgan braced herself. "OK, Morgan, you're not eight now so let's see if you can't make that black belt pay off. Oh, God, don't let it be the incredible hulk."

*********

Benjamin walked swiftly along the upper hall, impatiently tapping a riding crop against his palm. Kwai Chang Caine would never interfere again. The police, idiots that they were, had no clue as to Caine's whereabouts. Ben had been very careful about that. Peter was his now. "Laura, my darling, I am sorry. That half-breed that reared our son has allowed him to develop some very bad habits. But I believe that I will be able to beat them out of him in short order. Father taught me well." Grinning in anticipation of passing on what he had learned, Benjamin opened the door to Peter's prison, "Peter, Father's home."

----------------------------------------------------------------------

part - 25

Mary Margaret Skalany was growing more frantic as she searched Chinatown for Kwai Chang Caine. She'd checked everywhere she knew to look but was running out of options. She left Fong's grocery, disappointed once again that the elderly grocer had not seen her Shaolin friend. A male voice called to her over the traffic and she crossed the street to speak with Jeremy Woo.

"Morning Mary Margaret. It's a beautiful day."

Startled, the young woman realized the man was right, "Yes, yes it is Jeremy."

"Heard you're looking for Caine."

Carefully maintaining her composure, she responded, "That's right. Have you seen him?"

"Yeah, real early this morning. Is he OK? He seemed different somehow, almost distracted."

"He's, uh, helping us with a case."

"I see, well that explains why he got that package."

"Package?"

"Yeah, a small package in brown paper arrived while I was sorting out my morning papers. It was addressed to Master Caine. I was afraid it must have been something bad because I'd almost swear he went pale before he walked away."

"Did he say where he was going?"

"Nope, but if I had to guess, I'd say he was leaving Chinatown."

**********

The door to Morgan's cell opened slowly. The girl braced herself behind it, ready to kick some ....

"Morgan?"

"PETER!"

"Shh, not so loud, we've got to go."

"How did you..."

"Short but sweet - No guards, thin closet wall and a child's metal handyman set. I'll be found missing sooner or later. Hopefully later." A shrill scream of "NOOooooooo!" pierced the air. "OK, maybe not. Come on!"

Morgan took quick note of the badly lacerated hand that encircled her smaller one. Speaking softly she said, "You used more than a hammer."

Guiding her out into the dimly lit basement room, he mumbled, "Yeah, well, the screwdriver broke too."

**********

The heat from the flames lessened as he was pulled to safety. The verandah that had seen the simple pleasures of many summer days collapsed as he was forced further away from the building. He struggled to free himself from the iron grip of the smaller man. "No, I cannot leave. Master, Please. My son is still inside." He tried to reenter the building but the agony in his head blinded him to his path. The freezing cold hands that gripped his head were a direct contrast to the flames. He tried to clear his thoughts. "P..Peter! Nooo!"

The pain was almost beyond his endurance. Kwai Chang Caine forced his eyes open and was immediately overwhelmed by nausea and dizziness. He moaned softly as he struggled to determine the extent of his injuries. A violent fit of coughing sent new waves of agony screaming through his chest. He could taste the blood in his mouth as his over-burdened lungs strained for every breath. And he was cold, so very cold. Confusion joined with pain to make a canvas of emotions out of Caine's face. Peter had said he was all right but HE claimed to have Peter under his control. Both could not be true. Peter was in danger. Caine was certain of it. He must save his son. He'd failed him before. "Peter, I am coming." Forgetting the injury to his leg, the Shaolin made a futile attempt to rise. The pain increased ten-fold as he folded back to the ground. A single tear escaped as he pleaded with his only child, "I am sorry, my son. Please, please forgive me." Snowflakes melted in his outstretched palm as Caine lifted a hand to the heavens in supplication.

**********

Peter kept a tight grip on Morgan's hand as he guided her through the basement shadows. He'd been incredibly lucky that the closet in his bedroom prison used to be shared with the bedroom next door. From the dryness of the wood he'd pried loose, it had been at least forty years since someone built a 'temporary' dividing wall, thus turning a large walk-through closet into two smaller ones.

The running footsteps above their heads proved there would be no escaping through the house.

"What's the plan?" Morgan asked, trying hard to keep the fear out of her voice.

"Look for a coal chute. Houses this old often have them."

"And then?"

"We climb out."

"What if there isn't one?"

"Then we implement plan B."

"Which is?"

"I, uh, haven't gotten that far yet."

"Oh, peachy."

**********

"NOOooooooo!" Benjamin upended the train set in frustration. Screaming in rage, he flew angrily into the hall. "IDIOTS! He's GONE. Find him! I must have him back. He's MINE, ALL MINE!"

**********

Mary Margaret continued following Caine's path away from Chinatown. At least she hoped she followed his path. Kwai Chang Caine was a prominent member of the Chinese community and was recognized by almost everyone. The further she got from Chinatown, the fewer people she found that recognized her description of the Shaolin. Never before had she regretted not having her friend's picture in her possession. Her cell phone rang insistently in her purse and she answered quickly, "Skalany?... Oh, that's nice.... I'm sorry, I really am glad you got a lead on Peter, but nothing on Caine? ... Oh, OK, but..." she sighed in defeat, "Yeah, Kermit. I'll be there in twenty minutes."

**********

As Peter and Morgan raced into the nearby woods, he wondered just when his good luck would run out. He'd been momentarily at a loss when the coal chute turned out to have been sealed. Peter had moaned in defeat, until Morgan tapped on his shoulder and pointed to the cellar doors just a few feet away. In a shorter time than the girl could imagine, he'd somehow opened the locked doors. Staying low, they took a chance and ran across the lawn into the woods.

They ran until neither could breathe and the sound of the searchers faded to an acceptable level. Peter finally pulled an exhausted Morgan to a halt behind a large clump of trees. Gasping she asked "W..where are we?"

"No idea. Don't know how far we are from town."

Her breathing was more controlled as she responded, "We drove for about an hour and a half."

Peter stared in astonishment, "You're, uh, not by any chance like that lady lawyer on that TV show, are you, I mean with the internal clock thing?"

"Nope, I'd just checked my watch before we were grabbed and I looked at it again when I was thrown... What's wrong?"

A look of intense pain crossed his face and he collapsed writhing to the ground, "Oh, God, POP! Hang on Pop, I'm coming."

"P...Peter?"

"I..I'm sorry, Morgan. My Pop's dying. I've got to find him."

----------------------------------------------------------------------

part - 26

Morgan helped Peter to his feet. The young man's hands were shaking badly and his face was gray. "Peter, are you sure you're not hurt?"

"I'm O..OK, but my father's not. He's been badly hurt and I have to find him."

"Hurt? Find him? I don't understand."

Peter took a deep breath in an attempt to regain control of his emotions, "We, well, we have this, this mental link. He always knows when something is wrong with me." He gave her a faint crooked smile, "Unfortunately, he's had lots of practice. I..I've never felt him before, at least not like this." He nervously ran his fingers through his hair, "Dammit, I don't have a clue where he is."

"Are you, uh, connected right now?"

Peter concentrated for a moment, "No, I think he's unconscious or..." He refused to voice the other option.

Morgan ignored the pause, "This is gonna sound strange, but do suppose your 'father' knows where your father is?"

The young detective stared at his companion, then started to laugh, "Damn! Morgan, if we live through this I owe you dinner. You're absolutely right, daddy dearest has to be behind Pop's injuries."

"I'd settle for a pack of crackers or a Hershey bar right now."

Peter Caine gently touched the girl's face. "I'm sorry I got you into this mess."

"Actually, I think 'daddy' got me into this pickle when he sent me those damn pictures. What now?"

A flash of pain crossed Peter's face. He needed to find his Pop, but this girl was an innocent bystander. His father would expect, no - demand, that he make ensuring her safety his top priority. "We get you out of here."

"I don't think so."

"Huh?"

"Unless I'm losing my hearing, you said that your father is dying. That makes finding HIM our number one assignment."

"But..."

"Peter, we don't have time to argue. Let's go."

"Go?" The youngest Caine looked confused.

"To have a word of prayer with the nut. Besides, I'd like to know who to thank for the room without a view, McKensey or Anderson."

***********

Mary Margaret walked into the precinct and stared confused at the commotion. Karen Simms was on the phone, obviously trying to control her temper. Kermit Griffin was pacing the floor of her office while Jody and TJ sat glued to their own computer screens.

