Vortex

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#CC9900" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="047005a0dwnjzk.gif"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cassies Writing"><U><B>home</B></U></A><B>     | </B><B> </B><B> </B><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>Cassie's Writing</B></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id87.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="All Hallows Eve"><U><B>All Hallows' Eve</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id88.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fall Camoflage"><U><B>Fall Camoflage</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id89.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Cyrus"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  Cyrus</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id90.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Roxanne"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  Roxanne</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id91.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Claude"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  Claude</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id92.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Christmas Magick"><U><B>Christmas Magick</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id93.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Maggie"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  Maggie</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id94.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Winters Deep Freeze"><U><B>Winter's Deep Freeze</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id95.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Sabrina"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  Sabrina</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id96.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Frostbite"><U><B>Frostbite</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id97.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: The Collins Family"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  The Collins Family</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id98.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Biding Time in Purgatory"><U><B>Biding Time in Purgatory</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id99.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Quentin"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  Quentin</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id100.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Family Secrets"><U><B>Family Secrets</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><B>Vortex</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id101.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spring Whirlwind"><U><B>Spring Whirlwind</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id103.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Den of Vipers"><U><B>Den of Vipers</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id104.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Angelique"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  Angelique</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id105.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Converging Forces"><U><B>Converging Forces</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id106.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Flames of Purification"><U><B>Flames of Purification</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id85.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Adam in Parallel Time"><U><B>Adam in Parallel Time</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Vortex</B></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div>      "This time, we're going to be ready," Randy declared, rolling a pistol in a cloth and packing it carefully in his backpack.  Adam looked at the gun with distaste.  He'd just made reservations for Randy and himself at the Collinsport Inn.  They were bringing cameras, a tent, and backpacks-they would have a place to stay and sites to visit.  This was to make sure that the sheriff had no reason to run them out of town again for vagrancy.</div> <div>      Adam confided in the Stuarts.  He didn't want to alarm them so he didn't say anything about Sabrina, but he did tell them about Tony Peterson's disappearance and the fact that Claude North had been the last person to be seen with Roxanne.  Someone in Collinsport had been seen with North.  Mrs. Stuart fretted anyway.  "Whoever it is sounds like a madman," she worried.  "I hope Sabrina's safe-I don't like her living all alone up there."</div> <div>      "We can call," Admiral Stuart said.  "Tell her, you come here."</div> <div>      "Oh, dear, I don't think she'll listen," Mrs. Stuart fretted.</div> <div>      "Don't worry," Adam said.  "I will watch out for her."</div> <div>      "Good man with sense," the admiral said, looking relieved.</div> <div>      Adam hoped so.  He knew that the admiral respected Randy a little more because he and Adam were working on weekends at the marina.  They were continuing to get the sailboat ready to go into the water, and they were going up to Collinsport together.  Perhaps there would be a time when Randy would be welcomed into the Stuart home again.   Now he watched as Randy pulled up his pants leg and felt horrified to see a large knife strapped there.  "Randy!"</div> <div>      Randy looked at him and grinned.  "I have a feeling we're going to need to be prepared, man!"  The grin was cold and dangerous.</div> <div>      Perhaps Randy was right.  Claude North was a dangerous man.  Adam hadn't thought about how he would fight the man-he had no weapons.  Would he really be able to handle the man without them?  And he had no idea how strong John Yeager was.  He was very glad to have someone like Randy coming along.</div> <bR> <div>      Cyrus tried to look Maggie in the eyes without flushing and trembling like a schoolboy.  He knew he had to fight his desire for her while he was Quentin's friend-it didn't matter that Maggie was loose, like Joyce, like Sabrina, giving herself to men before marriage.  It was important that he remember he had to behave himself and control his urges because he was the pure Cyrus now and Quentin's friend.  Premarital sex and certainly adultery should never be thoughts he'd ever entertain.  He tried to concentrate on what Maggie was saying to him, remembering how close he'd come to possessing her-if not for that bitch Buffy!  "I'm sorry, Maggie," he said softly, taking her hand gently.  He could feel blood surging through his body; there was heat rising from his groin.  He tried to bite his lip to make it go away.</div> <div>      "I just don't know what to do anymore," Maggie wept.  </div> <div>      "Maybe it's just time to give up, my dear," Cyrus advised in a soft, soothing voice.</div> <div>      Maggie looked up with dismay.  "Give up?"</div> <div>      "You deserve better, Maggie," Cyrus continued.  "Perhaps it's time to resign yourself to the fact that Quentin is never going to let go of this obsession he has with his first wife."</div> <div>      "I never dreamed you'd be giving me this kind of advice!"  Maggie sounded distraught.</div> <div>      "I know.  He's my best friend-I love him like he was my brother," Cyrus answered earnestly.  "But, Maggie, you told me that you were ready to jump from your window.  That's the act of a desperately unhappy woman.  And how did he react to you?  Was he attentive?  Sympathetic?  You're a lovely, kind, sweet woman, Maggie-you deserve to be treated the way you deserve."  He was distressed to see that his words caused Maggie's tears to flow once again.  She did need to hear the truth, painful as it might be-it was obvious Quentin didn't love her.  He was in love with Angelique still-and now that the twin sister, Alexis, was in the house, that love and obsession had returned.</div> <div>      Cyrus could feel anger rising now as his desire for Maggie increased.  His mother had called that morning, chastising him for not calling or writing in such a long time.  He was an ungrateful son.  "How sharper than a serpent's tooth is an ungrateful child," his mother quoted to him in spite of his apologies to her.  She knew he was carrying on in sin with that girlfriend of his.  If they ever did decide to marry, it would be sheer hypocrisy for his parents to attend.  Of course Sabrina would want to wear a white gown when she had no right to it…He bit back angry responses.  He was no longer sure he even wanted Sabrina.  She wasn't pure.  She always had "urges".  Like Maggie probably did, too-they needed someone like John Yeager to control and channel those urges.</div> <div>      <I>Give it up</I>, Yeager whispered into his mind.  <I>Step back, you chicken-hearted fool and let me give her what she needs!</I></div> <div>      No!  Cyrus heard himself arguing with Yeager.  You can't do that to Maggie.  It isn't decent, what you want to do.</div> <div>      <I>You just told her yourself that there were many other men who would appreciate her.  I would. I would appreciate all her charms.  I have exactly what she wants right here between my legs.  And I'll get between hers and I'll give her what she needs.</I></div> <div> <I>     </I>Stop it! Cyrus cried out in his mind.  He heard Yeager laughing at him.</div> <div>      <I>Weakling!  Get out of my way!</I></div> <div>      "No!" Cyrus cried out.</div> <div>      "Cyrus!" Maggie exclaimed in alarm.  "What is it?"</div> <div>      "Oh, my God!" Cyrus screamed, as if in pain.  He had to fight this!  He needed help.  "Get Quentin!  Hurry!"</div> <div>      Maggie ran up the stairs of the lab, bumping into Sabrina.  Maggie's face was blanched of all color.  "Sabrina!  Cyrus is sick!  I'm going to get Quentin!"</div> <div>      Sabrina looked at her as if she was out of her mind.  "Quentin!  If he's sick, he needs a doctor!"</div> <div>      "He wants Quentin!" Maggie screamed at her, and ran for the front door.</div> <div>      Cyrus could feel his self-control slipping away.  He used to be the stronger one.  He used to be able to keep John Yeager in line.  