A Wedding at Sunrise

By Lorna M. Boilard

Part 9

With the bomb disposed of John and Angel were left to look after the bride and her matron of honor. Jim and Peter left with Kermit and the police force. The bomb had made it a very personally rewarding afternoon for both Jim and Peter. For Jim had been asked to diner by one of the models. His cool head in the crises along with the stories he told to keep them entertained during the waiting had made an impression on all the women but especially with Leila. Peter on the other hand had finally had time to get reacquainted with an old friend. One that he saved the life of a few years before when Bernie first brought the Gaston fashion show to the city.

Karen went back to finding a wedding dress and very soon found one. After Megan was outfitted Angel dropped the bride back at her apartment. The plan was for Angel to pick her up at 6:30 the next morning to take her to the precinct. Karen was again home alone but this time Kermit's presence wasn't missed quite as much. She had to figure a strategy to handle what problems that might arise with her forth-coming marriage and for the first she could let herself plan a future with Kermit. At the same time two very different groups were deciding her future plans as well. One group, which included Merlin, celebrated how successful they were in using her to get Kermit to lead them to his private island but they couldn't let up or Kermit might get suspicious. While the other group, which included her future husband, discussed how she was the perfect candidate to run Griffin and Co. Unaware of these schemers Karen sat at her kitchen table with a glass of wine making to do lists and letting herself indulge in the long forgotten joy of daydreaming. How was she going to handle the fact that she was marrying one of her detectives? There haven't been too much said when Kermit and her became friends and hardly was an eyebrow raised when they became more then friends. The Commissioner had spoken to her once about her relationship with Kermit. The gist was that a lot could be overlooked because it was Kermit. Who was going to tell an ex-mercenary who he could or couldn't date but if this became a pattern then she'd be back in blues before Sandra Mason could get the story on the 6 o'clock news? With the marriage hopefully the Commissioner would be assured she wasn't the type of Captain who ran her precinct one step ahead of a sexual harassment suit.

The next morning's meeting with Strenlich was far different then she had imagined. The Chief's problem wasn't about her marrying Kermit but that this might give Kelly ideas. He never said it but it was obvious by his nervousness. It was all she could do to keep a straight face. She knew what Kelly was going through having been there herself. She hoped Kelly would have an easier time of it then her. Losing a baby and almost getting gang raped and murdered is a hell of way to get your man to come around. If it a been her choice she would have been just as happy with being allowed to adopted Abby and staying Kermit's lover.

Karen was just starting her third report of the day went Kermit knocked on doorframe. Angel, who was sitting outside her office door playing watchdog as she called it, lazily observed him. With Angel on guard duty her officers could do their jobs without worrying about her or Kermit having unwanted callers. This strategy was made easy by the fact that Kermit's office was only separated from Karen's by a hallway. Each office had only one exit and Karen's had the only window to the outside that was on the second floor with no fire escape and its blinds were kept closed. The inner windows had vertical binds that provided privacy. Angel had asked that they be kept open at all times so that she could keep an eye on all visitor to her two charges.

Karen had been observing Angel's way of doing a stakeout all morning. It was more from the school of Leo Buscaglia than stakeout training. From the start it was obvious that her private guardian angel was someone who reveled in people watching and made no apologies about it. Jim had commented once that going on a stakeout with her was like taking a kid to the zoo. Well if she had to have Angel underfoot for the week she was going to find out about just who this young woman truly was. If she didn't it would be wasting a golden opportunity.

"Captain this is something that Angelique should hear too." Stated Kermit. "And everything I'm about tell you is off the record."

"Angelique, please come in here and shut the door." Karen requested with a little fear. This case keeps getting more and more complicated.

Once Angel joined them Kermit began informing them about what he had found in the FBI reports on Merlin. Their information wasn't anywhere near as sketchy as the CIA. It really was to bad that the two agencies didn't talk to each other more. The FBI had an informant in the local Irish Mob that filled them in when Merlin came to town. He showed up one day with a weapons supply that he could get to the IRA for a reasonable fee. The fee was reasonable and the supply was real so they took the bait. It was just a way for Merlin to get close to the leaders. In a month's time one had killed himself, two others shot each other in what seemed like an old fashion duel, and a fourth had a very mysterious car accident."

"I remember." Interrupted Karen. "In less then a week's time we didn't have any Irish Mob problem. The fifth leader vanished along with most of its minor players. The FBI thinks that Merlin somehow arranged it?"

