Chapter 1
Maggie Evans woke to a new morning. The sun was shining into her room through her two French doors, which were laden with heavy white drapes. She sat up in her bed, and, brushing her hair out of her face, rose from the bed and walked over to the coat rack and grabbed her robe which she put on. After tying the robe strings, she opened the door of her room and walked down the hall to the kitchen. After turning the coffee pot on, and hearing it start to make the coffee she had prepared the night before, she exited the kitchen and walked into the living room, and, after opening the front door and picking up the local Collinsport newspaper, plopped herself down on the couch. Opening the thin paper, and glancing over some of the lame articles that this little town called hard news, Maggie found one that caught her eye. The title read Local Girl Found Dead. She read the article with much interest, and, after finishing, looked up and stared at the wall. The article was a short one, with only one paragraph:
Local girl, Andrea Brown, was found dead last night in her home. Not much is known about how she died, except for the few details the police are releasing. "Whoever killed this poor girl put her through much terror," says local Sheriff Tom Windfield, referring to the horrible state the young girls body was in. "Obviously this person is a madman, and should be considered extremely dangerous," the Sheriff goes on to say. The girls body was found brutally beaten and missing a gold and silver locket, that friends say she never took off. More will be known at the next police conference, tomorrow at noon.
Maggie was so lost in thought that she almost didn't hear the coffee maker beeping to let her know it was finished brewing. When she realized it was beeping, she threw the newspaper off her lap and onto the couch, and entered the kitchen. Grabbing a tea cup and saucer from the cabinet and placing the saucer on the counter, she picked up the coffee pot and started pouring coffee into her cup. She became lost in thought again. 'Who would do this? Has it all started again?', she thought, remembering the 3 violent murders that had taken place not 5 years before. Suddenly, she realized she was overfilling her cup because of the burning sensation she felt on her hand. "Damn it," she said to herself. Hurriedly placing the coffee pot back in the brewing machine, and the cup into the sink, she grabbed the rag hanging over the side of the sink and started wiping up the mess on the floor.
After wiping up the mess, and wiping her cup off, she went back into the living room with her cup and saucer, and sat down on the couch once again. As she drank her coffee, she looked through the rest of the paper, trying not to remember the article she had read only a few minutes ago. When she had finished with the paper, and her coffee, she took the cup and saucer back into the kitchen and placed them into the sink. Looking at the clock above the refrigerator and seeing it was almost 7, she rushed into her room to get dressed.
Driving down Colton Road, she couldn't stop herself from thinking about the article she had read in the paper. She couldn't imagine why anyone would want to do something like that, and, she couldn't understand who was doing it. After all, they had caught the man who had committed those murders five years earlier. Why did all the horrible people gravitate to Collinsport? What was so special about their little town? Maggie wished the town she called home could be called a 'little town'. The town wasn't huge, but, with all the publicity it had been getting throughout the country because of the violent deaths, the town was becoming more well known. It had actually drawn more weirdoes to the town. People like psychics and mediums who were all trying to contact the persons slain, and the spirits of those who had slain them. Many of them started at Collinwood, for with its rich past in mysterious deaths and ghosts, they all thought that perhaps the great house was the center of all the activity throughout the town. However Maggie didn't agree with them. While she didn't know much about the subject, she thought they had to be wrong because the recent murder, as well as the murders committed years ago, had all taken place within the town, not on the grounds of the Collins Mansion. 'Who knows. Maybe those wackos think it started at Collinwood and spread to the town,' Maggie thought. As she was driving along, she recalled a run-in she had had with one of the so called 'mediums' one day while she was shopping. The woman just kept staring at her, and when Maggie asked her why she was, the woman simply said that she wasn't staring at her, but that she was staring at the man beside her. Maggie didn't know what man was standing beside her, and, after questioning the woman about the mans appearance, she assumed it was her father the 'medium' was seeing.
It made Maggie feel secure to know her father was always around and watching over her. What with her very lonely lifestyle, he was the only man in her life, dead or alive. It is true, she had dated a few guys here and there over the years, but ever since Joe was killed she hadn't been the same. Oh how it hurt to think about Joe. She tried not to dredge up the memory but it was to late. She remembered coming home from work one day to find that Joe was not home. She became quite concerned when he did not return as the hours were passing by. She had called all of their friends and none of them had seen him since the morning—whether they saw him at work, or at the coffee shop. Maggie only worried more as she sat up all night, and she told herself that if she went to sleep it may not be so bad. So, after taking a sleeping pill and curling up in her bed, but leaving her door open in hopes she would wake up when Joe came home, Maggie tried to clear her mind of all things so as to ease into a more peaceful sleep.
When Maggie did wake up the next morning, she found that Joe had still not returned and this only worried her more. When she went outside to get into her car to go to work, she saw him sitting on the porch swing. She walked over to him and let out a extremely loud scream. Her husband was covered in blood. There was a gun in his hand, and from the little Maggie had seen, she realized that he had put a gun in his mouth. She called the police, and they took care of the rest. A few weeks later, the sheriff called to inform her that Joe had not committed suicide, but that someone had killed him and placed the gun in his hand. She listened to this between sobs.
Maggie slammed on the brakes and was thrown forward in her car. Her daydream had been suddenly interrupted, and of her own accord. It was amazing to her that she saw the little squirrel crossing the road, and that she was in mind enough to stop the car before she hit the poor thing. She waited until it passed across the road and then continued on.
Arriving at the Collinsport Inn, which she and Joe bought before he was murdered, she parked her car and entered. She still worked behind the counter in the restaurant, and after opening up her office and placing her things inside, that is where she went.
"Morning Debby," Maggie greeted one of her co-workers. "Mornin' Mag. Not to heavy this morning," Debby said to her boss. "Now Debby, I won't have you trying to convince me to stop working behind the counter again. We have been over this before. You know I would rather be out here with people than cooped up in that office with paper work all day," Maggie retorted, refilling some sugar holders from the tables. "I know, I know. I suppose that is just the kind of person you are," Debby answered back. "Now you are getting it." Maggie walked out from behind the counter and placed the sugar holders back on the tables. A man entered and sat down at a table, draping his long coat over the chair next to him. Debby went over to him. "What can I get you?" she asked him with a smile. "Coffee, black, and a piece of pie please," the man answered politely. Debby went over behind the counter, and Maggie already had his coffee poured. Debby cut his slice of pie and took the items over to him. Maggie looked up at the man and smiled, and he smiled back at her. "Thank you," the man said to Debby. Debby walked over behind the counter and began fiddling with the door to the refrigerator. Maggie walked over and gave it the 'special touch' it needed to close. When she turned around she saw the man drinking his coffee and smiling at her. "He's checking you out," Debby whispered to Maggie, hoping the man didn't hear her. "Debby, stop it," Maggie said to her. "What? He is. Go talk to him. It'll be good for you to get out again," Debby told her. "He is not checking me out Debby," Maggie said. "He is to! Go talk to him!" Debby said to her. Maggie thought for a moment. She went out from behind the counter and began to take chairs off of the tables. "Are you new around here?" Maggie asked him, setting a chair on the floor. "I mean, I haven't seen you around here before." "I guess you can say I am new here," the man answered her. "What do you mean?" she asked, brushing a few crumbs off of a table and into her hand before putting them into a waste basket. "I have been here once before, but that was many years ago," the man clarified his pervious statement. "I see," Maggie said putting another chair on the floor. "So what brings you back, if you don't mind me asking." "Business," he answered taking a sip of his coffee and then a bite of his pie. "Oh? Anyone I know?" Maggie asked him, taking a sugar holder she had missed and setting it on the counter to be refilled. "If you know the Collinses, then yes," the man answered checking his watch. "Yes, I do. Which one?" Maggie said placing yet another chair on the floor. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to pry." "I don't mind. It is one, David Collins. He has taken over the family business since his father, Roger, has retired. Is that correct?" the man asked. "I believe so," Maggie said putting the last chair to the floor from the table beside where the man was sitting. She turned to walk back to the counter but tripped, and the man quickly rose from his seat and caught her. They smiled at each other. The man gently put Maggie back to her feet. "Thank you," she said to him, still smiling. "May I ask what your name is?" "John Crosic." "I'm Maggie Evans, Mr. Crosic. I hope your business goes well," Maggie said to him. "Call me John." Maggie returns behind the counter. Debby turns to her.
