Chapter 3

The drawing room of the old house was growing more crowded with those that kept gathering in front of the fireplace. Roger paced to the liquor cabinet and poured him self round three of his niece's fine brandy selection. He glanced out the front bay window and watched the sun setting in the west. "I have more men coming to search the woods, this spring snow is making things difficult to try and track where she might have been taken. "

Marvin Stiles, a deputy from the Sheriff's Department stood hat in hand watching the faces of those around him. He studied Roger's aloof expression as he sipped his expensive brandy. Roger turned to Carolyn, "Well Kitten what do you think?"

Carolyn stood arms folded her backside being warmed holding her position in front of the fireplace; she had worried herself from sitting on the edge of the fireside chair to standing and looking into the fireplace. "I think we have to do whatever it takes to find Vicki. It's going to snow again tonight and the temperature is suppose to be below freezing."

Mrs. Johnson sat in one of the fireside chairs doing her own fretting. "I have a bad feeling about this. She has been missing for over a week and mark my word, if you find her it won't be this side of a grave."

Carolyn turned, glaring at Mrs. Johnson. "Sarah Johnson, don't you dare say she is dead."

Sarah looked apologetically and mumbled, "Sorry, but that is how I feel."

Marvin sighed, "Truth be told Miss Stoddard, she may be right. If she has not sought shelter from the snow and wind and with sub zero wind chill she would have died from exposure in about thirty minutes."

Roger frowned taking a hurried sip from his drink he turned his back on the deputy. "I don't wish to be realistic, I want my niece found. Her mother and father are due back tomorrow."

Marvin turned at the arrival of Willie and the Hudson's as they crowded into the room.

"Look Deputy Stiles, if we offer the old house as a base, we can keep the searchers supplied with warm food and drink and a spell from the weather if they keep searching."

Mrs. Hudson had been the voice of reason making the offer. "With Mr. Collins missing and now his wife missing, I assure you this will have the Sheriff and Mrs. Patterson upset."

Marvin did not want to face the sheriff with this information. He was not about to tell him the daughter he just found was gone. Before he could respond he was rescued by a knock on the door.

Maggie and Joe entered the old house foyer when Willie opened the door. "Hello Willie, is Deputy Stiles here?" Joe smiled asking for Marvin.

Willie returned his smile and nodded. Leading them to the drawing room Marvin turned to Maggie and Joe's arrival. "Ahh, Marvin, I have a few cannery workers coming up here to help search for Vicki."

Joe stepped forward offering to shake hands with the deputy. Marvin switched his hat to his left hand and pumped Joe's arm. "Thank you Joe, that will be helpful. How many men do we have?"

Joe glanced over to Roger and then to Carolyn and he proudly announced, "We have fifty volunteers from second shift and ten from third, when first shift is over, some are gong home to change and get a quick bite to eat then they will take over for the second shift workers."

Roger sat his glass down and moved to Joe, "Joe thank you for your help. You can tell the cannery workers that help with the search that I will pay them for their time so to keep track of it."

Carolyn wanting to feel useful moved to Joe and Maggie. "I will get special time cards for them to fill out. Also please tell them how much we appreciate their help."

Joe looked down embarrassed "Truth be told I don't know if they will take the money, they just wanted to pay back the Collins family for all they have done for them and the town."

Carolyn felt tears prick her eyes. "That is so kind and wonderful of them. However, I insist we pay them for their time."

Lucius Cane had been tracking the woods from Eagle Hill, he had found under a light cover of snow two sets of footprints. One was incredibly large and the other more delicate and smaller. Moving through the woods towards Collinwood he paused and looked at the west wing approach. It was subtle but it was there a hint of smoke and burning coal.

Moving cautiously towards the lower level of the west wing he paused and listened. His hearing was excellent and he could hear a deep voice speaking with a softer feminine voice. "Adam, you need to practice these letters and pay careful attention to how they are formed. Once you have finished your letters we shall move to your newest book."

