The Fifth Degree
Part 3
Once outside, the two men walked back to their car in silence, though Captain Tong seemed anxious to speak. He held his tongue for as long as he could until the two men were once again on the road and heading back to Beijing. Neither was surprised to see the Ancient sitting in the back seat of their car.
"Did you learn much?"
"Yes," though the Commissioner's eyes narrowed. There was something strange about the Ancient, but he was reluctant to ask him, though he suspected there was something more with regard to this old man than he let on.
"I do not understand," Captain Tong stated to the Commissioner. "What did that old man tell you?"
"You do not wish to hear," Commissioner Lee stated.
"Of course I do."
"No, you do not. You will only dismiss what he said as rubbish."
Captain Tong drew in a deep breath, "I apologize for my behavior Commissioner. I was out of line. Please, tell me what the old monk said."
The Commissioner told his Captain exactly what the old Shaolin had said. He explained how each death was being committed, which caused the Captain's eyes to grow wide with astonishment. Commissioner Lee turned toward their ancient companion. He had a thoughtful expression on his face, a look that seemed to state that he knew and understood what the old monk had said.
"The old monk believes that the murderer is using Qi Gong to kill?"
"Yes, that is what he believes."
"Qi Gong is nothing but old men's exercise. It has never been proven that anyone can do the things they say."
"More research has proven that Qi Gong does help but that is not the point," the Commissioner continued. "It is the last statement the old monk said that concerns me."
"Riddles, that is all," Captain Tong scoffed with disdain. "You think that old monk knows more than I? He is just an old fool."
"Do not take Master Kan's words so lightly," the Ancient said with conviction. "If we must look for the one who was dishonored and has now regained that honor, then we must."
"Master Kan?"
"That is the name of the Abbot of the temple your Commissioner Lee spoke with."
"I still think he's a fraud. And what is this 'We' business. I certainly don't want some unknown person or ancient tagging along on MY investigation."
The Commissioner did not hear the argument that ensued, instead he was thinking about the words the mysterious old monk had said, and what happened after. 'Beyond the eastern sea . . . That can only mean one thing. The person who can stop this killer is from America, but I am uncertain about the other half of his statement.'
"You still think that old monk's words will help you catch our killer?" Captain Tong was feeling outraged and jealous. "We have nothing else to go on. Five people are dead because of this person. What makes you think that someone unknown will track down this killer instead of my men? It is only a matter of time. One clue and we shall have him."
Commissioner Lee made some notes then handed the sheet to Captain Tong. "I want you to go to America and find the person that the monk mentioned."
"With what? The monk didn't bother to even give you a name."
"The Ancient will go with you. He may know more than what the old monk told us. Remember, he is versed in the old ways."
Captain Tong could see that Commissioner Lee was bent on finding someone who may not exist. In the mean time a killer remained on the loose, and no one knew when that killer would strike next.
The man screamed as the pain intensified. As his pulse quickened, the pain to his liver continued to build. To call it pain did not even begin to describe what he felt. As his anguish grew his liver swelled, growing in size until it bulged through his skin. Then it happened, bursting threw with such force that what blood had been stored there splattered the nearby wall, painting the surface with its deep red tones. The man's eyes remained fixed in terror beyond imagining, forever frozen in time.
Kwai Chang Caine felt another one die, feeling the man's very liver explode through his skin. Five men died from their hearts exploding in their chests. Seven days went by between deaths then everything grew silent. For 14 days nothing happened. He thought it was over, then this. Why was this happening? It was as if this person was trying to perfect their killing art by concentrating on each of the vital organs that gave a person life. Then Kwai Chang Caine knew without knowing which organ the killer would strike next, once he completed this new pattern. Six days will pass, and on the seventh another man will die, his liver destroyed. It will go on until five men will be dead, then once again there would be a rest period. Then the killer will strike the spleen. If only he could pinpoint where this was happening, he could act to stop it, but no clues came forth.
"Hey, Pop, you here?"
Caine did not say it in so many words but groaned instead.
"You felt another one," Peter stated with concern clearly showing on his face.
"Yes," was all Caine replied.
"I don't like this. There's got to be a way of finding out where this has been happening. Every time you feel someone die, you grow paler. It's taken you nearly two weeks to recover this time, and you were barely recovered from the last one."
"I did not know you noticed my son."
"You can't hide this from me Pop," Peter chided.
"I did not wish to worry you."
"I don't mind worrying about my Dad. Keeps me from wallowing in my own misery and nightmares."
"You have had nightmares, my son?"
"More than my usual share," Peter confessed.
Caine intensely stared at his son. "Tell me."
Caine observed Peter pursing his lips, just as Laura would have done when she was in deep concentration. Then his son revealed what he knew.
"Perhaps we are sensing the same killer."
"Yeah, but from where? This person doesn't seem to be anywhere near Chinatown."
"You can tell that, my son?"
"Yeah, it seems far away." Peter stated and then shrugged one shoulder.
"Perhaps because it comes from China," Lo Si stated, coming into the room without a sound.
"China?" Peter reacted with surprise.
"Someone from there is looking for you, but he does not know it yet."
"Well, how will we let him know? I guess a better question would be why would they be looking for us?"
"Because only those of the line of Kwai Chang will be able to stop this killer."
End of Part 3