Return to Innocence

Part 21

"Pop, you here?" Peter ran up the stairs shouting out to his father, knowing that if he took the time to open his senses to his father, he would be able to answer that question for himself. But to open his senses meant that he would have to be calm, and frankly, he was too emotionally exhausted for calm.

His heart kept hoping and praying that the emotional roller coaster of the past three days would be over. His mind knew different. The anger, frustration and doubts of this case would never be over. It was a no-win situation. If Watson were to walk on the charge, he would go unpunished for having killed Michael. If he were convicted. . .his life would be wrongly forfeited. In either scenario, the young Shaolin cop would be caught in the middle.

"Pop?" Peter repeated. He heard a voice in response, but it was not his father's.

"Hello, Peter." Lo Si walked in from the patio garden. "Your father is not here."

"Do you know where he is?" Peter asked, slightly winded from his climb up the stairs.

"He is helping someone who needs his assistance," Lo Si answered with a pleasant smile.

"That's a little vague, Lo Si. Could you narrow down the possibilities for me?" Peter followed the smaller man back to the garden. "I really need to find him."

"Yes, you do," was the response.

Peter frowned at the man, the response not lost, "What's that supposed to mean."

The elder ignored the question, "Your father has gone to the family of Michael Hampton. . .to offer his condolences."

"He what?!?" Peter was aghast. It was bad enough that he had used such poor judgment when visiting with Kathy. To have his father go now, when he so clearly supported Michael's killer, could drive the woman away from Peter forever.

"Thanks, Lo Si." Peter turned to rush out of the room. Lo Si's voice stopped him.

"Peter. Remember that a Shaolin seeks truth and light. There is no honor in lies and darkness." He held his index finger in the air, shaking it at Peter like a teacher lecturing a child, "What you do. . .is for honor. It is right. Do not believe otherwise."

Peter listened to the words, wishing he could blindly believe them. He nodded to the old man and left the room quickly.

Within minutes, he was pulling in front of Kathy Hampton's home. The car from the previous day was still parked in the driveway. After the run in with Kathy's father, Peter was hesitant to make another appearance at the front door.

Peter turned off the Stealth's engine and closed his eyes. He put all of his concentration on locating his father's essence. He had to know for sure that the object of his search was here, before barging into a place he was not welcomed.

Peter could feel his chi brush with his father's. "I am here, Peter," the voice inside his mind told him.

Peter left the safety of the Stealth and circled the house, heading for the garden in the backyard. As he entered the garden, Peter saw a sight that stunned him, as well as made him slightly jealous.

Kwai Chang Caine was sitting on the bench with Kathy Hampton. The woman was folded over, sobbing, being supported by Caine's arms. Caine felt his son and looked over his shoulder, making eye contact. He nodded to Peter that it was safe to approach.

Kwai Chang Caine had obviously made headway with Kathy that Peter had not been able to do. Where the son had failed, the father had succeeded.

Peter shook his head and started to walk away, leaving the two alone. Kathy heard the movement and raised her head from Caine's chest. Peter expected her anger to rise. . .for the rage to return. Instead, the woman's eyes flew open in surprise and she stood and ran into Peter's arms. "Oh God, Peter. I'm so glad you came back. I'm so sorry for what I said earlier. I. . .I . . ." she stumbled for the right words.

Peter, taken aback by the change of attitude, held the woman closely, but aimed questioning eyes towards his father. All he received in return was the 'I-do-not-know' shrug. "It's okay, Kathy. I'm sorry. I should have never. . ." Peter tried to apologize, but was also unable to find the words.

"Peter, we need to talk. I need to hear what you were trying to tell me earlier. I. . .I should've listened to you, but I was too upset. . .too angry."

"I know and I'm sorry. I never meant to add to your pain. I should have been more careful about what I said and how I said it." Peter felt a portion of the headache that had been growing start to ease.

Kathy took a deep breath, "Your father," she turned to motion towards Caine, but found the bench empty. "Where'd he go?" she asked, flustered at the sudden disappearance.