It wasn't true anymore.  The frightening thing was, John Yeager was evil.  Cyrus could see the things he did as if from a distance.  He'd beaten and tried to rape Buffy Harrington, the poor waitress at the Tavern.  The only thing that saved her was that her screams had attracted the landlady's attention.  He'd done the same thing to many other women and many times had raped them-some of them just young girls.  He was contemptuous of everyone-especially women.  Cyrus watched with horror as he committed acts that were sinful and cruel.  It wasn't supposed to be like this, Cyrus mourned.  The evil was supposed to become weaker, not stronger!</div> <div>      "Shut up, sissy-boy!" Yeager roared at him, and Cyrus cowered in fear.</div> <div>      "Cyrus?" Sabrina asked doubtfully from the top of the stairs.</div> <div>      "Yes, my dear, come down please, I need you," Yeager answered, using his best Cyrus Longworth voice.  He smirked.  That little coward Cyrus might have frightened Maggie off for now, but Sabrina would be a reasonable substitute for his needs.  He balled his hands into fists and pulled back into the shadows.  He could hear Sabrina coming down the stairs.  </div> <div> "Cyrus?  Where are you?" she called out, sounding tentative.</div> <div> "Here, my dear," he whispered.  "I need you, Sabrina.  I'm right over here."  It had been a long time since he'd spoken to her like that-wanted her like that.  Sabrina heard the lust in his voice and was confused.  Didn't Maggie say he was sick?  She turned to face him, but she felt his arms go around her, holding her painfully tight.  "Oh, my love," he said huskily, "I am so glad you've come!"  His mouth moved along her neck, kissing and biting the skin of her throat.</div> <div> Something was wrong though-there was a ticklish feel.  Sabrina realized that the man who held her had a moustache.  Cyrus didn't have one.  She shrieked.  A hand clamped over her mouth.  "No, no, mustn't scream, my dear!"  He sounded so much like Cyrus, but it couldn't be!  He held her mouth with one hand, the other was wrapped around her upper body.  He began to drag her to the cot, and she struggled, trying to fight.  She managed to stomp on his foot, but he didn't let her go.  It just angered him.  "Oh, you bitch!  You really want it, don't you, my love?"</div> <div> The door slammed above.  "Where is he?" Quentin was asking.</div> <div> "Downstairs," Maggie answered.</div> <div> <I>Damn the man!</I> Yeager cursed.  He let go of Sabrina.  "Get rid of them!" he hissed.</div> <div> Sabrina turned toward him, her eyes widening in shock.  "My God, Cyrus!" she gasped.</div> <div> "Get rid of them!" he snarled through his gritted teeth.  He looked like Cyrus but no longer sounded like him.  Shaking, Sabrina ran up the stairs, meeting Quentin and Maggie at the top.</div> <div> Cyrus moved back into the shadows below, listening.  He could hear Sabrina saying that Cyrus had had a temporary dizzy spell but that he was fine.  In fact, he'd left to keep an appointment.</div> <div> "What bullshit is this, Sabrina?" Quentin asked in obvious disbelief.  "What happened to you?"</div> <div> "I-I f-fell," Sabrina stuttered.</div> <div> "You fell?"  Quentin didn't sound like he believed it.  "I think Maggie and I should wait."</div> <div> "No!  I don't know when he'll be back!  Quentin, I swear-"</div> <div> "Sabrina, please, something was really wrong.  He wasn't himself at all.  I was talking to him and he was in such pain all of a sudden," Maggie was saying.</div> <div> "It was just a temporary attack," Sabrina insisted.</div> <div> "What were you here talking about anyway?" Quentin interjected.</div> <div> "I just thought he could give me some advice about-about-"</div> <div> "About what?"  Quentin's voice was rising in anger.  Cyrus was dismayed as he realized what was about to happen.  He heard Yeager whisper exultantly, <I>Good! Your friend is about to have another of his famous tantrums</I>.  "Were you telling him about our problems, Maggie?  Were you?"</div> <div> "Well, I thought-" Maggie began.</div> <div> "Jeeeesus!" Quentin roared.  "He's my best friend!  And you were telling him about our problems!  I haven't been running around blabbing to everyone I meet about what's going on between us, but you-you're talking to my best friend and everyone under the sun!"</div> <div> "Quentin, stop it!  Stop yelling at her like that!" Sabrina objected.</div> <div> "Oh, fine!  Fuck it!" Quentin shouted.  Cyrus could hear him storming toward the door.  He could feel himself slipping away again and Yeager strode forward, shouting:  Wonderful!</div> <div> "Quentin!" Maggie cried.  She was going after him.  That wasn't so wonderful, but that was all right-Sabrina was still up there.  She would come back down.  He knew it.  And he'd be right here, ready and waiting for her.</div> <bR> <div> Adam and Randy were signing their names into the register of the Inn.  Adam stood looking out the window as Randy laboriously signed it.  Adam saw Quentin striding down the street, his facial features working in a rage.  Behind him, Maggie was running along, calling out piteously to him to wait, please wait.  Adam felt himself seething.  He could see that Quentin was headed back toward the cannery.  "Randy!  I will be back!" </div> <div> At the sharp tone in his voice, Randy looked around.  "Wait up!"</div> <div> They both went across the street to the office building Quentin and Maggie had gone into.  As they entered the office, several employees were already on their feet, obviously distressed.  Adam didn't need to ask directions to Quentin's office.  He and Randy followed the shouts.  Adam threw the door open, interrupting Quentin's tirade.  He was yelling at Maggie about her hallucinations, and she was sobbing.</div> <div> They both looked startled at the intrusion.  Maggie turned a deep shade of red.  "Oh!" she cried, and ran out the door, humiliated.  She ran through the outer office and into the street.</div> <div> Adam slammed the door shut and advanced toward Quentin.  Something strange happened to him then.  The only way he could describe it was that someone stepped into his body to borrow it for a few minutes.  He grabbed Quentin by the front of his shirt and pulled him close so that their noses almost touched.  "You should be ashamed of yourself!  You were brought up better than that, and she's a nice girl, too, Buddy!  You go after her and you apologize, you hear me?"  He had no idea where the words came from.  He expected Quentin to fight him.</div> <div> Instead, Quentin's eyes widened with shock and disbelief.  He started to speak, but Adam found himself pushing his friend roughly.  "I said go after her-now!  We'll talk later, do you hear me?"  When Quentin didn't move, Adam moved in close again and shouted like a drill sergeant:  "Now, now, now! Move it!  NOW!"</div> <div> This time Quentin moved.  He shot out the door and raced after Maggie.</div> <div> "Holy shit, man," Randy exclaimed, obviously impressed.  Adam staggered, and Randy reached out to grab him.  "Hey!  Another dizzy spell?"</div> <div> "No," Adam whispered.  "Not another dizzy spell."</div> <div> "Well, you put the fear of God into the Boy Scout, man!" Randy's voice had an admiring tone to it.  "Geez-you sounded just like my old sergeant!  We're gonna kick ass here!"  Adam mumbled something.  "What?  Whatja say, Adam?"</div> <div> "It was Gabriel?" Adam asked.</div> <div> Randy looked at him as if he was out of his mind.  "Gabriel?  What are you talking about?  Gabriel's some kind of archangel, man!"  He shook his head, bewildered.  "Come on, Adam-we left our stuff laying on the floor of the Inn.  Let's go."  He shook his head, laughing to himself.</div> <div> Adam followed Randy back to the Inn, feeling confused and disoriented.  He wanted to tell Randy that it wasn't him who had grabbed Quentin and yelled at him.  He couldn't bring himself to do it.  He just didn't understand it at all.  "I need to rest before we go to the Eagle," he told Randy.</div> <div> "No problem, man," Randy said.  "I'm kinda tired myself."</div> <div> They went to their separate rooms, and Adam threw himself on the bed, looking up at the ceiling.  Gabriel.  That was Quentin's brother-not an archangel. Why was this happening to him?  It must be because Barnabas was here-Barnabas was making him weak.  That was why Gabriel had been able to do what he'd done.  Adam wasn't afraid of Gabriel-he knew that Gabriel wasn't evil and meant no harm.  The problem was Barnabas.  If Barnabas was here and he became weaker, how could he possibly help find Roxanne?  He fell into an exhausted slumber.</div> <bR> <div> Randy roused him at dusk.  He felt a little sluggish, more so than he had before.  He was glad he'd brought the compound with him.  He was rationing the amount he had left, and took about a shot of it as Randy watched him with a puzzled expression.  "You sure you don't have some kind of leukemia or mono or something, man?" Randy asked.  "You wanna see a doctor?"</div> <div> "I may need to see Dr. Cyrus," Adam answered.  "He is the only one who has this medicine."</div> <div> "Well, let's do it.  We can't kick ass unless you're hyped-like before, Adam.  We'll go see the doc and then we'll get us something to eat."</div> <div> Adam nodded wearily.  Already he was beginning to feel a little better.  They went downstairs and walked toward Cyrus' house.  There was some kind of commotion going on.  There was an ambulance in front of Cyrus' house, and a man in a uniform had just shut the doors in the back.  Adam and Randy looked at each other.  They began to run toward the house.  The siren came on, loud and shrill, the red light slowly spinning as the ambulance pulled away.</div> <div> There were people standing on the sidewalk, gawking, and looking toward the house.  The front door was open.  "Cyrus!" Adam yelled, concerned.  He ran into the house and came face to face with the sheriff.</div> <div> "Well, well, well," the sheriff said, covering his surprise with an air of deliberation.  "What have we here?"</div> <div> "What happened to my friend?" Adam demanded.</div> <div> "Which friend?" the sheriff asked.</div> <div> "Dr. Longworth!"</div> <div> "I don't know," the sheriff replied, his voice still low and mild.  "What can you tell me?  We were just looking for the good doctor."</div> <div> "Who's hurt then?" Randy asked.</div> <div> "Let me ask the questions," the sheriff countered.  "I thought I disinvited you boys from this town.  When did you get back?"</div> <div> "We just checked in this afternoon," Randy answered.  "Hey!  But you can't get us for vagrancy-we're checked into the Collinsport Inn.  We're here on vacation, man."</div> <div> "What did you do this afternoon?" the sheriff asked.</div> <div> Adam began to answer, but Randy held his arm out to stop him.  "Why?"</div> <div> "You have a reason not to answer?"</div> <div> "No," Adam said immediately.  "We were at the Inn."</div> <div> "Anyone see you?"</div> <div> Adam looked at Randy, puzzled and worried.  "The desk clerk."</div> <div> "What did you do?"</div> <div> "We were taking naps."</div> <div> "All afternoon?" the sheriff demanded.</div> <div> "Say, what is this?" Randy asked suspiciously.  "You accusing us of something?"</div> <div> "I don't know," the sheriff answered honestly.  "Can the desk clerk account for your time?"</div> <div> "Man, we were in our rooms-napping!" Randy exclaimed, his voice rising.  "What <I>is</I> this, man?  You know why we're back-we've come looking for my sister.  Is that what this is about?"</div> <div> "A young woman was assaulted here this afternoon," the sheriff admitted.  "I'm looking for a man, tall, with dark hair."  Now he looked at Adam.</div> <div> "Naw, man, he's not the guy you're looking for!" Randy objected.</div> <div> "No?"  the sheriff looked Adam over.  "May I see your hands, please?"</div> <div> Adam was frightened now.  He began to hold his hands out, but Randy slapped them down.  "No, Adam!"  He challenged the sheriff:  "Are you arresting him?"</div> <div> "No," the sheriff admitted.</div> <div> "Then you have no business looking at his hands, man!"</div> <div> "I would appreciate it if you'd come to my office for questioning," the sheriff added.</div> <div> "Damn!" Randy exploded.</div> <div> "Of course, you don't have to.  I can bring you down-later."</div> <div> "I will go," Adam said quickly.  "Do you need my friend?"</div> <div> The sheriff considered.  "Well-"</div> <div> "I will come with you now.  I will answer your questions.  I would like Randy to get Quentin Collins for me," Adam interrupted, speaking earnestly.</div> <div> The sheriff looked from Adam to Randy, who was already beginning to voice an objection.  "Seeing as this is all voluntary, I don't have any objection."</div> <div> Adam turned to Randy.  "Please, Randy," Adam whispered, fighting to remain calm.  "Get Quentin.  Hurry."</div> <div> "Right-okay!"  Randy was out the door.  </div> <div> Adam looked at the sheriff, trembling.  "You have nothing to be afraid of-if you've done nothing wrong," the sheriff assured him.  Adam accompanied the sheriff back to the police station.  One deputy came along.  The sheriff spoke by walkie-talkie to at least two others-- one in another squad car and one in the ambulance.</div> <div> Randy was gone for what seemed to be an intolerable length of time.  The sheriff asked Adam questions that made sense but confused him because of the order in which they were asked:  what time exactly had he arrived back in Collinsport?  When was the last time he'd seen Sabrina Stuart?  How long was he staying in Collinsport this time?  Had he contacted Quentin Collins before coming?  Had he heard from Tony Peterson?  Was he angry with Sabrina Stuart for any reason?</div> <div> Finally, Randy showed up with Quentin.  Adam wasn't surprised to see that Quentin was furious.  "George, you ass!  That's not John Yeager! That's who you should be looking for!  What the hell is the matter with you?"</div> <div> The sheriff didn't appreciate being shouted at.  "We don't have a positive ID on John Yeager!  And this man matches the description too!"</div> <div> "He wouldn't hurt a fly, George!  Would you stop wasting time?  Have you found Cyrus yet?"</div> <div> "No," the sheriff answered.</div> <div> "He could be lying dead in a ditch somewhere, damn it!" Quentin yelled.  "And you're wasting this guy's time just because he's tall?  Hell, I'm tall, too!  Why didn't you pull me in?  I have dark hair, too!"</div> <div> "All right, all right," the sheriff said placatingly.  He looked at Adam resentfully.  "I still think there's more to your story than meets the eye, mister, but you can go."</div> <div> Almost fainting with relief, Adam left with Randy and Quentin.  "Adam, I need to talk to you," Quentin said urgently.</div> <div> "Hey, Boy Scout, back off!" Randy warned.  "Let him breathe a minute, wouldja?"</div> <div> Quentin turned on Randy.  Exhausted, Adam realized they were about to fight.  "Stop!" he shouted.  "Please!  All of this is too much for me.  If you fight, I will knock your heads together, I swear it!"</div> <div> Randy began to laugh.  He backed off.  "I don't want to fuck with you, man," he said to Quentin.  "Cut Adam a break, wouldja?  Look at him!"</div> <div> Quentin looked over at Adam and then looked down, ashamed of himself.  "I'm sorry," he muttered.</div> <div> "What happened to Sabrina?" Adam asked.  "The sheriff asked me twice about Sabrina.  She was in the ambulance, wasn't she?"</div> <div> Both men looked uncomfortable.  "Adam, how `bout we eat?" Randy suggested.  He looked at Quentin.  "We were just out to get something to eat when we saw the ambulance in front of the doc's house."</div> <div> Quentin nodded.  "Let's go-the coffee shop is open.  Or the Eagle-but they just have sandwiches."</div> <div>      "The coffee shop," Adam decided.  If the police were looking for John Yeager, he wouldn't come to the Tavern.  After they ordered, he waited for someone to tell him what happened.  He knew that Quentin must have told Randy because of the uncomfortable way he twirled his water glass around.</div> <div>      As Randy lit a cigarette nervously, Quentin finally said, "Sabrina was attacked and assaulted at Cy's house, Adam."</div> <div>      "Is she all right?" Adam asked, concerned.</div> <div>      "She's hurt pretty bad, from what I hear," Quentin said.  "I called the hospital, got one of Cy's colleagues to tell me."  He stopped and swallowed hard.  "Her skull's fractured, jaw's broken, cheekbone's broken, collarbone's smashed.  She was raped-and the guy who did it tried to strangle her.  There were fingerprints around her throat."  </div> <div>      "No!" Adam exclaimed.  He was horrified, especially in view of the conversation he'd had with the Stuarts.  "Where is Cyrus?"</div> <div>      Quentin ran his hands through his hair, further rumpling it.  "Nobody knows."  It was obvious to Adam that he was fighting to control himself.  "Maggie and I were there earlier.  Cyrus and Sabrina were both there.  When we left, Cyrus was there.  This guy-I don't know-he must've come in not too long after we left.  That's what the doctor said."</div> <div>      "Oh, no!" Adam moaned.  A new thought occurred to him, overriding his fear and concern for Sabrina's well being.  This man had brought him the note from Roxanne.  What had happened to her?  He wanted to get up and run through the streets looking for her but knew it would be useless to do that.</div> <div>      Randy was thinking the same thing.  "This guy sounds psycho," he said, his voice anguished.  "If he took my sister-" he broke off.</div> <div>      "Well, I know that the state police are coming in on this," Quentin said.  "Four men can't comb the area for a lunatic."</div> <div>      "Can we see Sabrina?" Adam asked miserably.  His feelings were all in a jumble.  He was thinking about Admiral and Mrs. Stuart again.</div> <div>      "No, not right now," Quentin asked.  </div> <div>      "Who will tell the Stuarts?  Someone should tell them.  Maybe I should call."</div> <div>      "The sheriff will probably have someone call them."</div> <div>      "They will be frightened.  I should call, too."</div> <div>      "Do you want to tell them?" Randy asked.</div> <div>      "Not really, but I don't want a stranger-" Adam stopped, thinking about how the Stuarts would feel.  "I should call."</div> <div>      "Call from the pay phone," Quentin suggested.  "Have the charges reversed back to my number."</div> <div>      "Thank you," Adam said gratefully.  He went to the phone booth, looking over his shoulder and Randy and Quentin, who were sizing each other up warily.  Randy lit another cigarette and rocked back in his chair; they seemed to be having a civil conversation.  Adam took a deep breath and picked up the phone, knowing it would be Mrs. Stuart who would answer. He heard her say hello.  Taking a deep breath, he collected his thoughts and began to talk.</div> <div>      He couldn't tell her all the details.  He told her that Sabrina had been hurt by someone and that she was in the hospital.  She was alive.  "You need to come with Admiral Stuart.  Sabrina will need you."</div> <div>      Mrs. Stuart's voice was taut with shock.  "Oh, Adam!  Who did it?"</div> <div>      Adam hesitated.  "Maybe it was a man named John Yeager.  The police are looking for him."  He could hear Admiral Stuart fuming in the background; he wanted to know what was happening.</div> <div>      "Where is Cyrus?" Mrs. Stuart whispered.</div> <div>      "I don't know," Adam replied.  "He is missing.  Please, just come quickly.  The police will tell you everything."</div> <div>      "Will you be there?"</div> <div>      "I will come later.  I think I will help look for the man."  Adam could hear Mrs. Stuart crying as she hung up.  He hoped they would be all right.  Miserably, he stumbled back to the table.</div> <div> Quentin looked at him as he sat down.  "Adam, I'm sorry.  I know how worried you are about Sabrina and the Stuarts."</div> <div> "And I am afraid for Roxanne," Adam added softly.</div> <div> Quentin continued, "With everything that's happened so far, I mean, Tony's missing too, now, and Cyrus, and now this-" He stopped.</div> <div>      "You think Roxanne is dead?" Adam asked, his eyes filling with tears.  "I thought I would feel something if she died."</div> <div>      "I won't believe it," Randy declared.</div> <div>      The waitress brought their meals but no one had much of an appetite.  