Chapter 11: Meanwhile, in Another Universe...
Everywhere one went, the sound of the sea managed to reach the ear. Seagulls glided in the air constantly. And on the docks stood the inescapable sight of the factory under repairs that sported a sign that read 'Collins Fishing Fleet and Cannery'.
And on the street across from the docks, two men sat in a powder blue car, staring at the building. The man in the passenger's seat turned to the driver. "Collins...I'd say we're in the right place. Then again, the town's called Collinsport, too, but it's nice to have your hopes reinforced."
"Take out the map, Bill," The driver stated. Bill quickly unfolded the map, holding it out for the driver to inspect. "Okay...So if we follow this road, then that...we'll be at Collinwood in no time."
"I'm detecting a bit of an ego trip, Rick," Bill shook his head as he rested the map on the space between the dashboard and the windowshield.
"Just bear with me, Bill. Trust me, the sooner this deal's done, the sooner we can get home."
"And go make the next deal the higher ups make."
"Exactly. Now, remember who we're asking for..."
§§§
"Rick?"
"Bill?"
"I was under the impression that we'd be going to a mansion that - you know - wasn't still being built."
The two looked out from their car at the enormous structure just ahead. Construction workers moved in almost every direction, carrying tools and materials as they worked on the apparently incomplete manor.
Rick leaned out, looking for the closest worker. "Hey there!" He shouted, and was able to get the attention of one of them. "What's going on? What happened?"
"A fire," The worker answered as he walked within hearing distance of the men. "Damn big one, too." He paused. "You looking for the Collins'?"
"You know where they are?" Rick asked.
"Hold on a minute." The worker cupped his hands on either side of his mouth. "WILLIE!"
The men in the car noticed a second man; One that, despite wearing a construction helmet, didn't seem to be anyone involved in repairing the mansion. He wore aged jeans and a long-sleeved, plaid shirt. When he got close enough, the two men seeing his five o'clock shadow, he removed his helmet, showing long, unkempt brown hair. One eyebrow seemed to be perpetually higher than the other as he looked at the construction worker who called him over.
"These two are looking for the Collins'," Was the explanation. The plaid-wearing man looked to the men in the car. He furrowed his brow upon noticing that they were identical twins, both sporting black, combed-back hair and dressed in dark blue. He walked up to the driver's side door and leaned forward.
"May I ask who I'm speaking to?" The driver asked.
"Willie Loomis," the man answered. "Caretaker. You?"
"Willie...you weren't the one who kept answering our phone calls, were you?"
The gears quickly turned in Willie's head. "Oh, you're the ones that want a contract."
"That's right. Rick Lillian. This is my brother, Bill." He gestured to his twin. "Now thankfully, the directions here weren't that bad. But we're a bit confused about the construction going on. Is there somewhere else the Collins' are staying?"
Willie, saying nothing, placed his helmet on a nearby pile of wood. "I got a car. Lemme get into it and follow me."
The twins watched as Willie walked towards a small, sulfur yellow vehicle parked a few feet away. Within minutes, he started up the engine, driving until he was perpendicular to their blue car. He stopped, motioned with his head for them to follow him, and let the car move again, this time with the twins right behind him.
The drive lasted for several minutes, partly due to the slow pace Willie was going; Presumably, to avoid hitting a straying animal or something of the sort. But before the drive began to bore them, they noticed Willie slowing to a stop, which they decided to do as well. Rick and Bill looked out the passenger's side door to take a look at their 'Option B'.
It was another mansion, albeit one much smaller than the one being repaired. The face of the mansion consisted of a projection bow and was supported by several pillars. A single brick chimney jutted from the leftmost half of the roof. Looking through the windows, several small lights could be seen even in the daylight.
The twins stared at the mansion before noticing Willie, having left his car and walking up to theirs. He got closer before speaking to them. "The big mansion back there? Wasn't the first Collinwood Manor." He pointed a thumb to the structure behind him. "This was. We're staying here 'till everything's done back there. Call it the Old House."
"That's...imaginative," Bill replied.