"Ask him to dinner!" Debby tells Maggie. "Debby!" "What? Do it! You and I both know you like him!" Debby whispers. Maggie shot her a look. She paused for a moment. "So are you doing anything tonight Mr. Crosic?" Maggie asked him. "John, and no I'm not." "The would you like to go to dinner with me?" Maggie asked him. "Sure, I can make that. Where should I meet you?" "How about here, at, let's say 7?" "See you then," John said picking up his coat and leaving.
Chapter 2
Roger Collins sat in the drawing room of Collinwood when there was a knock at the door. "I'll get it," Roger says, getting up. "Father, sit down. I will get it," David Collins says rising from the desk. "David, just because I am older doesn't mean I can't do regular things anymore," Roger says, continuing his pursuit of the door, rolling his oxygen tank behind him. The person at the door knocks again. "I'm coming!" Roger yells as loud as he can, which isn't loud. Roger reaches the door and opens it. "Mr. Crosic! How good to see you again! Please, come in," Roger tells John Crosic, and then moving to the side to let him in before closing the door. "David is in the drawing room."
John Crosic goes into the drawing room and sees David, whom he greets. David asks him if he would mind talking in the study. Crosic says he doesn't, so they go to the study. Roger goes back into the drawing room and sits down, picking up the business section of the paper.
In the study, John had taken a seat while David poured drinks for the two of them. After David handed Crosic his drink, and sat down, they began. "David, you already know that the news I have for you isn't good," Crosic began. "Yes, John, I know. Just tell me, how bad is it?" "It's bad, David. When you invested in the new computer company that was trying to start a server up here, I am afraid you may not have done your homework. The company bottomed out, and, as a result, you lost your investment. Now, I know that one investment shouldn't mean very much to you, but, given the current circumstances with your shipping business, it may hit you harder than previously thought," Crosic explained. "John, I'm not stupid. I know all of this. Just tell me how much money I have lost," David said, searching for an answer in Crosic's face. "You have lost over half of your fortune, and I'm afraid that if business doesn't pick up, you may loose the rest. You know that the ships aren't coming all the way up here anymore. They are stopping at Baltimore, in Maryland, or in Rhode Island. Now things are starting to be hauled up here by truck. Maybe you should start a truck company." "Will I have to file bankruptcy?" David asked, hoping the answer would be no. "That all depends on you. Take a look at the numbers," Crosic said, opening his briefcase and pulling out a few papers and handing them to David. "If business doesn't pick up, or you don't find a new investor, your company will go under and you will have to file bankruptcy. David, I'm sorry." "It's not your fault. I know I shouldn't have invested in that company, but father said it was solid, and he is a good businessman." "David, I don't have to tell you that you shouldn't rely on your father to make the business decisions anymore." "I know, I know. Now John, do I have enough money to start a truck shipping company?" "I believe you have enough to start a small one, but nothing that is the size of your current shipping company. But you know, maybe you should just make investments and retire with what money you do have. I mean, your mansion is paid off, and has been since it was built." "I just don't know what to do John. I could start another company, and, yes, I could retire, but I know that I can find some way to bring the money back to my shipping company. Find other investors, and buy a few ports to the south." "That's an idea. But I must warn you, don't try to buy huge ports. You may squander your fortune without meaning to. Now, if that's all, I have other appointments that I cannot afford to be late for. I've got a date tonight." "Really, with whom?" David said, glad to help change the subject. "A local girl by the name of Maggie Evans." "Maggie? Where did you meet her?" "At the diner in town this morning. Nice girl. She asked me to dinner." "Well, thanks for your help John, and good luck on your date tonight." David and John rose from their seats, shook hands, and David showed him out.
That night, Maggie was running a bit late getting ready for her date. She had come home and taken a nap that was supposed to be short, but lasted longer than she wanted it to. She was wearing a stunning blue dress, and shoes to match. As she combed her hair and sprayed some hairspray in it, she thought about what might develop from this date. Was she ready to be with a man again? It had been five years since Joe was killed, and it is true she did have some dates since then, but she had a different feeling about this one. For some reason she felt like it would last. At least, last longer than her previous relationships did. Maggie walked over to her dresser and put her pearl necklace on, as well as earrings. She looked up at herself in the mirror, carefully checking to make sure there were no flaws with her appearance, and, when she was satisfied there wasn't, she left her house to return to the Inn where she was to meet John.
When she arrived, John was waiting for her at a table in the diner. She walked over to him, and he rose from his seat, taking her hand and kissing it. She apologized for being late, and he told her it was all right, that he had only just arrived himself.
"Where would you like to have dinner?" he asked her. She told him she wasn't sure, but that they could go to a new Italian restaurant just down the street. He agreed, and they left.
Over dinner, they told each other their life's story, leaving out certain details that each one felt to personal to share with the other on the first date. Maggie left out the part about Joe being killed, feeling that she didn't want to ruin the night she hoped would turn out to be perfect. She ordered a chicken alfreado dish, while he ordered the traditional Italian spaghetti. As he sipped his wine, he asked her what had kept her in this small town for her whole life, and she replied by saying that she couldn't imagine living in a big city, and that she liked things to be quiet. He told her that things weren't exactly quiet anymore with the violence that had manifested itself within the town in the past few years. She agreed, but she told him she wouldn't give her little cottage home up for anything. When they were finished, and the bill came, he was the gentleman and paid, as any gentleman should. After dinner John asked Maggie if she would like to come back to his place for some coffee, and she agreed.
Entering Crosic's house, Maggie looked around as people often do when in new surroundings. "I thought you said you hadn't been in town long," Maggie said to him, looking at some of the beautiful antique furniture sitting in his living room. "I haven't been in town long," Crosic said, taking his and Maggie's coats and hanging them up on the coat rack beside the door. "Then, how is it you have this house, having only been in town for a day?" Maggie questioned him. "Oh! Do you remember I told you that I had been here once before? Well, when I was here, I was here for about a month, and I bought this house completely furnished from David Collins. That is why it is a bit dusty," Crosic explained, walking over to Maggie. 'A little dusty?' Maggie thought to herself. She figured she'd give him a break, having only been in town for a day. "How do you take your coffee?" Crosic asked her. "Black, two sugars, and cream, thank you," Maggie replied. "Please, have a seat, and I will go make the coffee," Crosic said, going into the kitchen.