"Judge, I realize we only have one license plate that belongs to the museum, but I've got a man missing... Yes, Judge Randolph, I know Peter Caine can take care of himself under normal conditions but... No, I disagree, sir, I do think he's in trouble. He was taken out of a motel at gun point... NO sir, I do NOT think it was an irate husband... Sir, please, I need that search warrant.... Thank you sir." Karen Simms slammed the hand set into the cradle, muttering, "IDIOT!"

"Well?"

"It'll be there when we get to his house. I'll have to pick it up. That, that man will want to gloat over making me beg. Why the heck he had to be the primary this weekend..."

"Captain?" Mary Margaret tentatively entered her Captain's office.

"Oh, Skalany, no luck finding Caine?"

"No, ma'am. I'm afraid something's happened to him. Jeremy Woo gave him a package that he said upset Caine badly. He didn't know what was in it, though. What's the warrant for?"

"The car's plates were a rental, haven't found it yet. The van, on the other hand, belongs to the museum where Morgan Mallory works. We're getting a warrant to search the museum."

"Do you think Caine's there?"

Karen Simms eyed her detective closely. She'd heard rumors that Skalany was involved with Kwai Chang Caine, but had never witnessed any evidence one way or the other. The concern the young woman now displayed for the older man's safety led her to believe that Mary Margaret was in love with the man. "I'm sorry, Mary Margaret. He may be, but there's no evidence that he's really missing. Come on Kermit."

As the pair left the office, Kermit heard the pretty brunette reply sadly, "No evidence except that he can't be found."

***********

"Down!" Peter pulled Morgan down behind a low garden wall. Two thugs wandered by, eyes searching the grounds for the missing prisoners. One plopped wearily on the wall near the fugitives. "Damn, their tracks led into the woods and stopped. How do you suppose they did that?"

"Don't know. I've heard rumors that the cop's father is some sort of magician. Maybe they used magic."

"Idiot! Magic's just bunk and the guy's father's a priest."

"Whoa - didn't know they did, uh, that."

"Not that kind of priest, some sort of Chinese religion. Anyway, don't let the boss hear you talk about the old boy."

"Why not?"

"Cause, stupid, the boss thinks that he's the cop's real dad."

"How come, do they look alike?"

"The only resemblance I'VE seen is that they're both male. Come on, standing here is not going to find those two."

"I still think it's spooky the way their tracks just disappeared like that. Ours are still in the snow from this morning."

"The boss isn't paying you to think, just to search, now come on!"

Peter listened as their heavy footsteps disappeared, "It's OK, you can get up now."

Morgan shivered violently, "I know we had to be careful, but couldn't we have found a better route than through the river?"

***********

"Chief, incoming call on Morgan Mallory's hotel phone."

"Thanks, Broderick. I'll get it."

"Hello?"

A confused male voice responded, "I'm trying to reach Morgan Mallory, did I get the wrong room?"

"And you would be?"

"No one you know. Who the Hell are you? Let me talk to my sister!"

The word 'sister' combined with the genuine concern in the unknown voice determined Frank's next words, "Sir, I'm Chief of Detectives Frank Strenlich. Ms. Mallory has disappeared."

"Oh, GOD. How long? Anyone see anything? Good Lord, I should have told her to take those pictures to the nearest police station."

Frank's face paled as he spoke, "Pictures, what pictures?"

"Candid photos of some cop. Dammit, I told her to give them to him."

"Mr. Mallory..."

"Commander Mallory, Chief Strenlich. I'm an attorney with the Judge Advocate General's office. What's being done to find her?"

"Sir, we're doing everything..."

"Typical pat answer. Well, Chief, I'll be leaving on the next flight out."

The phone disconnected and Frank Strenlich sighed in dismay, "Well, boys and girls, brace yourselves. We're having company." Under his breath, he muttered, "Just what we need, a damn lawyer."

----------------------------------------------------------------------

part - 27

The Kermitmobile skidded over the ice and slid to a halt in a snow bank near the entrance to the museum, grill firmly entrenched in the snow.

"Someone's gonna die if this car's scratched," the ex-mercenary groused as he jumped from the Corvair.

Karen Simms barely controlled her laughter, "The sign did say ice, Detective."

"Yes, but there's usually SALT, Captain."

"True. Backup's arrived. Let's go."

An overweight rent-a-cop glanced up unconcerned as the small group approached, then returned to perusing his paper.

Kermit banged on the metal rim of the over-size glass doors but was pointedly ignored. Furious, the ex-mercenary snarled, "Captain, let me shoot the lock."

"Just try shouting, Kermit. He knows we're here."

"Oh. Yeah." Kermit had the grace to look mildly embarrassed, "Hey, guard. Open up.."

"At 2." The man never looked up from his paper.

"What?"

"You deaf or something - museum opens at 2."

Before Kermit could blow a gasket, Simms intervened, "Not today. Captain Simms, 101 st. We have a search warrant."

The bored guard slowly approached the doors and gazed, stunned at the paper she held. Without another word, he unlocked the doors and went back to his paper.

************

Peter stared at the shivering girl. "Morgan, we skirted the edge of the river. Did your feet get wet? I thought you had on boots."

"I do, but you forget this dress is a long-sleeve T-shirt and while the jacket is keeping my upper half warm, there was a brisk north-easterly breeze coming off the water. I'd almost kill for even my dirty jeans."

"Ouch." Now that Peter really looked at Morgan's state of dress, he could empathize with her. "Well, the good news is that we're almost back at the house and it's a lot warmer in there. On the other hand..."

"Just say it, Peter."

He sighed and glanced over her shoulder, "The bad news is that the guards seem to be regrouping back at the house."

************

"Look, Mr. Uh," Karen glanced at the portly guard's id tag, "Mr. Henderson, I need a list of everyone in the building at the moment."

"Right there. Everyone, even security, signs in."

Jody Powell picked up the book and her eyes widened, "ALL these people have signed in today?"

"What? Oh, no. The only ones here today are under the red line."

"There's no red line. There's a blue line."

"Dammit. Sunday is supposed to have a red line." He grabbed the book from Jody's hands, "Where's that pen?" He started rummaging through the nearest desk drawer.

TJ skillfully retrieved the list, "We need this for right now. Thank you. You've been very helpful." The guard started to protest, thought better of it and walked away. "Kermit, look at this."

Kermit's face showed his surprise, "What! I was so sure."

"Sure about what, Kermit?" Jody asked curiously.

"That McKensey was our man. This list says he's been in the building all morning."

Simms thought for a moment, "That doesn't rule out McKensey. He could just be covering his tracks. Jody, TJ, you take the offices. Kermit and I will visit McKensey at his exhibit." She turned back to the guard, "Where's exhibit hall 7?"

"Third floor, back right. Just look for the unopened boxes."

"Boxes?"

"Yeah, McKensey had a shipment arrive this morning and hasn't been able to find his assistant. Seems she's the only one that knows the right order to unload the damn things."

************

He knew he shouldn't sleep, but the urge to drift away again was almost overwhelming. Kwai Chang Caine's wild tumble had left his pouch well beyond his reach. He once again attempted to crawl toward it, but nothing seemed to work. He shivered with cold and no small amount of fear. He inwardly berated himself for his predicament. As often as he'd chided Peter for rushing headlong into danger, without backup, he'd failed to follow his own advise. He smiled weakly, perhaps Peter's rash streak WAS inherited after all. A child's giggle caused the older man to lift his head in confusion.

The tone in his small son's giggle caused Kwai Chang Caine to tense with anxiety. Less than a year had passed since Laura's death had impelled him into the temple near Braniff. The worried father knew his mischievous three year old had a unique talent for finding trouble. Only three days before Peter had alluded the young initiate assigned to his care when his father was busy. A frantic search had finally found the little boy cheerfully opening boxes of supplies on all the lower shelves in one of the temple's three large pantries.

Caine's sharp ears followed the sound of the childish laughter. Walking into the sunlight, he momentarily froze as he saw his only child balanced precariously on the edge of the temple well as he tried to reach the squirrel chattering angrily on the top brace. As Caine watched in horror, Peter caught sight of his approach, and whirled on the stone, crying out, "Squirrel, fadder, I have a squirrel."

Only the father's long strides and even longer reach prevented the toddler from disappearing down the darkened orifice. As the child's wail of disappointment filled the courtyard, the squirrel vanished over the temple wall. "My son, you know you are not allowed in the kitchen courtyard alone."

