Episode #95 - For a few short days, I have left the nameless terrors of Collinwood behind me. Now I am about to return to them--without accomplishing the purpose of my mission--without discovering the secret of my identity.
Vicki dines with Frank in the Bangor hotel restaurant. He tells her he hopes her trip to Bangor wasn't a total dud. Not really, she says. I'll dive into those files first thing in the morning, I promise, I'll find out about B. Hanscomb if I have to go through miles of files! We'll track down that woman in the portrait somehow. If you don't find her, says Vicki, or you do and she turns out not to be my mother, I still won't be sorry I came to Bangor. I'd like to take that personally, he says. What I meant was, I needed to get away from Collinwood for a while, says Vicki, (aw, don't shoot the guy down). Why? he asks. If I told you the real reason, you'd think I was out of my mind, she predicts. I doubt that, he says. Yes you would, she says, I've even been doubting my own sanity. That's a pretty strong statement, he says, you'd better tell me what you're talking about. I saw a ghost, she confesses. He stares at her.
You saw a ghost? he asks--are you serious? I told you you'd think I'd lost my mind, says Vicki. I don't think that for a minute, he says, but I do think you'd better explain. How can I explain something that defies description, something that was unreal, something I KNOW couldn't exist? asks Vicki--I saw the ghost of Bill Malloy--he ran the cannery for Mrs. Stoddard--he was killed on Lookout Point, and he fell from the rocks. I know all about him, my dad told me, says Frank--this thing you saw, it looked like Malloy. It was Mr. Malloy, says Vicki, it even sang his favorite song, "What Do You Do With a Drunken Sailor"--and it spoke to me. It SPOKE to you? he asks. Yes, he told me he'd been killed by someone in Collinsport, and I must leave because I'm in danger, explains Vicki. Where did you see this whatever it was you saw? he asks. In a locked up room in the closed-off section of the house, she says--it appeared from no where. Let-s back up--how did you happen to get into a locked up room? he asks. It's a long story, she says. You have my undivided attention, he assures her. David locked me up in there--he's Roger Collins' little boy, says Vicki. Why did he lock you up? he asks. He wanted to scare me, she says--he lured me in there, then he ran out and locked the door. How did you let yourself get lured into a room, he asks. I thought David had stolen my pen, says Vicki, we went to look for it--it was very valuable--I had found it on the beach a couple of days before--as a matter of fact, I found it right at the very point where Mr. Malloy had died. Tell me what happened after you were locked in this room, he says. I tried to get out, she says, I banged on the door, pleaded with David, but it wasn't any use--then it started to rain, there was thunder and lightning, I was terrified. I can believe it, says Frank. There was a cot in the room, she says, I lay down on it and went to sleep for a while, then I heard the sounds of singing. You fell asleep? He asks. For a while, she says, then I heard the sounds of singing. Frank chuckles--don't you see--you dreamed the whole thing! It couldn't have been a dream, she insists--it just wasn't, I remember being wide awake. Haven't you ever had a dream that seemed real? He asks. Yes, she says. I've had dreams that seemed so real that even after I woke up I believed in them--it's not at all uncommon. I know I wasn't dreaming, says Vicki--this may sound strange to you, but I KNOW I saw Bill Malloy. Vicki, he says--look, listen to me--he sits beside her--let's think about this thing logically--there you are, trapped in a room in the shut off section of this gloomy house, frightened out of your wits--there's a storm that frightens you even more--you've got Malloy's death on your mind, plus all the legends and superstitions that have grown up around Collinwood--wouldn't it be the most logical thing in the world, give those circumstances, that you fall asleep and dream you saw Malloy's ghost? It would be logical, she admits--I don't know, it seemed so real. You're an intelligent girl, he says, surely your intelligence tells you it had to be a dream. Well, she says, it could have been a dream--but that doesn't explain the seaweed--right where Malloy was standing, I found strands of wet seaweed. Did you go back to look for it? he asks. She nods--yes, and it was gone--we can sit here and be very logical because we're miles from Collinwood, but when you're back there, it's different--you find yourself believing things you scoffed at before. You're frightened of that house, aren't you? he asks. Terrified of it, confesses Vicki--there's something sinister about it--I can't explain it--but it's in the air. Why go back there? he asks--you can find other jobs. No, I have to go back, she says, David pleaded with me. David couldn't be very fond of you if he goes around locking you in deserted rooms, says Frank. He's a strange boy, she says, but I think I can help him. The Collins family can find another tutor, says Frank, think about yourself for a change, about what might happen to you if you went back to that house, what it might do to you. I am thinking about myself, she says, and I have a very good, selfish reason for going back--I'm embarrassed to tell you. Why should you? he asks. Because you have a logical mind, says Vicki, and my reason for going back to Collinwood is not logical. What is it? he asks. I feel that I belong there, she says. Why should you feel that way? he asks.(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0095-1.jpg)
That's just it--I don't know, says Vicki--I told you it wasn't logical--I've been searching for myself for so long, I feel I might find the answer at Collinwood.
