Subj: Secrets and Alibis 7
Date: 4/12/00 9:17:32 PM Central Daylight Time
From: KimD
When they left Collinwood William had tied Vicki up and put her in the trunk of a car, so she didn’t know where she was going. Vicki found herself in a room whose sunny yellow walls and neatly made bed with its creamy white sheets seemed oppressive.
She heard a key turn in the lock, and William walked in. “How are you doing my dear?” he asked.
"Why am I here?” she asked.
“You’re quite valuable. Someone’s going to pay me quite a bit your safe return.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“I don’t think that’s really any of your concern. Just do as you’re asked and you’ll be treated well. I’m sorry that you had to become involved in this. I had hoped you could have been spared. I’m sorry it had to be like this.” He closed the door and left her to herself. She thought about everyone at Collinwood and wondered if anyone missed her yet. She didn’t even know where she was. There would be no one to help her now. She would have to save herself this time.
Barnabas tried to convince himself that Vicki was better off the way she left him. He was no good to her in his current state. But he felt compelled to see her again. He knew that he had hurt her. He had to make sure that she was all right. Since last night he had thought of a hundred different ways he could have better handled everything with her. She might have even stayed with him, but it was useless thinking of that now.
He was greeted at Collinwood by Elizabeth. “Good evening,” she said as she let him in.
“Hello Elizabeth,” he said. “How are you doing tonight?”
At that moment Roger appeared from the drawing room. “Have you seen Vicki tonight?”
“No. Isn’t she here?” he asked with a worried expression crossing his face.
“No,” Elizabeth answered. “We were hoping that she was with you.”
“How long has she been gone?”
“No one noticed she was gone until she didn’t show up for dinner.” Roger said.
Vicki searched the room for anything that could be of use. There were no windows, only bed, and a closet. In the closet a small solitary dress hung limply, discarded by the previous residence. She could here the sound of voices outside the door. One of the voices belonged to William; the other was an unfamiliar female voice. “Did you get the girl?” the female voice asked.
“Yes,” William said, “she’s in that room. Why don’t you go introduce yourself? I’m going to pay a visit to Barnabas Collins.” He gave a little laugh. “He thinks it’s only his money I want.”
“You’re such a genius,” the female voice said in a voice that dripped with enticement.
There was a long pause, then William said in a considerably less friendly tone, “I wouldn’t try that. You remember what happened last time. You forget my dear I know your thoughts before you do.”
“You’re a hateful man,” the female said venomously.
“I’m also the only person you have to rely on. I’ll be back later.” Vicki heard retreating footsteps and presumed that he left.