Collinwood, the great house is quite now — it is late. For Nikki Collins, it is a moment of reflection as she has stopped to check on the child Ana – unaware that another is concerned about the child also
As she tucked Ana into bed and signed Good Night, Nikki stepped back and thought to herself who this moment could never be . . . a moment in which she would be able to step back from the bed of a child of her own. That could never happen – not now. Not that she had considered it before her turning, but it was a decision that had taken away from her. And oddly from a woman who now longed so to be a part of her life to be a mother. Her Mother. And in that instant, turning out the light and closing the door to take one last look at the child, she had an epiphany of what Elizabeth might have felt — if she truly did resemble so much Elizabeths daughter Ursula — seeing her lying there on the gutter of that Parisian street. A chance to have a child where that chance was beyond the realm of possibility.
As she walked down to the stairs, and descended to the first floor of Collinwood, Nikki could not help but find herself re-evaluating her relationship with the Countess.
David was of course not home. She had originally come to see him about the ever-escalating rumors she had heard of his feud, growing now, Rhyaad said to the point of vendetta. She thought of calling Sam; she had received two text messages from her this evening. Walking thought the foyer, she noticed, thought the window, an taxi coming to a halt in front of Collinwood.
Dr. Artemis, of the Miskatonic University, gets out of cab and pays the driver, who leaves. It has been some time since he was last at Collinwood, and he takes a look around – the spacious lawn, the lamps that would serve as street lights in some small communities, the gazebo, and of course the stairs leading up to the mansion.
Dr. Artemis begins to walk up the steps. At the top he stops to catch his breath. He straightens his jacket, the knot of his tie and rings the bell.
Rather that the customary Mrs. Johnson opening the door, he is surprised to see Nikki Collins at the door.
“Good evening Doctor. Please, do come in.”
“Thank you, Miss Collins.”
Dr. Artemis enters Collinwood and can’t help but look around at the elegance of the old home.
“I was just checking on Ana, to be certain she was okay. ” Nikki says closing the door behind him. “Child Protective Services sent a woman over last night.”
“Wow. It’s bigger than I remember it. “Dr. Artemis says, and turns to look at her.
“I understand David had a lot of restoration done a few years ago.” Nikki says leading the way to the sitting room.
“Child Protective Services?” He asks.
Nikk nods as motions the Doctor to the sofa, “And she certainly upset Ana.”
Dr. Artemis sits down and looks rather surprised, What happened?
“Well, I really believe the woman needs to be involved in a different line of work.” Nikki began sliding a hand under her skirt as she sat down, “She was very haphazard in her demeanor and was more interested in filling out forms than in Ana.”
Dr. Artemis, nodded in response but then explained that was not what he meant, No, no. I mean, why was the Child Protective Services called in the first place?
“Well, I guess it was about six or seven weeks ago, Nikki combs her left hand through her hair, When Ana was found out behind the Collins Cannery left amongst some old pallets and packing crates”
Yes, I think now I remember hearing about that.
The poor child she was found naked with severe cuts and bruises, and these marks on her wrists and ankles indicating that at some point she had been bound.” The Doctor observing with some fascination the odd the way her blue, blue eyes would change shades with her mood as Nikki spoke. The members of the interfaith, who found her took her to their clinic.
Which we still know so little about, what precisely happened to her, as the child could not speak, and still doesnt discuss it to this day, with any specificity.
Dr. Artemis thinks of something and looks away, then asks, Has she spoken since?
Nikki shakes her head, ‘No, she hasn’tbut what is so strange is how she picked up sign language so quickly.”
The Doctor seems reflective.
“And so, when David found out, he immediately saw to it that she was brought to Collinwood, and he has been trying to make her a ward under his care.” Nikki continued.
Very commendable.
“Well, Cousin David had a troubled past from what I have been told and I assume because of that he has been very protective of her, Nikki says as she sits back languidly in her chair, I think he wants to do for her what he would have liked to have been done for him when he was a child. And so, the state Child Protective Services sent this woman to fill out some reports.”
What I thought was strange was that she came to see me, at the Collins Investigation Offices, and she brought Ana with her.”
Oh, I see. Dr. Artemis sat back in the sofa becoming more comfortable, That is a bit odd, but not unexplainable.
“But when the woman left she took Ana with her but some how the child slipped away from her and she came back to my office . . . but the woman never came looking for her
Dr. Artemis agreed, That is odd.
“I mean with the history of her abuse, you would have thought she would have been frantic.” Nikki added. “I am sure, with all the government cut backs, staffing is not what it should be these days.
Anyway, I wanted to hear if you found out anything more about the Endecott films. The Doctor now said as way of explanation for his trip to Collinsport.
“Well, there have been some developments. Nikki replies, The films were stolen.
