Subj: Dark Light -- 10
Date: 3/26/99
From: Flashman
Chapter 10-Company's
Barnabas and Fran drove to Company's, the restaurant adjoining the boarding house where Fran lived. She was going to pick up her things in her room and move into Barnabas and Annie's house. Barnabas had some business to discuss with Ross Marler, Nola Reardon's new husband. Fran didn't know what it was and didn't care. The less she knew about the activities of Barnabas and Annie the better, she thought. They pulled into the parking lot for the complex, Fran at the wheel.
"Go to your room and gather your belongings," instructed Barnabas. "I'll see your landlady and take care of your back rent."
Everything had gone smoothly during the day when Barnabas and Annie had been dormant. Only the furniture men had come to the house. They'd made two trips. Willie had bought a lot more stuff this time. None of the men had so much as glanced at the door leading to the basement. Then, in the afternoon, Fran had gone out and purchased a used car. Not as good as the one she had previously owned. The one that had been repossessed. She'd driven back to the house in the car, picked up Willie, and they'd gone back to the car lot for his van. They checked on Barnabas and Annie when they returned. Still dormant and no signs of disturbance.
When they awoke Barnabas told Fran what they were going to do. Not all of their plans, she was sure, just what involved her. Fran had driven Barnabas to Company's. If the guy was as old as he said he was, why hadn't he ever learned how to drive? No matter. At least Barnabas was going to pay her back rent. Fran went to her room and began gathering her belongings.
Barnabas entered the restaurant called Company's. Willie was heading back to Collinsport, starting tonight. He's probably on the road right now, thought Barnabas. He wished Willie well. Willie had served him loyally, both in the present and in the past. Barnabas hoped that old van of Willie's wouldn't break down. It was a long distance between Springfield and Collinsport.
Barnabas was greeted by a pretty, young brunette waitress upon entering Company's, "Welcome to Company's. My name's Drew. Just one for dinner?"
"No thank you. I won't be having dinner. I wonder where I might find a Nola Reardon Marler. I have some business to discuss with her," answered Barnabas.
"I'm right behind you," came a voice.
Barnabas turned around to face an attractive redhead in her fourties. Not a great beauty but still very pleasant to look at.
"Ah, Mrs. Marler. It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Barnabas Collins. I want to speak to you about Fran Ridgkins."
"Mr. Collins, if you're a bill collector, let me tell you that Fran Ridgkins is flat broke. She hasn't paid her rent here in three months. The only reason I haven't evicted her yet is that I don't have the heart to throw her out in the streets," said Nola.
"Mrs. Marler, I'm not a bill collector. In fact, I'm here to take care of the back rent Miss Ridgkins owes. I've secured her services as a housekeeper for myself. I'll take the money I pay to you out of what I pay to her in the future," said Barnabas.
"She owes me three months back rent at $200.00 a month. That's $600.00," said Nola.
Barnabas pulled out a roll of money, counted out the $600.00, and handed the money to Nola.
"That should cover it. Miss Ridgkins is in her room now, gathering her belongings," informed Barnabas.
"Thank you, Mr. Collins. It's been a pleasure doing business with you," said Nola.
"One more thing, Mrs. Marler. I'm told your husband is an attorney. In fact, a very good one. Is he by chance at home? I have a very important legal matter I would like to discuss, preferably with the best attorney around," said Barnabas.
"He's in his study right now, Mr. Collins, but my husband usually doesn't discuss business at home," replied Nola.
"I'd be willing to make it worthwhile financially to him if he'd merely see me for a few minutes."
Nola, who could always smell money, decided to ask Ross if he would see this gentleman. The man had simply walked in off the street and given her $600.00 for someone else's debt. Maybe the guy was rich and if that was the case he'd be a worthwhile client for her husband to have. She walked over to Ross's study and poked her head inside the door.
"Honey, there's a gentleman out here who wants to see you for a minute about a legal matter."
"Tell him to call my office and make an appointment," was the response from inside the study.
"Honey, he says it's important and will only take a short while. He also said he'd make it worth your while financially."
"Okay, Nola," said Ross. "Send the man in." He knew Nola was money hungry.
Barnabas walked inside the study where Ross Marler was. He was greeted by a man who appeared to be in his mid-fourties. The man looked very distinguished, just like an attorney should look, Barnabas concluded.
"I'm Ross Marler. What can I do for you?"
"Barnabas Collins, Mr. Marler. I have something I'd like you to perform for me. I'm willing to pay you twice whatever the normal rate you usually charge."
"I'm listening, Mr. Collins."
"I'd like you to prepare a document for me giving me complete power of attorney over the entire business affairs and personal assets of Alan Spaulding. I'd like this document prepared tonight, if at all possible," said Barnabas.
"What?" said Ross increduously. "Power of attorney over Alan Spaulding's business and personal assets!"
"That is correct. You can handle it, can't you?"
"Yes, I can prepare the document for you. I've got the discs with the legal forms right here in my computer. I don't know what good the document would do you, though. You can't seriously expect Alan Spaulding to sign it, can you?" asked Ross.
"Mr. Marler, I fully expect Alan Spaulding to sign the document. Otherwise, I never would have asked you to prepare it for me."
Suit yourself, thought Ross. He turned on the computer in his study and brought up the legal form for power of attorney. All he had to do was type in the names of Barnabas Collins and Alan Spaulding and hit the print key.
"Mr. Marler, I wonder if you might answer a question for me?" asked Barnabas.
"Sure, Mr. Collins," replied Ross as he was gathering the power of attorney from the printer of his computer.
"I recently rented and moved into the house across the street from a woman by the name of Blake Marler. Is she any relation to you?"
"That's my ex-wife," replied Ross. "You must have rented the Pearson house."
"That is correct, Mr. Marler. Perhaps I'll run into you sometime when you come over to visit your ex-wife," said Barnabas.
"No way. I stay as far away from my ex-wife as possible. I don't go near that house anymore. Too many bad memories. She come over here to pick up the kids on the days she has custody," replied Ross.
"I can't say as I blame you, Mr. Marler. I try to stay away from my ex-wife as much as possible myself." Barnabas was referring to Angelique.
Ross laughed and handed Barnabas the power of attorney. This guy may be odd but at least he has a sense of humor, thought Ross.
"There you go, Mr. Collins. All nice and legal. That is, if you can get Alan Spaulding to sign it."
"What's your standard fee for such a service? I'm willing to double it," offered Barnabas.
"Tell you what, Mr. Collins, I'm not going to charge you anything. If you can get Alan Spaulding to sign that document giving you power of attorney over his assets, well let's just say it would be worth it to me just to see that happen. By the way, how did you get to know Alan Spaulding?" asked Ross.
"In all honesty, Mr. Marler, I've never laid eyes on the man in my life. I never even knew who he was until a few days ago," answered Barnabas.
Ross chuckled. Boy, is this guy strange. He does seem rather sure of himself, though. It sure as hell would be funny if he could pull it off. That was one good thing about being with Nola, Ross thought. He'd learned to laugh and have fun again.
Barnabas shook Ross's hand and exited the study. He went out into the parking lot. Fran was there already with her belongings stuffed into the back seat. She said she'd gotten help from some of the other tenants in moving.
"Do you know where the Spaulding mansion is located?" asked Barnabas.
"Yes, I do," was the answer.
"Drive me to it. Then return home and inform Annie to meet me there."
Fran didn't ask any questions. She figured it was better not to know anything.
What she didn't know wouldn't hurt her. Still, she hoped Barnabas and Annie were
planning something good for Alan Spaulding. Fran hated that bastard.
