Collinsport. As Nicole Collins, Esther Friedman, and Samantha Brook have returned from a moment in the past a moment of tragic terror for Esther Friedman, in once again having to relive the horrible mutilation and death of her parents David Collins, in the present, is about to experience a series of seemingly disconnected incidents. Incidents which maybe be the precursor to tragic and terrible events to come. Events, which may have their origins in the past, but still cast their long, dark shadows into the future.
David Collins had very few confidantes. This was partly because of the basic introversion of his character, partly because of the very few associates he could truly call upon as friends, which owed to the various past experiences that had created within him a healthy paranoia (based upon the numerous threats to his family and its wealth, as well as his possession on more than one occasion by apparitions, benign as well as malignant), and partly because all of his hobbies were singular and solitary, but mostly, it owed to the infamous notoriety of the Collins family. Business associationshe had many and several of them had been in constant communication with him of late, owing less to the tenuous situation regarding the Euro, then federal regulators looking into major banks with threats of criminal prosecution a few of which the Collins Family held interests. And so it had felt good to be called away from his corporate worries to meet with the Board of the Collinsport Historical Society.
It seemed that a rare-book dealer, having journeyed up from New York, a rather unkempt looking gentleman by the name of Dean Corso, had come into possession of an unpublished manuscript by Flora Collins, the successful 19th century author of romance literature, whose most notable work was her best selling novel A Summer’s Death. Corsos intent was not only to have the Society authenticate the heavily revised and notated manuscript, but to see how much it may be willing to compensate him for the text owing as to how they already had the original handwritten manuscript of A Summer’s Death on display.
Of course, David had only been allowed to see the actual yellowed pages for a few moments, as Corso had left them but a single sheet and photostats of several pages (not that he didnt trust everyone in the room, but, in his profession, he had been defrauded more than once and when they were ready to settle on a price then he would most certainly let them have the manuscript for verification before any monies exchanged hands) but it was a most interesting piece of fiction. Flora having been known exclusively for her romance novels had apparently written a rather lengthy gothic novel, The Curse upon the Bedford House which David recognized immediately as a thinly disguised fictional account of events that that had transpired in Collinsport in the year 1840. The pages and the little of the novel he had been able to quickly scan had sent cold shivers through him, causing that tingling sensation, which created a wave of goose bumps what Sam Evans used to call his Spidey Sense which he knew to be a harbinger of things that those in the village euphemistically called The History and which he knew to be at the very least troublesome, and at their worst, evil.
The horror of his possession by Tad Collins, the near destruction of Collinwood, his close touch with death as a boy at the hands of the evil spirit of Gerard Stiles: all those memories had flooded back into his consciousness and filled him with a sense of dread. And so, on his way back to the Great House, he decided to stop at The Blue Whale for a drink to settle his nerves.
Gerard Stiles most had had very little recollection of the haunting terror that villain had perpetrated against the family, the near catastrophic destruction of the Collins Family that Barnabas and Julia Hoffman had some how adverted, except him perhaps because of his possession by Tad Collins, he thought as he walked along the wooden planks of the wharf, running along to affront the small gift shops and artistic kiosks and came to an end with The Blue Whale.
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David Collins opens the door to the most popular restaurant and bar in Collinsport to the sounds of a slowly haunting tune being played by a small local band up on the narrow bandstand. He shakes his head at the hostess and indicates he wishes to go to the bar and begins to make his way when his eye catches sight of a man sitting at a table, listening to the band and occasionally glancing across the room.
David cocks his head and looks at the man certain that he recognizes him and so turns to walk toward the table.
The tall blonde singer now slightly swaying as she sings.
“Art? Artemis yes, that is you.” David says with a broad grin as he approaches the man in the dark suit and glasses.
You have me at a disadvantage, sir. You . . . seem familiar. The man says putting down his drink.
“How long has it been? It seems . . . Oh, don’t you recognize me? David replies, It’s David, David Collins.”
