Behind her Carolyn gasped as the person straightened up, startled. A tire jack was in his hand, and he immediately took off running, only to plow right into a security cart.

At once David ran to the car, then Rick and A.J. joined him, seeing the lug nuts were loosened on the back tire.

"Damn, if we hadn't seen him doing it..." Rick didn't finish the thought, as the disheveled vandal was marched toward them by a security guard.

"Sorry, Mister. Did he do any damage?" the uniformed man asked. Rick looked around and under the car, then shook his head.

"No, we got here in the nick of time, I guess. We'll have to put the lug nuts back on the rear tire though."

At the sound of Rick's voice, the vandal stiffened, then pleaded unconvincingly "Let me go, I didn't do any real harm..."

"No way, jerk." Rick answered, looking at the guard. "I want to press charges; this bum could have caused us to crash."

"Yes, sir, if you'll follow me, you can fill out a form at the security office."

"Go ahead, Rick. I'll put the lugs back on while you do that." A.J. told his brother, then had the kids stand with Linda and Laurie while he and David repaired the damage.

When he returned, Rick saw that everyone was ready to go, so he pulled Barnabas aside.

"Something's definitely on ...this Wendell Hughes won't tell who hired him, he's terrified he'll be killed. We'll have to be extra careful where we park and who's around."

The older man nodded. "You're right-we need to find out who is behind all this. Keep Laurie close by you...just in case."

Just then Melly jostled Robin, who poked Ceci and Linda had to restore order. "Any more of this, and you won't get any dessert at dinner. All of you."

"I think we'd better go, the natives are restless." Rick joked, and immediately David laughed.

"I really have missed you, Rick...thanks for coming."

"I'm glad we did." Rick assured him, then climbed in next to Carolyn to ride shotgun as David went to his own car and helped Laurie in.

On the ride to Collinwood, Laurie waited until traffic was lighter, then asked, "David, your cousin Barnabas says these notes started two weeks ago. Did anything or anyone threaten you in the last month, or did someone get fired or laid off?"

"No, except Matt Moore, Jr.. He took advantage of Mrs. Johnson's sister once too often, so Carolyn and I fired him. He busted a window on his way out, but still..this is a bit above his abilities."

Laurie laughed, her memories of "Junior" still fresh. "He was always a little bit of a wild guy-made his father look respectable."

As they pulled into the long drive at Collinwood, Laurie felt a familiar sensation, then saw the smile on her cousin's face.

"I know, Laurie, it's always going to be your home."

"Thank you, David. It never fails, I'm just glad the place doesn't change that much." She said."

Stopping at the front of the main house, Rick unloaded his nieces and nephews and turned the station wagon over to David to park. "Rick, make sure you check the mail before Carolyn, will you?" he asked, sliding into the driver's side. "Just in case."

"Sure, David. Although I think your cousin might have beat me to it." Rick told him, nodding toward the older Collins, who was holding something in his hand and frowning.

"Darn...I hope that it's not another note." David sighed, then drove off to the garage.

As he walked down the path to the front door, he saw Laurie waiting at the entry for him, and he quickened his pace.

"Darlin', what is it?"

"Rick, I'm afraid there was another note, Barnabas asked Carolyn to take everyone upstairs." She explained, a worried look on her face.

"Can you go get A.J., Laurie? I'll go find Barnabas."

She nodded, then wrapped her arms around him and whispered, "Thank you for bringing us, darling. I know you and A.J. will get to the bottom of it."

Rick grinned and gave her a kiss, then released her to go upstairs as he went to the study.

Inside he found Barnabas gingerly examining an envelope, which displayed a very smudged postmark and no return address.

"Where was it?"

He looked up, then handed the sealed envelope to Rick.

"Just inside the mailbox, but it looked like it was placed, rather then delivered." Barnabas said.

As he watched, Rick carefully opened the letter along the seams, then shook a folded note from inside onto the study desk.

As it landed, a fine powder fell out, and instantly both men backed up, covering their noses.

"What the...". A.J. said from behind Rick as he entered the room, then he began to sway dizzily.

"Get him out of here, Rick!" Barnabas said in a muffled voice, and immediately Rick hustled his brother out of the room.

As they cleared the doorway, Rick steered his brother to a chair in the outer room, then called "Mrs. Johnson!"

Quick footsteps were heard, then the housekeeper hurried into the room. "Mr. Simon, I'm glad to see you...is something wrong?"

"Can you get some water, I'm afraid my brother is dizzy." He replied, seeing with relief that A.J. was breathing easier.

"Certainly." Mrs. Johnson nodded at the younger Simon, then rushed out of the room and returned with a glass of water, which A.J. gratefully downed.

"You okay, little brother?" Rick asked, kicking himself for bringing A.J. into a dangerous situation.

"I'm fine, just a little woozy. What was that stuff?" he asked.

"Sleeping dust...something I haven't seen in years." Barnabas said, holding a plastic bag at arms length.

Both Simons looked puzzled until he explained, "Sleeping dust used to be used as an antique form of anesthesia, it's supposed to be banned because its effects are very powerful even in a small amount. I managed to collect all of it off the letter, and I'll put it in a sealed container at the old house until we can take it to the sheriff."

Rick knew the latest note must be the most serious, otherwise Barnabas wouldn't have suggested exposing the threats. Without asking, Barnabas opened up the note.

"Sell Collins Enterprises to the highest bidder within one week, or all of Collinsport will know the head of the Collins family is a vampire. I have proof and I will use it."

Inside the note was a picture, very phony looking, of Barnabas Collins standing next to a mirror. He had no reflection.