The Shadow Watchers

By Andreas Patterson

The Shadow Watchers story takes place in China and is later moved to a big city called Gambit in the U.S. This story starts with the main characters parents meeting and goes on to tell his life story up until he turns around thirty. The characters do a lot of traveling in this book, and find romance at a very young age. They face issues of discrimination, and conquer their childish fears about falling in love. You get to meet wonderfully intriguing characters whom you may fall in with or grow to hate. The main characters solve a murder mystery and also unlock a political scandal that people will be talking about for years to come.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Andreas Patterson
• Release date: Jun 15, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458127334

Andreas Patterson

I am an established writer who has gotten several awards for separate works. One award came from Iliad Press. They also gave me an additional award called the Presidents award for the same work. I also have an Accomplishment of Merit award for and additional work of mine submitted to The Amherst Society. I have had a write up in the local newspaper also. I was born in a small town called Hiddenite in NC. I enjoy writing and reading. People often ask me what I would be doing if I weren't writing. I always say that if I weren't writing I would be reading other peoples manuscripts, and editing their books. First and foremost, I dedicate this book and all future books to God without whom I would not have been inspired to be a writer. I also dedicate it to my wife,kids,and mom, because they believe in me.

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148

Patterson/The Shadow Watchers

T H E S H A D O W W A T C H E R S

By

Andreas Patterson

PUBLISHED BY:

Andreas Patterson on Smashwords

Copyright © 2011 by Andreas Patterson

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Chapter 1

The Dark Shadow was born in a small town called Gambit. Life in Gambit was very peaceful and quiet. His parents Albert and Kim Hunter were perfectly content with life in a small town, because they knew that life in the bigger cities had more crime. Albert was a handsome man with big blue eyes, and short dark hair. He was tall, skinny, had a muscular build and he always liked to dress nice. He worked at a warehouse loading cargo ships driving a big crane. It wasn’t an executive job, but it paid the bills. Kim was a very beautiful woman. She had long dark hair, big brown eyes, a slender waist, and about average height for a woman. She was very traditional and followed many of the customary ways of her ancestors. Albert liked that about Kim. In fact, it was one reason why he married her.

The two of them had met in China, while Albert was in the military. The military had stationed him in Beijing preparing for a political based war. After many long months of service, Commander Briggs gave some weekend passes to Albert’s Platoon. The commander knew that the boys had worked hard, and deserved the break. Albert and the boys appreciated this, and the next night they went out on the town. The men searched the town until they found a local club called Asian Nights.

Asian Nights was a nightclub that had been in business for about 20 years. Many of the local people hung out there. The building was big enough to hold 200 people, and they had security guards posted everywhere. The club had many lights outside, and you could hear the sounds of music coming through the walls. Surprisingly, the music sounded like American Rock music. The club was a spectacular sight to see, but all of this didn‘t matter to these military boys. They just wanted to go some place and relax before heading back to peace keeping. Only a few of them was looking to cause trouble.

The security guard at the front entrance checked all of their identifications, and let the men in. Once inside of the club, the men sat together at some tables in the middle of the room. They began to order drinks. Albert didn’t like drinking much, and when he did drink, he never had any more than two beers. He usually just ordered soda, and maybe water when he was concerned about his health. He went to the club because he wanted to be with his friends. He also wanted to relieve some stress he had been feeling from the military service. It felt like years to him since he actually got a vacation, and he was more than ready for one now.

After a while of drinking, some of the men became restless. They wanted some more action. The men began to spread out among the crowd. Soon there most of the men had left the tables, except for Albert and three men. Another hour passed, and the men that Albert was with were getting drunk. Albert knew that sometimes drunk Navy men liked to fight, so he made up some excuse to leave the table. After leaving the table, he went outside of the club. Albert wanted to go for a walk down the sidewalk to clear his head, because he still felt stressed.