A sudden recognition crosses the face of Dr. Artemis, the chief librarian of the Miskatonic Univeristy, Oh my word. David Collins! He says warmly, as he sits thinking back to when he was a boy on summer vacation in Colllinsport, It must have been forty-one years.
That long? David replies, “Do you remember when we used to play on the beach under Widows Hill? It seems so long agobut he is certain he has to have photographs of them somewhere.
Yes. I do. Artemis smiles, Let’s get a booth. He motions to the band and indicating an area that might be more appropriate for conversation, I’ll buy you a drink.
David nods, his first true smile of the day, “It is wonderful to see you again oh, yes, lets do. Let’s catch up.”
Waitress, another Shirley Temple and whatever Mr. Collins is drinking. The doctor tells his waitress, as he takes up his glass and motions to the booth across the way, We shall move over there if that is alright.
Sure thing, thats fine. The young waitresses, looking as if she were not of an age to legally even carry the drinks to the table, nods.
“I would like a scotch
Youre the single malt guy right? She asks.
David nods.
I’ll get this one. Artemis motions to the waitress.
“Oh, yes, and no David replies, Do place these on my tab.” He tells the waitress as they move toward the booth.
No, no, no. My treat. Dr. Artemis insists.
Oh, no, it’s just too good to see you, so its my pleasure.” David tells him as he takes a seat in the booth.
The waitress is back with the drinks almost as quickly as they are seated, as the bartender had recognized David Collins the moment he had entered.
She places the drinks on the table, There you go, Mr. Collins.
“Oh, thank you dear. And as I said, my tab.
Dr. Artemis smiles, and looks up at the young woman, Waitress, his money is no good here.
David laughs and acquiesces, pushing his glass closer to him, So, Artemis tell me, what have you been doingthe last I knew you had decided on going to Miskatonic but you had so many things you were interested in . . . what did you finally decide to major in? ”
Well . . . Artemis smiles wryly, Medicine, biology, chemistry, physics, history, archeology, metaphysics, psychology, and library science.
David laughs, “Well I should have guessed, you were forever reading. ” He takes a sip of his drink, thoughts of The Curse upon the Bedford House, Flora Collins manuscript momentarily fading now in the renewal of his old friendship. How he loved it when Art came up on vacations to Collinsport he was the only intelligent boy with which to have a conversation . . . the only one who did not laugh at his surmises and speculations regarding things he suspected was going on behind the veiled conversations of the adults. God they had been like the Hardy Boys for several summers. “So, where are you now? Boston?”
No, I’m still at Miskatonic. I teach there now. I’m head of the Pseudo-Science department.
David looks impressed, “Pseudo-Science? Ohnow that is interesting.”
I’m also a consulting psychiatrist at the local sanitarium.
“Lord, when do you find the time?”
Dr. Artemis shrugs, It’s a living. So, what about you? Did you go into your family’s fish business?
Sort of, David says, The businesswell the business was not doing very well for a while, and then, when Aunt Elizabeth passed away and Dad retired, and I took over and, I diversified a bit. Fishing is only a small portion of Collins International now. Butthe company is doing rather well these days.” He didnt feel the need to say just how well Collins International was doing he had never felt comfortable discussing his wealth. Oh, he enjoyed what it provided but he didnt like others knowing just how comfortable he was.
Dr. Artemis took a drink of his Shirley Temple, How is your Dad my, he must be almost ninety?
Ninety-five. David looks at his drink, And he is not well cancer.
IOh. I’m sorry to hear that. Artemis tells him, The prognosis?
I dont expect him to be with us for much longer stage four now.”
I see. I’m sorry.
So, what brings you back to Collinsport? David asks, glancing out the window which overlooks the moonlit bay, Business or are you up on another summer vacation?”
Dr. Artemis smiles, I picked up a cottage on the edge of town. A little place to get away for the weekend. I have to admit, last year I visited for the first time in decades and it brought back so many memories . . .
