8: Circling the Wagons

<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="id109.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="1: Stolen Memories"><U><B>1:  Stolen Memories</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id110.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2: A Complex Puzzle"><U><B>2:  A Complex Puzzle</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id111.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="3: Peeling the Onion"><U><B>3:  Peeling the Onion</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id112.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="4: Secrets Revealed"><U><B>4:  Secrets Revealed</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id113.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="5: Going Home Again"><U><B>5:  Going Home Again</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id114.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="6: ThingintheBox"><U><B>6:  Thing-in-the-Box</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id116.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="7: Challenging the Leviathan"><U><B>7:  Challenging the Leviathan</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><B>8:  Circling the Wagons</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id118.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="9: Jebs Curse"><U><B>9:  Jeb's Curse</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id119.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="10: Spell of Jealousy"><U><B>10:  Spell of Jealousy</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id120.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="11: Carrying the Weight"><U><B>11:  Carrying the Weight</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id121.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="12: A Fiendish New Year"><U><B>12:  A Fiendish New Year</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id122.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="13: Barnabas Crisis"><U><B>13:  Barnabas' Crisis</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id123.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="14: Barnabas in Parallel Time"><U><B>14:  Barnabas in Parallel Time</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id124.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="15: Clues to Disaster"><U><B>15:  Clues to Disaster</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="16: Demons Possession"><U><B>16:  Demon's Possession</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id126.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="17: Breach of Trust"><U><B>17:  Breach of Trust</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id127.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="18: Labyrinth of Emotions"><U><B>18:  Labyrinth of Emotions</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id128.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="19: The Amanda Dilemma"><U><B>19:  The Amanda Dilemma</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id129.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="20: Ziganas Cure"><U><B>20:  Zigana's Cure</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id130.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="21: The Approaching Storm"><U><B>21:  The Approaching Storm</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id131.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="22: Enigma at Collinwood"><U><B>22:  Enigma at Collinwood</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id132.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="23: Reunion in Hell"><U><B>23:  Reunion in Hell</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id133.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="24: Scattered Through Time"><U><B>24:  Scattered Through Time</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>8:  Circling the Wagons</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id107.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Alternate Destiny"><U><B>Alternate Destiny</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div>      By the time they arrived at Collinwood, Julia had managed to persuade Quentin not to call Amanda to ask why Bruno Hess was in Collinsport.  "She probably won't know, and then she'll know that you are here and not with your editor," Julia pointed out reasonably.  She was right, Quentin knew she was; yet, he itched to call Amanda.  He a very odd feeling about this, and that was that Amanda knew damn well that Hess was here.  Maybe she'd sent him here.  <I>No, that's paranoid screwball thinking!</I> He tried to convince himself.</div> <div>      He was still brooding as he followed Julia to the door.  She opened it and went into the foyer, stopping short.  He wasn't paying attention and nearly knocked her over as she bent down to pick something up from the floor.  It was an envelope addressed to Barnabas.  "Who do you suppose left this?" she wondered.  She turned it over and opened it.  Surprised, Quentin didn't say anything about the fact that she was going into his cousin's mail so freely.  "Well!" she exclaimed, pursing her mouth.  She handed the note to Quentin.</div> <div>      He took it gingerly, feeling a little uncomfortable about reading it.  <I>Dear Barnabas,</I> he read,<I> as I was getting ready for our dinner date this evening, I got a call from my Aunt Louise.  She is elderly and alone.  She was ill and I left to take care of her.  I'm sorry to leave on such short notice.  Yours, Maggie.</I>  Quentin folded the note carefully, looking at the tight expression on Julia's face.  Ooops, he thought.  Well, it was her fault for opening Barnabas' mail.  There was something wrong with the note, though; Quentin couldn't put his finger on it.</div> <div>      Barnabas came in from outside at that point.  He looked relieved to see them both.  "There's been no word," Barnabas told them, sounding upset.  "I am afraid Jeb killed her."</div> <div>      "I don't think so," Julia replied, her speech sounding a little clipped.</div> <div>      "We found a note," Quentin put in awkwardly, giving the folded paper to Barnabas.  He hoped Julia had hidden the opened envelope but didn't want to look at her.</div> <div>      Barnabas frowned as he read the note.  "This is odd," he commented.  Quentin agreed.  There was something strange about the note, but he still wasn't sure why he knew it.</div> <div>      "I think it's odd that it's been here and no one noticed it," Julia answered, her voice still sounding a little choppy.</div> <div>      "I wonder if Mrs. Johnson has a phone number for this Aunt Louise," Barnabas wondered.  He began to turn toward the door under the stairs.  The front door opened again, and Maggie calmly walked in.  "Maggie, my God!" Barnabas exclaimed, rushing to her.  He practically pushed Julia and Quentin out of his way.  "Are you all right?"</div> <div>      Maggie looked confused.  "Of course I'm all right.  It was my aunt that was sick, not me."  She looked at their faces.  "Didn't you get my note?"</div> <div>      "We didn't find it until just now," Julia answered coolly.  "Roger and Deputy Sheriff Sirkis are still out looking for you, I believe."</div> <div>      Maggie looked horrified.  "Oh, no!  I'm so sorry!  I had no idea-"</div> <div>      "Don't worry, dear," Julia assured her coolly.   "We're just so relieved that you are all right, aren't we?"</div> <div>      "Yes," Barnabas agreed fervently.  Quentin had decided he was not about to get in the middle of this so he didn't say anything.  "Everyone's been worried about you-without reason, it seems.  I am glad."</div> <div>      "David, too?" Maggie asked, distressed.  "If Roger is searching, that means they've come back-because of me?"</div> <div>      "Don't trouble yourself about that," Barnabas said.</div> <div>      "I'll go and see David now," Maggie decided.  She began to go up the stairs but then turned back toward Barnabas.  "I am sorry I didn't tell you personally that I wouldn't be here.  I'd like to talk to you after I've seen David.  Can we meet in the study?"</div> <div>      "Of course," Barnabas replied, watching Maggie as she walked up the stairs.  Quentin looked, too, seeing a slim, attractive young woman.  She was not a raving beauty, though, and he didn't understand what it was that drew Barnabas to her and not to Julia.  Even though he didn't think Julia should have read the note, he felt bad for her.  She was doing an admirable job of masking her feelings, but Quentin could see the pain in her eyes.  "This doesn't make sense," Barnabas muttered under his breath.</div> <div>      "Why?" Julia asked in a challenging tone.  This had to be because she was upset that Barnabas was planning to take Maggie out for dinner, Quentin thought.  "I don't have time to worry about this," she grumbled.  "I have to take Chris to Windcliff."  She went back out the door and slammed it behind her.</div> <div>      As Quentin and Barnabas exchanged glances, Quentin suddenly realized what was wrong with the note.  "Barnabas," he said, "why would she leave a note for you here?  Why wouldn't she take it to the Old House?"</div> <div>      Barnabas' eyebrows arched upward.  "I wonder!" he exclaimed.  He looked at his cousin with a sense of urgency.  "I need to talk to Maggie, Quentin.  Would you see if you could find Roger and the police?   Let them know that she is safe."</div> <div>      "All right," Quentin agreed.  He thought about talking to Barnabas about Julia and then prudently decided it wasn't his business.  He went out and walked toward the cottage; he assumed Julia was going there and he hoped to meet Roger and the deputy sheriff somewhere on the way. The grounds are awfully big, he thought.  If I don't see them, I'll just stop at the cottage.  They'll go back to Collinwood eventually anyway.  </div> <div> He assumed Barnabas was just getting rid of him anyway so that he could talk to Maggie privately.  Maybe Barnabas was finally getting some, he thought, with an amused grin and then decided that his cousin was too much of a gentleman.  Julia had nothing to worry about.  Barnabas was too honorable to go screwing the governess at Collinwood.  The idea of Barnabas and Maggie making passionate love on the sofa in the drawing room made him laugh out loud.</div> <div> He stopped laughing when he got closer to the cottage.  He could hear Julia's voice, and she sounded angry.  He hoped she wasn't taking out her anger at Barnabas on Chris.  He knocked at the door cautiously.  Chris pulled it open, giving him an exasperated look.  "Oh, great!" he complained.  "I suppose you're on <I>their</I> side, too?"</div> <div> "What's going on?" Quentin asked, coming into the room.  Julia scowled at him and turned away.  Sabrina was there, too, biting her nails nervously.  On the lampstand nearby was a strange looking plant.  "What's that?" </div> <div> "A moon poppy," Chris replied, and then began to laugh.  "A very rare and fragile plant, Quentin.  Ever heard of it?"</div> <div> "No," Quentin answered honestly.</div> <div> Julia turned around triumphantly.  "I told you!  Now, Chris, I really must insist that you come with me."</div> <div> "And I said no!" Chris shouted furiously.  "You know, doctor, I am sick and tired of going to that loony bin and being locked up like I was some kind of nut!  I'm not crazy-I'm a dangerous killer!"  Julia's lips tightened resentfully at Chris' references to Windcliff and its patients.</div> <div> "Chris, maybe you could go just this one more time," Sabrina said placatingly.  "Take the poppy with you-"</div> <div> "No!" Chris insisted stubbornly.</div> <div> "What is this all about?" Quentin asked.</div> <div> "Try to talk some sense into him, would you?" Julia exclaimed, sounding as if she was the end of her rope.  She stalked out of the cottage and stopped short, rummaging in her purse for her cigarettes.</div> <div> Quentin looked at Chris, who waved his hand in disgust and stalked off into the bedroom, slamming the door.  This is wonderful, he thought, looking next at Sabrina.  She was pale and practically quivering.  "What's going on?" he asked again.</div> <div> "I-I  r-read about the moon p-poppy in a b-book about werewolves," Sabrina began nervously, unable to look Quentin in the eye.  She seemed very uneasy.  "When the moon rises, the poppy will bloom.  And if Chris eats the flower, he'll be cured."</div> <div> "Where did you get this?" Quentin asked curiously, looking at the plant with interest.  He wondered if it was possible.  Could it be?</div> <div> "A botanist sold it to me.  He'd cultivated it for most of his life, taking over from his own father.  It cost me my life savings."</div> <div> Quentin looked at her sharply.  "Sabrina, why would you do that?  You can't be sure this thing really works!"</div> <div> "I love him," she whispered.</div> <div> Quentin groaned inwardly.  "All you need is love," he muttered.</div> <div> "Excuse me?" Sabrina asked, sounding confused.</div> <div> Quentin sighed.  "Sabrina, love does not conquer all.  How is Chris supposed to eat this thing?  He'll be transforming when the moon rises."</div> <div> "I know," she whispered.  "But if he could just get it into his mouth-I told him I'd stay with him, but he refused."</div> <div> "Of course he refused!  Are you crazy?"  At her hurt, frightened look, Quentin could have kicked himself.  He remembered that she had already seen Chris undergo the transformation once; it had left her "catatonic" in Chris' words.  "I'm sorry," he said softly.  "I'm sorry."  He remembered how determined Beth was to stay with him, even though he drank until he almost passed out and turned mean.  He remembered saying vile, cruel things to her and she still didn't want to leave.  <I>Love, love, love</I> he thought.  That's what the Beatles sang on their "Magical Mystery Tour": All You Need Is Love.  Yes, love was a magical mystery tour all right.</div> <div> Chris came out of the bedroom and stood looking at Quentin angrily.  "So what are you doing?  Yelling at Sabrina too?"</div> <div> "Yeah, it seems to be part of the curse," Quentin replied ruefully.  To his surprise, Chris laughed.  Sabrina looked at them as if they were both crazy.  "Look, Chris, for what it's worth, I think Sabrina's right."</div> <div> "I do, too," Chris said, "but I'm not going to leave.  I'm sick of it.  I'll chain myself up here or something."</div> <div> "You have to eat the bloom from the poppy," Sabrina insisted.  "It's no good if you eat it after the moon sets.  It'll be dead by then."</div> <div> "What if I stay with you?" Quentin offered.  Now Chris and Sabrina were both looking at him as if he'd lost his mind.  "You can't kill me, Chris.  Maybe I can help you eat the damn thing."</div> <div> Sabrina's eyes lit up with hope and she looked at Chris anxiously.  "Can I talk to Sabrina alone a minute, please?" he asked.</div> <div> "Sure," Quentin replied.  He needed time to absorb what he'd just said, too.  Maybe he was crazy.  He went outside and joined Julia, who was pacing.  "Let me have one of those, would you?" he asked.</div> <div> Julia grumbled, handing over her pack.  "You're not able to talk sense into him either?"  She gave him her cigarette to light the one in his mouth.  He noticed three butts already on the ground.</div> <div> Handing her cigarette back, he said, "Julia, you're going to kill yourself this way."</div> <div> "Quentin, mind your own damn business!" Julia exploded.</div> <div> "Take it easy, take it easy, doctor!  Pardon me for showing a little concern!"  Quentin took a puff of his cigarette; the smoke burned his throat and lungs but already he could feel a pleasant rush throughout his body, relaxing him.  "I said I'd stay with him."</div> <div> "You <I>what?</I>" Julia exclaimed.  "Are you out of your mind?"</div> <div> He sighed.  "I was afraid you'd say that.  Look, he doesn't want to go to Windcliff.  How are you going to get him there if he refuses to go?  Are you going to bind and gag him?  Maybe he's got a chance if I stay-I could shove the damn plant in his mouth."</div> <div> Julia laughed unwillingly, probably imagining Quentin trying to force a poppy flower into the jaws of a werewolf.  "I think it's hokum, sweetie.  I never heard of a moon poppy."</div> <div> "I never did, either," Quentin agreed.  "But if he wants to try it, I ask you again-how are you going to get him to Windcliff if he doesn't want to go?"</div> <div> Julia sighed, resigned.  "You're right, I guess.  Are you quite sure you'll be safe?"</div> <div> "I've had some pretty gruesome things done to me and I've survived them," he answered.  Julia gave him a long look.  He imagined that she was curious to know his story but was too overwhelmed with everything else right now to ask.  He wished she would ask, but she didn't.</div> <div> "All right," she said, giving in.  The door opened, and Sabrina slipped out, dabbing at her eyes.  "Sabrina?"</div> <div> "He said he's going to try the poppy."  Sabrina looked at Quentin pleadingly.  "You'll really stay with him?"</div> <div> "Yes," Quentin said.  He could call Amanda from the cottage and explain he'd been delayed.</div> <div> "Thank you," Sabrina whispered, her voice barely audible.</div> <div> "Can I give you a ride back to town?" Julia offered.  Sabrina nodded, and the two women walked back to the path together.</div> <div> Quentin threw his cigarette down and ground it out.  He didn't enjoy them after the third or fourth puff anyway.  What have I got myself into this time, he wondered, turning back toward the cottage.</div> <bR> <div> Chris offered him a drink, which he accepted.  "Mind if I use your phone?" he asked.</div> <div> "Go right ahead," Chris said, showing him where the phone was.  "You calling your actress friend?  I can give you some privacy.  I need some air anyway."</div> <div> "Thanks," Quentin said.  He called the hotel, hoping that Amanda wouldn't be there, but she picked up on the third ring.  "Hi, babe," he said cheerfully.</div> <div> "Oh, Quentin!  I've missed you so!  Guess what I'm wearing!"</div> <div> "It's got to be something incredibly sexy."</div> <div> "And edible too."</div> <div> Edible?  He was beginning to regret his offer to stay with Chris.  He felt himself getting warm.  "Umm…what is it?" he asked, all thoughts of Chris suddenly driven from his mind.  The possibilities were tantalizing.</div> <div> "Well, it's underwear, and it's red," Amanda answered in a sultry voice.</div> <div> Damn, he thought regretfully, returning to reality.  "Can you take it off and save it for tomorrow?" he asked thoughtlessly.</div> <div> "What do you mean, save it for tomorrow?" Amanda's voice sounded outraged, and he realized immediately that he should have prepared her more gently.  He cursed himself.  "Aren't you coming back in a couple of hours?"</div> <div> "I'm kind of stuck here," he replied, realizing he sounded lame.  "This meeting's dragged on longer than I thought, and it's not ending anytime soon."</div> <div> "That's just ridiculous!" Amanda protested.  "It's the day after Christmas, for God's sake!  And who has meetings on Friday afternoons anyway?"</div> <div> "That's the way this business works," he replied.  He sighed.  She'd never buy it.  "Okay, look, I didn't tell you the exact truth when I said I was meeting with my editor."  He dropped his voice.  "It's the other employer, Amanda."</div> <div> "What?" Amanda burst out, sounding angrier.</div> <div> "Sssh," he cautioned her.  "The phone might be bugged, sweetheart."</div> <div> "Oh!"  Shocked, she suddenly seemed subdued.  "Oh--<I>that</I> employer?"</div> <div> "I'm sorry," he apologized.  For good measure, he added, "I warned you stuff like this would happen."</div> <div> "Ohhhh!" She exclaimed, sounding deeply disappointed.  "I was so looking forward to you eating me out of this thing!"  