"Yes." He answered then told her why. "That fifth leader didn't vanish. He ran to the FBI for protection. What he said didn't make much sense to them but it does to me. All four of his friends died while Merlin watched according to the guy. The only thing that saved him was his priest. Merlin was mentally forcing him to jump from his balcony when his parish priest showed up and talked him down. Merlin got away but he left with something. The guy's fifteen year old daughter. The police or the FBI can't find the kid or any of this guy private bodyguards. I did a little more checking this is a pattern with Merlin. From what Peter's picked up form Danny Double D four other teenage daughters of local mobsters have vanished. If anyone goes looking for them they don't come home."

"Now we know what Bon Bon Hai wants to talk about." Concluded Angel. "Bon Bon Hai is going to tells us..."

"Where to find Merlin." Finished Karen. "In hopes that he'll take us out then Bon Bon Hai will take out Merlin.

"Merlin made a big mistake coming here. Another big city wouldn't have someone like Bon Bon Hai sitting in the center of the spider's web. He can play Merlin's game better and with more control." Stated Angel.

"You think that Merlin just a kid with a power that he thinks he can control and that he's the only one in the world who has such powers. Boy did he come to the wrong place!" said Kermit reading Angel's mind.

"My next question is. How are we going to screw up Bon Bon Hai plans?" threw out Karen to the floor.

"Peter and I have an idea on that." Was the answer from Kermit. "When Angelique and you meet him Peter and I will be wait outside for you. If he gives you the information that we think he will Peter and I will handle it."

"Mercenary style?" Karen asked without looking at him.

He moved from in front of her desk to beside her then cupped his hand under her chin and raise her head to look at him. "No, Caine style. I promise we'll come back without the need of assault weapons."

A few hours later two cars pulled up outside one of the city's best apartment building. Jack Wong was waiting for his master's guests at the door. Nothing was said. Jack just smile as Karen and Angel got out of the Rolls walked toward him while Kermit and Peter smiled back at them from the topless convertible. The trip to the penthouse was silent as well but that was broken once Jack lend them from the private elevator. An oriental version of Arnold Schwarzenager stood beside an elegant mahogany table just outside the elevator doors.

"You will kindly leave your weapons with my associate." Politely demanded Jack. "Your cane as well Ms. Hellstrom. I promise that no harm will come to you and that your property with be returned went you leave."

"Sure, but don't touch the cane. It bites." Joked Angel as she placed the cane with it fangs pointing at Jack's associate.

"Angelique, please a little decorum." Strongly requested Karen as she placed her 38 beside the cane.

"Ms. Hellstrom, all your weapons." Reminded Jack.

"Jack Wong you know as well as everyone on the streets that I don't carry any weapons but the cane." She reminded him.

"I have my doubts after you shot my car."

"I never said I didn't own a gun, just that I don't carry one. As a matter of fact at the moment I own three. If you show up again at the Safe Zone I'll introduce you to my favorite. I need some practice at moving targets. You can be my volunteer."

"My mother told me never volunteer. Bon Bon Hai is waiting. This way ladies." So ended the verbal sparing match. Jack lead them to a innately decorated double door that Jack pushed inward to reveal a large office decorated with Chinese's paintings and statues mostly of war and violence. Bon Bon Hai sat at a very modern desk complete with computer and fax machine. He was reading a fax that had just come in as they entered. Jack simply led them in bowed and retreated, shutting the doors behind them.

"Captain Simms and Detective Hellstrom, so nice of you to accept my humble invitation." Stated Bon Bon Hai as he stood to greet his guest. His demeanor was that of a man who was convinced he controlled all that was in his grasp. "Please, ladies be seated." Waving to two leather chairs before his desk. "May I order you some refreshment?"

"That's kind of you but no thank-you." Answer Karen as Angel and her took the seats indicated. Angel just shook her head in response. Karen hoped this meant that she was going to leave the talking to her. "Let's get right to the point. Why did you invite us here?"

"We'll get to that but first let me congratulation on your forth coming wedding." He said as he seated himself behind his desk.

"Thank-you."

"Detective Griffin is a lucky man. I met Detective Griffin once. A most unusual man. Not easily frightened. I made it my business to get to know him as well as most of you in 101st. He's a mercenary isn't he?"

"Ex." She corrected. "I agree with your assessment of him. He is a very unusual man but this meeting isn't about him. Or is it?"

"No!" He agreed. "I did want to compliment you on the way you run the 101st. I feel very safe living here and running my business interest here."

"Thank-you again." Replied Karen as she watched Angel looking over the floor and then examine the bottom of both her shoes. "Angelique didn't we talk about decorum?"