And you really think there's some connection between you and the Collins family? asks Frank. I said I wasn't sure, she says. Do you want to be a Collins? he asks. It's not a matter of wanting to be, says Vicki, it's just finding out who I am. He smiles. Is something funny? she demands, amused. I was just thinking how lucky I am, he says, to meet you--a beautiful girl, searching for her identity, a mysterious house, complete with ghosts in the attic, what armchair detective could ask for more? Are you making fun of me? asks Vicki. No, he says, definitely not, that's the last thing in the world I want to do. Burke enters the restaurant with Blair, who takes a table. Burke comes over to Vicki and Frank, who tells him he hopes he isn't here for his cheese sandwich--that's just a memory now. Burke grins. Easy come, easy go, he says--I'll be leaving for Collinsport in half an hour, he tells Vicki, I have a business meeting, but I shouldn't be longer than that. I'll be ready, she says. Good, says Burke, and goes to join Blair. I didn't know you had a ride back to Collinsport, says Frank, looking none too happy about it. Yes, I'm glad Burke is driving me back, I've missed the last bus, says Vicki. I know, says Frank, I'm disappointed--I was planning to drive you back myself. It's a long drive, says Vicki, that would be putting you out. My loss is Devlin's gain, says Frank. I'd better go pay the bill, says Vicki. Would you mind if I asked you a very nosy, personal question? Asks Frank. That depends on the question, says Vicki. Is there anything between you and Devlin? he asks--are you more than friends? No, she says. I was just wondering, you did come to Bangor together, and you are leaving together, he says. That's just coincidence, she says. I was hoping you'd say that, says Frank. I don't know Burke very well, says Vicki, but he's a strange man. They look across the restaurant at Blair and Burke, who appear to be going over legal briefs. Five years in prison is apt to make any man a little bit strange, says Frank. Sometimes, he seems so gentle and kind, says Vicki, other times, he seems capable of cruelty and violence, and he frightens me. You sound intrigued, says Frank (wise man). I'm not intrigued, says Vicki, I just don't understand him very well. In any case, we've established one point, says Frank--that is that Burke Devlin doesn't qualify as a boyfriend--is there a boyfriend in the picture? You do ask blunt question, says Vicki. As a lawyer I find it's the best way to get straight answers, he says--what is the answer? The answer is no, says Vicki. He smiles--I'm surprised, he says, I'd have thought half the male population of Collinsport would have been be beating a path to your door. Not at all, she grins. There must be something wrong with the male population of Collinsport, he says. They look at each other a moment, and Vicki says, I guess I should go. Are you sure you won't take me up on my offer of a ride? That would be foolish, she says, I already have a ride with Burke. They stand. I guess I'll just have to settle for walking you to the lobby, he says. Vicki thanks him again for everything. My pleasure, he assures her as the maitre'd helps him on with his coat, I'll get to those files first thing in the morning--you may have to be patient, we have miles of records that go all the way back to 1879, so it might take a little while before I can come up with something. I'll understand, Vicki says. Would you mind just one more blunt question? He asks--I'd very much like to see you again, and not in my professional capacity. She smiles shyly. I didn't mean to embarrass you, he says, a simple yes or no would do. Yes, she says, and they leave the restaurant. Burke is going through legal briefs and tells Blair all he wants is action--action! These things take time, says Blair. I haven't got time, says Burke, what's holding up the works? The Logansport people want to consider all the bids on the cannery, says Blair, before they come to any decision. Has anyone else made a bid? asks Burke. Not up to this point, says Blair. Do they seriously expect Mrs. Elizabeth Stoddard to come up with some money for a bid? asks Burke. I don't know what they think, I just know they aren't considering closing out a deal at this point, says Blair. Is it a question of money? asks Burke. In business it always is, says Blair. Raise my bid 10 percent, says Burke. Are you serious? asks Blair. I'm always serious when it comes to money, Burke says. I think you ought to think this over, says Blair--I don't think the cannery is worth that much. It is to me, Burke tells him, if it means putting Collinsport Enterprises out of business!