The night was cool but very comfortable. After walking away from the lights of the club, he could see the stars out. He couldn’t help but notice how the moon shined down on the buildings at night. This made Albert feel a little lonely and wishing he had someone special to share this moment with. He continued to walk for a while, until he heard a strange noise coming from around the corner of a building. He couldn’t make out the noise unless he got a little closer to it. Albert wasn’t afraid of many things, and he was very curious. He decided to investigate the noise with caution. If something goes wrong, I can always call for help on the cell phone, He thought.

He slowly approached the corner of the building where the noise was coming from. The noise got louder and louder. He still couldn’t make out the noise, but to him it sounded like someone was struggling with another person. He looked around the corner, and saw a man struggling with a woman. The man was in front of the woman, so Albert couldn’t make out the man or the woman’s face. The man was after the woman’s purse, but she wasn’t willing to give it up without a fight. The man didn’t notice Albert because he had his back turned towards him. Albert didn’t know why the man was struggling with the woman, and could sense that something was wrong. He couldn’t just stand by, do nothing, and watch them struggle. It was too late for him to walk away. Albert wasn’t foolish. His military training had taught him not to go rushing in to a situation that he didn’t understand. I can’t just go rushing in to a situation like this. The man could be armed! Albert nervously thought. Whatever Albert decided to do, he had to come up with a plan fast. There could be someone’s life at stake, and time was of the essence.

The struggle got worse, and it seemed that the woman was on the losing hand. Albert decided to take action before the man hurt the woman. He rushed into the alley, grabbed the man’s neck from behind, and put him in a chokehold. This chokehold Albert had learned from the military. It cuts off the oxygen to the brain, causing its victim to lose consciousness. When applied correctly, this chokehold was virtually unbreakable. The man struggled with Albert, but couldn’t break his hold. Inevitably, the man lost consciousness, and fell limp to the ground. Albert prevailed, saving the woman from her assailant!

Albert was worried about the woman because she was laying on the ground, and did not move. She was still breathing, so he asked her, Are you OK? The woman was so afraid that she didn’t even look up at Albert. She was laying on the ground probably still afraid that the bad guy would wake up. After waiting a few minutes for the woman to answer him, Albert handed the woman his cell phone. He figured she didn‘t speak much English, so he motioned to her to call the police. Albert wanted to show the woman that he meant her no harm and said, I mean you no harm. Here is my cell phone now you can call the police, and have this man put in jail. The woman finally looked up at Albert, and their eyes met.

The moment their eyes met, they both began to smile. All of the fear the woman had felt before subsided. She took his phone and accidentally touched Albert’s hand. As soon as she touched his hand, she felt a spark, a tingling feeling that ran from the tips of her fingers straight into her heart. She didn’t tell Albert, but she knew from the moment their hands touched that he was the man she was going to marry one day. Albert didn’t tell the woman, but he felt the same feeling that she did. Albert helped her up form the ground, and she started smiling at him. She asked him in English, What is your name? Albert was surprised that she spoke English. He started smiling back at her and gladly replied, Albert Hunter! The woman looked deep into his eyes and said, My name is Kim Lee Sue Fang. Albert replied still smiling, Kim Lee Sue Fang, what a beautiful name. Kim called the police, and soon the police came and put the bad person in jail.

Within the next few months, Albert and Kim testified against the bad person. It turned out this wasn’t the first time the man had done this sort of crime. In fact, he had a long rap sheet of crimes with everything from armed robbery to tax evasion. He also had two warrants out on him for grand theft. The man went to prison, where he still serves a long sentence. Albert was a hero, and Kim was safe from the bad man.

In the mean time, Kim and Albert’s love for each other grew. Albert had already met Kim’s parents during the court trials. He found out Kim was very traditional, and religious. She was a Buddhist and he was Baptist. That would be a problem for some people, but not for Albert or Kim. Her religion didn’t matter much to Albert, because he was falling deeper and deeper in love with her. Furthermore, Kim and her family all spoke English because they used to live in Hong Kong during the time when Brittan leased it. The family moved back to China after both of Kim’s grandparents died. They sold the place in Hong Kong to stay in their grandparent’s house. She came from a customary family, who usually didn’t like outsiders.