Picking at his food, Quentin ventured, "I know this is a shitty time to be bringing something else up, Adam, but I need to ask you something."</div> <div>      "Yes?" Adam answered dully.</div> <div>      "I found Maggie.  I talked to her," Quentin began, looking at Adam closely.</div> <div>      "It wasn't me," Adam answered.</div> <div>      "I know," Quentin answered.  His voice had begun to quaver.  "I just wanted to know-I just needed to ask you-"</div> <div>      "I don't know what happened, Quentin.  It's never happened before."  Adam looked up and saw the suffering on his friend's face.  "I'm sorry.  I wish I could tell you more.  I don't know how it happened.  I don't know where he went."</div> <div>      Quentin nodded.  He managed to control himself and went on, "Look, you need to know something.  That man you talked about-someone with that name is here.  Barnabas."</div> <div>      "I know," Adam answered, his shoulders drooping with despair.  He was sure he would die now, and he would die without seeing Roxanne again.  "I could feel it."</div> <div>      "Barnabas.  Who's this Barnabas?" Randy asked.</div> <div>      "He says he's a cousin-from England.  To be honest with you, after what Adam told me and after what I saw, I don't know what to think."</div> <div>      "Quentin-" Adam began,  in warning.  He didn't want Randy to know.  Quentin understood and nodded.</div> <div>      "I just don't know if he's everything he says he is," Quentin continued.  He looked at Adam steadily, and Adam knew that Quentin would find a way to tell him the other things he needed to know-things that couldn't be said in front of Randy.</div> <div>      "What do we do now?" Randy asked.  "Search party?"</div> <div>      "Ah!" Adam exclaimed, feeling animated for the first time.  "That would mean people would be looking carefully everywhere?"</div> <div>      "You got it, man."</div> <div>      "I want to do that."</div> <div>      "We gotta go back and get us some flashlights."</div> <div>      "Do you think you could do that?" Quentin asked.  "Get the flashlights?  Bring them back here?"</div> <div>      Randy looked from Quentin to Adam and back.  He understood.  "Yeah, okay-you're not keeping anything back about Roxanne?"</div> <div>      "No, I promise," Adam swore.</div> <div>      "All right.  I'll be back in a few minutes."  Randy left his dinner half eaten and left to get the flashlights.</div> <div>      "Adam, the Barnabas where you came from-was he cursed?" Quentin asked urgently.</div> <div>      "Cursed?" Adam repeated.  He sighed.  "I'm not sure what was wrong with him.   He was the life force that brought me to life.  He explained that the experiment did not work the way it was supposed to.  He was supposed to die."  Quentin reacted, sitting back in his chair.  "Yes, I was shocked, too.  I asked him how he could hate himself so much.  He never did answer me.   If he was cursed, Quentin, I couldn't tell you what kind of a curse it was."</div> <div>      "I saw myself in a room with Hoffman in the east wing-talking about Barnabas and a curse."  Quentin leaned forward.  "Adam, when you came through before, you said it was in the room with Angelique's portrait?"</div> <div>      "Yes," Adam agreed.  "So-you did see yourself after all.  It was this same room?"  Quentin nodded.  "If it is the same world, the woman you saw was Dr. Julia Hoffman."</div> <div>      "Doctor Hoffman," Quentin marveled.  "She's a medical doctor in your world?  Like Cyrus?"</div> <div>      Like Cyrus?   Adam mused.  "Perhaps.  She is a doctor.  But it's not my world anymore, Quentin."  Quentin nodded.  "You should go back to Maggie.  And to the other women in your family.  You don't have to stay with me."</div> <div>      "Adam, I'm really sorry," Quentin said again, his eyes bright with sincere intensity.  "I hope we can find Roxanne safely."</div> <div>      "Me too."</div> <div>      Quentin gripped Adam's shoulder, got up, nodded to Randy briefly, and left.  "Do you want to go by the hospital first?  See your friend?" Randy asked.</div> <div>      "Later," Adam said.  "I would like to go and help the sheriff look first, wouldn't you?"</div> <div>      Randy nodded.  When they tried to pay for their portion of the meal, the waitress explained that Quentin had already paid.  "Bet he was an Eagle Scout," Randy muttered.  Adam looked at him sharply but could tell from the look on Randy's face that the comment wasn't meant to be derogatory.  They found one of the deputies who gladly accepted their help.  </div> <div>      At dusk, they searched with flashlights for a while before giving up.  Adam had an odd, tingling feeling now.  He felt drawn to go to Collinwood, but he wasn't sure he understood why.  The search party team stopped looking and were to start in the morning, when they could see better.  Adam still felt drawn to Collinwood.  "Do you mind?" he asked Randy.</div> <div>      "No, man, go for it," Randy answered.  The two of them moved quietly along the path that Adam had become familiar with in the other world.  He led Randy almost right up to the doors he'd chased John Yeager through not long ago.  He could hear voices and one of them froze him to the spot, turning his blood to ice.</div> <div>      "What's the matter, man?" Randy whispered.</div> <div>      "Can you see who Quentin is talking to?" Adam whispered back numbly.</div> <div>      Randy crawled forward, almost slithering along the ground.  The door was open.  Randy lifted himself up a little, listening.  After a few moments, he stealthily backed up.  "It's some dude in a suit talking to Quentin.  Tall guy, dark hair."</div> <div>      Barnabas, Adam thought, terrified.  He could hear his voice, urging Quentin to do something and Quentin was being contrary, as usual.  Adam managed to ask stiffly, "What?"</div> <div>      "Maggie ran out again, man," Randy confided.  </div> <div>      Adam looked at him, dumbly.  He felt a cold chill run through him.  Maggie's in danger, he thought.  "We have to look for her," he said.</div> <div>      "That's what the Dude wants the Boy Scout to do.  But your buddy there, he's not buying.  He's tired of Maggie acting like a child, he says."</div> <div>      "Quentin is acting like a fool.  Something evil is in that house," Adam whispered.  "Let's look for Maggie.  Maybe she is near here."</div> <div>      "All right, man, but it's getting awful dark," Randy said.  He and Adam began searching the woods between Collinwood and the Old House.  Adam kept trying to remember where that root cellar was.  They had no luck and returned to the inn, weary.</div> <div>      Adam called the hospital the following morning to see how Sabrina was doing.  The nurse who answered the phone said she wasn't allowed to give him any information because he wasn't family.  Adam could hear the admiral's voice in the background.  "Yes, family!" he shouted.</div> <div>      After a moment, Mrs. Stuart asked faintly, "Adam, is that you?"</div> <div>      "Yes, Mrs. Stuart-is the admiral all right?"  Adam asked, concerned.</div> <div>      "Yes-he's going to sit down, aren't you, Ed, dear?  Thank you," Mrs. Stuart said, half to her husband and half to Adam.  "Oh, Adam!" Her voice broke suddenly.</div> <div>      "I'm sorry," Adam said miserably.  He hadn't seen Sabrina and had no idea how seriously she was injured.  He knew it was bad.  "Is Sabrina awake?"</div> <div>      "No," Mrs. Stuart wept.  She managed to get control of herself.  "She's in a light coma because of the injuries to her head."</div> <div>      "Is that bad?  Will she live?"</div> <div>      "The doctor thinks she will, but he doesn't know when she will wake up.  The poor dear!   That monster that hurt her like that is a vicious animal!" Adam heard the admiral make agitated noises of agreement.  Mrs. Stuart paused to soothe him and then asked, "Has Cyrus turned up?"</div> <div>      "Not yet," Adam answered.</div> <div>      "Oh, I hope that horrible monster didn't kill him!"  Mrs. Stuart fretted.  "The police tell me that there seems to have been a terrible fight in the basement of the house-everything is smashed to bits!"</div> <div>      "Can I visit?"</div> <div>      "No, the doctors are still not letting anyone in.  You don't want to see her like this, Adam."</div> <div>      "If the doctors say she will live, they will take good care of her and she will be all right again," Adam assured her.  She began to weep again.  He felt very helpless as he hung up.</div> <div>      "Listen, we got  to go search again," Randy said, tugging at him.</div> <div>      "Yes, yes," Adam agreed.  "I will call Quentin first."  There was no answer at Collinwood-which was very odd.  Hoffman should have answered the phone-someone should have.  He tried calling the cannery and shipyard; Quentin hadn't come to either place yet.  Finally he called Jennifer and explained what happened.</div> <div>      "She hasn't come here yet," Jennifer informed him, and his heart sank.  "I'll watch for her, though.  Schmuck!  This time she stays with me!  He comes to get her on his knees or he can just forget it!"</div> <div> Adam went out again with Randy and, again, they searched until dusk.  Once again, they had no luck finding anything, and they began to walk back through the woods.  They were approaching the Old House.  Adam wanted to steer clear, so he led Randy on a path around the house.  He thought about trying to talk some sense into Quentin.  Grumbling, Randy agreed to go along.  He was hungry, he wanted a joint, but he guessed he could wait a few more minutes.</div> <div> Alexis opened the door and looked at them both without recognition.  "Hey, baby," Randy greeted her.</div> <div> "Excuse me?" Alexis said, sounding annoyed.</div> <div> "Alexis, is Quentin here?" Adam asked.</div> <div> Alexis seemed to start, looking at them both.  Adam suddenly had the feeling that she didn't really recognize them and had just realized she was supposed to know them.  "I'm sorry, no, he's not," she finally answered, sounding confused.  She threw a worried look over her shoulder at the drawing room.</div> <div> "He's not in there?" Adam asked.</div> <div> "No!  He went out-to talk to Bruno Hess.  If you'll excuse me-"  Alexis shut the door in their faces.