Dark Promise

Prologue

Den Haag, The Netherlands September ,1, 2000
Avoca Farm

Kathryn Graham stared at the beautiful farmhouse with the farmland
stretching for miles as she climbed out of her forest green BMW. She
was a beautiful twenty- one year old woman with flaming red hair that
fell in soft waves around her, emerald green eyes, and dark brows. She
had high cheekbones, an arrogant aristocratic nose, and pale skin that
was as white as fresh snow and a clear as dew. She had delicate
features that made her look like an exotic flower. She was tall,
slender, and well rounded. She wore a white silk blouse, a green flower
patterned silk skirt that fell in wide folds, and long white leather
boots. She had a small black leather purse with a long strap on one of
her shoulders. She had on a pair of black sunglasses with green shades.
She wore diamond earrings, a silver necklace with an emerald pendant in
the shape of a wizard's staff, an emerald and diamond bracelet, and a
gold wedding band around one of her fingers.
The grass was a lush dark green covered with dew from the rains with
flowers filling the air with their sweet scents and birds with their
soft music. There were fields of fresh fruit, vegetables, wheat, and
hay. There were storehouses filled with expensive farm equipment and
farming supplies. A stable made out of red brick and birchwood were
filled with strong and sturdy farm horses and carts. The granaries were
filled with fresh and frozen meat, fruit, vegetables, wheat, hay, and
grains. There were metal pens filled with a variety of farm animals. A
large clear blue lake stood several feet away from the fields filled
with fish.
There workers on the farm were busily doing their chores. There were
some who were tending to the farm machines, others were tending to
animals, and others were harvesting the crops. The farmhouse was made
out of a beautiful light stone that gleamed in the sunlight and rose
three stories high. A long white fence with spikes on top stood around
the farmhouse. There were beautiful gardens of herbs and spices inside
the fence along with trees and green shrubs. The gardens were filled
with beautiful flowers that were full of scents and colors. There were
several beautiful trees standing in a shady glen behind the fence. The
large windows with blue shutters shined brilliantly in the sunlight. A
stone chimney stood to one side of the farmhouse with black smoke
curling lazily into the azure sky filled with white puffs of
clouds.
The large windows revealed the beautiful inside of the farmhouse. The
farmhouse was filled with the finest modern equipment. There was a
state of the art computer with speakers, scanner, digital camera,
digital printer, cd rom, cd burner, cd copier, and a fax machine. There
were two color television sets with state of the art vcrs and dvd
players, a radio and stereo player with a vast collection of cds like
Andrea Bocelli and Luciano Pavarotti. There were two ovens, two
toasters, a dishwasher, and a large refrigerator in the kitchen. There
were one washing machines, one dryers, two pressing machine, two
ironing board with an iron, and a hanging rack for wet clothes in a
special room on the bottom floor. A large shed stood to the side of the
farmhouse filled with state of the art farming equipment as well as
digging and planting tools.
Kathryn caught sight of a young man busily working in the fields with
the other men. He was a handsome twenty-three year old man dressed in a
stained black cotton shirt, torn and faded light blue jeans, and ruined
black leather boots. He was covered in grease and sweat from the sun
and working on the farm. He had midnight black hair, emerald green eyes
flecked with silver that were like that of a cat's, and dark brows. He
had high cheekbones, a strong nose, and light golden skin. He had fine
chiseled features that made him look handsome and dangerous. He was
tall, lean, and muscular with a strong build.
An old man suddenly stumbled against a stone buried in the ground and
fell heavily as he was moving a heavy wheel barrel filled with soil and
fertilizer for the fields. The wheel barrel crushed the old man as he
lay trapped on the ground underneath it. The young man had been busy
with grinding dead flowers, weeds, and old soil into new fertilizer but
stopped and ran to the aid of the old man. He pressed down on the thick
oak handle bars of the metal wheel barrel to lift it off the old man
and the other works quickly pulled the old man out as the young man
dropped the barrel on the ground. The old man grumbled and groaned as
he was led away.