I brought these contracts along, says Blair, they need your signature. Where do I sign? asks Burke. I'd better glance over them for a minute, says Blair, make sure they're nice and legal. You do that, says Burke, because that's the way we want it. Vicki enters. All set? Asks Burke. Yes, my bag is in the lobby, she says. Have a seat, invites Burke. I don't want to intrude, says Vicki. You're not intruding, Burke assures her, a hand on her shoulder, we were just about finished, right Blair? Right, Blair agrees. I don't think you two have been introduced, says Burke, and introduces Blair to Vicki. She shakes his hand and says how do you do? Look over the contracts while I go and check out and get my bags, instructs Burke--sit right here, Vicki, I won't be a moment. He leaves. Blair asks Vicki if she's from Collinwood. No, I'm not from Collinsport, she says, but I work there--at a house called Collinwood. (He made a blooper.) Collinwood? he asks--I didn't know Mr. Devlin was friendly with anyone from that house--I only know Mr. Devlin in a business way. What business are you in? she asks. I have an interest in several business--jack of all trades, he says--would you excuse me if I sign some of these contracts. Vicki notices that he's signing with an exact replica of the pen she lost. Noticing she's staring, he asks if anything is wrong. No, I was looking at your pen, she says. It's a beauty, isn't it? asks Blair. Yes, agrees Vicki. Mr. Devlin gave it to me, says Blair--noting the way she's staring at it, Blair remarks that she must have a fondness for fountain pens--you've hardly taken your eyes off it. It's strange, I found one just like it, she says, at a place called Lookout Point. I don't think that's possible, he says--there are only six of these in existence, and four are in South America. South American? Asks a surprised Vicki. Yes, that's where Mr. Devlin bought it, says Blair, including the one he has--I don't think there's another like it in this country. I found an exact duplicate of that, says Vicki. Maybe you found Mr. Devlin's pen--he could have lost it, suggests Blair.(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0095-2.jpg)
Oh no, I'm sure it's not Burke's, it couldn't be--because... Don't you think you'd better mention it to him, just in case? Asks Blair--if he has lost it, I'm sure he'll want it back--these pens are expensive. May I see it? asks Vicki. Of course, he says, and hands it to her. I must have been mistaken, she says, this isn't anything like the pen I found. But you were so sure it was, says Blair, just a moment ago. I thought so until I looked at it closely, she says--the pattern is entirely different. She hands it back to him. I thought you might be mistaken, he says. Vicki looks uncomfortable. All set? asks Burke, returning to the table--have you finished looking over the contracts? Everything is in order, ready for your signature, says Blair. Burke sits down and pats his pockets for his pen, but says I forgot, my pen is among the missing--I'll have to borrow yours. Blair hands him the pen. Be my guest, he says. Vicki watches Burke sign the paperwork.
