Part 1
Teaser
"Are you sure about this?"
"It's the only way, I told you." The anger at being questioned evident in his voice.
Fear and worry wore on the younger man, a boy actually, who hadn't yet turned twenty. "But…" he breathed out a heavy sigh as his partner glared at him. "O.K., but you know mom won't like us getting into trouble, Billy."
Billy rolled his eyes, continuing to dismantle the Uzi and pack it into a dark brown gym bag. "Well, she'll be proud of us when we get dad back." Ignoring any further remarks from his brother, Billy signaled to the others to hurry, the plan was to be set into motion soon.
Part 1
The airport was crowded with travelers who were going on vacation this Labor Day weekend. To many, it was the last weekend of the summer before school started back and cold weather settled in.
Soft hazel eyes surveyed the people greeting and saying their good-buys to loved ones. He allowed his mind to open up and let the warmth of the mixture of emotions wash over him. Joy, sadness in varying degrees met his mind. He embraced each one.
One in particular was sadness and confusion. It walked beside him in the form of his son. Caine didn't have to see his son's face to know what the younger man was feeling, though Kwai Chang Caine knew if he watched Peter's stride and the openness of his face, there would be no doubt about his son's state of mind.
Arriving at the terminal, the threesome stopped. The third man, ancient by any standard, finally spoke. "We will be back, young Caine."
Looking slightly embarrassed, Peter Caine nodded. "I know. I guess some things never change. You think you'll have the property sold by next Friday?"
"We hope. First, we must make sure the company who wishes to buy it are…legitimate," Caine offered as he gave his and Lo Si's tickets to the stewardess.
"Well, Paul said so far, they checked out with the CIA. The Friends of the Environment only use thirty percent for the management and the rest goes to the protection and upkeep of the lands they buy. Kermit is almost through running a computer check on their assets, he's checking to see if there is any laundering going on."
Caine bowed, knowing any words of comfort would be useless on his son and let go Peter's conflicting emotions. "I am grateful for his assistance. Oh," Caine paused and reached into the pouch he carried over his shoulder, "give this to Annie. One teaspoon to a cup of hot water. It will help her headaches."
"I'll-I'll give this to her. Um, look, hurry ba-back. I don't kn-know if I can keep Skalany occupied." Peter cursed his stuttering.
Caine cupped Peter's cheek in his right hand as he picked up his carry on with his left. "I love you, my son."
"Love you too, Pop," Peter said as he pushed his face into his father's hand.
Peter watched his father and Lo Si walk toward the gangway, then later, saw their plane take off into the air.
***
"You know what you need, Dakota? A woman to keep your place clean," Peter said as he walked through Dakota's cluttered apartment.
"I can't believe you're being chavenistic, Caine, Dakota picked up a box of cold pizza from the coffee table and went to the kitchen.
"No, no, I meant a cleaning woman," Peter corrected quickly. "Although a date for you wouldn't be a bad idea."
Dakota didn't see the mischief on Peter's face, a wall between the two hid the growing idea in Peter's mind. "Yeah, right. I've heard a few tales of your escapades and your choice in woman. Truthfully, I think your idea of a date is flawed."
"At least I have dates," Peter shot back, pushing dirty and clean clothes aside so he could sit down on the couch.
Removing a pair of rolled up socks from between the cushions Peter found a bite-sized piece of stale meatloaf. "Because, if you did, you wouldn't have food growing out of your sofa."
Dakota came back into the room and snatched the socks from his friend. "All right, already. So, my last date turned out to be a Hitler wannabe. I just haven't had time to find anyone. How are you and Janet?"
Loosing the grin on his face, Peter laid his head back against the wall. "Your's was a Hitler wannabe and mine was as docile as a milk cow."
"Hmph. Two of a feather," Dakota remarked as he snapped his holster into place. "Guess we'd better get going. Don't want to make the chief mad."
Forgetting his disastrous date of the night before, Peter pushed himself up from the couch. "Yeah, I need to get off on time today. Gotta go to that council meeting tonight. Hey, when are you getting your car back?"
Dakota checked the lock on the door as Peter exited through it. "Next week. Said the head was cracked."
Smiling, Peter shot back, "Like car, like owner."
As the two left the apartment, his earlier thoughts came back to him. He smiled, sure his idea would work. "Why don't I ask a friend of mine to meet you." Seeing Dakota start to protest, Peter quickly added, "Not a date. Well, not a real one. I'll bring her to Delancy's. If you two hit it off, then you and her can leave. If not, I've had dinner with my partner and friends."
Thinking there was nothing to loose, Dakota agreed and thought of his own plan.
***
"OK, I'm done," Peter Caine slapped the folder together and tossed it into the out box on the corner of his desk. Sticking tow fingers into the air, he proceeded to imitate a slam-dunk. "Two points. Man, I'm good."
Rolling his eyes, Dakota shook his head. "Anyone can make a two-point shot from only two feet away." He wadded up a piece of paper after examining it for any importance and flipped the paper over his head and into the trashcan several feet away. "That, my friend, is a three-pointer."
"Oh, yeah? Well, watch this," Peter answered Dakota's challenge.
"Detective Griffin, when do the children get to go out and play?" the sarcastic words caused all in the crowded bullpen to be quiet, the only sound was that of a crumpled paper ball skittering across the tiled floor after hitting the rim of the garbage can.
Hot blood rushed to Peter's face as he squeezed his eyes tight, preparing himself for the lecture he was sure to receive.
Without facing her, Peter stood and went to get the errant paper ball, tossed it into the can and looked up. Breathing a sigh of relief as he saw Captain Simms attempt to hide a smile, Peter shot back, "The air conditioner must have kicked on."
"Captain, maybe I should take the kiddies to get some ice cream so the adults can finish their work," the man beside her said, ignoring Peter's reaction. Pushing the sunglasses further up the bridge of his nose, Kermit Griffin shook his head. "N, I think I'll do that after the meeting tonight."
Peter looked at his watch and thought of what meeting Kermit could be talking about. "Oh, I almost forgot, the council meeting." Not missing a beat, peter ran by his desk, retrieved his keys from the desk drawer and flew down the steps, leaving most everyone wondering what had happened.