A Father’s Willing Lies
By Sarah Kelly

	The file was slammed onto his desk.  Peter Caine, groaning at the new addition to an already high pile, looked up
 at the one who gave him the work.  
	Captain Karen Simms did not seem pleased at his lack of response. “Detective, please review the case file and 
then come into my office.”  With that, she disappeared into her office.  
	Peter opened the folder, the case file said that it was from New Mexico’s District Attorney’s office.  He noticed 
the file was on a thirteen year old boy named Ryan Williams.  Flipping through the first couple pages, it was a writ for 
backorder of child support.  Mother was deceased for three years, no father present, and the boy was being raised by his 
aunt, Janet Martinez.  The second grouping of pages in the file was for a separation of custody of the father, should he 
be located within a certain time period after the file for adoption by the boy’s aunt.  Peter was stumped, he was homicide,
 not a locating service for dead-beat dads.  Flipping through the orders of the writ, he came across the boy’s birth
 certificate. 
	“Damn it!” he hollered.  Grabbing the folder, he went into the captain’s office.  
	The blond captain leaned back in the chair, folding her arms.  “This came across the wire this morning.  When your 
father was arrested for murder three years ago, his name was circulated to find additional information from law agencies.  
It takes years for the names to be removed.  It seems as if someone in New Mexico was interested.  The New Mexican District
 Attorney needs a reply.  What should I tell them?” 
	Peter stared back down at the file in his hands, jaw clenched in anger, he responded,  “tell them that I’ll discuss 
the matter with him.” 
	The captain nodded.  “I’ll give you until tomorrow to find out what his side of the story is, but a response is
 necessary.  Be prepared that we may get a visit and your father may be needing a lawyer.”
	Peter nodded, trying to calm the rising anger.  He couldn’t believe what he had just read.  His father had another 
son.  And a son that he had seemingly walked out on, no abandoned.  Going back out into the bullpen of the squad room, he 
observed the normal pattern of the day.  Some detectives were doing paperwork, others were working on their computers, and 
some out on calls.  He sighed, he and Jody needed to question suspects on a case they were working.  It would have to wait. 
	Going over to his partner’s desk, he quickly scribbled a note saying he would meet her later.  One of the suspects 
lived a block away from Chinatown.  They had already interviewed him once, but he was thinking that bringing the man down 
to the station for more formal questioning might loosen his tongue.  The man was hindering their investigation, and by 
not aiding, the murderer was walking free.  Grabbing his coat, he had to question an even tougher suspect first.  


	The day was slow, light traffic, few people out on the streets, only the slightest hint of a breeze.  As Peter 
slowly climbed the stairs to his father‘s apartment, he was tired and the anger he felt earlier at his dad had dissipated 
somewhat.  Truth was, he didn’t know the full story.  It had been a long, cold winter, and with it, many domestic calls.  
With everyone stuck indoors, tensions grew and a volcano of violent eruptions occurred.  In the past month alone, there 
were four domestic homicides, dozens of reported abuse, and lots of paperwork.  It had been awhile since he had last 
seen his dad.  Stopping by a few weeks ago, his father had been busy tending the sick that had come down with the flu.  
Luckily, Peter hadn’t gotten it, but the season wasn’t over yet.   
	Letting himself into the home, he breathed in the quiet and peace the abode offered.  Going into the meditation 
room, a few candles flickered, offering their serene glow to a peaceful and wise Buddha.  Offering a nod of homage, he 
briefly wondered if his father was present.  Peter was slowly beginning to know his father.  He was wise enough to know 
that if he came at him full of questions, his father would get defensive and shut down.  But, non-threatening conversation 
with well thought-out questions, Peter could now parry his father into giving up the answers.  Well, sometimes he could.  
	Hearing soft footsteps, Peter turned to see his father in the doorway watching him.  Offering a strained smiled, 
Peter saw his father nod in acknowledgement.  Crossing over to the man, Peter felt a bit more relaxed.
	“Hi Dad, how are you?”
	The older man smiled in response.  “My son, I have missed you, are you well?”  
	Nodding, Peter followed his dad into the main room.  Seeing various herbs and jars scattered around, the usual 
neatness and orderliness made Peter wonder what happened.  
	“Yeah, I’m ok, just a bit tired.  Everything’s a mess in here, were you attacked?” 
	“No, I am just taking inventory.  Many people had come down with the flu and other illnesses.  I am almost out 
of certain plants and herbs.  I may need to leave soon to collect what I need.”
	“Oh, did you tell people to get a flu shot?”  
	Caine shook his head no. “There are many in Chinatown who still do not trust Western medicine.”
	“Yeah, but it would keep them from getting the flu.”
	The older man sighed, “Peter you know how it is sometimes, old traditions are hard to break and new ones that 
are hard to understand are even harder to adopt to.”
	“Did you get a flu shot?”
	“I do not require one.”  With that, Caine went back over to the table where various jars waited.
	Peter knew that the generic conversation was over, his dad was not one for small talk.  Going over to the table 
next to his dad, Peter studied the jars, many of them were empty.  His neck and shoulders started hurting as the earlier 
tension returned.  Shifting his shoulders, the dull ache just lingered.
	“Why are you here, my son?  You seem tense and are not asking me to go to dinner.”  Caine stopped what he was 
doing and watched his son’s response.  Although Peter surprised him many times, there was still a basic underlying pattern 
that Peter followed.  Tense shoulders and wanting to pick a fight were indicative that either Peter was troubled by a case 
that had invaded his psyche or wanted to talk about the past.   
	Peter sighed and then looked around for a place to sit down.  The sparse furnishings offered no place to rest as 
the few chairs had papers and various herbs laid out on them.  Turning back to his father, Peter saw the older man 
observing him.
	Deciding to stop stalling, he asked.  “Do you remember someone by the name of Danielle Williams?  She lived in 
New Mexico.”  Peter saw his father’s face shift to an impassive expression.  
	Staring down the older man, Peter waited for a response.  When seeming to get none, he continued. “It came across 
the wire this morning that Danielle Williams had passed away several years ago leaving behind a child.  Your name was 
mentioned in the file.”  
	Caine was silent before he quietly asked, “What did she pass away from?”
	“She overdosed on sleeping pills and alcohol.”  Peter watched as his father absorbed the news.  Although the 
face was a stony impasse, Peter could see flickers of expression in the older man’s eyes.
	Caine sighed, “she had been a troubled spirit when I had known her.  Unfortunately, you can never truly escape 
the past by denying one’s sorrows.  She helped me to understand that, but I could not help her.”  The priest turned and 
put several jars back into the apothecary hutch.  Pausing for a moment, he then turned back to Peter.  “Why do you ask 
me about her?”
	Peter bit his lower lip, former courage from earlier drained, “well, a file came across my desk about her death.”  
Peter could feel his father’s eyes boring into him, trying to ascertain the reason for the personal intrusion.  “And in it, 
it mentioned that she had a son.  He’s about thirteen years old.  His birth certificate has you listed as his father.”  
	Peter watched as his father absorbed the news.  If anything, Caine seemed to sink deeper into silent thought, as 
if remembering the past.
	“No Peter, I am not the child’s father.”     
	“Your name is on the birth certificate.”
	The older man shrugged, “that does not mean that it is correct.”
	“Were you physically involved with Ms. Williams?”
	Caine’s eyes narrowed with the question.  “That is none of your concern.”
	“It is when you are getting sued for paternity.  Now were you involved intimately with the deceased?”  Peter 
refused to give up the line of questioning.  There was no easy way to dance around the subject.  If he was going to 
defend his father, he needed to know the truth, not just a myriad collection of clues to his father’s past life.
	The two men stared each other down.  Peter was the first to break the tension.  Sighing loudly, he ran his fingers 
through his short brown hair.
	“Listen Pop, I wouldn’t be asking you these questions if it wasn’t important.  There are many details to your 
life that I don’t need to know.  But I do wish you would share some of the more open moments of it with me.”
	Caine reflected on the words before replying in a soft, hesitant voice.  “Yes, she and I had been together.”
	Peter nodded.  “Is there any chance at all that the boy may be yours?”
	The grey head shook no.
	“What about after you two ended?  Is there any possibility that she was pregnant when you left?”
	Once again, Caine shook his head no.
	“Ok then, when I get back to the precinct I have to respond to the warrant.  It will say that you are denying 
the fatherhood of the boy.  I’m not sure what will happen after that, but be prepared to get a visit from some lawyers 
or you may have to give a DNA test to prove you‘re not the child‘s biological father.”  
	“What is a D N A test?” The older man asked.
	Peter tilted his head in confusion, did his father really ask him a simple question that most normal people 
would know?  He knew his father was very intelligent, but sometimes forgot that not being in the ‘mainstream’ of society, 
modern advances were not as important as other things.  
	Crossing his arms and smiling, Peter replied “it’s how I can prove you’re my father, no matter how many times I 
embarrass you in public.”  
	Caine gave Peter the parental look, a mixture of skepticism and annoyance.
	“They test your genetic material to see if they match up to a certain extent.  If there is a multitude of 
similarities, then it proves relation.”  Peter uncrossed his arms and rubbed his neck.  “I’ll stop by sometime tomorrow 
to let you know how things are going.  Maybe I’ll take you to dinner.  But, I gotta meet up with Jody.  Take care.”  
With that, the young detective turned and walked to the doorframe.  Before leaving, he turned back to his dad.  “You know 
Pop, it would’ve been great to have a younger brother or sister.”
	The elder Caine shook his head.  “Peter, you are my one and only child.  When you have children, you can have as 
many as you wish.”
	The younger man laughed and responded while walking down the hallway. “Nice try Pop, but I’m too young to have kids.” 
	Caine chuckled at the comment. Shaking his head, he said to himself, “I was a year younger than him when he was born.”