Adam caught sight of Kathryn and walked over to her and demanded
harshly in perfect Dutch," Who are you and what the hell are you doing
on my farm?" As she did not know Dutch, Kathryn said in English," I do
not know Dutch. My name is Kathryn Graham. I am the new owner of Avoca
Farm." Adam deftly switched to perfect English and said angrily," My
name is Adam Baines. I am the owner of Avoca Farm. It has been in my
family for several generations and no one is going to take it away. I
will fight anyone who tries." Kathryn smugly handed him a piece of
crisp white folded paper and said," You are not the owner any more, Mr.
Baines, I am the owner now."
He took the piece of fold paper, carefully read it, and then walked
over to where wood was being burned, and threw the deed into the
flames. The paper was quickly eaten by the fire. He turned to her and
said firmly," You are not the owner and you never will be, Mrs.
Graham." Kathryn watched the paper deed burn to black ash in the fire
and then dust that was blown into the breeze. Kathryn glared at him
furiously as she said in a firm and determined voice," This will be my
farm, Mr. Baines." Adam brought himself very close to her and he said
softly," This is my property, Mrs. Graham. I suggest you leave before
there is trouble." Kathryn felt herself move backwards fearfully and
asked in a nervous and unsteady voice," Is that a threat, Mr. Baines?"
Adam's voice was dark and soft like velvet as he said,"
Absolutely."
Adam 's mouth was suddenly on hers in a hard kiss. The sweet drugging
sensations that washed over him made Adam think that he was going mad.
Adam deepened the kiss as he felt the inviting response from her.
Kathryn thought she would break into shards of beautiful glass. They
broke off after a few moments. Adam then turned and walked away.
Kathryn shakily got back into her car and drove off.
A moment later, Kathryn caught sight of someone sitting in the seat
behind her. He had light brown hair, wild black eyes, and dark brows.
He had high cheekbones, an arrogant nose that curved a little at the
tip, and golden skin. He had fine delicate features that made him look
more an animal then a man. He was tall and wiry with a small build. He
wore a brown silk shirt, black silk breeches, and black leather boots.
He wore a gold engagement ring on one of his fingers. He smiled at her
maliciously from where he sat and said," Kathryn." " Charles!" was all
she could manage to get out in a soft whisper. He suddenly reached out
with gloved hands and covered her mouth with a dirty cloth soaked in
laundaman. Kathryn struggled violently against him as she felt herself
drift off into a pleasant darkness. The car swerved dangerously on the
slick roads covered with a thin layer of ice and slammed into an oak
tree a few feet away. Charles climbed out of the back seat of the BMW
and walked over to the front where Kathryn lay asleep to take her out
of the car.
Adam cursed profanely when he saw the car slam into the tree a few feet
away. He ran to the stable where his horse was, mounted him, and then
raced off towards the car. Charles was taking Amanda out of the car
when Adam suddenly grabbed him from behind and easily tossed him away.
Charles landed in a pile of mud with a sickening thud. He became like a
wild animal as he struggled out of the dirt and ran towards Adam with a
slender dagger in his hands. Adam caught Charles by his collar and
hauled him off his feet before he slammed a strong fist into his nose.
A small stream of blood trickled down from Charles's nose to stain the
white snow on the ground. Charles struggled against Adam like a wounded
animal that was trapped in a metal cage as he held him in a tight grip.
Adam punched Charles's stomach several times before he finally dropped
him to the ground. Charles quickly stumbled to his feet and raced
away.
The car was in surprisingly good condition despite the accident with
the tree. Adam picked up Kathryn and moved her to the other front seat
of her BMW and sat down in the driver's seat. Adam started the car and
drove it back to the farm.

Chapter One

Den Haag, The Netherlands September, 11, 2000
Avoca Farm

Charles stood before her in their bedchamber. He had light brown hair,
black eyes, and dark brows. He had high cheekbones, an arrogant nose
that curved a little at the tip, and golden skin. He had fine delicate
features that made him look more an animal then a man. He was tall and
wiry with a spindly build. He wore his wedding clothes of white silk
doublet, black silk cravat, white silk breeches, and black leather
boots. He wore a gold wedding band on one of his fingers. He smiled
maliciously at her with an strange gleam in his eyes as he reached out
to her with the dagger and whispered softly in the darkness," Kathryn."
