Dark Shadows Back to the Past

Chapter 28

1

Ironside watched Angelique closely for an opportunity to overtake her. He was well aware of what the witch was capable of. Unfortunately, she made sure he was several steps in front of her. Angelique wasn't about to allow him within arm's reach of her. The witch had discovered that Robert Ironside was impervious to her powers. She had no idea why, but knew that it was true.

The detective continued walking in the direction of Count Petofi's cottage. Despite everything that professor Stokes told them about the count, they still didn't have a concrete plan as to how to handle him.

"You would have been better off if you had stayed in your own century," Angelique told him.

"I would much prefer to have done exactly that. Apparently, those of you who live in this century are constantly trying to screw up the future for the rest of us."

"You wouldn't have any problem if you had just stayed wherever it is you are from. The count knows you are from the future. He is very much interested in how you got here. I would suggest that you tell him, that is, of course if you want to live."

"I am not the least bit worried about what Count Petofi wants," Ironside told her.

"You should be. He is the most powerful warlock I have ever had the displeasure of running into."

"Perhaps Angelique, if you minded your own business, you wouldn't have that problem."

Anger immediately flared up in the witch. She pointed the gun to the right of the detective in fired. It did not have the effect she had been hoping for. Ironside turned around and looked at her. Angelique knew from experience the detective was extremely hard to read. The expression on his face did not change.

"I suggest that if you're going to play with firearms, you learn to use them. Never fire a gun unless you mean it," Ironside said.

"I am tired of your condescending attitude, Constable Ironside. We both know that is not your real title. I believe it is Chief Ironside, isn't it?"

Ironside said nothing. Carrying on a conversation with Angelique was a waste of his time and energy.

"I will have Barnabas, you know. You can't stop me. He is never going to leave this century. You see, the count promised me that if I helped with you."

The detective had met obsessed people in his lifetime, but never anyone as obsessed as Angelique was with Barnabas Collins. "I believe that is what you said in the last century. Not only did he leave then, but he will again."

They came up upon Count Petofi's cottage. "We'll see about that," Angelique snapped. "We are here. Would you be so kind as to knock on the door, Chief Ironside?"

"Do it yourself. I don't take orders from you."

Angelique began laughing. "Just what do you think you have been doing since we ran into each other this evening?"

"It is easy to force someone to do what you want them to do when you're holding a gun on them. It is another to get people to follow you with the sheer force of your personality. Quite frankly, I find yours rather lacking." Ironside could see Angelique's complexion reddening. He noted that she didn't have very good control of her temper. He would be able to use that against her.

"Stand back, Chief."

Again, she was keeping him out of physical reach. He stepped back to give her room. He watched as she knocked on the door. It opened, and they were met by Petofi's servant.

Aristede smiled and open the door further to allow their entrance into the cottage. "Come in, the count is expecting you."

Keeping the gun pointed directly at Ironside, she waited for him to enter the cottage in front of her. As he did, he was met by Petofi.

The count greeted him as if he was a welcomed visitor. "Come in, come in, Chief Ironside. Please, make yourself at home."

The detective just stood there. "Dispense with the pleasantries. It is not a social visit when forced here by gunpoint."

Aristede gave Ironside a push from behind. "The count said enter. I would suggest you do as you are told."

"Take it easy, my boy. Mister Ironside is my guest. Please, Chief, have a seat. Aristede, bring Chief Ironside a bourbon. I believe that is your drink of choice."

"Don't bother," Ironside growled. "I wouldn't drink anything served in this cottage. Nor would I drink with you."

"Fine, then sit down. You and I are going to have a chat."

"Do I have a choice?" Ironside continued to stand where he was. He made no attempt to sit down.

"Of course you have a choice. However, if you leave here, it could have severe consequences on Quentin Collins and Eve Ironside. Although I doubt that she is your daughter. A better guess would be that she is an officer who works for you."