The lower male voice sounded childish as he begged to be allowed to read. "But Vicki, I want to read now. I can do letters later when you are napping. Look I did all my arithmetic."

Lucius moved closer to the room and peered through a slit in the curtain. He immediately recognized Vicki but was not sure who was with her. He obviously did not pose a threat to his companion and seemed addle pated than a threat. Clearing his throat he called, "Mrs. Collins!"

Vicki froze as did Adam and they looked to the window and then to each other. "Mrs. Collins its Lucius Cane, people are looking for you, we have half the cannery out along with the police."

Vicki put her finger to her lips for Adam to be quiet and moved cautiously to the window and opened it. "Lucius Cane?" He smiled brightly and nodded, "Yes, ma'am you got a lot of people worried about you. Don't think many have slept much since you disappeared."

Vicki could feel the blast of cold through the window and frowned. "Mr. Cane, please meet me at the ballroom doors, you look cold and we don't want to loose the warmth of the room."

She turned to Adam, "You stay here and work on your letters. We will discuss your book when I return."

Adam stood towering over her. "I want to come with you, what if he tries to hurt you?" Vicki sighed, "Adam he is an employee that works for my family he is here to help, let me go talk to him first and then we will see if its safe for both of us to go home to my house."

Adam frowned, "I don't like you going alone."

Vicki knew she was not going to win this argument so relented, "Ok, but stay back while I talk to Mr. Cane." Vicki with Adam trailing behind moved to the ballroom doors. She watched the man standing patiently waiting for her to open the door. Vicki moved to the door and opened it for him to enter. "Mr. Cane, please do come in out of the wind and cold." He stepped past her then paused seeing the giant man hiding in the shadows.

"Mrs. Collins, you have a lot of people worried about you. They have search parties scouring the grounds looking for you and most think you might be dead."

Vicki face furrowed with her concern. "Is my father one of those people?" Lucius shook his head. "Your Father and Mother are due home tomorrow, no one wants to tell them you are missin."

She turned to Adam then to Lucius. 'Let me get something warm to wear and we will go to the old house?" She was not sure where the base was for their search.

"Yup, they are all usin your house as a place to report or get warm from searchin'"

Vicki felt guilty because so many people were facing such harsh conditions to search for her. "Mr. Cain would you mind waiting while Adam," She turned to her companion and waved him over, "Adam come here. Mr. Cane, this is my friend Adam."

Adam had a look of distrust studying Mr. Cane. Lucius had never seen a man with so many scars on his face as this man had. Trying not to be impolite; Lucius offered the man his hand in friendship. Vicki looked to Adam, "Adam come and shake the man's hand."

Lucius found the man odd and child like he shyly moved forward and took his hand and shook. He felt proud of this accomplishment because he and Vicki had practiced polite manners. "I am pleased to meet you Mr. Cane."

Lucius was reminded of a child being taught his manners and from the proud look on Vicki's face the man had done it properly. "Adam, would you please go to the room and bring me one of the blankets, I am going to take you to my home."

Adam furrowed his wide brow and cocked his head which was an indication he did not trust or understand her decision. "Will we be safe from Dr. Lang?" Vicki nodded, "Mr. Cane is not going to let anything bad happen to us, will you Mr. Cane?"

He shook his head. "No ma'am I just want to make sure you are safe." He wanted to ask why they were afraid of Dr. Lang but let his curiosity slide.

Carolyn sat pensively in the drawing room. Daphne had called to say they had found Barnabas, Quentin and Professor Stokes and they would be arriving home tomorrow. She did not tell them about Vicki and when Barnabas asked to speak with her, Carolyn had made an excuse that she was at a doctor's appointment but she would tell her as soon as she came in.

She could hear the disappointment in his voice. To reassure him, she told him that Vicki had sat by the phone day and night waiting on word from the authorities that he had been found. Carolyn kept trying to sugar coat the absence of Vicki she sounded as though she were babbling.

