Requiem III: The Search for The Truth

by Bonnie Eagan & Alisa Joaquin

Part 22: Li Pei Follows

Li Pei watched as his newly made friend disappeared into the crowd, chasing after an elusive scent that only he could detect.

'Oh, Peter. What would your father say.'

But Li Pei could not go after Peter Caine. He had to continue the search for his wife, and for once in his life, he now had a substantial clue that he could follow. Li Pei walked through the streets of Chinatown. The description of the shop was very clear. It was the only one of its kind in the neighborhood. The shop sold Tibetan designed fabrics, some food items, but mostly it catered to tourists. It boasted of having a small area where tea and conversation could take place. Its shelves were filled with books, many about Tibet. Why would such a shop be here in the Chinatown neighborhood when there was so much unrest between the two countries? Perhaps the owners of the shop felt that Tibet needed to be recognized in some way. Then Li Pei thought on the visit that the Dalai Lama had from the Chinese representatives. The meeting had not gone well. They were from the communists and did not represent all the people of China. He was Chinese and yet, he had been partially raised among the Tibetan people. He knew of their ways and understood their language. It was a sad day for all when Tibet fell to Communist China's rule.

Li Pei entered the shop, not certain what he should ask. The small Tibetan bells chimed as the door was opened. The shop was crowded and there was a small gathering in a seating area. Two people were having a heated discussion about the Tao and how it related to Christianity. A third person just sat and appeared to be listening. Li Pei could not help but notice he had a large scar on his face. He tried to ignore the conversation, but it was rather difficult to ignore. There had been many such debates with the Dalai Lama and the visitors that would come to see him from time to time. Even Li Pei would often take the role of devil's advocate, posing thought provoking questions for everyone to think about, including his Holiness. He missed those times. Sighing to himself, Li Pei approached the counter near the back of the store.

"May I help you?" An old gentleman stood behind the counter wearing the robe of a Buddhist monk.

"Uh, Kwai Chang Caine sent me?"

"Yes, I am familiar with the priest."

"He said you might be able to help me locate someone." Li Pei pulled out a photo from his top pocket of the shirt that Peter had lent him. "I was told she had moved here three years ago."

"Yes, a woman fitting her likeness did move here. But I have rarely seen her. I have seen her maid. She comes in once a week to buy some of my wares. She was just in here last Thursday. I expect she will be here today. I have a package for her that she ordered."

"Can you point her out to me?"

"Yes. May I ask why you wish to know these things?" the old gentleman inquired.

"The woman in the photograph is my wife. I have been searching for her for a long time. Circumstances caused us to separate."

"You are divorced?" the old man asked with a raised eyebrow.

"No, we did not end our marriage. Her life was in danger, and I could not be with her. We lost track of each other, and I have been searching for her ever since."

The old shopkeeper pondered the younger man's words.

"Please, sit. I will bring you a cup of tea. We will talk while we wait."

Li Pei looked over to the seating area. The three people who were deep in conversation got up just at that moment. Two of them picked up their belongings, and left the shop while the third, the man with the scar, wandered over to a bookshelf to exam what was there. Li Pei walked over and chose a comfortable chair facing both the front door and into the shop, giving him the most direct vantage point. As he settled in, the old shopkeeper came over carrying a tray containing a beautifully decorated tea set and a plate of lemon cookies.

"My wife baked these this morning," he stated as he placed the tray down.

"This was not necessary," Li Pei stated.

"It is. One must honor all Shaolin who enter. And this is the second time that my humble establishment has been graced by a Shaolin's presence."

Li Pei gave the old one a questioning look. The old gentleman reached over and pulled up the left sleeve of Li Pei's shirt the rest of the way. He had not noticed that the brand had been partially exposed when he showed the photo.

"Do not be concerned. There is nothing to fear here." The old man reassured Li Pei. "My family have always honored the ways of the Shaolin, even after we came from Tibet. We fled when the soldiers came. They killed my son and would have killed my daughter as well if we had not left. Our village was destroyed. There was no other place to go."

Li Pei listened, remembering when he also fled Tibet with the Dalai Lama. It was a terrible time in many people's lives. Whole families had been torn apart, including his own.

At that moment, the bells chimed letting all know that someone had entered the shop. Li Pei looked up to see a young woman dressed in a gray and white uniform. She spied the old gentleman sitting on the couch.

"Uncle, it is good to see you. Did the package arrive?"

"Yes, my child. It is waiting in the back."

Li Pei silently watched as the old gentleman rose and walked to the back of the store. He returned a few minutes later with a bundle wrapped in brown paper.

"Here you go my dear. I hope it fits."

"I'm sure it will."

"You must come to dinner, Mia. Your Aunt would be most happy to see you."

"I will try, Uncle, but it is difficult to get away." The young woman bent in close. "The Master has grown very cold lately and I cannot leave my lady alone. I fear he may do her harm."

"You must not keep this to yourself, my child. You know if you need help there is someone here who can help."

"I know. I have always known. Please, Uncle, do not interfere. You may get hurt if you do. I must go before I am missed. If the Master finds out that we are related, . . . "

"He will not learn it from me. You better go child. Same time next week?"

"Of course." The young woman gave the old man a hug then quickly left the shop.

"Quickly, Shaolin. She is the one you should follow. Though she is my niece, I fear for her safety. Watch over her. She will lead you to your wife."

"Thank you," Li Pei bowed to the old shopkeeper and was quickly out the door.

As Li Pei left, the man with the scar put down the book that he was browsing through, looked out the shop window briefly, then left. He climbed into a nearby car and gunned the engine. The look on his face was one of anger as he sped through the streets of Chinatown.

Continues with Part 23