Subj: Dark Light -- 15
Date: 5/7/99
From: Flashman

Chapter 15-Later That Evening

(I)

Reva and Josh returned home. Both were puzzled by what had transpired earlier. Reva still couldn't believe that Cassie was leaving a great guy like Hart Jessup and moving in with a man she had met the night before. Something about Tammy's tragic death had changed Cassie. Maybe living with Hart reminded her too much of her loss and this was Cassie's way of getting over it. Let Cassie have her little fling for a few days. Maybe she would get over this infatuation and return to Hart. Hart would take Cassie back, Reva knew that.

Because she was Reva Shayne, she was sure as hell going to find out more about Barnabas Collins. He'd been somewhat vague about his prior relationship with Alan Spaulding and had mentioned almost nothing about his own background. Blake had informed Reva about what little information Barnabas Collins had revealed to her. Good old Blake, Reva thought. The three main means of communication in Springfield: telephone, telegram, and tell Blake.

Josh had retired to the den to watch a Cubs game on WGN. He didn't seem all that worried. Good ole Bud. Always willing to give anyone the benefit of the doubt. Just let the whole thing play itself through, he had said. Things will work out. Things would work out, Reva decided, just not the way Barnabas Collins wanted them to. He would rue the day he ever crossed paths with Reva Shayne.

Reva called Harley Cooper Spaulding. Though she had been married to Phillip Spaulding for over a year, Harley still operated her private detective agency part-time. Harley and Phillip had been overjoyed recently when they had been awarded custody of Lizzie, Phillip's daughter from his marriage to Beth Raines. Beth, after trying and failing to win Phillip back, had gone on a binge of drinking and promiscuity. Serves her right, thought Reva. Anyone who would stand in the way of the true love that Phillip and Harley enjoyed deserves to suffer. After all, Beth had been friendly with Annie Dutton. She had even visited Annie once in prison according to what Reva had heard.

Harley picked up the telephone on the third ring. "Hello, Spaulding residence."

"Harley, this is Reva. Sorry to disturb you at this time of night but I've got something important I'd like to ask you to do," said Reva.

"Oh Reva, thank heavens it's you. We've had reporters calling here all day about the situation with Alan," revealed Harley.

"Well, that's kinda what I called to talk about, too. What's Phillip's reaction to this event?" asked Reva.

"Pretty good. He talked to Alan this morning when the news broke. He seems convinced that everything is going to work out. Alan assured him that he was in no danger and that letting this Barnabas Collins guy have power of attorney over his affairs was for the best. Besides, Alan resigned all of his duties at Spaulding. Phillip said that for getting Alan out of his hair at Spaulding Enterprises, this Barnabas Collins deserves a medal," replied Harley.

"Well let's don't pin a medal on his chest just yet...." said Reva.

Reva then explained to Harley the situation concerning Cassie and her new relationsip with Barnabas Collins. She told Harley all she knew about his background and asked her to investigate the man.

"There's got to be plenty of dirt on this guy that we can dig up," said Reva.

Harley stated that she would get started tomorrow and hung up the phone. When Reva hung up on her line she noticed the new nanny, Laura Murdoch, standing over her. Laura was a pretty blonde woman of about 40, Reva estimated. She had a cute mole on the right side of her chin.

"Sorry to disturb you, Mrs. Lewis, but Marah and Shayne are doing their homework and I thought I would retire for the night. I know it's a little earlier than I usually turn in but I'm feeling a little more tired than usual tonight," she said.

"You're not coming down with anything, are you, Laura?" asked Reva.

"Oh no, I'm just a little tired. Nothing a good night's rest won't cure," replied Laura.

"Okay, get some rest. Hope you feel better in the morning."

As Laura left to turn in for the night, Reva thought about what a godsend the woman had been. She'd only been on the job a short while but she was already the best nanny Reva and Josh had ever hired. Marah and Shayne both adored the woman and Laura adored both of them. Having Laura around allowed Reva to spend more time at the office on matters concerning Lewis Oil. The load was heavier on her now that Billy was back in rehab. Hopefully, when he got out, Billy would stay on the wagon this time.