	Peter sighed and sat back in his chair.  He had just spent the better part of the day finishing several reports.  
Three had resulted in arrests and were pending trial.  Another two needed further testimony from him, the lead detective 
on the case.  And two more were closed cases, one solved and the other had the main suspect flee to Mexico.  After all of 
the files, he felt ready to head towards Mexico as well.  
	It had been three days since he completed the paperwork to his father’s paternity suit.  So far, no response.  
Could be a good thing he surmised, although he always wanted a brother or sister.  He often wondered what that might have 
been like.  After moving in with the Blaisedells he gained a family, complete with mom and sisters, grandparents and other 
relatives, but it was not the same as having flesh and blood family.  Even his father discovered he had two brothers, 
providing evidence that they weren’t the only Caines left  in the world.  Scratching his short brown hair, he mused that 
after the castle episode where they all were formally introduced, Dameon had all but disappeared and Martin went back to 
London.  Martin had emailed him a few months back, but other than that, not much contact.  Was his family purposely 
avoiding each other or just lousy pen pals?
	“Goodnight Peter.”  A sultry sounding voice brought him out of his reverie.  The svelte raven-haired detective 
waved at him.  He waved back.  That was one way he  orchestrate gaining a brother or sister.  Mary Margaret was 
biologically ready and dating his father.  It could happen, both were healthy and reproductively capable, at least to 
his knowledge.  Frowning at the thought, he wasn’t sure if he liked calling his partner his dad’s baby mama.                 
	“Hey Pete,” Strenlich’s deep voice bellowed out, “you have some faxes here, they came in about an hour ago.  
They’re from New Mexico.”
	Peter felt his stomach tighten.  “Thanks chief.”  Rising, he sauntered over to the fax.  Grabbing the sheets, 
he read swiftly.  
	“Damn,” he cursed, more evidence was needed.  He might have to get a lawyer.

