Winds Of Eternity Part 45

"No. I'll do it."

Barnabas didn't appear to be surprised to see Julia in the lab, preparing the hypodermic that evening. "Good evening, Julia. How is Roger?"

"There's been no change."

"I don't understand why she's doing this, what she could possibly hope to accomplish."

"I've no idea. I do want to know why you've decided that Angelique should give you these injections, however."

"What are you talking about?"

"Angelique said that you wanted her to take over for me."

"That's nonsense. I never said any such thing. What did you tell her?"

"The truth. That I have to keep a close watch on your progress. And that serum has to be made up every two days. Barnabas, are you certain you didn't - ?'

"Of course I am, Julia. Don't you see? it's just another part of her plan. She's decided she wants me to remain as I am."

"I'm sure you're wrong about that."

"No. I only wish I were. The injections will continue, Julia, and you will give them to me. I must be cured so that I can fight her. I won't allow her to destroy this family as she almost did once." He b.u.t.toned his coat. "Where is she?"

"At Collinwood. She had dinner there this evening."

When Quentin saw Angelique glance toward the door for what had to be the sixth time that evening, he sat down beside her. "Something wrong?"

"I don't really know, Quentin," she said, aware that Maggie, across the room talking to Carolyn, was watching them "I -"

"Trouble in paradise already?" At her confused looked, he said, "Have you and Barnabas had another of your arguments?"

"No. I only wish it were that simple. Can we talk, Quentin?"

"Here?"

"No. Someplace we can't be overheard."

"Let's go to my room, then." He took her arm and turned to Carolyn, ignoring the look in Maggie's eyes.

"We'll be right back. I need to talk to Angelique about something."

Carolyn had seen the look on Maggie's face, and frowned. "You're upset about his being with her, aren't you?"

"Carolyn-"

"What happened, Maggie? You and he seemed to be getting so close, and now all of a sudden you don't seem to be able to speak to each other."

"I wish I knew, Carolyn. All I know is that he's changed. And - he frightens me. Excuse me. I have to go check on the children."

After Quentin closed the door to his suite in the West Wing, he poured himself a gla.s.s of brandy. "How about some port?"

"I think I need some brandy tonight."

"Coming up." He gave her a gla.s.s, then went to the fireplace, as she sat on the sofa. "Now. Tell Uncle Quentin all about it."

"This is serious, Quentin."

He looked at her. "You mean that, don't you? What's wrong?"

"I don't really know where to begin. I suppose it started two nights ago. Barnabas went for a walk before dawn, and when he returned, he told Willie to repair a headstone at Eagle Hill."

"What stone?"

"Judah Zachary's. Has Barnabas told you about him?"

"Yes."84.

"That evening, Barnabas was so -cold. Frighteningly so. I went to the cemetery and watched Judah's grave. When Barnabas arrived, he went directly to that grave. Quentin, I'm almost positive that Judah is trying to possess him and I don't know what to do."

"Is he responsible for Roger's illness?"

"I believe so. He's trying to make Julia think that I did it, but I hope that I convinced her otherwise this afternoon. I doubt it, though. I'm sure he found something else to d.a.m.n me in her eyes. Judah hates the Collins family, Quentin. And me. Roger is only the first who will fall. It would appeal to Judah's rather - cruel sense of humor to use Barnabas as his agent to destroy the family. You've no idea how cruel Judah can be, Quentin." She shuddered at the memories that talking about him evoked.

"You really are afraid of him, aren't you? Is there anything I can do to help?'

"The first thing we have to do is find a way to prove that he's Judah."

"Any ideas?"

"I have a plan, but I'll need your help to carry it out."

"I'll do anything. You know that Barnabas and I may have had our differences, but he's been there every time I've needed a friend."

Carolyn was alone in the drawing room when Barnabas and Julia arrived. "I was about to go check Mother," she told them. "Maggie's gone to look in on David and Amy."

"I'll go check Elizabeth, Carolyn. Then I'll call the hospital and see if there's been any change."

"Thank you, Julia."

Barnabas looked around the room. "Where is Angelique."

Carolyn hesitated a moment before answering. "She and Quentin left about a half-hour ago. He said something about

their needing to talk. I think they went to the West Wing."

His eyes locked on the foyer door. "How is your mother this evening?"

"Not much better. Uncle Roger's illness has. .h.i.t her very hard."