The jostling she felt during transit barely registered; this dream she was sharing with Paul was too good to leave. Together they were reliving their courtship, learning to know and love each other. They watched her and his daughters, tentatively extending friendship, then acceptance, love, finally trust. They re-experienced the joy and terrors of enfolding the troubled young Peter into their family web. They felt again the joy of welcoming him home from assignments, comforting each other during the rough times. They were…

"Annie."

"Paul?" Why was his, no, not his voice, so loud?

"Mrs. Blaisdell, you must wake up. Now!"

Annie opened her mind and her ears. Strange sounds surrounded her. There were other people, too; not just the one who spoke. She moved to sit up and found herself supported by strong, warm arms and then a sturdy cushion.

Again the strange voice; no, not strange; she recognized Master Caine's friend, the Ancient one. Lo Si, that was it.

"Mrs. Blaisdell."

She corrected him, "Annie." There was no reason for such formality.

"Annie, this is the Shay family: Emily, Tim, and their daughter May. They have an extra room that they would like you to use as long as you need it. They understand why you are here; you will be safe."

Annie started to say hello, and coughed instead. She had been entranced, if not asleep, for several hours and her throat was very dry.

In the background, another voice, an older woman, probably Emily, spoke. "Where are my manners? I will get you some tea!"

Lo Si's voice again, "Would you like to wash up?"

Annie answered in the affirmative, but didn't move. She wasn't sure what to do. She was in a strange house, with people she didn't know. She knew she wouldn't be here if Kermit didn't trust Lo Si absolutely, but … She opened her mouth to make a joke of not being able to find the restroom, and heard a cheerful, respectful voice.

"If you will allow me to take your arm, Annie, I can guide you. You can start learning the layout as we go." A young woman, by the sound of her voice, This must be May, touched her on her arm to indicate where she was relative to Annie and then helped her to rise.

She walked her around the sofa, out of the room, down the hall to the bathroom. She indicated the towels and whatever else Annie might need. She waited for her, then took her around the house letting her spend a few minutes in the guest bedroom, now her room --for how long? Only time would tell.

The girl was saying something about the room having its own bathroom. Annie turned to locate her and tripped over a chair. She fell to the floor, and stayed there, sobbing. She knew she was more shaken by the fall than hurt, but it was enough to trigger the anger and tears she had been suppressing.

Less that twenty-four hours ago, she had had a husband who might come home any day. Now she was a widow and a fugitive, perhaps from the same someone who made her that widow. She had been torn from her home and remaining family, not really sure that any of them were all right, to hide with strangers. It was just too much!

She cried for just a few minutes. As her sobs subsided, she began to realize that, while someone had placed a blanket over her, no one had spoken to her or even taken hold of her to lift her up. She raised her head to listen. At that, Lo Si asked her if she would like assistance in rising. She nodded and instantly felt strong arms at each of her arms, helping her up. She was guided to the chair in the living room where she sat gratefully.

That other woman, Emily, said, "Now, we will have tea and cakes. How do you like your tea?"

"Black, please," she said, and reached for the cup when she heard it placed before her. She sipped, and grimaced at the obviously sweetened tea. The same voice told her, "for now, you need the sugar. Lo Si has told us you have had a bad shock."

Lo Si again. "Annie, you have had a very difficult day. You could just sit and hide here, but you would not begin to heal. You must stay busy. I would like you to come tomorrow and meet Nerae, one of my neighbors who would like to ask for your aid. She runs a small club, a meeting place for many of the women who live in this area. She needs someone to help with the day-to-day operations. The woman who usually does this for her has had to take a leave of absence."

Annie's first reaction was negative. How could she do this? She had come to know her house well enough to move around without her cane; but to be a new widow, learn two new layouts, be a new widow, meet many new people, be a new widow, … She started to weep again.

The tears did not last long. She was a fighter, and grief was just one more adversary to battle.

The conversation had continued around her, and shortly evolved into an active discussion between Lo Si and Tim on, of all things, cooking. She was about to mention her own favorite spices to add fuel to their debate when there was a light touch on her arm and a whisper.

"This is an old argument; would you like to help with the dishes?" Emily allowed her to stand and then guided her into the kitchen and to the sink. "Why don't you wash, and I'll dry and put them away."

Annie agreed and began. Emily helped her find the soaps and sponges, and then let her work.

There were few dishes, but those took long enough for the two women to start to become comfortable with each other.

Annie spoke first. "Your house smells lovely. Do you have an herb garden in here?"