The moonlight gleamed off the silver of the slender blade he held in
one of his hands.
" Kathryn, wake up!" Adam said fearfully as he tried to wake her from
the nightmare. He was wearing a black silk nightshirt and black silk
night pants. He was very handsome in the gleam of moonlight. Kathryn
found herself in a beautiful dark room of the farmhouse that was both
large, spacious and luxurious. A small fire was burning in a black
marble fireplace. There were two black velvet wing backed chairs
standing in front of the fireplace. There were beautiful paintings and
tapestries hanging on the walls. A plush black and white damask carpet
was spread out on the floor. There was a black velvet loveseat in one
of the corners. The two oakwood bookcases filled with books on various
subjects stood against the walls. A small table laden with bottles of
wine, champagne, and port stood in one of the other corners. A large
ornately carved metal tub stood in another corner under a silver
mirror. The stained glass windows were covered with black damask
curtains had been left open to allow the cool breeze into the chamber.
The stained glass of the windows came brilliantly alive with the
sunlight flooding into the chamber.
A large four poster bed stood under one of these windows covered with
black and white velvet pillows, clean black cotton linen, and a large
black damask blanket. A wardrobe made out of oakwood stood on each side
of the bed with small wooden nightstands. A pair of glass doors led to
a beautiful black and white marble balcony that overlooked the
farmland. A large oakwood table with two wooden chairs stood on the
balcony. A delicious dinner of oven roasted chicken, a large bowl of
coscos, fresh biscuits with butter in a woven basket, a large bowl of
fresh fruit and vegetables, two pieces of sweet chocolate cake, two
glasses of fine Dutch wine, and a pot of steaming herb tea with two tea
cups.
Adam was holding her against him in the darkness as she slowly came
awake from the nightmare." Are you all right, Kathryn?" he demanded.
Kathryn said softly," I am fine now, Mr. Baines." Adam looked down at
her and said in a soft voice," Tell me about the nightmare." Kathryn
shook her head and said," It is nothing, Mr. Baines." Adam shrugged his
shoulders elegantly and said," Tell me about the nightmare, Kathryn."
Kathryn started to protest but Adam stopped her and said," I am going
to know everything about this nightmare there is to know, Kathryn. Tell
me." Kathryn started to protest again but she thought better of it and
told the horrid story in a quavering voice," The nightmare is about the
man who attacked me in that accident. Charles Graham is his name and he
is my husband. I left him because he is cruel and abusive drunk of a
madman. He kept beating me any way he could. He would always find ways
to hurt me and he would take great pleasure in my pain and misery. He
would go to gambling hells and brothels for days at a time. He would
spend thousands of dollars of our fortune in one night. He was drunk on
our wedding night and quickly became furious and violent for no reason.
He tried to kill me with his small dagger. I managed to escape from him
by using a sleeping potion on him. I then drank the same sleeping
potion and I had a friend unbury me later and take me to a safe place
to hide. I bought Avoca farm secretly through a special marketplace
that buys and sells properties. I thought I would be safe here because
it is far from Austria. I am not safe here anymore, though, so I have
to leave." The thought of leaving hurt Kathryn deeply but she knew it
would be for the best because she could not stay here.
Adam cursed profanely as Kathryn started crying and held her more
tightly against him. Kathryn slowly stopped crying after a while and
said weakly," I am feeling better, Mr. Baines. Thank you for everything
you have done for me." Adam smiled darkly as he said," I would not
thank me, Mrs. Graham. I expect to be paid back and I will be." Kathryn
stared at him blankly for a moment before she understood and said," I
see. How can I pay you back?" Adam was thoughtful for a moment before
he said softly," I will think of something, Mrs. Graham."
Adam was suddenly kissing her with strange tenderness at first but then
growing with a strong and fierce passion that he was sure he had never
felt before in his life. Kathryn found herself responding to him with a
passion that matched his own. A few moments later, they found
themselves fulfilling their dark promise. They only stopped for a break
to eat the delicious dinner that was waiting for them on the
balcony.
