Dark Shadows: Back to the Past

Chapter 14

1

"We might as well get this over with," Ironside told Eve. "Let's go see the commissioner." Robert Ironside felt lately like he was spending more time away from San Francisco than in it. This time he had no choice. He had to help Barnabas. After all, he and Barnabas had promised Quentin they would go back to his time and straighten out the mess he had gotten himself into. It now looked like they had no choice but to do exactly that.

Ironside wheeled his chair towards the ramp. He did not have to look back to see if Eve was following him. He knew she would be. The detective hoped he was making the right decision in allowing her to accompany him. If he had to be stuck in the past, he could live with it. He certainly had lived with worse. Having been shot and confined to a wheelchair could not be better than living in the past and able to spend the rest of his life on his feet. He knew he much preferred his own time. There wasn't any doubt about that. He loved what he did and knew he was good at it. His special crime office had solved a large number of cases. Ironside did not do it alone. He had the help of a crack team of investigators he would not want to be without.

However, if he had to live his life out in the past, he knew he could do it. The problem his mind was struggling with was condemning Eve Whitfield to do the same. The time they would be returning to was much different than the time they lived in. Eve was a modern woman. There would be no police officers in the time they were going to, if they reached there at all. Women were treated much different than they were today. The strides made for women in today's society had no place in Quentin Collins' time. Was he being fair to Eve in allowing her to go with him? No doubt, she was correct that she could have some influence over Collins. From everything Ironside had read about him, he was most definitely a ladies man. She might be of a great deal of help.

Yet, he felt a pang of guilt. This was much different from the time he had asked her to rekindle her love interest with the horse breeder. At least when that case was finished, she was still in the present. Who knew if that would be the case with this one? Should he change his mind and try to explain to her why she should remain behind? He almost laughed at the absurdity of the thought. Eve Whitfield would not accept any explanation he would give her, and he knew it. Well, if they were to be marooned in the past, he could not think of anyone he would rather have with him, except maybe his Katherine.

Eve noticed her boss was unusually quiet in the van on the way to the Hall of Justice where Commissioner Dennis Randall's office was located. She knew exactly what he was thinking. He was second guessing his decision to allow her to go with him into the past. Eve had no intentions of allowing him to change his mind. The policewoman had confidence they would return to the present time. The chief always pulled them out of dangerous situations. He would this time. Still, even if he couldn't, she could live with the consequences. Living in the past could not be that bad. She was aware of the difference in the way women were treated. That was part of what would be bothering her boss.

"Chief, you are pretty quiet," she said to him.

"You are a detective and a good one," Ironside said. "I am sure you know why."

"You are thinking maybe you should not have told me I could go along with you. Let me make one thing clear, Robert Ironside. I am well aware we could be stuck in Quentin's time, and I know how differently women are treated in that time period. I can handle it. So, if you are thinking of reversing your decision, don't even try. I am going with you. So don't put me in the position of having to disobey your orders."

Ironside smiled. His staff quite often suspected half-heartedly that he could read minds. He could now accuse Eve of the same thing. Maybe he should be giving her more credit. After all, it was her suggestion and desire to join him. She was a policewoman, and this was a police case...of sorts. "No, I am not changing my mind despite my doubts. You will be going with me, if you choose to. I just want you to be aware of all the consequences of your decision. We may never return to this time. You must be certain you can live with those consequences."

"I can," she told him.

"Just be sure you remember that if we are stuck in the past," Ironside said.

"We won't be. I know you. You will find a way. Even if you can't do it alone, we will have Barnabas with us. The two of you together will discover a way to return. Aren't you the one who is always saying the clues are always there, you simply have to find and interpret them?"

Ironside looked at his pretty policewoman and smiled. "Do you have to throw my words at me?"

Eve grinned back at him. "Every chance I get!"

He shook his head and pulled the van to a stop in a handicap parking spot beside the Hall of Justice. "Well, let's see if we can talk Dennis in allowing us to soak in that fresh salt air in Maine." He wheeled his chair on the lift and pressed the button. Eve met him on the other side as he reached the cement. Wheeling into the building, Ironside headed for the elevators that would carry them to Commissioner Randall's floor. As they entered, Eve push the button, the doors closed and the elevator started upwards.

Upon arriving on the commissioner's floor, they got out of the elevator and headed for his office. Ironside had not called ahead; he hoped the commissioner was not in a meeting or worse, not in the building at all.

