Dark Shadows: Risk of Discovery
Chapter 6
1
Barnabas entered the drawing room. He was surprised to see Professor Stokes sitting with Julia. It explained why she hadn't been there to greet him when he woke from his vampiric slumber. It became a nightly ritual for her to do so. When he walked into the room, the conversation came to a halt. It was a dead giveaway that something was wrong.
"Good evening," Barnabas said. "This is a pleasant surprise. I am happy you have chosen to visit us, Elliott. However, I sense something is wrong. What is it?"
Julia couldn't help but smile. Barnabas didn't miss much. "Dave Woodard asked us to come see him," she explained.
The expression on Barnabas's face darken. He didn't like Woodard. He had a habit of sticking his nose in matters that were none of his business. He dealt with him concerning Maggie Evans. He thought the man was dead. Julia, however deceived him and didn't inject what she was supposed to into him. She did use hypnotism on him later to be sure he didn't remember Barnabas ordered the injection that would end his life. Now it seemed he was about to find out the man was once again meddling in their affairs. He wasn't about to put up with it. If he became a problem, Barnabas would take care of him without Julia's involvement.
Lifting his chin, the vampire's eyes turned black, something they did when he became angry. "So what is the good doctor up to now?"
Julia would have to handle this situation carefully. She was well aware Barnabas didn't like Dave Woodard. She couldn't actually blame him. From his point of view, Dave presented a threat. It had taken plenty of convincing to keep him from going back and killing him when he found out she tricked him into believing she injected a drug that would end Woodward's life. She didn't think she would be able to stop Barnabas again if Dave got too close to finding out about Barnabas's true nature. She was drawn out of her thoughts when she heard Barnabas's voice.
"Well, Julia, is there a problem with Dr Woodard," he demanded.
"Dave found an abnormality in the woman's blood, at least from the sample that he was able to retrieve from her.
"Naturally, there would be venom in her blood from Desandro," Barnabas replied.
The professor pointed out Dave Woodward always believed in the supernatural. Barnabas knew exactly where the conversation was going. "In other words, he suspects she was drained of her blood by a vampire. Furthermore, he suspects me."
"No, Barnabas, that is not true. Although, he does suspect a vampire," she said.
The professor didn't say anything. He was sure Julia was trying to protect Dave Woodard from Barnabas. The fact was, Elliott believed the doctor did suspect Barnabas of being a vampire.
"I would suggest you get your doctor friend under control, Julia, or this time I will take care of him myself."
"I will keep track of his progress," she assured him.
"Did Willie have any luck finding where Desandro is sleeping during the day?" the vampire asked.
Willie Loomis walked into the room. "I certainly did, Barnabas. I told you I would find him," he said with a big grin. "He did what you told him to. His coffin is in the tunnels near Widows' Hill. You should have let me stake him, Barnabas."
"Barnabas wants to make sure he is what he says he is," Julia said. "If he is really here to get help reversing the vampire affliction, we don't want to stake him."
"Come on, Julia, if that were the case, he wouldn't have attacked and killed that woman at the docks."
"We have to be sure," Barnabas said. "Believe me, I understand the bloodlust much better than you do."
"Okay, then, what do we do next?" Willie asked.
"We keep a very close eye on him. If he is here to try to become human again, we will help him, but if he isn't, you will definitely get your chance to stake him," Barnabas told him.
"But we know where he is now. If he is up to no good, he will move his coffin. He won't leave it in the tunnels. I have a bad feeling about this, Barnabas," Willie said. "I think he is here to cause you trouble. Why don't you let me stake him?"
"Willie, you will do as I command." Barnabas gave him a very strict look. Gone were the days when he simply would beat Willie for what he considered questioning his judgment. Barnabas Collins had changed over time. He treated Willie like an employee and friend. He was allowed to speak his mind even if Barnabas didn't agree with him.
"Okay, we'll do it your way. I just want everyone to remember that I'm the one who said he is up to no good."