We did have so much fun . . . but you have a cottage now, that is wonderful news!” David smiles, You do have to come and see me. You have to come to Collinwood. We shall sit and have a few drinks and reminisce about old times the adventures we had the places we went where we were not supposed to go . . . and oh this is such a truly extraordinary coincidence. Do you remember Hallie Stokes? She used to go swimming with us.”
Hallie…? Artemis sits and reflects, Was Stokes her last name? I’d forgotten. But, she was swimming with you, more likely. I wasn’t allowed to swim in the ocean, remember? Mom was very protective.
David smiles Oh, you remember . . . she was old Professor Stokes niece. David looks at him with a sly smile, had he truly forgotten Hallie or was he just feinting his lack of recognition. Surely he had to know Hallie had such a crush on him but then again, Artemis was always reading, exploring . . . experimenting. Wellshe is coming back to Collinsport also. She’s been knocking about Europe for years now and well you two may have somethings in common seeing as how youre the head of the Pseudo-Science department and Hallie well, Hallie is very much into the paranormaltook it from her uncle no doubt.”
Professor Stokes? Not sure I remember him . . . Artemis says as he twists his glass in a half turn atop the table, Was he the nice old man, kinda heavy-set, gave us each a quarter to buy comics? I had that copy of Captain America #100 for years.
“That was him. David nods, He used to hang around with Dr. Hoffman and Barnabas Collins, you remember that spooky old house we used to sneak into.”
The wife threw it in the fireplace one night . . . Artemis reflects and suddenly changes the subject, The old house as I remember it we were not allowed in there. I wasnt.
David looks aghast at the thought of Captain America #100 going up in flames, “Not the fireplace?”
Dr. Artemis taking a sip of his drink, remembers the day they slipped through the back door, along the dimly lit corridor the place did not even have electricity . . . they had seen the red-haired woman known as Dr. Hoffman slipping out of a secret panel, which David had wanted to explore, but Artemis had told him no having felt that there was something sinister behind that panel. Well . . . Yes. It’s coming back to me. The old house.
David grins, “Well, at least I was always going places I shouldn’t.
I was in there . . . once.
The waitress stops to check if they wished another drink, David nods and so does the doctor.
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You were a year older than me, I believe. You were more adventurous.
David nods and sits back, “Yesgot me into more trouble than I can remember. Father was always on to me.”
He picks up his drink lets a piece of ice slip into his mouth to crunch on, “You know, you would not even recognized the Old House now it burned about five years ago, and now it’s been totally rebuilt by Barnabas’ daughter, Nicole.”
I think we left right after that little . . . excursion. My folks never went back to Collinsport for our summer holidays. The doctor tells, him and then looks up. Oh, actually, I’ve been there to see Miss Collins wait . . . it’s the same place? You’re right, I didn’t even recognize it.
Its just the grounds, now, and a few out building from the old days. Nicole had it rebuilt from the ground up, totally different design, David nods with a arch to his brow, Soyou know Nicole?
He wonders just how much Artemis really knows about Nicole.
Yes. That’s how I got interested in coming back here. She came to Arkham, on research.
The waitress returns with their drinks.
Dr. Artemis hands her a twenty, Here, and keep the change.
The young girl smiles at him, Oh thank you, sir.
“I see.” David says a bit strangely. “She is very charming, isnt she?”
Yes, she is. We met and became friends. I’ve visited her a few times. She actually fixed me up with the agent who got me the cottage. Artemis replies and sips his Coke and nibbles at the cherry.
“She is really a very nice young woman, once you get to know her.” David nods, “Bit of a Nancy Drew, although for the most part . . . she keeps to herself like . . . her father.”
Dr. Artemis nods slowly, holding the stem of the cherry, Yes. She seems like it. I don’t believe I ever met her father.