"Oh, yes. I grow several small plants in the window on this side of the room, and there is a larger garden outside the back door. You know, my daughter, Connie, used to say the same thing."

Annie caught the sadness in the other woman's voice, "Could you tell me about Connie? Or would it hurt too much?"

Emily did not speak for several minutes.

Annie could hear her sit down, so she put down the glass she was rinsing, turned off the water, and joined her. Now that she was beginning to relax, her sense of placement of furniture and people was returning. She put her hand on the other woman's, using her ears and the warmth of the other hand to guide her.

"Emily, you know I just lost my dear…dear…" She forced herself, for the other woman's sake. "husband. I don't know how I'm going to go on, knowing he'll never come home. But you lost a child? How terrible for you!"

Emily finally could talk. There was no life in her voice, but at least the words came out. "My daughter was blind, like you. That's why the house is laid out this way. She was a good child, happy. Connie was going to school, learning computers. 'Programming's done in the head, Ma' she'd say. Then one day, she just didn't wake up." There was a long pause, and Annie heard the woman blow her nose and then continue. "An embolism, they said. No warning, and maybe nothing they could have done if we'd known. Oh, I miss her so!" The tears in the voice became sobs.

Annie patted her hand, but before Annie could respond verbally to that, her sharp ears picked up Lo Si sneaking up on them. Aha, that's what Peter meant!

She surprised the old man by asking, "Can I get you something, Lo Si?"

She could not hear his surprised expression, but she did recognize the disappointment in his voice as he said, "I have come to make you both a special tea. Perfect for grieving people."

His cheerfulness returned as he observed, "Oh, good. You keep a pot of water hot for tea." He placed cups in front of them, added his herbs, and poured the water.

His next statement surprised her, "Tim will drive you both to Nerae's club in the morning."

When she started to protest, he spoke again. "Emily, my dear friend; you must go. Annie, you must bring her. This is the first time Emily has spoken of Connie since her daughter died. It is time she went out and you must help her."

Her own grief momentarily forgotten, Annie started to agree; but then remembered why she was here. "Lo Si, how can it be safe for me to go out?"

"Ah," he said with a chuckle, "Emily here used to work with a local theater group. She made the costumes, then helped the actors get dressed and made up. She will disguise you. You would not be recognized by anyone. Emily guarantees it."

Having something positive to think about diverted Emily. Now she was grinning again and nodding her head. She patted Annie on the arm, saying, "I do indeed. Yes, I will. And we will introduce you as my cousin from out of town. What name would you like to use?"

Annie thought for just a second. "I've always like the name, Janet. Janet Shay--I like that!"

May came into the kitchen then and asked the Ancient, with great respect, if he would dine with them. He thanked her, refused the invitation, and left.

Before Annie could realize he was gone, May had placed bread, knife, and bottles in front of her. "This is mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup. Would you please spread them on this bread for me while I cut some meat for sandwiches?"

The three women began fixing lunch and talking about Connie. Soon Tim came in and joined the conversation. It was if an ice dam had melted for the Shay family.

While it was a strange welcoming for Annie, it helped her begin to adjust to her new situation surprisingly quickly.

She took a nap after lunch that lasted until the next meal. She was beginning to wonder if she was going to spend the rest of her life sleeping! After supper, they talked more. As she went to bed that night, it suddenly hit her that the events of the morning, yes, just this morning had already moved in her mind to yesterday or the day before. She drifted off to sleep wondering, but not worrying about, what her family was doing.

The next day, Tim brought Emily and Janet/Annie to the community center. As she came through the door, she was greeted by a commanding, "You must be Janet. Lo Si said you'd be by. Emily! I'm so glad you're back. We have missed you! Janet, did Lo Si tell you I need help?"

Emily leaned over to Janet/Annie, and, with a grin in her voice, said. "I've envied Nerae her energy for years."

Nerae, for that was she, took Janet/Annie by the arm and started to tow her. After the first step, Janet/Annie stopped and leaned back on her heels. Nerae almost fell. "I will not learn the floor plan here, if you lead me so strongly, Nerae. The first few times I am here, you need to guide me slowly. I will speed up as I get more familiar with your place. It sounds like such a happy place." This last was to placate Nerae after what really was a scolding, even if said in a friendly tone.

Nerae immediately apologized for her presumption and then led her, more slowly, around the building. She introduced her to a few of the regulars and to some of the women who also worked there. Janet/Annie was feeling quite overwhelmed with all this information.