Thunder rolls as Burke hands back the contracts and tells Blair to call him the minute a decision is reached. I will, promises Blair, locking the papers in his briefcase--nice to meet you, Miss winters, he says. Distracted, she looks up at him and asks him what he said. I said it was nice meeting you, repeats Blair. It was nice meeting you, too, says Vicki. I'll be in touch, says Blair. You do that, says Burke, and Blair exits. Shall we get going? asks Burke--where did you say your bags were--the lobby? Yes, says Vicki. Do you have a scarf? He asks. No, she says. Too bad, he says, it's started to rain--we're going to have to make a run for it. He rises. Burke? she asks. Aren't you coming? he asks. I have to make a telephone call, she says. Now?--can't it was? asks Burke--we're getting a late start as it is. It can't wait insists Vicki, it's very important. All right, he says, there's a phone in the lobby, but hurry, Vicki. I won't take long, she says. She enters the phone booth and dials operator, then asks to talk to Frank Garner in Bangor--I don't know the number--please keep ringing, she begs--no, never mind, cancel the call--I'd like to make one more call--to Collinsport. Thunder rumbles.
At Collinwood, Roger comes downstairs and answers the phone, checking his watch along the way. It's Vicki, she says. We've been expecting to hear from you, he says coldly. I'm in Bangor, says Vicki, could you please come up and bring me home? You want me to drive all the way to Bangor on a night like this? Roger asks. I wouldn't ask you if I wasn't so frightened, says Vicki--I think I'm in danger--Burke Devlin--I think he's connected with Malloy's death. What? asks Roger. Do you remember that pen I found on the beach near where Mr. Malloy died? asks Vicki. Yes, says Roger, vaguely. It was Burke's pen, says Vicki. How do you know that? asks Roger. I just found one identical to it, says Vicki, don't you see what this means?--Burke must have lost it on the beach--he could have been there with Mr. Malloy, he could have killed him! Calm down, orders Roger--is Burke there with you now? Yes, says Vicki, he wants to drive me home--I don't want to go with him!--I'm afraid and I don't know what to do! Tell Devlin you can't go back with him, says Roger, make some excuse but get out of it--and I'll come and get you. You will? she asks. Yes, he says, where are you now? The lobby of the hotel, she says. Wait right there, he says, I'll be there as soon as I can. Thank you, Roger, she says. And Vicki, he says--don't mention the pen to Devlin under any circumstances--you wouldn't want to arouse his suspicions. That's the last thing I'd want to do, says Vicki. I'll leave now and get there as soon as I can, he assures her, just wait for me.(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0095-3.jpg)
I'll be here, she says. She hangs up, scared, then exits the phone booth and slowly returns to Burke, who is sitting at a table, smoking. Did you make your phone call? he asks, smiling. Yes, she says. Shall we be going? he asks. I don't think I'm going back to Collinsport tonight, she says--Mrs. Stoddard doesn't need me there until tomorrow night, and I thought I might see something of Bangor. What's so special about Bangor? he asks. It's a change, she says. I thought you'd already checked out of the hotel, he reminds her--I thought your bags were already packed and in the lobby. I'm sure I can get my room back, she says. Why did you hang around all evening, waiting for me to take you back? he asks. I just changed my mind, she says. Burke grins. Well, all right little miss governess, have it your own way--I'll see you back at Collinsport.(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0095-4.jpg)
Vicki walks away from him and sits at a table.
At Collinwood, Roger opens the double front doors and, pulling up his collar against the storm, leaves.
NOTES: Oh, Vicki, have you called the real murderer to pick you up? Shiver. It looks that way, doesn't it? Roger was the original possessor of that pen, and it seems HE must have lost it on the beach!
Burke proceeds with his plans to buy the cannery in Logansport. He's utterly determined to destroy the Collinses--no matter how much money it takes.
Frank is smitten with Vicki, has even asked to court her. They make a nice couple. He reminds me of my Ken doll, but he's sweet, cute, smart and caring. Go for it, Vicki, even if you are attracted to Burke!
Episode #96 - Collinwood seems a thousand miles away tonight, yet my only hope is that someone is driving from there to pick me up in Bangor--and rescue me.