“Barnabas? Well, I am sure you would have remembered him. He was the one who always walked around with that wolf head cane. A cousin from England. He had some business that he ran which kept him away most of the day but he was always stopping at Collinwood. I mean, at first, he scared the hell out of me but, after I got to know him, he was very, very nice. He . . . he did a lot for Aunt Elizabeth and the family back then for me before he left to return to England oh, in the late seventies.” David says, “He really hasn’t been back since.”
How old would he be now? Artemis asks.
I am not sure he may not even still be alive. David says and takes a drink of his scotch, He and his wife, they went missing in Egypt, right after Nicole was born. She hasnt spoke to you about that?
Artemis shook his head, Well, no, Nichole hasn’t really talked about him to me. Egypt? How interesting.
David nods, “It’s a tragic story really . . . she was I think about a year old when they disappeared.”
She wasn’t with them? Artemis asks interested. Egypt having gotten his attention immediately as Nicole had not spoken to him about this.
No. From what I understand, he was working for the British Government one of those British hush hush secret agencies of theirs. Seems he had gone to Alexandria on an assignmentand something happened no one seems to know quite what it was.”
Dr. Artemis nods, I’ve been to Egypt a few times on expedition. But there are parts of Alexandria I would hesitate to enter.
David Collins agrees. Poor Nicole, she has been secretly searching for him for years, you knowshes spent a considerable about of time and resources as I understand it. Not sure if you know, she doesnt let on about it, but she is perhaps far more wealthy what we American Collins’ are owing to her fathers investments and her trust fund.”
Hmm. The doctor says unaware of this aspect of Nicole, I have a few contacts in Egypt. I might be able to help.
Oh, now that would be wonderful, Artemisshe is so . . . well the word is obsessed . . . with finding him. David leans forward, “Now, you know her father, well he was very much into the occult and it seems she has followed in his footstepslooking for him.” David says trying to feel out his friend to see just how much he knows about her.
But then again, after thirty years, the trail must be rather cold. Artemis says thoughtfully, thinking now about Nicoles missing father and his Egyptian contacts, he then looks up, Actually, I didn’t know. Now, Barnabas, was he your uncle?
“Barnabas? Oh, no. He has part of the British wing of the family he came over when I was gosh I think I was ten when I first met him.”
I do remember you mentioning him. Artemis says, As I recall, you were fond of him. More so than… Well, others.
“Well like I said, you know, at first . . . what with him looking so much like that portrait of the original Barnabas, the one from the 1700s . . . almost like he had just stepped out of the painting, you know . . . well, he scared the hell out me and, I have to admit when I first met him there was something — something at first I thought was rather sinister, but, actually we grew rather close before he left.”
We all have childhood fears.
“He used to let me play in the Old House even when father told me no, and of course the old cemetery.”
Artemis looks at David strangely, Cemetery?
“Eagle Hill, it’s very near the Old House estate.”
Yes. I was there . . . recently.
Now David looks strangely, wondering now just how much he could or should divulge to his old friend he would certainly love to have his expertise whenever he was in Collinsport for his Collinsport Ghost Society. David looks at his drink for a moment, then up to the doctor, “So, if you don’t mind me asking, based on your field of study do you ever come across things paranormal?”
No, not really. Artemis tells him,
“Just wondering, I have heard stories about Arkham, you know?” David explains, disappointed.
It’s all very academic, studies of mythology and folklore, you know. The psychology of primitive man is quite fascinating, and those superstitions have survived into the modern day. Artemis tells him and sips his coke, As for Arkham, well, Arkham is a quiet little college town, steeped in history.
David says, slowly turning his glass on the table, “Wellnow that you are here more often, you really do must come and see me. Oh, you might be interested to know that there is an author staying at the Great House, at the moment, a Victoria Wren. She is writing a book on Witch Cults in New England.”
Dr. Artemis eyes widen, Victoria Wren! He smiles, I haven’t seen Victoria in months. How is she?
“You know her?” David asks.
