Subj: Dark Light -- 24
Date: 6/6/99
From: Flashman

Chapter 24-Collinwood

Josh and Reva were in their rental car driving up the hill toward the place known as Collinwood. Maggie Haskell had put them in touch with David Collins. She knew him well. She had been his governess as a child, or so she had said. David Collins had invited them to eat dinner with him and his family at 6:00 p.m. It would be no problem, he had told them. His wife Amy loved having guests. Their house was large and with only the immediate family living there his wife sometimes got lonely.

Josh and Reva hadn't told David Collins much of anything about why they were in Collinsport, only that it was very important and involved a murder in Springfield that had connections in Collinsport. They could fill him in on the rest of the details over dinner. David Collins had sounded a bit pompous on the phone but then again it had been his idea to invite the Lewises to dinner at his house. He may sound pompous but at least he's hospitable, Josh and Reva thought.

The Lewises had checked in to the Collinsport Inn. They were going to have to spend the night in Collinsport and then drive back down to Boston tomorrow. Hopefully, they would have no problem getting a flight out. From what they had learned from Maggie Haskell they knew they had to return to Springfield as soon as possible.

So, thought Reva, it was Annie Dutton after all. Annie Dutton was the person behind the mysterious events that had been taking place in Springfield. Two witnesses had placed her in Collinsport. Both Maggie Haskell and Harry Johnson were certain that the woman in the photograph had been the same woman they had seen in the Blue Whale. And this guy Willie Loomis had seen her too. Willie Loomis, who worked as a handyman on the estate of Collinwood. Willie Loomis, who had been in Springfield just last week. Reva and Josh were sure as hell going to talk to him.

However, some questions still remained. Just who was this Barnabas Collins? How had he come in contact with Annie? What was their game? Hopefully, the first question could be answered by David Collins. He probably wouldn't be able to answer the last two since he had been on vacation in Florida.

Josh and Reva pulled into the driveway at Collinwood and parked their car there. The place was some spread. It was bigger than Spaulding Manor in Springfield. Reva could certainly see why David Collins's wife loved to entertain guests. Collinwood was enormous.

They walked to the front door at Collinwood and rang the doorbell. A petite redheaded woman who wore glasses answered. She had a nice figure. She looks like a school teacher, Reva thought.

"Hello. You must be the Lewises. Won't you come in? I'm Amy Collins."

"Yes, thank you Mrs. Collins," replied Reva.

Josh and Reva walked through the front door and entered the Collinwood lobby.

"I should inform you that my husband is going to be a little late. You see, he's chairman of the county Republican party and some business with them came up at the last minute. He should be in around 7:00."

The clock in the lobby said 5:50. Oh well, Josh and Reva thought, let's just have dinner with this woman and her family and then talk to her husband. Like Reva's father, Hawk Shayne, had once told her. Never turn down a free meal.

As they were standing in the lobby Reva turned and saw the portrait. It was a portrait of Barnabas Collins. The man they knew in Springfield.

"That's him! That man in the portrait. Barnabas Collins. That's who we've come to talk to your husband about," said Reva.

Amy Collins laughed, "Well my husband can't tell you anything about that man other than the fact that he's dead. Look at the inscription on the portrait. It was painted in 1795."

Reva and Josh did as instructed. Amy Collins was correct. There it was. 1795.

"But this man here in the portrait bears a remarkable resemblance to a man in Springfield we know as Barnabas Collins. Except for the clothes they're exact doubles," said Reva.

"Mrs. Lewis, the man in the portrait is named Barnabas Collins. He's an ancestor of ours. He lived in the 18th century. You've just stumbled onto a trait of the Collins family. They have very strong genes. Both the men and women from one generation to the next tend to bear a strong resemblance to one another," said Amy.

"Mrs. Collins, did you know a man named Barnabas Collins when you were a child?" asked Josh.

"Yes, I did. He was a very kind and dear man. He helped me and my older brother out tremendously on several occasions."

"Well just how many Barnabas Collins's were there?" asked Reva.

"Only two, Mrs. Lewis. And now maybe three since you say there is a man in Springfield that looks like the portrait and has the same name.

"But enough of this for now. Come, let's go to the dining room. Dinner's almost ready and I want you to meet my family. We don't entertain very often. After dinner, if you want, I can give you the grand tour of Collinwood....."