Vicki sits at a table, biting her nails. When Roger enters, she tells him she was never so glad to see anyone in her whole life. Is Burke still here? asks Roger. No, she says, he left shortly after I called you--I told him I was staying overnight here. Has he any idea what you suspect? Asks Roger. No, she says, but I just couldn't face that long drive back to Collinsport with him, knowing perhaps he was a murderer. I don't blame you a bit, Roger assures her. I just couldn't believe that. . she says. Don't worry, says Roger, we have a long time to talk about everything--where's your luggage? The lobby, she says. We'd better get ready, he says--now, all you all right?--he pats her shoulders--you don't have anything to worry about with me. He watches her walk away, putting on his hat, looking like the big bag wolf.
Roger and Vicki are in his car, the rain lashing the windows. Feeling better? He asks. Much, she says. Tell me about it, he says. It was in the restaurant where you met me, says Vicki--Burke came in there with a business associate of his, a Mr. Blair--Mr. Blair sat down to look at some papers and he took out a pen identical to the one I'd found. That sounds odd, says Roger--what was so special about it? It had all that silver filigree work on it, says Vicki--I'd have recognized it anywhere. Was it like the one you thought David had stolen? Asks Roger. Exactly like it, says Vicki, and when I asked Mr. Blair about it, he said there were only 6 in the whole world, four in South America--he has one, and Burke the other--and that must have been the one I found on Lookout Point--exactly on the spot where Malloy was killed.(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0096-1.jpg)
You mean where he had his accident, don't you? asks Roger. I don't know what I mean anymore, says Vicki. Roger smirks and gives her an arch look. Did Burke overheard your conversation with Blair? Asks Roger. No, he was out of the room, says Vicki. You didn't make such a big thing about it that Blair might have said something to Burke about that pen? Asks Roger. I don't think so, he had his mind on the contracts, says Vicki. Then the question of this pen might never come up, says Roger. Don't you understand? asks Vicki--the fact that I found it where I did places Burke at the scene of the...accident. If I were you, I wouldn't mention the pen to anyone, says Roger. I have to, protests Vicki. It's such a flimsy piece of evidence, says Roger, he might have lost it several days before that sad event--or afterwards. I don't believe that for one minutes, says Vicki, and I don't think you do, either. Well, says Roger, perhaps not--I would hate to ask that the case be re-opened on such a weak claim--you know that Burke is a vindictive man, all it will do is make an enemy for you. On the other hand, something has to be done, insists Vicki--perhaps I should talk to Mrs. Stoddard. I would much prefer you didn't! says Roger. At the harsh tone in his voice, Vicki tells him he's a bit of a mystery himself--Burke is out to destroy you--I should think you'd leap at an opportunity to discredit him. Oh, I would, Roger assures her, I'd love it, but I don't think this is quite the right time--I can't think of any motive Burke would have for wanting to harm Malloy. That's true, they were friends, weren't they? asks Vicki. The whole thing is just so inadequate, says Roger, besides, there's one very important thing you're overlooking--you no longer have the pen. I could describe Mr. Blair's pen, suggests Vicki, and Mr. Blair said his was identical to Burke's. Blair works for Burke, Roger says, you think he would stick to that story, once he knew Burke was of the questions? I suppose he wouldn't, agrees Vicki--the other one must be somewhere at Collinwood, we'll just have to look and find where David hid it. Knowing my son, if he wanted to hide something, says Roger, he'd hide it where it could never be found. Thunder rolls. Why are you turning off the main road? asks Vicki as Roger makes a turn. When I drove up, there were a couple of places where the road was almost washed out, says Roger--I think this back road is going to be safer. (Ah, but Vicki, are YOU?) It's so desolate, says Vicki, I don't se any lights.