You have no idea how much I really regret this, he thought, closing his eyes.  I could be eating edible underwear; instead, I'm going to be forcing a werewolf to eat a damn flower.  "Quentin, this business won't keep you away all weekend will it?  I'm so nervous about Monday-we start taping.  I really need you with me!"</div> <div> "I'll be back," he began to promise and stopped himself.  "I'm nearly one hundred percent sure.  Save the underwear, please?  I really want to see it."</div> <div> He looked up.  Chris was standing in the doorway, turning a bright shade of red as he realized he came in a moment too soon.  "I have to go, babe," Quentin said.</div> <div> "I love you, darling," Amanda said.</div> <div> "Me you too," he answered, glancing at Chris.  "Oh!  Wait!  Do you remember Bruno Hess?"</div> <div> Amanda hesitated and then answered carefully, "No, should I?"</div> <div> "Uh, no, I guess not," he answered.  "I'll talk to you before I fly out of here."  He set the receiver down thoughtfully.  There were a lot of people at that party, he told himself.  Why should she remember that guy?  And she was pretty high.  Still, she spent some time with him---was she lying or telling the truth?</div> <div> "Something wrong?" Chris asked.</div> <div> "I don't know," Quentin answered truthfully.</div> <div> "Is she mad at you?  I mean-you don't have to do this.  It's nice of you, but you don't have to stay."</div> <div> "No, that's not it."  Quentin picked up his drink and swirled it around thoughtfully, looking at the liquor in it.  He looked at Chris and thought of Jeb.  What if that damned flower didn't work?  Suppose Chris got loose?  Wouldn't it be a real shame if he happened to come across that damn Jeb?</div> <div> Neither man seemed to be feeling very talkative so Chris asked if Quentin wanted to play cards or chess.  He set up a chessboard and it helped pass the time.  There were no awkward silences as the opponents concentrated on strategy and on their next moves.  There was a knock at the door that startled them both.  As Chris got up to answer the door, Quentin realized if was about five-it was already dark outside.</div> <div> "Hello, Barnabas," Chris said, opening the door.</div> <div> "Chris," Barnabas said smoothly, entering the cottage.  He glanced at Quentin.  "Hello, Quentin.  Julia told me what you were planning to do, and I felt I had to come by and ask you to reconsider."</div> <div> "I know, it's a hopeless cause," Chris said bitterly.</div> <div> "I'm sorry if I've given you the impression that there's nothing I can do to help," Barnabas began.</div> <div> "You said so in so many words," Chris pointed out, interrupting.</div> <div> Barnabas grimaced.  "Perhaps I was too harsh in my choice of words.  Chris, it's just that I think you would be safer at Windcliff.  There is still time for you go get there-if you would go now."</div> <div> "Nope," Chris answered.</div> <div> Barnabas sighed.  "Chris, Julia researched this moon poppy, and she couldn't find any information on it.  Now, I'm sure Quentin has already told you the same thing."  Barnabas looked toward Quentin for affirmation, but he'd already decided he was staying out of this tussle.</div> <div> "Actually, he has, but I'm going to try it anyway," Chris said stubbornly.</div> <div> "But doesn't it occur to you that you'll be in the midst of the transformation?  You won't be interested in eating the poppy!" Barnabas argued.  Chris shrugged, his expression sullen.  "If you're so determined to try it, why won't you at least take it to Windcliff with you?"</div> <div> "Didn't Julia tell you?" Chris asked resentfully.  "I already told her why."  When Barnabas looked toward Quentin again, Chris added, "Don't look at him!  He's got nothing to say about it-he's going along with what I want."</div> <div> "Quentin, is that true?" Barnabas asked, giving Quentin a very disapproving look.</div> <div> Quentin decided it was time to speak up.  "I told Chris I'd persuade him to eat the moon poppy whether he's a wolf or not, and if he is, I'll just pry his jaws open."</div> <div> "That's not funny," Barnabas snapped.  He looked back and forth between the two men.  The expression of his face clearly stated he was giving up.  "Very well, since I cannot reason with either of you I'll go-but first, I need to tell you something, Quentin."</div> <div> "If it's about me I'd appreciate knowing what you've got to say," Chris said immediately.</div> <div> "It has to do with Maggie-and Jeb," Barnabas answered.  He nodded his head toward the door.  "I hope things go well for you Chris," he said, putting his hand on the door and going out.</div> <div> Chris looked at Quentin suspiciously.  "If it does have to do with me, will you tell me?"</div> <div> Quentin was positive that Barnabas was already telling the truth so he saw no reason to lie.  "Of course."  He went outside and joined Barnabas, who'd walked as far as the path.  "What's up?" he asked, slapping his arms against the cold.</div> <div> "Jeb kidnapped Maggie and was holding her in one of the other mausoleums in the cemetery," Barnabas confided harshly.  "Somehow he's managed to summon Sheriff Davenport back from the grave.  He held her in the mausoleum and wouldn't let her leave."</div> <div> "What!" Quentin was stunned and sickened.  "Maybe that's why the sheriff didn't respond to us at the séance."</div> <div> "Yes-a perverted act on Jeb's part.  He must have known how dedicated the sheriff was to his job.  How cruel, to use that good man as a jailer for poor Maggie."  Barnabas' eyes burned with fury.  "Jeb brought the Naga box to her and wanted her to look inside.  Fortunately for her, she had enough wits about her to realize she needed to go along with him.  I do not know if Jeb trusts her entirely; he has set her to watching me."</div> <div> Quentin grunted, dismayed.  Another person in the line of fire!  "So what now?"</div> <div> "Now I will give Maggie just enough information to give Jeb that will keep him tantalized.  She will tell me what he is thinking.  His thoughts are scattered.  He is so obsessed with finding Carolyn!"</div> <div> "Carolyn's still at Little Windward Island?"</div> <div> "Yes, and I am hoping she will stay there through the New Year," Barnabas answered.  "Well, I just wanted to let you know what was going on.  I am going back to the Old House now.  I want you to be very careful, Quentin."</div> <div> "I will," Quentin promised.  "And let me know what's going on with Maggie.  I'm kind of sorry she's involved in this."</div> <div> "I am sorrier," Barnabas answered.  "Unfortunately, she's been involved for a while. Jeb hates her-I am amazed he didn't kill her.  I suppose the only reason he didn't was because he thinks she may be able to find Carolyn for him."  He sighed.  "Whatever happens to Chris, come to the Old House when it's over."</div> <div> "All right," Quentin agreed.  Barnabas turned to go, and Quentin went back into the cottage.  Chris was already pulling out a long length of chain.  He looked over his shoulder when Quentin came in but didn't say anything.  Quentin stopped, turning to close the door and closing his eyes.  He had a sudden memory-Magda chaining him in his room before he underwent another transformation.  That was the one that didn't happen-because of the portrait.  He felt sick to his stomach.</div> <div> "Hey!" Chris called abruptly.  "Get over here-I need your help with this!"</div> <div> Quentin swallowed hard.  I have to go through with this, he thought.  This is all my fault.  He turned toward Chris and saw that his face was twisting with pain.  "It's started?"</div> <div> "Yeah-and I'm not sure what time the moon's gonna rise, so let's get this crap on me!" he grunted, doubling over.</div> <div> Quentin moved quickly, moving Chris into a chair and passing the chains around his arms, the arms of the chair, his legs, and the legs of the chair.  "Too tight?" he asked, concerned.</div> <div> "Don't worry about whether it's too tight, you ass!" Chris gasped, and Quentin realized that of course he was right.  Quentin brought the moon poppy closer to Chris.  It was hard as hell to just sit by and watch it happening; Quentin was tempted to throw the plant down and run.  He wished he could become deaf to Chris' groans of pain; wished he didn't have to see the young man writhing in agony as his body began to change.   This must have been hell for Beth and Sabrina to see, he realized.  As much as he could remember the agony he felt, he realized it was much worse to watch someone else go through it.</div> <div> Suddenly, the plant he held in his hands began to bloom, even as Chris features began to distort and change.  Quentin had never seen a transformation before, and he was rooted to the spot.  He imagined he could hear the bones in Chris's face snapping as his jaw became elongated, becoming the snout of a beast.  Chris fingers curled, digging into the arm of his chair; the fingernails disappeared as his fingers became curved claws.  Oh, God, Quentin thought, and wondered if He was watching this too-did He exist, and if He did, why would He let this happen?</div> <div> The poppy bloomed fully, and the werewolf roared with rage.  Struggling with the bonds, the beast-no longer Chris-growled and snarled its rage, its eyes an unnatural blazing red.  It snapped its jaws at Quentin in frustration, the sharp teeth gleaming.  The flower!  Quentin pulled the bloom from the plant and thrust it at the beast.  Snarling, it opened its mouth and snapped at Quentin's hand as he thrust the petals into its mouth.  Its breath was hot and fetid, and Quentin jumped back.</div> <div> Surprised, the beast snapped its jaws closed and then roared again.  It sounded offended, glaring at Quentin wildly as if to say, what do you think you're trying to feed me?  This isn't for werewolves!  As it growled and howled its anger, the petals of the moon poppy fell uselessly to the floor.  So much for that, Quentin thought.  