</div> <div> "What's with her, man?" Randy growled.</div> <div> "I don't think that was Alexis."</div> <div> "Wha-at? You crazy, Adam?  Of course that was Alexis!  Man, you been smoking my stuff?"  Randy turned in disgust.  "Let's go get something to eat."</div> <div> They heard a rustling sound and Adam pulled Randy into the trees.  Barnabas and Quentin appeared, walking together.  They went into the house.  Barnabas!  Adam thought, the old feelings of terror rising in him again.  "Let's go quickly!" he said urgently.  He pulled at Randy, dragging him along the path back to where they'd parked the car.</div> <div> "Adam!  Calm down!" Randy exclaimed.  "What the hell is'a'matter with you?"</div> <div> "That was Barnabas-I don't want to see him!"</div> <div> "Barnabas?  Who is this guy anyway?  Why are you so afraid of him?  Adam, let go of me!  I can walk!"  Randy's voice was beginning to rise.  Adam didn't want anyone to hear them so he let go and strode on ahead quickly.  Randy kept pace with him.  </div> <div> "He is my enemy," Adam finally managed to explain. "It's a long story."</div> <div> Randy looked askance at him but said, "All right, you haven't pushed me.  I won't push you.  I just wanna make sure of one thing-you're not into anything that would get my sister into trouble, are you?" Adam stopped, amazed, and looked at Randy.  How could he ask such a question when Randy was the one involved with illegal and immoral activities-drugs and adultery?  When Adam didn't reply but only stared at Randy, pop-eyed, Roxanne's brother asked suspiciously, "You're not in with the mob, are you?"</div> <div> "Mob?  What mob?"</div> <div> "You know-organized crime."  Suddenly Randy laughed and shook his head.  "Nah, you couldn't be!  Not you.  Look, I'm sorry I asked.  It's just that when you said this dude Barnabas was your enemy, it's the first thing I thought of."</div> <div> "Explain this mob business," Adam asked.  They'd gotten to the car and he wanted something to distract him.  On the way back to the inn, Randy told Adam about the illegal activities of organized mobsters.  Randy was still regaling Adam with tales of gangland killings when they entered the lobby of the inn.</div> <div> "You have a message, Mr. Knight!" the clerk called to Adam.  Surprised, Adam went to the desk.  Perhaps the Stuarts had left him a message.  He hoped Sabrina wasn't worse.  The clerk handed an envelope to Adam.  His name was typed on the front.  Ripping it open there was a half sheet of typewriter paper with a message scrawled on it:  "Do you want to find Roxanne Drew?" It began.  An address was written underneath-in New London, Connecticut.</div> <div> "Who left this?" Adam asked, tingling.  Randy had taken the note and was studying it.</div> <div> "Just a barfly from the Tavern," the clerk answered.</div> <div> "What barfly?  What's he look like?" Randy asked.</div> <div> "His name's Bob Sturgis."</div> <div> "We have to tell the sheriff," Adam said.  Was it possible? He wondered.  He was afraid to dare to hope that they'd find Roxanne in New London as he and Randy went to find the sheriff.</div> <bR> <div> Adam and Randy accompanied two officers from the New London police force to the address given in the note.  The sheriff had contacted the police, and Quentin had arranged for Adam and Randy to fly to New London.  It was quicker than driving, and time was of the essence!  The sheriff had first brought in Sturgis who, although barely sober, was able to remember that he'd been paid to deliver the note by a slight stranger.  He didn't know who it was.</div> <div> Claude North? Adam wondered as the police car came to a halt.  Another car had followed them, to provide backup support.  The officers wanted Adam and Randy to wait in the squad car; they had no idea what they would find here.  "I don't know," Randy was saying now doubtfully.  "If that little twink North took her, why would he let us know where she is?" Adam was wondering the same thing.  Randy's head went down as he muttered worriedly, "He'd better not be letting us know where the body is!"</div> <div> Shocked, Adam looked at Randy.  That hadn't crossed his mind but now-</div> <div> "Would you guys come in please?" one of the officers had reappeared and opened the back door of the squad car.</div> <div> "Is Roxanne here?" Adam asked hopefully.</div> <div> "No, I'm sorry, Mr. Knight, she's not, but we need you to come in.  Maybe you can help us figure this out."</div> <div> Severely disappointed, Adam got out of the car and followed the officer into the house.  Randy trailed along behind.  The other three officers surrounded a disheveled looking woman in her early thirties, who sat on a broken couch smoking a cigarette and looking frightened.  The house was dirty and disorganized, undusted, unswept, and clothes were thrown everywhere.  "Who's this?" Randy demanded.</div> <div> "I'm Joyce Mesmer," the woman answered, her voice trembling.  "What's this all about, anyway?  I don't know anyone named Roxanne Drew."</div> <div> "Do either of you gentlemen know this lady?" a policeman asked.</div> <div> "No, not at all," Adam replied, disappointed.</div> <div> "I told you I didn't do anything wrong," the frightened woman declared, blowing out smoke nervously.</div> <div> "Do you mind if some detectives ask you some questions, ma'am?" one of the policemen asked.</div> <div> "Where?  At the police station?" Now the woman sounded panicky.  "What about my kid?  I got a kid coming home from kindergarten."</div> <div> "It won't take that long, I promise," the policeman answered.  "Can a neighbor look out for your child?"</div> <div> "I don't have any friends," the woman fretted.  "I keep to myself."</div> <div> "Maybe the detectives can come here," Adam suggested, trying to be helpful.</div> <div> "Great!  I already don't get along with these neighbors.  That's just what they need to see-more police cars!" Joyce Mesmer complained bitterly.</div> <div> "I'm sorry this is such an inconvenience for you," the policeman said.  One of his partners was already radioing in to the police station.  It didn't take very long before a plain, unmarked car to pull up.  An older man got out of the car and came to the door, introducing himself as Detective Golden.</div> <div> They all sat in the living room, surrounded by the dust and the clutter.  Detective Golden brought out a copy of the note left for Adam and showed it to the woman.  "The woman named in this note has been missing since January.  Do you have any idea why this address would have been used in this note?"</div> <div> The woman's eyes widened with shock as she read the note.  Slowly she looked up at the detective.  "This looks like my brother's handwriting," she whispered, her face becoming chalky white.</div> <div> "Your brother, ma'am?" Golden asked, beginning to write.  "Who would that be?"</div> <div> "His name is Cyrus Longworth."</div> <bR> <div> By the time the long interview was over, Adam was exhausted and more frightened than ever for Roxanne.  The things he'd learned about his friend Cyrus were almost beyond his belief.  His sister Joyce, obviously frightened of being in trouble herself, didn't hide a single detail.  She told them everything she could think of about her brother.  If Roxanne hadn't been involved, Adam would have felt sorry for his friend.</div> <div> The Longworth parents were strict, religious, and strange people.  Joyce told them how the Longworth children-she, Cyrus, and their brother Joshua-had been taught that they were sinful creatures beyond redemption and that most of their free time was spent in prayer or meditation.  The children learned not to ask questions for fear of being punished.  They were curious, though, and they were most especially curious where their own bodies were concerned.</div> <div> Joyce explained that Cyrus would peek at her while she was getting dressed.  He managed to open the door while she was showering one day.  She caught him touching himself as he stood watching here.  The way he stared at her sometimes unnerved her.  She was sure he thought impure thoughts about her and admitted that he might have heard "some things" about her and other boys from friends.  She explained defensively that she was curious, too, but she never used her own brothers to satisfy her curiosity.  She tried to get her mother to listen to her about Cyrus-she believed he had a real problem, but her mother refused to believe it and punished her.  Joyce suspected that there might have been something between Cyrus and her mother anyway.</div> <div> "What makes you think that?"   Golden asked, trying to keep his features composed.</div> <div> "He slept in their bed at night," Joyce explained.</div> <div> "Oh, man!" Randy exclaimed, unable to hide his distaste.</div> <div> "I know," Joyce whispered, lowering her face with humiliation.  "I know it was weird.  He still would go in and sleep with her even when he was home on vacation from the Stonybrook school."</div> <div> "Now, you said that your mother had taken you all out of public school at one point and was teaching you at home with some of the other parishioner's children," Golden reviewed.  "How did your brother happen to go to this private school?"</div> <div> "It was because of what he did to Jean and Marty Perry," Joyce answered. She told them that years ago her father had a church secretary, a young widow named Mary Perry.  Her father and the church congregation wanted to help the family so she was hired to type up the church bulletins and other little things-these were jobs Joyce's mother normally did.  The church didn't really need a secretary, but they knew Mary Perry needed the money.  Mrs. Perry couldn't afford a babysitter for her two children, Jean and Marty.  Joyce was supposed to watch them, but it wasn't always possible.  Sometimes Cyrus would watch them instead.  It seemed to work out fine, and then one day Marty told his mother about the "doctor" games that Cyrus played with them.  </div> <div> Adam listened, chilled, as Joyce explained, "Marty said that it started out with like show and tell but then Cyrus had them touching him-you know, on his private part.  He would play doctor and tell them he needed to check theirs, too, and he would touch them in those places, too. And after that, he actually put it inside them."  