Ignoring his father's gentle reprimand, the little boy squirmed frantically for escape, "Want my squirrel, fadder."

Caine shook his head at the child's seemingly one-track mind, "Peter, it is not YOUR squirrel." Turning the small face firmly toward his own, he added firmly, "Perhaps you will remember to obey me if you spend the remainder of the afternoon in your room."


"No, Peter, you must not come alone." Caine gasped in pain, "Remember your backup, my son, remember."

************

"Sorry, boss. No sign of them. Their tracks head to the river, then vanish."

"And the dogs have found nothing?" Ben glared at his employees with obvious disdain.

"The dogs, sir? I thought you wanted them alive."

"Only my son. As for the girl, well too bad." A large scent hound of unknown ancestry was led from the house. "Kars has been given Ms. Mallory's scent from the basement. He will lead the pack in finding them. YOUR new assignment is to ensure that the dogs do not injure my son in the process."

----------------------------------------------------------------------

part - 28

"Morgan? Is that you?"

"Dr. McKensey?" Karen Simms called loudly.

"Yes? Who's there?"

Captain Simms glared at the packing crates which hampered her line of sight. "Doctor, I'm Captain Karen Simms of the 101st and I have with me, Detective Kermit Griffin. Sir, we need to speak with you. Uh, where are you?"

Benjamin McKensey stood up abruptly less than ten feet from the door. "What's wrong? Has something happened to Morgan?"

Kermit glanced at his Captain briefly before responding, "Why do you ask?"

"Well, I know she had a rough day yesterday. When Dr. Anderson and I called her last evening, she told me about the wreck she'd witnessed. What with the weather getting worse, I was hoping she hadn't had one herself. Has she?"

"No, sir. No accidents." Kermit hedged on his answer as Karen shot him a sidelong look.

"I wonder where she is? Oh, well. How can I help you?"

Karen responded quickly, "We'd like to ask you some questions about..."

"Captain!" Jody's excited voice could be heard from the hall.

"In here, Detective."

"Captain, we found loads of shots of Peter in one of the storerooms downstairs and lots of undeveloped film. Wanna bet what's on the rolls? By the way, the lab crew's on the way. TJ stayed to make sure nothing was disturbed."

"Good work, Jody. Go let them in. That guard probably won't. Where's TJ?"

"Outside of storeroom ten next to the main offices."

"Ten? Did you say ten?" McKensey interrupted the officers.

"Yes, why?"

"Well, it's supposed to be empty. Up until three days ago, it had furniture in it but that was moved out just after we got here."

"Moved where?" Kermit pounced on the words.

"Why Dr. Anderson's estate, of course."

"You're telling me that the curator of this museum has an estate?"

"Well yes, he does. He inherited some old paintings from his father about two years ago. One of them was a missing portrait by Thomas Gainsborough. Since I'm a internationally known expert on Gainsborough, he contacted me. Sold the portrait to a gallery in Paris for a tidy sum."

"And bought an estate, here?"

"Yeah. It's kinda sad. He wanted to be able to give his son more than his father gave him."

"His son?" Kermit and Karen exchanged looks.

"Yeah, Ben's never met the young man. Seems his former girlfriend pretended the baby belonged to some other guy."

Karen's voice was grim, "Do you know where this 'estate' is?"

"About ten miles from town. On the river."

************

"Oh thank God!"

Peter turned to look at the girl beside him. "What?"

"See the man on the steps, next to the dog?"

Peter Caine nodded.

"Well, that's Benjamin Anderson. I am SO relieved that Dr. McKensey is not the nut."

The young detective watched the scene playing out before him in the yard of the large house where he'd recently been a prisoner. "Great! Now we know who to... Uh OH."

"What?"

"Morgan, we need to find alternative transportation."

"Huh? We've been walking."

"I know and if I'm right, that's gonna become very dangerous."

"Peter, you are not making any sense. We've been chased by men with guns, kidnapped by men with guns, now we're being chased again by men with guns. What could possibly make walking any more dangerous?"

Peter inclined his head toward the house, "I hope I'm wrong, but I think we're about to be hunted."

"Good grief. We've been hunted almost all night."

"Not by dogs."

Morgan followed his line of vision. At least a dozen large dogs moved restlessly in the courtyard. "Oh. I see what you mean."

************

"First we get playtime with the girl. Then we don't. Now the dogs get her. What's wrong with this picture?"

"Hey, are you getting paid or not?"

"Yeah, and real good, but she's too pretty for the dogs. I'd like to play some games with her first."

"Weeellll. I don't know. What'd ya have in mind?"

"I found some pictures on the INTERNET that I'd like to try."

The other man grinned wickedly, "That site you got book-marked?"

"Shit. Yeah, that one."

"Sounds good to me."

************

The tall good-looking young man attracted much attention as he walked purposely across the squad room toward Frank Strenlich.

"From the description I got downstairs, you must be Chief Strenlich."

Strenlich eyed the Navy uniform suspiciously, "That's right. And you are...?"

"Commander Jeffrey Mallory. Where the hell is my sister?"

Frank took a deep breath, "We're checking on a lead right now, sir. We, uh, weren't expecting you so soon. The airlines..."

"Move much too slowly. I have a good friend who flies and has access to a variety of planes. We arrived at the airport about thirty minutes ago."

Frank looked around for a companion.

Jeff Mallory smiled, "He's not with me. He's got a court case first thing tomorrow. Now about my little sister..."

************

Peter's eyes followed Benjamin Anderson as he returned to the safety of the large house. The older man paused at the door, and looked behind him, staring into the distance. Frowning he entered the house and shut the door. "That's right, you bastard. I'm watching YOU now." Glancing at the dog that was casting around for a scent, Peter said, "Morgan, odds are they've put the dog on my scent. There was an old building about a mile back, we saw it from the river."

"I remember it. It looked partially burned."

"Yeah, Think you can...." "No, Peter, you must not come alone. Remember your backup, my son, remember." Peter froze as the pain-filled words raced through his head.

"Peter?"

He held up a hand to silence his companion. Silently, he queried frantically, "Pop? Father!"

"P..Peter?"

"Father, where are you? Can you tell me that?" The young man's breathing quickened and Morgan laid a soothing hand on his arm.

Kwai Chang Caine put his last ounce of conscious energy into allowing his son to 'view' his location. The tenuous connection between father and child died as Caine again lost consciousness.

"OH,GOD!" Peter's eyes were wide with horror.

"Peter, what's the matter? Please talk to me, you're scaring me."

The anguish in the young detective's voice brought tears to Morgan's eyes as he replied, "T..that burned out building on the river - my Pop's there. God help me, Morgan. I passed right by and didn't know he was there."

----------------------------------------------------------------------

part - 29

Karen Simms stormed into the 101st, scattering visitors and staff as she went. Frank Strenlich looked up, puzzled, from his conversation with Commander Mallory, "Captain?"

She ignored the query, proceeded straight to her office and slammed the door tightly shut. A few moments later, her angry voice could be heard through the walls. Words were not quite distinguishable, but the fury was evident. Kermit's features were grim as he appeared at the top of the stairs.

"Griffin, what the hell is going on?" Frank's characteristic bellow contained a hint of desperation.

"The illustrious Judge Randolph has refused, in no uncertain terms, to grant a search warrant for Benjamin Anderson's home. The Captain tried being reasonable from the car phone, but fortunately the connection was broken just before she lost control." He frowned at her closed door, "She back on the phone?"

"Yeah, and it doesn't sound good."

"Excuse me, but does this have anything to do with Morgan?"

The startled Chief glanced over his shoulder at the young Navy Commander, "Sorry, Commander. Yes it does."

"Chief!"

"Stow it, Griffin. This is Ms. Mallory's brother, Commander Jeffrey Mallory. He's flown in to assist us in finding her. He's, uh, a lawyer with JAG."

Kermit looked intensely at the young man. "Any relation to Captain Jacob Mallory?"

"He's my father, why?"

"Let's just say that I've run into him on occasion. He's a good man to have on your side."

Jeff stared at the detective, "You were a SEAL?"

"Not exactly." Kermit started to elaborate when the door to Karen Simms' office flew open.

"Chief, Griffin, my office."

"Excuse us, Commander." Frank followed Kermit's already disappearing form into the Captain's domain.