Albert already knew a little of the Chinese language from his military training, but after meeting Kim he wanted to learn more. Albert decided that he would study the Chinese culture, so he purchased a book on it. He found out from the book that in a traditional Chinese family the father made all the important decisions. He had also read that Chinese women usually didn’t marry outside of their culture, and they didn’t marry outside of their religion. This made Albert worry for a while that Kim’s family wouldn’t accept him. When Albert was around Kim, she could tell that he was worried. After he explained to her why he was worried, she tried to put his fears to rest. She invited Albert to her house, so that he could get to know her parents more. Albert accepted the invitation and went to her house that night.

Kim’s family was there at her house when Albert arrived. She wanted Albert to feel welcome, so she fixed him a cup of tea. Albert sat down in the living room, and Kim started talking to her parents in about Albert. She reminded her family of how Albert had saved her from the bad man. She said that Albert was like a hero who showed up just in time to save the day. Kim also mentioned to them that she had fell in love with Albert. This displeased her father, who wanted Kim to marry within her culture. Her father didn’t accept outsiders to well, but he liked Albert a lot. Albert told Kim’s father that he wanted to take things slow with Kim, and that he wanted to learn more about Chinese traditions. Kim’s father looked at Albert, and shook his hand. He thanked Albert for saving his daughter life by having a big feast in his honor.

Albert went back to military service for another year, but never forgot about Kim. They wrote each other everyday, and sometimes called each other on the phone. Albert was in service, and didn’t always have access to a phone. He couldn’t use his cell phone until the sergeant said he could use it. He couldn’t always call when he wanted to, but Kim was always on his mind. Albert couldn’t wait until he was discharged from service because he wanted to see Kim again. Even though they couldn’t see each other, the two of them began making plans to spend the rest of their lives together.

The military discharged Albert after a year of waiting. His commander offered him more pay and a higher position if Albert would enlist longer. Albert considered the offer because he liked serving his country. He always followed orders, and was a whiz at computers. He had high honors and a promising military career ahead of him, but he was madly in love. Another two years away from Kim was out of the question. He felt he had no choice, but to refuse the offer. When you are in love that deep, all you can think about is being with the other person. That is exactly how Albert felt. In fact, as soon as Albert was discharged from the military, he asked Kim to marry him.

Kim was so happy that she couldn’t compose herself. She said that she would marry him, but only if he asked for her father’s permission first. Albert was worried about talking to Kim’s father about this. Albert knew Kim’s father was very traditional. Kim also followed the same traditions, in that she believed that her father was the leader of the house. The people of the house always followed what the father said, and Kim was no acception. If her father refused to give Albert permission to marry Kim, she would have to obey no matter how sad she would be afterwards. This would devastate both Albert and Kim. Albert was worried about not getting permission from Kim’s father, but knew he had to do it. Albert thought for a while, until he came up with a plan.

Albert decided the best way to get her fathers permission was to take Kim’s family out to dinner. He asked Kim for the name of a five star restaurant. Nothing but the best will do! He exclaimed. He told Kim that he had plans to take her whole family out to eat. After dinner, Albert was going to ask Kim’s father for her hand in marriage. Kim thought this was a good idea, so she told Albert about a restaurant across town called Ming’s restaurant. Kim told Albert she had a sister who had a wedding festival at that restaurant, just a couple of years earlier. She also mentioned that the restaurant was expensive, and required a shirt and tie just to get in to the door. Judging by the way Kim had described Mings, it sounded like the perfect place to Albert.

Albert went with Kim to her house. As soon as they arrived at her house, her family greeted them with open arms. Albert felt as if he was already part of the family, but he wanted to make sure that her father felt the same about him. Albert invited her father out to eat. Albert said, I want to celebrate being discharged from the military, and I also have a big announcement to make. Albert told Kim’s father to invite the rest of the family. Albert said he was paying for all of the food, and the family could order anything they wanted.

