A Scent of a Woman
by Shaolin Kitten
Part 9
Kwai Chang woke to find himself lying on Laura's couch. Ping Hai was sitting next to him.
"Bring that cup of tea."
Master Dao came into the room carrying the cup that Ping Hai requested. Surprise was on Kwai Chang's face and he gave Ping Hai a questioning look.
"Lie still Kwai Chang. You have received a nasty blow." Ping Hai glanced back and saw the direction where Kwai Chang's eyes were staring. "I will explain later. What has happened here?"
"Laura Carradine has been taken. I do not know by whom. I was struck from behind."
Ping Hai handed Kwai Chang the cup and coaxed him to drink.
"It is not your fault, Caine, though we must find her." Master Dao spoke up. Dao's face was a mask, hiding deep emotions that would certainly erupt if given the chance.
"Why are you so concerned? You do not know her." Curiosity overcame Caine. He could feel the resentment behind the walls that Dao was trying to maintain.
"That is not true. I met her two years ago. We kept in touch through letters. One of the reasons for her coming home was so we could be wed."
Kwai Chang became suspicious at Master Dao's words. Laura had not mentioned the priest. To the contrary, she had told him there was no one in her life at the moment. For some reason, Kwai Chang reached out with his chi and found the man was lying. He could feel very strong emotions coming from the priest; satisfaction, jealousy, and even hatred. Kwai Chang tried to sit up. He had to find Laura.
"You should not move. I will take it from here. Do you know who took her?" Master Dao took on the persona of caring, yet there was something about the priest that remained hidden that Kwai Chang could not ignore. He could almost feel the conflicting emotions that warred within Dao, and part of them involved him.
"I do not know."
Master Dao's eyes narrowed. He did not believe the priest. He had to find her before Caine did if he was to succeed in winning her affections. If he could be the one to save her, maybe then she would see Caine as the coward that he was for not coming to her rescue. Kwai Chang rose from the couch and faced Master Dao. He did not want to confront the priest here. He knew there would be another time.
"We must work together to find her."
"That will not be necessary," Master Dao said, becoming more uncomfortable under Kwai Chang's gaze. He did not like the way Caine stared at him. It was as if the other priest could see right through him. Master Dao broke off the contact.
"Kwai Chang Caine is right. We must work together." Ping Hai could see the challenge in both men's eyes. "Now is not the time to argue. A young woman's life hangs in the balance. My friend, do you still remember your skills at tracking?"
Kwai Chang turned to the older priest and remembered.
*****Flashback*****
Matthew Caine and his son crouched down and spied the tracks.
"You must be one with the animal's thoughts. Where do you think the deer has gone?"
"I do not know, father."
"Think Kwai Chang. Remember the lesson of the flower."
Kwai Chang closed his eyes then opened them. He scanned the area and soon took off running. Matthew watched his son run to the top of the rise. Suddenly, he stopped and pointed. Matthew followed with more restraint. They both looked down into the valley and across to the other side. Almost hidden from view, but not quite, was the deer.
"Very good, my son. You have found the break in the pattern and tracked the deer."
*****End Flashback*****
Kwai Chang closed his eyes and reached out with his chi. He felt the essence of Laura and one other. His eyes fell upon the broken vase and the flowers. He had not noticed it before but there was a break in the pattern. One lone flower was not with the rest. It was lying near the back door in the kitchen. Kwai Chang bolted through the room and was soon crouching outside on the ground, looking again for the break in the pattern. He soon spotted other breaks. Deep footprints could be seen in soft earth where someone had stepped. It was as if that person was carrying something heavy. Caine followed the prints until they vanished. He again stopped and looked for the break. A small tree branch was hanging down at an awkward angle. The break was fresh. Kwai Chang again followed the now clear trail.
Laura struggled to open her eyes. When she tried to move, she found her hands and legs had been bound with ropes. Fear again tried to engulf her. Laura swallowed her fear as best she could and tried to concentrate on freeing her hands. The ropes cut deep into her wrists as she tried to loosen them. She could feel the burning sensation as her skin was rubbed raw. Tears came to her eyes as her thoughts became a jumble of confusion.
Who was the man called Casey and why did he call her Pauline? What was he planning on doing to her? Laura had a feeling it wasn't going to be pleasant. Suddenly, her thoughts drifted to the one man who seemed to know when she needed help. 'Oh, Kwai Chang Caine, where are you?'
End of Part 10