"Yes, Captain. Sorry I'm an awful tease. I apologize sir."

"No offence taken. I've heard a great deal about your excellent work with our troubled youth. I was telling Mr. Wong just a few days ago that I should donate money to your Safe Zone. It is one charity that I have every confidence that my donation will get to those how need it."

"You are quite correct there. It would be used to help the kids get off drugs and out of prostitution. Anyone who donates to the Safe Zone has to remember that I run the place and I'm not very good a taking orders." Stated Angel leaving forward a little to get a good look into her host's eyes.

"Of course Ms. Hellstrom. Would 50,000 be of help?" He answered while reaching for his checkbook from a drawer in his desk.

"A great deal, Sir." Stated Angel as she reached for something in the back pocket of her jeans. "I hope you don't mind signing this document?" Then she placed a well-folded legal document on the desk. "It states that you're giving the money freely for the running of the Safe Zone and you don't expected anything in return. It also doubles as a receipt for taxes purposes." He took the paper read it then signed it then he handed her copy back with a check for 50,000 dollars. Which was slipped back into the jeans' pocket.

"Well you can see why I asked Ms. Hellstrom here. It's time I told you why I asked you here." He commented as he turned his attention back to Karen. "I believe you believe some lies that have been told about me by my enemies."

"Really could you be more precise on just what those lies are?"

"That I am helping this gang leader called Merlin take over the city's criminal activities"

"Oh, that lie. Yes I have heard it. Should I believe it?"

"Captain Simms why would I want Chinatown to lose one of its greatest protectors. So that crime can run rampant in the streets. No Captain Simms I do not want your death or for this Merlin and his gang of hoodlums to take over this city. I asked you here to give you some information that will prove to you that I'm in no way involved with this person." Then he handed her a slip of paper that had been lying on the desk. "This Captain Simms is the address of this Merlin. With it I hope that you and your police force can rid the city of this criminal."

She looked at the paper for a moment and then said. "This is a very important lead. Once again I have to thank-you." Then she placed the paper in her purse and rose to leave.

"Captain Simms, Ms. Hellstrom." He said as he rose with them. "I do ask one small thing for my trouble."

"Really Sir. What is that small thing?" asked Karen.

"That Ms. Hellstrom perform a small magic trick for my amusement." Then he reached for his intercom system and said. "Mr. Wong please bring in Ms. Hellstorm's cane." A moment later Jack had placed the cane on the desk and after bowing walked out. "I have heard you have a very special trick you do with this cane and I would very much like to see it."

"No problem." Stated Angel. After stepping close to the desk she passed her hand over the cane starting at the cobra head to the tip. Karen had stepped close to the desk to get a better view. Then pulled back in fear as she watched the cane change into a live cobra. Bon Bon Hai just smiled as the snake curled with its head ready to strike. Angel snapped her fingers over the snake and then with a small explosion and a puff of smoke the snake vanished and the cane returned.

"Remarkable, Ms. Hellstrom." He said as he slapped. Karen was in too much shock to add anything. "Well ladies it as been a pleasure and I wish you both well with your up coming marriage and the Safe Zone."

"Thank-you once again for the information and the donation. Good day." said Karen now recovered from Angel's little trick.

"Good-bye." said Angel as she picked up her cane and saluted him with it.

"If your caring around a live cobra I'm going to book you for public endangerment." said Karen once they were in the elevator alone.

"Captain it's just a trick. Where could I hide a cobra when I don't have my backpack."

"Angelique that was one hell of a trick. Did you date David Copperfield to learn it?"

"I never kiss and tell, Captain." with that statement the elevator door opened and they headed for the Kermitmoble.

Kermit was leaning against his door watching the entrance to the apartment building while talking to Peter when he spotted them coming out. Karen smiled at him to tell him that all was well. Peter and him got out of the car as the women joined them on the sidewalk.

"Well Bon Bon Hai was in a very generous mood today. He gave me Merlin's address and a check for 50,000 to Angel for the Safe Zone." Karen told once they were gathered together.

"What did he want in return?" asked Peter.

"Good public relations and a magic trick from Angel." Karen replied.

While Karen talked Angel had taken a place so that Karen was between her and Peter. When Kermit looked at her she mouthed the words "He knows about us." For an instant shock appeared on his face then vanished as Kermit fought the fear growing inside him. Bon Bon Hai somehow had found out about his family history. How would he use that information?

"What magic trick did he want?" asked Kermit.