The insult of the poppy had inflamed the beast so that its strength seemed to have doubled or tripled.  The chains snapped free.</div> <div> "Shit!" Quentin yelled, running for the door.</div> <div> The beast got there ahead of him, so Quentin turned quickly and ran for the bedroom.  He could feel the hot breath of the animal on his neck.  The beast knocked him to the floor, and he hit his head hard on the base of the fireplace.  The room began spinning, but Quentin could see the beast advancing on him.  "No, Chris!" he shouted, and the beast stopped.  It roared wildly and glared at him, but Quentin saw a flicker of humanity there-the same thing he'd seen at Tate's studio.  The animal turned and loped away, opening the door and running into the night.</div> <div> Quentin began to tremble violently, but he managed to get up and go to Chris' phone.  His head hurt terribly, and his fingers shook as he called Collinwood.  Shakily, he asked for Julia.  When she got on the phone, Quentin said, "He's loose, Julia.  He got loose, and he's out there somewhere."</div> <div> "<I>Damn! </I>" Julia snapped loudly and harshly into the phone.</div> <div> Quentin winced.  "I'm sorry I let him get away," he apologized.  "We had him chained-"</div> <div> "Are <I>you</I> all right?" Julia broke in, sounding concerned.</div> <div> The beast howled mournfully outside.  "I hit my head when he knocked me down but I'll be all right," Quentin told her.  "Don't go out.  Tell everyone else to stay inside, too."  He collapsed onto the sofa.  "I'm going to stay here."</div> <div> "All right, lock the door," Julia advised, and Quentin began to laugh wildly.  After a moment, Julia laughed a little, too.  "That is a silly idea, isn't it?  All right, stay there, and be careful."</div> <div> Quentin hung up, holding his head in his hands.  If I'd been careful, I wouldn't have let this happen, he thought.  He remembered his unfinished drink.  This would be a good night to get drunk, he decided.  He'd had several drinks and was feeling a little looped when the door opened.  Startled, he whirled around and saw Sabrina.  She came into the room, took one look at the destroyed plant, and shrieked.  The sound sent shivers down Quentin's spine, and he jumped to his feet.  He swayed, got his balance, and reached for her.  "Sabrina, stop!" he begged.</div> <div> "Oh no oh no!" Sabrina cried out.  It wasn't a piercing scream, but it was nearly as bad.  "There's no hope for him now, and he is going to die!"</div> <div> "Sabrina, he's not going to die," Quentin tried to assure her.  "He's been through this before-let's just hope he doesn't meet anyone out there."  Like you, he thought, trying to bring her into the living area.  However, she broke free and ran for the door.  "Sabrina, no!"  He was too intoxicated to catch her, though, and by the time he got to the door, she was already disappearing into the woods.  "Damn!" he yelled, mentally cursing Sabrina and all the other idiotic women who wanted to take Tammy Wynette's advice to "stand by your man".  Well, now what?  He couldn't just stay inside the cottage with Sabrina out roaming around in the woods.  He also knew he was a little too drunk to search for her alone, so he thought he should go to the Old House and get Barnabas.</div> <div> There was no one at the Old House, however, and so he had to make his way to Collinwood.  This is going to look really good, he thought, hoping he didn't appear too inebriated.  Fortunately, Mrs. Johnson wasn't the one who came to the door-it was the governess, Maggie. "Barnabas?" Quentin asked, trying not to slur his speech.</div> <div> "He had a call and he had to go out," Maggie said.  Damn! Quentin thought, bitterly disappointed.  "Do you want to come in?"</div> <div>  "No," Quentin answered, feeling especially frustrated now. </div> <div> They both started at the howling off in the woods.  Maggie shivered noticeably.  "Would you like to see Mr. Collins?" she asked nervously.</div> <div> That would be Roger, and Quentin did not want to see him in this condition.  "No, thanks," he answered.  "I'll come back in the morning."  He shouldn't go wandering around in the woods alone, he knew, but he felt some obligation to Sabrina.  He set off back toward the Old House.  He was almost there when he heard Sabrina scream somewhere off to his left.  A gunshot followed.  Frightened now, Quentin left the path, trying to follow the sound of the scream.  A few minutes later, Sabrina nearly ran right into his arms.  </div> <div> She screamed again, and started to run the other way.  He reached out and grabbed her.  "Sabrina, stop it!" he yelled.</div> <div> She gasped, "He was going to kill Chris!"</div> <div> "Who?" Quentin asked, shaking her.  She looked as if she was going to scream again.</div> <div> "I don't know!" Sabrina gasped wildly.  "Some man I've never seen before!  I was talking to Chris when he appeared out of the woods with a gun!  He shot at Chris and I told him not to do that-Chris wouldn't have hurt me!"</div> <div> "You used his name?" Quentin demanded, alarmed.</div> <div> Sabrina visibly got hold of herself.  "No, no, I didn't say his name-not to that man!  I wouldn't put Chris in danger like that!"</div> <div> Yeah, Quentin thought, except now this guy is going to wonder why she knew for sure Chris wouldn't hurt her.  "Where did the man go?"</div> <div> "I don't know!" Sabrina exclaimed.</div> <div> "All right, look-we're going back to the cottage," Quentin told her.  "That's where we should have stayed in the first place."</div> <div> "What about Chris-and that man?" Sabrina asked, sounding frightened.</div> <div> "If he doesn't have silver bullets, he won't hurt Chris," Quentin assured her.  He was relieved when Sabrina became limp, allowing him to turn her back toward the cottage.  He no longer felt drunk and although he wanted another drink very badly, he decided he wouldn't touch it.  He needed to speak to Barnabas.  Where had his cousin gone?</div> <bR> <div> "Quentin, hey!"  Quentin opened his eyes and looked up at Chris.  He sat up on the sofa.  Chris looked disheveled and dirty; it was as if he'd been creeping full length through mud and bramble bushes.</div> <div> "Chris, Jeez!" Quentin croaked.</div> <div> "I almost killed someone," Chris mumbled, looking and sounding distraught.  Quentin was stunned; he didn't know what to say.  It had to be the man with the gun.  "Barnabas is taking care of it."</div> <div> "Barnabas?" Quentin echoed, confused.</div> <div> "It happened at the Old House," Chris explained miserably.  "God knows what I've been up to all night.  I guess I must've chased the guy into the Old House and attacked him there.  I came to, and Barnabas was pushing me out of the house and telling me to go home and get cleaned up."</div> <div> "Who was it?" Quentin asked.</div> <div> Chris shook his head.  "I don't know.  I could see him lying on the stairs, but I couldn't see his face."</div> <div> The door to the bedroom flew open and Sabrina ran out, straight into Chris' arms.  "Oh, thank God, thank God!" she cried, weeping.</div> <div> "Sabrina!" Chris exclaimed, unsuccessfully trying to extricate himself.  "Sabrina, I'm filthy!" he protested, as she proceeded to cover his faces with kisses.</div> <div> Embarrassed, Quentin got up and made his way to the door.  Chris had given up trying to pry Sabrina off and was trying to talk to her.  Quentin let himself out quietly and went to the Old House, where he found Barnabas in a foul, dark mood.  "So you were going to keep watch over Chris, were you?" Barnabas snapped as soon as he got in the door.</div> <div> "I'm sorry.  I thought it would be all right if he was chained.  The poppy flower really drove him nuts," Quentin apologized.  "What happened here?"</div> <div> "He nearly killed Jeb," Barnabas answered, his features working with fury.  "It's rather a pity he didn't.  If I hadn't come in when I had, Jeb might have come to and discovered Chris lying on the floor.  He's not stupid-he would have realized Chris was the werewolf."  Barnabas paced back and forth furiously.  He turned back to Quentin.  "Really, Quentin!  You should have been more careful!"</div> <div> Quentin didn't take the rebuke well.  He'd had a rough night, too.  "I did the best I could!" he retorted resentfully.  "I said I was sorry-what more do you want? Where is the thing-in-the-box, anyway?"</div> <div> "Don't be flippant with me!  Jeb is back at the antique shop, hiding-I hope."</div> <div> "What was he doing out here?" Quentin asked, wondering if Jeb was the man with the gun.</div> <div> Barnabas grimaced.  "No doubt looking for Carolyn again. If there is one good thing that has come of this, it is that I seem to have finally gained Jeb's trust.  He is grateful that I `saved' him from the werewolf."</div> <div> Quentin laughed.  "How ironic," he said. </div> <div>  Barnabas smiled briefly and then scowled again.  "I have a serious problem.  I have to bring Carolyn and Elizabeth home tomorrow."</div> <div> "Why?" Quentin asked, surprised.  Maybe this was the real reason for Barnabas' dark mood.</div> <div> "Angelique called last night.  She wanted me to come to Little Windward Island right away.  She'd just returned from the city and expects her husband to return some time tomorrow."  Barnabas sighed.  "She is concerned because Elizabeth has been questioning her closely about where we know each other.  Elizabeth has told her that she looks very familiar.  Angelique is afraid that they are going to connect her with Cassandra and demanded that I take Elizabeth and Carolyn home last night.  I managed to persuade her to allow them to stay until tomorrow."</div> <div> "Cassandra?" Quentin asked.</div> <div> Barnabas sighed again.  "Ah.  About a year and a half ago, Angelique returned to Collinsport as a brunette named Cassandra Blair.  She married Roger.  She tried to return the curse to me."</div> <div> "Oh."  Quentin was shocked.  