There was a knock on the door. Willie Loomis left the drawing room. When he arrived at the double doors, he unlocked and opened them. Standing on the other side was Desandro.
"Good evening, Mr Loomis. Is Mr Collins and Dr Hoffman in?"
"Yes they are."
"Excellent! Would you tell them I have come to call, please."
Julia walked into the foyer. "Willie, let our guest in."
Desandro could tell by the look on Loomis's face that he didn't trust him one bit. He would have to keep an eye on him. If it looked like he was going to interfere with his plans, he would have to deal with him.
Julia led Desandro into the drawing room where Barnabas awaited. "Barnabas, Desandro has come to call."
Still weary of his fellow vampire, Barnabas greeted him nevertheless. "Good evening, Desandro. I trust you took my advice and placed your coffin in the tunnels near Widow's Hill?"
Desandro smiled. "Somehow, Mr Collins, I believe you already know the answer to that. I am certain that you had your servant," he looked over at Willie, "checked to make sure I did."
"You can't blame Barnabas," Professor Stokes said. "He has to be sure you are what you represent yourself to be."
Desandro turned his chin up slightly to the right. "I don't believe I have had the pleasure. My name is Desandro."
"This is Professor Elliott Stokes," Barnabas said. "The professor is a friend of mine."
"Interesting. I came to discuss something with you." Desandro looked over at the professor.
Barnabas knew exactly why. "You can speak in front of Elliot. He is aware of my condition."
Looking around the drawing room, Desandro held contempt for Collins. "You certainly have a lot of human friends." He realized immediately that it wasn't a very smart thing to say.
A red flag went up for Barnabas. "I would think you would develop human friends as well since you want to become human again." He studied the vampire with dark eyes of mistrust.
"Oh, I intend to. I have spent years hating what I am. That is why I'm here. When I heard Dr Hoffman was trying to help you become human again, I thought she could help me as well. However, I can see that neither of you trust me. So, before we start the experiment on me, I suggest we get to know one another. Once you've spent some time with me and get to know me, I know you will see that I am sincere. Is that satisfactory with you, Mr Collins?"
Barnabas said nothing for a moment. He knew how much he hated being a vampire. If Desandro was being honest, he could understand exactly how he felt. The problem was, Barnabas wasn't sure he could trust him. Maybe getting to know him would help. He was either what he represented himself to be, or he would slip up eventually and reveal his real character.
"I think that is a very good idea. Why don't we start by exchanging histories. Exactly how did you become a vampire, and who turned you?" Elliott Stokes asked.
"Well, it's a long story, but I am more than willing to share it."
2
Lorenzo hadn't been a vampire for very long. He found the condition exhilarating. To be so much stronger and faster than humans literally made him invulnerable to them. Then there was the ability to disappear and reappear at will. Turning into a bat and being able to fly was something humans can only dream of. Well, he didn't think they dreamed of becoming a bat. However, how many humans out there would like to be able to fly without the aid of an airplane? He bet it was most of them.
When he met Desandro, he became Lorenzo's first vampire friend. Desandro took the time to help him through the fledgling period of a vampire. Still, he had a very hard time resisting the bloodlust. Desandro assured him that was normal. He told him it would take many years to be able to control it.
The truth was, Lorenzo had no desire to control it. The feeling he had when he drained a woman of all of the blood in her body was something even he couldn't describe. He supposed it was the ability to completely dominate a human being, that they were unable to resist him, and watching them die at his hands. He didn't understand why Barnabas Collins wanted to become human again. Being a vampire was far superior to being a human. The biggest advantage of all was being immortal. Lorenzo would never die.
Vampires would see the changes throughout the centuries. Measly humans would die within 80 to 90 years, some of them even before that. Lorenzo didn't ever have to worry about dying. Vampires didn't die! The only drawback he could see was having to sleep during the day, and being vulnerable to anyone who could locate and destroy him.
At Desandro's request, Lorenzo didn't bring his servant with him. Desandro assured him that his servant would watch over him in the same manner he watched over Desandro. He felt uneasy at first, but he had grown to trust his vampire friend.
