Subj: Unicorn Rising Ch. 3
Date: 5/26/00 7:30:49 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Charlene
Quentin Collins strolled through town on his way to the Collinsport Inn. He felt that the bright sun shining down on Collinsport was deceptive, hiding the evil rising in the air around the tiny Maine village. Andreas Petofi had returned to town and normalcy would not be known until he was defeated. Exactly how he was going to be defeated was a question that Quentin kept asking himself. He hoped that they could find a way to defeat Petofi. No, not hoped, he prayed they could stop Petofi. Quentin stopped himself in mid track, it had been so long since he'd prayed for anything that he had almost forgotten how, had almost not noticed. He smiled at himself, he was definitely too old.
He continued his stride across the street toward his destination. So deep in thought was he that he never noticed the shadow that followed him. A shadow that was not his own.
"Hello Wally!" Quentin said affably as he opened the doors to the Inn.
The clerk looked up from his desk responding "Hello Mr. Collins. What brings you here today?"
"I'm wondering if you have any new guests?"
"A few tourists. Always get a few this time of year. Why do you ask?" Wally
inquired as he watched Quentin cross the distance between them in a few steps.
"Oh, I was just wondering. Someone I know might be staying here."
"What's your friends name?"
"Friend?!" Quentin said as a slight laugh escaped his throat, "I didn't say I was looking a friend Wally, just someone I know. As for his name, I don't know what he's using this week." Quentin watched as a quizzical look formed over Wally's face and he knew he'd better cover up that last comment before the entire village's curiosity had been roused. He knew Barnabas wouldn't exactly be pleased if he drew too much attention to their situation. "He's a writer, at least he thinks he is, changes his name all the time."
He could tell by Wally's expression that the desk clerk bought his story. At least that's a relief.
"Well, what does he look like, Mr. Collins?"
"Fiftyish, gray hair, glasses, arrogant, you'd know him."
"Haven't seen anyone like that. You sure he's in Collinsport?"
"Unfortunately, I am. Thanks Wally."
As Quentin turned to leave, he walked past a young man entering the Inn. "Another tourist" he thought as he closed the door.
"Hello Wally. Do you have a room?"
Wally looked up again, surprise showing in his face, "Joe! Joe Haskell!"
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A few hours later Quentin headed for the cannery. His search for Petofi had
so far proven fruitless. Well, better check on Roger, he was thinking as he
saw his great nephew leaving the building.
"Where are you off to in such a hurry?" he yelled getting Roger's attention.
"Quentin! Whatever are you doing in town this early?"
"Just looking around." Where are you going?"
"To the House by the Sea. I've a prospect for renting the place. Hasn't been rented since Nicholas Blair was last here. It's been more a white elephant than a money maker."
" A tenant, could it be?" Quentin mused silently then said "I'll ride along with you if you don't mind."
"Of course not. I'd love the company. Besides, I've been trying to get you to show more interest in the family businesses, you and Barnabas both should both get more involved. Merging our assets into a conglomerate."
"Tell me all about it in the car, Ed ... Roger." Quentin said. He couldn't believe he had almost slipped and called Roger Edward. They were so similar in thinking, and yet, Quentin felt so much more affection for Roger. Was it because he was Jamison's son? He felt the corners of his mouth turn slightly upward at the thought of Jamison, a bittersweet feeling in his chest.
Throughout the ride Roger extolled the virtues of what amounted to Barnabas and he allowing Roger to manage their holdings along with Elizabeth's.
"Maybe I should've walked." Quentin mumbled.
"What?"
"I said what do you know about the new tenant?"
"Oh, he's from Boston. Very rich, though not in the best of health I'm told. He'll be spending the summer and possibly the fall here resting. For his health, I believe."
"What's his name?"
"P. V. Anderson."
The drove into the driveway at the House by the Sea. They could observe two forms on the veranda. Roger hastily got out of the car, he was practically bounding up the stairs at the thought of a new tenant. Quentin got out of the car and started around the vehicle towards the steps of the house when he heard that unmistakable voice ...
"Mr. Collins, so happy to meet you. Let me introduce myself. I am Peter V. Anderson. This is my assistant Aristede."
"OH MY GOD!" Quentin thought as he stared up at the pair, "This is worse than we thought."