Collinsport Part 4 A Dark Shadows novel

Chapter Fifteen-Roger Collins-1967

***

Roger Collins sipped his red wine in the Drawing Room.

"I don't imagine Liz that vampires exist. Besides, I won't let David imagine anything. In my day, boys didn't speak out to their fathers".

"Don't let David be scared. Burke gives him presents because you don't let him love you".

"I know that David is a monster. I...".

"You know nothing about him. He has his studies. And he is educated by Miss Winters. Carolyn is dating Joe Haskell, and is in love with Burke because of his wealth, and power. Of course both men like to show how wealthy they are".

"Joe isn't as wealthy as Burke Devlin. Liz, I won't let any petty squabbling to ruin everything at Collinwood Manor".

"And, yet, you yell at David...".

"I yell at anyone who thinks I am responsible for all of the problems since the car accident since Burke was sent to jail".

"Roger, you're not going to be a old, bitter, man".

"No, I feel that there's something worse than legends of old wives committing suicide at Widow's Hill; I feel that the ghosts of the past can wreak havoc upon the town".

"Roger, stop being angry at the world", Elizabeth Collins Stoddard stated.

"I'm not. One thing is for sure, that I won't be allowed to be blamed for the accident, Liz; I won't!". He drank the rest of the red wine; he savored the taste before he put the glass down on the brown bar. Then he sighed, and waited for Liz to continue.

"It's not...".

And then the telephone rang.

Elizabeth Collins Stoddard walked through the door, then grabbed it.

"Hello?".

"It's Bill Malloy, Liz. Can I speak to you?".

"Yes, what is the matter, Bill?".

"It's Carolyn. I hear she's at the Blue Whale with Burke".

"Carolyn. I thought she was with Joe".

"She spends more time with Burke these days".

"Oh, and why would she do that?".

"Because she is fond of Burke".

"Fond".

"Yes, Liz. I know it's irrational. But, to me, everything is not right at the moment".

"What do you mean by that?".

"There's talk Liz that some of the port fishermen are scared at night because of the vampires". He was silent for a moment.

"Vampires don't exist".

"David believes in them".

"David is ten years old".

"I know. That's why he craves attention from his real father".

"Roger...".

"Liz, Roger is David's uncle, not father. Burke is. Good bye".

"Good bye!".

***

"Who was that, Liz?", Roger Collins asked.

"Bill Malloy. He mentioned you weren't David's father".

"Well, I...".

And he sighed, and headed out of the Drawing Room.

And opened his room, then closed it.

***

Roger flicked on the light.

In his room was a bed.

He saw the window doors were open.

Frowning, he opened the grey curtains.

He closed it, and shivered.

***

Roger, who wore a black suit, heard the sound of footsteps.

David Collins was spying on him.

"David, did you open the windows?", he asked.

"No, it was the ghosts", he answered.

"I won't let you have lying. David!".

"I am not lying".

"Well, why don't you go to your room and finish off your studies with Miss Winters". David Collins scowled, then walked out of the room.

And didn't venture into Roger Collins's bedroom again.

***

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