"She changed her cane into a live cobra. At least that was what it looked like." said Karen. With her statement Kermit got verification that Angel was right. The snake trick was ancient but Bon Bon Hai could see through an illusionist trick. He could also see how Angel had accomplished the same thing by planting the idea in people's heads that they saw what the cane reminded them off.

"60 Spring Street." Read aloud Karen from the note Bon Bon Hai had given her. "In with all those abandon warehouse buildings that the city trying to sell."

"Oh Yeah." Agreed Kermit. "One of the city's showplaces. A holding company just brought them. I haven't had time to dig through the money trail yet. Having a personal life has slowed me down a little."

"Have you though about going back to being a loner so you'd have more time with your computer?" asked Karen.

"Very seriously for about a minute then I remember this lady who likes to remove my shades and the though goes right out the window." Reminisced Kermit with a contended smile.

"It seem we have our assignments." Stated Karen while handing Kermit the address. "Kermit, Peter you get Merlin. I'll see if I can find that money trail."

"Captain, if Kermit would loan me his computer at the precinct. I might be faster at finding were that money trail leads." suggested Angel.

"It's OK with me but stay out of my personal files." Warned Kermit.

"If you're working on Kermit's computer who's going to be bodyguarding me?" asked Karen.

"I've got a friend who does odd jobs for me. He very good a surveillance work. He'll be my eyes and I'll take care of the muscle, if it's needed."

"Sounds like we might be getting some where." Said Karen trying to instill some hope in herself that this case would stop sliding down hill before it got out of control. "Peter, Kermit please be careful this guy likes killing. I don't want the two of you becoming his next victims."

"Captain, don't worry I'll bring he back alive." Peter said as he climbed into Kermit's car.

"I'll see you soon. We have a date for dinner tonight at Delancy's and nothing is keeping me from that." Guaranteed Kermit as he softly touched Karen's hair then got into his car with Peter. "Angelique don't crash my computer."

"Kermit have a little faith." Yelled Angel as the men drove away.

Part 10

A Wedding at Sunrise By Lorna M. Boilard Part 10 "Merlin is one of Prescott's experiments." Peter broke the silence that had thickened the air in the car. Peter remember the pain in Kermit's face when he conveyed the story of Angelique's childhood and the man that had reduced her to nothing but an experiment to further his own ambition. This was one man that even Kwi Chang Caine would have a hard time finding sympathy for. He was someone who had killed a mother to steal her child then tried to make that child into a human-weapon for the so-called good of his country.

"Yes." Kermit could feel his old self-returning, the mercenary that took care of an enemy by killing him. He had promised Karen that they would do this Caine's way and he would keep that promise. If he let himself fall back into his old ways he would lose her and the life they planned. Sandborn was dead and so was Kermit's promise to him. His hatred for Sandborn's partner, Prescott, wouldn't be the cause of him losing her now. He would stop Merlin and Prescott but it would not be at the cost of his soul.

"Kermit we can handle this. We're the good guys." Peter knew that his friend was fighting his demons, he could see it in his face. Peter remembered his first impression of Kermit, that of a man hiding from himself that desperately needed a friend. He had tried to be that friend but it had been an up hill battle. Now Peter found that he relied on Kermit to be there for him. Kermit needed family as he did, that was what bound them together.

The Kermitmoble stopped in front of a three story wooden structure with boarded windows and weather stained gray paint. Even with the noonday sun this building looked like it belonged in a teen horror film. There was graffiti everywhere and most it spoke of death or hate but for one item a small rose painted over the door. Peter had no reaction to the small piece of hope but Kermit understood. The Brethren had found their Lost One and they had started to reclaim him. The horror movie continued as the door opened and revealed a beautiful elegantly dressed young woman. Her long red hair shined when the sun hit it but there was no matching shine in her eyes for they was as empty as those of a Disney mechanical mannequin. Kermit recognized this young woman. She was the teenage daughter of the Irish mob boss that was now in FBI custody.

"Come in. He is expecting you." Said Merlin's human mannequin as she moved aside to let them in.

"Peter trust your Shoalin training to tell you what is real. He can create illusion from your wants and desires." Kermit whispered to Peter as they entered the gloomy abode. "Thank you. Do you know that your father is very worried about you, Misty?"

Misty either didn't hear or was beyond hearing, she only shut the door and then vanished into the gloom. They were now alone in a corridor that's lighting cast so many shadows that it gave the impression of going on forever. To their right was an elevator whose doors were open showing only the blackness beyond. On the left was a door with its glass window saying "stairs". The corridor was so filled with trash, graffiti and the smell of urine that it invaded the senses from all directions. This building had been the home of many a displaced person but now not even the sound of a rat or fly could be heard. Merlin owned this building and all other living creatures needed his permission to enter down to the smallest.