There were screams in the dark farmhouse late that night. The sounds
were filled with aching pain as they echoed hauntingly off the stone
walls. Kathryn kept searching until she found a young woman screaming
in a bedroom several feet away from Adam's room. The young woman was
lying on large ebony four poster bed in the room covered with white
velvet pillows, blood-stained white cotton linens, and a stained black
damask blanket. A large polished glass window covered with black damask
curtains that stood over the bed was open to allow the cool breeze into
the room. A small fire was burning in a black marble fireplace in a
corner. A plush white velvet carpet was spread out on the floor. There
were rich beautiful paintings and tapestries hanging on the walls. One
of the walls was a finely polished silver mirror with lit white rush
candles on each side. A large ebony wardrobe stood to one side of the
bed and a small ebony nightstand stood to the other side. A silver tray
laden with a large array of chocolate sweets and flaky crescent
pastries stood on the nightstand by her side.
She was twenty years old with flaxen blond hair, chocolate brown eyes,
and dark brows. She had high cheekbones, a arrogant aristocratic nose,
and frosty pale skin. She had pleasant features that made her look
rather comely. She was tall, lean, and softly rounded with five months
of being pregnant. She wore a large white silk shift trimmed with
silver velvet under another large shift of dark brown silk. She was
covered with a thick layer of sweat from her painful labor. There were
sterile tools lying on a small silver tray to the side along with
several full ives. The young woman was trembling violently in her pain
and tossed and turned on the large bed. There was blood spilling from
her onto the once clean linens of the bed.
Kathryn quickly dressed in the doctor's smock, cleaned her hand in the
special sterilized bowls of water and soap, put a mask on and gloves on
her hand as she walked over to the young woman.
The young woman glared at her angrily and shouted on a spasm of intense
pain," Who the bloody hell are you?" Kathryn said," I am Dr. Kathryn
Graham." The young woman shook with another spasm of pain as she said,"
You are a doctor?" Kathryn nodded her head and said," Yes." The young
woman screamed out painfully as a spasm raked her before she asked,"
What kind of doctor are you?" " I am a medical doctor. I am going to
help you." Kathryn caught sight of a chart hanging on the edge of the
bed and carefully read it. The chart read Mrs. Emily Baines: Pregnant
five months with baby: Miscarriage in progress.
Kathryn ignored the pain she felt as best as she could as she worked.
She grabbed the ultra sound equipment and gently scanned Emily's well
rounded stomach. A picture of the small baby came up on the screen. The
baby was too small and too frail with a small, withering body and a
small head. The baby was in the wrong position. Kathryn grabbed a
stethoscope and carefully listened to the heartbeats of both the mother
and the baby. The mother's heart was strong and healthy but the baby's
was very weak, faint, and slowing down rapidly. Kathryn carefully took
the mother's blood pressure, which was strong and healthy.
Kathryn grabbed the anesthesia, which was inside a small needle, and
gave Emily the injection. A few moments later, Emily was in a pleasant
and peaceful drugged state. Kathryn then gave Emily a special drug to
speed up the contractions. A few moments later, a dead baby was born.
Kathryn cursed profanely when Emily's heart and blood pressure suddenly
started to go down rapidly. A voice suddenly shouted angrily," What is
going on here, Kathryn?" Kathryn turned to face Adam who was now
standing in the room. He was dressed in his faded and torn black cotton
shirt, stained blue jeans, and ruined long black leather boots. He
glared at her angrily as he said again," What is going on here,
Kathryn?" She said harshly," Your wife and your son are dying. I am
sorry that your son is dead but there is a chance that your wife can
live."
Adam quickly walked over and dressed in another doctor's smock, cleaned
himself with the sterilized soap water, and put on a mask and gloves
before he walked over to Kathryn to help. Kathryn glared at him and
said," Are you going to help me?" Adam nodded and said," Yes." " I will
keep your wife cool while I insert this special tube. You go get the
electric pump and keep sending electrical shocks to her heart." Kathryn
said as she grabbed a plastic tube off the table. Adam grabbed the
electric pump off a table and constantly sent electric shocks to his
wife's heart. Kathryn took the special tube and inserted it into
Emily's mouth and then pushed it downwards until it was in the lungs.
