Subj: Dark Light -- 21
Date: 5/9/99
From: Flashman
Chapter 21-The Weekend
(I)
Phillip Spaulding discovered his wife's body at 2:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. Harley hadn't returned home and hadn't answered the phone when he called her office. Phillip had gotten worried and went to see if she was all right. When he entered her office he saw Harley's lifeless body and screamed.
The news hit like thounder on Saturday morning. Preliminary reports indicated that Harley had been strangled. There were no signs of forced entry so police theorized that Harley Spaulding may have known her assailant. When Phillip informed the police that his wife had been investigating Barnabas Collins, they immediately marked Barnabas down as a suspect. Detective Levy took charge of the investigation. Phillip also told him that there had been bad blood between Harley and his ex-wife, Beth Raines, but he also said he didn't think Beth would ever be capable of such a thing.
Levy went over to Barnabas's house to interview him. Cassie Layne answered and said that Barnabas wasn't in. He'd be back sometime in the evening, she said. Have him get in touch with me when he gets back, Levy had instructed her. Cassie replied that she would do so.
No one answered the door at the home of Beth Raines. The place was locked tighter than a drum. Check up on her later too, thought Levy.
Alan Spaulding was next on his list. Levy, after some haggling, got past the security guard at the gate to Spaulding Manor. Rent-a-cops, he thought. Fran Ridgkins answered the door and informed Levy that Mr. Spaulding was currently under sedation for stress. He wouldn't be able to speak to anyone this morning. Levy had heard all about Alan Spaulding's breakdown earlier in the week. Alan Spaulding, though he may be down, was still a powerful man in Springfield with a lot of clout and connections. Levy didn't want to be back pounding a beat in Point Lester simply by offending the man. So he told Fran to have Mr. Spaulding contact him at police headquarters when he was feeling better.
Having had no luck in contacting any of the principal suspects, who were not suspected of anything just yet as far as he was concerned, Levy returned to the station to review the evidence that had been gathered so far. That's when Phillip Spaulding stormed in.
"What's going on in the investigation? Have you talked to Barnabas Collins yet?" demanded Phillip.
"He's not at his residence. Your ex-wife's nowhere to be found, either. Your father's under sedation at Spaulding Manor. I wasn't able to talk to him, either," informed Levy.
"Well find them, bring them in, one of them should know what happened," said Phillip.
"Mr. Spaulding, be patient. I talked to Cassie Layne, Mr. Collins's girlfriend or whatever she is. She said he'd be in tonight and that she would have him get in touch with us. I'm sure your father will too, as soon as he's able," replied Levy.
"Have you been able to contact this Maggie Haskell in Collinsport, Maine? Barnabas Collins had the bank draw up a cashier's check on my father's personal account to send to her there."
This was news, thought Levy. He'd never heard of Maggie Haskell before.
"How do you know about Maggie Haskell and this cashier's check, Mr. Spaulding?" asked Levy.
"My wife called me at home last night. She'd gone back to her office after we ate dinner at the Towers. She said she'd received a message from a friend of hers who works at First National Bank saying Barnabas had sent a cashier's check to this woman," revealed Phillip.
"I'll try to get in touch with this woman right away," said Levy.
"Good," replied Phillip. "I know you're trying your best, Detective Levy."
"That's what I get paid for, Mr. Spaulding," was the response.
Phillip Spaulding left the police station and returned home. He'd get together with Josh and Reva later to go over what both they and he knew about the investigation of Barnabas Collins by his wife.
Levy dialed information and was given a telephone number for a Maggie Haskell in Collinsport, Maine. No answer. So far, every lead he had gotten had turned out to be a dead end. Well, hopefully either Barnabas Collins or Alan Spaulding will contact me soon and we can get the ball rolling. If not, I guess I'll have to try and track them down.
At around 5:00 p.m. Levy received a phone call. It was from Alan Spaulding. Mr. Spaulding stated that Barnabas Collins, Beth Raines, and himself would all be coming down to the police station in about two hours to answer any and all questions concerning their whereabouts on the previous night. Good, thought Levy, now we may get somewhere.