Reva's thoughts returned to Barnabas Collins. How had he met Fran Ridgkins and why was she working for him? Could this have anything to do with Annie? Impossible, Reva hoped. As far as she knew, Annie had never been anywhere near Bangor, Maine in her life and that's where Blake had said Barnabas Collins was from.

Annie Dutton. Ever since the news of her escape from prison in Ohio she had never been far from Reva's thoughts. That woman was at large again despite everything Reva had done to destroy her. The woman simply wouldn't go away. She was like a vampire who kept pulling the stake out of her heart. Annie Dutton was Reva's own personal Frankenstein monster. Not the woman Annie originally was but the woman she became.

It had started when Reva had returned from the supposed dead. She had spent five years as an amnesiac living in the Amish village of Goshen. Upon regaining her memory, she returned to Springfield to reunite with her beloved Bud only to find him married to this Annie woman. When Reva had returned Josh had preferred to remain with Annie. Reva's own children, Marah and Shayne, both adored Annie and called her mommy.

Reva had sworn vengeance. She was Reva Shayne. Who was this little nothing that had dared take away what was rightfully hers? This nobody nurse from Chicago that Rick Bauer had wisely discarded. This woman had no right to her husband and her children. She would destroy Annie Dutton. Annie Dutton would rue the day she ever crossed Reva Shayne.

It had all been so easy at first. Once Reva discovered that Annie was a recovering alcoholic who had led a troubled life it was so easy to meddle in the lives of her and Josh and chip away at her piece by piece. Annie became addicted to prescription painkillers due to the stress caused by Reva on her life and her marriage. When Rick Bauer and Josh had discovered Annie's addiction and had set up a crisis intervention to help her, Reva had cleverly wormed her way into the intervention. Had Reva not been there Annie would have probably accepted her problem and gotten the help she needed. Instead, there was Reva Shayne, all taunts and accusations about the dangers Annie was exposing Marah and Shayne to.

Annie had stormed out of the intervention. Now it's over, Reva had thought. Now Josh will return to me. But Annie was stronger than Reva had imagined. She quit the pills cold turkey with the aid of her then friend, Phillip Spaulding, and returned to Josh determined to keep his love.

It was not until her mother, Sarah, had died a few months later that Reva had won Josh back. On her deathbed, Sarah Shayne had convinced Josh and Reva that they still belonged together, that theirs was a love that would never die.

Josh was determined then to reunite with Reva but Annie, with the help of her friend Fran, had artificially inseminated herself and gotten pregnant. Wouldn't the woman ever learn? She was Reva Shayne and Josh, her beloved Bud, belonged to her. Josh was always hers.

Never mind the rest of the things Annie had done, thought Reva. They were too numerous to think about. From posing as Reva's long lost sister to framing Reva for the murder of Annie's unborn child, the woman simply refused to give up the ghost. Annie Dutton was now a monster bent on destroying Reva's life.

Reva finally thought she had seen the last of Annie that day in the courtroom almost 18 months ago when Annie was being extradited to Ohio to serve a prison sentence she had received along with her first husband, Eddie Banks, years ago. Reva had found Eddie Banks when it appeared that Annie was going to marry Alan Spaulding, an old family enemy. Annie and Alan together. That would have been devastating. Reva had just loved it when Eddie Banks had shown up right in the middle of the ceremony and announced he was still legally married to Annie. Annie had been taken to jail in handcuffs while still wearing her wedding dress.

Still, even when Annie was in jail, she retained some hold over Josh. Josh had visited her in jail and told her that both he and Reva were praying Annie would recover and get on with her life. Josh may have been but Reva Shayne sure as hell wasn't. Goodbye Annie and good riddance. How did someone like you ever think you could defeat me, Reva Shayne?

Now today, Reva was beloved by everyone in Springfield. Reva Shayne was held up as a model of virtue, never mind that she had been married to six different men and had slept with countless others. Reva had once been known as the Slut of Springfield, now she was held up as a role model for all. Annie Dutton, who had started out as decent but troubled, was now the woman everyone despised. Serves her right.

Still, Reva felt she hadn't seen or heard the last of Annie. She was out there somewhere. She would return sooner or later. Reva Shayne would have to face Annie Dutton once again. This time, Reva thought, I'll destroy you forever.

