DARK BOUNDARIES

Kaleidopy

Chapter Twenty-one

Flames from the burning candles flickered and the light they provided was gradually diminishing. Yet, the large room grew brighter.

Curious, Erik glanced towards the balcony and discovered dawn had already broken. The early morning sky was mixed with a blend of pink, red, and yellow colors to form the first light of day.

Erik looked at his watch, convinced his eyes were playing tricks on him. It couldn't possibly be this late. "Seven a.m.," he muttered, wondering how time could have flown by so fast.

His curiosity to learn more about his mysterious father had distracted him and caused him to lose track of time. He silently laughed to himself, amused that he was so good at uncovering weaknesses that he could recognize his own.

Erik swallowed the last of the liquid from his third cup of herbal tea and grimaced at the bitter taste. Drinking the pungent brew was a small price to pay if it pacified his father and gained him his confidence and trust.

Since midnight Erik's opinion of the priest and his reputation had changed dramatically. At first, Erik had been intimidated, almost in awe of what he had been told of his father's abilities. Now, after meeting the man, he felt Caine's reputation had been greatly exaggerated. Erik had looked him straight in the eyes and without batting an eyelash, lied right to his face.

"What are your plans today, Erik?" his father asked. "If you have not decided where you wish to live, perhaps you would consider Chinatown."

"I've got several offers overseas. I'd like to keep my options open," Erik answered. He watched his father carefully, waiting for the elder Caine to grovel and beg him to stay.

Erik's dream was dashed when nothing happened. His father didn't even give him the satisfaction of an expression. The man just sat across the table and stared at him.

"I hope you're not disappointed," he said, hoping that would make Caine plead with him to stay.

"You have your own life to live, Erik. I hope you will visit me often when your travels bring you near."

"Now that I can promise, Father." Erik lowered the teacup to the table and pushed it towards his father. "I think I've drunk more tea with you this one night than I have my whole life. But the conversation's been great."

"I have also enjoyed the conversation, my son."

"You'll have to share your secret with me, Erik," Peter said, walking into the room. He covered his hand with his mouth and stifled a yawn. "I can't get Pop to say more than a few words at a time to me."

"One cannot have a conversation when only one is doing the talking." Caine gracefully moved across the room to greet his youngest son with a playful slap to the face. "A lesson you have yet to learn, my son."

"Yeah, I know. One of many that's on my rapidly growing list, right?" Peter teased and leaned forward to kiss his father on the forehead. "I don't know why you put up with me."

"I would not have you any other way, Peter." The priest pulled his son into his arms and hugged him. A moment later, the embrace broken, Caine caressed Peter's cheek and voiced an observation. "You look rested, my son."

"I don't remember falling asleep, much less crashing in your spare bedroom, Pop." Peter ran his hand through his hair. "The last thing I remember was drinking the cup of tea Erik gave me. I can't…." the young man stopped in mid-sentence, turned, and glared suspiciously at Erik. "Unless I had some help."

"Meaning what?" Erik asked, getting to his feet. "If you remember Peter, you were the one who took my cup. I never forced anything on you. How can you accuse me of doing anything underhanded?"

Peter stared silently, the hazel eyes accusing Erik even though he knew he couldn't prove his guilt.

"Well?" Erik challenged, keeping his brother on the defensive. He managed to sneak a glance at his father, wondering if the elder Caine had thoughts of revealing the truth.

His father's face remained unemotional, revealing nothing for Erik to interpret. Figuring Caine was interested in the interaction between his two sons, Erik decided to give the old man the performance of a lifetime. "Peter, why are you angry at me?" Erik asked pitifully, hoping he sounded as offended as he thought he did. "Have I done something wrong?"

"We just met, Erik. I don't think you've had enough time to do anything," Peter answered sarcastically. "Yet."

Perhaps the old man was accustomed to Peter's sarcasm because he didn't seem disturbed by the flippant remark. However, Erik knew the cheap shot was directed at him.

"Just give me time, little brother." Erik laughed, hoping to make the threat sound like the joke to Caine. He placed an arm around their father's shoulder, waiting for Peter's reaction to the affectionate gesture. "I'm taking our father out for breakfast. Why don't you join us?"

Peter appeared unfazed by Erik's actions. The younger man glanced at his watch and sighed deeply. "Wish I could, but I've got to get to work." Peter took a few steps towards the door, stopped, and turned back around. "How about a rain check?"

"Yeah, well, I don't know how long I'll be in town. You might want to check with me first." Erik knew he sounded selfish and childish but Peter's calm demeanor had surprised him. Before he had time to make amends, his father spoke for the first time.

"Peter has tomorrow off. Perhaps my two sons could spend the day together," Caine suggested with a slight shrug of the shoulder. "You could use the time to get to know one another."

"Good idea, Pop." Peter hurried to the door. "I've got to get out of here before Captain Simms puts an A.P.B. out on me. I'll drop by later this evening."

"I will look forward to your company, my son," Caine said. He waited until Peter had left the apartment before he turned to Erik and asked, "Are we ready to go?"

"I'll be right back, Father. I forgot to tell Peter something." Erik hurried out the same door his brother had exited only seconds ago. He rushed down the stairs and found Peter standing by the driver's side window, shaking his head in frustration. Apparently, he had left the window down and the morning dew had gotten the interior wet.

When Peter swiped his hand across the door's panel and sent droplets of dew flying in many directions, Erik couldn't conceal his smile. Might as well yank the brat's chain a little harder and see how angry he can get if he's pushed too far. "Hold it right there, cop!" Erik yelled. "I've got something to say to you."

"Let me guess: You forgot to mention that you are the chosen one," Peter said as he climbed inside the car. He closed the door behind him. "Or is it the famous 'I'm going to rule the world and you can either join me or I'll destroy you', routine?"

"You've got a smart mouth," Erik replied. He leaned inside the car to prevent his brother from leaving and glared at him. "I'm going to make you wish you've never been born."

"Again?" Peter snorted before he started the car's engine. He grabbed Erik by the shirt collar and yanked him halfway inside the car. "I played nice for our father's sake," Peter hissed. "There's no way I want him to know what kind of a scumbag you are."

"Oh, he doesn't know?" Erik asked sarcastically. "I thought the old man walked on water."

"I'm warning you, big brother. If you as so much breathe on our father, I'll be on you like white on rice. Get my meaning?" Peter released his hold and allowed Erik time to climb out of the window before he drove away.

Erik watched in silence as the car disappeared from view. He straightened his shirt and bandaged his wounded pride. Nobody humiliated him without paying a high price for it.