Joyce blushed furiously.</div> <div> "And Mrs. Perry never told anyone else?" the detective asked, still writing, his head down.</div> <div> "Just my father and mother.  And they gave her a lot of money to keep her quiet.  I guess they got it from church funds, I'm not sure.  After that, they sent Cyrus to Stonybrook.  He seemed all right for a few years, but then he got into more trouble after college-while he was in the Peace Corps down south."  Joyce told them that Cyrus was accused of sexually assaulting a 14 or 15 year old girl and was forced to leave his position.</div> <div> "That's all the trouble you're aware of?"  Golden asked.</div> <div> "Yes, but he's always denied having anything to do with the girl.  He says it wasn't him," Joyce answered, looking down at her hands.</div> <div> "I wonder if you'd mind giving me all the your brother's addresses-every place he's been," Golden asked.  </div> <div> "Is he in trouble?"</div> <div> "To be honest, I can't answer that right now.  We're trying to locate him-that's why we'd like to know anyplace he's lived in the past.  Any chance he might have gone to your parents?"</div> <div> "Oh, no!" Joyce exclaimed very emphatically.  "Absolutely not!  Neither one of us has seen them in years.  You can understand that, can't you?  They make me feel like a whore.  I'm sure that Cyrus is all messed up because of them.  The only one who has anything to do with them is Joshua, our brother.  And he's probably just like them by now."  She looked worriedly at her watch.  "I'll get my address book.  Would that help?"</div> <div> The others had noticed her worried expression.  "Yes, ma'am, it would.  And I'd like to leave you my name and number so you can call me if your brother should happen to get in touch with you."</div> <div> "I will, but I don't think he'll do it," Joyce answered.  She'd gone to a table, moved stacks of papers of books and papers around, and found the address book she'd been looking for.  Adam marveled that she'd known where it was in the mess.  She looked over at the men wanly.  "You see, Cyrus thinks I'm a whore, too."</div> <div> Adam felt stunned at how little he'd really known about Cyrus.  He'd known for a long time that something was wrong but never would have imagined anything like this.  He wondered if Quentin knew any of this and suddenly believed strongly that Quentin knew none of it.  Cyrus had kept this a big secret from everyone, Adam was sure of it.  The detective gave them a ride back to the hotel.  Adam and Randy were both impatient to get back to Collinsport, but they had to check out of the hotel first and contact Quentin to arrange for another plane.</div> <div> "This would explain why Cyrus would be friends with a man like John Yeager," Randy guessed.</div> <div> "I am sure now that Cyrus knows that John Yeager took Roxanne," Adam agreed.  He was trying to hide his anxiety from Randy, but he'd begun to tremble and couldn't stop.</div> <div> "You're scared about Roxanne, too, aren't you?" Randy whispered.  "All that time I was in the tiger cage, I couldn't let myself think about what was real or I would go crazy.  That's how I feel right now.  If I let myself think about it, I'm going to lose my mind."</div> <div> That admission frightened Adam further.  "Randy, you'll be all right?  I can't stand it if you lose your mind."</div> <div> Randy smiled grimly.  "I'm not going to let myself think about it.  I'll be all right.  We gotta get on that plane, though."  Adam's hands were shaking too hard to pick up the phone so Randy made the call himself.  He lay on the bed and listened as Randy talked to Chris Collins, not Quentin.  He could tell that something was wrong.  Randy hung up the phone, his face very grim.  "He's gonna send a plane down after Quentin's dropped off.  We gotta get a cab and get out of here."</div> <div> "What's wrong, Randy?"</div> <div> "All hell is breaking loose.  You're not going to believe this-they found that doctor friend of yours.  He kidnapped Maggie."</div> <div> "What?" Adam shouted.  "What about John Yeager?"</div> <div> Randy grabbed Adam's bag and pushed it at him.  "I'll explain on the way.  Let's go!"</div> <div> On the way to the airport, Randy told Adam a most incredible story.  John Yeager was the man who had kidnapped Maggie and held her.  "That dude Barnabas Collins freed her.  By the time the cops got there, Yeager wasn't there anymore-it was that goofy doctor friend of yours."</div> <div> "Where is John Yeager?"</div> <div> "I dunno, man, it sounded really spooky the way that lawyer explained it to me."</div> <div> "What do you mean?"</div> <div> "It sounds like your doctor friend is nuts.  He doesn't realize who he is."</div> <div> "What about John Yeager?" Adam repeated frantically.</div> <div> "I dunno, man.  I'm tellin ya, I dunno!"</div> <div> Barnabas again!  Yet, he had helped save Maggie Collins from Yeager.   Was Maggie all right?  Adam wondered if Yeager had attacked her the way he'd attacked Sabrina-and maybe Roxanne too.  "Is Maggie hurt?"</div> <div> "Shook up but she's not at the hospital-she is back at Collinwood."</div> <div> "You said Quentin was being dropped off?"</div> <div> "Yeah!  Dig this-the lawyer said the Boy Scout went to Bangor with Alexis.  He didn't even know Maggie was kidnapped.  What a fucking idiot!"</div> <div> You have no idea, Adam thought grimly, furious with Quentin.  How could he leave without knowing where Maggie was?  How could he go to Bangor with Alexis, of all people?  Roxanne, I would never leave you willingly like that, he thought desperately.  He felt an electrical sensation moving through his fingertips and up his arms.  His hair began to prickle, almost standing on end.</div> <div> "Adam?" Randy asked, his features looking concerned.  Adam had no idea that his face had suddenly blanched of all color.  "What's up?  Dizzy?"</div> <div> "Roxanne is alive," Adam stated flatly.  He knew it for a fact.  He felt her-he was sure of it.  The question was, where was she?</div> <div> "I hope so, too," Randy answered uncertainly.</div> <div> Adam shook his head.  "No!  I mean she is-I don't know where, but she is alive.  It's like she's coming out of a deep sleep."</div> <div> "How do you know that?" Randy asked, shocked.</div> <div> The electrical feeling was subsiding.  Adam shook his head, breathing heavily.  "It's Barnabas.  Ever since Barnabas came, I have been feeling the thoughts and feelings of other people.  I felt Roxanne wake up."  Adam didn't understand what was happening to him.  It was similar to the feeling he'd had when Gabriel came and shared his body.  For just a moment, he'd felt Roxanne reaching for him, searching for him.  Adam was sure that Barnabas' presence in this world had something to do with the fact that these things were happening to him.</div> <div> "Wake up?  What the hell are you talking about?" Randy asked.  It was obvious he didn't understand and because he was frightened for his sister's well being, Adam's strange talk was disturbing to him.</div> <div> Adam wasn't disturbed.  For the first time, he was glad that Barnabas was here.  It meant that if Roxanne were able to reach him once, she'd be able to do it again.  They waited a long time at the airport for the private plane to come and get them.  The pilot explained that there would be a deputy waiting for them to drive them to Rushmore Sanitarium when they arrived.  He didn't know anything more about it, but Adam suspected they would be seeing Cyrus.</div> <div> Sure enough, Sheriff Patterson's deputy was waiting for them at the airport in Bangor to drive them to Rushmore.  The deputy, who said his name was Phil Todd, explained that they weren't able to get much coherent information from Cyrus about anything.  Every once in a while, though, he'd get a cunning look on his face and imply he had information to give Adam.</div> <div> "About Roxanne?" Adam asked.</div> <div> "Maybe, we just don't know," Todd answered honestly.  "We've been getting new information in on this guy almost every hour it seems.  It's almost like he's two separate guys.  It's really weird."</div> <div> "He'd better say something if he knows anything," Randy declared, glowering darkly.  "He'd better not have done anything to my sister."</div> <div> Adam had just been thinking the same thing.  He was also thinking that he had to be careful with Cyrus and not lose his temper if he wanted to learn anything about Roxanne.  What he really wanted to do was pick him up and squeeze him in a chokehold until he agreed to talk.  He knew, though, that he'd need to control himself and thought it was ironic that Cyrus was one of the ones who'd counseled him early on about controlling himself.  </div> <div> It'd been a long, long time since Adam was inside Rushmore Sanitarium.  He'd resigned weeks ago; Mrs. Stuart had helped him by typing a nice letter to the director for him.  As they waited for permission to go into the locked ward, Adam glanced into the entertainment room to see if Mabel was around.  He thought it would be nice to say hello to her, but he didn't see her among the clients there.  "Hello, Mr. Knight," the sheriff was saying, and Adam turned around.  The sheriff had just arrived with the doctor in charge of the locked ward-where the most emotionally unstable of the clients were placed.</div> <div> "Sheriff," Adam said, surprised that the sheriff was offering to shake hands.  It didn't seem that long ago that the sheriff was running them out of town.</div> <div> "Dr. Longworth asked for you a couple of times while we were trying to question him," the sheriff was explaining.  "I'll be honest with you, we haven't been able to make much sense of what he's been saying so far.  We're hoping by bringing you here we can get him to cooperate a little more."</div> <div> "What is he saying?" Adam asked.</div> <div> The sheriff made a wry face.  "First of all, he says he's not Dr. Longworth."</div> <div> "Who's he say he is?" Randy demanded, sounding angry.  "Sounds like a cop-out to me."</div> <div> "He says he's John Yeager," the sheriff replied, and both Adam and Randy reacted with shock.</div> <div> "John Yeager has dark hair and a moustache!" Adam exclaimed.  "If this is Dr. Cyrus, he has blonde hair-"</div> <div> "And is clean-shaven," the sheriff agreed.  "And yet, this is what he claims."</div> <div> "I'd just like to caution you gentlemen not to antagonize Dr. Longworth or Mr. Yeager or whoever he claims to be," the doctor put in.  "He becomes very violent when he feels pushed, and we've already had to sedate him heavily."</div> <div> "Man, this sucks," Randy declared.  "I don't think I can handle this, man."</div> <div> "Frankly, I'm glad you said so.  I'd rather you not go in if you're going to become upset," the doctor answered.  "I can show you to a comfortable room."</div> <div> "Hell, yes," Randy said.</div> <div> Adam felt a little angry with Randy at being left alone like this but reflected that it would be better this way if self-control was going to be a problem.  Adam hoped he would remain calm and told himself that no matter what happened, finding Roxanne was important.  They went to the doctor's office, which was comfortably furnished and even had a small television and refrigerator.  "Help yourself," the doctor told Randy.  He took Adam and the two officers down the hall to a padlocked, barred door.  The doctor withdrew a key and began to unlock the door.  "He's locked into the third door on the right," the doctor explained.</div> <div> So-even beyond this locked door was more locked doors!  Adam felt sorry for Cyrus.  In spite of everything he'd done, it was terrible to be caged like an animal.  The things Joyce had said about their mother and father were beyond his comprehension.   Even though the parents had treated their children cruelly and had caused some kind of damage to Cyrus, they would never be punished for it.  They came to Cyrus' locked door.  The doctor gave them a questioning glance, as if to ask if they were ready for this.  The sheriff nodded, and the doctor unlocked the door.  He gave the key to an orderly who had arrived and who would lock them into the room with Cyrus.</div> <div> Adam had never seen a room like this in his life.  There were no windows, and all the walls and the floor were padded with some kind of foam.  Cyrus was sitting on the floor in a corner of the room, his face turned toward the wall.  He was wearing a straight jacket and was mumbling incoherently to himself.  The doctor approached slowly, clearing his throat so that Cyrus would hear him coming.  "Hello there," the doctor said in a pleasant, calm voice.  "I've brought some visitors.  One of them is Mr. Knight-the man you asked for."</div> <div> Cyrus looked up at the doctor blankly and then looked over at Adam, the sheriff, and Deputy Todd.  He smiled faintly.  "Well, Mr. Knight," he said mockingly.  "How nice to see you again."  There were bruises on his face, as if he'd been in a fight.</div> <div> "Dr. Cyrus?" Adam whispered, feeling too distraught at his friend's condition to be angry yet about Roxanne.</div> <div> Cyrus gave Adam an irritated, exasperated look.  "Are you all blind?  I don't look anything like that loser!"  His voice sounded rough and contemptuous; totally unlike the gentle, soft voice of Cyrus Longworth.  "Oh, come, now, Mr. Knight!  Don't tell me you don't recognize me-you've chased me often enough!"</div> <div> "John Yeager?" Adam asked flatly.  He couldn't believe it.  Cyrus looked nothing like the man he'd seen in New York or the man he'd chased twice at Collinwood.</div> <div> "That's much better, Mr. Knight!"  Cyrus nodded his head, his eyes brightening.</div> <div> "We've brought Mr. Knight-as you requested," the sheriff stated.  "I wonder if you'd answer some questions for us now?"</div> <div> "Well, now, I might-I just might," Cyrus answered, his eyes taking on a wary but cunning expression.  "It depends on how you treat me."</div> <div> "Do you want to tell us something about Tony Peterson or Roxanne Drew?"</div> <div> Cyrus lifted his head a little.  The crafty look in his eyes spread to his features.  "Tony Peterson was too curious for his own good.  You know what they say about the curious cat, don't you?"</div> <div> "Are you saying you killed Tony Peterson?"  the sheriff asked.  Cyrus' eyes clouded over and went blank.  The sheriff looked at the doctor, who just shrugged and looked puzzled.  The sheriff repeated his question.</div> <div> "Killed Tony Peterson?" Cyrus repeated in his soft voice.  "Killing is wrong.  I didn't kill anyone."</div> <div> "What happened to Tony Peterson?"</div> <div> "I don't know.  He disappeared."</div> <div> The sheriff looked frustrated.  Adam had an odd feeling about what was going on.  "Cyrus?" he asked.</div> <div> His friend looked at him, his expression becoming sad.  "I know who you are.  You are his friend."</div> <div> "I am whose friend?" Adam asked, confused.</div> <div> "Dr. Longworth.  He cares about you, he really does.  He feels terrible about what happened.  He never meant for any of it to happen."</div> <div> "You are not John Yeager!" Adam exclaimed, his jaw dropping.</div> <div> "No, he is the evil one.  He's so strong, though-"</div> <div> "What is your name?" the doctor put in.</div> <div> "My name is-" Cyrus stopped suddenly.  He frowned.</div> <div> "Is it Cyrus Longworth?" the doctor guessed.</div> <div> "No.  Cyrus has gone away.  My name is-it's Alex."</div> <div> "Alex!" Adam exclaimed.  "Alex?" He looked at the doctor, thoroughly confused now.  "I don't understand!"</div> <div> "This is bullshit," Sheriff Patterson declared.</div> <div> The doctor rounded on him abruptly.  "Sheriff, please!"</div> <div> "It's bullshit all right!" the man on the floor barked.  The cunning, contemptuous expression had returned to his face.  "I just wanted to see how stupid you all were!"</div> <div> Adam looked at the doctor for help.  This was beyond his ability to comprehend.  Cyrus must be really insane, he thought, with deepening despair. How can he answer any questions about Roxanne?</div> <div> "Sheriff, I think I should speak to you all privately," the doctor began.  He looked as if he might know something.</div> <div> "Now, now, doctor, what kind of lies are you going to fill their heads with?" the man on the floor asked suspiciously.  Then he began to laugh wildly.  "It doesn't matter what you tell them!  If they want to learn anything, they'll have to deal with me-John Yeager!"  </div> <div> He was still howling with glee as the doctor rapped at the door.  The orderly outside unlocked the door and let them out into the hallway, carefully relocating the door.  The orderly watched the straitjacketed patient as the doctor led Sheriff Patterson, Deputy Todd, and Adam back to his office.  Randy stood up.  The sheriff turned to face the doctor.  "All right, what is it, doctor?"  He sounded impatient.  </div> <div> "I think we may be dealing more than one personality here," the doctor began.  </div> <div> The sheriff guffawed.  "Oh, come on!  You're trying to tell me that's not an act in there?"</div> <div> "I'm not trying to tell you that-I <I>am</I> telling you that!"</div> <div> "What?" Randy burst out incredulously.</div> <div> The doctor tried to explain.  "Look, I know that this sounds crazy-I'm not even one hundred percent sure myself-not without talking to some experts in the field.  But you've seen him-look at him!  His voice changes, his expression changes-even his handwriting changes!"</div> <div> The sheriff made a contemptuous sound.</div> <div> Adam struggled to understand.  "I don't understand what you mean."</div> <div> The doctor turned toward Adam, but before he could speak, Randy exclaimed:  "He means that that goofy doctor friend is Cyrus Longworth <I>and</I> John Yeager!'</div> <div> "And Alex," the doctor added, nodding in agreement.</div> <div> Adam put his hand to his forehead.  "That cannot be!" he exclaimed.  "I saw John Yeager!  He doesn't look like Cyrus at all!"  He thought of something-he remembered a movie he'd seen.  "Cyrus made a drink-something that was not good for him to have.  Could he have had this drink and changed into John Yeager?"</div> <div> The sheriff roared louder and Adam glared at him.  "Oh, that's a good one!  Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde!"</div> <div> "I don't think so," the doctor answered, with a disapproving glance at the sheriff.</div> <div> "But he was drinking this drink," Adam insisted.</div> <div> "What drink?" the doctor asked.</div> <div> "It doesn't matter!" the sheriff said at the same time.</div> <div> "Why doesn't it matter?" the doctor snapped.  He turned to Adam.  "Can you bring me this drink?"</div> <div> "Yes," Adam said.  "I can get some for you.  I have some in my bag."</div> <div> "What are you doing with it?" the sheriff asked suspiciously.</div> <div> "Is that the junk you take when you feel dizzy?" Randy asked.</div> <div> Adam felt exposed.  However, he had to be truthful if they were ever going to find Roxanne.  "Yes, it is.  I only take a sip or two.  I think Dr. Cyrus would take long drinks of it."</div> <div> "I'd like to see if you don't mind," the doctor said.  "I can analyze it and hopefully tell you what it is, but I just want to assure you that it can't be anything that would make your friend change physically."</div> <div> "Damn right!" the sheriff agreed emphatically.</div> <div> "Why not?" Randy demanded.  "What makes you so sure?"</div> <div> "Because the human body can't-" the doctor began.</div> <div> Sheriff Patterson interrupted:  "We found his wig and fake moustache, that's why.  He never changed.  He just put those things on."</div> <div> "The dark hair and moustache are not real?"  Adam was amazed.</div> <div> "They came off during his struggle with Mr. Collins," the sheriff explained.</div> <div> "Don't you see, though," the doctor put in earnestly.  "This would explain how he could change from one personality to another."</div> <div> "No, no, no," the sheriff objected.  "It was just a disguise he used to perpetrate his crimes-and I do mean crimes.  The list gets longer and longer."</div> <div> The phone on the desk rang, and the doctor answered.</div> <div> Adam said, "So you think that Cyrus Longworth just pretended to be John Yeager, and he knew what he was doing?"</div> <div> "That's my feeling, yes."</div> <div> "So the son of a bitch knows where Roxanne is!" Randy burst out.  Adam had just been thinking the same thing.