Subj: Unicorn Rising CH. 4
Date: 5/27/00 6:58:54 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Charlene
"Mr. Anderson, let me introduce you and your assistant to my cousin Quentin." said Roger in his most overly polite tone.
"We've met." Quentin growled.
"Yes my dear Roger, Quentin and I are well acquainted. We met in London. I also remember another cousin, Barnabas, how is he?" Petofi smugly replied.
"You know Barnabas? Well, as a matter of fact, he lives here as well." Roger was absolutely astounded. He had no idea that his cousins knew the new tenant. This of course meant that Mr. Anderson was indeed from the right circles.Roger smiled triumphantly at the thought. "Why don't you and your assistant come to dinner at Collinwood tonight, we'll invite Barnabas over and everyone can get acquainted, or reacquainted as the case may be."
"Sorry Roger. Barnabas and I already have plans for this evening." Quentin said, keeping his eyes on Petofi and Aristede.
"Alas, Aristede and I also have plans for this evening. Another time, I'm sure."
"Absolutely! I'm sure that Liz will insist upon it."
"Did you bring the lease?"
"Yes. Why don't we go inside to finalize these matters." Roger said as he started for the door, "Quentin, are you coming?"
"Actually Roger, I really need to be going. I don't want to be late meeting Barnabas. Why don't you just leave the papers. I'm sure that 'Mr. Anderson's assistant won't mind bringing the lease to your office in the morning, will you Aristede?"
Quentin and Aristede glared at each other, hatred for the other brimming in both men's eyes.
"I'll be happy to do anything to help Mr. Anderson." Aristede responded with a wicked grin.
"I'm sure." Quentin replied. "Roger." He headed for the car.
Roger was quite miffed. He had the distinct feeling that something was going on that he wasn't aware of. He didn't like being 'out of the loop' as they say. He stood there for a moment, turning from Quentin to Peter Anderson. Quentin would have to explain this. Turning back to his newest tenant, he said,
"Thank you for being so gracious Mr. Anderson. You can bring these by my office in the morning. I'm sorry for my cousin's rude behavior, he's just late for a prior engagement. We'll all get together soon, I'm sure."
"Yes, yes we will. And don't distress yourself over Quentin's behavior. I've known Quentin and Barnabas for a long time, I quite understand them by now."
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Barnabas Collins paced the drawing room of the Old House, fidgeting with his fingers as he did so. Willie Loomis watched as his master, no not master anymore, his friend paced. Willie knew when Barnabas paced, something was really wrong.
"Barnabas? This Petofi guy, he really upsets you?"
"Yes Willie. I'm worried about what he'll do. When I was in 1897 he caused such chaos for the family. I shudder to think what he intends to do this time."
"Is this why ya wanted Professor Stokes to come tonight?"
"Yes Willie. I'm afraid we're going to need all the help we can get to defeat Petofi."
"Barnabas! Barnabas are you here?" asked Julia as she opened the great double doors of the Old House.
"Julia," began Barnabas, "I'm glad you came. Did Quentin tell you?"
"That Petofi's here. Yes, he called this morning. I would have been here earlier, but there was a problem with a few of my patients."
"That's quite all right Julia, I'm waiting for Quentin and Eliot to arrive."
"Eliot? Do you think that wise Barnabas?"
He stared at her for a moment, then dropped his gaze towards his hands, "I think it's necessary under the circumstances. Besides, Eliot knows that you and I used the I-Ching wands to travel to 1897 and he knows that there we encountered Petofi. You, yourself, told him of your dealings with Petofi."
"I know, but Eliot's been suspicious of you and Quentin both, especially since he traveled to 1840. He still asks me some very pointed questions about your relationship to Angelique."
Barnabas turned and walked towards the marbled fireplace. He stared into the flames. "Be that as it may, we WILL need his help. He has a great deal of knowledge about the occult that might be useful against Petofi. My families safety is my first concern, above my own."
She moved towards him, placing her hand on his shoulder, "But Barnabas ..."
"Julia! There's no time for this." he said as he turned to face her, "Eliot is here. Willie please show him in."
"How d'ya know he's here Barnabas. Ain't nobody even knocked at the door."
Barnabas' gaze fell on Willie, his eyes boring into the young man.
"Just answer the door Willie." Barnabas said calmly as knocking began on the door.
"How does he do that. Gives me the creeps when he does that." mumbled Willie as he headed towards the doors, "Hi ya Professor. Barnabas and Julia are waiting for you."
"Hello there Willie." said Eliot Stokes as he removed his coat and hat handing them to the young man. He walked through the foyer and into the drawing room. "Good evening Barnabas. Julia, you look lovely."
"Eliot, thank you for coming. Would you care for some sherry?" asked Barnabas.
"Yes, that would be quite nice."
"Willie, please pour some sherry for my guests."
Eliot moved toward the great window in the drawing room, closer to where Willie was pouring the drinks. Quentin burst into the house, "Barnabas, Petofi's at the House by the Sea, and he's got Aristede with him."
"Aristede?!" exclaimed Barnabas.
"Last time I saw Petofi Barnabas, I don't remember him being able to raise the dead. What are we going to tell Eliot when he arrives?"
"I would suggest everything Quentin." Professor Stokes said moving towards the center of the room as all eyes fell upon him. "Did you say 'Petofi' was here in Collinsport? Count Petofi? And just when did you last see Petofi, Quentin?"
Quentin turned from Stokes towards Barnabas, who gave him a sympathetic look.
"Willie, make me a drink. Make it a double. It's going to be a long night."