Episode 3: 'The Enigmatic Dr. Lang' Part 1

Chapter 1

"I just don't know, Sheriff. We've got ourselves some traces of blood, but no corpse or injured victim to account for," a young police officer had dutifully reported to Sheriff Patterson.

"Yes, I can see that Officer Shaw. We have absolutely no leads to speak of," Sheriff Patterson replied concededly. Both officers had been closely examining the suspicious scene inside of the shack in which Dr. Eric Lang had been shot the previous night.

"Hey, Sheriff!" Another officer had summoned him from outside near the docks. Sheriff Patterson exited the run down shack hurriedly.

"Did you find something, Bennett?" The sheriff had asked as he arrived at the scene.

"I just received word that a body has been found and retrieved down at the pier, Sheriff!"

"Alright, Bennett. I wan't you to send for an ambulance to meet me at the pier. Also, get on the radio and let those other officers know that I'm on my way over," the Sheriff retorted as he got into his car and drove away from the docks.

Sheriff Patterson arrived in front of the pier, parking his car and stepping out. As he had walked out about halfway onto the peer, he noticed a small group of people-two officers and a few fishermen-huddling over the corpse.

The Sheriff inquired, "We're any of you able to identify the body?"

One of the officers had nodded with a rather grim profile, "It's Dr. Eric Lang." Sheriff Patterson's countenance was one of surprise as he received the tragic news, "You're absolutely sure that it's him?"

All of the men gave a confirming, gentle nod in reply.

"Okay, we're going to have to get an autopsy done before we speak a word about this to anyone. Is that clear?" The Sheriff asked.

There were a few grumbles and audible sounds of agreement from the gathering that stood before him. An ambulance arrived a few short moments later, dispatching a couple of paramedics. They proceeded to lift up Dr. Lang's ghostly pale, lifeless body; thus zipping it up in a body bag and carrying it away from the pier.

Shortly thereafter, Sheriff Patterson had entered his office at the station. Taking a seat at his desk, he picked up a large book of contacts that were alphabetized by a person's last name. As he was shuffling through the pages, the Sheriff slowed his pace at De. Upon turning a few more pages-he found the name he was looking for, Burke Devlin. Next to the name was a telephone number.

The Sheriff found a piece of scratch paper and made note of the phone number before closing the book and placing it in one of his desk drawers. He proceeded to reach for the telephone placed at the edge of his desk, dialing the number.

After a few seconds, a man picked up on the opposite line, "Hello?"

"Yes, Burke? It's me, Sheriff Patterson."

A brief pause, "Well, if it isn't the almighty Sheriff George Patterson of Collinsport. If you're calling for an update on that missing person's case, you're out of luck."

"No, Burke. I want you to take a temporary hiatus from your search for the elusive Joe Haskell. Dr. Eric Lang, director of Windcliff Institute here in Collinsport, has been murdered, and since you're the best detective in Maine-"

"Alright George, dispense with the pleasantries. I'll take the case. I presume an autopsy is underway?"

A smirk began to form on Sheriff Patterson's face, "Yep. We found Dr. Lang floating near the pier. He received one fatal bullet wound to the chest before he drowned, in a likely attempt to swim to shore."

"Damn. What a way to go. You got any other leads for me, George?"

"Nope, I'm afraid not. You're best bet would be to start at Windcliff, talk to some of the staff and see if they can tell you anything."

"That's just fine, George. I'll be sure to handle this case the same way I always do, without your input," Burke Devlin had hung up rather abruptly.

A bit flustered from their conversation, the Sheriff hung up his telephone.

Around that same time of the day, Victoria Winters had been sitting at her desk, with a countenance of devastation and immense sorrow. She wrote in her journal:

10/19/92

I grieve today, for I have just been informed of the sudden and unexpected death of my friend, Dr. Eric Lang. Even after crying all morning long, I'm still unable to put into words exactly how I feel. He and I partook in one last session of hypnotic regression last night at around eight o'clock. We both said goodnight to one another afterwards, and I never saw him again.

Eric had entered my room at a quarter past ten o'clock that same night. I had fallen asleep reading a book, and he had knocked but I did not here him. Upon my desk, Eric had placed his private journal as well as a note that conveyed to me deep feelings of anguish and ambiguity.

