The word was barely audible. Peter felt like he had been kicked in the stomach. He knew that the woman standing before him could not be there. His head pounded with reminders that she had died over a quarter century ago. And yet the tear- filled eyes that gazed back at him were mirror images of his own, her loving smile a perfect reflection of his dreams. She was much older now and the left side of her face had been badly burned at one time, but his heart longed to accept that it was her.
“Mama?” he repeated, stronger in voice this time, reaching up to touch her hand. Hope and dread warred within him. He desperately wanted to believe that Laura was truly alive and caressing his face. However, that would also mean that it had been his own mother who had ordered him drugged and forcefully kidnapped from his home.
Her raspy whisper commanded his attention once more, “Yes, Peter, baby. Oh, my sweet child how wonderful it is to see you, to touch you once more. If you only knew how I have suffered.”
Flashback
Concealed, Laura Caine watched in horror as the coffin, her coffin, was lowered into the ground. She saw her husband standing to the right of her grave, while their little boy sat at his feet, unusually still and quiet. Peter was too young to understand what was happening but Laura knew that he was intuitive enough to grasp the solemnity of the occasion.
She glanced back at her companions. Both were smiling wickedly, soaking up the waves of pain and sorrow eminating from her loved ones. She suddenly could not take it any longer and turned violently to sprint to the limousine.
The man waiting inside grinned slightly at her discomfort and offered her a glass of champagne.
“Why, Braeden?” she queried, “Why couldn’t I at least take my baby with me?”
“Laura, you know that was impossible. You knew the consequences of having a child with Caine but you did so anyway, without any thought to my years of meticulous planning. Kwai Chang Caine was the last of that damned family. You were supposed to put an end to the Caine line, not add to it.”
This last part had been more hissed than spoken. Laura felt the anger and hatred building in her companion and, wisely, decided to drop the subject. Braeden was the only father she had ever known. His absolute hatred of the Caine family had been drilled into her since before she could remember and she felt she had betrayed him by falling in love with the very man she had been groomed to kill. To have borne Caine’s son was a sin she was not certain Braeden could ever forgive. His disfigurement of her face by fire had been a just punishment. Still, she could not hold back the tears that fell at the thought of never seeing her little boy again.
Present
“Don’t you see, baby, I had to leave you. I had to make it right with Braeden. I needed to be on the inside again so that I could deflect any attacks against you. Now that he has passed on, your death is no longer necessary. Just your father’s. I am in power now and have long believed that revenge would be better served by bringing you into the fold, so to speak. Braeden would not hear of it, of coarse, but I finally managed to put an end to his objections.”
Her eyes had narrowed slightly and her short laugh sounded a bit maniacal. As her words sunk in, Peter started to shake his head. What was she saying? Had she killed this guy, Braeden? Instead of offering answers, she had only managed to confuse him further.
“Peter,” her whisper took on a much harsher edge, “your Shoalin father represents only one half of your heritage. A half that will soon no longer exist.”
******
Caine and LoSi entered the 101st precinct and were immediately accosted by Kermit.
“Where is Peter? He never showed for his shift this morning and when I checked his apartment I found it torn all to hell.”
“I do not know.” Caine shrugged in typical Caine fashion, only his eyes betraying the strain and worry he felt.
Kermit let the two Shambhala masters into his office and shut the door.
“I can’t believe I am going to ask this, but can’t you feel him? Is he alright?”
“I can and he is. For now. But he is frightened and confused. I must find him. We must find him.” Caine’s gesture included Kermit.
“We will, Caine. Don’t worry, the kid is tough. He’ll be fine.” Kermit was not sure whether he was trying to convince the worried father of this, or himself. His promise to Paul rang in his head but it was much more than obligation to an old friend that demanded his help. Peter was like a little brother to him and Kermit had long ago determined that he would be damned if anything would happen to this brother as long as he still drew breath.
Caine laid a hand on Kermit’s arm. “We must hurry. I sense a growing fear and unease from my son. I have also felt shock and momentary joy, followed by increased confusion. Something is not right.”
Just then a knock sounded on the glass. Kermit opened the door to reveal a uniformed officer holding an envelope.
“Um, this just says it’s for Caine. Nobody saw who delivered it. Broderick just found it just lying on the front desk.”
Kermit took the envelope and handed it to Caine, who turned it over to look at the front. His name was neatly inscribed on the front in a familiar handwriting. His face blanched and he nearly dropped the letter.
“It can’t be. No, this is impossible.”
“What is impossible, my friend, what are your thoughts?” LoSi inquired.
“This handwriting is known to me. It is not possible but the writing is identical to Laura’s.”
Kermit stared at him for a moment. “Laura, as in Peter’s natural mother?”
“Yes.”
Caine opened the envelope with more apprehension than he had felt in a long time.
Kwai Chang Caine:
I finally have our son back where he belongs, with me. If you wish to see him before I take him with me back to my home, come to the cabin tonight. I have enclosed a map and written directions. Come alone, Caine. Although I would never dream of hurting my baby, some of my associates might get nervous if they see anybody but you.
Laura Amber Caine
END Part 2
Dual Heritage 3
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