Maggie walked around the room as she heard John clinking around in the kitchen. She studied the knickknacks he had on the shelves around the room, and on the mantel. She looked at the various pictures, nothing really told any kind of story about him. There was one thing that caught her eye. Hanging over a miniature statuette of a mans head was hanging a gold locket. Silver carvings were on the face of the locket, and Maggie thought it was very beautiful. She picked it up and opened it, revealing a picture of a man she had never seen before. Suddenly, she remembered seeing someone wearing this. She couldn't place the person with the necklace. "Two sugars?" Crosic yelled from the kitchen. "Yes," Maggie replied, still in thought about the locket. She then realized that she saw Andrea Brown, the girl recently murdered, wearing it in the grocery store one day. John reentered the living room. He handed Maggie her coffee and they went over to the couch, Maggie still carrying the locket.
Chapter 3
"Where did you get this locket?" Maggie questioned John. "That, oh, I found it lying in the street when I stepped out of my taxi earlier this morning. Why?" "Oh, I know who's it is, that's all," Maggie explained, just realizing that she had made herself a target of knowing to much. She became very nervous. "Really? Whose is it?" "A-andrea Brown's," Maggie said shakily. "Maggie, what's wrong? You suddenly seem uncomfortable," Crosic said, taking a sip of his coffee and then setting the cup down on the coffee table. "Its, its nothing, really." "Well, since you know the woman that locket belongs to, could you take it back to her for me?" "No, I can't." "Why? Are you not friends with her? I wouldn't ask you to do anything you don't want to do." "Its not that, its just," Maggie paused for a moment, "she's dead. She was murdered yesterday. You didn't know? It was in the paper." "No, I don't read the paper. That's horrible! What should I do with the locket?" "I don't know, I guess-I guess you could take it to the police," Maggie said. She wanted to get out of there. She didn't really trust John Crosic as much as she did before. "Listen, thank you for this evening, I am going to go now. Goodnight," Maggie said rising. John walked her to the door and helped her put her coat on. She said goodnight to him once again, and left.
At Collinwood, David and Carolyn are the only ones still awake at the late hour, and they are sitting in the drawing room talking.
"Carolyn, did you hear one thing I told you? We may loose the fortune," David said, feeling that Carolyn didn't quite grasp the seriousness of the situation. "Yes, I heard you David, but I fail to see the problem. The mansion is paid off. You don't have to worry about that. Why don't you retire and save the money we do have? Then you won't have to spend it on business. Besides, even if all our money is gone, it doesn't matter. Money isn't everything David," Carolyn said, looking at David with a quite calm look on her face. "Look, I know you don't think money is everything, and neither do I. I am just worried about what we will do if we haven't any money." "Well, we will have to get jobs like normal people. It won't be that bad. Do like John told you. Retire. I know you will miss being in the business world, but, you will have to let it go. You have two choices- try to keep the business alive, and most likely loose the money because of it, and hope to make it back someday, or, you can retire and save what money is left." "See, that's just it, I like being a businessman. What would I do around here all day without having some kind of papers or something to look over? You just don't understand. You were never in the business. You haven't had to worry about money problems," David said, getting up to pour himself a drink. "You're right, I haven't been in the business world, and I believe I am much better off because of it. I mean, look at me. I am not stressed out all the time because I don't have to worry about money. I live a happy simple life, and I like it that way. I wouldn't trade my lifestyle for anything. Not even a truck load of money," Carolyn told David, watching him pour his drink with a disapproving look. "Maybe you could start a small business consultant firm. Then you would still be in the business life, but instead of worrying about your own business, you could worry about and help other peoples businesses. You are a brilliant businessman, I am sure you can fine something." "You're right. I am a brilliant businessman. You know, based on your suggestion about starting a consultant firm, you may make a brilliant businesswoman," David said, taking a sip of his drink. "Oh no, don't try to drag me into your world. I just told you I would prefer not to be involved in that sort of thing," Carolyn said, getting up and walking over to sit down by the fire. "Okay, okay. Now, what would you say to running the consultant business out of Collinwood?" David asks, already knowing her answer will be a disapproving one. "You know already that I think that is a bad idea. There will be countless people coming in and out of this house everyday. Complete strangers. Some of them could even be psychos. No, just convert the office you have the shipping business in to a consulting business office. That will be a better idea. Now, enough talk about business because I am tired. I will see you in the morning," Carolyn says, standing up and yawning. "Goodnight," David says to her as she leaves the room.
Maggie takes her keys out of the ignition of the car, and leans back in the seat. 'Is he the killer? Have I been wrong to think things may work out between us?' Maggie thought, staring at the door of her cottage. 'Was he telling the truth about finding Andrea's locket on the ground? The article said she was killed at her home, not out in the town. Could she have dropped it on her way home?' All these questions that didn't have answers. Maggie was tire, and she could and should ignore John Crosic from now on. But what if he was a stalker?
"Ahh!" Maggie screamed. She looked out of the drivers side window to see John Crosic standing there. He was the one who knocked on the window. She wasn't sure whether or not she should open the door and get out, or stay in the car. She decided to get out, and hope that nothing would happen. Maggie opened the car door and stepped out, quickly shutting the door behind her, and staying close to the car. "What do you want, John?" she asked him. "You dropped this at my house when you were leaving. It was all I could do to keep up with you on the road, since I didn't know where you live," Crosic said, holding up an earring. "Thank you, I didn't even notice I had dropped it. Well, if you'll excuse me, I'm very tired, and I would like to go to bed. Goodnight, again," Maggie said taking the earring from John and then walking over to the cottage door. "Goodnight," Crosic said, going over and getting in his car. Maggie pretended to fiddle with her keys in the dark, even dropping them so as to prolong the time she was outside, so she could make sure that Crosic actually did leave and go down the road. When she couldn't see his car anymore, she opened the door, and then locked it as soon as she was inside.
Maggie walked into her home and threw her coat and purse down on the couch. She ran into the bathroom, opened the toilet lid, and threw up. After flushing the toilet, she rinsed her mouth out in the sink and then sat down and leaned against the bathroom wall. Why did the first guy she liked in a while have to be a killer? She didn't know whether or not she should turn him in. What if he wasn't the killer? Then she would be turning in an innocent man, putting him through hell. Maybe she could visit David Collins and see what he could tell her about John. But what if David told John that she asked about him? Would he think she was becoming suspicious of him?
Maggie was tired of thinking. She needed to go to sleep. She picked herself up off the floor and went into her bedroom. Changing into her nightgown, and taking her jewelry off, she laid down in her bed. Almost instantly, she fell asleep.