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Yes. I wondered what became of her. She lived in Kingsport for a time. It’s downstream from Arkham, on the coast.
Well, she is apparently fascinated with the witch trial that took place here in Collinsport in 1692.”
David Collins explains.
Really? How interesting.
“Hmm, Kingsport, funny she has not mentioned that.” David says, aware he has gone through most of his drink already the whole business with Corso and the manuscript still in the back of his mind the odd feeling he experienced as he touched the pages in reading just a few words a series of murders decapitations apparitions the mysterious head of a sorcerer in a glass box his spirit haunting the majestic Bedford House, which was really an fictionalized Collinwood. “She is here going through old family recordsseems the head judge of the trial was a Collins.
Artemis smiles, I see. In 1692 I would be surprised if the judge in Collinsport were not a Collins. Now, as I understand it, the Collins family had interests in Kingsport. A ship or two? Maybe a partial ownership in a cannery?
David nods, “We still have a cannery there. I am looking to do some modernization to the place gosh, the equipment there is still from the fifties.”
I’m not surprised. Kingsport is as much of a backwater as you can get . . . with maybe a couple of exceptions.
Its mostly an artists community now David agrees, wishing he had another drink, Tourism is very much the major enterprise these days much like Collinsport is becoming to be honest. Antiques. Painters. Ghost hunters.
Ghost Hunters?
Collinsport has had it share of odd occurrences, in fact, they started really about the time of that witch trialthere were some that used to say, what we here call The History began with that trial.
Dr. Artemis grows more fascinated as he listens, I’ve heard Nikki, Nicole, use that term.
Tales of the supernatural, David smiles and decides to be more direct, In fact, I started an organization to try and combat the superstition, The Collinsport Ghost Society . . . hey, while you are here, perhaps we might use your expertise.”
I’d be happy to help. Artemis says to Davids delight, Nicole mentioned the Society once.
Oh, that would be great to have you help, David beams, You know, the town is still on edge he leans forward, I dont know if you heard about it down in Arkham, but we had seven young women murdered here not too long ago it was grotesque. Just a ghastly crime scene. Out at the old Cranshaw Mansion.
Artemis eyes widen.
“Now, of course, that was the work of a psychopath, a woman named Narcissa Snowone of the Snows thoseIpswich Snows.” David says in a low tone, “You know, the whole Snow family was nothing but a scandal in Ipswich.”
Ipswich. Figures. The doctor nods, I had heard something about some murders here. They occurred at roughly the same time as a number of murders in Arkham. But I don’t remember any mention of this Cranshaw Mansion . . .. Let me think. Narcissa Snow . . . now wasnt she related to that movie star?
Yes Vera Endcott, which was her stage name really, she was actually Lillian Snow an actress back in the 1920s. They were going to have a showing of some of her films here at last years film festival. Butdays before the festival the films were stolen. Nikki looked into that . . . but you are right, Artemis, Vera I mean, Lillian she was the great, great-aunt, of Narcissa and Natasha Snow. Natahsa you know was an Adult Entertainment actress she was Narcissas sister.
Nicole was hoping I had some sort of old camera, as I recall. Artemis reflects.
Although, it seems this Narcissa Snow was involved in some bizarre ritual to raise an old witch from the dead in order to re-establish The Starry Wisdom Church. Seems her brother was a minister who wanted to try and start it up again, but then she killed him also. . . .
Dr. Artemis frowns, Starry Wisdom? That was disbanded in 1844. He takes a look around as The Blue Whale has gotten more crowded, he looks around, some things are best not discussed in public places, It seems to be getting busier in here.
“The Blue Whale usually doesnt get a crowd until late at night.”
But yes, I do remember Nicole mentioning it. Artemis replies, She was looking for the missing films, as I understand. Not sure if they ever turned up, but I don’t think so.