Kim’s father was used to paying his own way, and didn’t normally let others pay for him. This time he decided to make an acception to his rule, and he accepted the invitation. Albert immediately started making the dinner arrangements. He found out Mings phone number, and called for a reservation. The owner of the restaurant answered the phone. He told Albert the restaurant had many open seats because Albert had called during the slow time of the year. Albert immediately made all of the arrangements. Later that evening, he and the family went to the restaurant. Albert had never been to the restaurant, so he didn’t know what to expect until he got there.

When they arrived at the restaurant, Albert was very surprised. The restaurant was very fancy, not like the clubs with the neon lights that he was accustomed. Mings had a parking attendant who parked your car for you, and a door attendant to open up the door for you. When the family went into the restaurant, a man asked to check their coats. The family and Albert checked their coats, and the coat man took the coats to another room. Then the host asked Albert, Excuse me sir, but do you have a reservation? Albert said, Yes I do have a reservation. I believe that one was made for me previously over the phone. The host checked his book. After confirming the family’s reservations, the greeter escorted them to their seat.

The family took up two tables. Kim and Albert ended up sitting right across from each other. Even though everyone knew he or she could order anything on the menu, they all ordered conservatively. This surprised Albert, but he really wasn’t worried about the price. He just wanted to get on with the meal, and talk to Kim’s father. You see, Albert was feeling a bit nervous. The longer it took him to talk with Kim’s father, the more nervous he became. Albert knew that he couldn’t just ask for Kim’s hand in front of everybody. This would insult her father, and he would probably deny him permission. He had to wait until after the meal.

All during the meal while everyone else were eating, Albert and Kim couldn’t take their eyes off each other. Even though they sat across from each other, they never talked much. Unknowingly to Albert, Kim‘s father had taken notice of this. After everyone had eaten, Albert asked to be excused, and went to the bathroom. A few minutes later Kim also went to the bathroom because she couldn’t wait to talk to Albert.

The bathrooms were at the front of the restaurant, down a short hallway. The hallway couldn’t be seen by anyone in the restaurant, except by those going to and from the bathroom. By the time Kim made it to the hallway, Albert was well ahead of her. She saw Albert and yelled, Wait up! This got his attention so he stopped and waited on Kim. Kim ran to Albert and hugged him. She began kissing him on the lips. She excitedly said, I have wanted to do that all evening. Albert hugged and kissed her some more. For a brief moment, they felt as if they were the only two people in the whole restaurant. Albert told Kim that he was very nervous. He said, I want everything to be perfect tonight. I want to wait until I get your father alone to ask for your hand. Kim said, I think it is a wonderful idea. She thought for a few minutes and said, Why not come to my house after dinner? If you do there should be plenty of opportunities to get my father alone.

After agreeing with each other, Albert and Kim returned to the table. The family finished their dinner, and so did Albert and Kim. After Albert paid the tab, the family got their coats and left the restaurant. Albert was still very nervous about talking to Kim’s father, but he was too much in love with Kim to let nerves get in the way of his decision.

Once they all arrived at Kim’s house, Albert asked to speak to Kim’s father in private. Kim’s father pretended not to know the reason why Albert wanted to talk with him. Kim’s father said, I know of a place where we can talk in private. Kim’s father led Albert to the study. The study was a small room filled with books and a desk. It had a fireplace in the middle of the room against the wall, with a sofa in front of the fireplace. Albert sat on the sofa, but Kim’s father stood beside of the fireplace. Albert became more nervous because Kim’s father didn’t sit down. Albert was very quiet for a while. He was glad when Kim’s father broke the ice, and said, I know why you called me here tonight. You want to marry my daughter. Hearing this surprised Albert, but also made it easier for him to talk. Albert said, with a nervous look on his face, Yes, I do want to marry your daughter, but I wanted to ask for your approval first.