Maggie found herself somehow walking through the woods. She was looking for something, she didn't know what. Looking up, from her feet to eye level, she saw she was standing in front of a small cabin. Her feet were muddy, and her nightgown torn from branches. She walked up to the house, and, without knocking on the door, entered. She looked around. She had never been here before. Maggie heard a woman scream. She looked down a hallway and at the end, there was a door that was cracked open, and a small amount of light was flooding into the hallway. Maggie walked down the hall until she reached the door. Afraid to go in, she peeked in the crack of the door. She saw a man beating up a woman. He turned the woman around and Maggie recognized her as Andrea Brown. The man threw her around like a rag doll. He threw her into a desk. She hit it, and fell to the floor, crying. He told her to get up and stop crying. When Andrea didn't, he went over to her, picked her up, punched her, and then threw her across the room. She stumbled backwards and her head hit a table. She fell limply to the ground. The man went over and bent down over her, checking her pulse. There must not have been one because he stood up, her locket in hand, and turned around. Maggie didn't get a good view of him because things were moving so fast, but, when he turned around, she saw that it was John Crosic.
Maggie woke up in her bed, screaming. She looked around. Was it a dream, or some kind of premonition? Had John really killed Andrea? Maggie knew that she had to get these thoughts out of her mind or she was going to go insane from thinking about it.
Chapter 4
At Collinwood, the clock in the foyer chimed 5 a.m., and David was still pacing the drawing room. He hadn't been to bed all night. Thinking various thoughts about his business, and about what to do about the money problems. He had looked over the papers John had left with him about 100 times since Carolyn left, and he was still undecided. Carolyn's idea about a consulting company was one of the best he had heard.
David sat down on the couch, and, finishing the last sip of his water—he had changed from liquor to water halfway through the night—leaned back on the couch, his eyes getting heavy. As soon as he closed his eyes, someone entered the room. "Have you been up all night darling?" David's wife said, entering the drawing room. "Yes, I have." "What for? Is something wrong?" "The same thing as yesterday, Angelique. Money problems," David said, his eyes still closed. "You shouldn't worry about it so much. You will worry your life away," Angelique said, going over to the bar and pouring herself a small glass of water. "That's what I told him last night. But did he listen to me? Noooo..." Carolyn said, entering the room. "Look, I don't need you two to advise me. I am capable of making decisions. I just like to think things through before I do them," David said, opening his eyes and leaning forward. "We are not trying to advise you on anything, darling. We just don't want you to fret over this problem to much. It's not good for you. Look at what it did to you father. He is only 68 years old, and he looks near 90. Do you want that to happen to you?" Angelique said, going over and sitting by David, taking his hand in hers. "My father had other things to stress him out," David said, look at Angelique and then at Carolyn. "Such as?" Carolyn asked him. "My mother, his second wife Cassandra, and all the weird things that happened here when I was a child," David said, getting up and going over to the fire. Angelique looked worried. "Yes, those did contribute, David, but most times your father was away on business," Angelique said, eager to change the subject from things that happened in the past. "Now David, I plead with you to drop this whole money issue. Just let someone else at the office deal with it. Don't let it consume your life. Go upstairs and lay down. You need some rest." "Yes, you're both right. I will go upstairs and lay down now," David said, setting his drink down and exiting the room. Angelique remained seated on the couch while Carolyn shut the drawing room doors and then took a seat in a chair. "You had better hope he never remembers that it was you who caused much of the things to happen when he was a child, Angelique," Carolyn said bitterly. "Carolyn, I haven't the faintest idea of what you're talking about," Angelique replied coolly. "Yes you do. You know I know that it was you who cause all those things to happen all those years ago. Why don't you acknowledge that?" Carolyn said. "You're right, I know you know it was me. I also know that you won't tell David about it. You want him to be happy, and you know he is now. You wouldn't mess that up for him," Angelique said confidently. "Do you believe that, Angelique? That I wouldn't mess his happiness up? I can tell you that you are wrong. If you do something that makes him unhappy, or that hurts any of us in anyway, I will tell him. You can believe that," Carolyn said. She got up and exited the drawing room. "Well, dear Carolyn, you will not tell David. You and I both know that. And, if you do, I will have to kill you," Angelique said quietly to herself.
Maggie was in the kitchen at her cottage, making herself coffee. She had been unable to go back to sleep once she woke up from the horrible dream she had had. Walking across the kitchen and sitting down at the table, Maggie wondered if she would see John Crosic when she went to work today. She hoped he wouldn't come by, but somehow she knew he would, despite her hoping. Maggie went back into her bedroom to prepare herself for work. When she arrived, Debby was already cleaning behind the counter. After putting her things in her office, she joined Debby. "So? How did it go?" Debby asked, wiping out the sink. "How did what go?" Maggie asked, starting to take chairs down. "Your date with John," Debby said, eager to find out the details. "Oh, it went okay. Nothing special," Maggie said, not wanting to tell Debby about what had happened last night. "What did you do? Where did you go?" Debby asked, unsatisfied with her bosses answers. "We went to that new Italian place down the street, and afterwards we went back to his place for some coffee," Maggie said, continuing to put chairs on the floor. "And?" "And what? Nothing happened. I didn't stay there long. I drank a bit of my coffee and then I went home." "I hope you weren't rude to him. He's a nice guy." "Why should I be rude? How do you know he's a nice guy? You didn't go on a date with him did you?" "Oh! So something did happen! Tell me, what is it?" Maggie stopped what she was doing and looked at Debby, trying quickly to decide whether or not to tell her. Maggie went over and stood behind the counter with Debby. "Debby," Maggie whispered, "I found the necklace that belonged to Andrea Brown, the girl who was murdered two nights ago. I found it at his house. He said he found it when he got out of his cab when he first arrived in town, but I don't believe him." "What? Why don't you believe him? It could be true." "Because, that girl was killed in her home, not out on the street. And, when I got home, he was there. I mean, he wasn't waiting for me but he came a few minutes after I pulled up in my driveway. He came to return an earring I dropped." "Maggie, he was just being considerate. Why are you always so suspicious of everyone?" "No, I don't think he was being considerate. I think he just wanted to find out where I live." "So? What's wrong with that?" "Maybe I didn't want him to know where I live, Debby. What if he's a stalker?" "I highly doubt that Maggie. I swear, your mind wanders into some seriously psycho thoughts sometimes. Not everyone is out to get you." "I know that. Oh my god! Look, he's here. I've got to hide." Maggie dropped to the floor, hoping John Crosic hadn't seen her yet. She pretended to be picking something up when he came in. "Hello, is Maggie here?" he asked, walking up to the counter. "Um, I think she might be, ow," Debby started, but Maggie hit her in the leg. "Let me check the schedule," Debby said, pulling a piece of paper out of a drawer and pretending it was the schedule when in fact is was an order form. "No, she isn't on today. Sorry." Debby said. "Well, okay then, just tell her I am interested in going on another date with her sometime. Thank you." Crosic left. Maggie rises to her feet again. "Thanks for not telling him I am here." "You know Maggie, one of these days you are going to have to let go of Joe and find someone else. You may be letting the next love of your life walk out of your life." "I am willing to take that chance, especially if he is a murderer." Maggie watched Crosic's car pull away from the Inn, and then left from behind the counter.