Karen Simms was pacing her office, her body rigid with tension. As her officers entered the room, she said, "The little weasel refused to grant another warrant. 'One slim warrant a day is your limit, Captain Simms.'" The two detectives stifled grins; her imitation of the high-pitched tones of the little judge was right on target.

Frank observed quickly, "I assume you've tried other judges?"

"Oh, yeah. The only ones that I KNOW would grant the warrant are out of town. The rest are deferring to Judge Randolph. I don't... Who are you?"

"Jeff Mallory, Ma'am."

"Ms. Mallory's..."

"Brother, Ma'am, and I may be able to help."

"How?" Karen looked extremely skeptical.

Jeff picked up her phone, "Nine for an outside line?" Nods in the affirmative allowed him to continue to dial. "Admiral?...Yes, sir. That's where I am right now. Sir, I'm sorry to bother you on Sunday but Morgan's missing....Yes, sir, there is....The local police have a lead, but can't get a search warrant...Yes, sir, that's what I thought...Thank you, Admiral, that's all I can ask." He hung up the phone, looked at the stunned group, and said, "Now, we wait."

***********

Peter took a deep breath in a hopeless attempt to regain his center. He glanced toward the house. "We've got to get a move on, Morgan. That dog's gonna get the scent soon. Hopefully we didn't cross our own path at any point. With any luck, they'll lose the trail at the river."

"I hope so cause martial arts don't work too well against that many teeth."

"What form?" Noticing he was moving too fast for her, he shortened his stride.

"Oh, karate, Ryukyu Kempo to be exact. And you?"

"Kung Fu, Hung-Chia, with emphasis on the Crane. You feel up to taking the river route again?"

She sighed, "Might as well, my rear can't get any colder."

***********

His fevered brain was working overtime and the memories continued to bubble to the surface as he faded in and out of consciousness.

"Kwai Chang?"

"Laura! I did not know you were home."

"I..I have a confession to make, Kwai Chang, I've been back for almost a week. Please don't be angry." She could not meet his eyes.

"I do not understand. You did not wish to see me?" The pain in his voice mirrored the pain in his heart.

"Oh NO, my darling. I was ashamed."

"Of what, Laura?"

"I did not tell you the truth about Ben." She took a deep breath, "Before he left, he asked me to marry him. I...I said yes."

The stunned young priest could not speak.

Fearing the silence, the pretty young woman continued, "Kwai Chang, I did not know what love was until I met you. I knew the moment I saw you that you were special but I didn't know how special until our first date. T..that's when I knew I could not marry Ben."

He replied sadly, "But you did not tell him until recently?"

"N...No."

"Why?"

"I...I was afraid."

"To tell him?"

"Of what he might do. Oh, Kwai Chang. Ben has such a bad temper."

Caine frowned, "He has done you harm in the past?"

"No."

"I do not understand."

"Kwai Chang, my father was very strict. He loved my mother but he ruled her completely. Ben did the same with me. I thought it was a normal relationship. You have taught me that true love never seeks to dominate but to share. I did not want to deceive you, Kwai Chang." Her voice rose to a desperate pitch, "Please do not hate me, Kwai Chang. Break off our engagement if you wish, but please do not hate me."


Kwai Chang Caine stared through a pain-filled haze at the image of his long dead wife. He reached weakly for her hand, "I could never hate you, Laura. No matter what you have done."

***********

Karen Simms leaped for the phone, "Simms!" She turned astonished eyes on Jeff, who only grinned, "Thank you, Judge Randolph...I do appreciate your having it delivered to the precinct." She hung up the phone. "I don't know how you did it, Commander Mallory, but thank you. We've got the warrant and it'll be here soon."

"It's Jeff, Ma'am, and you can thank me as we go."

"You're not going."

"Captain Simms. Do you really want to bet on that?"

Kermit and Strenlich again stifled grins as Karen admitted defeat, "Very well, Com...Jeff, but stay out of the way. Gentlemen, shall we go?"

"OH, YEAH!"

----------------------------------------------------------------------

part - 30

Normally Peter would have enjoyed the baying of the hounds as they picked up the scent. Paul and he had spent many nights on the porch of the Blaisdell lake house drinking hot chocolate, talking, and listening to similar sounds as local packs treed a coon. This time the melodious sound sent a shiver up his spine. Unlike the hunters of his youthful memories, who treed then freed the animal, Peter knew this hunt would have a deadly ending. As he glanced at the girl who'd become a close companion in the past twenty-four hours, he said a silent prayer for their safety, and that of his father.

Morgan grimaced as they slid into the icy water at the edge of the river.

Peter eyed her with concern, "What's wrong? You didn't get water in your boots, did you?" Visions of frostbite and amputated toes raced through his head.

"No, but I'm getting a refund when I get back to New York."

"Why?"

"Darn things are advertised as 'comfortable anyplace, anytime'"

"So?"

"I think I've got a water blister."

Peter grinned broadly, but managed to smother his laughter.

Morgan returned his grin, "That's better, I was afraid your face was gonna freeze into a permanent scowl." She sobered quickly, "You said your father was in that old burned out building. How do you know?"

He looked down river for a moment, then said, "For a brief moment, I could see through his eyes, then everything went black." He swallowed convulsively. "He's unconscious again. I..I'd know if he died." He added silently, "At least I think I would."

Morgan was quick to note the pain and uncertainty in his voice. She laid a comforting hand on his arm, "We'll get to him, Peter."

Peter sighed, "I know, but will it be in time?"

************

TJ and Jody entered the parking lot as the search party exited the building. Frank flagged them down, "We've got a warrant for Benjamin Anderson's home. It should be here any moment."

Karen had been intercepted by a young law clerk from a nearby office. She took the papers from the young man's hand, smiled and headed for Kermit's car, "Got it. Let's go. Jeff, you're with us. Mary Margaret, go with Frank."

Kermit grinned unabashedly as their guest attempted to fold his 6'2" frame into what served as the back seat in the Corvair. To the young Commander's credit, he never complained about the cramped conditions. Jeff was barely settled before Karen landed in the passenger seat.

"Don't just sit there, Detective Griffin, DRIVE."

As the ex-mercenary started his car, he took a quick survey of his captain. Worry lines creased her forehead, and her lips were pursed in a combination of tension and anger. Kermit's smile faded as he realized that Peter Caine would literally catch hell for this particular escapade, IF the young detective survived. "Damn."

Kermit didn't realize he'd spoken aloud until Karen Simms inquired, "Damn what?"

"Peter can get into more trouble just standing still, than any two people I know."

Simms didn't miss a beat, "Translation: you want to kill him yourself."

"Oh, YEAH!"

************

Peter's heartbeat quickened to the point that he thought the organ would burst out of his chest. He grabbed Morgan's hand and pulled her forward, "T..There's the building. We've gotta hurry." His actions belied his words as the young man grew strangely still.

Morgan noticed that the hand that held hers was trembling slightly with suppressed emotion, "He's alive, Peter. I'm sure of it."

The youngest Caine released her hand for a moment. He needed both of his in order to clamber up the steep slope nearest the burned out building. He quickly reached down and easily hauled her slender figure to the top of the embankment. "Me, too. Come on."

************

He was alone again; not by choice this time. Kwai Chang Caine had chosen the isolation of the road after the death of his only child. It had been early spring then too.

A light rain fell as he visited his son's final resting place one last time, alone. He knelt once more in front of the small tombstone. Leaning forward, he brushed debris from the top of the marker. The grieving father bowed his head in heartfelt prayer for the safe rebirth of his child. "May you find peace and contentment in your new life, my son. I cannot be with you to guide your footsteps this time. I can only grant you my blessing and eternal love, and a prayer that you will have someone strong and loving and kind and good to lead you on your new path."

Lifting his head, his hand brushed the tears from his eyes. He reached out with a trembling hand once more toward the mound, "I will miss you my darling child. I wonder, did you know how much I loved you?" Standing, he added, "I will carry you in my heart forever, Peter." Turning, he walked toward the sunset, leaving his reason for living behind, a charred baseball the only reminder of the life that had been.


The cold now seeping into his bones was in direct contrast to the fever that threatened to burn him alive. He'd passed the point of coherent thought long ago. The flame in his mind became the inferno of the temple and the chill of the snow was the pain in his heart. Moaning, Kwai Chang Caine roused once more to a pain filled existence, "Oh, Peter, my son."

A gentle hand touched his face and the injured man struggled to open his eyes, "Peter?"

