Chapter 3: Collinwood
Appearances Can Be Deceiving
After lunch, Lee and Amanda walked back to the car and Lee pulled out onto the road. After following the waitress's directions, they found themselves traveling a narrow winding road leading to a bluff overlooking the ocean. Amanda spotted a house around a curve and pointed it out to Lee. "Do you think that's it?"
As they got closer to the house, Amanda turned and said, "Oh no, Lee, this can't be right. Look how overgrown the bushes are and how filthy the windows are. I can't believe a wealthy family would live here. In fact, it doesn't look like anybody lives here."
"You're right, Amanda, it does look deserted. Maybe the waitress really didn't want us to find the place. Do you think we took a wrong turn? Oh, well, since we're here, we might as well stop and check it out."
Lee pulled the car under the portico and they got out. They approached the front door of the house, dead leaves crunching under their feet, taking in the rundown appearance with a little trepidation. Amanda knocked on the door, and it creaked open. "Hello, is anybody there?" she called out. She looked at Lee, who shrugged. She pushed the door open a little wider and walked inside. "Hello?" she said again. Lee followed her in and they walked into the sitting room just off the front foyer. The two were amazed at the surprisingly clean room, softly lit by candlelight.
They jumped and whirled at the voice behind them, "What're you doin' here? Trespassing you is."
"We're looking for Mr. David Collins, and we were told he lived here," Lee answered the stocky, middle-aged man who had addressed them.
"You be in the wrong place fer that, mister. You be wantin' the new house, then. That's where Mr. David lives. This be the old house; Mr. David, he lives up the road in the new house."
Amanda felt the man's gaze turn to her and the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. She grabbed Lee's hand and began pulling him toward the front door as she blurted out, "Oh, we're so sorry to have walked in here uninvited. The door opened when we knocked and we didn't mean to trespass. Just up the road you say. Well, we'll be on our way then." As the front door closed behind them, Amanda turned to Lee and asked, "Was it just me or was there something spooky about that man?"
"Amanda, honey, you're letting your imagination get the better of you. Don't let what that waitress said scare you. He was just upset we walked into the house uninvited."
Amanda shook her head and replied, "No, Lee, there is something about him I don't like. I can't put my finger on it, but I don't think he's somebody we should trust."
Lee could tell she was really concerned and he drew her into a protective embrace. He looked down at her and said, "Don't worry, Amanda. Let's go find Mr. Collins and get started on our review. Maybe once we get to work, you won't be as uneasy about what we've experienced so far."