Josh and Reva followed Amy Collins into the dining room. Four people were there already. Three children and a very voluptuous young woman. Upon seeing the woman Reva thought to herself that Josh had better keep his eyes to himself. Amy Collins introduced them all. David, Jr., who was called D.J. Christopher, who was called C.J. Edwina, who was called Eddy. And finally the well-built woman. Her name was Christine Keel and she was the children's nanny. Boy, I wouldn't mind being a kid again with a nanny who looks like that, thought Josh.

The housekeeper, whose name was Mrs. Grace, brought out the meal. There were many courses to choose from. The food was excellent. You set a fine table Mrs. Collins, Reva had complimented. Over the course of dinner the Lewises learned that Amy Collins was home-schooling her children and that she had hired Christine Keel to assist her with that task in return for college tuition money. Amy Collins had once taught school herself and felt that today's public schools were a mess. Thus the home schooling of her children.

They were getting close to finishing their meal and there was still no sign of the absent David Collins. Josh decided to bring up the subject of Willie Loomis and see if they could arrange to speak with him.

"Mrs. Collins, I understand that a man named Willie Loomis works on your estate here. I wonder if we might be able to talk to him. I don't know just how much your husband told you about the purpose of our little visit tonight but we'd like to speak with Mr. Loomis too."

"To tell you the truth, Mr. Lewis, my husband told me nothing about why you're here. I assumed it was business of some sort or another. He just said to set two more places at the table for dinner tonight and then told me your names," replied Amy.

"Can we talk to this man Willie Loomis since your husband isn't here yet?" asked Reva.

"Certainly, Mrs. Lewis. He lives in his own cottage on the estate. I'll take you there as soon as the table is cleared," was Amy's response.

The dinner was soon cleared from the table by Mrs. Grace. Amy Collins told the nanny to take the children upstairs. They could play games on the computer, she instructed. Josh, Reva, and Amy walked toward the lobby of Collinwood. As they arrived in the lobby David Collins walked through the front door.

"Oh, hello. You must be the Lewises. I'm David Collins. Sorry I'm late but something important came up. Republican Party business I'm afraid. I'm the county chairman."

"Yes, Mr. Collins. Your wife told us that. I'm Josh Lewis and this is my wife, Reva." They both shook hands with David Collins.

"Honey, do you want me to get Mrs. Grace to set you a plate?" asked Amy.

"No thanks, dear. I had a sandwich at the office. Now, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, what can I do for you? Why have you come all the way from the midwest to the quaint little village of Collinsport? I believe you stated on the telephone that it had something to do with a murder."

Amy Collins gasped, "A murder! What's going on here, Mrs. Lewis?"

"Don't worry, Mrs. Collins. You and your family are in no danger. We're only here seeking information about a man named Barnabas Collins. You know, the one I told you about earlier. The man who lives in Springfield and resembles the portrait over there on the wall," said Reva.

David Collins, upon hearing Reva's statement, turned pale and began to tremble. Josh and Reva noticed this and wondered why. What did this man know? Just who or what was Barnabas Collins. The mere mention of the man's name had obviously frightened David Collins.

"Amy, get Christine, Mrs. Grace, and the children and go to Daphne's house. Stay there until I call you," ordered David Collins.

"David, what's wrong? What in the world is going on?" asked Amy. She could see the fear on her husband's face also.

"There's no time to explain, Amy. Just do as I say," stated David.

Amy Collins went upstairs to get her children. Josh and Reva were still puzzled by the situation.

"What's going on, Mr. Collins?" asked Josh.

"I'll give you a complete explanation in a few minutes, Mr. Lewis. First, I want my family out of this house. I want to make sure they are safe."

Amy, the Collins children, Christine Keel, and Mrs. Grace soon came down the stairs. David kissed Amy goodbye and told her not to worry. Everything was going to be all right in a little bit. He'd give her a full explanation upon her return. Amy and the rest of the Collinwood household went out the front door and into the night.

"Mr. Collins, the mere mention of the name Barnabas Collins obviously frightened you. What do you know about this man? Is he the son of the man who died 25 years ago? Your wife stated earlier that she knew that man as a child," said Josh.

"Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, you may not believe me, but what I'm about to tell you is the God's truth. I swear to you that everything I'm about to reveal is true. The man in the portrait there, the man Amy and I knew when we were children, and the man you know today in Springfield are all one in the same. Barnabas Collins--vampire. That's why I had to get my wife and family our of the house. They know nothing and I want to keep it that way at least until the children are older."

Josh and Reva stared at David Collins disbelievingly. This tale was too fantastic. Yet the man obviously believed it, at least in his own mind. He was terrified.