"Why bring me here at gunpoint?" Ironside asked, ignoring Petofi's observations.

The count smiled. "Really, Chief Ironside, would you have come if I had just extended an invitation to you?"

"No."

The powerful warlock smiled again. Folding his hands together, he responded, "Well then, there you go."

"Cut to the chase, Mister Petofi. What do you want?"

The warlock thought better of revealing his plans for Quentin Collins. He didn't want to reveal anything that Ironside may not already know. "Time travel, that is what I want to discuss with you. Please don't deny it, Chief. I know you came from another century. Young Jamison, or should I say David, told me."

"You tortured the boy. He would tell you anything you wanted to hear under the circumstances," Ironside pointed out.

"I only encouraged him to tell the truth. He revealed that his name is David Collins, and that he is from the future."

"And you believe a 10 year-old boy?"

"Come now, let's not waste any more time. David said you crossed a staircase through time. All I want to know is the location of that staircase."

"If such a staircase did exist, do you really think I would give you its location?"

"I would highly suggest that you consider what could happen if you don't. In fact, maybe I should give you a demonstration right here and now."

"You mean like you did the last time I was here? Go ahead, give it your best shot," Ironside challenged.

Count Petofi walked over to the law officer who was still standing despite being told to sit down. He placed his prosthetic hand on Ironside's shoulder. The detective had to stifle the urge to knock it away. He was emboldened by the fact that Petofi was unable to harm him the last time he was in his cottage.

"You will tell me now how you arrived in this century." He attempted to use the power in the prosthetic hand to cause the same pain in Ironside that he had caused in David. However, the detective just stood there looking at him.

"Whatever it is you are trying to do, get on with it. I have things to do this evening. I can't spend it all here."

Petofi could not believe how he could resist the power of his hand. What was it about these time travelers that allowed them to resist warlock powers? Professor Stokes could also resist. That Petofi could understand. The remarkable resemblance between them could only mean that they were related. Stokes would also have warlock powers, even if they laid dormant within him. On the other hand, Ironside had no resemblance to anyone in this century Petofi knew of. Why then, could he resist?

Ironside shook his head in disgust. "First Nicholas Blair, now you. Obviously, neither of you are as powerful as you think you are. Now, if you will excuse me, I have things to do."

Aristede stepped in front of the detective and removed a gun from his waist. Ironside looked back at the warlock and raised his eyebrows.

"Put the gun away, Aristede. As I stated, Chief Ironside is my guest. If he chooses not to stay, we will not stop him. I must however warn you, Mister Ironside, you will give me the information I seek. Otherwise, Quentin or Miss Ironside will pay the price. You and Barnabas cannot protect them forever."

The chief lowered his voice to a deadly pitch. "If you go near her or Mister Collins, you will quickly regret it." He glanced at Angelique and left the cottage without looking back.

"I want Eve Ironside or Quentin Collins picked up. Do not fail me."

Aristede nodded and left the cottage.

2

Quentin, Barnabas, Professor Stokes, and David arrived back at the Old House. The vampire removed his cloak and placed it on the hall tree along with his wolf-head cane. They all went into the drawing room. Eve Whitfield stood up from her chair by the fire when they entered.

Quentin walked over to her and smiled. "I guess I should have listened to you." He sat down heavily in the opposite chair by the fireplace. Putting the tips of his fingers together and resting his elbows on the arms of the chair, he remained quiet for a few moments. Glancing over at Eve, he finally broke his silence. "I can't believe Jenny is still alive. All this time the family told me she was dead. They lied to me. Why would they do that? Why didn't they just tell me she had gone insane?" He put his head in his hands. "I just don't know how I am going to deal with this."

Eve got up and went over to the distraught Collins. "One day at a time, Quentin. That is all you can do."

Quentin smiled and took her hand. "You really are from the future, aren't you?"

Eve returned the smile. "I really am."

"And everything Barnabas said about me accidentally killing Jenny has actually already happened. How will I ever avoid it? I have no idea when or what circumstances will bring it about."

