Subj: Winds of Change Part 11
Date: 8/3/99 5:08:04 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Mysterious Millicent

Winds of Change Part 11

Collinsport Gaol:

Vicki sat in the jail cell pondering what was going to happen to her. She had spent many a night in this cell wondering why this was happening to her. Why had she been sent back to the past? What had happened during the seance? Had this all been someone's plan to show her what had actually taken place so she would understand? So many nights she had spent in her room at Collinwood pouring over the history of the Collins family and envying Josette, Naomi, and Millicent. Wanting so much to be part of a family and to be loved. Little did she know then the sorrow the family had gone through. And to think of all the tragedies that were begun by a fact she had always believed was only fiction. Witches did not exist is what she had always believed. Oh, it is true they were not always ugly, have long pointed noses, sprout warts, wear black capes, have tall black hats, and ride brooms with which to write messages in the sky like in the Wizard of Oz. But they did indeed exist.

And how stupid of her not to realize sooner who the witch really was. So many times she had been leery of Angelique and her actions. How often had she seen the looks of disgust or anger in Angelique's face whenever Josette and Barnabas were together! Why had she been so slow to see this? And now, she was paying for all the crimes committed by that one woman.

And what of Peter? She loved him so. And yet, if she were to be transported back to her own time, she would lose him. She would not be able to live without him. Hearing a noise behind her, she looked toward her jail cell door and saw Peter standing there with a guard opening the door.

"Peter, is it time to go to trial again?"

""Yes, Vicki. And I am a bit afraid of going in to that courtroom today." Peter answered as he hugged Vicki wanting to protect her from what would happen today, and needing her strength and support as well.

"Why, Peter? What is going to happen today?" Vicki asked

Breaking away from the embrace Peter looked into Vicki's searching eyes and said, "Trask is bringing in a new witness, and he says he has information that will prove you are a witch. I don't know who the witness is and that bothers me. Trask didn't say who he was bringing into court today and I don't like surprises."

Vicki looked into Peter's eyes, wishing to see hope there, but knowing as well that there was very little hope for her.

"What if you had a surprise of your own, Mr. Bradford" came a voice from the doorway to the jail. "What if I told you that you and Miss Winters have a "new" witness that will help you out and give a surprise testimony?"

Peter and Vicki looked at Miss Collins standing a few feet away from them. Peter was skeptical and a bit leery of Miss Collins who had so many times been so full of hatred and tried so hard to prove his client a witch. He found it very hard to believe anything she said. The only reason he had gone along with this thus far had been for Vicki's sake. Now, he felt it impossible to believe this woman. "Forgive me, Miss Collins but I can't see how you could possibly come up with a witness that could prove Vicki anything but guilty. The whole community is ready to convict her, due to what you and Trask have already told the judges."

Abigail had anticipated this response and she was ready. "Mr. Bradford, you may say what you will of me and I will accept your contempt for me as well. But are you willing to let Miss Winters be convicted of witchcraft without using every possible means to prove her innocence? If you do, then you have no feelings for Miss Winters at all, and give up rather easily."

"I'm sorry, Miss Collins." Peter answered, "But I can't believe there could be a witness in this town who could help Miss Winters, let alone give testimony that would prove her innocence!"

Vicki had been listening to this exchange of ideas quietly, and finally spoke up. "Peter, we must use whatever means we can at this point. If Miss Collins has come up with someone who can help me, we must accept this and hope for the best. Peter, we must! It is at least worth a try. We have tried all else. Please, Peter.

Peter looked at Vicki and saw the fear and the need for hope there in her eyes. Her voice betrayed her fear and he knew that he had to keep her hopes up. And yet, he did not like going into court with a 'new' witness that would help this case and have no knowledge of what was going on. "Miss Collins, can you tell me who this witness is? How am I supposed to proceed without even knowing who my 'star' witness is?"

"It will not be necessary for you to prepare for this testimony, Mr. Bradford. This witness will set the record straight, and will do so willingly and will be accepted by the judges. You must trust me. That is all I can say." Abigail replied. "The witness will come forth following whatever evidence Reverand Trask has presented."

Peter was very skeptical of what Abigail was saying, but knowing full well that he had no where to go to find any more help for Vicki he decided he had to accept what Abigail was proposing. "Very well, Miss Collins. It seems I have no choice but to go along with this. But I must point out, that I am not comfortable at all with presenting a witness I have never seen."

"Thank you, Peter." Vicki said as she moved closer to him and kissed him. Abigail watched this and smiled, and her thoughts moved to her handsome nephew and how much she loved him.

The jailer came to the cell and announced it was time to go to the courtroom, and the three walked out of the cell.

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Trask walked into the courtroom and set his files down on the desk. He smiled to himself at what he and Forbes had discussed last night. He was certain this testimony would prove once and for all that Miss Winters was indeed a witch.