After being led around for some 40 minutes, she stopped her guide. "Lo Si said you need help. You seem to have enough staff now. What do you want me to do?"

"Good question, Janet. But the answer's simple. I run a business here. The people I employ are instructors, a nurse, a cook, a janitor. They all have assigned tasks that keep them busy. The women who come here, every day or several days a week, come to get out of the house, and maybe to learn a new game or skill. In fact, some families drop off Grandma or Auntie as if we were a day care center.

"What I don't have right now, is someone who can just mingle with the people who come, talk to them, get them tea and cookies. Many come with problems. Many just want to talk, -someone to tell their stories to. It's a lot like being a mother.

"Lo Si mentioned that you'd recently lost someone very close to you. You'll find that some of these women have had similar losses and you can comfort each other. Would you like to try it just for today and see if you can handle it?"

Janet/Annie had been so caught up in the woman's tour and words that she'd almost forgotten why she was not at home. Now the tears threatened to spill again. She took a deep breath and said, "I'll give it a try. Where do you keep your tissues?"

Nerae laughed and brought her to the supply room. "This shelf always has the tissue boxes. If you do not feel them, call for the janitor and she will open a carton. If you have any problems, just look lost. Several of these women will jump to help you."

This was much better than Janet/Annie had feared. She could do as much as she was comfortable with, she could just sit and talk, she could cry as she needed and find someone to cry with.

She was about to ask Nerae where she should start, when she felt a familiar presence.

As she turned to locate the source, Nerae pulled excitedly away from her. "Oh, there's Master Caine. He's a local martial arts instructor, here to give his regular class on T'ai Chi. Would you like to join the class?" And Nerae was gone.

Before Janet/Annie could react, could try to follow where she thought Nerae had gone, she heard her friend approach. "Janet, it is so good to see you again. You are well?"

She shook her head in amazement that he could ask such a question.

He pulled her gently into a hug and whispered to her that everyone was fine and that she should not worry. He moved back and asked if she was going to come to class. "It is a large room, and you will have enough space to move without encountering anyone."

His friendly tone made her feel still easier about being in this strange place. "I have not practiced in several days, Master Caine, so it would be good for me to come." It would be hard not to be formal in front of these strangers.

After class, Emily found her and brought her to one of the comfortable chairs in one of the common rooms. She shortly found herself involved in a conversation with Emily and another woman about rearranging furniture when one of the family members is blind. The subject changed to pets and small children and then continued to vary as her group gained and lost participants. The day sped quickly by and it was soon time to return to Emily's home.

As Janet/Annie left, she told Nerae she would be back in the morning. She had received no pity, only sympathy and new friends.

Over the next few days, she wept at times and even disappeared into her thoughts occasionally. Still, she was only alone when she needed to be and she was busy helping others the rest of the time. She did not even notice when her funeral took place; that was in a different world.

***

It was morning, again, 10 AM on Tuesday. Little more than 24 hours since they had gathered because of Paul's death. Now they were gathered to plan Annie's funeral.

They could not have any outward show of grieving for Paul; his dying had to remain a secret until they found out why he had died. But, since to the rest of the world Annie was dead, they could, and would, mourn her husband under the guise of mourning her.

Annie was not here, nor was Lo Si. Annie was in hiding, and Lo Si, who had hidden her, somewhere, had another commitment. So this group would plan her final ceremonies, ceremonies befitting a Police Captain's wife, and see her husband in their tears instead.

This group, in an unbugged conference room at the Precinct headquarters, consisted of Peter and Kwai Chang Caine, Kelly Blaisdell and Carolyn Blaisdell McCall, Kermit Griffin, Frank Strenlich, and Captain Simms. They were in this building because Strenlich and Simms were on duty. Kermit and Peter were on compassionate leave, but like the rest, could make reasonable excuse to stop by the building, if anybody cared.

Simms was an uncomfortable addition to the original group who had met yesterday before dawn. She had arrived at the crime scene at the Blaisdell residence minutes behind the responding officers.

When Carolyn had burst from Detective Griffin's office, screaming that her mother was under attack, and that Kermit wanted back-up, she had shaken the entire squad room. They had all forgotten she was there. Yes, they had seen her come in and enter Kermit's office. Then they had seen Peter and Kermit leave. They just assumed that, somewhere in that interval, she had left, and they had just not noticed. It took a long 10 seconds for them to understand and respond.

Sergeant Broderick quickly called Dispatch to send paramedics and a squad car to investigate, and to assign two more patrol cars to approach the neighborhood, in case they were needed. The detectives rose as one to head for their cars. The Blaisdell family was still loved by all. Captain Simms came charging out, demanding to know what the fuss was.