As they entered the commissioner's office, his secretary smiled at him. "Chief, I was not aware you had an appointment with the commissioner."

"I don't," the gruff detective said, "but I would like to see him just the same."

Most people would never have gotten past the secretary without an appointment, but Ironside was the exception. She picked up the phone and pressed the intercom button. A moment later, she said into the phone, "Commissioner, Chief Ironside is here to see you. Shall I send him in?" She smiled and hung up the phone. "You may go right in, sir."

Without further conversation, Ironside wheeled to Commissioner Randall's office. Eve opened the door and stepped back so Robert Ironside could wheel his chair into Randall's office. The chief put a hand on both sides of the door frame and pulled his chair into the room.

Commissioner Randall stood up as Ironside wheeled in. "Hello, Bob. To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit...or is it not going to be a pleasure to see you at all?"

"Dennis, we have to talk about Quentin," Ironside said.

Surprised at the mention of the ghost's name in front of Ironside's officer, he glanced over at Eve.

"She knows, Dennis...everything. She has been in contact with Quentin as well."

"Well, in that case, what is it the two of you wanted to see me about?" Randall asked.

"Quentin Collins has not given up. Although he stopped attacking people that Barnabas and I know, he has taken another path to see to it that we help him."

"And that is?" Randall asked.

"He sent young David Collins into the past," Ironside explained. He said nothing further, giving Dennis the time to absorb his revelation.

The commissioner sat down heavily into his executive chair. He reached under his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He already knew where this was going and he didn't like it. He didn't like it one bit. "What you are telling me is that you want to go back to Collinsport, Maine, go back in time with Barnabas Collins, and bring David Collins back to the present. Have I pretty much guess the gist of this?"

"That is exactly what I want to do," Ironside said.

Randall drummed his fingers on his desk. "Even if I was inclined to okay some time off for you to go back in time, I do not see the need to take Eve with you. You do intend to take her with you, don't you?"

"I do," the chief answered.

"I can't agree to this, Bob. I never believe time travel was possible, but after having met several vampires the last time Barnabas Collins was in this city, I cannot discount that you have traveled back in time if you say you have done so. I don't see where this is your problem. Let the vampire go back in time and do whatever he has to do to find the boy and make the ghost happy. I simply can't take the chance that you may be unable to return to this time. It is just too much of a risk, Bob."

"Dennis, Quentin is not going to stop until Barnabas and I do as we promised him we would do. Right now, he has stopped attacking people, but if we don't go back and try to change the timeline, he could start up again. This time someone could be seriously hurt or even killed. We don't have a choice. It has to be done, or would you rather condemn David Collins to live his life alone in the past?"

One day, Randall would like to win an argument with this man. He supposed that was in indication that he was going to give into Bob Ironside, yet again. Knowing that, he wasn't ready to give up the argument. "Bob, we have been friends for years. I don't think you realize how important you are to a lot of people...including me. I don't want you to do this."

"Dennis I am touched over your concern, I really am, but that doesn't change the fact I have no choice. Furthermore, I think you know that."

Randall said nothing. "Even if I told you I would not let you go, you would just take vacation time and do it anyway, so I really have no choice in the manner. I will authorize you to take the time off."

"Thank you, Dennis."

"However, I cannot authorize you to take Eve with you. If you are unable to come back, then neither will Eve be able to do so. She did not make any promises to Quentin Collins."

"No, Commissioner, I didn't. There was a reason Quentin Collins came to me. He would have learned enough about Chief Ironside to know I would be unable to change his mind about going back into the past. Quentin Collins is a ladies man. I believe the ghost was attracted to me and in part was the reason he approached me. If the ghost was attracted to me, then certainly the live version of Quentin Collins would be also. I can help the chief with him by going into the past with him. I have already agreed to do so, and it was not the chief's idea; it was mine. Besides, I also have vacation time coming which can be taken with the approval of Chief Ironside, which I believe I will have."

Commissioner Randall sighed. "I can't fight both of you. Alright, you are granted the time, Bob. Approving Eve's vacation time is strictly up to you."

"Thank you, Dennis." Ironside turned his chair around and headed for the door. Eve followed.

"Bob," Randall called out.

The detective stopped and turned his wheelchair back to face his boss. "Yes."