"Welcome to my nightmare." Said Kermit as he inspected his surroundings. "Peter remember don't look into his eyes or you may wind up like Misty.

"Where do you think we'll find Freddy?" asked Peter as he checked out the stairs, which were brightly lit. There were no shadows here. That surprised Peter as well as the fact that the stairway was spotless and beautifully decorated. Floral wallpaper, plants, pictures, and a marble staircase. "This guy gets weirder by the second. Take a look at these stairs."

Kermit had pulled his gun out and was making sure that no one was hiding in the corners to attack them. With Peter's request he followed him into the stairway. "I must say I like his decorator. A palace hidden in an abandoned office building, I'll bet we'll find Merlin in the center of this building. He's a spider sitting at the center of his web waiting for his prey to vibrate a strand."

"And we're the prey. Personally I prefer eating lunch then being lunch. Do we split up?" Peter never got an answer from Kermit but from Merlin that was a different story. A black hole opened at Peter's feet and he was sucked into it. All Kermit could do was watch as the floor swallowed up his friend then returned as it had been.

"Peter!" Yelled Kermit as he knelt beside where Peter had just vanished. He could see no way of opening the trap door nor could he hear if Peter had answered his call. There was only one thing to do, find Merlin. Peter could take care of himself. This spider wanted to play with his prey before killing it. It was time Merlin learned that sometimes the prey knew the game better than the hunter did. After checking one more time to see if there was some way of opening the trap door and seeing none he cautiously climbed the stairs. At the second floor landing he peered through the glass to see a corridor that architecturally matched the one below it but there the similarity ended. This hall was clean, newly painted, and well decorated. This was Merlin's part of the building, his home, his lair.

Only for a moment did Kermit stop to think of Peter before silently entering the hall. He must be in control of his emotions or he would become one of Merlin's victims. Kermit already began to sense Merlin sifting through his mind to find a weapon to use against him. Emotional manipulation was the key to his power over people. Merlin wasn't going to make him lose control of himself. Kermit stopped in front of a door at the end of the hall. His mother had taught him what to do with this kind of enemy. He took a deep breath and focused his mind on releasing his emotions. When he did this he found the one emotion that wouldn't leave, the one that Merlin had looked for, longed for, but never found in any one, compassion. Kermit opened the door knowing that he was facing not a person who had chosen to follow a dark path but a lost frightened little boy. A child who had been taught that because he was different that he had the right to take what ever he wanted.

---

For an instant Peter had the feeling of free falling before hitting hard the inside of a slopped curving tunnel like something in a water park. Its sides had the feel of smooth plastic with joints every few yards. How far or in what direction he couldn't figure as he proceeded down through the darkness. The ride seemed unbelievably long as he kept going faster with every turn. The tube seemed to snake its way throughout most of the building even into the lowest levels of the city itself. Then suddenly the slopes gentled as the curves lengthened. Then the ride ended as Peter back flipped into a room of brightly colored plastic balls.

"What are we dealing with a homicidal Richy Rich?" Pondered Peter as he pulled himself from under a sea of balls. He moved toward the door opposite to him. He found it was like wading through knee-high snowdrifts. The door was unlocked and opened into a two-story hallway of doors. There were doors everywhere. Regular doors, doors on the wall above his head with ladders to get to them, round doors, double doors, playhouse doors, arched doors, all closed and all painted in different colors. The walls, floor, and ceiling were black which made the corridor he was standing in look as unreal as a picture from a Doctor Seuss book. One of these doors leads to freedom but which. None gave a clue.

First he climbed a ladder to a purple door. As soon as he poked his head into the room he knew this was not the way out. This room was a prison with its prisoner chained to the floor and laying still on an oversized bed. There was no movement from Merlin's victim as Peter entered and walked toward the bed. It only took a few steps to see that there was no victim. Just a life like doll dressed in a revealing nightgown. With a closer exam he could tell that this was a full size Barbie with all the right parts. With a shake of his head and a groan he turned back to the doorway; then he noticed the wallpaper. Before all his attention was on what he thought was a woman in trouble now he had time to get a good look at his surroundings. The walls and ceiling were papered in pictures of naked women in very erotic poses. Puberty gone mad was the thought that was etched in Peter's mind as he returned down the ladder.

He tried a red door next for no other reason than that was the color Angelique looked best in. Why did he think that? He didn't care what Angelique wore. The room behind the door was empty and dimly lit then he noticed her crying in a corner.