By this time, Detective Griffin had called in to say that backup was not needed and he had handled the situation.

Broderick informed Griffin of the officers soon to arrive at the house and then called Dispatch to cancel the other two cars. Simms told the detectives to sit down, they were not needed; she would go.

The two officers in the patrol car assigned as backup called in within minutes to say all was quiet. Broderick told them to contact Detective Griffin, who should be on site. Broderick's part was then done and he turned responsibility over to his captain.

As soon as she had heard the cause of the disturbance in the squad room, Captain Simms had realized she would have to assign Peter to work with Kermit on this, even though he and Mary Margaret were out interviewing someone who thought she had identified a drug house. Since it was going to be Peter's case-no matter how emotionally involved he was, he would force the issue-she told Broderick to tell Caine to join her and Kermit at the house.

She did not go to every crime scene, just to special ones, like this one. This would be a high profile case, just because of the identity of the victim. She would handle the media and whoever else showed up, and keep them all from Kermit and Peter.

At the Blaisdell home, she found the two officers sent by Dispatch held at bay at the front door by a Kermit she had not seen before.

The officers saw a police detective nonchalantly leaning against the front door frame, holding his gun on them as they demanded to be let in to start the investigation.

Captain Simms saw a man, a member of her team and a friend, barely managing to contain his rage; wearing only a caricature of indifference.

They could not understand why he was refusing them entry when they had been called to provide assistance; they wanted Detective Griffin to tell them what was going on, or get out of their way so they could find out.

Simms realized Kermit's legendary control was going to slip very soon; the two patrolmen should have seen it immediately, would have seen it if he were a civilian. A wry grin did not quite reach her mouth. Kermit, Kermit. Why can't you just follow the rules this time? What has happened in this house that you will not let these two in? Will you let me in?

She moved swiftly to the trio, commanding as she approached, "You two officers, stand aside. I'll deal with this."

They moved aside instinctively at the tone of her voice, but turned to challenge her. They recognized her face where they hadn't her voice, and fell in behind her as if to follow her into the house. She was known as a tough commander, and they fully expected her to handle this Detective Computer Geek.

The Captain stopped in front of her officer, stared straight into his sunglasses, and, with steel in her voice, said, "Report, Detective Griffin!"

Griffin looked at her for several seconds, weighing his options. He had been hoping that Peter had heard the call or that Master Caine would have … felt the situation and arrived before anyone else. He was sure that the attack on the house was related to Paul's murder and he wanted to be sure the investigation and the news release were handled carefully. But he had come to trust this attractive relatively new captain.

He did not speak, but merely stepped aside to invite her in. When the other two went to follow her, he shook his head.

Simms paused only momentarily. She knew how close Griffin had been to the Blaisdell family. Whatever was in here was bad, or he would not be acting like this. She wanted to find out what he was hiding, so she would respect his decision, for now.

The captain turned to the two men behind her. "Stand guard here. No one comes in until I say so. Understand?"

The command was understood and the two men nodded, unhappily.

Kermit led her upstairs, ignored her questions about the bodies on the steps, and showed her into the master bedroom.

His captain's first reaction was disbelief, then anger. Annie and Kelly were curled up on the bed, wrapped well with blankets, but very much alive. She spun around to face him. "What the hell is going on here, Detective Griffin? Why did you refuse entry to those two men downstairs?"

Annie spoke hesitantly from the bed. She was still shocky from second outrage so closely following the first and her voice sounded as if she were in great pain. "Captain Simms … Karen, Kermit here is worried that this is not an isolated incident. Last night, my … that is …" She could not continue. Kelly and Kermit both moved closer to her, as if to lend her strength and solace from their touch alone.

Her anger lessening some, Karen sat in the chair by the desk. "Detective, you had better fill me in fast! In a few minutes, this house will be swarming with investigative personnel; and you can't keep them all out"

They heard the sirens from the medical emergency response team approach and then stop.

Kermit said, "We don't need them."

Annie added, "Please, Karen?"

Simms stood, went to the window, opened it, and leaned out. She told the officers at the front door that the paramedics would not be needed and to send them back. She went back to her chair.

Kermit gave her a quick run-down of the previous night's events and what he had seen and done since he had arrived here.