(II)

Barnabas entered Spaulding Manor and overheard Annie's voice. She appeared to be berating Alan Spaulding over something. He had to control her actions regarding Alan. They still needed him. Barnabas entered Alan's study, where Annie's voice was coming from. Alan was on the floor, bleeding from two bite wounds in his neck. Annie's fangs were exposed.

"Annie, pull in your fangs and leave the man alone. We have some serious business to discuss," ordered Barnabas.

"Guess what Barnabas, I found out that Alan here has been holding out on us," revealed Annie.

"No I wasn't, Annie. You know I'd never do that. Please Mr. Collins, don't let her hurt me anymore. Tell her, Mr. Collins. I wasn't holding out. I told you about it last night. I'd just forgotten to tell Annie, that's all," whimpered Alan. The man had been reduced to a pathetic wretch.

"Of what are you referring to?" asked Barnabas.

"You remember, the spy I have over at the Lewises. I told you last night when you took me to my room," answered Alan.

"Yes, I do remember that. In fact, that's one of the reasons I've come here to talk to you tonight."

"Okay, Alan. Give. Let's hear about this spy you have at Lewis Oil. I hope this one's better than Cassie. You remember her, don't you? Reva's long lost sister. She turned out to be a disaster. Another one of your big ideas that failed," taunted Annie.

"She's not at Lewis Oil. Not at the office. She's in their home. Their new nanny. Her name's Laura Murdoch," revealed Alan.

Barnabas's face turned a whiter shade of pale upon hearing this bit of news. Laura Murdoch a/k/a Laura Stockbridge, a/k/a Laura Collins. It was a name he knew well. So, she's surfaced here, he thought to himself. Once again to wreak her own particular brand of havoc. She couldn't have followed him and Annie here, he deduced. From what Alan had said the spy had been in place before he and Annie had arrived. It could be just a coincidence or maybe it wasn't the same woman.

"Tell me, Alan, what does this woman look like?" asked Barnabas.

"About fourty. Blonde hair. Has a mole on the right side of her chin," was the response from Alan.

It was her. Of that there could be no doubt. A joker had just entered the deck of the game they were playing. A dangerous joker indeed. Probably no direct danger to him or Annie but a definite threat to those children in the Lewis household. Barnabas decided to keep quiet for now but soon he and Annie might have to make a difficult choice.

"Okay, Alan. Here is what we will do. Keep in contact with this woman. Make no mention of me and of course Annie. Have her report only to you just like you have been doing. But keep me informed of all the information you receive. Don't hold anything out or you know what will happen," instructed Barnabas.

"Yes, Mr. Collins. I'll do that. Just what you said."

The telephone rang in Alan's study. Alan arose from the floor where he had been cringing and answered.

"Alan Spaulding."

Alan listened to what was being relayed to him over the telephone. He merely grunted and nodded his head. Barnabas and Annie had no way of guessing what was being said on the other end of the line. Then he hung up the phone.

"Mr. Collins, it seems you've made quite an impression on Mrs. Reva Shayne Lewis. She just called up my daughter-in-law, Harley Cooper, and hired her to conduct an investigation into your background." Some of Alan's old spark of nastiness had returned when he made the preceeding statement.

"Was that Laura Murdoch on the phone?" asked Barnabas.

"Yes, it was."

"It seems as though our little get toghther earlier tonight affected no reassurance upon Mrs. Lewis," said Barnabas.

"Don't worry, Barnabas. I'll deal with Harley Cooper. I know precisely how to take care of her," said Annie. "Alan, in the morning, have a coffin delivered to the house of Beth Raines. Never mind asking what for. Just get one there. I'm going to pay a call on her tonight. She's going to help us in our little game."

"Alan, are you in good enough shape to drive?" asked Barnabas.

"I think so," was his response.

"Did you get the van I told you to get last night?"

"Yes, it's parked in the garage right now."

"Excellent. We're going to drive over to my house now and bring Annie's coffin over here. She informs me that you have a large attic space. We'll place the coffin there. From now on, you and Fran will watch over Annie when she is dormant," said Barnabas.