He remembered how upset Angelique had been at the beginning of their affair in 1925.  She kept insisting that she was in love with Barnabas. Returning the curse was a funny way to show it, he thought.  But then, Angelique had frequently slapped and pinched him so maybe she had a twisted notion of what love was.  He had a feeling that Barnabas had not welcomed her back with open arms and had probably made her angry.  She was a very formidable enemy.  </div> <div> "In fact, she threatened to do it again if her husband finds out the truth about her," Barnabas added.</div> <div> "I see."  He did.  "What are you going to do now?"</div> <div> "We must contact Paul Stoddard again," Barnabas decided.  "Tonight, if we can.  Chris might have killed Jeb but did not.  We have to get rid of him before Carolyn comes back."</div> <div> "Okay," Quentin agreed, already working on a good story to give Amanda.  If they managed to get rid of Jeb, he could begin to help Chris in earnest.  A mission in a foreign country, perhaps-he thought he could make her believe it.</div> <bR> <div> Roger and David were having a rare night out; they were going to the movies.  Julia thought it might be a good idea to try calling to Paul Stoddard from Collinwood; that had been his home, after all, and with Roger and David safely out of the house they would have some privacy.  Maggie was going to participate, too, much to Julia's annoyance.  She masked it well, though, only Quentin could see that she was irritated that Barnabas included her.</div> <div> Quentin had spent a couple of hours exploring his old room before the séance.  He sneaked in through one of the hidden doors, knowing that David and Amy both avoided the west wing now.  There was no one else around and he pored over his old books until he found something he thought might help Paul.  <I>I never heard of an inept ghost</I>, he thought to himself and wondered if spirits reflected the same personality they'd manifested in life.  He'd heard that Paul had been a hard-luck kind of guy until he made his deal with the Leviathans.</div> <div> Everyone had just taken their places around the table in the study when they heard a car pull up.  Alarmed, they all exchanged glances.  Barnabas got up and went to the window.  "It's Elizabeth!" he exclaimed in disbelief.</div> <div> "<I>Elizabeth?</I> " Julia echoed, sounding shocked.  "Where's Carolyn?"</div> <div> "I don't know!" Barnabas answered, looking stunned and pale.   "Stay here-let me go and talk to her."</div> <div> "Oh, man," Quentin complained.  The evening was not going well at all.  Amanda had nearly taken his head off when she called him, accusing him of lying to her already.  It didn't help that she was right, and they'd had an ugly argument.  He felt torn now; guilty because he'd lied to her and relieved because maybe she'd realize he was a no-good skunk and go her merry way.  Now he thought he could have been happily trying to eat her candy underwear instead of sitting with his doctor and the prim, proper governess.</div> <div> "What do you suppose happened?" Maggie was hissing to Julia.</div> <div> "I have no idea!  Did Jeb say anything unusual to you today?"</div> <div> "No-he seemed very subdued.  He just said he wished I could get Barnabas to tell him where Carolyn was."</div> <div> "Ah, shit," Quentin muttered, and both women looked at him, shocked.  "I think that's what this is about," he explained.  "Jeb knows where Carolyn is."</div> <div> "Oh, no!" Julia exclaimed, standing up.</div> <div> "Where are you going?" Maggie asked.</div> <div> Julia seemed to remember that Barnabas told them to stay where they were.  She found her purse and searched for her cigarettes.  Quentin ignored her, thinking.  If he was right, then Carolyn was in danger.  Jeb would go to her, and only Angelique was there to protect her.  After what seemed to be a long time, Barnabas came back and confirmed their fears.  "Jeb called Elizabeth and asked her to meet him here," he said, his face blanched of color.  "There is no good reason he would do that unless he plans to go and claim Carolyn."</div> <div> "Would Angelique protect her?" Quentin asked.</div> <div> "Doubtful," Barnabas answered.  "She is not there.  Just before Jeb called Elizabeth, Mr. Rumson phoned Angelique and asked her to come and pick her up.  Carolyn is alone on the island."</div> <div> Quentin was on his feet.  "Let's go get her!"</div> <div> Barnabas grabbed him by the elbow.  "Elizabeth doesn't know that you are here!"</div> <div> "That's easily taken care of.  I'll meet you by-who is going to drive?"</div> <div> "I will," Julia volunteered.</div> <div> "I'll wait at your car," Quentin said.  He went to the window, opened it, and climbed out.  Good thing the house didn't have alarms.  He waited impatiently near Julia's car; after a few minutes, Barnabas and Julia joined him. Julia smoked several cigarettes on the silent ride down; no one spoke.  As they pulled up to the ferry, Quentin finally spoke.  "I think I should get her, Barnabas."</div> <div> "No!" Barnabas objected immediately.</div> <div> "Look, that thing-in-the-box just began to trust you-that's what you told me.  He already hates me, Barnabas.  We don't want to screw this up, all right?"</div> <div> "I don't like it," Barnabas complained.  "I'll go with you to the dock," he decided.  "You go to the house and get Carolyn.  If you aren't back within a reasonable time, though, I will come after you."</div> <div> "All right," Quentin agreed reluctantly.</div> <div> It was very cold outside; the wind had begun to blow harder, and Quentin could feel stinging sleet hit his face.  Couldn't ask for better weather, he thought.  The Rumsons had their own private ferry, a wizened friendly elf of a man who kept up a conversation during the short trip from the main land to Little Windward Island.  "Here to visit Mr. Rumson, are you?" he asked.</div> <div> "Actually, we've come to pick up our cousin," Barnabas answered politely.</div> <div> "Busy night," the man remarked.  "First Mrs. Rumson leaves, then one of the guests leaves, then Mr. Rumson arrives, and now you."</div> <div> "Mr. Rumson is here?" Barnabas asked, obviously shocked.</div> <div> "Brought him over with his Mercedes Benz not a half hour ago," the man answered, nodding.</div> <div> Barnabas looked over at Quentin, who was wondering what Mr. Rumson was doing here when he'd called Angelique to come pick him up. That was really weird.  "Look, it won't look bad for you if I go alone to pick up Carolyn," Quentin said before his cousin could speak.  "I'll tell him something happened and that I came to pick up Carolyn because her mother wasn't able to."</div> <div> When they arrived at the island, Barnabas reluctantly explained how to find the house; apparently it was set back so that it was visible only by air. Quentin walked up the path alone, feeling nervous.  He'd heard of Sky Rumson-he was very wealthy, maybe almost as rich as Howard Hughes.  Why he would settle in Maine was beyond Quentin's understanding.  He wondered what sort of a man he could be, to have captured Angelique's heart away from Barnabas.</div> <div> He knocked tentatively at the door-and got no answer.  He waited impatiently for a few moments and then knocked again.  He noticed all the lights were out; that was really odd, he thought.  He checked the doorknob, and the door swung open.  It was dark as pitch inside, and he took a few tentative steps inside.  He sensed rather than saw someone rushing at him and put his hands out to protect himself.  He encountered something soft and heard a woman's shriek.  "Ow!" he yelled, feeling something hit his elbow painfully.  He reached out and grabbed an arm, pulling.</div> <div> "Let me go!" the woman cried, and Quentin realized it was Carolyn.</div> <div> "Carolyn!  It's me, Quentin!" he said.</div> <div> She stopped struggling and a small round light flashed into his face.  "Oh, Quentin, thank God!" she cried, throwing herself at him.  "Get me out of here-I'm so scared, please, get me out of here!"</div> <div> "That's why I'm here," he told her.  "Why are the lights out?  Where's Mr. Rumson?"</div> <div> "The lights went out a couple of hours ago, and strange things have been happening here ever since-and Mr. Rumson is not here. What are you talking about?"</div> <div> "Nothing," he said, "Let's get out of here-where's your coat?"</div> <div> "Just a minute."  She was back within a few moments, carrying her bag and pulling her coat on.  "I expected to come back with Mother, so I was already packed."</div> <div> They hurried back down the path.  "What happened here?" he asked her.</div> <div> "After Mother left, the storm started.  The wind did, anyway.  I made myself some tea and sat down to read a book, and then all these strange things began happening.  A picture fell off the wall-as if I'd left the window open or something.  Then I heard footsteps upstairs and the sound of a door slamming."  Carolyn sounded as if she was in tears.  "The lights went out, and then a tree came crashing through the window.  I-I found a flashlight and then the phone, but the line was dead.  Thank God you came, Quentin!"  They were almost to the ferryboat when Carolyn asked suddenly, "Why did you come?"</div> <div> "I was worried about you," he told her honestly.</div> <div> Carolyn recognized Barnabas and burst into real tears.  "Oh, Barnabas!" she sobbed like a child, throwing her arms around her cousin.</div> <div> The ferryman looked alarmed.  "Here, the news can't be that bad, can it?"</div> <div> "I'm afraid so," Quentin lied.  "A friend died."</div> <div> "Lord have mercy!" the man exclaimed.  "I'll get you back acrost as quick as I can!"</div> <div> On the ferry ride back, Carolyn had something even more ominous to tell.  After she discovered the phone was dead, she ran upstairs to the room she'd been staying in all week.  She didn't know what else to do so she curled up on the bed, huddled under the heavy quilt.  "I guess I must have fallen asleep," Carolyn confided.  "I don't know how else to explain it.  I dreamed about Jeb."</div> <div> "You did?" Barnabas asked, his brows arching with surprise.  "What did you dream?"</div> <div> "I was on a date with Jeb, and we were at the antique shop," Carolyn began, her voice trembling.  Quentin watched her carefully.  He had a feeling she hadn't had any dream, but he wanted to hear for himself what she had to say.  "He began to pick up the porcelain figurines and throw them on the floor.  I asked him if he was crazy, and he said we should be able to do anything we wanted.  He gave me one and told me to throw it on the floor-and I did."  She shook her head.  "I've never vandalized anything before."</div> <div> That was what I felt under my feet in the shop, Quentin realized.  He listened as Carolyn went on, "Then he asked me if I wanted to see him the way he really was, and I didn't understand what he was talking about.  He looked so odd-his eyes had a strange look in them.  It's hard to describe.  He began to talk about Joseph and Alexander and Michael, and I asked him, `How do you know them?'  And he said the craziest thing.  He said, `I am them, and they are me.'  I told him I didn't believe him, and then he reminded me that Alexander used to like to frighten me with a mask and that Michael had stared at me all the time because he had a crush on me.  And I realized that it was true-he was all of those boys.  But it isn't possible!  He said, `Yes, it is possible and it's true.  Now that I've grown up, I'm claiming you now and you'll be all mine.'  I said, `You're insane, Jeb, I want to go home now!' And he said, `No, I'm going to give you a whole new life.  We're getting married.' He held his hands out to me, but they were covered with blood.  I backed away-I didn't understand, and I asked him `Jeb, what have you done?' He just kept telling me I had to go with him. And then I woke up, screaming."</div> <div> Barnabas was wiping away Carolyn's tears in spite of the freezing drizzling rain.  He put his arm around her shoulder, shielding her with his cloak.  Carolyn turned and rested her head on his shoulder.  Barnabas' eyes met Quentin's.  <I>That was no dream</I>, Quentin thought grimly.  <I>Most of that is what happened to her at the antique shop before I arrived.</I>  Barnabas nodded, as if in agreement. They thanked the ferryman for his kindness, who wished Carolyn well.</div> <div> Barnabas helped Carolyn into the back seat, and Quentin climbed in after her.  Julia looked around at Carolyn.  "Are you all right, dear?"</div> <div> "Yes, I just don't understand all this.  How did you all know to come?"</div> <div> "Don't worry about that now, Carolyn," Barnabas said gently.  "You've had a fright.  Why don't you relax right now, and we'll explain it to you later."</div> <div> Carolyn seemed to readily accept the advice; God knows, Edward certainly said something similar many times, Quentin recalled, especially in response to his younger brothers' questions about their father's odd behavior and slurred speech.  <I>We'll talk about it later</I>.  The Collins family motto, Quentin thought bitterly.  Carolyn slid toward him and put her head on his shoulder, and he felt suddenly and fiercely protective of her.  <I>I'm just going to have to kill that Jeb Hawkes,</I> he thought in determination.  How?  He wasn't sure yet-but he would find a way.</div> <div> Carolyn had stopped talking all together and after a while, Quentin realized she had fallen asleep, so he answered "no" when Barnabas asked if she was awake.  "Julia, stop at a motel along the way-before we get too close to Rockport."</div> <div> Julia glanced over at him.  "You don't want to return to Collinwood tonight?"</div> <div> "Absolutely not," Barnabas answered firmly.  "We must have a plan.  It is obvious what almost happened here; we cannot return there tonight.  If Carolyn asks you any questions after we've stopped then you can just tell her you were too tired to drive through."</div> <div> "All right," Julia agreed.</div> <div> Personally, Quentin was relieved.  The events of the last day had left him totally drained and there was nothing he wanted more than to crawl into bed and go to sleep.  However, he could tell by Barnabas' attitude that his cousin wanted to talk.  Well, Quentin thought, I can always lie on the bed and just relax and if I fall asleep he can talk to himself.  He thought that was rather funny and would have laughed but didn't want to disturb Carolyn.</div> <div> Once they were settled into their rooms, Barnabas began to pace.  Quentin felt even more exhausted watching him walking back and forth, and so he closed his eyes as he relaxed on one of the double beds in the room.  "I have decided that I have to kill Jeb before he causes any more harm," Barnabas finally said in a soft voice.</div> <div> "How are you going to do it?  You're not a ghost or a werewolf," Quentin pointed out.</div> <div> "I will get that Naga box out of the antique shop.  It is the secret to his essence.  I'll take it to the altar and destroy it."</div> <div> Quentin opened his eyes.  "Those spooks you were telling me about earlier-who were they?  Oberon and Haza?  They're not going to let you do that, you know."</div> <div> "They are not happy about it, but they are beginning to see that there is no alternative.  I have been in contact with Haza.  They reluctantly realize that they should have allowed me to discipline Jeb when he was a wild child instead of allowing him to do as he pleased.  He will defy even their authority and guidance."</div> <div> "Why shouldn't he?  Isn't he the Supreme Leader?"</div> <div> Barnabas looked at Quentin and smiled grimly.  "No.  I thought you knew better than that, Quentin."</div> <div> He did know better.  He was testing Barnabas.  Of course Jeb was the Supreme Leader but Haza and Oberon were the real power behind the One-they had the ultimate authority, whether Jeb liked it or not.  This was interesting.  "So they're willing to pull back?"</div> <div> "For awhile.  I suppose they'll begin again, elsewhere in the world," Barnabas said gloomily.  "At least Carolyn will be safe."</div> <div> "That's not very reassuring," Quentin said.  "It's too bad there isn't a way to stop-"  Barnabas put his hand up to quiet him and shook his head in warning.  The idea that those creatures might be listening in unnerved Quentin and he shut up immediately.</div> <div> "Get some sleep," Barnabas said.  "I will probably need your help tomorrow."</div> <div> Nice of him to admit it, Quentin thought, shutting his eyes again.  He would help Barnabas whether he wanted it or not.  <I>"Quentin!"  Someone was shaking him, and he was annoyed.  Barnabas told him to get some rest; what did he want now?  He opened his eyes and started.  Paul Stoddard sat next to him on the bed.  His face had a luminous quality to it so that Quentin could make his features out.  His expression looked urgent.</I></div> <div> <I>"Oh, we were supposed to call you," Quentin remembered, feeling fuzzy.</I></div> <div> <I>"That was before you came to rescue Carolyn-thank you," Paul replied.  "I can't stop him when he is like-that."  </I></div> <div> <I>Quentin tried to remember what it was he needed to tell Paul so that he could fight Jeb.  It came to him suddenly.  "You need to have a host body-someone that hates Jeb.  You can push him off the cliff that way."</I></div> <div> <I>"I know someone that hates him," Philip replied.  "Thanks, son.  Look-you forgot to tell Barnabas something important about Carolyn.  That she seems to be under a spell-do you remember how she acted the day she got the flowers?"</I></div> <div> <I>"Yes," Quentin remembered.  He'd completely forgotten about it; Carolyn had seemed to defend Jeb then.  "She had a dream about what happened to her at the shop, though."</I></div> <div> <I>"He'll make her forget that," Philip warned.  "You and Barnabas have to tell her the truth-that he killed me.  I can't bear to do that to her.  Will you do it?  You must remember to tell Barnabas."  He looked over toward the other bed.  Quentin followed his gaze and realized that side of the room was so dark, it looked like the inside of a grave.  He shuddered, wondering why he thought that.  "Barnabas has to be careful," Philip said then.  "I  don't know why I'm telling you this considering his part in what's happened to me and the danger he put my daughter in.  But he's tried to make amends and so that's why I'm warning you.  One warning-that's all."</I></div> <div> <I>"We'll tell Carolyn tomorrow," Quentin said.  "You go and talk to that person you think is mad at Jeb-it's not David, is it?  You can't keep scaring that kid."</I></div> <div> <I>"It's not David.  I won't bother him again.  You'll see.  Remember to tell Barnabas that Jeb can make Carolyn forget.  And to be careful."  Paul faded away again.</I></div> <bR> <div> First thing in the morning, Quentin told Barnabas about how Carolyn had behaved with Jeb the night she'd gone to the antique shop with him.  He also told his cousin that Paul Stoddard appeared to him in the night.  "Perhaps we'd better talk to Carolyn before we go back to Collinwood," Barnabas said thoughtfully.  </div> <div> Carolyn, though, was in no mood to listen.  She'd been having dreams of her own during the night and was positive that her mother was in danger.  Julia had been unable to persuade her otherwise, and it hadn't helped that when they tried to call Collinwood, there was no answer.  They sped back quickly, Julia driving with a tense expression on her face, Barnabas worried, and Carolyn fretfully twirling her hair and chewing the ends.    Quentin suspected the whole thing was a set-up.  He knew that Barnabas and Julia agreed, but there was nothing they could do but bring Carolyn home and show her that her mother was safe.</div> <div> Julia and Quentin stayed with Carolyn; Barnabas drove off in Julia's car, declaring he had important business to attend to.  