When asked if he would accompany him to America, Lorenzo was excited about it. He never would have been able to afford it as a human. However, there were many ways a vampire could convince humans to take him along with them to the United States. Furthermore, it excited him to know that he would be able to kill all of his victims. Desandro promised to protect him against the Vampire council, who were in charge of enforcing the Vampire Chronicles. He didn't understand why the council would not allow the vampire race to become dominant on Earth. He agreed completely with Desandro that all vampires should be allowed to kill at will. After all, humans were far inferior to the vampire race. Whatever happened to only the strong survives.
It was time. Desandro told him he was to take his first victim. He made it clear that he was to drain every drop of blood in his victim's body. He was also supposed to allow witnesses to see him from the back. Desandro had provided him with a cloak and a wolf head cane. It was obvious to him that his friend wanted people to think Barnabas Collins was the culprit.
Fortunately for Desandro, Lorenzo was approximately the same height and weight as Collins. From the back, he could easily pass as the Collinsport vampire.
He was going to enjoy this. Draining humans was what vampires were meant to do. Then to blame Collins was even better. Desandro was good to him. He helped him and taught him what he needed to do to survive as a vampire. If Barnabas Collins was Desandro's enemy then he was definitely his enemy as well.
He converted to bat form and flew toward the Blue Whale Tavern and the docks. He would remain in the air until he spotted the woman who would become his victim. There were several of them there. He couldn't believe the manner in which they were dressed. Then it dawned on him why. These women were not ladies, they were prostitutes. Men would walk up to them, speak with them for a few minutes, and then the two of them would leave. It happens several times. Lorenzo waited until there were only two of them left. It was now time to make his move.
He flew down landing behind them, and turned back to human form. Lorenzo moved past the first woman with superhuman speed, making sure she didn't get a good look at his face. Desandro made it clear it was important that a witness could only describe him from behind. Without even speaking to the woman, he grabbed her around her waist with one hand, and with the other, took her by the hair and bent her head to the side to give access to the vein in her neck. Lorenzo's fangs elongated and he bit into the vein. He began to drink the life sustaining blood until it could sustain her no more. As requested by Desandro, he drank until there wasn't a drop of blood left in her lifeless body. He dropped the dead woman to the ground.
The woman who witnessed the murder by the vampire, screamed as she watched the attack. Lorenzo didn't hesitate. He waited until she turned and ran toward the Blue Whale. Smiling down at the dead woman, he converted back into a bat and flew away. Proud that he had accomplished exactly what Desandro asked him to, he headed back to the caves to wait for his friend and inform him of his success.
3
Desandro figured by now that Lorenzo would have killed the first woman. Things were going just as planned. Collins would not be able to blame him for it. Collins himself was his alibi. It was the first step in getting the Collinsport vampire to trust him.
"How soon do you think we can start the experiments? The sooner I can get rid of this deplorable condition, the better."
"As I said, we'll need samples of your blood. I will work on it separately from Barnabas's blood. We will start as soon as you and Barnabas have gotten to know each other. I must warn you," Julia told him, "it is a very slow process. I can't give you a timeline as to when we will be completely successful."
Barnabas did not yet trust Desandro. He killed a woman in his area, and that was against the Vampire Council's orders. Barnabis understood the bloodlust. However, it wasn't any excuse for what Desandro did. He knew the rules. Yet, he did it anyway, and he put Barnabas's existence in jeopardy. "I think we need to take more time getting to know one another," Barnabas interjected. "Once I am convinced that you are what you represent yourself to be, then I will allow Julia to start the experiments on you. Until then, you will have to prove yourself to me."
It was exactly what Desandro was expecting. In fact, that would actually be to his advantage. The more time he spent with Collins, the easier it would be to convince him that he really wanted to rid himself of the vampire curse. It would also cement what Collins would think was a friendship. All the ingredients he needed. His entire plan depended on winning Collins's trust.
The phone rang. Willie went straight to it. Picking up the receiver, he announced, "Barnabas Collins residence."
