Requiem III: The Search for The Truth

By Bonnie Eagan & Alisa Joaquin

Prolog: Three Generations

Matthew Caine sat reflecting on the motion of the water. His mind was in turmoil. He knew that his life was coming to an end, and he wanted desperately to make amends with his son. He knew the journey would be a difficult one. He had visited his friend the Dalai Lama in Paris. The Dalai Lama had told Matthew that he must seek out his son in Chinatown. There was so much he had to tell Kwai Chang, but where in Chinatown, was he supposed to look? He had never been to this city before and his skills were not as great as his sons. The bond that Kwai Chang had with Peter was not there with his own son. Matthew would not be able to find his son just by using his thoughts. So, he was forced to seek out his son the old fashion way, by walking. This way would not be easy. Then an idea occurred to him.

'I will find the elder of the community,' Matthew nodded to himself. 'The old one would know where to find my son.'

As Matthew walked along the riverbed, he began to realize how wrong it had been for him to have never seen his son years earlier. The guilt of not getting to know his grandson also set in, but he had been told those many years ago that both had died. He had been too late to make amends then. Would he be too late now? The weeks after the chalice had been secured, to his surprise by both his son and grandson, Matthew still made no effort to visit his restored family. In truth, he felt he no longer had the right. Only when Kwai Chang's spirit was threatened with oblivion did he try to make some amends, not so much as a father but as a Shaolin priest, but it fell on deaf ears. Now his time was running short. He must tell Kwai Chang the truth so his soul could find peace when he returned to the source of all things.

Matthew had only another three hours to walk before he would reach Chinatown. How was he ever going to explain to his son after all these years? How would Kwai Chang react? Would he still hate him? He had never known fear. It was not something a Shoalin faced, but this time it was different. He knew what he must do. He had grown very weary from the travel, but he would find his son before he drew his last breath.

Peter couldn't get over how much harder being a priest was than being a cop. Pop was wrong. His training would never end. As he looked around at his father's things, he realized how much he missed him. He thought to himself if Pop was here, what a team they would make. So many thoughts ran through his mind. The Ancient had taught him well. He was growing into an accomplished apothecary, but with his own style. He knew that his father would be proud. He wondered if his father had ever found out the truth about his mother. A feeling of uneasiness clouded his mind. He would have to meditate to discover what was the cause. As he began to light the candles, his mind drifted back to his father. He missed him so much. He shrugged off his instinct to play detective, a role he had given up nearly a year ago. As his mind sank into meditation, he saw flashes of an old man approaching the city. As the old man came closer, Peter's eyes flew open. Pop? Father? Dad? No, it can't be. It's Grandfather. He's heading toward Lo Si's, but why is he going there? Peter quickly jumped up and ran out the door. He would find the Ancient and his grandfather, and get answers.

Kwai Chang Caine had never shed tears, at least not very often. He had been searching for his wife, for her essence. It had been a year since he left his son and his friends behind. He knew he had found the truth. Laura was truly gone. Coming to this gravesite and letting his Shaolin senses guide him, Caine could sense Laura's remains rested in this very spot. He had known the truth all along, and yet, even he tried to deny it all these years. The tears welled in his eyes. He had to say goodbye for the last time. He knelt at her grave and held the photo that Lo Si had given him.

"I do not understand, my love. I know that you are truly gone and have departed from me. Peter would have made you proud. I will return to our son. My life must go on and I must leave you in my heart and memories. I shall remember you and love you always. Farewell Laura, till someday our souls reunite, be at peace. I love you," he said with a voice choked with emotion and tears he could no longer contain.

Caine cried until no more tears would come. He placed a rose on her grave and gently turned away. His soul had been set free. His journey to his wife was over. He knew what he must do. He would return home to his son and friends. Perhaps with Peter's detective skills he could get the answers to the mystery of the photograph. He walked away with a lighter step; the burden had been lifted. He started to smile, thinking of his son, the once Shoalin cop, now priest. Yes indeed, he would go home.

Continues with Part 1