Victoria had begun to reread the note that Dr. Lang had written out loud in the privacy of her own room:

My Dear Victoria,

It is with deep regret and sorrow that I must part ways with you so soon. The journey into recovering your identity has only just begun, and I feel the utmost obligation to inform you of everything that I have uncovered thus far. There is much that I have concealed from the world, and it seems that I must now pay the price for it. Every success, failure, and torment that I have ever experienced is here-in my journal. I know you of all people will understand, Ms. Winters.

The best of luck to you,

~Eric

Chapter 2

Tears of sorrow began to form in Victoria's eyes as she finished reading the Doctor's letter. She tucked the note into Dr. Lang's journal before placing it under the pillows on her bed. There came a sudden knock at Victoria's bedroom door.

"Come in," she said.

A nurse poked their head into the room before opening the door completely, "There's a detective here to talk with you, Ms. Winters."

Victoria nodded, "Tell them to come in."

The nurse stepped aside as Detective Burke Devlin entered the room. His demeanor was of the uttermost serious and stern.

"Ms. Winters, I presume? I need to ask you some questions about your relationship with Dr. Lang."

"By all means," Victoria had gestured towards an available seat.

"Thanks, but I'd rather stand."

He continued, "Did you know Dr. Lang very well?"

Victoria shrugged, "Just as well as the next person I suppose."

Devlin peered deeply into Victoria's beautiful brown eyes for a few moments without blinking, "Are you accustomed to lying to detectives, Ms. Winters?"

The countenance of Victoria's face suddenly became one of agitation and anger, "Excuse me? I happen to be telling you the truth."

"The truth is, Ms. Winters, that harmless doctors aren't ordinarily gunned down in cold blood for no reason. There's more to this case than meets the eye but you aren't cooperating!" Devlin had become quite violent in regards to his hand gestures and body language, trying to intimidate Victoria.

"I don't think I like your tone, detective. I think you should leave immediately!" Victoria's manner had become frightened and intimidated.

"Yeah, I'll go. But I just want you to know that I am no fool, Ms. Winters-and you haven't seen the last of me or this interrogation," Devlin retorted in a cold tone before starting towards the exit and continuing down the hallway. Upon his exit, Victoria had immediately closed her bedroom door and locked it.

That afternoon at the Old House of Collinwood, Barnabas had been eagerly awaiting the return of Doctor Hoffman, whom had ventured to New York to visit her old colleague, Professor T. Eliot Stokes. She was successful in convincing he and his daughter Amy Stokes to come to Collinsport for a vacation.

Little did Professor Stokes himself realize that his visit held ulterior motives. For Barnabas Collins is in desperate need of the Professor's help in vanquishing Angelique's spirit from this earth once and for all.

Willie Loomis approached Barnabas at the end of the staircase, "What time was it that Julia told you she would be here by?" Barnabas had inquired, albeit impatiently.

"Gee, Barn'bas, I don't r'member right off hand. I think she said three uh'clock."

"It's already after three o'clock. I'm almost out of serum, I may need to rest in my coffin tomorrow," Barnabas' tone became saturated in worry.

Suddenly there came a knock at the door and Willie hurriedly moved forwards to answer it.

"Hello, Willie," Julia's voice had broken through the barrier, as the door began to fully open. "Hey, Doc."

Julia Hoffman entered the Old House, bringing with her a profile that exuded cheerfulness.

She glanced over in Barnabas' direction, "Hello, Barnabas. It's good to see you."

"You as well, Julia," he had replied with a countenance that seemed rather grim. He did his best to hide it, faking a smile for Julia.

He continued, "I assume your visit to New York went well."

She nodded with a wide smile, "Indeed."

Julia started towards the drawing room, in an almost liberated fashion. She took a seat on the sofa, waiting for Barnabas and Willie to ensue.

Barnabas payed a bewildered look of confusion to Willie, who shrugged in return. Both men decided to join her in the drawing room.

They both stood, standing before her in anticipation; waiting to hear of what she had to say. "Is everything alright, Julia?" Barnabas asked.

"Everything is fine. Eliot and Amy are staying at Forbes' Inn in town. You did receive my letters?"

Barnabas nodded, "I'm almost out of serum, Julia. Could you possibly make more?"

"I can do better than that, Barnabas. I intend to cure you entirely of your vampiric nature."

Barnabas had felt even more confused than previously, "How, Julia?"

"I don't have all of the preliminary details gathered together as of yet, but where there's a will, there's a way."

Julia's countenance suddenly became a bit more serious, "I'll get started on a final cure immediately."

"In the meantime, I will need to gain Professor Stokes alliance if I am to destroy Angelique," Barnabas retorted.