Kathryn then turned on the pump and air was pushed down into Emily's
lungs. A few moments later, Emily was safe as she quietly slept in her
bed.
Kathryn left the room and walked over to Adam's room without say
anything. She found her suitcases and went over to the wardrobe that
had her clothes. She was so busy packing her sweaters, camisoles,
t-shirts, sweat pants, shorts, jeans, slacks, skirts, socks, underwear,
and bras that she did not notice when Adam came into the room. Adam
raised a dark brow at her and said," Are you leaving, Kathryn?" Kathryn
did not speak at first and then said," Yes, I am leaving. I have to get
out of here as soon as possible." "Why?" he asked softly. Kathryn
turned on him and lied easily as she said," I have a madman of a
husband who is looking for me to kill me. He knows that I am here now
and he will keep coming back until he kills me, I am not safe here
anymore so I must leave. That is why." Kathryn knew that it was a lie
and that she was really leaving because she was afraid that she would
fall very hard for Adam if she did not get away very soon. She knew
deep down, though, that she had already fallen very hard for him. He
has a wife and a dead son, she silently scolded herself.
Adam shook his head and he said," You are not going anywhere, Kathryn."
Kathryn glared at him challengingly and said," Are you going to stop
me?" Adam gave her a dark smile and said," Absolutely." Kathryn raised
a dark brow and asked," Why?" Adam brought himself very close to her
and said," As I told you before, Kathryn, you have to pay me back."
Adam knew that deep down there was another answer but he ignored it for
now. They found themselves spending the next several hours together in
the bedroom.
The funeral for the stillborn was held late in the morning the next
day. The sky was an azure blue with soft white clouds floating lazily
in its depths. The ground was a lush dark green covered with dew from
the fresh rains and the flowers were blossoming beautifully. A sweet
scent was filling the air as the birds filled the air with their music.
A small wooden casket that held the body of the baby was lowered into a
deep grave in the
ground that was underneath a grove of orange and apple trees. The
people who were gathered around the small grave weeped bitterly in
their sorrow. Adam and Emily stood solemnly over the grave of their
son. Adam was dressed in a black silk shirt, black cotton breeches, and
long black leather boots. Emily was wearing a traditional black
mourning gown made from silk trimmed with black velvet and black
leather boots. A priest was standing over the grave and murmuring
prayers in Dutch as he held a cross over the grave and sprinkled gold
dust over the small body. A orchestra was playing beautiful soft and
solemn music a few feet away. A small stone statue in the shape of a
small baby had been covered with rich diamond jewelry, gold and silver
pieces and placed behind the grave. The grieving people placed small
white stones around the small statute. The beautiful ceremony lasted
for several hours.
Charles stood before her in the darkness. He had dark brown hair, wild
black eyes, and dark brows. He had high cheekbones, an arrogant nose
that curved a little at the tip, and golden skin. He had fine delicate
features that made him look more an animal then a man. He was tall and
wiry with a small build. He wore a dark brown silk shirt, black silk
breeches, and black leather boots. He wore a gold engagement ring on
one of his fingers. He smiled maliciously at her with an dark gleam to
him as he reached out to her and whispered softly in the darkness,"
Kathryn." The moonlight gleamed darkly off the silver of the slender
blade he held in one of his hands.
Kathryn suddenly woke up from her nightmare to find herself being
kissed by Charles. He was wearing a black cotton shirt, dark brown
cotton breeches, and black leather boots. He smiled maliciously down at
her and said," My beautiful Kathryn, I have at last." Kathryn found
that she was frozen with fear as she stared helplessly at the madman
who was her husband. Kathryn struggled against him vainly but he held
her down on the bed and said hoarsely," You are mine, Kathryn, and you
will always be mine." He kissed her roughly on her mouth. Adam suddenly
picked up Charles from behind and tossed him easily across the room.
Charles landed heavily against the hard floor with a dull thud. He
snarled at Adam like a vicious wounded animal, made a strange animal
like sound, and ran wildly towards him.
Adam slipped to the floor and shoved his long legs with all his
strength against Charles's small chest. The force of the blow sent
Charles sailing against the far wall of the room. Charles, now more
like an wild and dangerous animal, held a slender sliver dagger in his
hands as he quickly rose from the floor and ran again towards Adam.