“I am not sure, either. David says, and looks at the crowd. I think she is at Collinwood tonight, visiting with my cousin Samantha Collins. I heard Samantha had asked her to stop by to look into some things.”
Waitress, may I have another Shirley Temple? The doctor orders as the young waitress passes by, Anything for you, David?
David holds up his empty glass and rattles the ice, “Oh, yes another please.”
Didn’t Samantha work here? At least for a while? Artemis asks. But I think she’s Nichole’s assistant now, along with a Miss Friedman.
Yes, Samantha, Samantha Evans. Who is actually a Collins, we just discovered, David skirts the truth, And she did work here her mother held part ownership of this place, but, Samantha, shes an artist. But I think you thinking of Miss Brook Samantha Brook. She works with Nicole at Collins Investigations.
Wait . . . Samantha Brooks is Samantha Evans, but NOT Samantha Collins? The doctor asks confused.
Samantha Collins, was the young woman who used to live above the Blue Whale, and you most likely knew her as Samantha Evans but in truth, she is really a member of the Collins family. Although, she didnt know it until recently that she was really Quentin Collin’s daughter he ran off and left her before she was born, and well there were rumors . . . but she found out only a short while ago.” David explains, And then there is Samantha Brook who works with Nicole at Collins Investigations but the confusion comes from the fact that there are two Samanthas . . .
Dr. Artemis grasps his head in his hands. It’s worse than the two Amandas.
David nods, I know a bit confusing. Well, I would say it is more confusing I would think for Nicole.” But, David does not elaborate further. “Oh, wait, there is someone I think you would love to meet a Dr. Praetorius. He’s a member of that British government agency I told you about the one Nikkis fathers worked for.
Small world. I met Praetorius, albeit briefly. Artemis tells him, I can’t say I trust the man.
David pushes a bit of ice round in his glass with his finger, “Oh, I think that is wise. I am so glad we ran into each other so, how long are you here for?”
A woman in black rimmed glasses, who gathers a few looks from some of the locals as she enters, seeing as how they recognize her as Officer Mills of the Collinsport Police Department, even out of uniform, cast a warily glare.
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I’m glad too, David. He takes out his pocket watch from his vest pocket and opens it to check the time, Well, maybe another fifteen minutes.
He snaps it shut.
The singer on the stage begins to slow dance.
Barefoot, she holds the ends of her skirt and swings them to the beat.
“We really have to have dinner, get together when Hallie arrives from Oslo.” David tells him, “It will be like old times the three of us.”
That would be nice. The doctor smiles. He slips his pocket watch back into his vest pocket.
He envisions Hallie now as a plumb, middle-aged housewife.
Officer Mills walks through the maze of tables.
Candle flames flickering in small blue volutes.
Her eyes looking at the patrons as she passes.
One or two of them look up at her.
She does not smile as she strides over to an empty table across from David and Dr. Artemis.
You two will have a great time, she’s a Professor also. At the University of Oslo.”
Really? Artemis interest grows, What is her field?
Across from them, David can not help overhearing Officer Mills as she orders a water and looks at the menu, telling the waitress she needs a bit more time to study. But rather than looking at the menu, David watches as she continues to look around the room at the other patrons as if studying each and every face determining innocence and guilt.
As David is looking over at the officer, Dr. Artemis is suddenly aware that no one seems now to have noticed a tall, white-haired woman in a long, white gossamer gown who seems to have suddenly just appeared and begins to glide now ever so slowly toward him.
He notices her feet do not touch the ground.
She is ghastly pale the pallor of death.
The Doctor looks to see that neither David nor the woman in the black rim glasses at the table next to him seems to see the woman approaching.
The sounds of The Blue Whale, the crowd, the conversations, the music seems to dim.
“You must beware . . . the man you knew as a child. He is coming back.” The womans voice is soft, almost a whisper.
Dr. Artemis stares at her frightened, and does not speak.
“He seeks revenge and you must help to stop him.”
The doctor looks to David, David? He says.