	“To contest paternity, proof must be provided where-within in a timely manner as detailed by both constituents’ 
state of residence and laboratory procedure.”  Peter read the line and then scratched his head.  Why couldn’t all those 
lawyers just write in simple English?  
	Sitting back in his chair, Peter rubbed his eyes, tired of reading all the legal gibberish associated with 
contesting paternity, especially if one’s name is on the birth certificate.  Then comes the problem of if his dad is 
proved to be the biological father, then he could be sued for back child support.  The documents revealed that because 
his name was on the child’s birth certificate, his dad did have a right to contest the adoption of the boy.  The way 
Peter understood the process was that the child’s aunt wished to adopt the boy, but first, either a set number of years 
had to pass with direct evidence that she tried in the best of her abilities to contact the child’s father, or the 
father could sign over his right of parental guardianship.  But, this all depended on if his father was the biological 
father or not.
	Ever since receiving the fax a few days ago, the aunt’s lawyer has been calling him several times a day to try 
and get him to convince his father to take a paternity test.  Being caught in the middle, Peter just wanted a resolution, 
and a little brother might be nice too.
	Remembering the phrase ‘thinking makes it so,’ Peter heard the phone ring and knew it was the lawyer again.  
	“Detective Caine” he said in the phone.
	“Hello Detective Caine, this is David Praxton, Janet Martinez’s lawyer” said the baritone voice on the other end.  
	Peter had the tone of the other man’s voice memorized.  Three or four calls a day for three days strait, how 
could he forget?  
	“Have you spoken to your father?  And this would be easier if you gave me his direct phone number.  I won’t 
have to call you so often.”
	Peter bit his tongue to keep from laughing.  “I have spoken to him and he no longer wants to talk about it.  
And no, he does not have a phone, much less a phone number.”
	“Hmm, that is most unfortunate.  I have spoken with Mrs. Martinez, and as much as I have advised against it, 
she wants to come and meet your father.”
	Peter frowned, “what does she hope to accomplish by coming here?”
	“She wants your father to have a good look at the boy and then test for paternity.  If he proves to be the father, 
she wants him then to sign over his guardianship.  She can then officially adopt the child.”
	“What happens if he tests negative?”
	“Then Mrs. Martinez has to begin a new search for the child’s father.  The state likes to make sure she tried 
everything  before paternal rights get severed.”  
	“Oh, when is she coming?”  
	“We will be there on Tuesday.”  
	Peter noticed the emphasis on the “we,” meaning most likely the lawyer, Janet Martinez, and the child, Ryan.  
It could be a good thing, he reassured himself.  “Alright then, just let me know of your arrival.”
	“Yes, we will be in contact.” With that, the line went silent on the other end.
	 Peter hung up the phone and sat back.  His next step would be to prepare his father for the visit. Looking at 
the files on the desk, he realized that it would have to wait.  



 	Quietly counting the number of stairs to the rooftop apartment, Peter slowly exhaled.  “Twelve step program.”  
Looking around, he noticed that the waning sunlight was filtering in through the French doors, creating a golden 
geometric mosaic on the floor.  Seeing his father out on the terrace, Peter grabbed a nearby blanket and went out to 
join him.
	Coming up next to his father, Peter wrapped the blanket around the older man’s shoulders.  “You forgot your coat,” 
he simply stated as Caine watched him during the action.  The older man nodded in gratitude.
	Watching the winter sun sink below the skyline of apartment buildings and skyscrapers, Peter breathed in deep 
the frosty air.  No matter what time of year it was, the dazzling colors transfixed his gaze, temporarily halting the 
days attentions.  
	Silence hung between the two men until Peter realized he had to break the spell.  “Janet Martinez is coming to 
visit on Tuesday.  She’s bringing the boy and the lawyer.  She wants to meet with you.”
	Silence felt weighted like the blanket around Caine’s shoulders. The sky gently faded to a pale blue from where 
the sun set. Without even turning to look at him, Caine softly responded, “Peter, you are my one and only son.  There are 
no others.  I did not want another child.  Losing you hurt too much.  Please, tell them I do not wish to see them.”  
With that, he turned and went inside.
	Peter, following closely, replied “I can’t.  It’s something you need to deal with.  Your name is on the birth 
certificate.”
	Caine turned on the light that hung over the table.  Peter noticed that it was once again in its usual spotless 
condition.  The blanket was draped over a nearby chair.  Peter sat down at the table as he watched his father pull out 
an old shoebox that was hidden in the apothecary hutch.  Opening the lid, Caine rooted through until he pulled out an 
envelope.  
	“A friend that I visited a few months back sent me copies of these old photographs.”  Caine set the photos on 
the table.  
	Peter reached for them, there were only about twelve.  Looking through them, he smiled.  “Mom was very beautiful, 
wasn’t she?”  The older man nodded, smiling sadly.  Peter laughed at a  picture of him sitting on his father’s shoulders.  
“This one’s a definite keeper.  Can I keep these?”  
	Caine nodded yes as he sat down across from his son as he looked at the pictures.  Most were of his beloved 
wife and son, but there were a few family pictures as well.   	 
	Peter, still looking at the photos asked, “you could’ve remarried and had more kids.  After Mom died, weren’t 
you lonely?”
	Caine shrugged, “no one could replace Laura.  After her death, I dedicated myself to you.  You brought me 
happiness that another wife or more children could not replicate.”  
	“But after the temple’s destruction, eventually I found a new home and a new family, why didn’t you.”
	Caine stood and collected the box.  “Sometimes solitude is more preferable than memories.  Even good ones.” 
Then he placed the box on the apothecary hutch.
	“Yeah but, what about Maya, you know, Serena’s daughter.  You never did give me a strait answer.”
	“No Peter, I am not her father.  I met Serena when Maya was a year old.  It was her who helped open my heart 
to love and marriage.  And I am deeply indebted to her because she made me realize that I did wish to be a father.” 
	Peter sat back in his chair digesting the information, and secretly pleased that his father was so willing to 
speak of the past.  Feeling a soft buzz, Peter realized it was his beeper.  Standing, he felt guilty about having to 
leave at such a precarious moment. 
	Sighing, he put his jacket back on.  “Well Pop, duty calls.  I just got buzzed by the precinct.  I doubt I can 
stop them from coming, but I can be here for you.”  With that, he walked around the table and planted a soft kiss on 
his father’s forehead before leaving.
	Caine watched his son depart from the abode, leaving a distilled quiet.  Staring at the photos that had been 
forgotten, Caine picked them up and reviewed them once more, remembering happier times.


	Peter hated waiting.  It wasn’t so much that he didn’t like what was the reason was for, he just hated the wasted 
time.  But he could be a patient man if he wanted.  He waited in Chinatown and his father came back.  Sighing, he 
nervously ran his fingers through his short brown hair as he awaited the arrival of Ryan, Janet and her lawyer.  The day 
had given the city a taste of spring and taking advantage of it, he waited outside for the trio.
	He didn’t have to wait long.  A boisterous line of people began exiting the airport’s doors as they happily 
called for loved ones, taxis, and how nice the weather was.   After a few minutes, a dour group stood out from the rest.  
Peter observed the somber trio as they stopped and scanned the area for him.  A darkly tanned woman with a grim face 
spotted him.  Average height and average build, Peter had the feeling she was a tough, unhappy woman.  The tall man next 
to her seemed just as formidable.  His skin was even darker than hers, but he had that same grainy quality to his face 
that his father had from being outside much of his life.  As Peter sauntered over, he noticed an immediate difference 
between the boy’s features and his aunt’s.  About the same height as her, he surmised that as the boy continued growing, 
he would be fairly tall.  Lighter skin and almond shape eyes, Peter could see an Asian heritage, but more of a mixture 
the way he was.  
	Joining the trio, Peter gave a slight smile.  “Hi, I’m Detective Peter Caine.”
	The man was the first to respond.  “Hello Detective, I’m Daniel Praxton, Mrs. Martinez’s lawyer.  This is Janet 
Martinez, and her nephew, Ryan Williams.”
	Peter shook the hands of each of them.  “Welcome to the city.  If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to my father’s 
place.”  He walked over to the sedan.  The police detective’s car was larger than his Stealth so he made sure to borrow 
one for the next few days.  As each of them got into the car, he hoped his father had stayed put like he had asked.

