Matthew held the envelope up to the candlelight, trying to catch a hint of what to expect. The opaque envelope stared defiantly back at him. Finally, he took a deep breath and ripped the top open with one long finger. Curiosity warred with fear. He slipped the paper out of its long-time home and carefully unfolded it.
Dearest Matthew:
I have been keeping a secret, from you and my husband both.
The guilt has been eating away at me since the day I found out
the truth, but I thought it best to keep silent. I will leave
it up to you whether or not you wish to tell the other party
involved (my husband passed away a few years ago), as I do not
wish to impose an undesired situation upon you. But I am
dying, Matthew, and can not allow this secret to die with me.
A few months after our encounter, I found myself pregnant.
The child is yours, without a doubt, as my husband and I had
not been together in that way for over a year at that time.
You have another son, Matthew, born of our passion,
short-lived as it was. I have enclosed a recent picture of
him. He is beautiful, smart, and everything you could want in
a son. I have not told him that the man he called "Dad" is
not really his father, nor do I intend to -- the information
is yours to do with as you deem fit. In the event that you do
chose to reveal the truth to him, I have enclosed another
letter to Matthew (after you, of coarse - although he seems to
prefer some silly nickname my youngest son, David, gave to
him), explaining the entire situation.
The letter went on, but Matthew was too stunned to comprehend the rest. The fact that he had another son, that yet another child had been kept from him, was unbelievable. He slipped the black and white photo out of the envelope and stared at the image of his son. The young man stood in the shade of a large tree, in a perfectly manicured yard, with his arms slung casually around two younger children, one boy and one girl. His siblings, Matthew supposed. The expression on his face was one of tolerant exasperation, but his eyes were hidden behind deeply tinted sunglasses.
Matthew decided that it was time to take a trip to the States, to visit Kwai Chang and Peter. After all, his grandson *was* a detective. Who better to help track down this newest addition to the Caine family tree?
******
Peter climbed the steps to his father's apartment and burst in, breathless.
"Pop? You here?"
"Yes, Peter, I am here," Caine responded, not moving from his meditative position on the floor. "What is it that brings you here in such a hurry?"
"Grandfather just called me. He's flying in tomorrow and has some important news for us. He wouldn't tell me over the phone, said he wanted to tell us at the same time, but did say that he'll need our help. I'm gonna pick him up at the airport and bring him over here, if that's all right with you."
"That is...all right...with me," Caine smiled at his son. Peter's face was slightly flushed with exertion, but his eyes sparkled brightly, like a kid about to learn a highly guarded secret. Caine, too, was curious as to what would bring his father all the way over here on such short notice. He closed his eyes and attempted to make a connection.
*Father?*
*Kwai Chang? Peter has related our phone conversation, I assume?*
There was a guarded hesitancy to his father's thoughts, as if the man was trying not to reveal something.
*Yes, but I am curious why you did not just contact me directly*
Amusement colored Matthews thoughts as he answered, *You do not have a phone, my son*
*That is true, Father, but are we not communicating without the use of a phone right now?*
Kwai Chang sighed in resignation. Frustration was a given when it came to his father. The walls he had sensed with first contact, strengthened. Matthew Caine was definitely hiding something.
*I will tell you everything when I arrive. This is not news that should be shared over such a long distance.*
*Understood. Then I will see you tomorrow, Father. I love you*
*I love you too, my son. And give my love to Peter, as well.*
The contact broke off. Caine looked up into matching hazel eyes filled with curiosity.
"Well, what did he say?"
"He said that he will not say anything until tomorrow. We will just have to wait."
******
The following afternoon, Peter stood anxiously at the gate where his grandfather's plane was scheduled to disembark, bouncing lightly on the balls of his feet. Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to find himself face to face with Matthew Caine.
"What the he.." he trailed off as his grandfather raised one eyebrow.
"I took an earlier flight. It is good to see you again, Peter."
Matthew Caine engulfed his only grandchild ('at least so far as I know,' he thought) in a bear hug.
"It's good to see you again, too, Grandfather. Where are you bags?"
Matthew hefted a pack onto his shoulder, "Right here."
Peter shook his head at how similar his father and grandfather were. He led the way to the Stealth and they drove off. In the car, Peter dropped hints to try to get some idea of the secret his grandfather held, but the older man was as stubborn as his own father and would reveal nothing. When they arrived at their destination, Peter entered the apartment first and found his father in the same position as he had the previous day.
"Don't you ever move, Pop?" he questioned mischievously.
Caine ignored his son and stood to greet his father. The two older men embraced. Matthew looked over his son's shoulder to see Peter once again bouncing on the balls of his feet. He released Kwai Chang and, eyes twinkling, asked,
"Where am I sleeping, Kwai Chang? I really am tired from the flight and would like to take a nap."
Peter's eyes widened slightly with impatience but he managed to bite his lower lip to keep from saying anything. Matthew and Kwai Chang shared an amused glance and chuckled simultaneously. Peter caught the look and had the grace to redden.
"OK, ok, so I'm impatient. I'm sorry. But I'm dying to know what brought you here and what the big mystery is."
Matthew looked over at the two younger Caine's and decided to get it over with. He drew a deep breath.
"There is another addition to the family. Apparently, I have a fourth son."
End Part 2