Realizing she was doing over kill to sell her story she shut it down, told him to hurry home he was missed and hung up. Sighing she leaned against the table and looked at Maggie. "Too much?" Maggie nodded. "He is going to know something is wrong."

Carolyn collapsed in the chair. Hearing the door open, she looked up anxiously and seeing Vicki wrapped in a blanket looking wet and exhausted she stood and rushed to her sister. "Vicki!"

Both women hugged each other tightly leaving no doubt the sisters really loved one another. Adam hung back watching the tiny blond hug his Vicki, "Oh Vicki, where have you been! We have been searching everywhere for you!"

Adam watched the woman that held his Vicki's attention. Carolyn looked over Vicki's shoulder and saw the tall man. He shyly stayed in the background appearing anxious. Carolyn asked Vicki, "Um sis? Who is that?"

She pointed to Adam. Vicki turned to Adam and motioned him forward. "Adam, come and meet my sister and best friend."

Maggie and Carolyn waited curious about the man with scars on his face acting like an awkward schoolboy while he fidgeted in the hallway. "Come on Adam its not polite to keep people waiting."

Adam stepped forward looking at Carolyn, he had never seen anyone with hair as blond as her hair and as tiny as she. The other lady had reddish hair that Vicki had told him was called auburn. Moving forward to stand next to Vicki; Adam spoke in a deep soft voice. "Hello, pleased to meet you." Vicki preened like a proud mother.

Carolyn looked from Adam to Vicki and then to Maggie. "I am pleased to meet you too Adam, my name is Maggie." She held out her slender hand and he gently took it in his hand.

He then turned to Carolyn, "Hi, I am Carolyn, Vicki's sister, nice to meet you Adam." He liked the way she sounded when she talked and he now had a chance to see that Maggie and Carolyn also had bumps on the front of their chest like Vicki only they did not have a baby in their belly.

"They are like you Vicki only not like you." Vicki flushed as she realized he was talking about the differences of male verses female and particularly that women had breasts.

"I know they are not married and pregnant like I am." Carolyn was frustrated she wanted desperately to find out where she had been and where she met Adam. Mrs. Hudson upon hearing voices; moved into the drawing room and was delighted to see Vicki was home.

Vicki hugged her and introduced her to Adam. "Mrs. Hudson, would you fix a room for Adam next to David's room. I am sure he is hungry so would you please have cook fix him something to eat?"

Mrs. Hudson nodded giving him an encouraging smile, she tried to lead him away from Vicki. Adam hesitated looking like a lost child. "Go on with Mrs. Hudson. I will be up in a little bit to see you. You are safe here and I am safe we don't have to worry about Dr. Lang any more."

Adam like a reluctant child moved with shoulders slumped and head hung low. "Where ever did you find him?" Carolyn asked not trying to sound mean with her inquiry.

Vicki just wanted a hot bath and a change of clothing. She knew she had a lot of explaining to do and it would be a while before she would be able to do either of those tasks. "First of all, I need to call the police. We have been hiding since we both escaped from Dr. Lang's basement. Where he had kept us hostage."

Carolyn and Maggie were shocked. "The police need to pick him up."

Vicki moved to the phone on the hallway table when Carolyn put her hand on Vicki's shoulder, "Vicki Dr. Lang's clinic burned and they think he died in the fire. They recovered three bodies."

Vicki felt sicken. "Carolyn, I was not kept at his clinic. Adam and I were kept in the basement of his house. They need to go over there. If anyone was in that clinic I am pretty sure it was not Lang. He, he . . . " she could not bring herself to say he was a vampire and had been feeding from her.

Vicki picked up the phone and dialed the operator. "Yes, could I have the police department."

She waited and when Chris answered, "Sheriff's Department."

Vicki smiled, "Chris? It's Vicki Collins. I am home and I need to report a crime."