As Carolyn joyfully reunited with her mother, Julia and Quentin conspired to get Elizabeth out of the house.  Julia agreed to think of a way to get Elizabeth to go into town with her; Quentin and Barnabas could talk to Carolyn then.  The phone rang, and Mrs. Johnson entered the foyer to answer it.</div> <div> "Oh, Miss Stoddard, it's for you," Mrs. Johnson called.  Quentin and Julia, who'd been talking not ten feet away, looked at each other, concerned.</div> <div> "Who is it?" Carolyn asked.</div> <div> "It's Jeb Hawkes."</div> <div> There was a pause, and then Carolyn got up slowly, mechanically.  "All right."  She looked at Quentin and Julia.  "Would you excuse me, please?"</div> <div> "Of course," Julia answered automatically.  She went into the drawing room to join Elizabeth and after a pause, Quentin followed her.</div> <div> Elizabeth was already engaged in conversation with Julia and greeted Quentin pleasantly.  "Would you like some coffee?"</div> <div> "Sure, thanks."  As Quentin took the cup, he listened to Elizabeth tell Julia about a man named Inspector Lawrence Guthrie who'd come from Portland to investigate the murders of Sheriff Davenport and Paul Stoddard.  Inspector Guthrie had been interviewing Elizabeth that morning, and she was very distressed by it-all those awful memories.</div> <div> Julia took that opportunity to suggest going shopping to take her mind off it.  Elizabeth considered.  "Well, there are a few more things I wanted to return-you can't imagine what Roger bought me for Christmas!"  She tsk tsked and added, "He just has no taste in clothing at all."</div> <div> Quentin tuned out to that conversation; things were going well, and Julia was going to be able to get Elizabeth out of the house after all.  He heard a more ominous sound:  Carolyn laughing.  "Did you really think so?  How kind of you!  Yes of course, I'd love to!" he heard her say.  Oh, no, he thought.  It sounded like she was making another date with the thing-in-the-box.  Carolyn hung up and came to the door.  "Mother!  What do you think?  Jeb called because he had a feeling that I needed him!"</div> <div> "Why, how thoughtful of him," Elizabeth exclaimed, sounding very pleased.</div> <div> "That sounds like a line," Quentin muttered to Julia.</div> <div> Carolyn didn't hear, although Elizabeth seemed to and frowned.  "I told him I'd go out with him this afternoon, since I still owed him a date,"  Carolyn said in a bubbly voice.</div> <div> "You do?  Why?" Quentin asked.</div> <div> Carolyn looked surprised.  "Well, because I got sick on our last date."</div> <div> Elizabeth gave him a disapproving look.  "Yes, Quentin, don't you remember-you had to bring Carolyn home."</div> <div> Julia signaled him silently to be quiet, and he thought she was right.  There was no use in arguing with them now.  "Silly me," he said.  He'd just wait for Julia and Elizabeth to leave.  Then Barnabas would come, and they would tell Carolyn the truth.  "I forgot."</div> <div> "Would you like to come into town with us, Carolyn?" Elizabeth asked.</div> <div> "No, thanks.  I think I'm going to take a shower.  For some reason, I feel as if I've been slogging through a mud pit," Carolyn answered.  She looked a little puzzled at that; it was obvious she remembered nothing of the dream she had on the island or running from the Rumsons' house.  </div> <div> Quentin remembered: Mr. Rumson!  He waited for Carolyn to leave to take her shower and for Elizabeth to go up and get the things she wanted to return.  "Julia," he told her urgently.  "Mr. Rumson wasn't at the house like the ferryman said.  Where could he have been?"</div> <div> Julia looked puzzled but not especially alarmed.  "Perhaps there's another building on the island.  An office, maybe.  Maybe he went there."</div> <div> "Maybe.  But why did he call Angelique to come pick him up?"</div> <div> "Oh, Quentin, I don't know!" Julia exclaimed.  She sounded aggravated and not at all sure that it made any difference anyway.  "Can you keep Carolyn preoccupied until I get back?"</div> <div> "Where did he go anyway?"  Quentin asked.  "Into town to talk to that thing-in-the-box?"</div> <div> "I think so." Julia stood up as Elizabeth came to the door.  </div> <div> "Are you coming?" Elizabeth asked.</div> <div> Quentin gulped, standing up.  No, I just thought I'd make myself at home here in your house, he thought.  "Uh, no, I think I'll go and see Chris."  Nodding Elizabeth turned and Quentin winked at Julia so she'd know he didn't mean it.  He did go out the door with them and started down the path to Chris' cottage. When he was sure they were gone, he doubled back and went to the window of the conservatory.  He felt like playing the piano for a while.  He didn't expect to find Maggie and the children there when he climbed in the window.</div> <div> Maggie and David were round eyed with shock; the little girl took one look and bolted from the room.  "Oh, excuse me," he said, blushing a deep red.</div> <div> "Do you make it a habit to come in the house by the window?" Maggie managed to ask.</div> <div> "Not usually; I just didn't want to be-ah-well, I was outside, and ah, I felt like playing the piano and it just seemed the quickest way in."  Quentin almost confided he hadn't wanted to be seen, remembered David and said the first thing that came to mind.  He hadn't come up with something that lame since he was a child.</div> <div> Maggie was speechless, but David laughed and said, "That sounds like something I would do.  I didn't know grownups still did stuff like that!"</div> <div> "This one does," Quentin said, squirming.  "I didn't think anyone would be in here, to be honest."</div> <div> "It seemed a comfortable place for the children to work," Maggie explained.  "I'd better go and get Amy.  I have no idea what made her run like that."</div> <div> "I do," David said knowingly.</div> <div> "David!" Maggie rebuked him, embarrassed.  She looked at Quentin, mortified.  "Would you excuse me while I go look for Amy?"</div> <div> "No problem," Quentin answered, equally embarrassed and uncomfortable.  "I was just going to play the piano."</div> <div> "Maybe I should move," David offered hurriedly.</div> <div> "No, you wait here until I get back with Amy.  Then we'll move,"  Maggie replied sharply.  David looked over at Quentin and then away.  Maggie was getting back at David this way, and Quentin didn't appreciate it.  The kid was still nervous around him.  </div> <div> "So do you play?" Quentin asked.</div> <div> "The piano?" David asked incredulously.  "No!"</div> <div> "Why do you say it like that?  It's not so hard."</div> <div> "Because my father says I have no ear for music."</div> <div> "Oh."  Quentin sat on the piano bench.  He had no idea what to say to that.  David wheeled his chair around so that he could keep Quentin in front of him.  It's like he thinks I'm going to come after him or something, Quentin thought irritably.  "So what kind of music do you listen to, David?  The Doors?  Jefferson Airplane?  Iron Butterfly?"</div> <div> "Who are they?" David asked blankly.</div> <div> Oh, I forgot, Quentin thought.  "Beatles?"</div> <div> "I'm not allowed to listen to them.  Father says they're anti-Christ."</div> <div> Quentin laughed.  "Who are you allowed to listen to, then?"</div> <div> "Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, the Association, the Beach Boys, Neil Diamond, the Cyrkle…" David's voice trailed off uncertainly.</div> <div> Nice music, basically harmless, Quentin thought.  He began to play.  "Have you heard this one?" he asked, knowing damn well David hadn't.  Still it was a fun tune.</div> <div> "What is it?" David asked, shaking his head no.</div> <div> Quentin sang:</div> <div> "In the town where I was born</div> <div> Lived a man who sailed to sea</div> <div> And he told us of his life</div> <div> In the land of submarines."</div> <bR> <div> "Oh, I think I heard that one!" David exclaimed and began to laugh.  Encouraged, Quentin went on with the chorus and David joined in this time.  Quentin went on with the other verses and David joined in with the "We all live in a yellow submarine chorus."  "The Beatles did this song?"</div> <div>  "Yes," Quentin replied.   "I probably shouldn't have played it, though."  He laughed.  "I'm a bad influence."</div> <div> "No, it's not that," David protested.  "That's a good song.  I don't know why my father won't let me listen to them.  I know they're famous."</div> <div> "Do you have a radio?" He hated to be conspiratorial; this is what he used to do with Jamison: go behind Edward's back so that the boy could do things his father would never approve of.  I shouldn't do this, he told himself, but when David nodded yes, Quentin told him which radio station played the Beatles, the Doors, the Rolling Stones, and the more hard-driving rock groups.  "Play it low so you don't get into trouble."</div> <div> "Do you know any others?" David asked.</div> <div> He thought David would like "A Little Help From My Friends", so he played that, hoping David was too sheltered to think of it as a drug song.  Maggie put her head in the door.  "Would you mind keeping an eye on David for awhile?  Amy seems to have run into town."</div> <div> "Into town!" Quentin exclaimed, shocked.  He hated to think he'd scared her that much.</div> <div> "She's not at her brother's, and I'm assuming she went to look for Mrs. Stoddard.  She told Mrs. Johnson she was going to a `store'."</div> <div> That sounded ominous.  "Want me to go with you?"</div> <div> "No," Maggie answered hastily.  "I'd appreciate it if you'd just keep an eye on David."</div> <div> "I'm too big for a sitter," David grumbled.</div> <div> "I won't sit you, you'll keep me company," Quentin said.  </div> <div> David was more agreeable to that.  "Do you know how to play `Risk'?"</div> <div> "No, you can show me."</div> <div> They played the board game until lunchtime.  