"Willie, this is Sheriff Patterson. I am trying to locate Dr Hoffman. Is she there?"
"Yes, Sheriff, she is. One moment." Willie turned and addressed Julia. "Dr Hoffman, it is for you. It's Sheriff Patterson."
Julia gave Barnabas a quick glance and walked over to the desk. Taking the receiver from Willie, she spoke into it. "Sheriff, this is Dr Hoffman."
"Dr Hoffman, there has been another murder. It just happened. Another woman was attacked at the docks near the Blue Whale. There is one witness, but she is quite hysterical. It looks very much like the same way in which the other woman was attacked. Can you come down to the docks?"
"Yes, Sheriff. I'll be right there."
"Do not come alone. Ask Mr Collins to escort you. I don't want any women out by themselves at night."
"I'll be there shortly." Julia hung up the phone and turned around.
"What is it, Julia?" Professor Stokes asked.
"There has been another murder at the docks near the Blue Whale."
Barnabas and Elliott stood up at the same time. "When?" Barnabas asked with a glance at Desandro.
"Apparently it just happened," she answered. "The sheriff would like me to go and look at the woman. Barnabas, he doesn't want me to go alone. Would you come with me?"
"Of course, Julia. I don't want you out there alone either. Professor, why don't you join us?"
"Thank you, Barnabas, I think I will do exactly that."
"Mr Collins, it might be better if I didn't go. I am a stranger in the area, and I have no doubt I could be suspected. Since I was here with you, you must know I had nothing to do with it," Desandro said as he stood up and approached Barnabas.
Quite convenient, Barnabas thought. On the other hand, if it was a vampire that attacked the woman, Desandro could not be the one who did it. He was, indeed, with him at the time of the attack if it just happened. "I understand. You are probably right. We will continue our conversation tomorrow night."
Desandro bowed and left the Old House.
"I'll get the truck," Willie said.
"Professor, can you take us over there in your vehicle?" the vampire asked.
"Ah, come on, Barnabas. I can take you," Willie objected.
"That's all right, Willie, since I am going along, we can ride in my vehicle," the professor said.
"But I would like to go."
"No, Willie, you stay here. We'll be back as soon as we can. I will keep you informed," Barnabas told him.
Disappointed, Willie said nothing further. He knew better than to push Barnabas. It would only make him more determined, and he wouldn't change his mind.
Barnabas, Julia, and Elliott Left the Old House in a hurry. As soon as they were all seated in Elliott's car, he turned over the ignition, and headed toward the docks. When they arrived, there was a crowd gathered. They got out of the vehicle and looked for the sheriff. He spotted them first and came over to them.
"It very much looks like the same type of attack, Dr Hoffman. Can you take a look at the victim?"
"Of course, Sheriff. Lead the way." She followed him over to where the dead woman was lying on the ground.
Julia squatted down. The first thing she did was check the woman's neck. Sure enough there were two puncture wounds on the left side of her neck. There wasn't any doubt, not that she doubted it to begin with, that a vampire was responsible for the attack. Julia knew that when the autopsy was done, the medical examiner would find her body completely drained of blood.
"What do you think?" Patterson asked.
"It appears you are right. This attack is similar to the first one."
"Then you noticed the puncture wounds on her neck?" Patterson asked.
"Yes. Sheriff, could there be an animal in the woods that could cause these types of puncture wounds? Something we have not seen before?" She knew it was a long shot. If the vampire did not drain the women of all of their blood, they might be able to blame it on an animal. The problem was, what animal would attack and drain all of the blood in a human being's system? She knew what did this. It was definitely a vampire.
They already knew who killed the first woman. Desandro admitted that he did it. This time, however, he had been with them when this attack took place. It could only mean one thing. Desandro wasn't the only vampire new to the area. There was another one.
"All right, thank you for coming. I just wanted to confirm what I observed as well. I think we need to find out if this woman's blood has been drained also. I must tell you, Dr Hoffman, I have no idea who or what is doing this. I don't even know where to look."