At a little after 7:00 p.m. Alan, Barnabas, and Beth arrived at the Springfield Police Station. They each gave essentially the same story. They had all been at Spaulding Manor the previous night, playing three-handed bridge until a little after 2:00 a.m. Cassie Layne and Fran Ridgkins had been there too and could confirm their story. Beth stated that she was now living in the manor in order to help Fran Ridgkins with the household duties and the care of her former father-in-law. Barnabas then stated that Maggie Haskell was simply an old friend of his father's who was down on her luck financially. He'd sent the money to help her out.
Levy thanked them for their time and stated he appreciated the fact that they had all come in and given their statements voluntarily. He then called Fran Ridgkins at Spaulding Manor and Cassie Layne at Barnabas Collins's house. (Cassie had persuaded Barnabas to install a telephone so she could talk to her girlfriends and a television set so she could watch Ricki Lake) Both women confirmed what had been said previously.
Everything checks out, thought Levy. His two prime suspects, Barnabas Collins and Beth Raines, both had alibis. Alan Spaulding checked out, too. But Levy still had his policeman's suspicions. Everything was just a little too cut and dried. He would try to get in touch with this Maggie Haskell woman on Monday. She was probably out of town for the weekend, he thought.
As Barnabas, Alan, and Beth were walking toward their cars in the parking lot, they were accosted by Phillip Spauding who grabbed Barnabas by the lapels of his cape.
"What have you got to do with the death of my wife and why have you come to this town?" he shrieked.
Alan Spaulding quickly got between them and pulled his son away. He knew of Barnabas's tremendous strength due to being a vampire and didn't want to see Phillip get throttled.
"Phillip, Mr. Collins was with me until after 2:00 a.m. last night. He couldn't have killed Harley. I was with him all the time," said Alan.
Phillip turned to Beth. "What are you doing with this bunch? Have you joined up with this rat pack too?"
"Phillip, just yesterday I accepted your father's offer to help with the household. I moved in last night," answered Beth.
"But why, Beth?" asked Phillip who knew she had always detested Alan.
"I was getting bored and lonely living by myself now that you have Lizzie. When Alan called I simply decided to accept his offer. Anything's better than being alone the way I have been," answered Beth. "By the way, how's Lizzie taking this? Is she okay?"
"She's hurt and confused, Beth. Maybe you'd better come over and talk with her. I'm sure she'd love to see you," said Phillip.
"I'll be glad to, Phillip, and I am sorry about what happened to Harley."
That last part was a complete lie but Beth desperately wanted to see Lizzie again. It might be the last chance she would ever get to see her. She got into Phillip's car and drove off with him.
On the drive home to Spaulding Manor Barnabas and Alan both felt that everything had gone well.
"I think we may be in the clear. Beth won't talk. She's got more to lose than any of us. And you know damn well I won't say anything. Fran will do what she's told and nobody even knows Annie's alive. She could be dead for all anyone cares. The only one I'm worried about is Cassie Layne. She's the weak link. I think you should get rid of her," suggested Alan.
"Nonsense, I've grown quite fond of Cassie. She'll do what she's told just like the others," replied Barnabas.
"I hope you're right," said Alan. "What about this Maggie Haskell? Can she hurt us?"
"Not directly," answered Barnabas. "She doesn't know what I am. She thinks that I'm dead. There's no way she can tie any of us into the murder. Still, if anyone here should happen to contact her it could arouse even more suspicion. I think that we should contact Laura Murdoch sometime tomorrow. Perhaps in the evening. We'll wait until then. She should have plenty of information to give us about what the Lewises are planning."
"It seems to me, Mr. Collins, that you know quite a bit about Laura Murdoch. Perhaps more than I do. What have you been leaving out about her?" asked Alan.
"In due time, Alan. In due time. When you get in contact with her tomorrow place her through to me. It's time I had a long talk with Miss Laura Murdoch," said Barnabas.
"Whatever you say, Mr. Collins," replied Alan Spaulding.
(II)
The next day Josh and Reva got out of bed at 11:00 a.m. Laura had taken Marah and Shayne to a church service. She felt it was important to begin to nurture the children's spiritual growth. Reva and Josh never attended church. Reva, because she knew that doing so would remind her of the sinner she actually was rather than the saint she pretended to be. Josh, because he always did what Reva told him. Still, they both agreed with Laura that taking Marah and Shayne to church was a good idea. Laura herself believed in both heaven and hell because she had seen both.