Kim’s father didn’t say a word, but looked into the fireplace. The fire was crackling and gave off a warm glow. The fire is warm tonight, Kim’s father said. It is quite pleasurable, Albert commented. Kim’s father stopped talking for a minute as if he was thinking and said, You know a fire is like a woman’s love warm and pleasurable. If you want to marry my daughter, you must give her the same kind of love. Kim’s father looked at Albert who was still sitting on the sofa and told him, No matter how much you think you love Kim, it will never be enough. My love for her will always be stronger. Kim’s father continued, A father’s love for his daughter is deeper then any ocean, and no other love can compare to it.

Kim’s father also asked Albert, Do you know much about the Chinese culture? Albert said nervously, I bought a book about Chinese culture, and Kim has been a great teacher. Rubbing his chin, Kim’s father said, You will need more than just a book, and my daughter to teach you our ways. You will need lessons from me. Kim’s father asked Albert, Why not come by the house in the morning? That way I can start teaching you more about our ways. Kim’s dad smiled at Albert and exclaimed, As for my blessings you have them, on the condition that you make the wedding soon. My daughter is not getting any younger, and I want to see some grand children before I am too old to enjoy them. Kim’s father looked very concerned. Looking at Albert he said, Kim is already twenty five years old. In our culture most women who are twenty five are married, and have babies by now. Albert was relieved to know Kim’s father had given his blessings, and immediately shook Kim’s father hand.

After thanking him, the two men stayed in the study for about two hours talking about everything from the weather to what expectations they had in life. Kim’s father trusted Albert completely, and he knew that Albert would take care of his daughter. Albert was talking with Kim’s father and said, The military taught me to be responsible, and caring towards others. I will be a good husband, and support Kim fully. Albert also said, I have a modest savings account back in the states. If something does happen to me, I have taken out a large life insurance policy. The policy should have enough money in it to take care of Kim for the rest of her life, if something should happen to me. Albert said, I knew something could happen to me anytime while I was in the military, so I took out the policy then and have never canceled it."

Kim’s father thought Albert was very intelligent in looking out for the future. He told Albert, I really love my daughter, and I only want what is best for her. Albert said, I know what you mean. I feel the exact same way about her. Albert also said that he would treat Kim with love and respect. After all, the woman I love deserves nothing less! Albert said excitingly. Kim’s father told Albert it was traditional for Chinese people to marry with in their culture, and most people didn’t mix race. He paused for a minute and said he believed there should be exceptions to that rule. I believe in marrying your one true love, not just marrying for tradition.

Kim’s father began telling Albert how he met Kim’s mother. He said, "I remember the moment well. I was on vacation in the Philippians just after service. The town was having a party for the soldiers of the war. It was a welcome home party. All the soldiers were invited, and most of them came. The room was big and had loud music. There was a dance floor in the center of the room, and a bar in the front. I came in and sat down at the bar with his friends. I wanted to have a few drinks, and pick up a girl.

I looked around the room and saw many women lined up against the wall waiting for some soldier to ask them to dance. It was customary for the women to wait on the men like this. Kim’s mother was one of those girls. Kim’s father paused for a moment and said, I remember how beautiful she looked in her white dress. She looked just like an Angel! I walked over to her, and asked her to dance. I figured she would tell me no, but to my surprise she said yes. She took my hand, and we fell in love. Just one touch of her hand is all it took! Kim’s father exclaimed with a smile on his face. He said, That is how you know when it is true love, by the touch of your hands."

After telling this story, Kim’s father took Albert to the living room, where the rest of the family was. Kim and her mom were sitting on the sofa with Kim’s Aunt. Her uncle had to work that night so he wasn’t there. Two of Kim’s brothers had went back home, and her little sister was already in bed. There were only a few people left in the house, because it was so late at night. Suddenly without warning and to everyone’s surprise Kim’s father exclaimed, There is going to be a wedding soon!