Julia didn't say anything. What could she say? She knew who did it. It was definitely a vampire. She left the sheriff to his duty. Hoffman headed back to where Barnabas and Elliott were waiting.
"Is it as I fear?" Barnabas asked.
"I am afraid so. That woman was definitely attacked by a vampire."
"Desandro was with us," the professor pointed out. "He couldn't have been the one who did it. The only other answer is . . . "
"There is another vampire in Collinsport," Barnabas finished for him.
3
When Dave Woodard heard of the newest victim, he made up his mind he was going to talk to Sheriff Patterson. Patterson ordered an immediate autopsy done on the woman. Once again, if all of the blood was drained from her body, Woodard would be positive a vampire was responsible. Convincing Sheriff Patterson was not going to be easy. Most people in Collinsport believed in the supernatural. Despite believing, it only went as far as ghosts and spirits. Nearly everyone believed that vampires were fictional products of Hollywood.
Woodard was exposed to these exact same circumstances when he treated Maggie Evans. Although she hadn't been drained completely of her blood, the two puncture wounds and loss of blood were present. Dr Woodard wanted a sample from this latest victim to see if the anomaly was also in her blood. He believed it to be the venom of a vampire. Unfortunately, the scientific world would never accept that.
Woodard had seen so many strange things in Collinsport that a vampire didn't seem that far-fetched. The problem he was facing was Sheriff Patterson didn't even believe in ghosts let alone vampires.
When Maggie Evans showed up in the hospital with those two puncture wounds and a substance in her blood that Woodard could not identify, he was certain she was attacked by a vampire. Unfortunately, his memory of that time was shaky at best. He thought the vampire visited his office, but he couldn't remember who it was or what he looked like. He did remember that he suspected Barnabas Collins was a vampire. However, he was never able to prove it as Collins would not submit to having blood drawn. That in itself was suspect. Yet, he had nothing concrete to prove Barnabas Collins was a vampire.
Then there was, of course, the fact there had been no attacks in an extremely long time. Now, all of a sudden they had two in two nights. Unlike Maggie Evans, these two were drained completely of blood. It seemed the vampire wasn't worried about discovery. If he had been, he would have only taken enough blood to sustain himself. Killing the victim was not a necessity. That was what made this particular vampire extremely dangerous.
Woodard had never seen Barnabas Collins in the daytime. Others couldn't remember whether they had or not, but were sure he did appear in the daytime. It was time the doctor found out if Collins could actually appear during the day. It would settle whether or not he was the vampire who had drained the women's blood and murdered them. His mine was made up. He would challenge Collins to come to his office in the daytime. If he refused, it would only serve to confirm his suspicions.
There was a knock on his door. Without getting up, Woodard called out, "The door is open."
The door opened and the medical examiner entered. Benjamin Morley was a man in his sixties. He supported a full head of white hair and walked slightly stooped over giving the impression he was shorter than his six foot height. Morley walked over and sat down in front of Woodard's desk. He sat there without saying a word.
Dave Woodard had a feeling he knew what he was going to say. "I assume you have done the autopsy."
"I have," Morley confirmed. He said nothing further.
Obviously, Woodard would have to nudge him along to get the answers he was expecting. "And?"
Morley shook his head. "Never seen anything like this before. The woman did not have a drop of blood in her body." He reached up and stroked a mustache that covered three sides of his mouth. "It just isn't possible. There isn't any sign what-so-ever that could cause such a thing. Dave, I think we should call the Center for Disease Control. Maybe they can figure it out. I sure as hell can't. I have been doing this job nearly my entire life and have never come across the likes of this. I just don't know what to tell you. I don't have an answer for either victim. All I can tell you is the cause of death was the loss of blood. How they lost the blood is beyond me."
"But she did have the same puncture wounds on her neck as the first victim, didn't she?"
