Chapter 26
"It's time sir," William Loomis said to his employer, David and his guests as they stood around Roger Collins' coffin. The drawing room in Collinwood stood very quiet as everyone, including Carolyn, Barnabas, Maeve and Max, reflected on his or her own thoughts. They stood staring at the still body of the man who once ruled the Collins' empire with an iron fist.
"He slapped me across the face once," David reminisced, "and I ran downstairs to this very room into my Aunt Elizabeth's arms. I was so angry in those days because I thought he didn't love me." Those memories brought tears to David's eyes, as Carolyn took his arm for support. "It took me a long time to appreciate him and I don't know if he ever knew it."
"It's ok," Carolyn said, "I think Uncle Roger knew you loved him." David looked down at his cousin and nodded. He heard a cough coming from behind him and turned to see William standing with his chauffeur's hat and coat on ready to go somewhere.
"Yes?" David asked.
"It's time to go, sir," William replied solemnly understanding the need to be patient with the grieving family. "The car is ready and it's time to go to the cemetery." Behind William stood several men who worked at the cannery and knew the family. They walked into the room and lifted the coffin to carry out to the hearse.
The sun had slipped beneath the horizon before they arrived at the Eagle Cemetery. After a short prayer, Roger's coffin lowered into the ground. Barnabas and Maeve stood near a tree watching as others threw sand in the grave. Off to one side behind William and Anita, Barnabas saw a figure standing in the shadows, the face hidden from view. Barnabas felt a sense of familiarity but he dismissed it. Then he made eye contact with his ex-servant's son who was staring at him. Barnabas ignored that too.
As the people started to disperse, Barnabas, Maeve and Max walked back to their car. A hand touched Barnabas' shoulder. Turning around, Barnabas saw William Loomis withdrawing his hand. "Excuse me, sir; I was wondering if I could have a word with you . . . in private." The young man was alone. "It's very important. I have a car and we can take a short ride." Bending closer to Barnabas so only he could hear, William added, "It's about my father." Concerned for Willie, Barnabas looked into the young man's face and wondered what it was about.
"Of course," he said and turned to Maeve and Max excusing himself. Maeve stared at the two men as they walked away. An alarm went off in her head.
Alone in the car with William driving, Barnabas looked out at the countryside. It was very beautiful and he found he was still very much in love with this area. The two men hadn't spoken since they got into the car. After ten minutes, Barnabas asked, "So Mr. Loomis, what did you want to talk to me about? Is there something wrong with your father?"
William scowled at Barnabas but didn't say anything. The car started to speed up so Barnabas asked, "Is it necessary to go so fast, Mr. Loomis?" William still didn't say a word, which convinced Barnabas he was in trouble. 'What did this man want?' he worried. The scenery sped by but Barnabas recognized the area and knew where they were headed. The car stopped on top of Widow's Hill. Then he saw it.
"Get out, Mr. Collins," William demanded, holding a gun pointed at his side. Barnabas stared at his abductor but did as he was told. He walked around the car as instructed and stood only a few feet away from the gun pointing at his heart.
"Now will you tell me what this is all about, Mr. Loomis," Barnabas said angrily.
"Oh yes by the end of this night, you will know what this is all about, MR. Collins." William replied through gritted teeth. "I have been waiting for this moment all my life. I will take my time and watch you squirm."
"I have no idea what you are talking about." Barnabas calculated the distance between him and the boy's arm. He considered if he could overtake William before a round of bullets went off. Although he knew regular bullets could not harm him, he still didn't want the lad to know that or hurt him. He would find out what this was all about after he got control of the situation.
"I know what you are thinking, Mr. Collins, but don't try it. I'm very fast with this gun and it's special too," William assured.
"Oh? How special can a gun be?" Barnabas raised his eyebrows.
"It has six silver bullets aimed at your heart and I can't miss," the confident young man said with an eerie smile.
Barnabas' heart skipped a beat. 'Does Willie's son know about me?' Barnabas tried to relax and compose himself before continuing. "You went to a great deal of expense to kill me, Mr. Loomis. Why?"
William's anger elevated and his blood started to boil. "Enough, Mr. Collins! I know what you are and what you did to my father." The gun shook slightly as his anger elevated. "You destroyed my father's life and now you have destroyed mine." William pulled the hammer back on the pistol.
"Mr. Loomis, William, I assure you I don't know what you are talking about and I did not destroy your father's life." Barnabas had to convince the lad he only met his father recently. "William, I only met your father and mother several months ago," he said. Trying to keep with the story that he was the son of the man who employed Willie Loomis, he made up a white lie. "I looked him up because he worked for my father and I wanted to talk with him. We became very friendly. In fact, I ate dinner with him and your mother in his home just recently. We had a wonderful visit. You could call him and verify it."
"NO, that's not true!" Tears of anger welled up in William's eyes. The thought of this creature spending time with his parents infuriated him. The gun shook furiously until the man regained control of his anger. "You are a liar, my father was you SLAVE. You terrorized him and others around Collinwood."
"WHAT? That's ridiculous. Why would I make your father my slave? How could I do that?" Barnabas felt a touch of anger that Willie would tell anyone about those days. 'No, he couldn't have. I remember, Willie couldn't even tell his wife, Alondra. She didn't know about me until we all held hands and played that 'game' months ago. The boy is testing me, trying to get me to admit what I am.' "Let's go back to Collinwood and call your dad. Talk to him and he'll tell you all about our meeting."
William wasn't as patient as he thought. This was taking too long. "No, you aren't going anywhere but to hell, Mr. Collins. After I kill you, I'll throw your body over this cliff and no one will know what happened. Tomorrow, when the sun rises, your body will incinerate."
"Wait," Barnabas yelled, holding up his hand. "At least tell me why you're killing me. I haven't done anything to you. Please, tell me what this is all about."
William stared for a moment into the eyes of the man he believed caused all his problems. Taking a deep breath William relaxed and slightly lowered the gun. "Ok, you want me to tell you what I know. Personally, I was hoping you'd confess but I see you are a coward!" Barnabas frowned at being called a coward and for a moment thought of biting this annoying man, but admired his tenacity. Still aiming the gun precisely at Barnabas' heart, William began his story. He started with, "I know what you are, Mr. Barnabas Collins. You're a diseased creature and you infected my father."