Alan then departed with Barnabas. He hated the fact that he had been reduced to a mere shell by him and Annie. There was nothing he could do about that right now. Still, to make the best of the situation, he liked the fact that they were plotting against the Lewises. He still despised them much more than he did Annie and Barnabas. Their revenge could be his revenge, too. He would live vicariously through Annie and Barnabas. After their little game against the Lewises was concluded perhaps they would release him from their power.

(III)

Beth Raines, formerly Spaulding, sat alone in her empty house. No husband and now no child. She had nothing except for the alimony checks Phillip sent her every month. How had her life tumbled so far, so fast? This couldn't be happening to her. Not Beth Raines. She'd always played by the rules. She'd been a good girl in high school, not a slut. Very popular. Head cheerleader, prom queen, voted most attractive her senior year.

Now in her mid-thirties, Beth's once perfect world had disintegrated. Handsome, rich husband who adored her, beautiful and intelligent child. Now it was all gone. Her husband was married to another woman and they had recently gotten custody of her daughter. Her beautiful daughter Lizzie had been taken away from her. The only connection that had remained from her once picture perfect life. It was midnight for Cinderella. Her coach had turned into a pumpkin and her beautiful dress into rags.

Beth reached for the coffee table and grabbed the bottle of tequila sitting there. She poured herself a shot. Beth had been hitting the bottle hard. It was one of the reasons that she had lost custody of Lizzie. That along with several cheap affairs she had entered into. She had only done that seeking a way to relieve the loneliness that had entered her life. She was still a good mother to Lizzie. She knew that. But Phillip had used her drinking and promiscuity against her at the custody hearing. Now Phillip and Harley had custody of Lizzie.

Harley. How she loathed the mere mention of that woman's name. Harley had been the driving force behind Phillip suing for custody of Lizzie, no one could tell her otherwise. They'd even had the nerve to bring up the fact that she had visited Annie Dutton once in prison at the custody hearing. As if that was proof that she was a bad mother to Lizzie.

Beth was aging fast. She knew that too. Her once perfect face was getting more wrinkles on it every day or so it seemed. But she still looked better than Harley. Oh, that little nothing. What in the world did Phillip see in her? There had to be a way for Beth to recover custody of Lizzie. There had to be a wonderful guy out there waiting to sweep her off her feet and take her away from all this misery that had entered into her life. She'd never get Phillip back. She realized that now. But she had to become Cinderella at the ball once again. Sh just had to.

Beth downed the shot of tequila in one gulp and her thoughts turned to Annie Dutton. Keep on running, Annie. Don't let those bastards catch you. Her sympathy for Annie grew with each passing day. Beth could certainly see how Annie had become the bitter and vengeful woman she had known for a short period before Annie had been sent to prison in Ohio. Hell, she was becoming bitter and vengeful herself. More with each passing day.

Beth remembered the time she had traveled to Ohio to visit Annie in prison. The whole trip had been a lark. Phillip had Lizzie that weekend and she had set out to visit Annie. When Annie entered the visiting area wearing prison clothes and looking like a beaten puppy she had broken down and wept upon seeing Beth standing there to greet her. She grabbed Beth and hugged her for what seemed to be the longest time. They chatted for the entire visiting period. Annie informed her that she was the first visitor she had received since becoming an inmate there. How lonely that woman must have been in that place.

They had agreed to begin corresponding with each other. Beth kept Annie informed about all the events in Springfield. In her last letter she had written Annie of the impending custody hearing regarding Lizzie. She had been too pained by the outcome to write and inform Annie of the result. Then Annie had escaped. Escaped from the place where she had been sent by the same self-righteous people that were now tormenting Beth.

All those self-righteous people. The Phillips, the Harley, the Joshes, and the Revas who had brought down Annie had now turned their swords against her. They just had to have someone to look down upon, to chastise. and to feel superior to. Who better, now that Annie was gone, than Beth Raines, the former queen of the ball?

Beth poured herself another shot of tequila. She raised her glass in homage and said out loud, "Here's to you, Annie Dutton. May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows you're dead."

"I don't think I'll ever get to heaven, Beth, but thanks for the toast anyway."

That was Annie's voice. What in the world, thought Beth? She placed the shot glass back down upon the table. There was Annie Dutton standing right in her living room.