"I'm here, Father." The son leaned forward and planted a tender kiss on his father's forehead, "I'm here now. I, we're going to help you, Father. You're going to be all right. I promise."

Somehow, the baying of the hounds didn't seem quite so distant any longer.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

part - 31

Peter quickly scrutinized his father's condition. Kwai Chang Caine lay at an awkward angle, half-sitting, half reclining. He'd obviously struggled into the position in an effort to relieve the pain in his chest. His breathing was labored, every inhalation was an exercise in agony. The bone protruding through the priest's pants leg caused his son to wince. The head wound needed stitches but had thankfully stopped bleeding long ago. Peter carefully ran his hands down his father's arms and other leg. They were miraculously uninjured. He turned his attention back to his father's heaving chest. "Morgan, help me get him into a better sitting position. It'll help him breathe."

"What about his ribs? I'm guessing they're broken? Do you think he's punctured a lung?"

"No, I think he'd be dead now if the lung had been punctured. But you're right. I'll need to bind them with something before we move him."

Morgan slid to the opposite side of Caine, "What?"

"I, uh, I, my undershirt." Peter quickly removed his coat and shirt to get to the soft cotton undershirt. He ignored the cold as he tore the material into strips. Glancing at the girl, he smiled slightly as he realized she was already opening the Shaolin's shirt. As carefully as possible, he slipped the material around the older man's chest. He worked as fast as he could, unwilling to expose the chilled body to any more of the elements than necessary. Morgan quickly refastened the shirt as soon as Peter finished.

"Peter, he's awfully cold to the touch. I'd have thought he'd be feverish."

The young detective's voice was grim, "Hypothermia. We need to find a way to warm him, but first we need to get him sitting upright." Turning his attention back to the injured man, "Pop, I hope you can hear me, I think. We've got to sit you up. It'll help but it's gonna really hurt." Bracing himself, Peter gently took one arm, while Morgan held tightly onto the other. "Ready?" The question was as much for himself as it was for the girl.

"Y..Yes."

"On three. One, two, THREE." Caine uttered a singled anguished cry as he was shifted. Peter's voice shook as he spoke, "I'm sorry, Father, I'm so sorry."

The only response from the Shaolin was a feeble moan as the fire in his mind continued to burn.

***********

"Boss, the dogs followed the scent until they went into the river. I sent guys in both directions and we found where they came out. The snow hasn't been heavy enough to put much of a ground cover in the woods, so we got the dogs back on the trail. Looks like they were coming back here of all places."

Ben Anderson glared at his employee, "Back here? You're certain?"

"Yeah. There's a jumble of tracks in the snow in the clearing at the top of the hill. They must've been watching when we turned the dogs loose."

"And now?"

"The tracks in the clearing headed back toward the river. I've got the dogs back on the trail."

Ben frowned, "Round up the dogs. I know where they're going."

"Huh? Where?"

"The restaurant on the river."

"The one that burned down? Why?"

"Never mind. Get my car. Pay off the others and tell them to leave. I can handle it from here, but you, Sam and Artie are with me."

As the flunky obediently left the room, Ben lashed the closest chair with the riding crop, "So, my son, you betray ME to return to HIM. This will not be tolerated. You will rue this day for years to come, Peter." He tightened his grip on the whip as he raced out of the door.

***********

It had been agreed that the Kermitmobile would enter the grounds of Anderson's home first. The other cars would remain out of sight. Jeff Mallory had put up a short fight to remain with the Captain, until he realized that his sister's life was on the line.

"Fine, Captain. I'll stay here." His icy tone matched the chill in the air, "But I warn you, patience is not one of my strong suits."

Karen sighed as the car sped toward the large house, "Why does he remind me of Peter?"

"Because he's pushy, cocky, stubborn and loyal?" Kermit managed not to laugh as he spoke, but the grin gave him away.

"Oh Yeah!" She matched his smile as she imitated his catch phrase. The smiles faded as the car entered the grounds. "This looks bad."

"This looks deserted." Kermit stopped the car in front of the door.

"Maybe the cars are hidden. There could be someone in the house."

Kermit rang the bell and listened as its tones resounded throughout the house. Neither answering nor retreating footsteps could be heard. Karen lunged for the radio, "Get down here, now." Shortly, the two unmarked sedans pulled into the yard followed by two patrol units. Karen sent the patrolmen on a search of the grounds while Frank, Mary Margaret, Jody and TJ joined Kermit and her in the house. "Jody, TJ - basement. Chief, Mary Margaret - this floor. Kermit, you and I will go upstairs. Jeff, you stay here."

"Not this time, Captain. The place is empty so I'm in no danger and I know enough not to contaminate evidence. I'm going to the basement."

Jody's voice broke in, "Why the basement?"

"From what your Captain's said, Jody, your Detective Caine is the focus of this madman's obsession. That means Morgan was brought along for some other purpose, one that I'd rather not think about. Unlike Caine, she'll be a prisoner not a guest. That implies a prison, most likely the basement."

The groups quickly dispersed. Jeff reluctantly followed rather than led the pair into the basement. In a very short time, they'd pushed their way into Morgan's former accommodations.

TJ commented grimly, "Looks like you were right about prisons, Jeff. I don't know who was held here but..."

The young Commander gave a strangled cry and raced into the room. Before either detective could stop him, he'd lifted a thin gold chain into his hand. "Jeff, don't!"

He turned slowly, tears in his eyes as a small golden heart dangled from the chain. "It was Mom's. Dad gave it to Morgan when she turned sixteen. She's never taken it off. She'd never knowingly leave it behind."

***********

Peter and Morgan had covered the injured Shaolin with their coats. The frustrated son leaned back on his heals, "Morgan, I..I'm going to have to go for help. We'll never move him, and the dogs..." He suddenly stopped and listened, "I don't hear the dogs. When did they stop..."

A light laugh from the ground above them caused the young pair to look upward quickly. The two flunkies who'd man-handled Morgan earlier grinned in anticipation of their prize while the giant stared stoically at the threesome below him. Benjamin Anderson suddenly appeared in their line of vision, rhythmically slapping the riding crop against his palm, "Peter, Father's here."

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part - 32

The fire in his mind continued to burn as the Shaolin mentally waded from one nightmare into another. Peter's voice came from a distance, "I'm sorry, Father, I'm so sorry" evoking memories of another place, another time.

"PETER!" No response. The searchers from the temple had been looking for the better part of an hour but the child was nowhere to be found. The temperatures had dropped and the sky was threatening to snow.

"Master Caine, I found the older children in the meadow, playing 'football'. I have questioned them. Kim is most distressed. They would not let the younger boys go with them, which was wise. In truth the game is too rough for the smaller children. I think we would be safe in assuming that little Peter followed them."

"Thank you, Master Kwon. Peter believes he is as big as the others. And he is stubborn. If he decided to join the game, a 'no' from Kim would not stop him." Caine smiled ruefully, "I am not sure that a 'no' from me would be successful either."

Light footsteps could be heard running toward the men, "Master Kwon, Master Caine!"

Kwai Chang Caine turned to face the twelve year old boy, "What is it, Kim?"

"Sir, I am sorry. I forgot. We didn't go to the meadow by the main road. We took the path behind the temple. It..It's shorter."

Caine looked severely at the child, "And more dangerous. Kim, it is prohibited to the children because the footing is so unstable. The adults rarely use it, except in an emergency."

"Yes, sir, we, uh, we were in a hurry, but sir, Peter's so little. There are places that he might get down, but not back up." The child's voice trembled as he spoke, "And if he fell..."

"He could be badly hurt. Thank you for being honest, Kim, but we will discuss this later, after Peter is safe."

"Yes, Master."

Caine turned to Kwon. "Tell the others that they are searching in the wrong locations. Peter will be behind the temple. I must find my son. Kim, return to the temple."

Without waiting for an answer, Kwai Chang Caine hurried toward the treacherous path. He'd gone less than three hundred yards, when the sound of soft sobs wafted upwards on the breeze. Carefully he maneuvered himself toward the sound. He caught his breath at the sight of his frightened five year old. As he feared, Peter had slipped down a rock face and become trapped in a rocky grotto. "It is all right, Peter. I am here." Caine spoke soothingly to the frightened child as he slid down the slick surface to join his son. A quick survey of the dirty, trembling form proved the little boy was only bruised and scraped. Kwai Chang Caine huffed in a sigh of relief as little arms ensnared his neck, "I'm sorry, Father, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to be bad."