Maggie Evans woke to a new morning. The sun was shining into her room through her two French doors, which were laden with heavy white drapes. She sat up in her bed, and, brushing her hair out of her face, rose from the bed and walked over to the coat rack and grabbed her robe which she put on. After tying the robe strings, she opened the door of her room and walked down the hall to the kitchen. After turning the coffee pot on, and hearing it start to make the coffee she had prepared the night before, she exited the kitchen and walked into the living room, and, after opening the front door and picking up the local Collinsport newspaper, plopped herself down on the couch. Opening the thin paper, and glancing over some of the lame articles that this little town called hard news, Maggie found one that caught her eye. The title read Local Girl Found Dead. She read the article with much interest, and, after finishing, looked up and stared at the wall. The article was a short one, with only one paragraph:
Local girl, Andrea Brown, was found dead last night in her home. Not much is known about how she died, except for the few details the police are releasing. "Whoever killed this poor girl put her through much terror," says local Sheriff Tom Windfield, referring to the horrible state the young girls body was in. "Obviously this person is a madman, and should be considered extremely dangerous," the Sheriff goes on to say. The girls body was found brutally beaten and missing a gold and silver locket, that friends say she never took off. More will be known at the next police conference, tomorrow at noon.
Maggie was so lost in thought that she almost didn't hear the coffee maker beeping to let her know it was finished brewing. When she realized it was beeping, she threw the newspaper off her lap and onto the couch, and entered the kitchen. Grabbing a tea cup and saucer from the cabinet and placing the saucer on the counter, she picked up the coffee pot and started pouring coffee into her cup. She became lost in thought again. 'Who would do this? Has it all started again?', she thought, remembering the 3 violent murders that had taken place not 5 years before. Suddenly, she realized she was overfilling her cup because of the burning sensation she felt on her hand. "Damn it," she said to herself. Hurriedly placing the coffee pot back in the brewing machine, and the cup into the sink, she grabbed the rag hanging over the side of the sink and started wiping up the mess on the floor.
After wiping up the mess, and wiping her cup off, she went back into the living room with her cup and saucer, and sat down on the couch once again. As she drank her coffee, she looked through the rest of the paper, trying not to remember the article she had read only a few minutes ago. When she had finished with the paper, and her coffee, she took the cup and saucer back into the kitchen and placed them into the sink. Looking at the clock above the refrigerator and seeing it was almost 7, she rushed into her room to get dressed.
Driving down Colton Road, she couldn't stop herself from thinking about the article she had read in the paper. She couldn't imagine why anyone would want to do something like that, and, she couldn't understand who was doing it. After all, they had caught the man who had committed those murders five years earlier. Why did all the horrible people gravitate to Collinsport? What was so special about their little town? Maggie wished the town she called home could be called a 'little town'. The town wasn't huge, but, with all the publicity it had been getting throughout the country because of the violent deaths, the town was becoming more well known. It had actually drawn more weirdoes to the town. People like psychics and mediums who were all trying to contact the persons slain, and the spirits of those who had slain them. Many of them started at Collinwood, for with its rich past in mysterious deaths and ghosts, they all thought that perhaps the great house was the center of all the activity throughout the town. However Maggie didn't agree with them. While she didn't know much about the subject, she thought they had to be wrong because the recent murder, as well as the murders committed years ago, had all taken place within the town, not on the grounds of the Collins Mansion. 'Who knows. Maybe those wackos think it started at Collinwood and spread to the town,' Maggie thought. As she was driving along, she recalled a run-in she had had with one of the so called 'mediums' one day while she was shopping. The woman just kept staring at her, and when Maggie asked her why she was, the woman simply said that she wasn't staring at her, but that she was staring at the man beside her. Maggie didn't know what man was standing beside her, and, after questioning the woman about the mans appearance, she assumed it was her father the 'medium' was seeing.
It made Maggie feel secure to know her father was always around and watching over her. What with her very lonely lifestyle, he was the only man in her life, dead or alive. It is true, she had dated a few guys here and there over the years, but ever since Joe was killed she hadn't been the same. Oh how it hurt to think about Joe. She tried not to dredge up the memory but it was to late. She remembered coming home from work one day to find that Joe was not home. She became quite concerned when he did not return as the hours were passing by. She had called all of their friends and none of them had seen him since the morning—whether they saw him at work, or at the coffee shop. Maggie only worried more as she sat up all night, and she told herself that if she went to sleep it may not be so bad. So, after taking a sleeping pill and curling up in her bed, but leaving her door open in hopes she would wake up when Joe came home, Maggie tried to clear her mind of all things so as to ease into a more peaceful sleep.
When Maggie did wake up the next morning, she found that Joe had still not returned and this only worried her more. When she went outside to get into her car to go to work, she saw him sitting on the porch swing. She walked over to him and let out a extremely loud scream. Her husband was covered in blood. There was a gun in his hand, and from the little Maggie had seen, she realized that he had put a gun in his mouth. She called the police, and they took care of the rest. A few weeks later, the sheriff called to inform her that Joe had not committed suicide, but that someone had killed him and placed the gun in his hand. She listened to this between sobs.
Maggie slammed on the brakes and was thrown forward in her car. Her daydream had been suddenly interrupted, and of her own accord. It was amazing to her that she saw the little squirrel crossing the road, and that she was in mind enough to stop the car before she hit the poor thing. She waited until it passed across the road and then continued on.
Arriving at the Collinsport Inn, which she and Joe bought before he was murdered, she parked her car and entered. She still worked behind the counter in the restaurant, and after opening up her office and placing her things inside, that is where she went.
"Morning Debby," Maggie greeted one of her co-workers. "Mornin' Mag. Not to heavy this morning," Debby said to her boss. "Now Debby, I won't have you trying to convince me to stop working behind the counter again. We have been over this before. You know I would rather be out here with people than cooped up in that office with paper work all day," Maggie retorted, refilling some sugar holders from the tables. "I know, I know. I suppose that is just the kind of person you are," Debby answered back. "Now you are getting it." Maggie walked out from behind the counter and placed the sugar holders back on the tables. A man entered and sat down at a table, draping his long coat over the chair next to him. Debby went over to him. "What can I get you?" she asked him with a smile. "Coffee, black, and a piece of pie please," the man answered politely. Debby went over behind the counter, and Maggie already had his coffee poured. Debby cut his slice of pie and took the items over to him. Maggie looked up at the man and smiled, and he smiled back at her. "Thank you," the man said to Debby. Debby walked over behind the counter and began fiddling with the door to the refrigerator. Maggie walked over and gave it the 'special touch' it needed to close. When she turned around she saw the man drinking his coffee and smiling at her. "He's checking you out," Debby whispered to Maggie, hoping the man didn't hear her. "Debby, stop it," Maggie said to her. "What? He is. Go talk to him. It'll be good for you to get out again," Debby told her. "He is not checking me out Debby," Maggie said. "He is to! Go talk to him!" Debby said to her. Maggie thought for a moment. She went out from behind the counter and began to take chairs off of the tables. "Are you new around here?" Maggie asked him, setting a chair on the floor. "I mean, I haven't seen you around here before." "I guess you can say I am new here," the man answered her. "What do you mean?" she asked, brushing a few crumbs off of a table and into her hand before putting them into a waste basket. "I have been here once before, but that was many years ago," the man clarified his pervious statement. "I see," Maggie said putting another chair on the floor. "So what brings you back, if you don't mind me asking." "Business," he answered taking a sip of his coffee and then a bite of his pie. "Oh? Anyone I know?" Maggie asked him, taking a sugar holder she had missed and setting it on the counter to be refilled. "If you know the Collinses, then yes," the man answered checking his watch. "Yes, I do. Which one?" Maggie said placing yet another chair on the floor. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to pry." "I don't mind. It is one, David Collins. He has taken over the family business since his father, Roger, has retired. Is that correct?" the man asked. "I believe so," Maggie said putting the last chair to the floor from the table beside where the man was sitting. She turned to walk back to the counter but tripped, and the man quickly rose from his seat and caught her. They smiled at each other. The man gently put Maggie back to her feet. "Thank you," she said to him, still smiling. "May I ask what your name is?" "John Crosic." "I'm Maggie Evans, Mr. Crosic. I hope your business goes well," Maggie said to him. "Call me John." Maggie returns behind the counter. Debby turns to her.