Collinwood - Liz hears someone knocking and comes downstairs to answer the door. It's Sheriff Patterson, who enters, soaking wet, apologizing for the lateness of the house, and asks to use the phone--his car stalled, and the battery shorted so he can't use the radio. Liz tells him to take off his wet things and leave them by the door--go into the drawing room, there's a fire there. Sorry to drag all this water in here, says Patterson. Don't give it a second thought, says Liz, opening the doors and turning on lights. She rubs her hands together and tells Patterson it's a worse storm than she thought. It's pretty bad, he agrees. Make all the phone calls you want, says Liz. He goes to the phone, asking if everyone else is here at home. Miss Winters is in Bangor, says Liz, everyone else is home. That's good, says Patterson--they'd never get up that hill--the rain has caused a washout on the road--we'll fix it as soon as it dies out a bit. I'll get you some coffee, offers Liz. Please don't bother, he says. No bother, she assures him, and leaves the room. Patterson calls Cal--I sure hate to get you up on a night like this, but my car is stalled on the Valley Road, about half a mile from Collinwood--that's where I'm calling from--get someone to call it in, then bring the other car up to me--you can't abandon state property, can you, it wouldn't look good--if there's any other news, call me up here--year--right--he dials again, this time calling Trooper Chuck Woodard--on the road south of the Oak Crossing, there's a blocked culvert, and the water's coming over the road like a river--you ought to notify the barracks, so they can broadcast a warning--that's the place--and if you want me, I'm up at Collinwood--he hangs up and dials again. (Two car town?--wow!)
On that desolate road, Roger continues to drive, eyeing Vicki.
Liz brings out coffee for the sheriff, and he helps her with the tray and thanks her for letting him make his calls. They sit, she pours. What amazed me on a night like this is that we don't have more accidents than we do, says Patterson. That's one thing I don't have to worry about, says Liz, I haven't driven a car in 18 years. The sheriff laughs, saying that they've changed a little in that time--of course, so have a lot of things. Yes they have, agrees Liz. You know that it's all around town that Burke is trying to buy the Logansport Cannery, Patterson says--and trying to get some of your key men away from you. Bad news travels faster than good, says Liz. There are a lot of people around town who would like to help you if they could, Patterson says, it would be a sad day for Collinsport if anything happened to Collins Enterprises,--it's the backbone of the town. I know, says Liz, that's why my father was disappointed when I came along--he wanted a boy, of course. You've done right well, praises Patterson, he'd be proud of you. The phone rings. Liz gets up to answer. It's for you, George, she says, and he takes the phone, thanking her--hello?--yes, Cal--the back road to Bangor?--I see--as soon as you can get up here with the other car, we'll get back out there and put some flares up--hurry it up, will ya? He hangs up and tells Liz the back road to Bangor is completely impassable(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0096-2.jpg)
--it's like a flash flood. No one in their right mind would use that road anyway, says Liz, sipping her coffee. There are still a few houses up there, he says, but it is lonely country, all right.
Can't you see anything? Vicki asks Roger as he tries to peer through the downpour. Barely, he says. I wish you hadn't turned off the main road, onto this back road, she says. I told you, he says, it looked as though it might be washed out. Do you think this looks any better? She asks. Not at the moment, no, he says. I haven't seen a light in miles, she says. I don't believe I've seen the road in miles, says Roger. (Comforting!) She looks at him and, upset, says, you don't think we're lost, do you? Of course not, he says, I've been on this road hundreds of times. How long do you think this is going to last? She asks. A Nor'easter usually last three days, says Roger. Is that what this is? she asks. If not, it's remarkably like one, says Roger, stopping short. What is it? asks Vicki. It looks like I was about to drive right into the Atlantic Ocean, he replies. There's a pond there, she says. I'd better get out and take a look, he says, reaching in the back seat for his hat--you stay right here. Where do you think I'd go? she asks sarcastically. I have to see if that water is too deep to go through, he insists. Couldn't we just turn around and go back? she asks. I'm sure it would be much worse than that behind us, he says. Please don't be long, she says. There's nothing to be afraid of, he assures her--you said yourself you haven't seen a light around for miles. I know, she says, but please hurry. I'll be back as quickly as I can, he promises. She hugs her coat more closely to herself, shivering.