Shock added to Karen's anger, and then her sense of responsibility woke up. "And you did not see fit to tell me this earlier today? Your former commander has been slain, and you do not see any reason to tell me? Even if you didn't want to treat this as a regular police investigation, you should have told me. Anything that affects any member of my staff so deeply, I should be told." She couldn't add that she was hurt that they had excluded her. She'd been their captain for well over a year, and had thought they trusted her.

This time it was Kelly that spoke, "Ma'am, we sat around and talked for a while about who should know. Peter and Kermit were afraid that if we told you, you would want to do something official about it. And--"

Kermit cut in, with a sheepish tone to his voice, "Karen, actually, we didn't tell you because, well, mainly because we got the news in a dream. That is, Annie and Caine did. And we decided to not tell anyone until we had much more information." He paused, and then said more seriously, "We would have told you anyhow if we thought you might be a target."

That stirred Annie some. "Kermit, it was not a dream! How did Kwai Chang know, if it was a dream of mine?"

Captain Simms stood and moved over to sit on the bed by Annie, wanting to offer her support to the widow of her predecessor. Annie took her hand and accepted her offering. Annie looked at Kermit but spoke to Karen, a bit of a grin showing in her tired voice, "He's a bit too practical sometimes, isn't he? But he's part of the family, so we keep him around."

Kermit glared at that; not in the mood for flippancy, even from her. Karen smiled at his reaction and nodded her agreement. She could see that the tension within him had retreated back to its normal level. Knowing that the wife of his former captain, a person obviously dear to him, was surviving the shock had eased his temper considerably.

Now she could hear car doors slamming. She again went to the window. The lab personnel had arrived. She was glad that Peter was not yet here. One more whirlwind to deal with. He and Mary Margaret must be stuck with that witness. She leaned out and told the officers she would meet the technicians inside.

Still not knowing why he would not let those two police officers in, she turned and spoke to him. "Kermit, speak to me! We are running out of time."

"Captain, those two on the stairs were obviously after Annie, if not the whole family. But they're only hired help. If it becomes known that Annie survived, there may be another attack. So I think we need to let the word out that those two succeeded before I arrived and killed them."

He did not mention that if Peter and/or his father had come first, it would have been easier to set this up. He had a very nice relationship developing with this woman, but he was still not sure how she was going to handle this whole situation.

The Captain was astonished. "You want the whole police department in collusion here? Do you think that's even possible? "

Kermit was definite. "I think it's possible that whoever hired those goons is responsible for the killing last night. I think we should hide Annie and let the world think she's dead." He turned to Annie's stepdaughter. "Kelly, if they think your stepmom is dead, I don't think they'll come after you and Carolyn. But we'll have protection for you anyhow, just in case."

Kelly nodded in agreement.

"Detective Griffin, how are we going to fool our fine staff that Annie is dead? I can see getting Nickie Elder to go along with this, but the whole staff? Even if they agreed to this, this charade, somebody would let something slip." Captain Simms was not convinced of the feasibility of Griffin's plan.

At that point, one more door slammed outside. Kermit was at the window and, seeing the occupants, gave a low whistle. "Problem solved, Captain. Caine is here."

She sighed her agreement, "All right, Kermit. You stay here and I'll get our people started on the bodies on the stairs. I'll bring Caine up here as fast as I can."

Captain Simms left the room and reached the top of the stairs as the lab personnel had just reached the first body. She carefully edged around them as she moved downstairs, saying, "Take care of these two now. Leave the one upstairs for later. Kelly Blaisdell is basically okay, but she's in shock and close to hysteria. Master Caine just arrived and I'll bring him up to take care of her. When Ms. Blaisdell is settled, you can go up. Detective Griffin is up there, ensuring no evidence is disturbed."

As the captain exited the house, she thanked the two guarding the door. As she approached the Masters Caine and Lo Si, a police car screeched to a halt close to them. An obviously distraught Carolyn jumped out and ran up to them, yelling for Annie and Bobby. Chief Strenlich, who had arrived moments before, calmed her with a hug while Captain Simms told the four quickly and quietly that "This is for your ears only--the women are fine; Bobby is still asleep; Kermit stopped the attackers in time." When the captain started back to the house with the Shaolin priests, Carolyn joined them.

Chief Strenlich remained outside to coordinate activities, knowing he would get the full story later. The other four entered the house and went upstairs.

The Captain stayed at the top of the stairs, talking with the people examining the bodies and the front room from which the stairs led upwards.