"Jordan!" He cried out and ran to her. He pulled her to her feet and held her. "How did you get here?

"Where were you when I needed you? Where were you when I lost our baby?" she screamed as she pushed him away.

"It happened in Baltimore. You wanted to get away. You hated me becoming a Shoalin Priest. You couldn't stand me having so little time for you because others needed me."

"That wasn't the problem!" she returned. "It was the fact that the baby and I would always be in second place. You loved your father more than us. I couldn't stand living with your ghost anymore. You left with your Pop."

"That's not true. I loved you as much as my father and I wanted our baby more than anything."

"That's a lie. You didn't want my baby. I wasn't Angelique. She's the one you want to have your child and you're glad ours died."

Peter stood there staring at her while the truth sank in. "You never met Angelique. She came here months after you left and I never knew of her existence before then. Merlin it's not going to work. This is something you planted in my mind from pieces of gossip you heard and the fact I though of Angelique before I entered this room." Yelled Peter to the air knowing that he would be heard and he was for the apparition vanished.

---

Kermit didn't try to fight Merlin's invasion into his thoughts. Compassion and pity were the only emotions there and Merlin was still too young and inexperienced to use those against him. Upon opening the door Kermit saw Peter on a TV screen in a corridor filled with doors of every description about to climb a ladder. Someone was watching the show from the comfort of an over stuffed chair with a large bowl of popcorn on the table beside it. Kermit guessed it was Merlin.

"Come in Griffin, the show is just starting." Invited a voice from the chair. "Take the other chair." A hand waved to the matching chair on the other side of the table. "There's plenty of popcorn. I promise you a very good show. I wrote and directed it myself."

"Sure. Why not." Said Kermit as he made his way to the chair indicated. He took in the room as he did. Outside of chairs, table, TV the room was empty. Three doors led from it, the one he entered, one in front of his chair and one Misty was just entering by. She carried a tray with two glasses on it. One was pink lemonade and other was scotch. Merlin had done some research, how else would he know that he drank scotch. Misty first offered the tray to Kermit then to her captor and left without a word.

"Beautiful isn't she and never been touched. Would you like to be her first? I can arrange it. You can say it's your last fling before your wedding." Offered Merlin with a leer. While Merlin was talking Kermit sized him up, a fourteen-maybe fifteen-year-old with a mild case of acne. Because he was seated it was hard to tell his height but Kermit guessed on the short side but that could change as his voice was. He was an ordinary teen except for his eyes; they drew you to him. They were like Angel's even though they were blue not dark brown. They had the same intelligent impish glint that could change to something that would pierce your very soul in an instant.

"Yes, she is pretty but I have all I can handle or want with My Lady." Declined Kermit. "I would keep an eye on my friend. He's a very tricky fellow and he's dealt with people like you before."

"I don't think he ever met anyone like me before, that he knows about or does he know about Angelique? He and his guest talked as they watched Peter in Merlin's private playground. Kermit watched controlling his amusement at the first room that Peter entered. The older man had no doubt what that room was all about. Merlin was still at the stage where he was interested but not ready to do anything about women but Kermit suspected that would change very soon and probably violently for the young women that he had under his control.

"Prescott told you about Angelique?" Kermit had feared that Merlin was aware of her. Would he see her as a threat, one he had to eliminate.

"Yes, but we will talk of her later." Said Merlin with disgust, then he turned on the sound of the TV and his private show began for real. As they watched Peter entered a red door and at first Kermit could see nothing but an empty room. Then he let Merlin show him what he was showing Peter. Jordan.

---

With the apparition of Jordan gone Peter decided to play this little game more as his father would. Once he was back in the hall of doors he let his father's talent choose the next door. He closed his eyes and meditated for a moment and let the knowledge he wanted come to him. Without doubt he opened a circular blue door that revealed the start of a dark tunnel. This was the way out but while he was in the maze of tunnels Peter would be Merlin's human gerbil.

By the time Peter let himself out of the lightless tunnels light was blinding. Once his eyes readjusted he could see that he was in a bedroom. Hung on pegs on the wall was a dark trench coat, red scarf and dark brown felt hat. This was Merlin's bedroom. The door out was on the other side of the room past the bed. There had been one thing that he noticed about Merlin, he was a neat freak along with a few other kinds. Ever since he had entered the part of the building that Merlin called home everything was in place and not a speck of dust or a cobweb could be seen. In a moment he was in the room beyond, stopping only long enough to listen for movement on the other side of the door. This time he was in a beautiful elegant living room. Antique furniture, crystal chandelier, fireplace, Oriental rug, and modern paintings made one think that Merlin had help decorating this room. This was a front; the real Merlin was what Peter had fallen into. Then a door opened and a dark haired woman in a floor length red dress that was cut to reveal ample curves came into the room. Her hair fell across her face but the way she walked remind Peter of someone. Then her hand brushed her hair back to reveal her face.