Roger returns to the car, sopping wet,. What took you so long? she asks. There isn't the faintest chance of getting through that water--it's much too deep, he says. What are we going to do? she asks, fearful. I scouted around and found an abandoned shack down the road, he says--the door wasn't locked and it looked like it had been abandoned for years--and there was a stove. That sounds wonderful, exults Vicki. But Roger tries to re-start the car and can't. It's not so wonderful, he says, I think the battery has short-circuited. Was their any firewood in the place? Asks Vicki. No, he says, but there were some crates and barrels, we could burn them if necessary--I think you'd better get out on this side--wait a minute--I'll leave a note first, in case anyone comes along, they'll know where to look for us. Who's going to come along this road? asks Vicki. You never know, he says, maybe even Bill Malloy's ghost. Please don't joke about things like that, she protests. I'm sorry, he chuckles, writing--there--put it right--he inserts it into the dashboard. When you get out, keep your head down, he instructs, I'll try to cover you with the umbrella. He starts to exit the car, remarking, "It's really coming down!"
Sheriff Patterson is leaving Collinwood. He thanks Liz for the use of the phone--and the coffee. Not at all, she assures him--would your men like some coffee? I'm sure they would, thanks anyway, he says, but I don't think we'd better take the time--oh, by the way, you're sure everyone is asleep here now? Of course, she says. He opens the door into the storm and she advises him to be careful. She returns to the drawing room and turns off the light, then walks back through the lightning streaked room, turns off the foyer lights, then heads upstairs.
Vicki and Roger run through the storm into the abandoned shack. Roger shakes out his wet hat and asks what she thinks--let's see if we can get this lamp to work. He finds matches and lights the lamp. That's luck, he says, there was some kerosene in it--let's start this fire--you want to bring over some of this paper. She gathers newspapers and Roger finds kindling on the stove, fortunately dry. He rips of the paper and tosses it and kindling into the stove, then tosses in a match--there, I think it's going to catch, he says--well, it's not exactly cozy, is it. Vicki, shaking, says it looks like the bridal suite at the Waldorff Astoria to me! I should have carried you over the threshold, he teases. (Don't go there, Vicki, it will give him some other honeymoon night ideas!) Smiling, she says you forget, you're already married. If you can call it that, he says, unfortunately, it didn't work out that way. He opens his drenched trench coat. David told me you and Laura didn't get along too well, says Vicki. That's an understatement, says Roger--I think we an find many more pleasure things to talk about--let's sit down. She sits on top of a barrel and he sits down on one next to her. I wonder why David would admit he stole the pen, muses Vicki, and then lied about where he'd hidden it. I can't answer that, he says--there's very little about David I can answer--anymore than I can account for his friendship with Burke. Isn't it strange that those two should become friends, says Vicki. Not at all, he says, they're very much alike--they would both go to any extremes to get what they want. You're not like that at all, she says, you seem very confident, he must have gotten that from his mother. I hope he didn't inherit any of her other tendencies, remarks Roger. Thunder booms. I know so little about you, she says--you know everything about me, not that there's much to know--tell me, what do you want out of life? Right now, there are two things I want very much, he says, hugging himself against the cold--I want someone to rescue us from this dank and ill-smelling shack. Vicki agrees with him, and asks what the other one is. I want you to leave Collinwood, he says, startling her.