Chris' voice upon hearing Vicki's voice went up an octave with his excitement. "Mary! Contact the guys Victoria Collins is back home. Send Marvin out to take a report from her."

He then directed his attention back to Vicki, "Vicki! You have the whole town in an uproar. They have been searching for you in shifts. Boy is everyone going to be happy to know you are safe at home!"

Vicki tried to keep from chuckling. To do so was impossible with the exuberance Chris was showing over the phone. "Thank you for caring. Chris you might want someone to go pick up Dr. Eric Lang. He is the one that kidnapped me. He held another man named Adam and myself hostage in his basement."

There was a long pause as Chris digested this information. "Dr. Lang?"

Vicki sighed, "Yes, he had Peter Bradford kidnapped me from my bedroom and hold me hostage."

Chris did not know what to think upon hearing this. "Vicki can you hold on just a moment?"

Vicki was tired and she wanted a bath. "Chris, I am going to put Carolyn on the phone. I really want to clean up before the officer gets here."

Chris stopped her from handing off the phone. "Vicki you were not um, he didn't um, well molest you?"

Vicki knew he wanted to ask if she had been raped, sighing softly she answered Chris and he could tell by the sound of her voice she was exhausted. "No, he did not. Here Chris." She handed the phone to Carolyn, "I am going to get a shower and change. I have been wearing these clothes for a week."

Vicki turned to Maggie, "I hope you are staying for dinner?"

Maggie hugged Vicki and whispered, "Of course I am."

Vicki smiled, "Good because I have a favor to ask. Only after I have had a bath."

Carolyn finished her call and hung up watching her sister as she moved up the stairs.

Maggie moved to stand next to Carolyn glancing at Vicki's disappearing figure Maggie turned to Carolyn. "What do you think of that story about Lang?"

Carolyn shrugged her shoulders lightly, "I always thought he was a bit creepy. It was his eyes; they always seemed to look past you like you weren't there. Daphne said he was responsible for setting the guys adrift at sea. I wonder why?"

Maggie moved back into the drawing room. Sitting before the fire she wanted to push the cold chill she felt at the thought of her friend being held in a basement. "We have to wait for Vicki to come back down to hear the rest of her story."

Carolyn leaned against the support pillar that separated the entryway and drawing room. "I wonder why he held Vicki and that strange man. Vicki seems very attached to him."

From the upstairs landing Adam hid in the shadows listening to the pretty blond lady talk to the pretty auburn haired lady. He really liked how the pretty blond lady laughed and sounded as she talked. Watching her move out of sight he turned and went back to the room the nice lady had said was his. He moved to the bed and lay down.

He looked around his room and thought it was a lot nicer than the one they had used to hide from the bad Dr. Lang. He felt lonely, which he wondered if that was because Vicki felt lonely. Looking around he paced the room then decided that he would do as the lady Mrs. Hudson had suggested he should do. Moving down the hallway he headed to a bathroom. He was going to take a bath and change into the clothing he had been given.

Vicki sat behind her husband's desk and looked at Marvin, "I was awaken by a noise, that is when Jeff Clark entered my room. He said he had climbed the trellis outside of Josette's room and broke in through one of the bay widows. He said he was under orders from Dr. Lang to bring me to his house. I don't remember much after Clark put a vile smelling cloth over my face. That is until I awoke in some kind of lab. I was strapped to a table and Adam was strapped to the other table. Lang was possessed to use both of us in one of his experiments. I remember there was a great deal of pain and Adam told me he felt a lot of pain as well."

Marvin looked over at the large man. "Do you know when he took you?"

Adam shook his head. "I don't remember anything until I awoke next to Vicki in some kind of room."

Vicki glanced over from Adam back to Marvin. "After we escaped we later discovered that it was the basement of his house."

Adam nodded, "Yes, and we had to go up some stairs and run from them chasing us. We had to hide."

Marvin looked at Vicki, "Why didn't you come to us? You know we would have protected you."