He frowns. I cannot say I am impressed with law enforcement in Collinsport.
Nikki nods in agreement, Well, although he doesnt really look it, Sheriff Patterson approaching 80 as I understand.”
Is this Sheriff Patterson the only officer on duty?
“Well he has a deputy but he always seems to be in ill health.” Nikki explains and slowly rubs her fingers along the line of her jaw. “You would think for a city this size Law Enforcement would be a bit larger, wouldn’t you. They seem to depend on the State Police for major crime.”
Dr. Artemis smiles, Collinsport is a town, not a city. If it were incorporated, they would have a police force.
Nikki smiles, Oh, so now that makes a bit more sense. As, for the films, their disappearance does seem to have had a very adverse effect on the Collinsport October Film Festival. It was to have begun tonight, you see. But now, they are not uncertain they will have to cancel all of the festival as the Endecott homage was the more substantial portion of the films to be presented”
Dr. Artemis nodded, I read about that.
Which oddly coincides with my clients wishes as she had been seeking a court injection in order to stop their being shown which means their disappearance is rather fortuitous.
That’s what I mentioned earlier as the reason for my visit. I think we should look in Ipswitch, if you don’t have any other clues.
Nikki smiled, Certainly a fine place to start, but you see my client discharged me from the case last night.”
May I ask who this client was?
“Since she is no longer a client, yes. Natasha Snow. Vera Endecott, or Lillian Margret Snow, was her great-aunt. Actually she hired me, Nikki runs a languorous hand through her hair (the Doctor well aware of what Miss Collins was observed now all of the subtle movements, which if one were unaware, could have been very enticing even sub-consciously done as he suspected). Originally Miss Snow, Natasha, wanted me to determine if the films had been stolen first by the retired projectionist, who had possession of them in Tampa, where they had been found in an estate sale. As the official record had them listed as having destroyed or misplaced.
Sell the films, then steal them back? The Doctor offered, Of course, that’s a long shot.
Yes, I thought of that. Nikki nodded, But there are other elements at play, you see, Ian Finch, the film critic for the local paper arranged to have them shown here by making a contract with the person who bought the films in Tampa, a Mr. Gordon Highsmith. When in fact, Gordon Highsmith is really, Ian Finch. He is unaware that I have discovered that bit of information at the moment.
That’s interesting, but I am not surprised. Dr. Artemis replies, Mr. Finch seemed devoted to the memory of Miss Endecott. Hmm. So, do you have anything like a synopsis of these films? Or a script? Still photos
“No, sorry, only what was in the paper.” Nikki tells him, But you are correct in that when I interviewed him he was amazingly informed about Vera.
Dr. Artemis thought for a moment, Oh. Maybe he would know more about the films. Is it possible, Can I meet him?
Oh, I more than certain that can be arranged, Nikki nods, What was fascinating to me was that he would have known about Vera Endecott’s involvement with an artist, Richard Pickman,
The Doctors eyes grow wide and he coughs.
“That took a bit of work for me to find out.”
So would finding Mr. Pickman. Dr. Artemis says.
“Yes, he disappeared a long time ago, I would think he would be dead — unless you know something about Mr. Pickman?” Nikki says lifting an eyebrow.
He might be dead. I don’t know.
“Mr. Finch is of the opinion that Pickman killed Endecott.”
Dr. Artemis says reflectively, I know he was virtually hounded out of Boston . . . and, he also had a small studio in Arkham.
“I know he was considered quite mad at one point in his career.”
No, Pickman did not kill her. The Doctor tells her.
She looks at him with a smile, the sharpness of her eyeteeth only just barely visible, Oh, I agree with you on that Doctor.”
Dr. Artemis suddenly looks behind him and sees a strange woman entering the sitting room he looks to Nikki.
Chiyo enters holding a rather large book.
“Oh, hello Chiyo, I do wish you would carry a bell or somethingyou just appear at times and it can be disconcerting.”
And for you I even walked across the room this time, I do live here now you know, she smiled good naturedly.
Hello, miss. I am Dr. Artemis.
The Doctor looks to Nikki again.
“Yes, buteven I sometimes don’t hear you, sorry.”
Chiyo looks him up and down as if deciding something, I am Chiyo of the Clan Eiko
Nikki looks to the Doctor, “Doctor this is Chiyo, she is from the Interfaith. She has moved in to help look after Ana.”
Oh. I see.
I thought you might like this book, after Ana mentioned something curious to me, Chiyo said walking over to Nikki.
A nanny? The Doctor asks, then suddenly says, …Mentioned? She spoke to you??
Nikki looks at the book: it is about cracking codes from WWII until the end of the Cold War.
“Umm, not a word I think she would agree with.” Nikki said looking at the book.