David motioned Josh and Reva into the living room of Collinwood. He poured himself a shot of brandy and swallowed it in one gulp. Then he went to a drawer and pulled it open. He removed a pistol from the drawer. Then, from another drawer, he produced three crosses.

"Put these crosses around your necks and come with me," instructed David. "We're going to drive to a place called Eagle Hill Cemetary. I'll explain everything on the drive. We'll go in my car."

They exited Collinwood. Before getting into his car David Collins went to a tool shed located near the mansion and got two crowbars. Then he started the car and began to drive. Almost immediately after putting the car in gear, David Collins began his story. The story of Barnabas Collins--at least what he knew of it.

It had all began in 1967. That's when his mysterious cousin from England had entered the lives of the Collins family. From the beginning David had been suspicious of Barnabas. He had even found his coffin one day while playing in the Old House where Barnabas resided. David had, from the start, suspected that the Barnabas Collins who had suddenly entered into the lives of his family and the Barnabas Collins who had lived during the 18th century were one and the same. But no one in his family believed him. They chalked it up to an overactive imagination and the fact that he was suffering from emotional problems due to the untimely and tragic death of his mother.

After a while, David had grown to trust Barnabas somewhat. Amy, when she was a young girl, had come to live in Collinwood after the death of her brother, Tom Jennings, who had been her guardian. Amy absolutely adored Barnabas. She looked upon him as a substitute father. That's why he had never revealed the Collins family secret about Barnabas to her. Amy had suffered through a painful childhood. She had put aside most of those painful memories and David had not wanted to bring them back by revealing to her who and what Barnabas Collins was.

1974, twenty-five years ago this very month. That's when the secret of Barnabas Collins had been uncovered. Never mind how, that was too long and complicated. Barnabas had been chained in his coffin and the coffin had been placed in the Collins Family Mausoleum, where they were headed now. David's father had wanted to destroy Barnabas but had been overruled by his Aunt Elizabeth. Barnabas Collins had been chained in his coffin just as he had been in the year 1795. David told Josh and Reva that he knew he should have destroyed Barnabas long ago. It was only out of reverence for the memory of his Aunt Elizabeth that he had not done so. He had loved her dearly, more than anyone else in the world except Amy. She had been like a mother to him growing up.

As he concluded his tale David's car was parked on the side of the road outside of Eagle Hill Cemetary. Along with Josh and Reva, he got out of the car. They were going to go inside the mausoleum in the cemetary.

"I don't think we're in any immediate danger. If what you've told me is true, the coffin in the mausoleum is empty. Nevertheless, we must be prepared. Keep the crosses you're wearing outside of your clothing in plain sight. Mr. Lewis, get the crowbars. Mrs. Lewis, do you know how to use a pistol?" asked David.

"Yes, Mr. Collins, I do," was Reva's reply.

"Good. Take the pistol. It's loaded with silver bullets. According to legend, silver is one thing that can destroy a vampire. If I tell you to shoot, you shoot to kill. Do you understand me?"

"Yes," replied Reva.

They went inside the cemetary and entered the Collins Mausoleum. There they saw three coffins made of marble. The names over the coffins said Joshua, Naomi, and Sarah Collins.

"These coffins here. They're the graves of Barnabas Collins's mother, father, and sister. His father Joshua chained him in his coffin in 1795 when he discovered his son was a vampire."

David pulled on a ring above the tomb inscriptions. This ring opened a secret panel in the tomb behind the coffins. David looked inside the secret panel. The chains were still on the coffin.

"The coffin is still chained. Let's get those chains off," said David.

"What if someone or something is still inside that coffin?" asked Josh. He was getting scared himself now.

"I asked your wife before if she knew how to use a pistol. I'll ask the question once again. Mrs. Lewis, do you know how to shoot?"

"Yes, I'm ready, Mr. Collins," replied Reva.

"Good. When and if I say so, shoot to kill," said David.

Josh and Reva took the crowbars and pried the chains off of the coffin. David then pried open the lid. There was nothing inside the coffin. It was empty. Somehow, Barnabas Collins had escaped from where he had been imprisoned in 1974. Josh and Reva had a pretty good idea who had done the deed but not how or why it had happened.

"Just as I thought. Empty. Now we're going to pay a visit to my handyman, Willie Loomis," said David.

"Mr. Collins, I don't think that will be necessary. You've already shown us almost everything we came to Collinsport to find out," said Reva.

"On the contrary, Mrs. Lewis. I think a little chat with Willie would be extremely enlightening and useful to us all. You see, he's the one who freed Barnabas Collins from his coffin the first time in 1967."