</div> <div> The doctor hung up and said, "Dr. Longworth's parents are here.   They're demanding to see their son."</div> <div> "Can't they come during visiting hours?" the sheriff asked.  "I want to ask him again about Roxanne Drew and Tony Peterson."</div> <div> "Is he formally charged yet?  Has he been arrested?" the doctor asked.</div> <div> "If you're worried about his rights, he waived attorney privileges before we brought him here," the sheriff answered.  "Don't you read your own admission papers?"</div> <div> The doctor looked angry now.  "I've had about enough, sheriff.  I'll determine whether you can question this man any further without a full psychiatric evaluation first."</div> <div> "Please," Adam interjected, feeling alarmed.  "May I talk to him one more time?"  He was afraid that the antagonism between the men would spoil his chance to find Roxanne.</div> <div> The doctor considered.  "I guess it would be all right-you are friends."</div> <div> "I'd like to come along just to hear anything more he has to say," the sheriff said, and the doctor nodded.</div> <div> "Stay here," Adam advised Randy, who nodded.</div> <div> They went back to Cyrus' room.  He still sat curled up on the floor, unmoving, as the men re-entered the room and were locked in again.  They'd agreed to let Adam do the talking, so Adam stepped forward now and squatted near his friend.  Once again, he could feel pity filling him even though he was worried and frightened for Roxanne.  "Hello," he began.  Cyrus looked at him and smiled evilly.  "John?  Do you know where Roxanne is?"</div> <div> "Claude North has her, Mr. Knight," Cyrus/John answered with a leer.  "He wanted her very badly."</div> <div> "Where did he take her?" Adam was struggling to control himself.</div> <div> "That I don't know.  Sorry.  I never saw her again after I turned her over to him."</div> <div> "You--?" Adam began.  He clenched his fists.  He wanted very badly to punch the man's face; bang his head against the wall.</div> <div> Seeing the anger in Adam's eyes, the bravado in Cyrus/John's eyes faded until they were blank.  Adam managed to control his anger, fearing any further information would be lost.  Slowly, life came back into the man's eyes.  Adam sensed this was no longer John or Cyrus.  This was the man who'd called himself Alex.  The man looked into Adam's eyes.  "I am sorry for the pain he caused you.  He did not injure Roxanne.  He wanted to, but Cyrus wouldn't let him.  I just want you to know that.  Roxanne was not injured-not by them.  Not by me."</div> <div> "What happened then?" Adam asked, his voice thickening.</div> <div> "Roxanne trusted Cyrus.  She went with him to sign some papers.  After that, he made an excuse to go to the first floor-he said they were going to a friend's office-Dr. Mark Hargove's office.  Cyrus knew it was empty-Dr. Hargrove was in surgery.  He told Roxanne to wait while he talked to Dr. Hargrove, then he'd call her in.  The office was empty.  Roxanne waited in the outer office while Cyrus went in and drank some of the compound.  As John Yeager, he opened the other door-it let out into an alleyway.  Claude North was waiting there.  Yeager called Roxanne, using Cyrus' voice.  She came in.  Claude North had a knife.  Before she could scream, John put his hand over her mouth.  They pulled her into the alley.  North's car was parked there.  Roxanne struggled and kicked, but North had a kerchief soaked with chloroform.  They put it over her face-"</div> <div> "No!" Adam cried, covering his face with his hands.</div> <div> The man calling himself Alex moved forward a little.  "Don't cry.  It only made her sleep."</div> <div> "Where is she?"</div> <div> "Near Collinsport.  Maybe in Collinsport.  John hasn't seen Claude North since, but he frequently sees Tim Stokes."</div> <div> "Stokes!"  The sheriff had been listening quietly, scribbling notes, but now he interjected, surprised.</div> <div> "Yes-they drank together frequently.  They did disgusting things to women.  Sometimes they went to the cemetery."</div> <div> "For what?"</div> <div> "I don't know.  John never saw.  They went to the place where Stokes' daughter, Angelique, is interred.  John stayed outside, to watch."</div> <div> "Why?" Adam asked.</div> <div> "I don't know.  John never saw."</div> <div> "So where is Roxanne Drew?" the sheriff asked.</div> <div> "John didn't see where she went.  But I think she isn't far."</div> <div> "Tony Peterson?"  It was said almost as an afterthought.</div> <div> "There is a root cellar.  He is there."</div> <div> Adam sat back on his heels.  He looked at the sheriff, whose eyes grew as round as saucers.  "Perhaps I can show you.   I think I remember now where it is."</div> <div> "Is he dead?"</div> <div> "John killed him."  The voice was flat and expressionless.</div> <div> "Is Roxanne dead?" Adam asked softly.</div> <div> "Alex" looked at him with compassion.  "No.  If I knew where she was, I would tell you.  But John doesn't know, and neither does Cyrus."</div> <div> "John, Cyrus!" the sheriff exclaimed.  "They did all these things.  And just where were you?"</div> <div> "I have always been there," Alex replied mildly.  "I saw everything."</div> <div> The sheriff looked at the doctor, who asked, "You saw everything that John and Cyrus did, Alex?"</div> <div> "I saw everything.  I have always been here."</div> <div> "Your parents are here-they want to see you," the sheriff began and stopped, shocked, as the man on the floor roared in rage.  </div> <div> "They're not <I>my</I> parents!" John Yeager snarled angrily.  "I have no parents!  I won't see them, do you hear me!"  He began to struggle against his restraints, throwing himself against the wall violently.  Adam scrambled back out of the way as Yeager continued to scream and thrash about.  When he realized he wouldn't be able to free himself from the jacket, he began to bang his head violently against the wall, screaming in an uncontrollable fury.</div> <div> The doctor knocked at the door.  Two orderlies rushed in, surrounding Yeager.  They hauled him from the room and down the hall.  "Take him to the cold room, quickly!" The doctor shouted to be heard above Yeager's shrieks of rage.  </div> <div> "What is the cold room?" Adam asked.</div> <div> "They'll wrap him in cool sheets, tight, like a cocoon.  It'll help him calm down," the doctor explained.  It sounded barbaric to Adam.  The doctor looked at the sheriff.  "So-do you still think he's faking?"</div> <div> "Shit, I don't know what to think!" the sheriff answered, shaking his head.  He looked at Adam.  "I don't get it-I can understand him faking and acting like he's John Yeager, saying Cyrus is gone when we can see damn well he's not.  But who is this Alex?"</div> <div> The doctor asked for Dr. Longworth's chart.  When it was brought to him, he opened it so that the sheriff could see.  "As you can see, Sheriff Patterson, his name is Cyrus Alexander Longworth."</div> <div> The sheriff shook his head.  He looked at Adam.  "You say you know where this root cellar is?"</div> <div> "I remember a root cellar-at Collinwood," Adam replied cautiously.</div> <div> "Well, would you show me?  Meantime, we can talk to Tim Stokes," the sheriff said.</div> <div> "Yes-do you think Stokes will know where Roxanne is?"</div> <div> "Can't hurt." The sheriff shrugged.  He said thoughtfully, "There's going to be a sanity hearing.  More investigations.  We may not be able to get much more from this guy."</div> <div> "Definitely not today," the doctor agreed.  "He'll be in the cold pack for the next several hours."  The doctor escorted them back to the office.  Adam signaled to Randy that he would talk to him later.  The doctor led them back to the main wing of the hospital.  A nurse approached and spoke quickly and quietly into his ear.  He looked over into an adjoining room.  Adam peeked too and saw Cyrus' parents sitting there, upright and pale.  Randy pulled his elbow and Adam realized the others were ready to leave.  He turned away and followed.</div> <div> The doctor followed them to the car.  "Mr. Knight, would you mind leaving me that stuff Dr. Longworth drank?"</div> <div> "I would like to keep a little of it, but you may have the rest," Adam agreed.  He found his bag and rummaged around until he found the small bottle of compound.  The doctor had brought a sample-sized bottle outside with him and Adam poured some of it into the doctor's bottle.</div> <div> "I'll let you know what I find," the doctor said as they got into the car.</div> <div> Sheriff Patterson radioed from his car to a dispatcher in Collinsport to let two remaining deputies know he was returning.  There was some interference and, from the back seat, Adam heard the dispatcher say something about an inspector.  "Say again?" Patterson barked into the radio.</div> <div> "Inspector Hamilton is here from the state police," the dispatcher repeated.  "He's investigating a murder…"  The voice broke up again.</div> <div> "Say again, I didn't get that," the sheriff radioed back.  "Are you talking about the murder of Tony Peterson?  Come back!"</div> <div> There was a silence, a crackling, and then the dispatcher's voice again:  "Tony Peterson!  No, sir, this Inspector Hamilton says he's here to investigate the alleged murder of Angelique Collins.  There's something else, too, sheriff.  Inspector's calling in on the other line.  He says Bruno Hess has been murdered."</div> <div> "Now what the hell is going on?" the sheriff exploded, putting his foot on the accelerator.</div> <div> Adam and Randy looked at each other.  "This is getting weirder and weirder," Randy commented.  Looking out the window, Adam thought that Randy couldn't have said it any better.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id100.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Family Secrets"><U>Family Secrets</U></A>    <A HREF="id101.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spring Whirlwind"><U>Spring Whirlwind</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id85.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Adam in Parallel Time"><U>Adam in Parallel Time</U></A>     <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cassies Writing"><U>Cassie's Writing</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>