Chiyo leans her head to this side and raises her eyebrow, Of course she talks to me – but Dr. surely you are aware that there are many forms of communication that don’t happen to be verbal.
Sign language? Dr. Artemis suggests, I heard Ana had learned it.
You should probably read the section regarding subliminal messages implanted in film and video and the special apparatus used to detangle it. Chiyo tells her.
To the Doctor she turns that far away look on him, Yes, she learned that rather quickly, she prefers it to talking though, Im sure there is more to it knowing the type of people that find their way to this family. She says looking at Nikki rather slyly.
Nkki opens the book and flips through few pages. “Chiyo, what did Ana say that gave you the impression I was working on something that this” Lifting the book, “Would help with?”
Chiyo suddenly giggles, Well, first, she told me about the rude woman she threw a spider at that Meriweather, the Child Protective Services woman. You see Doctor, Ana has an amazing memory – anything she sees and hears but she didnt really say very much about that tweed monstrosity as Ana has a tendency to pretend people she doesnt like dont actually exist . . .
What’s wrong with tweed? The Doctor asks.
Nikki is lost in the book, thinking now that perhaps she should not have sent the missing persons case to St. Clair, what with the loss of Natasha Snow as a client.
On that woman? Simply horrid, Chiyo says of the woman fashion sense, And she certainly did not have the best personality to be dealing with children.”
I find tweeds very comfortable, especially in the winter. Dr. Artemis protests.
Ha! That woman will not be meddling with young childrens welfare any longer.
Nikki continues to flip through pages of the book.
Chiyo taps her foot, Young lady if I may have your attention.
Nikki looks up, “Yes!”
Subliminal messages are an interesting idea. Mostly became popular in the 1970s. But possibly someone experimented with them earlier. Dr. Artemis says now looking with interest at the book Nikki is flipping through.
Suddenly, Chiyo now hands Nikki a black rectangular box.
Nikki looks up at her, puts the book on the side table and takes the box. She opens it to see that inside on the very black velvet lays a necklace with a fire opal.
But without the films to examine, we will never know. Dr. Artemis says as he looks thoughtfully at the gem of necklace Nikki is holding up.
Nikki looks at the necklace, “Now this is very nice, but I am sure there is something more to you giving me this than as a gift.”
It is a gift of passage, as we discussed, you no longer need Eppeus’s lessons – and yes, it is only a present – I dont always have …ulterior motives, she said although with a very sly grin.
Nikki turns and holds the necklace out, “So, Chiyo, what is this?”
I can’t give presents?
“A present?” Nikki says surprised. “Ohwellthank you, that is very nice of you.” Nikki reaches up and slips off the pearl necklace she is wearing and then slips the fire opal one on and lifts the gem to look at its blood red luster.
Dr. Artemis stares at Chiyo, uncomfortably.
And really Doctor, arent you a bit old to be so self-conscious? Chiyo says to him not looking at him at all, You look like some very serious Doctor, Professor type person thing
“It’s just that I thoughtI was not the best of students . . . .” Nikki adds as she looks at the necklace.
Suddenly Chiyo returns to the question Nikki asks earlier, Oh, yes what Ana said, is that she mentioned something about the films that were stolen and from what she . . . noticed of the other most ‘unpleasant’ woman was that they made her think of overlapping color messages, to be done at the same time or something like that.
Dr. Artemis suddenly has a bad suspicion, Tell me, Miss Chiyo, exactly what happened to Mrs. Meriwether?
Nikki not turns in her chair interested in the Doctors question as she looks at Chiyo.
Hmm who knows, she seemed a bit off kilter when she left my office, but Im sure someone in the society who is nicer than I am saw her home. You see I always count on people being nicer than me, and Im never disappointed.
The society? What do they have to do with it?
I was in my office, which happens to be in the main building so of course there were quite a few people there, mostly humanitarians.
Nikki looks at the Doctor now very seriously, “They were interviewing Chiyo as she has been taking care of Ana here for David. And Mrs. Meriweather was not the most plesant person perhaps to be seeing Chiyo.
Oh, Meriwether didnt even know that, she said someone named Rhyaad had sent her.
Rhyaad de’Annar. The Doctor asked.
Well back to Ana, who is by far more important that that woman person thing, she said that her keepers used an odd method of summoning with movie film and weird projectors, Chiyo tells Nikki.
Keepers? The Doctor frowns, And summoning what?
“What she calls the Bad People. And, oh excuse me Doctor. I didnt mean to imply that I didnt know Rhyaad, he is really quite charming . . . for his kind. Chiyo walks over and sits down beside the Doctor, Now from what I have been able to understand from Ana, her keepers, well they followed no particular . . . uhm . . . ritual, they did many things and summoned many different entities. They usually kept her shackled in a cage.
Dr. Artemis looks down and shakes head.
Cue Music End of Episode