Barnabas turned to face Willie, "I would like for us to drive into town and invite the Professor and his daughter over for dinner tonight."

Willie nodded, "Yeah, uh course Barn'bas. I'll go get the car ready," He left the drawing room to follow his instructions.

"How has Vickie been?" Julia inquired, changing the subject.

"I don't rightfully know, Julia. We just received news earlier today that her doctor, Eric Lang, was murdered late last night."

Doctor Hoffman's profile was one of absolute surprise, "My god, do they know who did it?"

He shook his head, "Apparently there are no leads."

"Oh how callous I've been, Julia. Victoria is experiencing the most difficult time of her life right now and I have not been there to comfort her," Barnabas gave a slight grimace.

Chapter 3

"You may have to introduce yourself first, you know," she told him, trying to bring lighthearted humor to his somber, stoic-like countenance.

"Why don't you visit her at Windcliff while you're in town today?"

"As usual you're quite right, Doctor. There's absolutely no reason why I should continue to isolate myself from Ms. Winters."

"Before I go, I think I will stop by Collinwood, catch up with Elizabeth. See you soon, Julia."

Doctor Hoffman nodded as Barnabas continued towards the door and exited the foyer.

Sometime after departing the Old House, Barnabas had made his way to the courtyard of Collinwood, and eventually the great house, which to him still felt quite new and unchartered.

He knocked at the door, and shortly afterwards Mrs. Johnson arrived to greet Barnabas inside, "Won't you come in, Mr. Collins."

"Thank you Mrs. Johnson," he replied, entering the house.

"I'll go see if I can track down Mrs. Stoddard," Mrs. Johnson left the foyer.

As Barnabas looked around, his eyes had suddenly become transfixed upon Laura Collins, who had just made her way down the staircase. They both gazed at each other as she made her way across the foyer to stop right in front of him.

"Hello," Laura smiled graciously.

"How do you do, miss-?"

"-Laura Collins," she had finished his sentence. She continued to make a hand-kissing gesture towards him.

Instead of fulfilling her gesture, Barnabas reached out with his right hand to shake hands with Laura, "I am Barnabas Collins."

Upon shaking hands, she displayed no offense, maintaining a countenance of unique beauty and confidence.

"Forgive me, but have we met before?" Barnabas had inquired.

"No, I'm almost certain that I would have remembered if we had," she replied, slightly provocatively.

"You must be David's mother?" He had tried to change the subject.

Laura nodded, "I am."

"Roger has told me so much about you."

"Good things, I hope," she had continued to stare into his eyes unflinchingly.

Elizabeth had entered the foyer rather abruptly, "Barnabas, what an unexpected surprise."

"Good afternoon, Elizabeth," he retorted.

"It's great to see you, Barnabas."

"And you as well. I had received news of Dr. Lang's death and was just on my way into town to visit Victoria. Well, needless to say I wanted to come by Collinwood first, to pay my respects."

"Although I did not know him very well, Dr. Lang's death was quite tragic, indeed. I'm rather worried about Victoria, to be honest. They must have been very close."

"If everything I've heard about Victoria is true, she will be just fine," Laura interjected, before walking away.

"Yes, well, I must be going. Oh before I do, Elizabeth, I would very much like to give Victoria a gift, one that I have already given her along time ago. I believe the exact item is located in her room. May I-?"

"Of course, by all means," Elizabeth had gestured towards the staircase, Barnabas pursuing.

He left the two women downstairs as he approached Ms. Winters room. He opened the door and stepped inside, his eyes immediately gazed upon the specific item in which he was seeking to acquire-Josette's music box.

How magnificently it stood upon the dresser, glowing radiantly as rays from the sun shined through the window to hit it . Barnabas made his way across the room to pick it up. Doing so, a strong sense of sentimentality had spread over him, remembering his love for Josette first, and then Victoria.

Holding the music box gently, he began to think very deeply: If I give her Josette's music box once more, will she remember the minuet, all of her memories about me resurfacing? Should I risk it? No, Barnabas Collins doesn't give up that easily!

He left the room, music box in hand.

TO BE CONTINUED IN PART 2...

AUTHORS NOTE:

Thank you to everyone who has been reading my continuation of the Dark Shadows Revival, I am grateful. Your input is very much appreciated. This was a rather difficult episode for me to write, but I do hope that you have been enjoying the story enough to read the second part which will be out next week. Have a happy and safe Halloween my fellow Dark Shadows fans.