Adam pulled the carpet out from under Charles and he fell heavily to
the floor. Adam then picked up Charles and threw him out the
window.
Adam turned to Kathryn and demanded roughly," Are you all right,
Kathryn?" Kathryn nodded dully and said in a soft whisper even though
she was trembling in fear," Yes, I am." Adam held her tightly to him
and said," You had better be." Adam was surprised at how much fear and
anger he had felt when he had seen Charles being near Kathryn. He had
been more afraid then he had ever been in his life for Kathryn and he
had wanted to do some horrid things to Charles. What is the matter with
me, he wondered to himself silently.
Emily shivered as she waited for her husband in the dark shadows of the
fields late that night. She had dressed in a black damask gown and a
dark damask cloak. Emily suddenly caught sight of her husband in the
moonlight darkness. Charles walked up to her and said angrily," What is
this about, Emily? Your message said that it was important." Emily
nodded as she said," It is important, Charles. It is about Kathryn
Graham. I know how you can get her out of here." Charles raised a dark
brow at that and said," How?" Emily kept her voice to a soft whisper as
she said," You want Kathryn back and I need her out of here, Charles. I
will grease all of the fields with kerosene tonight. Then when we are
all out here and no one is looking, you lit a fire. While everyone is
busy with the fire, you can easily take her away."

Chapter Two

Charles stared at Kathryn from his small hiding place as she was
standing in the beautiful meadow early the next morning. Emily suddenly
came over to her. Emily was wearing a dark brown satin gown trimmed
with amber velvet, rich diamond jewelry, and long brown leather boots.
Kathryn was wearing a beautiful dark green camisole made from cotton,
dark brown cotton shorts, and long brown leather boots. Emily said
curtly," I know that you are sleeping with my husband, you little
whore, and you killed our son." Kathryn started in shocked surprise and
said angrily," What are you talking about, Mrs. Baines?" Emily gave her
an angry and disgusted glare as she said," I know that my husband and
you are having an affair. It was quite all right. He was only sleeping
with you because I was pregnant with James but our son is dead now
because you killed him. You want my husband for yourself but you are
not going to get him. I want you to stay away from him, you little
tramp." Kathryn felt herself became angry and said tersely," I am not
sleeping with your husband and I certainly did not kill your
son."
Charles took out a match and touched it to the kerosene soaked grass on
the ground. The fire spread quickly across the meadow. A black smoke
curled into the dark azure blue sky. The men were frantically trying to
put the fire out with buckets of ice cold water from the wells. Charles
caught sight of Adam busily working with the other men against the fire
a few feet away. Charles took out his pistol and took careful aim. He
was about to fire when Kathryn suddenly fell upon him and started to
wildly attack him." Don't you dare hurt Adam, you bastered!" she
screamed frantically as she continued to attack him. He smacked her
with all her strength and knocked her down to the ground.
Charles took out his other pistol and held it on her and his other
pistol on Adam. Charles then fired his pistol. Kathryn watched in
horror as Adam suddenly dropped to the ground in a small pool of blood.
Charles then fired the pistol several more times and hit a few more
men. Charles smiled at her maliciously and said," You are mine,
Kathryn. Let's go." Kathryn struggled against Charles as he roughly
pulled her to her feet and dragged her towards her BMW a few feet away.
He shoved her into the front passenger seat of the car and got into the
driver's seat then drove off. Kathryn watched as the farm quickly began
to vanish from sight as the car drove away.
Adam had watched Charles drag Kathryn into her car, get inside the
driver's seat, and drive away from where he lay on the ground. There
were a few other men who had been wounded by the firing. The fire had
finally been put out but there had been a great deal of damage done to
the farm. The fire had eaten a good portion of the harvest and the
crops, the soil and fertilizer had been burned, the machines had been
badly damaged, and the storage rooms had been burnt. The fire had
killed a good deal of the livestock and had freed the remaining
animals. The burnt bodies of the dead animals were lying on the ground
in the hot sun and cooking. A fowl smell hung heavily in the stale air.