Vicki, Peter and Abigail walked into the courtroom shortly afterwards and Abigail looked at Trask with total contempt. She could not believe that she had allowed this to go on as long as she had. It was her fault that Miss Winters was wrongly accused of witchcraft and it was further her fault that this horrid man had been called into make sure that she was hung for that crime.

Trask merely smiled at Abigail and nodded his head. He knew full well what she was thinking and he still could not understand how the witch had gotten to her so quickly. She had been so adamant in her claims of Vicki's witchcraft powers and now she was helping the girl!

The three judges came into the room and everyone took their appropriate places. Judge Trilling opened the trial and Trask moved forward and announced he had one more witness to bring in the case against Miss Winters.

"I call Nathan Forbes to testify." Trask's booming voice rang out. From outside the courtroom came the Lieutenant walking with an arrogant air as though he were the most important man at that very moment. He briefly looked at Peter and Vicki who stood there with shocked looks on their faces. Peter had once before tried to get the Lt to testify FOR Miss Winters and he had refused saying that he was not in very good graces with the Collins Family and would probably not be taken seriously. Now, here he stood ready to convict her.

Vicki was very shocked to see Nathan here. She had always thought that the Lt. was a bit on the shady side, but had never thought him capable of such cruelty!

Forbes walked up to the Judges stand and placing his left hand on the bible he raised his right hand as the Judge asked, "Do you Nathan Forbes swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"

"I do."

"Very well, take the witness stand, Lt. Forbes"

Trask moved up to Forbes and began his interrogation of the Lt and how he had met Miss Winters and under what circumstances. Forbes began to tell
the court how he met Miss Winters near the time of the wedding of Josette du Pres' and Barnabas Collins. He related how many times she had information that no one would have known and it proved to be true. He told how many strange events began to take place and to the Collins family that he had known and worked with for many years. Forbes told the court how he had been in the employ of the Navy and worked closely with the Collins family for quite some time and in all that time there had never been any scandel, or strange occurances happen to them at all. It wasn't until after the unexplained and mysterious appearance of Miss Winters, that tragedy, after tragedy had come to the family.

Forbes related how Miss Winter's clothing, and mannerisms the day she arrived were very mysterious, and that she possessed knowledge that she attempted to pass off with it was just instinct. She had been seen working with a Tarot Deck, and had further been seen giving Daniel and Sarah lessons in what appeared to be instructions for chanting spells.

When Nathan was through, it was clear the Judges were impressed and on the verge of convicting Miss Winters at that very moment. Even when Peter tried to cross-examine Forbes with a number of events he described such as the teaching of chanting spells to the children as quoting literary works, it was clear that none of these literary pieces existed and so all his attempts failed. Peter was becoming very worried. The Judges asked if either side had any more questions for Lt. Forbes and both Trask and Peter shook their heads.

"You may step down Lt. Forbes. And you are dismissed from the court." Judge Trilling said. Forbes turned around and with one look at Vicki left the courtroom quickly. "Do you have any further testimony, Reverand Trask?"

"No, your honor, I rest my case at this time." Trask said smugly, knowing full well what Nathan had stated was very damaging to Vicki, and very pleased that even though Miss Collins looked at him as though to tear him apart, he was going to succeed in getting rid of another witch on this earth.

"Mr. Bradford, do you have any further testimony?" Judge Trilling asked.

Peter looked at Vicki and then at Abigail and was about to say 'no' when Ben Stokes appeared at the door to the courtroom. Peter looked at Ben who nodded his head and Peter said, "Yes, your honor, I call Ben Stokes to the trial."

Trask was visibly shaken by the turn of events, but thought that this would be a simple matter to deal with. Ben Stokes was a servant in the Collins household, true, but he was also a convicted criminal. How much use would his testimony be?

"Your honor, I protest this witness. He is a well-known criminal and his testimony would not be admissible in court. I ask that he be removed at once!"

"Your honor, Ben Stokes is a valuable witness. He worked with the Collins family as a servant and saw much of what went on behind closed doors. I ask that he be approved and allow him to testify on Miss Winters behalf." Peter retorted.

The judges conferred for a second or two and then Judge Trilling said, "Very well, Mr. Bradford. You may swear in your witness.!"

"Your honor, I protest. This witness's tesitmony can only be false as...." Trask tried to interject, but Judge Trilling cut him off. "I see no reason why this man should not be allowed to testify Reverand Trask. Your protest is overruled. Come forward Mr. Stokes and be sworn into the court."

Trask was totally irritated but knew there was nothing he could do at the present time. But he was sure that in his cross examination that he would be able to discredit whatever the man said, so he fell still and allowed Ben to testify.

to be continued-------