Peter smiled slightly, "I guess he figured we need some time alone to talk. You get use to his sudden departures after awhile."

Kathy led the young detective to the bench and pulled him down to sit on it next to her. Peter looked into the young woman's tired eyes, "So do you always invite strange Shaolin priests into your garden for chats?"

Kathy's mouth turned up into a slight grin, "Actually, no. I tried to get my dad to kick him out of the house. But your father is. . .shall we say. . .persistent."

Peter chuckled, "Yes. He is that."

"So rather than fighting him, I decided to humor him. Figured I'd listen to what he had to say and then kick him out."

"What'd he have to say?" Peter asked with curiosity.

"Nothing. He didn't say a word. . .very devious as well as persistent. He just sat on the bench and let me rant and rave about you. . .and what you said. And he never responded. He didn't try to defend you. . .didn't try to argue with me. . .didn't try to point out the flaws in my reasoning." Kathy shook her head in amazement.

"After awhile, I started to see the flaws in my reasoning. And I just. . .I just broke down." Her voice dropped to a hush. She turned sideways towards Peter, taking his right hand in both of hers.

"Michael was a good man. I know you know that. He didn't deserve to have this happen to him." Kathy said, her voice suddenly stronger. "But what made Michael a good man was his compassion for people; his sense of honor, his desire for truth." She looked down at their hands, "When I was talking to your father, I realized that I was betraying the very thing that Michael treasured most. . .justice."

Peter felt a lump forming in his throat. He swallowed to push it back down. Kathy reached a hand out to his face, resting it gently against his cheek. "I was willing to prejudge some one. . .not out of justice or honor, but out of vengeance. I see that now. I should have at least listened to you before judging. I was wrong to not give you a chance. I'm sorry, Peter."

Peter dropped his head down, unable to meet her eyes. He did not want her feeling guilty about what had happened that morning. If anyone were to blame, it was he. He hadn't given her a chance to grieve. . .a chance to heal.

She placed a finger on his chin and lifted his face so that his eyes were meeting hers once more. "I can't promise I will agree with what you have to say. I can't promise that I will change my mind about what I think should happen to Watson. But I will give you a chance to tell me your side. . .to tell me why you are so intent on helping this man."

Peter allowed a small smile to form on his face. He closed his eyes, grateful for having this opportunity with Kathy once again.

Thirty minutes later, Caine returned to the backyard to find Kathy leaning against Peter, sobbing in his arms, as she had done earlier with him. His son held her close, whispering in her ear. He closed his eyes to feel the emotions flowing from the two people and found that while there was intense sadness, the anger was gone. He hated to interrupt the two, but knew he must.

"Peter?" he said gently. Kathy lifted her head and wiped her eyes.

"Mr. Caine, I'm glad you came back."

"You have talked?" Caine asked politely, already knowing the answer.

"Yes," Kathy answered with a slight smile.

Peter nodded in agreement. "Thanks, Pop."

"Yes, Mr. Caine. Thank you for being so stubborn. I appreciate that you took the time to help me want to seek the truth." Kathy stood and gave the older man a hug, which Caine gratefully returned.

"Peter, I am sorry to interfere, but I must ask if you can take me to see Teddy Watson?" Caine asked politely.

"Oh, Pop, I'm sorry. I forgot." Peter turned towards Kathy. "Will you think about what I said?"

Kathy nodded silently. Peter leaned forward and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you."

Kathy smiled, "Michael would not want this to happen. I know that now."

Peter nodded his head in agreement. "I'll pick you up tomorrow morning and take you to the church if you'd like."

"My parents will take me. . .but I would like for you to be with Elizabeth and me. . .please. If you don't mind."

The lump in Peter's throat returned again and he nodded, saying nothing, fearing that his voice would not be heard; grateful that he would have another opportunity to keep his promise to Michael.

Turning to his father, he brought his arm around the older man's shoulder and led him towards the Stealth, "Let's go, Pop," he whispered.

Back to KFTLC Page

End Part 21