Poor, sweet Harley, they both thought. Phillip must be devastated. And now that drunken ex-prom queen, Beth Raines, had joined up with Barnabas Collins and his gang. Well, he sure attracts the good looking ones, thought Reva, even if Beth's looks were beginning to fade.
Phillip had called a few minutes earlier. That had gotten Josh and Reva out of bed from their mid-morning lovemaking. He was the one who informed them about Beth. He also informed them of the existence of a woman named Maggie Haskell. According to Phillip, Harley had informed him about this woman the night she was murdered. Supposedly, Barnabas Collins had sent this woman a cashier's check for $25,000.00. Phillip stated that Maggie Haskell resided in Collinsport, Maine.
"At last," said Reva. "At last we may have something on this guy. Why would he send $25,000.00 to a woman in Collinsport? She must have something real bad on him."
Reva dialed information and was given Maggie Haskell's number. She dialed and received no anwer. Damn!!!
"She's probably in church like a lot of people are at this hour, Reva. Let's go get some lunch at the country club. We'll leave a note telling Laura and the kids to meet us there. Then we'll call this Maggie Haskell again," said Josh.
"Good idea. Let's go," responded Reva. Soon, maybe they'd have some dirt on this Barnabas Collins and she could get Cassie away from him. She was Reva Shayne and this Barnabas Collins was going down.
Josh and Reva went to the country club and ordered lunch. They were joined later by Laura Murdoch and the children. At approximately 1:30 they all returned home. Now to try and get a hold of Maggie Haskell. Reva dialed the number. She received an answer on the second ring.
"Hello," the voice on the other end said. It belonged to a woman.
"Hello, my name is Reva Lewis. I'm calling from Springfield in the midwest. I'm trying to get in touch with a woman named Maggie Haskell."
"You've found her. This is Maggie Haskell."
"Oh good," said Reva. At long last I've hit paydirt. "Ms. Haskell, what I've got to say to you may sound incredible. I hope you'll listen and hear me out. I'm searching for some answers to a problem that's arisen for me and my family here in Springfield and I'm hoping that you'll be able to help me."
"I'll be glad to listen and see what help I can provide, Ms. Lewis," replied Maggie.
"That's good. Thank you so very much. Ms. Haskell, you may not believe this but I have it on good authority that you've recently been sent a cashier's check in the amount of $25,000.00 from a bank here in Springfield. It was drawn up by a man named Barnabas Collins," informed Reva.
"Ms. Lewis, I'd certainly be glad to get a cashier's check in the amount of $25,000.00 but I don't think Barnabas Collins would be sending it to me. You see, he's dead. He died in 1974 of a heart attack," was the response.
"What?! That's impossible! I know the man. Are you certain?" asked a stunned Reva.
"Yes, I am. We were very close friends years ago. I was living with my late husband in New Bedford at the time. We both drove up to Collinsport for the funeral. His body was cremated and I helped scatter his ashes into the ocean," informed Maggie.
"Well maybe the man I know here in Springfield could be his son. Do you know anything about a son?"
"I don't know just who the man you know in Springfield is, Ms. Lewis, but he's not the son of the Barnabas Collins I knew. The Barnabas Collins I knew had no children," said Maggie.
The mystery had just deepened. Instead of providing answers, this Maggie Haskell was only making things more mysterious. Reva decided to try a different track. She was Reva Shayne and she was going to get some answers one way or another.
"Ms. Haskell, do you know a man named Willie Loomis? I have it on good authority that he was in Springfield last week with the man I know as Barnabas Collins. Now this Willie Loomis seems to have left town."
"Yes, I know Willie Loomis quite well. He's a frequent customer of mine. You see, I own the Blue Whale Pub and Eatery here in Collinsport," was the reply.
"Has this guy been out of town the past few days, maybe just returned?"
"As a matter of fact, yes. I hadn't seen him all week until the other night. He showed up in my bar Friday night. I assumed he must have been out on a bender because he does that sometimes. He also had more cash than usual. He bought the house several rounds Friday night," said Maggie.
"What does this man do, for a living, I mean?" asked Reva.