"I sincerely hope this is not the last time I see you and Eve." Randall stood up as he said it. He walked around his desk and hurried over to his friend. He put out his hand and Ironside shook it.

"I'll be back, Dennis. Who else would give you fits?"

Randall smiled. "You mean like right now?"

Ironside returned the smile. "We'll be back," he assured his boss. He turned and left Dennis Randall's office.

2

David Collins looked out the window of his room, or rather what was Jamison's room at this time in the past. Fortunately, he looked exactly like Jamison Collins. He had known that from the family history books. He was still having a hard time believing he was in the past. Everyone here looked like someone he knew in his own time. He was glad he had studied the family history as he knew who each one of these people were in this time. Judith Collins looked like Elizabeth. Carl Collins looked exactly like Willie Loomis. David did not understand that resemblance at all. Willie Loomis was not a member of the Collins family, yet Carl could be his twin brother. Did that mean that Willie was actually a Collins somehow?

He had yet to meet Sandor. He knew he looked like Professor Stokes and his wife looked exactly like Julia Hoffman. Edward Collins would be the one he would have the hardest time with. He was a duplicate of Roger Collins. David did not have a very good relationship with his father. It really didn't matter since this man was not he.

There was a knock on the door. David turned and looked in its direction. "Come in."

The door opened and Quentin Collins entered. "I need you to do me a favor."

"A favor? What kind of a favor?" David asked him

"I need to get a look at Edith's will. Do you think you can get it for me?"

David had no idea what he was talking about. Since he only arrived in this century recently, he did not know what had been going on. "Why would you want me to do that?"

"Edith is dying, Jamison. Her will will tell me who is going to have control of Collinwood when she passes."

David turned away from him. He had no idea how to get the will since he didn't know where it was. He probably knew this house better than any of those that lived here, but nevertheless, he did not know these people. He could manipulate those who lived in his own time. These people were different. He did not know them at all. They may look like those he lived with in the present time, but they were not them. How could he help Quentin when he did not know enough about these people to get around them.

"I just don't know, Quentin. I am not sure I can help you."

"Jamison, I need your help. You do want to help me, don't you?" Quentin said.

David remembered what he had read about the relationship between Quentin and Jamison. They were very close. He supposed Jamison would have helped Quentin. If he did not want to be discovered for who he really was, he better let Quentin think he would help him. "Of course, I want to help you, Quentin. I will try to do as you ask."

"Good boy! I knew I could depend on you." Quentin roughed David's hair and then left his room.

David sat down on the bed in despair. When would this nightmare end? Would he be forced to live out his life as Jamison Collins? And, exactly where was Jamison Collins? Was he in his time trying to pretend he was David Collins? At least David had an advantage. He had read much about the past and the people that were his ancestors. Jamison Collins would know nothing at all about those that lived in the present. He could only imagine the trouble Jamison was getting him in.

3

Ed Brown entered the office of Robert Ironside. When he saw the suitcases sitting at the door, he stared at them. Where were the Chief and Mark headed? No, some of those suitcases could not belong to Mark. They were expensive and far too feminine to be his. The only explanation was they belonged to Eve. She must be the one traveling with the chief. But, where were they going? Nothing had been mentioned to him about a trip somewhere. Had something come up? Had some police department somewhere asked for the chief's help with a case? Commissioner Randall did not like approving this type of assistance to other departments. He was stingy when it came to the chief's services. Randall felt he was needed here in San Francisco.

Ed walked down the ramp. He went around and met Mark in the kitchen. "What is going on? Is the chief going somewhere?"

Mark shrugged. "He hasn't told me anything. I don't know anymore than you do. He said he would explain when you came into work." Mark handed Ed a cup of coffee.

The door to the office opened and Eve walked in. She glanced down at the suitcases before coming down the ramp. Ed immediately approached her. "Eve, I recognize your suitcases. What is going on? Where are you and the chief going?"

Eve did not feel it was her place to inform Ed of where they were going. That was up to the chief. Besides, she was fully aware neither he nor Mark remembered anything that happened in Collinsport when they went there to help Sheriff Patterson investigate the disappearance of Maggie Evans and the attacks on the other women. Their memories, like hers, had been erased at the time. Although she now remembered everything, the chief did not want to involve Ed and Mark again. There was nothing they could do anyway as he certainly was not going to allow them to go back in time. As it was, the chief had no way of knowing if they would ever return to the present time.