Drumming his fingers on Woodard's desk, he replied. "Sure she did. You already knew that. The problem is, I have no idea what caused them. It is as if her blood was drained from those two puncture wounds, but that is ridiculous. What in the world could do that? Are the mosquitos all of a sudden growing to monstrous size? What else could suck the blood out of a human body?" He waved his hand back and forth. "Yeah, yeah, I know, I am sounding crazy, and with good reason. This is driving me crazy. I think you better inform Sheriff Patterson."
Dave Woodard was certain he knew what happened to both victims. There was only one thing that could drain all of the blood from a victim's system . . . a vampire. Only one more question to ask him, he thought. "Did you find anything unusual in the blood?"
"What blood? Haven't you been listening? There wasn't any blood in her body." Morley raised his voice. The damn doctor was questioning his work, and he didn't like it.
"Take it easy, Ben. It's just that I was able to get a very small sample of blood from the first victim through the puncture holes. There was something in the blood I couldn't identify. I was wondering if you found the same thing in this new victim.
Morley calmed down. "I'm sorry, Dave. This is really getting to me. I just have never seen anything like it." He was silent for a moment and then continued. "It's just . . . well, I can't explain it, and that has never happened to me before."
"Forget it, Ben. Believe me, I feel the same way, except I have seen it before." He hesitated before continuing. "Do you remember when Maggie Evans was abducted?"
"Of course. What are you getting at?"
Woodard removed his reading glasses and sat forward. "She had two puncture wounds on the side of her neck. There was a loss of blood, not all of her blood, but enough to make her bedridden. Before she disappeared, I was able to get a sample of her blood." He stood up and walked over to the filing cabinet. The doctor opened the drawer marked with an 'E' and pulled out Evan's file. Returning to his desk, he opened the file, turned it around and set it in front of Morley. "Take a look."
Morley reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out his reading glasses. After he put them on, he began going over Evan's file. When he finished, he looked up over his glasses at Woodard. "And this strange substance you found in Evan's blood was also found in the first victim's blood?"
"Yes, that is why I am wondering if it was also found in this newest victim," Woodard explained.
The medical examiner reached toward the phone. "Let me make a call."
Woodard pushed the phone closer to Morely, who began dialing immediately. When his office answered, he said, "Irene, I want you to go into the morgue and see if you can draw some blood from the woman's body, the one we just did the autopsy on. Look at it on the microscope and see if there is anything unusual about it. Call me at Dave Woodard's office." He hung up the phone. "She shouldn't be long."
Woodard already knew what the answer was going to be. He just wanted confirmation from the medical examiner's office.
"So, if I am reading you right, you think all three of these cases are related. But, if it was some kind of new disease, then why did it take so long to show up again?"
"I don't think it is a disease, Ben. It is something entirely different, but you would never believe me if I told you what I think it is. In fact, you would probably think I have lost my mind."
"Why don't you try me. I'll be the judge of whether you have lost your mind or not."
"Let's just wait and see what your assistant comes up with," Woodard suggested. He was afraid if he told Morley a vampire was responsible, he might call his assistant and tell her to forget it.
It wasn't long and the phone rang. Woodard picked up the receiver and announced, "Dr Woodard." He listened and then handed the phone over to Dr Morley.
"Well, what did you come up with?" He was silent for several minutes while he listened. Finally, he said, "Irene, are you certain?" He listened again before thanking her and then hung up the phone.
Woodard watched him. He was obviously struggling with what he had just been told. It was the reason why Woodard remained silent. He allowed Morely to absorb what his assistant found.
"I don't believe it." Wiping the sweat from his brow, he looked up at Woodard. "There was a substance in her blood Irene couldn't identify. She said she has never seen anything like it. She's good, Dave, probably even better than me. I am going to recommend she take over when I retire. If she said it is nothing like anything that has ever been seen before then I believe her."
"Can I make a suggestion, Ben?" Woodard asked.
"I'm all ears."
"I would like to compare that sample to the other two. I'm betting they are all the same."
"I'll have the copy from the microscope sent over to you." He stared off into space. "I just don't know what to do about it." Biting down on his lip, he said, "I am going to make a suggestion, but this time you will probably think I'm crazy."
"A vampire," they both said at the same time.