	Thirty minutes later, and what seemed like an eternity of small talk mixed with probing questions of what he 
knew about his father and Danielle Williams, Peter pulled into his regular spot in front of his father’s place.  It had 
seemed like the residents of Chinatown reserved the spot for him, as if they wanted him to come visit.  It made him feel 
more accepted.  Opening the door for Janet, Peter glanced up at the rooftop apartment and saw the figure of his father 
looking down watching their arrival. 
	Ushering everyone inside, he led them up several flights of stairs.  Opening the door, his father was waiting 
for them by the apothecary hutch.  The apartment was neat and orderly as usual, several candles warmed the room and a 
gentle scent of incense wafted in from the meditation room.  Peter could feel a hardness tinged with sadness emanating 
from his father.  It seemed that his father could be a rock for so many other people in facing challenges in their 
lives, yet be unwilling to face the ones in his own.  Peter inwardly knew that he would have to be his father’s rock.  
	At first, the visitors seemed hesitant to step inside, but Janet seemed gather her courage and marched over to 
Caine.  She was slightly shorter than he, but Peter could tell she was a spit-fire.  
	“Why haven’t you signed the damn papers?”  She demanded.  Her one arm clutched the purse at her side as if it 
was the only thing keeping her calm while her other hand balled into a fist.  
	Caine’s face was immobile as he answered “you have traveled a great distance, perhaps some tea would suffice as 
a proper introduction.”  Caine gestured toward the table and Peter moved to sit down.  The visitors followed.  Caine 
slowly poured the tea for everyone, a symbol of respect and tradition.  This calming act seemed to work, Janet took a 
sip and seemed to recompose .
	Taking a deep breath, Janet addressed Caine again.  “Mr. Caine, I’m sorry we seem to have gotten off on a bad 
start.  I have come a long way and am under pressure to give my nephew a good home before the state deems it too late.  
I have been under stress and I just want the matter resolved so that we can all go on with our lives.  My name is Janet 
Martinez, this is my lawyer, Daniel Praxton, and this is my nephew, Ryan Williams.”  
	Caine nodded at each as they gave a sign of acknowledgement back.  
	“Danielle spoke of you and told me you were Ryan’s father.  Despite what had happened between the two of you, 
she never hated you for leaving.  Now that she is gone, I just want to give Ryan a true home.”
	Caine smiled  softly, “that is a true gift of sisterly love.  She would be pleased by your endeavor to provide 
him a home that is filled with love and hope.”
	“Thank you,” Janet said in response.  “Mr. Caine, your name is on Ryan’s birth certificate, naming you as his 
father.  I can’t adopt him until you are proved to be his biological father and sign over your parental rights or if 
you decide to accept your paternal rights.”
	Caine stared at the boy as he absorbed the information.  “Are you saying that if I chose to, I could raise Ryan?”
	Janet visibly recoiled at the question.  “You haven’t spent one minute in his life; therefore, you have no right 
to even begin to want to raise him now!  You left Dani knowing she was pregnant.  She would’ve been more than happy to 
play house with you, if you’ve only wanted too.  But no! You left her and now you have to live with that!”
	Caine’s eyes narrowed at the woman’s outburst.  “Dani obviously has not told you everything that went on between 
us. I am merely asking what options are available.”
	“Mr. Caine,” the lawyer, Praxton, intervened, “you do have a right to raise Ryan.  However; considering your 
involvement so far in his life, it may be best to let Mrs. Martinez continue raising him.”
	Everyone quieted down, lost in their own thoughts.  Ryan just sat at the edge of the table, well aware of the 
conversation, but trying to stay out of it at the same time.  
	Praxton glanced at his watch.  “How about this, lets all take a break and get something to eat.  We can meet 
again later and continue the discussion.  Perhaps a bit to eat will all help us think better.”
	Peter nodded,  “That’s a good idea.  There’s a discussion room at the precinct.  We can meet there on neutral 
ground.”
	The lawyer nodded, “Alright then, we will meet you there in two hours.”  The man rose along with Ryan. Janet 
looked like she could spit nails.  Grudgingly, she rose.  Caine silently helped her put on her coat.  Swiftly zipping it 
up, she didn’t even acknowledge his help.  

  