Carolyn ran into the room, over to the bed, and pulled her sister close. Then she leaned over her stepmother and pulled her into the same hug. Sensing her sister's distress, Kelly hugged her sister back, telling her that Bobby was also fine. Carolyn looked around at them and said, "When Kermit told me to send back-up, I was so afraid. All I could think of was 'now they've come for us'. I'm glad you got them, Kermit." Relief was evident in her voice.

Caine went immediately to Annie's side, gave her a warm hug, and then slipped a few of his herbs under her tongue. "These will help you relax and rest."

Then he went to Kelly and, giving her a hug, asked how she was.

She sniffled that she was okay, but scared, and he hugged her again.

"Ah, that is to be expected, young lady." Lo Si was in his usual chipper mood. These were good people and he enjoyed being able to help them.

Lo Si then turned to Annie, with a twinkle in his eye, "We must hide you somewhere safe. I know just the place."

At this point, Kermit burst out, "This is not a game, Lo Si; I need to know she is protected." He had the distinct feeling that the two Shaolin priests were taking charge here, and that was still his role.

"Kermit, my dear friend. Do not worry. She will be secure. You have my word on this." The old man bowed to Kermit and then turned to the other priest.

Kermit accepted with little grace and then brought up the immediate problem. "This room needs to look like Annie died here. That part shouldn't be too difficult; but how do we convince those people out there that Annie is dead when she's obviously alive?"

Caine and Lo Si bowed their heads to each other and turned in different directions. As Caine returned to Annie, Lo Si spoke. "That is simple, just a little confusion in their minds; they will see what we want them to see."

Caine spoke softly to Annie. "I am going to help you sleep now. When you wake, you will be with people that Lo Si knows and trusts. You will be safe and comfortable there. You will not be alone."

The last 12 hours had been terrible for Annie. It was a sign of the impact on her that Annie was willing to let other people take this much control over her. Actually, the small part of her mind still functioning was really hoping that Lo Si had a nice, deep, quiet cave somewhere where she could hide until this mess could be completely straightened out.

She thought about telling them all that she would not leave her house, but she was smart enough to accept their logic and solution. She gave Caine a wan smile and nodded her acceptance.

Caine closed her eyes, held her head for a second, and, for the third time that day, inserted into her mind the suggestion that she sleep.

As Annie drifted into her dreams, he lifted her and placed her sleeping body on the floor by the bed. He arranged her limbs into the position she might have been lying, if she had truly been shot.

Caine moved, then, to the bed to hold Kelly, who was still pale and shaking enough convince anyone she had been in the middle of a shooting. As they settled, Kermit thought of one more problem.

"Caine, this won't be enough. What are we going to tell Nickie when his body disappears before it gets to the morgue?"

"Ah, that could be handled in several ways, but perhaps the easiest way would be to just trust him?"

Detective Griffin went into the hall, shaking his head, and told Captain Simms that they were ready for the lab personnel. Carolyn went to pick up her child and sat there with him listening to all the activity and trying to not think about what she had lost.

As the lab people moved into the room, Detective Griffin asked them to be quick. He reminded them that, since the suspects were already dead, there was no need to gather evidence for a trial. The coroner came in last and Kermit and Captain Simms pulled him aside.

Captain Simms started, "Dr. Elder, Detective Griffin has an unusual request." She motioned to Kermit to continue.

Kermit pulled Nickie into another room where they would not be overheard and explained the situation to him. Elder's first thought was of grief for the family; his second, spoken in a disappointed voice, was appropriate for him. "I have no body, no postmortem?"

Nickie Elder, M.D., lived in a world of mystery, where his job was to ferret out secrets, from the dead instead of from the living as the detectives, like Kermit, did. As much as he enjoyed his job, Nickie was delighted at the invitation to work the other side of the fence, so to speak.

So the lab people took their pictures--which were later found to be unaccountably all fogged, did their measuring, wrote their observations--not much blood so must have died quickly, and left Detective Griffin taking the young woman's statement. Caine and Lo Si helped put Annie into the body bag and onto the gurney. They then assisted the gurney carefully down the stairs and into the Coroner's wagon.

The police scattered around the grounds thought it was strange when Lo Si got into the Coroner's wagon, too; but they had long ago given up trying to understand him and Kwai Chang Caine.

Per Lo Si's instructions, Nickie stopped at a certain store in Chinatown to pick up lunch. When he got to the morgue, the body bag was empty. Oddly enough, no one noticed.
When it was time to move the body-if there had been a body--to the funeral home, Caine was there; and, again, no one noticed the lack of a body. The funeral home was owned by friends of Lo Si and had been prepared for the mock funeral.

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