Eve put her hand over Quentin's and said softly, "You'll have to take it one day at a time. When Chief Ironside comes back, we will work out how to handle all of this."

"Chief Ironside, so he is not a constable then?"

"No, he is a chief in the San Francisco Police Department . . . more than a hundred years in the future."

Quentin just shook his head. "I feel like I am having a bad dream. So, if I accidentally kill Jenny, Magna will put a curse on me that turns me into a werewolf?"

"I am afraid so. By the way, you didn't run into Chief Ironside on the way back to the Old House?"

He pulled his hand from beneath Eve's before answering. "No, we didn't see him at all."

That worried Eve. The chief had only left a short time ago. They should have run into him on the path back to the Old House. What could have kept that from happening. She left Quentin and walked over to Barnabas who was standing at the window. "Barnabas, I am worried about the chief. We should have . . . "

"Met him on the path back to the Old House," Barnabas interrupted. "I know, Eve. I am concerned myself. Maybe I better go out and look for him."

At that moment, they heard the door to the Old House open. They looked toward the opening into the foyer. Robert Ironside walked in. Eve hurried over to him. "We were beginning to worry about you."

"Why? Don't you think I can take care of myself?" Ironside grumbled.

"Robert, much has happened since we left here," Barnabas said.

Ironside looked over at Quentin. "Did you see your wife?"

"I did. It seems you were telling the truth about that at least," Quentin replied.

"But you still don't believe us about the rest of it, do you?" Ironside asked.

"I don't know what to believe." Quentin Collins stood up, turned his back on everyone and stared into the fire. "It is a bit much to believe you all came from another century."

"It is the truth, dear boy," the professor said. "We had no choice. Your ghost was causing havoc in our century. We came here to prevent you from killing Jenny, thereby stopping you from becoming a werewolf."

"But Jenny is locked in the tower in the Great House. She presents no threat to me," said Quentin.

"Somehow, she will escape the tower," Barnabas told him.

"But how, she is locked inside." Quentin stared at Barnabas with distrust. He just couldn't bring himself to completely trust these people. For all he knew, they were here to help Petofi take over his body. He was never going to let that happen. Nor was he going to become a werewolf.

"We don't know, Quentin," Barnabas said in frustration. "We only know that it is going to happen. It is time for you to trust us. We are here to help you."

"Trust you? You're a vampire for God's sake. You're that dark family secret the Collins family has been keeping for over a hundred years!"

"This isn't getting us anywhere," Ironside interrupted before Barnabas could respond. "I just came from Count Petofi's cottage where I was forced there at gunpoint. He is fully aware we are from the future, and his intent is to find out just how he can go forward into our future to avoid the gypsies. He is also intent on taking over Quentin's body. Now, I am no expert on that sort of thing, but I have seen enough since I met Barnabas to know there are a lot of things that are possible which I never believed before. If what he says is possible, then we must make sure it never happens."

"But Chief, how are we supposed to stop Quentin from killing Jenny Collins when we have no idea where or when it is supposed to happen. Not to mention, dealing with Petofi. We have to make sure he doesn't find out how to move forward in time, or we will be forced to stop him in our own time," Eve said. "I really do not want to take up permanent residence in Collinsport solving their problems.

"This is all too much." Quentin raised his voice to a near shout.

Ironside's impatience was waning. "Do you want our help or not? I would much prefer to go back to my own time and return to San Francisco. Instead, I am here tying to help an ungrateful ghost."

"Robert," said Barnabas, "We can't blame Quentin for his skepticism. Remember your reaction when you were told by Professor Stokes that I am a vampire?"

The chief calmed down. He did, indeed, remember his reaction. He believed it was a bunch of bunk. Well, he had been wrong. Barnabas was definitely a vampire. "You are right, Barnabas." Ironside turned his attention back to Quentin. "Do you or do you not believe Barnabas is a vampire?"

