A Scent of a Woman

by Shaolin Kitten

Part 8

The day of peace arrived. It was the full Moon of May on the 13th day in the year of the Snake. It was said this year would bring many events both good and bad. Priests, students, disciples, and masters all gathered into the Great Hall. A gong could be heard in the background. A cacophony of voices raised in the great "om," and the energy it raised could be felt within every being. The prayer continued for what seemed like hours, until finally the gong sounded again and all disbursed. Large trays of food were carried out and placed on the tables that had been set aside. Many of the priests that had fasted that week started eating lightly. Tea, soup, and rice were the day's first meal.

Suddenly, Kwai Chang stiffened and his eyes took on a faraway gaze. Fear engulfed him, but somehow, he knew that it was not his own. One name came to him, Laura? How was it that he could feel her fear? Quickly, he gathered up the hem of his robes to make it easier to race through the temple. Master Dao watched him leave and a smile spread across his face, but the man was also puzzled. What would cause this so-called priest to leave in such a manner? Another had also noticed the priest's departure. Kwai Chang quickly changed and gathered up his grandfather's pouch.

"My friend what is wrong?" Master Ping Hai had followed his friend, concern in his eyes.

"Someone needs my help."

"How do you know this?"

"I can sense it. I must go."

The older Shaolin did not question the younger but handed Kwai Chang a vial of liquid. "You may also need this. It will strengthen their chi."

"Thank you, Master."

Laura could feel a presence in her home. Someone had entered without her knowledge. She quietly made her way through each room trying her best not to make any sound. She stopped and listened at each doorway, hoping not to hear what disturbed her. Then she heard it. The noise came from her own bedroom. Someone was going through her personal items. Fear crept into her soul at the thought of someone violating her space. The thought of confronting whomever it was, though, was even more frightening. What if the person had a gun? Laura tried to back away from the door, but before she could get far, she suddenly ran up against . . .

"Where are you going Pauline?"

Laura screamed in response and turned to face the man who was now blocking her path of escape.

"Aww, now that's not nice. I tried to give you what you wanted but you just weren't satisfied."

"Who are you?"

"Don't you recognize me Pauline? It's me, Casey. Don't you remember?"

"Oh, Casey. How could I forget." Laura decided it was best to play along. If she kept the man talking, she could try to get to the front door. "How are you?"

"Don't play games with me, Pauline. It was you who broke my heart. Always going on about the latest love of your life. We were supposed to get married until you ended up with him. Who is he, Pauline? Don't I give you enough?"

Suddenly the man lunged and grabbed Laura by the arm. Laura struggled, but the man's grip was like iron.

"Please, let me go. I promise I won't do it, again."

"That's what you said the last time, Pauline. Well this time I'll make sure."

Swiftly the man jammed a needle into Laura's arm before she could react. The drug quickly took affect and the man was flinging Laura over his shoulder like a rag doll. As the man started to leave, he heard footsteps on the porch and he quickly carried his bundle out toward the back door. Carelessness, however, caused him to brush up against a small table that contained the vase of flowers that Laura had received earlier. He spun around and the flowers came crashing down, spilling their contents.

"Laura?"

It was the priest. He could not let him interfere. The assailant quietly laid his captive bundle on the kitchen floor, out of sight. He found the open toolbox that Caine had been using to make repairs and pulled out a large wrench and waited behind the door.

"Laura?" Kwai Chang called out a second time. Concern could be heard in his voice. Earlier, as he raced to her home, he had been suddenly cut off from her fear and he had felt as if he was swimming in deep water. He had immediately doubled his efforts and quickly made it to her home.

Kwai Chang Caine entered the house slowly. The silence was deafening. Something was deeply wrong. Light streaming from a small window revealed the broken vase of flowers. This certainly could not have been the cause of Laura's sudden fear. Kwai Chang walked silently through the rooms and bent down to begin picking up the broken glass. Too late, he sensed the danger just as the wrench came down hard between his shoulder blade and neck. Blackness took him before he could react.

End of Part 8