"He's groundskeeper and handyman on a large estate here in Collinsport called Collinwood. It's owned by a man named David Collins."
"David Collins! Is there any way I can get in touch with this man? Is he possibly related to the Barnabas Collins you knew?" asked Reva.
"To answer your second question first, David Collins and the man I knew were cousins. In fact, Willie Loomis used to work for Barnabas Collins when he was alive," revealed Maggie.
"How about David Collins? Do you have his number? Maybe he can help me out," said Reva.
"Yes, I have his number but he's on vacation in Florida with his wife and children. Willie told me last night that he's coming back to Collinsport on Tuesday. You'll have to wait until then."
That's about it, thought Reva. That's all the information this woman's going to provide me with. She sounds sincere and honest over the phone. Maybe she's telling the truth and what she's told me is all she knows.
"Okay, Ms. Haskell. Thank you for your time. I appreciate your answers to my questions," said Reva.
"Sure thing. Call me again if you think I can be of help to you." With those words Maggie Haskell hung up the phone.
Instead of answers to who and what this Barnabas Collins was Maggie Haskell had only muddied the waters even more. How in the hell could a man who had died in 1974 be alive today in Springfield? Maybe the man only faked his death. Hell, Roger Thorpe had done it twice. But the Barnabas Collins Reva knew couldn't have been much more than forty, agewise. That would have made him sixteen when he died, more or less. Maybe the man here in Springfield was a son of the man who had died in 1974 and Maggie Haskell had simply never known of his existence. That was probably it. Maybe this guy had known Willie Loomis in the past, recruited him to come to Springfield, and was perpetrating a scam on Alan Spaulding and everyone else.
Alan Spaulding certainly knew more than he was telling but Reva knew she wouldn't be able to get anything out of him. Hell, maybe Alan was the one who had set this whole thing up. Maybe this whole thing was only another one of his nefarious plots to gain control of Lewis Oil.
This man David Collins could be the key. He could be the one to unlock all the doors. Reva was going to speak to David Collins. Not over the telephone, like she had with Maggie Haskell but in person. Reva Shayne was going to this place called Collinsport. Now she had to find out where in the hell Collinsport, Maine was located. Look out, Collinsport. Reva Shayne's coming and she wants answers.
While Reva had been talking to Maggie Haskell on the phone, Josh had been in his den watching a Cubs game on WGN. Reva called him out into the living room.
"Dammit Reva, the Cubs have just loaded the bases," cried Josh from the den.
"I need you to come out here, Bud. I finished talking with Maggie Haskell on the phone. She didn't give me much information but she did tell me about a man who might be able to provide some. In fact, we might have to take a little road trip very soon," said Reva.
Josh came into the living room and Reva gave him the entire story about what she had learned from Maggie Haskell. They then looked up the location of Collinsport, Maine in their 1995 Rand McNally. About the only time they'd ever used it. Collinsport looked like it was a few hours drive from Boston so they'd fly into Boston from Springfield, rent a car, and drive up to Collinsport. Since David Collins, according to Maggie Haskell, wouldn't be back in Collinsport until Tuesday they'd have to depart sometime on Monday, which was tomorrow. Spend the night in Boston tomorrow and then drive on to Collinsport on Tuesday. Then they would get some answers and then Reva Shayne would go through Barnabas Collins and his gang like shit through a mule.
That evening they invited Phillip Spaulding over to their house and told him what they discovered that day. Phillip wanted to come with them to Collinsport but Josh and Reva convinced him to remain in Springfield. They didn't want to arouse any suspicions especially since Reva knew that Beth might be keeping an eye on Phillip for Barnabas Collins.
They called the airlines, the rental car agency, and a hotel in Boston Josh had once stayed at and enjoyed. Everything was confirmed. Josh and Reva were leaving Springfield on a flight tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. They'd arrive in Boston late, check-in to their hotel, and drive to Collinsport on Tuesday morning.
Laura Murdoch had overheard everything from her vantage point at the top of the stairs. I'm sorry Reva, but you'll never make that plane flight tomorrow. She went into her room and pulled out her cell phone from her purse. She dialed the number that she had dialed so many times previously. She received an answer on the third ring.
"Hello, Alan. Put Barnabas Collins on the line."