Carolyn came in looking refreshed and invited Quentin to join her and David.  "I can ask Mrs. Johnson to bring it to us here," she said, when Quentin began to get up.  "There's no reason we need to eat in that big dining room.  I always liked this room better." </div> <div> As they ate, Quentin tried to see what Carolyn remembered from the night before.  Carolyn frowned, concentrating. " I remember that you came to pick me up because Mother wasn't able to.  I was ready to come home anyway," Carolyn replied.  "It was so boring on that island.  I think it was the worst Christmas I've ever had."</div> <div> "Yes, it was really beat," David agreed.  "I don't know why we all had to go away like that."</div> <div> The phone rang, and somewhere, Mrs. Johnson answered it.  She came to the door and said, "It's for you, Miss Stoddard.  It's Inspector Guthrie."</div> <div> "Oh!" Carolyn exclaimed, sounding surprised.  There was a phone in the room and she picked it up to talk.  Quentin and David listened as she told the inspector about the days just before her father's death.  Her voice became strained.  "I don't think the Todds had anything to do with it at all!" she objected.  She listened and then laughed.  "Jeb Hawkes?  That's absurd!  He'd only just come to town when my father was killed.  He had nothing to do with it!"  After another moment, she said coldly, "Well, I don't think there's anything to it at all.  I'm sorry I couldn't be much help."</div> <div> Maggie put her head in the door again, looking a little pale.  "David?  Are you finished with your lunch?"</div> <div> "Awwww!" David complained.  "Already?"</div> <div> "We've wasted too much time as it is because I had to go and get Amy," Maggie said sternly.</div> <div> David grimaced and began to back his wheelchair up.  "See you later," he grumbled.  Quentin was glad when they left.  He'd expected Barnabas back by now and really wanted to talk to Carolyn about what was going on.  </div> <div> She said now, "I'm glad to be back.  I was really touched that Jeb was so concerned about me."</div> <div> "You didn't like Jeb very much before the holidays-he was coming on really strong, remember?" Quentin asked.</div> <div> Carolyn looked at him, frowning.  "You're joking, of course.  He's been nothing but sweet to me."</div> <div> "Carolyn, last night when we came to pick you up you were scared out of your wits.  You'd had a dream about Jeb and the night you met him at the antique shop.  Don't you remember?"</div> <div> "No!" Carolyn snapped defensively.  "Why are you doing this?"</div> <div>      "Barnabas was supposed to be here so we could tell you together."</div> <div> "Tell me what?  I know you don't like Jeb, Quentin, but I really don't understand why.  Mother told me that you and Barnabas were trying to keep me away from Jeb.  Why?"</div> <div> "Because you shouldn't see him, that's why."</div> <div> "That's not a reason!" Carolyn snapped angrily.</div> <div> She's right, Quentin thought.  I can't wait for Barnabas anymore.  I have to tell her.  "Look, you don't remember what's happened to you.  There's a reason Barnabas sent you to Little Windward Island.  That's what you were dreaming about last night.  Let me tell you what really happened that night at the antique shop."  He told her what happened from the time he arrived at the antique shop to the time he, Julia, and Barnabas brought her home.</div> <div> Carolyn listened impassively at first, then with growing anger.  "If that's the truth, then why did everyone tell Mother and me that I'd fainted?"</div> <div> "We were trying to protect you both," Quentin explained, wishing that Barnabas would show up.  Where the hell was he?  He'd been gone for hours!</div> <div> Carolyn's eyes narrowed.  "From what?  Jeb?"</div> <div> "Yes.  Look, Carolyn, this is really hard to tell you-"</div> <div> "Then just spit it out," Carolyn advised coldly.</div> <div> Quentin took a deep breath.  Maybe she was right.  He would see.  "Jeb killed your father."</div> <div> Carolyn's face drained of all color and her eyes widened.  "What an awful thing to say!" she exclaimed, looking hurt and shocked.</div> <div> "Carolyn, it's true, I wouldn't say something like that if it wasn't!" He told her earnestly.  There was a noise down the hall; it sounded like some kind of commotion.</div> <div> "Do you have proof?" Carolyn asked.</div> <div> "You can't go in there!" Mrs. Johnson was protesting.  Carolyn and Quentin looked up.  Her voice was right outside the door.  It swung open, and Jeb stood there, looking at Carolyn wildly.</div> <div> Carolyn jumped up.  "Jeb!" she exclaimed.  "What's the matter?"</div> <div> He moved to her and took her by the arms.  "I have some news that's going to shock you," he told her carefully.  His eyes flickered over toward Quentin and for just a moment they became cold and hard.  Then he looked at Carolyn again, filled with concern.  "You know that inspector who came here asking about your father and the sheriff?"</div> <div> "Yes, what about him?  He called about an hour or so ago to ask some questions," Carolyn answered, looking a little frightened.</div> <div> "I-I just found him at the shop, Carolyn-he's been murdered."</div> <div> "Murdered!" Quentin was on his feet now, too.  He knew damn well who the murderer was.  Before he could take a step toward Carolyn, though, Jeb pulled her into his embrace and he looked at Quentin again, a cold, warning look of hatred in his eyes.</div> <div> "I called the deputy sheriff-what's his name, Sirkis?" Jeb went on, holding Carolyn and stroking her hair.  "He searched the shop and he found Philip Todd hiding in the basement, cleaning the knife he'd used to kill the inspector."</div> <div> "No way!" Quentin burst out with disbelief.</div> <div> "Oh, yes," Jeb answered softly, his eyes lighting up with triumph now.  Quentin felt it was as if Jeb was saying: <I>I've won.  You can't stop me, now.</I>  "There's something else, Carolyn, and this is the hardest part for me to tell you.  Philip told us that he killed your father and Sheriff Davenport."</div> <div> Carolyn pulled back, looking at Jeb with just as confused and disbelieving an expression as she'd given Quentin.  "That can't be!  Philip was always so kind to my father!"</div> <div> "Well, I heard him confess with my own ears, Carolyn," Jeb told her.  He tried to put his arms around her again, but she took a step back.  "Mr. Sirkis thinks Philip's a very sick man-mentally, I mean.  I think he must be, too, to have confessed to three murders, don't you?"</div> <div> "I think it's awfully damn convenient," Quentin declared angrily.  "You're forgetting something, Hawkes-Carolyn's father was attacked by something that left some kind of residue behind.  He wasn't stabbed to death-he died of a massive heart attack.  He was frightened to death!  You're trying to tell me that Philip Todd scared Paul Stoddard to death?"</div> <div> Jeb glared at Quentin with hatred.  "The same substance you're talking about was all over Inspector Guthrie."</div> <div> "Really?"  Quentin challenged Jeb with obvious disbelief.  "Is Philip Todd some kind of chemist?  Is that it, Jeb?"</div> <div> "I'm going to call Deputy Sheriff Sirkis and find out what's going on!" Carolyn exclaimed, sounding distraught.  She picked up the phone and began dialing.</div> <div> As Carolyn made her call, Jeb moved closer to Quentin.  I hope he tries to hit me, Quentin thought, seething, his hands curling into fists.  "I think we've met somewhere before, my friend," Jeb whispered quietly so that Carolyn wouldn't hear.</div> <div> "I'm not your friend," Quentin answered through gritted teeth.  "And if we met anywhere, it could only be in hell-and I've never been there!"</div> <div> "Are you so sure?" Jeb asked with a smirk.  There was an odd look in his eyes-something frighteningly familiar about that expression that suddenly rattled Quentin.  "You're not safe, you know that?  I'm going to get you."</div> <div> "Don't threaten me!" Quentin covered his sudden nervousness with bravado.  "I beat the shit out of you once, and I'll do it again.  I've learned how to take care of myself, you bastard!"</div> <div> "Oh, yes, you have been taking care of yourself for quite some time, haven't you?" Jeb responded in a very nasty, knowing tone.   Quentin suddenly went cold; it almost seemed that he saw Duke's face over Jeb's-Duke, one of Bartelli's henchmen.  The face changed to the evil features of his guard in Berlin.  Jeb grinned, looking delighted.</div> <div> Quentin thought he could hear his heart booming in his ears.  He suddenly felt very dizzy.  He realized Carolyn had hung up the phone and was talking.  "It's true," she said, sounding shocked.  "They're trying to contact Julia to refer one of the psychiatrists from Windcliff."</div> <div> Jeb put his arms around Carolyn again to comfort her.  He looked back at Quentin.  A strange voice echoed in Quentin's mind, one he hadn't heard before: <I>Versuchen Sie nicht nichts, oder ich verspreche Sie, daß ich Sie, ' mein lieber Junge ' beende!</I> <I>Don't try anything or I promise you I will kill you, 'my dear boy'!</I> He knows-somehow he knows! Quentin thought, feeling a cold jolt pass through his body.  Jeb was beginning to walk Carolyn from the room, and Quentin followed, shaky but determined they were not going anywhere together.</div> <div> <I>I don't care what you think at me you fucking cloud of smog! </I>He thought at the back of Jeb's head. Where is Barnabas?  This time, he directed his thoughts outward.  <I>Barnabas, where the hell are you? </I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id116.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="7: Challenging the Leviathan"><U>7:  Challenging the Leviathan</U></A>  <A HREF="id118.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="9: Jebs Curse"><U>9:  Jeb's Curse</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cassies Writing"><U>Cassie's Writing</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>