4:15pm
ROSEWOOD PARK
Darren Winthrop and Bobby O'Donnel were playing softball in the park. They tossed the ball back and forth. Darren said, "So, Bobby. Would you like to spend the night at my house?"
*His* house? Darren never invited Bobby before, except at the last birthday celebration. Bobby heard about how they locked Cole in the dark closet as a prank. Darren must have have known that he was Cole's friend. Bobby replied, "Sure. What do you have there?"
Darren caught the ball in his glove. "Uhh..ice cream. Playstation games, movies. Lots of cool stuff. It'll be like my birthday party, only better. There's supposed to be a couple of other friends coming also."
"Ok, I can go. I might have to ask my mom."
"Don't worry about that. My mom talked to her. It's ok."
"Oh, good. So I'll be over tonight, then."
"Great." Darren smiled. Things were going as planned.
*********
4:25pm
TOMMY'S HOUSE
Jack Wong, Derek Tammasimo, and his son were sitting in the living room. Mr. Wong had just arrived.
Tommy asked, "Mr. Wong, should I go now?"
Jack shook his head. "No, we need you also. You can help us."
Derek said, "How can *he* help you?"
Jack said to Tommy, "In case the priest comes here. If you see Kwai Chang Caine, tell us immediately. He wears a brim hat, knapsack, brown jacket, carries a flute. He has grey hair to his shoulders, he's in his fifties. And he has..well, there's *something* about him. You'll know when you see him. Here's our cell-phone numbers." He handed the boy a business card. "Notify us the moment you see him. And whatever you do, don't come into contact with Caine."
Tommy asked, "Why not?"
Jack replied, "He's powerful. He won't fight you, he doesn't beat children.. but he has this ability to make people listen. His words are very persuasive. Get into a conversation with him, no matter how unimportant, and you'll be playing right into his hands. He's.. mesmerizing, enigmatic. He can see into the deepest parts of one's soul."
"Okay, got it."
"Now, Derek. We have to discus the next order of business..."
**********
5:41pm
DARREN'S HOUSE
Mrs. Winthrop was talking on the phone in her living room. "Master Damon, it's going perfectly. But may I ask a question?"
The Sing Wah Lord said, "Sure, go ahead."
"Why do we need Bobby?"
"Isn't he a friend of Cole's?"
"Yes."
"We will turn the boy's friends against him."
"How? Bobby can be very stubborn."
"I can be very convincing. Anyway, he's a child, their minds are easier to control, pliable, susceptible to suggestions. As you know, very few people are able to resist my power. After an hour with me, Mr. O'Donnel will do *anything* I tell him to."
"Oh, okay. That shouldn't be too difficult. When will you be here?"
"Later tonight, I have some important matters to tend to in Pittsburgh. When Bobby is asleep, we can proceed. I should be there around nine."
"Great. Darren is looking forward to meeting with you. He's heard a few things about you..he thinks you're..'a cool guy'."
"Well, I'll be seeing him soon. I'm also looking forward to training him. That's all for now, Mrs. Winthrop. I'll be in touch."
The line clicked. The woman hung up the phone.
ROSEWOOD PARK
Darren Winthrop and Bobby O'Donnel were playing softball in the park. They tossed the ball back and forth. Darren said, "So, Bobby. Would you like to spend the night at my house?"
*His* house? Darren never invited Bobby before, except at the last birthday celebration. Bobby heard about how they locked Cole in the dark closet as a prank. Darren must have have known that he was Cole's friend. Bobby replied, "Sure. What do you have there?"
Darren caught the ball in his glove. "Uhh..ice cream. Playstation games, movies. Lots of cool stuff. It'll be like my birthday party, only better. There's supposed to be a couple of other friends coming also."
"Ok, I can go. I might have to ask my mom."
"Don't worry about that. My mom talked to her. It's ok."
"Oh, good. So I'll be over tonight, then."
"Great." Darren smiled. Things were going as planned.
*********
4:25pm
TOMMY'S HOUSE
Jack Wong, Derek Tammasimo, and his son were sitting in the living room. Mr. Wong had just arrived.
Tommy asked, "Mr. Wong, should I go now?"
Jack shook his head. "No, we need you also. You can help us."
Derek said, "How can *he* help you?"
Jack said to Tommy, "In case the priest comes here. If you see Kwai Chang Caine, tell us immediately. He wears a brim hat, knapsack, brown jacket, carries a flute. He has grey hair to his shoulders, he's in his fifties. And he has..well, there's *something* about him. You'll know when you see him. Here's our cell-phone numbers." He handed the boy a business card. "Notify us the moment you see him. And whatever you do, don't come into contact with Caine."
Tommy asked, "Why not?"
Jack replied, "He's powerful. He won't fight you, he doesn't beat children.. but he has this ability to make people listen. His words are very persuasive. Get into a conversation with him, no matter how unimportant, and you'll be playing right into his hands. He's.. mesmerizing, enigmatic. He can see into the deepest parts of one's soul."
"Okay, got it."
"Now, Derek. We have to discus the next order of business..."
**********
5:41pm
DARREN'S HOUSE
Mrs. Winthrop was talking on the phone in her living room. "Master Damon, it's going perfectly. But may I ask a question?"
The Sing Wah Lord said, "Sure, go ahead."
"Why do we need Bobby?"
"Isn't he a friend of Cole's?"
"Yes."
"We will turn the boy's friends against him."
"How? Bobby can be very stubborn."
"I can be very convincing. Anyway, he's a child, their minds are easier to control, pliable, susceptible to suggestions. As you know, very few people are able to resist my power. After an hour with me, Mr. O'Donnel will do *anything* I tell him to."
"Oh, okay. That shouldn't be too difficult. When will you be here?"
"Later tonight, I have some important matters to tend to in Pittsburgh. When Bobby is asleep, we can proceed. I should be there around nine."
"Great. Darren is looking forward to meeting with you. He's heard a few things about you..he thinks you're..'a cool guy'."
"Well, I'll be seeing him soon. I'm also looking forward to training him. That's all for now, Mrs. Winthrop. I'll be in touch."
The line clicked. The woman hung up the phone.