Vicki looked down at her hands folded before her on the desk. "Marvin, what I am about to tell you is going to sound insane, but I assure you neither Adam or I would be considered crazy. We both have our faculties and understand the differences between right and wrong. Therefore, what I am about to say will make me sound crazy."

From her serious tone she had started to make him uncomfortable. "Dr. Lang is not human. He is a creature of the night that thrives on human blood. Dare I say I think he is a vampire."

Marvin had expected something serious but when she said Lang was a vampire he could not help himself and he laughed, "That is nuts." Vicki was not amused as she leaned back in the chair fixed her gaze on Marvin and waved Adam to reseat himself when he stood.

Vicki took a deep breath and nodded, "Yes, it sounds crazy, but I assure you it's the truth. He attempted to attack me and I believe he was attacking me while I was in Martinique."

Marvin was not about to write down this observation; he would be laughed out of the squad room. "You don't have to believe me."

She shook her head at Adam that wanted to shake the deputy. "Carolyn told me that you all believe that Lang perished in his clinic fire. I am sure if you do a proper investigation, you will find some other poor victims of Lang perished in that fire so that he and the Clarks could escape. When my husband gets home tomorrow, you will hear their version of how Lang attacked them and set them adrift on the open seas. I can assure you Doctor Lang has a great deal to account for with his recent actions."

Marvin sobered his manner then looked at the scowl on Adam's face. "Do you wish to press charges against Lang?"

Adam looked to Vicki for direction. "We both want to press charges because as long as he at large he is a menace to this community."

Marvin stood putting his hat on, folding up his notebook he looked thoughtful. "Would you both be able to come by the station tomorrow so we can get a statement?"

Vicki stood and as she stood Adam stood. "After my husband gets home, we both will be happy to come to the station. You do know my parents are due home tomorrow?"

Marvin smiled sheepishly, "Then perhaps you should wait until Monday."

Vicki nodded, "I will be happy to do so. Thank you for all your efforts Marvin we appreciate you." She led him out to the foyer where the other family members had gathered.

David immediately ran to wrap his arms around Vicki's waist. "Vicki, I missed you so much!"

Vicki chuckled, "David, I missed you too. I want you to meet a friend of mine, David this is Adam, Adam this is David, my cousin."

The boy looked curiously at the large man with a scared face and he nodded to him.

"Hi."

Adam held out his hand, "Hello David, I am Adam." David did not want to let go of Vicki but did to shake Adams hand and both sized each other up as potential rivals for Vicki's attention.

Roger moved to Vicki and hugged her tightly. "I am so pleased you are safe and where you belong." while he hugged her he studied the large man that had been a part of his niece's life while she was hiding.

Vicki smiled as she got a loving hug from her Uncle. "Thank you Uncle Roger it's good to be home. Uncle Roger may I present Adam, Adam this is my Uncle Roger."

Roger offered him a hand but avoided looking at him for fear he would show his revulsion from the scars that was a focal point on Adams face. "A pleasure to meet you too Mr. Collins."

Vicki looked around, "I think Mrs. Cook said supper was about to be served. Marvin will you join us? I think cook made a wonderful Yankee pot roast." Marvin not wanting to pass up a good home cooked meal readily accepted the offer.

When the family moved to the dining room two dark figures hugged the shadows of the upstairs landing. "I wonder when he will make his move?"

The voice was a hiss more than a formulation of words. "I am not sure, we just need to be ready once he does. We can take Adam and him at the same time."

The voice that responded was a female voice that was naturally soft as it spoke. "Then we wait, I happen to know an excellent place to hide while we wait."

The male voice held its hissing quality. The female chuckled, "I know that secret passage well, no we will use our stealth mode and continue to move around them and keep them unaware. We know there will be a dark power incursion, we just need to make sure that it does not affect my mother or Adam, he is going to be very important to our future."

Josette slipped back as the male counterpart shifted back to his wolf form, wagging his tail he nudged her palm with his nose they slipped into the all encompassing shadows.