Angelique's Revenge, Part 9
Date: 1/16/98
From: AngeliqueBouchard

The crowded drawing room resounded with the clamor of different voices. How could Tom be responsible for fathering Laura's child? How could he have spent the night with his cousin's wife and not recognize who she was? Chris speculated Laura paid off the bartender at the Blue Whale to drug Tom. It was the only logical explanation that Chris could conceive. Tom insisted he told no one of his intentions of visiting the local tavern that night. Quentin suspected that there was a connection between all the women named "Laura" who had married into the Collins family over the years. He convinced Tom and Chris to join with him in searching the west wing tonight in order to shed light on this mystery.

After a short while the Stokes returned with Barnabas and Angelique. "I'm sorry about what happened before," Angelique said.

"There's no need for apologies, Angelique," Elizabeth said. "Elliot, Julia, can you explain this? What did you mean before about a spirit possessing Angelique?"

Barnabas started the explanation, "It hasn't been a secret to the family that Angelique has been having disturbing nightmares since arriving here, but we believe it goes further than that," Barnabas looked to Elliot.

"Let me come straight to the point," Elliot said. "We believe that there is a spirit here at Collinwood who is not at rest. It seems to be communicating through Angelique. I know many of you have had paranormal experiences here at Collinwood and are not close minded to this idea. Julia and I feel the best thing to do is to have a seance and contact this ghost. Since it is almost midnight I suggest we begin immediately."

The Collins family was not taken aback by the thought of contacting the dead. The supernatural seemed to abide at Collinwood. Over generations members of the household became accustomed to strange noises and fleeting shadows.

"At least this will take our minds off of Laura and Tom," Carolyn commented.

"I'd welcome anything that could help me do that," Elizabeth added quietly.

Jeb, Roxanne, Vicki, and Carolyn agreed to participate while Elizabeth and Daphne preferred to stay and watch. They gathered around a table. "Everyone's hands must touch and no matter what happens the circle can not be broken," Julia said.

Elizabeth dimmed the lights as Carolyn brought some candles to the table. Julia began, "We are seeking to contact the spirit who roams this house. The spirit who has been communicating with Angelique Collins. Speak to us. Speak to us spirit.

A word came to Roxanne's mind, "grandmother". Dismissing it as an unrelated intrusive thought Roxanne cleared her mind.

Angelique sat in between Barnabas and Carolyn waiting with baited breath for something to happen. She was terrified of the thought of loosing control of herself again should the spirit choose to speak.

Jeb spoke, "I am getting something. A name and a word. The name is 'Angelique Bouchard' and the word is 'grandmother."

Roxanne opened her eyes in shock.

"Does this mean anything to you Angelique?" Elliot asked.

"No, no it doesn't," a frustrated Angelique replied.

"Is a spirit speaking to you Jeb?" Julia asked.

"No," Jeb answered, his eyes closes and his face a mask of concentration. "I am picking up vibrations." Jeb opened his eyes and looked at Angelique. "You must speak to your grandmother. I feel she holds the answer. I also felt that the spirit we are trying to contact is near, but refuses to communicate."

"How very odd," Elliot said. "Usually when a spirit is not at rest it wants to communicate with the living."

"Very well done," the ghost of Angelique Bouchard murmured bitterly to herself. "I assure you, Jeb Hawkes, that you will pay for interfering in my plans. When next opportunity presents itself, you will regret the night my name passed through your lips."

TO BE CONTINUED