Rick, however, stepped out of the car, causing his brother to follow suit. "After you, Willie," Rick motioned to the mansion. The plaid-shirted man led them to the front doors before pushing them open, allowing the twins inside.
Immediately, the ambiance of the house was rather foreboding. Candles illuminated the interior, in place of regular electric lights. Despite having looked like it was recently cleaned, cobwebs still decorated the more elevated parts of the ceiling. The designs, overall, looked to be out of the eighteenth century.
"In here," Willie stated, beckoning them as he walked into a doorway. The twins went to him, now finding themselves in a large, decorated parlor. A light brown, patterned rug encompassed most of the room. Several candelabras dotted the room, either sitting on tables or standing on their own. An ornate fireplace was at the center of one wall, with two red lounge chairs facing a glowing fire.
Along with someone else for the two to meet; A young boy, laying on the rug on his stomach, toying with several small dinosaur figurines. He raised his head up from the dinosaurs before turning to the twins in curiosity.
Bill waved at the boy. "Hey there, sport. We're, uh, here to speak with your...?"
"Aunt," The boy finished his sentence. "My name's David."
"Nice to meet you, David," Rick nodded. "I understand you're staying here until the other mansion is finished? How is it?"
David shrugged. "No T.V. or anything. "But I got used to that."
"Miss Collins?" Willie called out as he walked out of the parlor, leaving Rick, Bill and David. But three turned to four as another member of the family looked at a departing Willie before entering the room: A teenage girl with blonde hair, her arms folded as she leaned against the doorframe.
"Hello," Rick lightly waved. "We're the Lillians. We're here for-"
"For a deal with a cannery that's still not done being built," The girl finished the sentence.
Rick shrugged slightly, saying, "We wanted to be there before anyone else. But we do know it's not that long before the repairs are done. And you are?"
"Carolyn," was the answer. She walked into the room before sitting in one of the cushioned chairs.
Bill leaned towards his brother to whisper. "This isn't so bad. They seem normal enough."
"You're one to talk," Rick responded. "You were all ears for those rumors. Witches? Curses?"
"I know, I know," Bill moved his hands in a 'calm down' gesture. "Believe me, I know I shouldn't jump to conclusions in this line of business. But if anything happens to us, what then? Ready for anything, right?"
Rick nodded subtly. "Especially for anything belonging to-"
"Hello?"
The occupants of the room turned to the open doors. There stood Willie and a fifth new face.
It was a woman, of middle-age at least. She sported a dark-colored dress that covered everything save for her head and hands. Her hair, long and a dull blond, was brushed back. Walking to the twins, she extended a hand. "I'm who you're looking for, gentlemen - Elizabeth Collins."
Bill was the first to shake her hand. "It's nice to meet you...Miss? Mrs.?"
"Either or," Elizabeth answered. Rick was the next one to accept her handshake.
"A wonderful house and a fine family, ma'am. Now that we finally have the chance to meet face-to-face, perhaps we can talk about our offers somewhere more business-oriented."
"Absolutely," the matriarch curtsied slightly. "If you would follow me..."
§§§
"As you can see, Ms. Collins," Rick leaned forward in his chair, "Many businesses we've placed contracts with have received moderate to significant boosts for both parties. Unfortunately, for securities' sake, we can't go into any deep detail over what comes about with these contracts, but you can be assured the relationships are symbiotic all the way."
The twins sat opposite Elizabeth at a desk in what seemed to be a study. The woman was flipping through one of several folders the two men gave her, listening to what they had to say as she skimmed over the data.
She began to speak aloud several of the business partners' lines of work. "Medicine...Technology..." She grew confused as she reached one page, looking up at the twins. "...Shower curtains?"
Bill spoke up. "You'd be amazed at how much one's quality of life improves with a well-built curtain. Especially when you choose where to place them..."
Rick interrupted his brother. "Officially, we're listed as an organization trusted with protecting and helping communities. These contracts help us do just that. Especially the...shower curtains."
Elizabeth put her hand to her chin in thought. "And what role will our cannery play?"
"Supplies," Rick answered. "More often than not, several members of our organization may find themselves without immediate access to fresh food. Canned goods, especially those easy to carry, remedy that problem."