"Ask him to dinner!" Debby tells Maggie. "Debby!" "What? Do it! You and I both know you like him!" Debby whispers. Maggie shot her a look. She paused for a moment. "So are you doing anything tonight Mr. Crosic?" Maggie asked him. "John, and no I'm not." "The would you like to go to dinner with me?" Maggie asked him. "Sure, I can make that. Where should I meet you?" "How about here, at, let's say 7?" "See you then," John said picking up his coat and leaving.
Chapter 2
Roger Collins sat in the drawing room of Collinwood when there was a knock at the door. "I'll get it," Roger says, getting up. "Father, sit down. I will get it," David Collins says rising from the desk. "David, just because I am older doesn't mean I can't do regular things anymore," Roger says, continuing his pursuit of the door, rolling his oxygen tank behind him. The person at the door knocks again. "I'm coming!" Roger yells as loud as he can, which isn't loud. Roger reaches the door and opens it. "Mr. Crosic! How good to see you again! Please, come in," Roger tells John Crosic, and then moving to the side to let him in before closing the door. "David is in the drawing room."
John Crosic goes into the drawing room and sees David, whom he greets. David asks him if he would mind talking in the study. Crosic says he doesn't, so they go to the study. Roger goes back into the drawing room and sits down, picking up the business section of the paper.
In the study, John had taken a seat while David poured drinks for the two of them. After David handed Crosic his drink, and sat down, they began. "David, you already know that the news I have for you isn't good," Crosic began. "Yes, John, I know. Just tell me, how bad is it?" "It's bad, David. When you invested in the new computer company that was trying to start a server up here, I am afraid you may not have done your homework. The company bottomed out, and, as a result, you lost your investment. Now, I know that one investment shouldn't mean very much to you, but, given the current circumstances with your shipping business, it may hit you harder than previously thought," Crosic explained. "John, I'm not stupid. I know all of this. Just tell me how much money I have lost," David said, searching for an answer in Crosic's face. "You have lost over half of your fortune, and I'm afraid that if business doesn't pick up, you may loose the rest. You know that the ships aren't coming all the way up here anymore. They are stopping at Baltimore, in Maryland, or in Rhode Island. Now things are starting to be hauled up here by truck. Maybe you should start a truck company." "Will I have to file bankruptcy?" David asked, hoping the answer would be no. "That all depends on you. Take a look at the numbers," Crosic said, opening his briefcase and pulling out a few papers and handing them to David. "If business doesn't pick up, or you don't find a new investor, your company will go under and you will have to file bankruptcy. David, I'm sorry." "It's not your fault. I know I shouldn't have invested in that company, but father said it was solid, and he is a good businessman." "David, I don't have to tell you that you shouldn't rely on your father to make the business decisions anymore." "I know, I know. Now John, do I have enough money to start a truck shipping company?" "I believe you have enough to start a small one, but nothing that is the size of your current shipping company. But you know, maybe you should just make investments and retire with what money you do have. I mean, your mansion is paid off, and has been since it was built." "I just don't know what to do John. I could start another company, and, yes, I could retire, but I know that I can find some way to bring the money back to my shipping company. Find other investors, and buy a few ports to the south." "That's an idea. But I must warn you, don't try to buy huge ports. You may squander your fortune without meaning to. Now, if that's all, I have other appointments that I cannot afford to be late for. I've got a date tonight." "Really, with whom?" David said, glad to help change the subject. "A local girl by the name of Maggie Evans." "Maggie? Where did you meet her?" "At the diner in town this morning. Nice girl. She asked me to dinner." "Well, thanks for your help John, and good luck on your date tonight." David and John rose from their seats, shook hands, and David showed him out.
That night, Maggie was running a bit late getting ready for her date. She had come home and taken a nap that was supposed to be short, but lasted longer than she wanted it to. She was wearing a stunning blue dress, and shoes to match. As she combed her hair and sprayed some hairspray in it, she thought about what might develop from this date. Was she ready to be with a man again? It had been five years since Joe was killed, and it is true she did have some dates since then, but she had a different feeling about this one. For some reason she felt like it would last. At least, last longer than her previous relationships did. Maggie walked over to her dresser and put her pearl necklace on, as well as earrings. She looked up at herself in the mirror, carefully checking to make sure there were no flaws with her appearance, and, when she was satisfied there wasn't, she left her house to return to the Inn where she was to meet John.
When she arrived, John was waiting for her at a table in the diner. She walked over to him, and he rose from his seat, taking her hand and kissing it. She apologized for being late, and he told her it was all right, that he had only just arrived himself.
"Where would you like to have dinner?" he asked her. She told him she wasn't sure, but that they could go to a new Italian restaurant just down the street. He agreed, and they left.
Over dinner, they told each other their life's story, leaving out certain details that each one felt to personal to share with the other on the first date. Maggie left out the part about Joe being killed, feeling that she didn't want to ruin the night she hoped would turn out to be perfect. She ordered a chicken alfreado dish, while he ordered the traditional Italian spaghetti. As he sipped his wine, he asked her what had kept her in this small town for her whole life, and she replied by saying that she couldn't imagine living in a big city, and that she liked things to be quiet. He told her that things weren't exactly quiet anymore with the violence that had manifested itself within the town in the past few years. She agreed, but she told him she wouldn't give her little cottage home up for anything. When they were finished, and the bill came, he was the gentleman and paid, as any gentleman should. After dinner John asked Maggie if she would like to come back to his place for some coffee, and she agreed.
Entering Crosic's house, Maggie looked around as people often do when in new surroundings. "I thought you said you hadn't been in town long," Maggie said to him, looking at some of the beautiful antique furniture sitting in his living room. "I haven't been in town long," Crosic said, taking his and Maggie's coats and hanging them up on the coat rack beside the door. "Then, how is it you have this house, having only been in town for a day?" Maggie questioned him. "Oh! Do you remember I told you that I had been here once before? Well, when I was here, I was here for about a month, and I bought this house completely furnished from David Collins. That is why it is a bit dusty," Crosic explained, walking over to Maggie. 'A little dusty?' Maggie thought to herself. She figured she'd give him a break, having only been in town for a day. "How do you take your coffee?" Crosic asked her. "Black, two sugars, and cream, thank you," Maggie replied. "Please, have a seat, and I will go make the coffee," Crosic said, going into the kitchen.