"Annie! What are you doing here? When did you get back to Springfield?" Beth was dying of curiousity to know of Annie's adventures since she had escaped from prison.

"I've been back for a few days, Beth. I've been hiding out. I decided to come over and visit with you tonight," related Annie.

"You can stay over here for tonight if you want. I'm here alone. I lost custody of Lizzie. She's with Phillip and Harley now."

Annie was stunned. Beth had been such a good mother to Lizzie. She couldn't believe it. Even when Beth, in her last letter, had informed her of the impending hearing, Annie never believed for one moment that Beth would lose.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Beth. I truly am," said Annie. So, it appears that Beth may have become the new punching bag of Springfield just like she had been. Now that she had lost custody of her daughter Beth Raines was truly alone. Her mother, Lillian, whom Annie had once worked with at Cedar's Hospital, had married Ed Bauer and moved with him to Africa to work in a medical mission over there.

"So Annie, where have you been hiding?" asked Beth.

"With a man named Barnabas Collins. You've probably been hearing about him on the news all day. We came here together, he and I. We're going to shake up this town from top to bottom," said Annie.

They were doing that all right, thought Beth. From the news she had heard that this Barnabas Collins had gotten power of attorney over her former father-in-law Alan Spauling's assets. How had he done that? And Annie was behind it all.

"You're the one behind all that confusion at Spaulding! I even had reporters calling me today, asking if I knew what was going on," said Beth. "You sure shook this place up. Just like you always did, I guess."

"Beth, the reason I came here tonight is to make you an offer. I'll let you think about it until tomorrow night when I return. You can give me your answer then," said Annie.

"Okay Annie. What is it?"

"Beth, you may find this impossible to believe but I'm now one of the Undead. Barnabas Collins is one, too. In fact, he's the one who made me. We'd like you to join us. You can become one of the Undead too if you wish," said Annie.

Beth was stunned. Ordinarily, she would have never believed such a tale but Annie sounded deadly serious.

"Think about it, Beth. You'll look as you do now forever. Always beautiful. You'll never grown old, at least not appearance wise. Just come to me right now. I'm only going to prick you and draw a little blood to get you started. Tomorrow night, if you want me to continue the job, I will," said Annie.

Beth did as Annie requested. She didn't know what her final decision would be but she knew that she was tired of trusting fate and clean living to determine the course of her life.

(IV)

Hart Jessup pulled his pickup truck up to the sidewalk in front of Barnabas Collins's house. He downed the beer he was drinking and got out of the truck. Hart had come to get Cassie back and he was going to kick the hell out of this Barnabas Collins.

Hart tossed the beer bottle against the side of the house. He was drunk and he was angry. Nobody was going to take Cassie away from him especially not some smoothy who'd just hit town a few days ago.

"Cassie, get out here," he yelled. "I'm taking you home with me. You too, Barnabas Collins. I'm gonna kick your ass!"

The door to the house opened. Cassie walked out into the yard toward Hart. Barnabas stood in the doorway.

"Hart, you're drunk. Go home and sleep it off. Like I told you before, I'm with Barnabas now and that's where I'm going to stay," she said.

Hart brushed Cassie aside. He glared at Barnabas, who was still standing in the doorway.

"What's the matter with you, asshole? You have to stand there and hide behind a woman?" he yelled.

Barnabas said nothing as he walked toward Hart. Hart swung at him. Barnabas grabbed Hart's arm with his left hand and with his right hand he grabbed Hart Jessup by the throat. He then lifted him several inches off of the ground.

"Mr. Jessup, you will kindly remove yourself from these premises. If you should ever again set foot here I promise that I am going to kill you," threatened Barnabas.

Barnabas dropped Hart to the ground like a rag doll. Hart got up and got back into his truck. He had been absolutely terrified of Barnabas when he had been grabbed by the throat. For the first time in his life he had know what true, basic fear was. He never wanted to know that feeling again. No woman was worth that, even one he had loved as much as Cassie. Hart drove off into the night. Back to his horse farm where he would sleep off tonight's drunk.

From across the way at her house Blake Marler had witnessed the entire incident. Nobody was going to treat her brother that way