	Darkness had come fast in the winter hours.  Caine and Peter had arrived early to reserve the room.  Most of the 
other detectives had gone home for the evening, just a few were on duty.  Peter had spoken to his captain, Karen Simms 
about using the room.  Both had agreed that she would sit in during the meeting as a neutral third party.  Janet and 
her lawyer had arrived almost exactly two hours later, but whether or not food and the cold had calmed temper was 
something to be seen.  Peter had asked where Ryan was and Janet responded by saying the he wanted to stay at the hotel 
room and watch tv.
	As everyone found a place in the room, whether it was in one of the chairs at the table or against a wall, 
the unease was obvious.  Peter looked around the room, his father had been forced to sit across from Janet and her 
lawyer.  Peter had asked his father if he had wanted a lawyer, and he had declined.  Peter sat next to his father, 
at least he could help in some of the legal aspects.   
	Janet’s lawyer, Praxton, was the first to start the meeting.  He opened his briefcase, pulling out several 
documents, and slid them over to Caine.
	“I guess I’ll point out the elephant in the room.  Here, Mr. Caine, are the boy’s documents, including the 
birth certificate, in which you will notice that Danielle Williams clearly named you as the father.”   
	Peter noticed his father studied the papers before sliding them to him.
	Caine shook his head.  “I had left Dani almost a year before this child was born.” 
	“She said she was eight months pregnant when you left her.”  Janet spat out.   “And look at Ryan, he looks just 
like you!”  
	Peter had to admit, the boy did share some similar features.  Caine just sat in stony silence, but Peter could 
feel a sharp hint of anger coming from him.  
	“We can easily clear this up, Mr. Caine, if you would consent to a DNA test to determine paternity.  If you are 
not the boy’s father, then we are sorry to disturb you. However, if it proves you are the biological father, then we 
will further discuss your options.”  Praxton offered diplomatically, pulling out the necessary papers.  
	“No,”  Caine said,  “I am not this child’s father and I will not take the test.”  
	Praxton eyed Caine questionably, “sir, it is an easy test that will only take a few minutes of your time. This 
whole matter will be resolved within a few days after submission.  It would be wise of you to reconsider.”
	“No,”  came the simple response from the priest.
	“You bastard!”  Janet erupted, “I didn’t spend the last four years trying to track you down only to deny your 
son! Dani was right when she complained about how you treated her.  Always drunk and abusive!  And this poor child being…”
	“Stop!”  Caine said harshly, “the way you remember Dani and the way she was is wrong.  I never mistreated Dani.  
There was only once when I did hit her, and I will admit to that.  But never again and never in my life had I ever hit 
a woman in anger.”  
	The way Caine stared down Janet was a bit frightening, making Peter wonder what kind of woman Dani really was 
and why his father had become involved with her at all.  
	“I do not know what Dani had told you had happened between us, but she did not tell you the entire truth.”  Caine 
sat back in his chair.  “I am sorry, but the child is not my son.”  
	Janet practically choked on her anger  “Well whose is he?  I know Dani wasn’t an angel, but she definitely said 
that you were the one she was fucking for what, the year or so you were there?”
	“This isn’t getting us anywhere.”  Praxton interjected.  “Mr. Caine, do you deny having a relationship with 
Ms. Williams?”
	“No.”
	“Ok then, consent to the test.  The matter will be resolved.  If you are not the father, as you say, then this 
will all be over.”
	“No, Mr.  Praxton, I was not with Dani at the time of conception.  I had been gone several months when that had 
to occur.  This child cannot be mine.”	
	Praxton sighed,  “well, Mr. Caine, was Dani ever carrying your child?”
	And there it was, a pregnant pause.  Peter heard the slight intake of breath from his father from the question.       
	Caine looked down at his hands before answering.  “Yes”  he said softly, reluctantly. 
	Praxton stared at the man.  “Mr. Caine, there was no records that Dani had any other child except for Ryan. You 
better explain, start from how you met Ms. Williams, the relationship, and what happened between the two of you.”
	Caine, in an uncharacteristic move, reached up and massaged his temple, as if he had a headache.  Turning to Peter, 
he asked, “do I have to?”
	Peter stared back at his father, wondering why he would ask him such a question. “Do you think you need a lawyer?”
	The other man paused, “no, nothing illegal to my knowledge occurred. It does not seem to pertain to the paternity 
of Ryan.”
	“No, you’re not getting off that easily” Janet snidely remarked.  “I want to know what you did to my sister.”
	Peter could feel the coldness radiate from the woman.  The grey walls of the interrogation room offered no solace 
or sympathy for what his father may have to tell.  He knew his father had a rough time after the destruction of the temple, 
however, he never shared much from it.  And certainly that he might have had another child.  Peter shook his head, his 
heart ached and burned at the same time when he realized how little he actually knew about his father.
	Leaning forward, closer to his father, Peter put his hand on the other man’s arm.  “Pop, if you take the paternity 
test, you don’t have to say what happened, and the past can stay the past.”
	Once again, the priest shook his head.  “No Peter, I cannot.”
	Peter stared back at his father, perplexed.  Shaking his head in new-found anger, Peter wondered what other secret 
his father could be willing to so insolently protect.  “Then you need to say what happened.  Start at the beginning”
	Caine drew in a deep breath and looked at the others in the room.
	“When did you first meet Dani Williams?”  Karen Simms asked in a gentle tone.
	“I had meet Dani in late summer.  I had just wandered into town, and stopped to speak with her.  She was working 
as a bartender.  We quickly became friends, and then more.  I moved in with her and got a job with a local construction 
firm.”  Caine paused and looked down at his hands.  “It was a rough time for me.  The destruction of the temple was just 
a few years before.  Unfortunately, I would often use alcohol to escape.  And Dani was just the same.
	“We lived like that for awhile, until we found out she was pregnant.  When that happened, I stopped drinking and 
forced her to stop doing drugs and alcohol.  I do not know what she hated most, being pregnant or not being able to do 
what she wanted.  That became the reason that I hit her.  I came home from work one night and found her ready to take 
some drug that would most likely harm or abort the baby.  I stopped her, and we had an argument that led me to hit her.  
After the argument, I told her that I was going to take care of both her and the baby.  When she had the child, if she 
still did not want it, then I would take the child and leave.”  Caine sat back and shook his head.  “That was the only 
way I could get her to agree not to try and destroy the child inside of her.  I was the child’s father and had a right 
in the say if it should live or die.	
	“It was an uneasy truce, Dani was never the maternal type.  As the child in her grew, she become more accepting 
of her new role in life.  Her addition to drugs and alcohol lessened as well.  
	“When she was eight months pregnant, an opportunity arose for me to make a good bit of money by working on a 
road construction team.  With the anticipated upcoming bills, I accepted.  The offer was supposed to last four weeks, 
but the work was finished early.”  
	Caine stared down at his hands, anger and sadness apparent on his normally controlled features.  Taking a deep 
breath, he returned to the story, voice darker and more controlled.  “When I came home early that night, I found her 
passed out in the bathroom.  It was obvious from all of the empty beer and liquor bottles, that she had gone back to 
abusing the substance.  I do not know if it was her intention, but she had gone into labor and the child lied dead in 
the bathtub.  After I cleaned Dani up and put her to bed, I took the body of the infant, a baby girl, and buried her 
in a peaceful place in the desert.
	“Dani woke up the next evening, head aching and weak, but otherwise alright.  I did not speak to her, but took 
care of her until she regained her strength.  And then I left.”  
	Peter paused, feeling sorry for his father, yet not understanding why the older man could never confide in him.  
The atmosphere in the room was one of anger, but also of a bitter type sadness.  
	“Are we through now?”  Caine asked.
	Praxton shook his head, “no, we still need evidence of this other child.  And a paternity test for Ryan.”
	“But I told you what you want to know.” Caine responded. 
	The other man sighed indignantly.  “Yes but, now we have new information. You will have to tell us where the 
child is buried, an autopsy will be performed, and the state may or may not decide to prosecute for not coming forth 
with the information.”  Praxton sat back in his chair and rubbed his eyes before continuing. “And you still need to be 
tested for paternity. And if you keep refusing, I can and will get a court order to compel you.”   
	The silence in the room was more oppressing than comforting.  Everyone seemed to be looking down at the table 
rather than each other.  Peter was amazed that his father had revealed so much.  It was more heartache that the other 
man had buried deep.  Why he had said so to others and not him stung a bit, but it was something that he didn’t want 
to admit to himself.  Looking over at his father, it was painfully obvious that he was not going to cooperative.
	Peter stood and slid his chair back.  “Due to the fact that my father seems to be possibly needing a lawyer, 
lets call it a night.”
	There were a few murmurs of agreement, but Janet practically choked on her tongue. “What! We’re not done yet.  
He needs to sign the papers for the paternity test.  I’m not leaving until that happens.”
	Peter silently cursed.  “My father is not going to be signing anything tonight.  Lets get together tomorrow 
and see what happens then.  But for now, its over.”
	Captain Karen Simms voiced her agreement.  “You can meet here tomorrow at one.  Peter, please have you and your 
father come to my office before you leave.”  With that, the blond-haired captain left the room.  The remainder just 
looked at each other, no one wanting to be the first to leave.
	Praxton cleared his throat and stood up.  “Tomorrow at one then.  You gentlemen have a good evening.  Come on 
Janet, Ryan’s probably wondering what’s taking so long.”  The lawyer walked out the door, putting on his coat.  The small, 
spitfire woman stared the two Caine men down before getting up.
	“This isn’t over” she hissed.
	As soon as she left, Caine let out a deep sigh.  Peter shook his head.  “Its been a long day Pop, and we still 
have to visit the principle’s office.”
	The two men walked over to the office under an air of melancholy.  Captain Simms was in her office waiting.  
She may not have been captain for very long, but she was tough but fair, and already had earned the respect of everyone 
who worked in the       precinct.  
	“Sit down” she said as the two men entered.  As both took their seat, she cut right to the chase.  “The court 
order was filed yesterday.  It will be in effect in two days.  Caine, you may be compelled to give a sample.”
	The older man’s jaw tightened at the information.
	“With what you revealed tonight, I’m under legal obligation to inform the New Mexican authorities.  Please let 
me know of the town, as well as, where the grave is located before you leave.  I am friends with the New Mexican General 
Attorney.  I can call in a few favors if I need to.
	The older man nodded before responding to the name of the town and burial site.  Captain Simms jotted the 
information down before sitting back in her chair.  
	“Before the meeting tomorrow, I think you both have a great deal to talk about.  Peter, you’re on the morning 
shift, but you can take off early.  I have a meeting with the Commissioner at eleven, but I should be finished by one.  
If you need anything, just ask.”
	Both men thanked her as they left the office.  The usual hustle and bustle of the daytime noise shifted to more 
drunken people and scantily clad prostitutes of the nighttime regulars.  Peter sighed, fighting crime was more preferable 
than what his personal life held.  As Peter drove his father home, neither man said anything, each lost in their own 
thoughts.