Maggie walked around the room as she heard John clinking around in the kitchen. She studied the knickknacks he had on the shelves around the room, and on the mantel. She looked at the various pictures, nothing really told any kind of story about him. There was one thing that caught her eye. Hanging over a miniature statuette of a mans head was hanging a gold locket. Silver carvings were on the face of the locket, and Maggie thought it was very beautiful. She picked it up and opened it, revealing a picture of a man she had never seen before. Suddenly, she remembered seeing someone wearing this. She couldn't place the person with the necklace. "Two sugars?" Crosic yelled from the kitchen. "Yes," Maggie replied, still in thought about the locket. She then realized that she saw Andrea Brown, the girl recently murdered, wearing it in the grocery store one day. John reentered the living room. He handed Maggie her coffee and they went over to the couch, Maggie still carrying the locket.
Chapter 3
"Where did you get this locket?" Maggie questioned John. "That, oh, I found it lying in the street when I stepped out of my taxi earlier this morning. Why?" "Oh, I know who's it is, that's all," Maggie explained, just realizing that she had made herself a target of knowing to much. She became very nervous. "Really? Whose is it?" "A-andrea Brown's," Maggie said shakily. "Maggie, what's wrong? You suddenly seem uncomfortable," Crosic said, taking a sip of his coffee and then setting the cup down on the coffee table. "Its, its nothing, really." "Well, since you know the woman that locket belongs to, could you take it back to her for me?" "No, I can't." "Why? Are you not friends with her? I wouldn't ask you to do anything you don't want to do." "Its not that, its just," Maggie paused for a moment, "she's dead. She was murdered yesterday. You didn't know? It was in the paper." "No, I don't read the paper. That's horrible! What should I do with the locket?" "I don't know, I guess-I guess you could take it to the police," Maggie said. She wanted to get out of there. She didn't really trust John Crosic as much as she did before. "Listen, thank you for this evening, I am going to go now. Goodnight," Maggie said rising. John walked her to the door and helped her put her coat on. She said goodnight to him once again, and left.
At Collinwood, David and Carolyn are the only ones still awake at the late hour, and they are sitting in the drawing room talking.
"Carolyn, did you hear one thing I told you? We may loose the fortune," David said, feeling that Carolyn didn't quite grasp the seriousness of the situation. "Yes, I heard you David, but I fail to see the problem. The mansion is paid off. You don't have to worry about that. Why don't you retire and save the money we do have? Then you won't have to spend it on business. Besides, even if all our money is gone, it doesn't matter. Money isn't everything David," Carolyn said, looking at David with a quite calm look on her face. "Look, I know you don't think money is everything, and neither do I. I am just worried about what we will do if we haven't any money." "Well, we will have to get jobs like normal people. It won't be that bad. Do like John told you. Retire. I know you will miss being in the business world, but, you will have to let it go. You have two choices- try to keep the business alive, and most likely loose the money because of it, and hope to make it back someday, or, you can retire and save what money is left." "See, that's just it, I like being a businessman. What would I do around here all day without having some kind of papers or something to look over? You just don't understand. You were never in the business. You haven't had to worry about money problems," David said, getting up to pour himself a drink. "You're right, I haven't been in the business world, and I believe I am much better off because of it. I mean, look at me. I am not stressed out all the time because I don't have to worry about money. I live a happy simple life, and I like it that way. I wouldn't trade my lifestyle for anything. Not even a truck load of money," Carolyn told David, watching him pour his drink with a disapproving look. "Maybe you could start a small business consultant firm. Then you would still be in the business life, but instead of worrying about your own business, you could worry about and help other peoples businesses. You are a brilliant businessman, I am sure you can fine something." "You're right. I am a brilliant businessman. You know, based on your suggestion about starting a consultant firm, you may make a brilliant businesswoman," David said, taking a sip of his drink. "Oh no, don't try to drag me into your world. I just told you I would prefer not to be involved in that sort of thing," Carolyn said, getting up and walking over to sit down by the fire. "Okay, okay. Now, what would you say to running the consultant business out of Collinwood?" David asks, already knowing her answer will be a disapproving one. "You know already that I think that is a bad idea. There will be countless people coming in and out of this house everyday. Complete strangers. Some of them could even be psychos. No, just convert the office you have the shipping business in to a consulting business office. That will be a better idea. Now, enough talk about business because I am tired. I will see you in the morning," Carolyn says, standing up and yawning. "Goodnight," David says to her as she leaves the room.
Maggie takes her keys out of the ignition of the car, and leans back in the seat. 'Is he the killer? Have I been wrong to think things may work out between us?' Maggie thought, staring at the door of her cottage. 'Was he telling the truth about finding Andrea's locket on the ground? The article said she was killed at her home, not out in the town. Could she have dropped it on her way home?' All these questions that didn't have answers. Maggie was tire, and she could and should ignore John Crosic from now on. But what if he was a stalker?
"Ahh!" Maggie screamed. She looked out of the drivers side window to see John Crosic standing there. He was the one who knocked on the window. She wasn't sure whether or not she should open the door and get out, or stay in the car. She decided to get out, and hope that nothing would happen. Maggie opened the car door and stepped out, quickly shutting the door behind her, and staying close to the car. "What do you want, John?" she asked him. "You dropped this at my house when you were leaving. It was all I could do to keep up with you on the road, since I didn't know where you live," Crosic said, holding up an earring. "Thank you, I didn't even notice I had dropped it. Well, if you'll excuse me, I'm very tired, and I would like to go to bed. Goodnight, again," Maggie said taking the earring from John and then walking over to the cottage door. "Goodnight," Crosic said, going over and getting in his car. Maggie pretended to fiddle with her keys in the dark, even dropping them so as to prolong the time she was outside, so she could make sure that Crosic actually did leave and go down the road. When she couldn't see his car anymore, she opened the door, and then locked it as soon as she was inside.
Maggie walked into her home and threw her coat and purse down on the couch. She ran into the bathroom, opened the toilet lid, and threw up. After flushing the toilet, she rinsed her mouth out in the sink and then sat down and leaned against the bathroom wall. Why did the first guy she liked in a while have to be a killer? She didn't know whether or not she should turn him in. What if he wasn't the killer? Then she would be turning in an innocent man, putting him through hell. Maybe she could visit David Collins and see what he could tell her about John. But what if David told John that she asked about him? Would he think she was becoming suspicious of him?
Maggie was tired of thinking. She needed to go to sleep. She picked herself up off the floor and went into her bedroom. Changing into her nightgown, and taking her jewelry off, she laid down in her bed. Almost instantly, she fell asleep.