"You've been very bad, Peter. You must be punished." Ben slapped a nearby board with the riding crop. Peter and Morgan both winced at the sound. "Come to me, son, and take your punishment."

As Peter glared at the men above them, he heard Morgan's soft voice mutter, "Damn. He's nuttier than a fruitcake and he seemed so normal at the museum."

***********

Karen Simms and Kermit quickly searched the second floor of the large house. All appeared perfectly normal until they found, 'the bedroom'.

"Whoa!" Kermit gasped in astonishment, "Except for the bars on the window, this would be a dream bedroom for a little boy." The ex-mercenary moved toward the closet, "Adult size clothes here, so this room must be for Pe... What the..."

Karen quickly joined him at the closet and stared at the hole, "Peter?"

"Either that or really large mice."

She shot him a dirty look, then added, "OK, Peter's escaped. At least from this room. Since he was captured with the girl, he would not willingly leave without her. I'm guessing he searched the place until he found her or was recaptured."

"My guess is that they're free and being pursued. That explains the empty house."

Frank Strenlich's voice could be heard, "Captain? I need you downstairs."

Karen and Kermit took the stairs two at a time. Frank was waiting at the bottom of the steps, "I've called the lab crew. You need to see the office."

TJ, Jody and Jeff reached the living room at the same time as the other three. Jeff quickly produced the necklace, "Morgan was here, Captain."

Karen spoke soothingly to the obviously distressed young man, "If we're reading the clues correctly, Peter escaped and took your sister with him."

"How can you be sure?"

"Because it's Peter. If she was in this house, he would not, under any conditions, leave willingly without her."

Relief was evident in the Commander's face as the group followed Frank through the living area. Mary Margaret was standing in the middle of the office when the group entered. She turned as they entered, but neither she nor Frank needed to say a word. The officers of the 101st were speechless as they stared at the array of pictures on the wall. Peter as a baby, child, then as the adult they knew. Some were images they'd seen planted at Peter's place, others were new. Only Jeff appeared rightfully confused. Sorrow and fear combined in Mary Margaret's voice, "Captain, look." She pointed toward the wall behind the desk. A picture of Kwai Chang Caine hung there, knife marks through his features. She then pointed down to the open journal. Her voice was shaky as she read, "He fell for the trap, the old fool. The explosion did not kill him outright, but perhaps that is for the best. He is gravely injured, I shall enjoy watching him die."

"Who? Who is he talking about?" Jeff asked quietly.

Mary Margaret gently touched the face on the wall, "Kwai Chang Caine, Peter's father."

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part - 33

It had taken what seemed an eternity for the lab crew to arrive. Kermit could have sworn that there was a conspiracy of slothfulness among the latest set of workers to print and catalog evidence. Mary Margaret had insisted that the journal be dusted first and was now hunkered down in an overstuffed chair perusing its contents. Jeff Mallory had paced the small confines of the office until Kermit was dizzy. Jody, sensing impending disaster, had taken the young Naval officer outdoors. The Chief and TJ had joined the young patrolmen searching the grounds. There was no hope of trailing the suspects' vehicles away from the house, the treads merged in the slush. Frank frowned as he rounded the back of the house.

"What's wrong, Chief?"

The portly detective nodded toward the small enclosures about fifty yards from the house. "No one mentioned dog pens."

"Is that what those are? I was wondering."

Strenlich glared at the young patrolman. Turning on the other man, he asked, "And you?"

"I'm a city boy, too, Chief. I thought maybe chickens or something. I mean they have barrels in them."

Frank groaned in disbelief, then moved rapidly toward the pens. "TJ, these pens were occupied by very large dogs until quite recently. If Peter's being trailed by them, he's in deep trouble." He turned quickly to the patrolmen, "Look for tracks..."

"They're all over the place, Chief."

Strenlich raised his eyes to the heavens, "Give me patience." Turning back to the cops, he spoke very slowly, "DOG TRACKS. You do think you'll be able to recognize those when you see them, don't you?"

"Oh, yeah, Chief. Dog tracks."

"THEN MOVE!" Strenlich shook his head as the two young men disappeared around the house. "Where do they find them?"

TJ stared at the pens in dismay, "H..how many dogs do you think were in here?"

"Six pens occupied, so at least six, maybe twelve." "Oh God!"

***********

Jeff Mallory sank down onto the front steps as soon as he and Jody left the house.

"Jeff. We'll find them, her. Peter will take care of her, I promise."

"Yeah. Like he's taken care of her so far."

"I don't understand."

"She went to give him the pictures she found. She was trying to HELP him, for heaven's sake. And what did it get her? She's been kidnapped, with him. He was a lot of help there, now wasn't he?" His voice grew angrier as he spoke. "And God only knows what's happened to her. They could have, well, they... ANYTHING could have happened."

Jody tried to remain calm, "Peter was kidnapped as well, you know."

"HE'S a COP. Risks are part of his job. Morgan's a twenty-four year old writer. She didn't deserve this!"

"Peter didn't ask for a madman to go after him, you know." Sorrow was evident in her voice.

Jeff put his head in his hands and groaned, "I'm sorry, Jody. I know that. From everyone's description, I'm sure Peter's a fine man. I'm just worried about my little sister."

"You two are close?"

"All five of us are close. I've got three older brothers. Morgan's the baby." He grinned, "She's been a little over-protected since the day she was born."

Jody laughed, "Bet your folks didn't object too much to that."

Jeff replied sadly, "Mom died when Morgan was born, but Dad was not adverse to our watchful nature. I just hope I didn't blow it by not telling her to turn the pictures over to the nearest policeman. God, why did I tell her to meet your friend?"

***********

Mary Margaret suddenly bolted out of her chair, "I've got it."

"What?" Karen and Kermit spoke in unison.

"Where Caine is. Anderson apparently wrote everything down, if it pertained to Peter, that is. Looks like he considered the death of, and I quote, 'the half-breed that ruined his son' a defining moment in Peter's life."

"Cut to the chase, sweetcakes, let's find ONE of the Caines at least." Kermit started for the front door, followed by Karen Simms and Mary Margaret, who didn't miss a beat.

"Right Kermit. Remember that river front restaurant that burned down a few months ago?"

"Oh Yeah. Arson was suspected but never confirmed."

"Forgot about that. Well, Anderson set a trap for Caine in the restaurant, over the wine cellar. He planted a dummy dressed in Peter's clothes and rigged it to explode on contact. Captain, we've got to get there in a hurry."

"Where is it?"

"For once we're in luck," Kermit responded, "It's not far up the road."

***********

"You don't appear to be listening, Peter. You must learn to obey your father when he speaks."

"I DO listen to my father." Peter practically snarled then added silently, "Well, sometimes." Aloud, he continued, "What has that got to do with YOU?"

"I AM YOUR FATHER, PETER." The rage in the madman's voice was emphasized by the CRACK of the whip against a nearby beam.

"Tell me another joke. I could use the laugh."

Anderson gritted his teeth, and twirled the riding crop between his palms, "Carter, please explain the situation to my son."

Peter heard the bolt being drawn back on a shotgun, "You heard the boss, cop. I've got a clean shot on the old man and the girl from here."

"Morgan," Peter whispered, "I've got to go up there. He'll shoot one or both of you if I don't."

"B..be careful, Peter, and don't worry. I'll do my best to take care of your father."

The young detective smiled gratefully at the young woman, then carefully climbed the rusty metal steps. He'd almost made it to the top, when a low groan from below caused him to turn to look at the prone figure of his father. Morgan was bent over him, trying to ease his discomfort. Peter hesitated, torn between fear for their safety if he went back, and the need to help his father. His mind was made up for him as the giant leaned down, grabbed hold of his half buttoned shirt, and physically lifted him the rest of the way. The behemoth then jerked the shirt down Peter's arms, effectively imprisoning his wrists behind him. Ben nodded in satisfaction as the giant pulled upward on Peter's wrists forcing the young detective's head downward. Peter stifled a groan as his joints were painfully stretched.

Ben surveyed the scene in front of him, "Well done, Sam. Artie, Carter, you may do as you like with the girl."

The two men quickly dropped their weapons and gratefully descended the rickety steps, 'pleasure' the only thing on their minds.

"Now, my son, I will introduce you to the first of what I'm sure will be many meetings with an old friend of mine. I do hope that you'll take your punishment like a man." As he spoke, he raised the riding crop above his head and putting all his strength behind the whip, swung it hard toward Peter's backside.