	The wind had stopped blowing, offering a respite from the chilly winter air as Peter stood outside enjoying 
the sun.  It offered no real warming benefit, but it warmed the inner soul.  Janet, Praxton and Ryan were inside his 
father’s home.  His father had missed the meeting at the precinct.  After a seemingly never ending barrage of insults 
about his father and even his own accountability of making sure his father showed up, Peter had just about had it with 
Janet.  What disturbed him was how Ryan stood there quiet, not becoming involved with his own fate.  
	Peter audibly sighed, he didn’t blame his father for not wanting to show up, but that didn’t excuse him.  And now, 
he had to try and find him.  It would be easier to find a tiger in the brush than his father in Chinatown.  
	Coming back inside, he noticed the apothecary satchel that his father always carried was missing, a sign that he 
probably was out helping someone.  If he could find Lo Si, then he might be able to find his father.  
	Peter turned to face the trio.  “Well, due to the fact my dad’s medicine bag is gone, he is most likely out helping 
someone.  I’m going to go look for him.  How about if I meet you guys later tonight for dinner?”
	Praxton pursed his lips before replying.  “Alright, we’ll rendezvous at six thirty right here.”
	Peter nodded.  “Sounds fair.  I’ll make sure my father is with me.”
	Praxton led the way to the door with Janet right behind.  Wonder what the lawyer had said to her after the meeting 
earlier to quiet her down, Peter thought.  Observing Ryan, he seemed to be “just along for the ride” and not really caring.  
	Just then the teen turned and looked at him and the words were out of Peter’s mouth before even realizing it.
	“ Hey wait, I have an idea.  How about Ryan come with me.  It would be great for him to see some of the city and 
get to know him a bit better.”  Peter saw the teen’s eyes brighten at the suggestion.  
	Ryan turned and looked at Janet.  “Can I please go with him Aunt Janet?  I won’t be any trouble and I’m bored at 
the hotel.  Please?”
	Janet took a deep breath and looked from Peter to Ryan.  
	“Its alright for him to come with me.  I’ll make sure he stays safe.  Plus, it would give him something to do for 
awhile.”  Peter implored.
	Giving him one long calculated look, Janet finally nodded.  “Alright, you can go.  Just make sure he’s safe.  It’s 
a big, strange city, I don’t want anything to happen to him.”	“I’ll make sure he stays safe.  I’ll see you both later 
tonight then.”  Peter smiled at the teen.  “Come on Ryan, lets see how good your detective skills are.”  


	It didn’t take long to find Lo Si.  The older Shaolin was playing dominoes at the tea shop.  
	“Ah Peter, you are going to bring me luck!  Mei Ling has been beating me all afternoon.”
	Peter smiled and nodded to the older woman across from Lo Si. “Lo Si, this is Ryan. He is visiting from New Mexico.”	
	“Hi Sir” he shyly said.
	“What is it like in New Mexico?”
	“Uh, its hot in the summer and there’s deserts but there’s sand and mountains.”  
	 The older man smiled.  “It sounds very beautiful.”  Ryan nodded in agreement.  “How are you enjoying Chinatown?”  
	The boy shuffled from foot to foot nervously.  “Uh, I haven’t seen very much of it, but I like the food.”
	Lo Si and Peter laughed “you need to have Peter take you to the Laughing Dragon.  They have the best noodles and 
the cutest ladies.”  Ryan laughed and looked at his feet.
	“Thanks Lo Si, I’ll make sure to take him before he leaves.  We’re looking for my father.  Any idea where he’s at?”
	Putting a domino on the board before responding, Lo Si commented to his partner.  “Your turn, my dear.”  Turning 
back to Peter.  “Your father is over at the Zhengs.  They have a sick child he needed to attend.”
	“Great, thanks Lo Si.”  With that, the two were out the door.
	