"No Merlin that's not Angelique." Peter said with conviction but the woman didn't vanish. He would play along for a time to see just who was stronger Merlin or himself.

"Hello, Peter." Whispered the imposter now standing so close he couldn't take a deep breath without touching her. She smiled invitingly and placed one hand on his shoulder and one hand around his waist and leaned in to kiss him. The kiss never happened. Peter moved back which made the imposter almost fall. "What's the matter Peter don't like women any more?"

"Oh I still like women but real women. Your just something Merlin's created in my mind."

"Peter don't I feel real?" With the question the fake Angel took his hand and pressed its palm to one of her breasts. Peter's reaction was to pull it away but that proved harder then he though. This apparition was strong or was the answer simpler than that. Was Merlin trying to make Peter believe he had feelings for Angelique or did he have feelings for her that he wouldn't admit to himself? No this was Kermit's kid but he did have to admit dressed like this that little fact could easily be forgotten.

"You may look and even feel real but your not Angelique. She would never dress like this or make a pass at me."

"I'm what you want from her. The seductress, the vamp, the woman that would let you have his way with her. I'm your fantasy; the one you dreamt last night and conveniently forgot."

"What!" Fear for the moment came over Peter like a strong wind. Could Merlin know his dreams when he didn't even remember them himself? Did he even have this dream?

"Let me help your memory." The fake's voice was talking in a way Angelique never did, silky, low and very seductive. "In your dream you were asleep in your bed and I came in wearing this very dress. I walked over to your bed and kissed you awake. You sat up and said 'I knew you'd come to me someday.' Then I told you I couldn't fight it any longer I had to have you even if it was only for one night. As I said that I did this." The fake reached behind her and unzipped her dress and as Peter's eyes grew larger she slipped the straps from her shoulders and let the dress fall to the floor. The dress had showed off her body well but once the dress was off Peter could see it had been all she was wearing. He thought Angelique was pretty but the woman standing naked before him was beautiful but she wasn't Angelique. Could Merlin have found a fantasy that he never would admit was there? He had to admit at this moment there was part of him wishing that this were real. Then he heard a yell that sounded very much like Kermit getting very angry and then this apparition, like the first, vanished.

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As Kermit watched Peter with Merlin's version of Jordan a memory of Paul's cabin and a grief stricken Peter obscured his vision. Peter had reverted to his reckless days after she called telling him that she lost the baby and wasn't coming back. Everyone was at a loss how to help him so Kermit had kidnapped his friend to the cabin to keep him from getting himself killed. During those days something had happened to both of them. Peter had came to terms with his grief though the pain was still there just under his cocky grin. Kermit also came to terms with his fear of loving Abby. Karen's devotion to the abandoned sickly infant had almost torn them apart. Facing loving another child after losing his three was something he wasn't ready to do. As he listened to Peter talk through all the emotions that were trying to overwhelm him something was trying to fight its way to the surface in his own heart. It broke the surface when he found a picture that Karen had slipped into his wallet. Love and need washed over him as he studied the snap shot of Karen holding Abby then he read what she wrote on the back. 'We love you enough to let you go if that what you truly want. Love Karen and Abby.' Tears filled his eyes and longing his heart. All he wanted at that moment was to be with his family and to hell with all his fear. His fear had been right for he had lost Abby but not Karen and this little brat sitting beside him was not going to take her as well.

"Your friend does have a very powerful chi. That is the word he uses?" commented Merlin as he sat back in his chair grinning. "Finally people who can play my games. Everyone has been so easy to control until I came to this city. You think that you can beat me, don't you?"

"Chi is the right word." Kermit showed no interest in Merlin's other question. "What is your real name?"

"Samuel Drake. It will do you no good. Prescott destroyed all records of me after he bought me from my parents when I was 8 months old. They didn't want a monster." Kermit had tricked him and got him to talk about himself. For a moment he had felt anger at his adversary but he had quickly forced it out of his mind. Make him believe that his friend wants his daughter. That will break up the friendship and once divided they would succumb to him easily. "You know that you and Peter have the same weakness by the name of Angel?"