Quentin Collins struggled with the question. He had seen Barnabas do things that were impossible; there was no doubt about that. But, a vampire? Could he possibly believe that?

Eve Whitfield walked over to the confused man. "Quentin, look at me."

He looked down at the policewoman. He was certain now that she wasn't Ironside's daughter, but a constable . . . no, a police officer as well.

Eve smiled at him. "I assure you everything you have been told is the truth. I only wish you could remember the conversations you and I had in the future when you were a ghost."

"I spoke to you?"

"Yes, Quentin. You proved to me that you were a ghost. You asked me to implore Chief Ironside to go back in time with Barnabas and help you, and here we are."

Quentin put his hands to his temples. "I need to think." He headed for the door.

"Quentin, wait!" Eve called out to him.

Barnabas stopped her with his hand on her arm. "Let him go, Eve. We have thrown a lot at him. He will come back to us. He has no choice. We are the only ones that can help him."

"Are you forgetting Charles Delaware Tate" the professor said. "He will eventually paint a portrait of Quentin that will turn into the werewolf instead of Quentin."

"I am aware of that, Professor. However, we are trying to prevent him from even becoming a werewolf. If we fail at that, then our mission here will be a complete failure."

"Barnabas is right, Professor. The only way we can help Quentin is for him to trust us and come to us. We'll give him time to think about it," Ironside said.

"In the meantime," Barnabas said, "I am going to pay Angelique a visit." He headed into the foyer.

"Barnabas!" Ironside called out.

The vampire turned to face his friend. "Yes."

"Avoid Rachel Drummond."

A sad smile crossed the vampire's face. "I will, Robert." He turned and left the Old House. He knew Robert was right. He should avoid Rachel. Barnabas didn't trust himself around her. He was certain she was the reincarnation of his long-lost Josette. Would the pain of losing Josette ever leave him. The vampire didn't even realize he had not thought of Julia Hoffman since he arrived in this century. There wasn't any room in his mind for her right now. Rachel completely occupied it.

3

Angelique walked in the woods toward Collinwood. She wasn't about to allow Barnabas to have Rachel. When would he ever learn that he would live a very lonely life unless he came to her and declared his love for her? There would be no other woman in his life. She had seen to it up to now, and she had every intention of making sure he never could love another woman.

Rachel was not the reincarnation of Josette Collins. How could her infernal vampire believe that. She was just another woman who was enthralled by a vampire's powers. One would think by now he could see that. Why did he think every one he was attracted to be the reincarnation of Josette? Angelique thought she had rid herself of her former employer when she jumped from Widow's Hill. Yet, more than a hundred years later, Barnabas was still pining for the French woman. If he would only open his eyes, he would realize he could have her love for an eternity. Why did he have to be so stubborn?

Angelique continued down the path. She could see Rachel heading in her direction. How convenient for her to appear at a moment when she was so upset with her. Angelique would hypnotize her. She would show her what Barnabas really was. As she approached her, Angelique smiled and spoke in a friendly voice. "Rachel, it is so good to see you. Where have you been hiding?"

Rachel smiled. "Actually, I have not been hiding at all. I am just on my way to the Old House to see Barnabas. He is such a charming man, and I get the feeling he is very interested in me."

Angelique felt an immediate pang of jealousy. This woman would not have her Barnabas; no woman would. Within a few minutes, she placed Rachel under and hypnotized her. When she was finished with what she wanted her to do, she watched her go on her way to the Old House. Barnabas was in for a surprise! She only wished she could be there to see it.

With an evil smile on her face, she turned and headed back to Collinwood. Let Barnabas see how she turns from him when she finds out what he really is, and how he must survive in the day time. She began laughing.

"What do you find so amusing, Angelique?"

It was a voice she knew well. The man she had loved for over a century was directly behind her. "Hello, Barnabas. Such a pleasant surprise."