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part - 34

Morgan watched in horror as the giant manhandled her companion. Horror quickly turned to terror at the madman's words, "Artie, Carter, you may do as you like with the girl." She gently touched Kwai Chang Caine's face before she moved as far from him as she could. Morgan watched every move the thugs made, noting with delight that they'd stupidly dropped their weapons. "If Peter can..." her thoughts were diverted by the sound of a whip striking something. She allowed herself a quick glance, and gasped in dismay as she realized that Peter was firmly held by the giant. Her eyes widened in astonishment as the short whip impacted forcefully with the seat of the young detective's jeans. Movement on the stairs forced her eyes away from the ledge. The first of the thugs was almost at the bottom of the stairs, the second not far behind him. She pushed the sound of repeated blows from her mind as she prepared herself for the attack she knew was soon to come.

Carter licked his lips in anticipation, "Well little girl, we can do this the easy way or the hard way, your choice. Oh, I do hope you go for the hard way." Artie just grinned stupidly.

***********

Peter strained to free himself from his captor's grasp, but eighteen inch biceps proved that his own strength was insufficient to the task. The pain in his arms intensified as Sam tightened his grip, but there was no way Peter was going to admit to any sort of discomfort to these losers. From his awkward position, he heard Ben's words and saw the other two men drop their weapons and scramble down the stairs toward the cellar. His anguished cry of 'NOOOOO' coincided with the first blow of the whip.

Peter braced himself as the crop whistled through the air once more, only partially successful in concealing his reaction as the whip found its target.

"Your grandfather always said that it took a great deal of physical discipline to raise a child correctly. I doubted him as a child but no longer. I have seen in your behavior the neglect of that pretender. You were left to HIS care by my beloved Laura but HE was much too lax with you. I shall not make that mistake. I really do not enjoy having to thrash you, but I cannot allow the disloyalty you have displayed today to go unpunished, my son." Ben's words did not match his demeanor; his eyes sparkled in anticipation of the whip's impact.

"I...am...NOT...your...SON." His breath hitched slightly as he felt the denim tear with the latest blow.

"YOU ARE MINE!" Benjamin Anderson screamed in rage, the strength behind each blow increasing in intensity as he moved closer to the young cop.

***********

Morgan backed silently as far away from the pair as she could get. Carter smiled, "The easy way works too." He moved to grab the girl's wrist and found himself arm barred neatly to the ground. Artie lunged in to help his friend and met with a front kick to the stomach, joining his companion on the ground. Morgan leaped across their prone forms, but misjudged the amount of damage she'd inflicted. Carter grabbed an ankle, bringing the girl to her knees, "Hard way's better, much better." She rolled quickly, forcing her attacker to release his grip on her ankle. Artie, still clutching his belly, had positioned himself between the stairs and the girl.

She took a defensive position, hoping against hope that something would lend her an advantage. A low groan from the injured Shaolin, distracted her for a moment, long enough for the two thugs to drag her to the ground. Screaming now, she struggled in vain for release.

***********

Morgan's screams were the final catalyst Peter needed. Gauging his distance from the maniac by the sound of his breathing, Peter executed a perfect side kick. Ben's anguished cry as his knee dislocated startled the giant into relaxing his grip slightly. It was enough. Peter twisted free and spun to face the larger man. "Come and get me, big guy."

A low growl was all the warning Peter had of the attack. He dodged skillfully to one side as his opponent's size propelled him well past Peter. The youngest Caine encouraged the man on his way with a pointed kick to the rear. Peter braced for a return assault as the larger man turned, prepared to charge. A loud crack proved to be the finishing blow as the floor beneath the giant gave way, sending him into another section of the basement, and oblivion. The young detective glanced quickly over the side and ascertained that the giant was still breathing.

Another scream from the girl turned Peter toward the stairs. Dashing past the whimpering, disabled form of Dr. Anderson, he quickly slid down the rusted steps, fury in his eyes as he saw her struggling in vain against Artie's iron grip. Carter straddled her legs, holding them firmly in place as he fought to undo his zipper. Artie barely managed a gasp as Peter seized the back of the would-be rapist's shirt. The enraged detective heaved the thug into the air, freeing the girl's legs. Carter never saw Peter's face as a fist turned out the lights. Artie whimpered and released Morgan's hands.

Peter snarled, "Face down, on the floor. Hands behind your head, and don't even think of moving." Artie hastily followed the angry man's instructions and collapsed to the ground, a cowering figure amidst the snow.

Kneeling beside the trembling girl, Peter said gently, "Morgan, it's over. They can't hurt you now." Fearful of touching her, he kept a slight distance until she collapsed against him. As the tears and terror faded, she pushed away, wiping her eyes, "A..are you OK? I..I saw him h..hitting you with t..that whip."

Peter smiled and rubbed the seat of his jeans. Wincing as he found a particularly sore spot, he blushed slightly and replied, "Let's just say I've had worse, uh, injuries in my life."

"H..How's your Dad?"

Peter hastily moved to the recumbent form of his father, "Not good. He needs to be in a hospital."

"An ambulance is on its way, Peter. Are you two all right?"

"KERMIT?"

"Oh, YEAH!" the older detective grinned at the stunned young man beneath him.

"Morgan?"

"JEFF! Oh, God, JEFF!" Morgan stumbled up the steps and into her older brother's arms.

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part - 35

Peter fell to his knees by Kwai Chang Caine, "Father?" He placed a trembling hand against the older man's face. "Help's on its way, Father, you're going to be fine." Swiping at the tears in his eyes, he turned his head as Mary Margaret joined him in the cellar, adding silently, "You have to be fine."

"Peter? I read Anderson's journal, all about the trap for Caine. How bad is he?" She sank down on the opposite side of Caine, watching in vain for any sign of awareness.

"Broken leg, ribs, head wound, topped off with a little hypothermia. Nothing that should keep a Shamballa Master down for l..long." Peter's attempt to lighten the situation failed miserably as his voice broke with emotion. Bending forward, he kissed Caine's forehead.

Kermit Griffin laid a strong hand on his younger friend's shoulder, "Paramedics are here, Peter. You and Skalany need to back off and let them do their job."

Peter rose slowly, reluctant to abandon the father he adored. He joined Mary Margaret and Kermit a few feet a way and watched helplessly as the paramedics worked swiftly to prepare Kwai Chang Caine for transport.

The sound of a helicopter startled the young detective. Noting the stunned expression on the man's face, the female paramedic said quickly, "Life Flight. Whoever made the call threatened to end the 'line of the dispatcher' if she didn't send the chopper. Good thing, too. It's saved us some time."

Her partner finished tucking the blankets in around the still figure, and snapped the last buckle in place. "OK, Linda, he's ready to go. Let's get him out of this damn hole and fast."

Working swiftly, they attached ropes to each end of the stretcher.

Mary Margaret looked on, confused, "What are you doing?"

Linda replied quickly, "Those damn stairs will never hold up to two people and a loaded stretcher. We're going to have to have some help maneuvering this guy to the top."

"His name's Caine," Peter spoke sadly, "Kwai Chang Caine, not 'guy'."

"Yes, sir. Well who's going to help us get Mr. Caine out of here and onto that chopper?" The number of volunteers proved to be more than sufficient to the task, and Caine was shortly loaded onto the Life Flight helicopter. Peter started to climb aboard but was stopped by the young paramedic, "Sorry, sir, you can't go with them. You'll have to follow on the ground."

"That's my father!" Peter's anguished protest was heartfelt, and loud.

Linda spoke firmly, "Then you'll understand when I tell you that there is not a lot of room on board. If they took you, they wouldn't have enough working space to help him if something goes wrong."

Peter nodded solemnly and watched the woman board the chopper. The nurse on board asked, "Why didn't you just tell him it was against regulations?"

"Because, Mary, I don't think it would have stopped him." She checked over her patient one last time. "He's secure now, so I'll go tend to the other injured."

Mary turned to glance out the window at the distraught young man standing forlornly in the snow. She quickly gave him a thumb's up, hoping he understood that they'd do their best for his father. Peter meet her eyes and nodded gratefully as the chopper left the ground.

********

Jeff Mallory wrapped his coat around his little sister then crushed her to his chest, "Are you hurt? They didn't..."

She shook her head vehemently, "I'm fine. P..Peter stopped..." Morgan's words died on her lips as the memory of the close call reared its ugly head. She buried her head in his chest, and wept once more, this time in relief, not fear.