Kim was so excited that she jumped up from the sofa, and ran to her father, hugging him. She kept saying, Thank you daddy! Thank you daddy, for approving the wedding! After Kim gave her daddy a kiss, she ran over to Albert hugged and kissed him right in front of the family. While hugging Albert Kim whispered in his ear, I knew you would find the courage to talk to daddy. This was truly the moment Albert and Kim had been waiting for. They were very happy, and knew that they were one-step closer to spending the rest of their lives together. All they needed to do now was to make plans for the wedding.

On the other hand, Kim’s mother looked at her husband in shock with her mouth slightly open and her eyes wide. She knew that Albert had come to ask her husband’s permission to marry Kim. Kim’s mother was astonished that her husband had given his approval for the marriage so easily. After this, the look of shock turned to anger. Her husband’s actions insulted Kim’s mother. Kim’s mother said to her self, I thought I knew him better than that! I cannot believe that my husband would give permission for this foreigner to marry my daughter! I mean, what will the neighbors think. Their children would be shunned by the people in our community. This concerned Kim’s mother. Kim’s mother wanted to tell her husband how she felt about his approval for the wedding so easily, but she held her peace. After asking to be excused, Kim’s mother stood up from her seat, walked out of the living room, and walked into her bedroom.

When Kim’s Aunt heard the news about the wedding, she was pleasantly surprised. Looking at Albert she asked, When is the wedding? Albert said. We have not set the wedding date yet, but it we will come up with one soon. Kim’s father was still smiling. He said, Just let me know when and where the wedding is going to be, and I will be sure the whole family attends! Albert said, We will let you know the details of the wedding when me and Kim work them out. Kim’s father eagerly said, Say no more my boy! I will make sure everything is right for my daughter, Kim’s father continued. It is the tradition of our family for the father to handle all the details of his daughter’s wedding.

After a couple of weeks of talking, Albert and Kim finally set the wedding date. They would marry on May 25. The same day Kim’s parents had married thirty-eight years ago. Kim’s father heard the good news that the wedding date was set. He was ecstatic, and spent the next few months with Albert and Kim planning the wedding. Kim’s father called all the necessary people and began making the arrangements. He called the Caterer, Flower arranger, Dressmaker, and even a limo service. Kim wanted the reception to be held at Mings. When Kim’s father heard this, he also called the restaurant and rented out the entire place for the afternoon of May 25. Albert thought, I don’t know who is happier, me, Kim, or Kim’s father!

When Kim’s mother heard the wedding date had been set, she wasn’t happy. She had wanted her daughter to marry a man from their culture, but Kim didn’t want that. Kim was in love. Kim’s mother understood that Kim was in love with Albert, and she knew that Albert was a good man. She only wanted what was best for her daughter and right now, she wasn’t so sure that Kim knew what was best for her. Kim’s mother was concerned Kim was blinded by her love for Albert, and that she was rushing into things. Kim should be thinking of her children to come, Kim’s mother thought. No matter how much Kim and Albert loved each other; neither they nor their children would be accepted by the community. Kim’s mother didn’t want her daughter to make a mistake that would last a lifetime. As long as Kim’s father was alive, her mother didn’t talk about her feelings towards the wedding.

Albert went to Kim’s house everyday to learn more about Chinese culture from her dad. Kim’s dad was more than happy to teach him the ways of his ancestors. Albert in turn, taught Kim‘s father some American ways. Every time Kim’s father taught Albert a Chinese custom, Albert would teach an American custom to him. Kim’s father said, In our culture we do not divorce. The wife always stays faithful to her husband. Albert told Kim’s father, I do not believe in divorce either. Once I marry, it will be for life. That’s why I waited until now to find the right woman. I wanted to be sure that the woman I was with was right for me. Kim’s father said, If you and Kim learn as much from each other as you and I have, then your marriage will probably last a lifetime.

Three months passed, and the couple grew more anxious to wed.