Bill, reaching into his suitcase, pulled out an official-looking document with dotted lines at the bottom. "Here's all you need to know and sign," he told Elizabeth. "The payments will be as discussed, and all measures will be taken to ensure said payments get to you ASAP."
Elizabeth looked at the paper placed in her hands, then looked up at the anticipating twins. Their small smiles turned to frowns as she placed the paper on her desk and she slowly stood up.
"There is one thing to be done before I pull our business into something as big as this," the matriarch stated flatly.
"Well," Bill flipped a hand in a shrug-like manner, "We're listening."
Elizabeth motioned for the two to follow her. They did so, quickly finding themselves back in the parlor. The three of them were the only ones there.
She spoke up. "In the documents you've given me, one of the tasks your organization does is listed as 'investigations'. Exactly what does that entail?"
Rick answered. "Possible threats to lives and livelihoods, stolen property, missing persons..." He trailed off. The two, however, noticed her face soften as he mentioned 'missing persons'.
She walked over to the fireplace, placing a hand on the mantle as she told them, "Look at this portrait."
The twins had noticed the painting earlier, but this time they really looked at it. It was a medium-sized portrait of a thin man, sporting short black hair that went across his forehead in a wave-like pattern. He was also dressed in eighteenth century clothing and held in one hand a cane with an ebony handle shaped like some sort of canine.
They were confused for a moment, until Bill let an idea strike him. "Is that...Barnabas?"
Elizabeth turned to them. "It is. Before his arrival, this family was near ruins. But his loyalty and drive brought us back. Not even an arson attempt would keep him from protecting his family and ensuring its survival." She stepped closer as she continued. "Several days ago, he went missing. He went for a rest, and when he didn't come back...we assume someone may have captured him. Or perhaps madness may have taken hold. Either way...we do not expect him to be safe."
Rick asked, "Have you tried the police? They're really the most appropriate people to-"
"No," She suddenly, firmly stated. "As influential as he is, Barnabas won't respond well if policemen came looking for him. This needs to be done by people he knows won't harm him. People he won't be paranoid about." She gestured to the twins. "People like you two."
The two looked at each other before Elizabeth started again. "You bring him back to us - back home - and a deal will be made. Nothing of this much importance passes without Barnabas' approval."
The twins went into thought before Rick spoke up. "Do you mind if I make a phone call? Our superiors need to know about this rather abrupt development."
Elizabeth quickly gave him directions to the room that housed the (recently-added) telephone. Rick followed these directions, found the room, and closed the door behind him. He looked to the phone...
And instead pulled up one of his sleeves, revealing what could best be described as a cellular phone strapped to his wrist. Making sure the small screen was on, Rick began to type out a message.
He was too occupied with his 'call' to notice the thin, pale, dark-haired woman watching through the crack in the door he failed to fully close.
§§§
"She actually said yes?" Bill voiced his disbelief as soon as he and Rick stepped out of the mansion, the growing darkness signaling nighttime. Rick said nothing, knowing that his actions spoke for him.
Their superior had given them the O.K. to find and rescue Barnabas from wherever he may be. A relieved Elizabeth had said her goodbyes, more than willing to let the twins carry out their new task.
Finally, Rick spoke. "As we agreed before, we have to be ready for anything. Especially if there's a possibility that they might have gotten to him before we did."
"You really think so?" Bill asked. "I know information is leaked, but nine times out of ten, it's pretty dated by the time it switches hands. How would they...oh God, tell me that's not a ticket!"
Rick looked to their blue car, finding the source of Bill's sudden anguish in the form of a piece of paper clipped under one of the windshield wipers. Moving closer, Rick grabbed the paper and held it out for Bill to see.
It wasn't a ticket, but a note. A very brief one, at that:
Blue Whale, 9:00.
Bring only yourselves.
Once more, The brothers looked at each other. "Blue Whale?" Bill asked. "Didn't we pass that somewhere in town? It was a bar, right?"
Folding the paper and placing it in the pocket of his suit, Rick approached the driver's side door as he stated, "After we find a way to kill time...there's only one way to find out."