Jeff Mallory gently kissed her hair and watched as the young detective slipped into Kermit's car. As the green Corvair sped down the road, he asked "That was his father on the stretcher, wasn't it?"

She nodded. "God, Jeff. The poor man is hurt so badly. I hope he's gonna make it. Wish you'd brought AJ."

"AJ's at a medical conference at Walter Reed, Bit. Besides, I wanted to live and he may yet kill me for putting you at risk."

"You boys have got to remember that I'm all grown up and can take care of myself."

"Huh. YOU can't even take care of your belongings. Look what I found."

She stared in shock at the necklace, then grabbed her neck, "Good grief, I didn't even know it was missing. Thanks, Jeff."

"You're welcome, Bit. I'm thinking you had a few other things on your mind."

Morgan smiled, "Just a few." She stared for a moment after the Corvair then added wistfully, "Hope he remembers."

"Remembers what?"

"He owes me dinner."

********

The paramedics loaded the handcuffed, but still unconscious giant into the ambulance. Carter had regained consciousness and was secured, with Artie in one of the patrol cars.

"That's one bad bruise on that guy's chin." Jody commented, "Wonder what happened to him?"

"Oh," Mary Margaret replied, "Peter says the jerk hit his head on something."

TJ smothered his laughter as he thought, "Yeah, Peter's fist."

Benjamin Anderson sat hunched on the ground, arms wrapped around himself, moaning in pain from the dislocated knee. As he rocked to and fro, he kept repeating, "You can't have him. He's mine, all mine. Must be punished. Should have been mine."

********

"Damn!"

The ex-mercenary glanced briefly at his passenger, "What, Peter?"

"I forgot all about Morgan. I hope she's OK. Those assholes tried to..., well, never mind."

"I get the picture, Peter, but don't worry, she's with her brother."

"Brother?"

"Tall guy, Navy uniform?"

Peter smiled sheepishly, "Didn't even see him, Kermit." He paused, "That's one gutsy girl."

"Oh, Yeah!"

"How long until we get to the hospital?"

Kermit glanced behind him, then flipped on the siren, "Not long at all."

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part - 36

Two weeks later:

"Pop? You up to company?"

"YOU are always welcome, my son."

Peter grinned, then leaned over and pulled Kwai Chang Caine into a gentle embrace, mindful of the older man's healing ribs.

"Peter?"

"It's just so good seeing you better. The four days you were in ICU were the longest days I can remember. Even longer than..."

Caine pretended not to notice the lapse, "I am sorry that I worried you, my son."

"Good grief, Pop, it's not YOUR fault. Anderson tried to kill you."

"What will happen to him?"

Peter sighed, "He's gone catatonic and has been confined to a mental institution. I doubt that he'll ever come to trial for what he did to us. As to his employees, we've got most of them. Some will never be found. The rest will get time on a variety of charges." Peter paused for a moment, "Pop, Mary Margaret gave this to me to return to you. She said to tell you she never had to read it."

Caine gratefully took the aged envelope from his son, "Thank you, my son". The silence in the room was deafening. "Aren't you going to ask?"

"Ask what, Peter?"

"If I read it."

Caine shrugged, "There is no need, you did not."

"Uh, right." Embarrassed, Peter glanced around the room, "Uh, Pop, what happened to all the plants. It looked like everyone in Chinatown had sent an arrangement."

Caine smiled, "Morgan was kind enough to take the plants and flower arrangements to other patients who had none."

"Good idea, Pop."

"It was Morgan's."

"What was Morgan's?" The pretty girl asked as she entered the hospital room.

"Giving Pop's plants to other patients." Peter smiled as a deep blush covered her features.

She gulped, "Well, Daddy always encouraged us to do for others."

Peter laughed at her discomfort, "OK, we'll change the subject. Pop, do you need anything before I take Morgan to a long overdue dinner?"

"No, my son. The hospital staff has been quite attentive to my needs."

"Then you won't need me to stay with you this weekend?"

Caine was quick to notice the hesitation in Peter's tone, "I am always delighted with your company, Peter, but no, I have an abundance of caretakers. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, I was kinda hoping that..." He straightened, "Never mind."

"Peter, you don't have to do this."

"No, Morgan, I said I'd go but..."

"Go where, my son?"

Peter hesitated a moment, "I've been invited on a boys only camping trip this weekend."

"Indeed, with whom?" Caine kept his suspicions wisely to himself.

"The male Mallorys," Morgan replied cheerfully, "Jeff's back in town and Mark, Mike and AJ are coming in on Friday."

"It is nice that they wish you to come along, Peter."

"I'm not sure nice is the right word. Jeff had this really evil gleam in his eye when he asked me."

"Peter, he's a lawyer. They teach them that evil gleam in law school."

"Right." Peter replied doubtfully, "Well, we've got reservations for seven at that French restaurant downtown so we'd better get a move on." Taking Morgan's arm, the pair started for the door.

Morgan suddenly said, "Wait. I've forgotten something." She hurried back to Kwai Chang Caine's side. Bending slightly she planted a kiss on his cheek and said, "I'm glad you're feeling better Mr. Caine." She added in a quiet whisper, "Don't worry, they won't hurt him, too badly." Caine nodded solemnly but she caught the twinkle in his eyes as she rejoined Peter at the door. The Shaolin smiled and returned the wave as the couple disappeared. His smile faded as his gaze fell on the letter he'd hidden from Peter for so long. His hands trembled with emotion as the removed the parchment.

March 15, 1964

My Darling Kwai Chang,

Anna is doing much better but not as well as expected. I fear I must remain with her for at least another week. Her sister will be able to come at that time to take care of her.

I took your advice Kwai Chang and broke the news to Benjamin about us. I will not tell you what he said, but his letter was very disturbing to me. Perhaps I shall tell you about it someday but I know you well enough to be certain that you will not seek to pry the information from me, as others would do. Your ability to love me for who I am, not who you would make me be, is one of the things I love best about you. I always feel so free when I am with you.

I have told my family of our engagement and was not disappointed in their reaction. My paternal grandparents never approved of my father's marriage to my mother and their disapproval has extended to you, my love. With Mom and Dad gone, I had hoped they would at least wish me joy, but it appears that I am to be denied even that. My father's sister and her husband are particularly opposed to you. I am sorry. I knew they would not be happy but the depth of their disappointment was almost overwhelming. My love, I was basically told that they would never accept you nor any of our children as being part of their family. I am sorry that they feel this way but be assured that this in no way affects my feelings for you.

I love you more than life itself, Kwai Chang. Would you object too strongly if I insisted on a quiet ceremony as soon as I return home? I find that my dreams are only of you and that I do not want to wait any longer to share your bed. My relatives be damned.

Love, forever and always, Laura


Caine sadly refolded the letter for the umpteenth time. He was very glad that he'd not had to share its contents with anyone. The fates for once had been kind. He stared with distaste at the smaller envelope that had fallen out of the first. He once again opened the second letter, one he had obtained from Paul Blaisdell before he departed.

August 12, 1981

Mr. Blaisdell,

This letter is being written to ask that you not contact me nor my family again. Under no circumstances will that child be allowed in our home. Had we wanted the boy, we would have taken him when that 'holy man' Ping Hi came to see us after his father was killed in that fire. My cousin, Laura, went against the family's wishes and married that heathen, Kwai Chang Caine without regards to what such a marriage would mean. Do not misunderstand me, we tried to gain custody of Peter when his mother died but failed. Now that he has spent years growing up under heathen philosophies, he has been tainted beyond hope of redemption. Do as you will with the boy.

Dwight Miller Braniff, California


The fight for his small son had been as horrific as Laura's illness and death. He could still hear the screams of his toddler as the social workers drove away with him. Had the Dalai Lama not stepped in, Peter might have been lost to him forever. He could not and would not ever forgive Laura's family for this betrayal.

Kwai Chang Caine put the second letter back in with the first. Perhaps he should destroy the letters when he returned home. Peter had had enough sadness in his young life. It might be better if he never learned that he had relatives who could have saved him from the orphanage. This secret Caine would take to his grave.

********

Out on the sidewalk, Peter paused to search out his father's hospital room.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Morgan asked.

Peter smiled, "Oh, I was just thinking how lucky I was. There's not anyone quite like him and he's MY Dad. Come on, let's go get a Hershey Bar before dinner."

The End
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