	  
	It wasn’t a long walk, just a bit nippy, but Peter was glad when he saw his father outside the residence staring 
up at the sky.
	“Are you watching for Superman or pretending you’re at the beach?”
	Caine turned toward his son giving him a questionable look.
	“Ok then Pop, but you missed a very important appointment.”  The older man shrugged.  “It’s something you’re 
going to have to deal with.”
	Caine shrugged again.  “It is a beautiful day.  Do you want to go to the park?”
	Peter sighed and looked at Ryan. “Do you want to go to the park?”
	The teen shuffled his feet.  “Uh, yeah, sure.”
	Caine studied the teen before nodding.  “Peter, do you still have the football in your car?”
	“I think so.  Do you want to play football?”
	Another shrug.
	“Ok, we’ll stop along the way.”

	Jumping over a protruding root, Peter caught the ball with ease.  Aiming, he gracefully threw it to Ryan. The ball 
arced up and began its downward descent to be caught by the teenager.  His stringy auburn hair bounced as he jumped 
forward to complete the pass to Caine.
	The three of them had been playing ball all afternoon.  Peter marveled at the transformation in Ryan.  He had 
opened up quite a bit, talking about how he was on the football team at his school, the girl he was dating, and just 
other aspects in his life.  Perhaps it was because he was away from his overbearing aunt.  Most likely.  He had talked 
about her as well, mentioning that she wasn’t usually this abrasive, its just that when it came to him, she could be 
overprotective.  Peter thought that was the understatement of the year.
	Trotting over to pick up yet another missed throw, Peter glanced at his watch.  As if the sinking sun hadn’t been 
sending out a beautiful array of colors to say it was evening, his watch gave cold calculating time.  
	“Hey you two, its almost six.  We need to start heading back to meet your aunt and Praxton.”
	Ryan almost seemed to take on that sulky teenager look.  “Aw, do we have to? There’s still daylight and since 
Mr. Caine missed the meeting earlier, maybe they won’t be surprised if we didn’t show up.”
	Peter laughed and looked at his father.  “See what you started by not coming earlier!  Sorry Ryan, your aunt might 
have my head on a platter if you don’t show up on time.” 
	As the three of them walked home, Peter heard Caine ask Ryan a question.	
The teen hesitated before answering.  “I don’t know how I feel.  I mean, they are so sure you’re my dad, even my mom 
said you were my dad before she died, but you say you’re not my dad.  I guess I just feel a bit confused.  I mean, why 
do you say you’re not my dad anyway?”
	Caine thought a moment, “your mother had a very enigmatic personality that was wonderful, but sometimes maddening 
to be around.  Her spirit could be like the sun and give joy to those around her, but she also had her dark side as well.” 
He paused before continuing.  “Your mother hurt me very deeply, and although I tried not to blame her, it was very hard 
not to.  The circumstances that led to me leaving were beyond either of our control.”
	The trio walked in meditative step for a block before Ryan replied.  “Yeah, I know my mom wasn’t an angel.  It’s 
just I guess I’m still figuring out who I am.  I was just really hoping that you’d be my dad, and you know, do father and 
son things.”  A few more steps in silence before Ryan continued.  “I guess with them pushing for the paternity test and 
all, I think everyone one just wants an answer.  Even if you’re not my dad, at least it would bring closure.  My aunt 
could adopt me then.  That would make her happy.”  He said that last part to himself, but the others could hear the 
wishfulness in it.
	As they arrived at the destination, Janet and Praxton were getting out of the car.
	“Hey Aunt Janet,” Ryan yelled, trotting over to her.  “Guess what?  I heard of this totally delicious restaurant 
called the Laughing Dragon.  Can we go?”
	Peter and Caine walked over at a more leisurely pace.  
	“I see you could make it tonight, Mr. Caine.”  Praxton said sarcastically.  Caine just gave him a raised eyebrow 
look, acknowledging he heard the comment but would not respond.
	“Can we please go to the Dragon?” Ryan asked again.
	Janet sighed. “Alright, as if eating Chinese almost every meal this trip hasn’t made you ready for something 
else yet.”
	Peter laughed, “at least you’re getting the real authentic styles.  Follow me, it’s about two blocks away.  And 
it is really good food.” 
	As the group headed toward the restaurant, Caine fell into step with the lawyer.  “Mr. Praxton,” Caine said to 
the other man, “I have contemplated about the paternity test. I will agree to take it as long as it gives closure to Ryan.”
	Praxton nodded “it would mean a great deal to them, whether you were the biological father or not.”
	Observing the one of whom they spoke, they heard Ryan prattle on about playing football earlier and all the weird 
things he’d seen while wandering through Chinatown, like the guys in ninja costumes that had been watching them earlier.


