Return to Innocence

Part 9

There was no way around it. . .Peter was furious. He could not remember another time when he had felt so betrayed by his father, and Lord knew, there had been plenty of opportunities. Nothing. . .absolutely nothing hurt more than the pain Peter felt when he realized his father was going to try to offer support to the man who had killed Michael.

Peter made his way back to the lobby, his vision blurred from a combination of his anger and unshed tears. He pushed the swinging doors open, too impatient to wait for the pneumatic operation to kick in, and ran headfirst into Captain Barnes.

"Oh. . .sorry, Captain," Peter tried to wipe the emotions from his face, but knew he had failed miserably.

The Captain took one look at the detective and shook his head, "Michael?"

Peter swallowed deeply, trying desperately to form the proper words in his mind, to keep his voice professional, "I'm sorry, Sir. Michael didn't make it." Barnes stood silent, his eyes. . .his face betraying nothing. Peter, uncomfortable with the silence, spoke again, "I'm. . .I'm going to go tell Kathy and Elizabeth." His tone was filled with dread, of that he was certain.

The Captain looked at him curiously, "That's my job."

Peter nodded, "I know, Sir. But Michael asked me. . ." Peter's words caught in his throat. He swallowed and pushed the pain back down into his chest. "Michael asked me to take care of them for him."

"I understand, Son," the Captain patted Peter on the back. "I know that you and Michael used to be partners. I'm sorry you had to witness this tonight." Barnes turned behind him to catch Travis Wilson's attention, "Wilson, take Caine to Kathy Hampton's house." Wilson nodded silently, his eyes had seen the sorrow in Peter's face. He knew, without asking, that his fellow team member had died.

Barnes turned back to catch Peter's attention, "Thank you for doing this, Son. I know how hard it will be. I knew you had a lot of guts." He patted Peter on the back one last time and then turned to enter the hospital.

Peter closed his eyes, his mind reeling with confusion. He now knew that what Michael had said about Barnes was true. Barnes cared about his men. Perhaps, Peter realized with astonishment, Paul had been wrong about the man.

Caine entered the hospital room quietly. The second cop stood in the corner. He gave Caine the same hateful look as had appeared on the other guard's face. . .as had appeared on his own son's. The cop was making sure that the priest understood that a supporter of Watson was no friend.

Caine's eyes focused upon the man in the bed. His eyes were closed, his cheeks were wet. His right shoulder was heavily bandaged and the arm held immobile in a sling. Caine guessed the man was in his early twenties. He had a smallish, almost fragile build, his dark skin making him look even smaller.

Caine rested his hand on that of the man's. The patient's eyes flew open, startled, a gasp of fear catching in his throat. "Who are you?" he said breathlessly.

"I am Caine," Caine answered slowly.

The man glanced at the cop in the corner. "You're a cop?" His terror showed in every feature of his face, in every word spoken.

Caine shook his head, "No. I am a priest," he answered gently.

"I'm not Catholic," the man sputtered.

"I am not a Catholic priest." Caine pulled a stool up next to the man. "I am here to help you."

"No one can help me now." Watson closed his eyes tightly. "They told me that the cop died," he whispered.

Caine nodded, "Yes."

"I'm a dead man," the words became even quieter.

"No," Caine contradicted.

Theodore opened his eyes, "You're kidding, right. I killed a cop."

"What happened?" Caine asked the young man.

Watson closed his lips tightly. Caine did not understand the sudden silence. "I am here to help you," he repeated.

"No. . .no way. I ain't tellin' you nothin'." The man became suddenly belligerent. "Get out of here and leave me alone." The man closed his eyes, indicating to the priest that the conversation was over.

Caine reached out with his chi and touched the young man's soul. It was filled with sorrow and pain and fear. "I would like to help you. I will leave you now, but I will come back." He stood and bowed to the man. Theodore Watson did not see this gesture, however, as his eyes were still closed, his mind wishing he were dead.

Travis Wilson pulled the police van in front of Kathy Hampton's Cape Cod home. A dim light could be seen through a front window. Wilson looked at Peter, not envying the job that the kid was about to take on. Notifying the family of a police officer that their loved one would not return was the worst job imaginable.

Peter was trying desperately to even out his breathing. . .to calm his chi. It wasn't working. Inside he could feel his heart beat faster every time he thought of Michael's death and of Kwai Chang Caine offering assistance to his partner's killer. No amount of centering could take away that anger.

"You okay?" Wilson's voice broke the silence.

Peter opened his eyes and nodded, "Yeah." He took a deep breath and reached for the door handle.

"If you need help, I'll come," Wilson offered.

Peter smiled sadly at the man. "Thanks. I'll do it. I have to do it. For Michael.

Wilson nodded his understanding. Peter climbed out of the car and made his way to the front porch in the dark. He prepared to knock on the door, but before his knuckles could make contact, the door opened. Kathy Hampton stood on the other side, wearing a terrycloth robe and slippers. Her face was pale. She turned on the porch light and stared at the man facing her, "Peter?"

Peter nodded. Her voice shook with her next words, "I saw the van." She pointed to the police van parked at the curb. "It's Michael, isn't it."

Peter didn't know what to say. He could only nod an answer. It didn't matter. Kathy already knew. She instinctively knew the tragedy that had befallen her husband without any words being spoken. "Oh God," her voice trembled as her hand went to her lips. "This can't be happening," she whispered. Her eyes filled with tears. "Please tell me he's alive." She looked desperately into the eyes of the man, but knew that her pleas would not be answered. "Oh Peter, No!"

"I'm sorry, Kathy." Peter said the only words that he could think of. . .the only words that would come to his lips, "I'm so sorry."

Kathy took a step backwards into the house, acting like she was prepared to allow Peter to enter, but her legs gave out on her and her body began to crumple to the floor. Peter jumped forward and grabbed her in his strong arms, holding her upright. She collapsed forward into his embrace and suddenly, without warning, Peter found he was holding onto a woman wracked with the grief of having lost her one true love.

End Part 9

Back to KFTLC Page