I know I must sound like a broken record, he says, but I seriously think you're in personal danger. But you yourself said that the pen wasn't very strong evidence, she says. I know Burke better than you do, he says, I know what he's capable of--he's absolutely determined to have himself absolved from that manslaughter charge--he still insists he's innocent. You were in the car with him, points out Vicki, you ought to know. So was Laura, we both were, says Roger--Burke was the only one so drunk he didn't remember anything. But now he said that Malloy was going to clear him of that charge, says Vicki--why would he kill him?(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0096-3.jpg)
Malloy was jealous of me, says Roger, before I came back to Collinsport, he was entirely in charge of the Collins Enterprises, but naturally when I came back, he had to be demoted--he'd have done anything to get rid of me--even if it meant siding with Burke and getting someone to testify falsely against me. But I still don't see why Burke would have killed him, says Vicki. I believe at the last minute his hired witness just wouldn't go through with it, says Roger, and Burke got mad, you know he has a vile temper--they quarreled, he and Malloy, and I think that was the end of Malloy. But you don't think it was deliberate? Asks Vicki. No, says Roger, I think it was probably accidental, but a judge and jury might not believe it. And then, when you said you wanted to get me out of Collinwood... I was thinking only of your own personal safety, says Roger sincerely--if Burke ever discovered you found that pen, I shudder to think of the consequences--are you positive he didn't see or overhear anything you said to Blair about that pen business? I'm sure of it, says Vicki. What did he say when you told him you wouldn't go back to Collinsport with him? asks Roger. Nothing much, she replies--he seemed annoyed. Annoyed at not having those long hours to question you more, he says. (Bangor is 50 miles away; why would it take hours?) No, I imagine he thought how like a woman, always changing her mind, says Vicki. Roger checks the stove and adds more kindling. I want you to promise me never to mention that pen to anyone at all, he says firmly. But why? she asks. Because I think that it would be sure to get back to Burke--and then your life would just not be worth very much, he warns. I just can't believe that Burke would... Evidently Malloy didn't believe it, either, says Roger. I still think I should go to the police, says Vicki. No, you mustn't, says Roger pleadingly--you mustn't say anything--to Carolyn, David, my sister or the police! But it's withholding evidence! cries Vicki. He grabs her arms. "Then withhold it, you little idiot!" he says. Vicki, stung, looks up at him. Don't you see, I'm the one Burke is trying to pin that on, says Roger desperately--I'm the one he was trying to pin that manslaughter charge on--so in a sense I'm more in the middle of this than anyone could possibly he. He releases her. I realize that, she says. You mention that pen, he says, it will get back to Burke, and he'll call Blair and tell him to dispose of that duplicate pen--then we haven't got a shred of evidence. I hadn't thought of that, says Vicki. It's time you think of it! says Roger.(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0096-4.jpg)
Sheriff Patterson comes in, laughing--well, I bet you're glad to see me! he says heartily--I'll bet you're glad to see me!--we found the note on your car. Thank heavens! says Roger, how did you find us? We were setting flares along the road because of the washout, and we saw the car, explains Patterson. Vicki stands silent. The sheriff tells her he hopes she wasn't too worried. I wasn't, sure assures him, and he asks her if anything is wrong. Vicki exchanges looks with Roger and replies, "No, nothing at all." Roger looks relieved. Patterson suggests they get them out of here. Roger blows out the lamp's flame as Vicki precedes Patterson out the door.
NOTES: Doesn't it seem odd to Vicki that Roger is harping so much on this pen business, as he calls it? Doesn't his behavior strikes her as being a bit odd? It would me! I think it does her, too, but she's going to ignore it. And Burke won't have a clue when she starts avoiding him. He's pushing her to break the law by withholding evidence (and calls her stupid!), plus he touches her in a way that borders on violence. She asks him all the right questions, but he has responses for everything--and he's convinced her, yet again, to lie for him. Who feared something bad would happen to Vicki in that shack before the sheriff showed up? Murder, perhaps, especially if she refused to stand by him and keep silent. I was expecting something to happen.
I wondered if anything would happen in the shack--it sounded like Roger was angling for a little piece, didn't it? That bridal suite talk--but Vicki did start it, which I thought unwise of her.
Lucky for Vicki that Patterson showed up. Roger is showing signs of desperation, covering up something, and if he didn't kill Malloy, I can't figure out the way he's acting this way at all.
Nice of Liz to greet the sheriff at such a late hour, but she's the consummate hostess, always. Good lady, Liz, and well-liked by mostly everyone, even, I suspect, Burke.
So what happens next in the Saga of the Pen? And how will Carolyn and Liz react to Vicki on her return?
Love, Robin