Subj: The Letter, Part Six
Date: 7/6/01 2:16:52 AM Central Daylight Time
From: R J Jamison

Julia sat in a small sitting room at the Collinsport Inn. She observed that it had been specially arranged for Douglas Blaylock with a desk, three separate phones, and various pieces of equipment for him to conduct his work. She contemplated what the renovations to this room must mean. She had only anticipated this one conversation with Douglas, but the state of the room indicated a longer stay on his part.

Charles Llewellyn watched Julia walk about examining the room. “He does intend to be here indefinitely, Julia.”

“Why?” An edge of irritation had laced Julia’s comments for the last several minutes as Charles had attempted small talk, something neither of them was well suited for.

“First, he doesn’t think you’ll be amenable to his plans, second, you are all he has left.” Charles replied acidly.

Julia took a chair near the desk. “You are right on the first point. I have never thought “the plans” as you all call them, were appropriate. And as to your second point, Douglas has his son, doesn’t he?”

“Taylor. He believed he had Taylor but now he knows he does not, it was all false hope.”

“I don’t believe you about that one.”

“But you should, my dear.” A deep voice behind Julia filled the room.

Julia turned to see Douglas Blaylock. He was still a powerful looking man, tall with broad shoulders, thick, wavy, white hair and startling clear, blue eyes. She knew he was closing in on his seventy-fifth year but could still see the flame that had powered him and attracted so many to his circle. His son, Taylor, had not had the same flame within him.

“I should believe what Charles says?” Julia mocked both men with her words.

“You look very different, dear girl.” Douglas approached her and took both of her hands. “I suppose calling you dear girl is a bit out of the past for both of us.” Douglas appraised Julia unabashedly. Her professional suit, its clear, straight lines which were meant to hide most of what she was.

“We all age,” she smiled politely. She quickly pulled her hands from his. “Even you have a few lines.”

“Yes. But you seem to wear armor now.” Douglas motioned for Charles to leave the room.

Julia’s discomfort with Charles dismissal was evident by the anxious look in her eyes. “Julia, you’ll be safe. I only mean to talk with you.”

“You mean to persuade me and you’ll stop at nothing to get your way.”

Douglas picked up several papers and a small velvet box from the desk. “My dear daughter, I do mean to persuade you but not at all costs. Please sit down.”

Julia did as requested but with great distance between the two. Unfortunately, Douglas closed the space between them by sitting near her on the sofa.

“It has been ten years.”

Julia nodded.

“I’ve honored our agreement, I’ve stayed out of your way. I’ve been vague when people ask of you. But many know this is where you’ve gone, to this tiny town. Wyndcliffe’s reputation under your administration –“

“Don’t waste time flattering me.” Julia held up her hand to stave off the words she knew he would try to say.

“Armor, yes, you wear several layers of armor.” Douglas observed her. “You used to be a little freer about yourself. I am sorry my son and I –“

“Your son and you? Don’t flatter yourself Douglas.” The edge of irritation returned. Julia felt shame when in Douglas’s presence. She recalled their last Christmas and how it had changed her so much. Why she felt anger at him rather than sorrow, she did not know. If that same evening were to happen now, Julia knew her reaction would be one of compassion rather than anger. “I’m sorry Douglas, this whole visit has me on edge. Charles says you wish to end things? Is that really, finally, true?”

“Yes. I have finally reconciled myself to the facts, Julia.” Douglas held out several files to her. “You can read these and see what my investigators found in South America.”

Julia quickly scanned a few pages. They contained information that was not a surprise to her. The final destination of Taylor was intriguing but in line with his goals. She smiled regretfully and asked, “May I take these to read and return them to you?”

Douglas observed her for a moment. She was very different than when he’d last seen her. She seemed reflective, introspective. He saw a compassion in her eyes that had not been there before. “Yes. But the thing that confirms what you’ve always known and which I would not accept it this.” Douglas held out the velvet box to Julia. She gazed at him and then the box with confusion. “Take it.”

Julia set aside the files and took the box. What could it contain that would have brought Douglas to acknowledge the truth? She could not imagine. She slowly opened it and within it saw an elaborately etched golden ring. Her eyes filled with tears, her lips trembled and she felt her breath quicken. Julia continued to stare at the ring.

“He would never be without that.” Douglas placed a warm hand on Julia’s knee. “It was found in a mass grave.” He continued to stare at his changed daughter-in-law. She was actually more than regretful for this news, she was sad.

Julia recalled the last time she had seen the ring. He had sung into her ear with the band as they danced,

Night and day, why is it so
That this longin' for you follows wherever I go ?
In the roarin' traffic's boom
In the silence of my lonely room
I think of you day and night

Night and day, under the hide of me
There's an oh, such a hungry yearnin' burnin' inside of me
And its torment won't be through
Till you let me spend my life makin' love to you
Day and night, night and day

She had pulled away from him, trying to escape he intimacy of the moment and the ring had caught on her sweater. It was an awkward moment, he knew what her break meant and she understood the symbolism of the ring caught on her sweater.

“Julia,” Douglas shook her knee to bring her back into the present. The last ten years had changed her in many ways, more than just her manner of dress. He also noted more tenderness and personal vulnerability. The woman his son had married would not have reacted in this manner to the ring. She would’ve put on a pensive and politely sad smile and tucked it away.

She wanted you to believe she’d mourn in private, which he knew she rarely did. “did you hear me say, it was found in a mass grave?”

Julia’s eyes could not focus on Douglas or his words. “Mass grave?”

“Yes. I am at last acknowledging what you and Charles have always said. Taylor is dead.”

Julia nodded. She closed the box and held it within the palms of her hands. She looked down at the companion ring which she had just placed in her finger this morning. She had quickly gone to the bank and removed it from her safe deposit box. She hadn’t wanted Douglas to know that she had stopped wearing it when she had moved to Maine. However, she had continued to wear the pearl engagement ring over the years. But it was easily described to anyone who had inquired, as a family heirloom, which in fact, it was. It had belonged to Taylor’s grandmother.

“What do you wish to do now?” Julia whispered.

“I want you and I to take the steps to legally declare him dead.”

Dark Shadows is a Dan Curtis Production.