"You are anything but pleasant, Angelique. I just saw Rachel. She looked to be in a daze. What did you do to her?"

"What makes you think I did anything at all to her?" she said with an innocence that Barnabas could tell was phony.

"When will you learn that I know you. I can tell when you are lying," Barnabas said, his tone showed the anger he was feeling. "If you have done anything to her, I will . . . "

She turned on him with her own anger. "You'll do what? What do you think you can do to me? You tried that once, remember? You failed, just as you would if you tried again. Stay away from Rachel. You will not have her. Do you understand me?" Her eyes were blazing with the fury Barnabas was used to seeing whenever they argued.

"Move on with your life, Angelique. I will never come to you. Never! I don't love you and I never will."

"Then you will live alone forever!" she shouted at him.

"If you touch her, I will find a way to destroy you." His voice was considerably lower and deadly.

"Huh, go ahead and try. Tell me about time travel, Barnabas."

"I will tell you nothing," he snarled.

"Oh, I will find out on my own anyway. You will save me the trouble if you just tell me how you got here. I lived over a hundred years without you. I will not let you escape into the future without me. So either tell me about it or take me with you."

"Never, Angelique. I will never take you anywhere. I hate the very sight of you."

Angelique laughed. "Do you really think Count Petofi is going to allow you to leave this century without telling him the secret of time travel? You are a fool if you think you can save Quentin Collins. I don't know what your interest is in him, but the count will not allow you to interfere with his plans."

"We'll see about that. Now get out of my way," Barnabas snarled as he pushed past her.

4

Jenny Collins had it all planned. She was not going to be in this prison much longer. Standing by the cribs of her babies, she felt guilty that she would be leaving them soon. She didn't have a choice. Jenny had to make Quentin pay for his betrayal. He left them behind. Maybe he thought they were all dead, but that didn't excuse his behavior when he found out they were still alive. She thought for sure he would be so happy about the two babies they had created together. Instead, he ran from the tower room and deserted them again.

She picked up each of her children one at a time and kissed their foreheads. She was completely unaware they were nothing but mere dolls and not human babies. Jenny didn't realize she had completely gone insane at the loss of Quentin and her babies. The Collins family had presented the dolls to her as her own children. Having completely lost her mind, she accepted them as the babies she had lost.

Jenny had been so happy to see Quentin again. She was sure they would become a family again. Yet, he turned away from her and didn't come back. He was going to regret it. Jenny would make him pay for his abandonment of her and their children.

She knew dinner would be brought to her soon. That is when she would make her move. Sitting down beside the cribs, she began to sing to the babies. In a few minutes, she would leave them. Jenny hated the thought of leaving them behind, but she knew the family would take very good care of them. She had a mission to complete, and she would so right away. Her mind was made up. Quentin would pay for leaving them with his life. Jenny knew there were butcher knives in the kitchen of the Great House. As soon as she escaped the tower room, she would remove one and find Quentin and stab him to death.

She stopped singing when she heard someone coming up the tower stairs. It was time to put her plan in action. Jenny stood up and picked up a vase that was displayed on a table. Holding it behind her, she waited. The footsteps became louder as someone was nearing the tower room door. She heard the lock turn over and the door opened. One of the servants came in carrying a tray of food.

"Good evening, Jenny. How are the babies doing?"

Jenny smiled at the servant. "They are fine."

"I am happy to hear it. I brought you some dinner." The servant walked over to the table the vase had been sitting on. She bent over to place the tray on the table.

It was the perfect opportunity, and Jenny knew it. The servant's back was to her. There wouldn't be a better time than now. She raced over to the servant and raised the vase above her head. With a crushing blow, she brought the vase crashing down on the servant's head. She fell to the floor. Jenny took one last look at her babies and ran out of the tower room. Racing down the stair as fast as she dared, she reached the bottom in no time. Jenny opened the door and peeked out. No one was in sight. She hurried into the night. Jenny headed for the Great House for the knife that would end Quentin's life.