Dane

Chapter 9

"Alright," said Dane putting down his fork, and looking at Julia intently. "Something's bothering you, and I want to know what it is."

"Hmm?" said Julia distractedly, stirring her fork aimlessly around her plate.

"That's exactly what I mean," said Dane, frowning. "You've been brooding over something since you saw Barnabas. Now what is it? Your research again?"

Julia sighed, and with an effort brought herself to the present. "I'm sorry Dane," she said. She seemed to be apologising for a lot of things lately. "I guess I'm not the perfect dinner companion tonight."

"No, your not," he said with that famous smile of his, hoping to dispel the sense of gloom that surrounded her. "But I can live with it, for tonight."

This time she did smile. They had been at the Bangor Pine Hotel for almost an hour, and so far, Dane had done most of the talking. But he had known from the moment she'd returned from Barnabas' house, that he didn't have all her attention. All during the drive, she had been deep in thought, and had hardly said more than four words.

He wondered what it was about Barnabas Collins, that could hold her attention for hours, and he had the feeling that he didn't want to know. But his suspicion was rapidly become a certainty. And the more certain he became, the more his dislike of him grew.

"So, do you want to tell me, or is it only for the ears of Barnabas Collins?" he asked, his irritation, beginning to show in his voice.

"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked, defensively. His tone hadn't gone unnoticed, and she resented it.

"At last, a reaction," said Dane, gleefully. "What's so fascinating about this research of yours? Barnabas Collins doesn't come across as a medical researcher to me."

"He's not," said Julia, truthfully, taking a bite of her steak.

"Interesting," replied Dane, raising an eyebrow. "Then what does he do? Now, that I come to think of it," he said thoughtfully, "I haven't seen him during the day."

At once, Julia was on her guard. The last thing she wanted was for Dane to get curious about Barnabas' activities during the day. "He's a historian, and he spends his days, fact finding out of town," she explained, hoping that it would be enough.

"Now that I can understand, but," he frowned into his wineglass, as he took a sip. "How did you get involved with all of this? Last time I checked, historical research didn't fall into a doctor's qualifications."

"They don't."

"So? How did you end up in a backwater like Collinsport, and living in that mausoleum of a house?"

"Collinsport is hardly a backwater," Julia snapped suddenly.

"You've lived there for too long, you're beginning to sound like a local," was Dane's opinion. After some thought he added, "Make that yokel."

"You haven't changed," sighed Julia, a ghost of a smile touching her lips. "You still compare everything to home."

"That's me," agreed Dane, jovially. "So, why did you leave the doctor's life behind, after all the hard work?"

"I haven't. I may spend most of my time in Collinsport, but I'm still very much a doctor. I divide my time between the Collinsport General and Wyndcliffe. When I first came to Collinsport, it was as a sabbatical, that's how I got involved with helping Barnabas with his research." It was partly true, she reasoned. The least Dane knew about Barnabas the better it would be.

Dane turned his attention back to his plate. Something told him she hadn't quite told him the truth. But he decided to let it go, for now. He was more certain than ever that his suspicion regarding Barnabas was the right one.

And if he were right, Barnabas would have a fight on his hands. He glanced at Julia, a moment determined to rescue her form her own short sighted-ness. She deserved better, and he was going to prove it to her, somehow.

/

"Well?" demanded Barnabas, when Willie returned.

"They went to Bangor, Barnabas," said Willie, his hands stuffed in his jacket pockets. "I couldn't hear what they talked about, or anything, because I wasn't allowed in. I don't think you have anything about; they're just friends."

"I'll be the judge of that!" insisted Barnabas. "There has to be some reason why he's here."

Willie looked at Barnabas knowingly. "This won't have anything to do with that small box, would it?" he asked with a grin. "You think she might leave with this Dane fella, don't ya? You're worried that you're gonna lose her."

"Don't be ridiculous!" Barnabas insisted, drawing himself up, proudly.

"Sure Barnabas," said Willie, in that knowing tone.

"Willie!" said Barnabas furiously, and then stopped as a familiar step came to his hearing. "It's Julia. Say nothing to her, do you understand?" he ordered.

"Yeah, I know," Willie nodded.

"I want you to follow them tomorrow. Make sure they don't notice you."

"Alright, but this isn't gonna work Barnabas," said Willie, unzipping his jacket. "She's gonna notice something's wrong, and then you're gonna have to tell her." He turned to leave and then looked at Barnabas. "Before it really is too late."