"Angel can take care of herself. She has a few years on you and far better teachers. But what makes you think that Angel is a weakness for Peter?" First Lo Si now Merlin. Peter with my Angel? Their kids would definitely be Grandfather's revenge.

At first Merlin didn't know what to do. It was amusement not anger that radiated from his adversary. He could do nothing else. It was started he had to carry it through to the conclusion. "There is a little place in his heart where he hides things. I found the key to that place in his dreams. He doesn't even know it's there. It's where he hides what he doesn't want to face. Wow! He's found the way out already." Exclaimed Merlin as Peter climbed into his maze of tunnels. "He'll be joining us soon."

"What do you want Merlin? Just to play with us?"

"I'll answer those questions later. After Peter has joined us. Let me tell you what is in Peter's secret place."

"We all have secret places in our hearts and I don't care what's in Peter's"

"But you should. Your right though we do have things to talk about before he gets here and you can find out about his secret dreams when he finds his way out of the maze."

Merlin sat back down in his chair very slowly. Kermit turned back to the TV screen to see Peter climbing another ladder. Kermit knew that Peter was traveling in the dark and the tunnels were set up with infrared cameras. Peter never faltered as he took one turn after other. His friend had come a long way from the over zealous young cop he had first met and so had he.

"Prescott told you that you were the only one with your talents." It wasn't a question. Kermit knew that Samuel alias Merlin was for the first time dealing with the fact he wasn't alone. "Where is Prescott?"

"I don't know. He created this place and then left me here after saying it was time I was on my own." Samuel whispered more to himself than Kermit as he curled up in his chair like a lost child.

Prescott must have though that Angel would show up here because of him. He's trying to see what would happen if they found each other, kill each other or be drawn together out of loneliness. Then Kermit asked the 64-dollar question. "Do you know that there are others like you?"

"There's just Angelique and me. Though I have sensed some very powerful minds like Bon Bon Ha and your friend Peter. When I was little sometime I would pretend that there were lots of people like me and we could talk through our minds. I never told Prescott because I was afraid that he would think I was crazy. Sometime I can still hear them like now."

Kermit could feel it too. To him it was like the whispers of a far away crowd. The Brethren were trying to reach out to this boy but were they in time? He had killed for his own needs. Prescott still believed that he had found two genetic accidents and knew nothing about the Brethren. "You're not crazy. There are a lot of people like you and they're reaching out to you, just listen." Said Kermit getting up from his chair and then knelt in from of him.

"NO!!" Merlin yelled and shoved Kermit over onto his back. Then two young men entered the room and grabbed Kermit by each arm and pulled him to his feet. "Watch the screen Griffin and see what your friend really thinks about your daughter. Prescott plans to make sure that he gets what he wants so that he has others like us to play with." All Merlin wanted at that moment was to hurt this man that was lying to him about not being alone. He knew what would make Kermit hurt more that anything. To watch Prescott make good little weapons out of his kids and grandchildren unable to do anything would destroy him. The icing on the cake would be when he found out that Prescott had paid her doctor to make sure that his precious Karen got pregnant. Merlin looked forward to droping that bomb as soon as the doctor confirmed her pregnancy and Prescott had Karen safely hidden away.

Kermit said nothing and to Merlin's surprise he didn't even fight his two escapees from the Worldwide Wrestling Federation. The ex-mercenary had not doubts that there was no way he could take these two in a fight but he guessed that because of Merlin's control that there wasn't much difference between their hat size and their IQ at the moment. Then he took a look at the screen and saw Peter coming out of the maze into what he guessed was Merlin's bedroom. Once Peter was in the amazingly elegant living room one of Merlin's apparitions walked in. This time it was Merlin's version of Angel. It had Angel's face but would she really fill out a dress like that? He observed this Angel thing try to seduce Peter. Was the story of the dream true? Did Peter have erotic dreams about Angel? Good for you, Kid. Then the thing disrobed.

"You little bastard!" Kermit said from between his teeth as the father in him went berserk. He had been such a passive prisoner his captives had slacked their grip on him. That had been a mistake that Kermit took full advantage of. Kermit hooked his foot under Merlin's chair and threw it over rolling its contents onto the floor. Then Kermit pulled his arms in as he started to fall backwards. His captives weren't ready of this. They had expected him to struggle not collapse. They lost balance and started to fall forward. Their falls stopped when their foreheads met with a loud crack that had some help from their captive. The strategy had worked. The men were distracted enough to let him go. Falling back on to the floor Kermit did a backroll and landed again on his feet with gun in hand and shades still in place. Then Peter barged in to see Kermit with his gun on two men but no Merlin.

To Be Continued

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