	Twenty-four hours later, they gathered once again in Caine’s abode.  Peter had friends down at the DNA testing 
center that could speed things up.  As it was, they were all waiting patiently for him to show up with the results.  Caine 
had been showing Ryan and Janet some basic self-defense techniques and Tai Chi, while Praxton sat at the table surrounded 
by mounds of paperwork.  His showing up brought back an anxiety that had been momentarily forgotten.  Simply placing the 
large manila envelope on the table, he let the fates decide themselves.
	After a pregnant pause where no one seemed to want to move, Praxton reached for the envelope.  Pulling the papers 
out, he silently read them to himself, his face reveling nothing of what was written.
	Clearing his throat, he layed the papers down.  “Well Mr. Caine, it seems you are correct.  You are not Ryan’s 
father.”
	The air in the room was still as each absorbed the information.  Caine’s face was the usual unreadable mask while 
Janet’s and Ryan’s both displayed disappointment.  Peter didn’t quite know how he felt.  He liked Ryan, but knowing what 
his father had been through, was also a bit relieved.  And glad he was still an original.
	Janet audibly sighed, “well I do owe you an apology Caine. I’m sorry I blamed you and accused you of being a bad 
person.  I was just hoping that you were this horrible person that had abandoned Dani in her time of need.  It would’ve 
been easier to keep on hating you.  But I can see that you probably did treat Dani with respect, which is why she never 
said a bad thing about you.  I was wrong, and I’m sorry.”
	Caine nodded, “there is no need to apologize.  It was your love for her that kept you strong. It is easy to 
dislike someone when we feel they have wronged someone we love.”
	Nodding in understanding, Janet smoothed back her hair before folding her arms across her chest.  “Well, now that 
that’s settled, how about I start making the traditional New Mexican dish I promised?”
	“But I’m in the mood for some Schezuan tonight!”  Ryan burst out.
	Everyone laughed, but Ryan did look disappointed.  
	“Caine gave me a Chinese cookbook today, so when we get back, I might try some of the recipes.” With that, the 
woman vanished into the kitchen.  Seeing that nothing else was going on, Praxton went back to his paperwork.  
	Caine, Peter, and Ryan headed back to the workroom.  It was obvious in Ryan the disappointment.  He shuffled to 
the room with slumped shoulders and a downcast face.
	As soon as they were in the room, Caine quietly asked, “how do you feel about the result of the test, Ryan?”
	The teen audibly sighed, “I’m kinda sad.  I like you and think it would be cool to have you as a dad.  And it’d 
be awesome to have a brother who’s a cop.”  
	Caine smiled sadly.  “And I think it would be an honor having you as a son.  But this does not mean we can not 
keep in touch.”
	Nodding in agreement, Peter added “yeah, we can call or write.  Or maybe come visit sometime.  Just because we’re 
not related doesn’t mean we can’t keep in contact.  If you ever need any help, just call us, we’ll be more than willing 
to do what we can.”
	Ryan’s grin went ear to ear.  “That’s a great idea, I need pen pals for my geography class.  They want us to have 
someone international, but Chinatown’s like its own other country!”  
	The three of them laughed and joked about the past few days.  Both Peter and Caine shrugged when asked about the 
ninjas. Janet’s voice announcing it was time to eat broke the reverie.  Ryan offered one last bit of advise before heading 
out to the dining room.  
	“If you guys don’t like hot and spicy, avoid the green salsa.  It will set your insides on fire.”  
	It was advise that Peter had wished he’d followed.



Epilogue

	The sweet smell of the jasmine tea wafted up as Caine cupped his hands around the hot tea mug.  Peter was 
supposed to meet him for a late supper, but as is the case at times, was running a bit late.  The restaurant was a small 
café that served teas and noodle varieties.  It was fairly new so they decided to try it.
	 He had been reflecting about the events from the previous week.  The memories from when he thought he’d be a 
father again reshaped his life and set him back on the course he was destined to walk.  But the current events made him 
doubt his former convictions about not wanting to become a father again.  Some deep part of him wished that he had decided 
to remarry and have more children.  Laura had wanted three or four,  he was easily swayed by her love and maternal 
abilities toward children. And now, he was getting too old to want to chase a new child around, unless it was a grandchild.  
	A cold breeze drifted in, announcing a new visitor to the small café.  Caine watched as Peter came down the aisle 
of booths to where he was sitting.  Setting a small white envelope on the table, Peter slid into the seat across from him.
	“I got a letter from Ryan today in the mail.  It’s addressed to both of us, so I thought you’d like to read it.”
	Caine nodded his gratitude while reaching for the envelope.  The penmanship was somewhat messy, but he could make 
out both their names.  
	“I also received a response from the local sheriff in New Mexico.  Other than  Chinese characters on a stone, 
there was no evidence of a child being buried there.  Time, nature, animals all could’ve degraded a body.  They have put 
the case on hold until something turns up.”
	Somberly absorbing the information, Caine said a silent prayer for the young life that was lost so soon.	
	Reaching into his coat jacket, Peter pulled out another envelope and set the brown manila folder between them.  
It was the same type envelope that the paternity test for Ryan was in. 
	Peter took a deep breath and slowly let it out, there was no fidgeting, no nervous motions, just cool, calm and 
collected. “I think you know what it says in the envelope. I’m not going to blame you, I’m not going to judge you. I just 
want you to tell me the truth.  Why did you never tell me?”
	It was like a glass of ice water being thrown in his face.  Caine stared back at the younger man.  He knew he 
should have never taken that test.  The enjoyment of the evening now suddenly doused, he knew their lives would be just 
as swiftly razed.  He stared back at his son.  His son, no other man’s.  Peter’s jaw was set tight in an irresolute mask, 
no emotions marred the masculine features.  Caine stared into the other man’s eyes.  Sighing deeply, he broke the stare 
and cast his eyes downward.  He would have to break a promise to the one who truly loved him deeply so very long ago.
	“You are my son, not by blood, but by love.”
	Peter’s response was a raised eyebrow.  “I want the truth.  Am I Laura’s son?”
	The older man nodded his head yes, slowly.  “Your mother was with a very harsh man. There was no love between 
them. I had lived several doors down and had always heard him yell and deride her.”
	“Is that how you met?”
	“Sort of, she worked in the same grocery store that I did. We developed a deep friendship. One night, he was drunk 
and went too far. She started screaming and crying. Not being able to hear her suffer, I intervened.  We left and then 
lived as husband and wife.  It was not long after we realized she was pregnant.  I loved her despite having another man’s 
child in her womb.  She made me promise to love you as if you were my own flesh and blood.”          		  
	Peter, still in a stony, meditative mode, nodded slightly, digesting the information.  “What happened to my real 
father?”
	The priest sat back as he answered.  “I do not know.  He was still breathing when we left.”
	“Why didn’t you tell me?”
	“I love you, and that is all that mattered to me. I watched you grow in the womb. I helped deliver you. Your first 
words, first steps, watched you grow into adolescence.  I was your father, not some stranger.”
	Peter sat back, still silent. 
	“It is more than blood that makes a father and a son.  When you were with Paul, did he not become as loving and 
protective as if you were his own blood?”
	The younger man only frowned deeper, giving no indication of his thoughts.  Suddenly, he slid out of the booth, 
leaving the envelope on the table.
	“Peter please,” Caine pleaded, “say something.  We can talk this over.  We have been through too much to not be 
as father and son.  Please, what are your thoughts?”
	Without giving an answer, Peter turned and walked away.
	“Peter, I love you.  Please come back.”  
	The sentiment went unanswered as the younger man disappeared out into the cold night. Caine just sat in the booth, 
warm tea now tepid, forgotten.