But no one seems to hear.
He looks back at the apparition, his jaw shaking.
“Your friend, the one you are speaking to he comes for him.”
Artemis flicks his eyes toward David.
“He is coming!”
“He brings with him the Mask!”
The doctor finds himself struggling to speak to the apparition, M-mask??
The waitress steps over to the table across from his booth, Ah yes ma’am.
I think I’ll have the Flounder?
Very good.
Thank you. Officer Mills says and hands the menu over to the waitress.
“Death comes with him.” The ghostly apparition tells the doctor,
Officer Mills starts to hum while waiting, “The Ride of the Valkyries”
“The first you will know of his arrival is when he kills the girl.”
Girl…? The doctor asks, What girl?
“She will work for but a short time at the Great House.”
The apparition seems to sway, her hair floating as if in an ethereal wind.
“Then he will use her as his pawn.”
“Then the game begins.”
Her fingers pointing at David Collins.
“Save your friend.”
And suddenly the ghostly figure fades away.
The sounds of the crowd in The Blue Whale, the music, all suddenly come rushing back.
David looks at Artemis and then looks around the room, “Is there something the matter, you look very pale.”
I . . . I’m not sure. Artemis tells him, I thought I saw someone. She spoke to meI think.
David looks concerned, “You think? You think you saw someone?”
Officer Mills across from them looks at her watch, and then pulls out a smart phone.
Odd, the battery is surprisingly dead.
David Collins looks back over his shoulder and there is an empty booth.
She said something about a man coming and I knew him, and I thought she meant you The doctor continues.
“A man coming David asks, concerned especially after his earlier sense of foreboding having seen the Flora Collins manuscript. Did she say who?”
NoBut I now think she meant someone else. Artemis looks at David very anxious and lowers his voice She said he is going to kill a girl.
David’s eyes widen.
“Kill a girl – oh good lord. Who?”
Artemis shakes his head, She didnt say who . . . she just said that she would work at the Great House.
“Great Housethat is Collinwood.” David suddenly looks very apprehensive.
Have you recently hired someone up there?
With a growing curiosity in the conversation she half overhears, Officer Mills grows very interested having heard keys words such as kill, and a girl, and Collinwood, and so starts to pay attention to the booth across from her and the men seated there.
“Yes.” David says even more alarmed.
There was something about a Mask. The man would bring a mask.
I just hired a new governess for my son.” David tells the doctor, “Her name is Phyllis Wick.
A governess? Artemis sits back trying to process the information.
Say, I remember your governess just up and disappeared, didn’t she?
“Yes. Victoria Victoria Winters. She just disappeared. David Nods
Yet another missing person, Officer Mills makes note.
As did the last one I hired for my son, Bramwell. Only, she just up and quit. It is rather hard to keep someone he is a bit difficult.”
Runs in the family, does it? The doctor nods.
David looks at his drink thinking back to the number of governesses he had.
“Oh, my he suddenly remembers, Miss Wick was just in an automobile accident not too long ago.
David, you need to fire Miss Wick. It’s for her own good.
“But she starts tomorrow, Artemis David looks at his old friend, “This woman, she said she would be killed?”
I fear I am very upset about this experience, David. And I have had too many Shirley Temples. I’m afraid I need to go back to my cottage now. Artemis says and slides out of the booth.
David takes a long drink of his scotch.
It was wonderful to see you. Dr. Artemis tells him, trying to keep an accurate recollection of that the ghostly woman had told him until he can make some notes.
So good to see you. David replies preoccupied with the disturbing news and the growing feeling that something wicked this way comes A mask? Please come to Collinwood. Especially now.
I will. Thank you. Artemis shakes Davids hand and turns to leave; his fresh Shirley Temple sits left untouched. Goodnight, David.
As he makes his way out of The Blue Whale, Dr. Artemis recalls the woman telling him, The man you knew as a child. He is coming back.
Credits roll and music continues