Maggie found herself somehow walking through the woods. She was looking for something, she didn't know what. Looking up, from her feet to eye level, she saw she was standing in front of a small cabin. Her feet were muddy, and her nightgown torn from branches. She walked up to the house, and, without knocking on the door, entered. She looked around. She had never been here before. Maggie heard a woman scream. She looked down a hallway and at the end, there was a door that was cracked open, and a small amount of light was flooding into the hallway. Maggie walked down the hall until she reached the door. Afraid to go in, she peeked in the crack of the door. She saw a man beating up a woman. He turned the woman around and Maggie recognized her as Andrea Brown. The man threw her around like a rag doll. He threw her into a desk. She hit it, and fell to the floor, crying. He told her to get up and stop crying. When Andrea didn't, he went over to her, picked her up, punched her, and then threw her across the room. She stumbled backwards and her head hit a table. She fell limply to the ground. The man went over and bent down over her, checking her pulse. There must not have been one because he stood up, her locket in hand, and turned around. Maggie didn't get a good view of him because things were moving so fast, but, when he turned around, she saw that it was John Crosic.
Maggie woke up in her bed, screaming. She looked around. Was it a dream, or some kind of premonition? Had John really killed Andrea? Maggie knew that she had to get these thoughts out of her mind or she was going to go insane from thinking about it.
Chapter 4
At Collinwood, the clock in the foyer chimed 5 a.m., and David was still pacing the drawing room. He hadn't been to bed all night. Thinking various thoughts about his business, and about what to do about the money problems. He had looked over the papers John had left with him about 100 times since Carolyn left, and he was still undecided. Carolyn's idea about a consulting company was one of the best he had heard.
David sat down on the couch, and, finishing the last sip of his water—he had changed from liquor to water halfway through the night—leaned back on the couch, his eyes getting heavy. As soon as he closed his eyes, someone entered the room. "Have you been up all night darling?" David's wife said, entering the drawing room. "Yes, I have." "What for? Is something wrong?" "The same thing as yesterday, Angelique. Money problems," David said, his eyes still closed. "You shouldn't worry about it so much. You will worry your life away," Angelique said, going over to the bar and pouring herself a small glass of water. "That's what I told him last night. But did he listen to me? Noooo..." Carolyn said, entering the room. "Look, I don't need you two to advise me. I am capable of making decisions. I just like to think things through before I do them," David said, opening his eyes and leaning forward. "We are not trying to advise you on anything, darling. We just don't want you to fret over this problem to much. It's not good for you. Look at what it did to you father. He is only 68 years old, and he looks near 90. Do you want that to happen to you?" Angelique said, going over and sitting by David, taking his hand in hers. "My father had other things to stress him out," David said, look at Angelique and then at Carolyn. "Such as?" Carolyn asked him. "My mother, his second wife Cassandra, and all the weird things that happened here when I was a child," David said, getting up and going over to the fire. Angelique looked worried. "Yes, those did contribute, David, but most times your father was away on business," Angelique said, eager to change the subject from things that happened in the past. "Now David, I plead with you to drop this whole money issue. Just let someone else at the office deal with it. Don't let it consume your life. Go upstairs and lay down. You need some rest." "Yes, you're both right. I will go upstairs and lay down now," David said, setting his drink down and exiting the room. Angelique remained seated on the couch while Carolyn shut the drawing room doors and then took a seat in a chair. "You had better hope he never remembers that it was you who caused much of the things to happen when he was a child, Angelique," Carolyn said bitterly. "Carolyn, I haven't the faintest idea of what you're talking about," Angelique replied coolly. "Yes you do. You know I know that it was you who cause all those things to happen all those years ago. Why don't you acknowledge that?" Carolyn said. "You're right, I know you know it was me. I also know that you won't tell David about it. You want him to be happy, and you know he is now. You wouldn't mess that up for him," Angelique said confidently. "Do you believe that, Angelique? That I wouldn't mess his happiness up? I can tell you that you are wrong. If you do something that makes him unhappy, or that hurts any of us in anyway, I will tell him. You can believe that," Carolyn said. She got up and exited the drawing room. "Well, dear Carolyn, you will not tell David. You and I both know that. And, if you do, I will have to kill you," Angelique said quietly to herself.
Maggie was in the kitchen at her cottage, making herself coffee. She had been unable to go back to sleep once she woke up from the horrible dream she had had. Walking across the kitchen and sitting down at the table, Maggie wondered if she would see John Crosic when she went to work today. She hoped he wouldn't come by, but somehow she knew he would, despite her hoping. Maggie went back into her bedroom to prepare herself for work. When she arrived, Debby was already cleaning behind the counter. After putting her things in her office, she joined Debby. "So? How did it go?" Debby asked, wiping out the sink. "How did what go?" Maggie asked, starting to take chairs down. "Your date with John," Debby said, eager to find out the details. "Oh, it went okay. Nothing special," Maggie said, not wanting to tell Debby about what had happened last night. "What did you do? Where did you go?" Debby asked, unsatisfied with her bosses answers. "We went to that new Italian place down the street, and afterwards we went back to his place for some coffee," Maggie said, continuing to put chairs on the floor. "And?" "And what? Nothing happened. I didn't stay there long. I drank a bit of my coffee and then I went home." "I hope you weren't rude to him. He's a nice guy." "Why should I be rude? How do you know he's a nice guy? You didn't go on a date with him did you?" "Oh! So something did happen! Tell me, what is it?" Maggie stopped what she was doing and looked at Debby, trying quickly to decide whether or not to tell her. Maggie went over and stood behind the counter with Debby. "Debby," Maggie whispered, "I found the necklace that belonged to Andrea Brown, the girl who was murdered two nights ago. I found it at his house. He said he found it when he got out of his cab when he first arrived in town, but I don't believe him." "What? Why don't you believe him? It could be true." "Because, that girl was killed in her home, not out on the street. And, when I got home, he was there. I mean, he wasn't waiting for me but he came a few minutes after I pulled up in my driveway. He came to return an earring I dropped." "Maggie, he was just being considerate. Why are you always so suspicious of everyone?" "No, I don't think he was being considerate. I think he just wanted to find out where I live." "So? What's wrong with that?" "Maybe I didn't want him to know where I live, Debby. What if he's a stalker?" "I highly doubt that Maggie. I swear, your mind wanders into some seriously psycho thoughts sometimes. Not everyone is out to get you." "I know that. Oh my god! Look, he's here. I've got to hide." Maggie dropped to the floor, hoping John Crosic hadn't seen her yet. She pretended to be picking something up when he came in. "Hello, is Maggie here?" he asked, walking up to the counter. "Um, I think she might be, ow," Debby started, but Maggie hit her in the leg. "Let me check the schedule," Debby said, pulling a piece of paper out of a drawer and pretending it was the schedule when in fact is was an order form. "No, she isn't on today. Sorry." Debby said. "Well, okay then, just tell her I am interested in going on another date with her sometime. Thank you." Crosic left. Maggie rises to her feet again. "Thanks for not telling him I am here." "You know Maggie, one of these days you are going to have to let go of Joe and find someone else. You may be letting the next love of your life walk out of your life." "I am willing to take that chance, especially if he is a murderer." Maggie watched Crosic's car pull away from the Inn, and then left from behind the counter.