"The chief will explain, Ed." Eve went into the kitchen to pour herself a cup of coffee. Ed Brown followed her.

"Why all the secrecy?"

"There isn't any secrecy," Eve told him, "he's the boss and it will come from him. I am sure you can appreciate that."

Ed certainly was not going to argue with that statement. He had no choice but to wait until Chief Ironside explained what was going on. He wondered why Mark was not displaying more interest than he was. He supposed the reason was because Mark had lived with the chief long enough to know he would reveal it only as soon as he was ready. Ed should know it too, and he did. He just didn't like being left out of the loop. Being the ranking officer, he usually knew things before Eve did, or at least just as soon. This time, he had no idea what was going on, and he didn't like it. He felt an obligation to protect the chief, even though he knew Robert Ironside was perfectly capable of taking care of himself despite his disability.

Ironside wheeled into the main room of his office-residence. He arrived to see Ed and Mark staring at him. Unfortunately, he would not be giving them an explanation that would satisfy either one of them. He couldn't; it would involve bringing back their memories of Collinsport, vampires, witches, warlocks and Barnabas Collins. He had no intention of doing that.

Despite the fact that the Vampire Council was now controlled by Morgan and Miranda, he didn't want his officers in their cross-hairs. Their lack of memories of vampires was for their own protection. As it was, he did not like the fact that Eve's memory had returned. However, he was not responsible for that, Quentin Collins was. He had to admit Eve would probably prove effective with the Quentin of the past since she had certainly made an impression on the ghost, Quentin. It was not surprising to the chief. Eve was a beautiful woman who turned the heads of every man when she walked into a room. It was doubtful a ladies man like Quentin would be able to resist her.

"Sit down, please," Ironside told his staff. Mark and Ed sat in chairs directly across from him, while Eve sat directly beside him. "When I formed this special crime unit, I picked you people because I knew you had the potential to be the best in the department, and you are. You have not let me down, not one bit. You have been outstanding investigators..."

Ed interrupted his boss. "What do you mean have been? Chief, you are not disbanding this office, are you?"

"Of course not. What I am trying to tell you, is I am going to ask you and Mark to trust me. I cannot tell you what Eve and I are about to embark on. Suffice it to say, it is something we have to do, and I can not involve the two of you."

"Chief, I don't understand," Ed said. "Whatever it is, we can help."

"No, Ed, you can't. This is something Eve and I have to do. Now, I will expect you to keep our office running until we get back." Or if we get back was the phrase which was running through the chief's mind, and he was certain it was running through Eve's mind as well.

"But Chief," Mark protested. "Aren't you going to tell us anything about this?"

"No," Ironside said. "It is for your own good that you don't know."

"So it is going to be dangerous," Ed surmised from his boss' statement.

"It might be, but Eve and I are equipped to handle it."

"Chief..." Mark protested before Ironside interrupted him.

"That's it, Mark. I am not going to say anything further on the subject."

Still, Mark was not willing to give up. "It is my job to accompany you where ever you go. I am your aide, not Eve."

"But you are not a police officer, Mark," Ironside said. "I need one police officer with me."

"Why not me?" Ed complained. "Besides you, I am the ranking officer here."

"And as the ranking officer," Ironside said, "I am ordering you to stay here and run the office. Now, Eve and I must be getting to the airport."

"Aren't you even going to tell us where you are going?" Mark asked.

"No!" Ironside said as he wheeled up the ramp.

"I'll take you to the airport," Mark said.

"No, Eve can drive. We will leave word where the van is parked. You can pick it up."

Two officers came into the office and picked up the suitcases. Ironside turned and looked at Ed and Mark, wondering if he would ever see them again. "We will see you when we get back."

"When will that be?" Ed inquired.

Ironside wheeled out the door. Without turning around, he called out, "When we get back."

Eve looked back at them and smiled before leaving. The same thing was running through her mind...if they did come back. She turned and left the office with her boss.

They rode the elevator down to the parking garage and got into the chief's van. Eve started it up and backed it out of Ironside's assigned parking space. The chief placed his hand on her arm, and she stopped the vehicle. Looking at him, she knew what he was about to say.

"I know I can back out if I want to, Chief. I don't. We are in this together from here on out, for better or worse."

"Then get this van moving or we are not going to make our flight," Ironside said gruffly.

Eve smiled and pulled the van out of the police parking garage.