Always Another Way
Part 3
Kwai Chang Caine opened his eyes. Lo Si was still sitting next to him in deep meditation. The candles flickered and danced creating mystical shadows on the walls of the room.
He closed his eyes again and allowed his mind to drift back to the night he had met Rykker over thirty years before. He could still picture the man's dark, slick-backed hair, the sly grin and mischievous eyes.
The voice was confident, as if not having a care in the world. "Name's Rykker. . .Thomas Rykker."
Caine grasped the offered hand and shook it. The greeting was not that of his ancestors, but he had left behind the traditions of his father. A flash of anger intermixed with guilt entered his soul. He had abandoned what was Shaolin in the same way that his father had abandoned him. "I am Caine."
"Are you from around here?" the man named Rykker asked.
"I am not," Caine responded quietly and then he took another drink from his glass.
"A stranger in a strange land?"
Kwai Chang Caine looked around. The smoke-filled room was occupied by a variety of people. By their looks, most appeared to be fishermen and longshoremen. Caine's eyes drifted back to the man sitting next to him. He was different. He was not a laborer like the others. He was polished, his attire fitting one of a banker, not a fisherman. There was something very unusual about him. "Yes, very strange," he finally answered.
Rykker watched the other man's eyes wander. "So what brings you to this city?"
Caine shrugged his shoulder. "I am searching."
"Searching? Looking for anything in particular?"
"For something I have lost."
"Ah," the man smiled. "Like to play it close to the vest."
"Close to the vest?" Caine repeated in confusion.
Rykker's eyes narrowed. "Never mind." He finished off the last of his beer and then motioned to the bartender. "Whiskey."
The rotund man nodded and pulled out a shot glass. Rykker motioned to Caine. "Get my friend one too."
"No, thank you," Caine responded quickly.
"Trust me, it's just what you need to help you on your search."
The bartender poured a second glass. Caine watched Rykker take his and slam the liquid down. The man coolly placed the empty glass on the bar.
Caine sniffed the liquid and then followed suit. He couldn't help the cough that rose from his throat. Rykker laughed at the sickened look on his companion's face. "Don't drink much do you?"
"No, I do not."
"Well, that's probably for the best. It can dull the senses."
Caine nodded. He could already feel a tingling sensation in his face. Wine had never done that to him. He was not sure he liked the effect.
Rykker rose from his chair. "Well, Caine, it's been nice, but I have to be on my way. I have to be up early in the morning."
"Ah. Yes, it has been a. . .pleasure. . .meeting you. And thank you for these." He motioned to the beer bottle and glass.
Rykker pulled out a ten dollar bill and placed it on the counter. The bartender grabbed it and prepared to make change. "Keep it," Thomas Rykker said before the man could open his cash register."
"Thanks buddy," the overweight man responded, surprised and happy at the same time.
"I hope you find what you are looking for." Rykker nodded to Caine and then turned to head for the door. Caine watched him exit the bar. Motion from the other side of the room caught his attention. Two men rose from a table in the corner and also made their way to the door. Both were dressed in dark shirts, dirty dungarees and heavy work boots.
Their actions alone were not that suspicious, but there was something. . .a darkness. . .which surrounded these men. Caine rose from the barstool. The bartender caught the movement. "Can I getcha anything else?"
"No, thank you. I must leave now." Caine gave a slight nod to the man and quickly exited the bar.
Once outside, he looked up and down the street, trying to determine where Rykker and the two men had gone. The sound of scuffling feet to his right caught his attention. He quickly ran in the direction of the sound and soon found himself at the entrance to an alley. In the darkness, he could barely make out the shadowy figures of three men. Two, the men who had followed Rykker from the bar, appeared to be assaulting the third, Rykker.
Caine rushed forward and as soon as he was within reach, grabbed one of the assailants by the back of the shirt and pulled him away from his victim. Surprised, the man grunted in pain when his back made contact with the alley wall. He recovered quickly, his right arm darting forward. Only then did Caine see a glint of light reflecting off of a knife in the man's hand. Years of Kung Fu training took over as Caine skillfully grabbed the man's wrist and wrenched the weapon away with ease. The man pulled his arm away and kicked out towards Caine. Caine blocked the kick and responded with a sidekick of his own which connected solidly with the man's chest. The attacker gasped in pain as the air rushed from his lungs. Caine took a step forward. The thug's eyes widened in shock and fear. He pressed his back into the wall and raised his hands in surrender.
Caine turned to help Rykker, but immediately noticed that the intended victim now had the upperhand over his attacker. Rykker threw a vicious right cross to the face of his enemy. The man screamed in pain as the fist connected with his nose. He stumbled backwards and collided with the wall, his hands covering his now bloody face.
Rykker reached into his jacket and pulled out a revolver. He pointed the weapon at the injured man. "I suggest that you and your friend leave," he calmly growled.
The man who had been defeated by Caine reached out for his companion and pulled him towards the opening of the alley. When the two men were a sufficient distance away, they turned and ran to safety.
Rykker slid his weapon back into his holster and approached Caine's side. "Thanks for the assist."
Caine nodded. "You are not injured?"
Rykker shook his head. "How'd you know?"
Caine shrugged, "It was a. . .feeling."
Rykker smiled and nodded. He bent over and retrieved the knife which was lying at their feet. "You've got good instincts and you're a skillful fighter," he commented.
"I have had training."
"That kind of training could come in handy. It could make you some money."
"I do not fight for money."
"Too bad. I could use a man like you. . .especially now."
"Now?" Caine's curiosity was aroused.
"Are you sure you couldn't use some work?"
"I do need to find a job," Caine confessed. "However, I will not fight for money."
"This isn't fighting for money. . .not really. It's fighting for a cause."
Caine tilted his head. Although he had been raised to avoid conflict, that was in his previous life. He had left his father's teachings behind, just as his father had left him. He was on his own now, which meant he could make his own decisions about what was right for his life. "What cause?" he finally asked.
Rykker smiled at the young man. "Come with me. We have a lot to discuss."
End Part 3
To Part 4