He felt dead with the loose of his family farm and he felt fearful and
angry at losing the woman he loved.
They reached Charles's villa in Rome, Italy several days later. The old
villa was made out of dirty and stained white marble and chipped red
brick. The gardens that had once been filled with flowers, herbs, and
spices were now empty as they stood blankly around the villa. There
were broken and cracked red shutters on the sides of the broken windows
and torn white damask curtains on the inside. There was soft black
smoke curling swiftly out of the ruined brick chimney of the villa. The
garage next to the villa had once housed several beautiful Mercedes
Benzes and BMWs but was now empty. The lawn was once a lush dark green
covered with jasmine, lavender, and honeysuckle but was now a spoiled
rotten black without any life.
Charles parked the car into a free space in the garage and herded
Kathryn like cattle into the villa. The furniture in the villa was old
antique and covered heavily with a thick layer of dust. There were
cobwebs filling the villa. They headed up a long narrow flight of
winding oakwood stairs that led to another level of the villa. They
walked down a long, dark, and damp hallway to a small chamber at the
end. The room was very small with no windows and no lights. A
threadbare black cotton carpet was spread out on the floor of the
chamber next to a cold fireplace. There were no furniture in the
chamber except a small broken bed made out of twisted wire. A bedpan
filled with human remains stood in one of the corners with flies and
mosquitoes buzzing around the fowl smelling remains. There were holes
filled with rats and mice in the walls and floors of the chamber.
Charles shoved Kathryn into the dark chamber and then followed her
inside. He took out a small dagger from its sheath at his waist and
said," Take off your clothes, Kathryn." Kathryn remained still and said
disdainfully," I will not take off my clothes!" He walked over to her
and stood very close. Kathryn thought she would faint from the horrid
sight and smell of him as he stood close to her. He smiled at her
viciously and said," If you will not take off your clothes, Kathryn, I
will take them off for you."
He watched with malicious pleasure as Kathryn was forced to remove the
beautiful green cotton camisole, dark brown cotton shorts, and long
leather boots. Kathryn felt even more shame when she was forced to
remove her underclothes as well. Charles stared at her lustfully for a
few moments before he unrolled a slender black leather whip and raked
it painfully across the flesh on her back. A burning pain sear her back
causing her to cry out to Charles's pleasure. Charles then racked the
whip across her back again making Kathryn cry out in pain. There were
painful scars and wells across her back that leaked a small stream of
blood from where the whip had struck her." You are mine, Kathryn, and
you will always be mine."
Kathryn glared at him wildly as the burning pain sear her and shouted
angrily," I will never be yours, Charles!" Charles flushed angrily at
that and whipped her severely until the wells burst open to leak puss
and blood. He then angrily turned and left the chamber. He locked the
door securely behind him as he left. Kathryn quietly crawled into one
of the dark corners and huddled there. The chamber was dark and cold as
she struggled to fall asleep. Kathryn kept herself occupied with
thoughts of Adam as she could not sleep. She knew then that she loved
him very much.
Kathryn was forced to do hard labor every day in the mornings and
nights. She would have to cook and clean the villa, tend to the gardens
outside, take care of the lawn, and other hard labor. She was given
very little food except some crusty old bread, a piece of green cheese,
and a cup of stale brown water while Charles stuffed himself on fine
foods like roasted chicken with coscos, fresh cooked corn with butter,
plump biscuits with butter, chocolate cakes, fresh fruit and
vegetables, sparkling white water, and cups of steaming herb tea. She
was forced to wear a linen rag that was stained, torn, and dirty while
Charles wore fine clean silk shirts, cotton breeches, and fine polished
black leather hessians. She was forced to sleep in the dark and cold
chamber while Charles slept in a fine chamber with the finest things
possible. Kathryn was forced to work the hard labor no matter what the
weather, which was usually lighting storms with drenching rains and
fierce winds.
Kathryn kept plotting a way to get escape but she could not see any
way. A chance, however came one day while she was busily working in the
gardens. Charles had vanished back inside the villa after he had
chained her into the garden but he had not forgot to lock the padlock
on the chain. She looked around to make sure that no one was around and
then quietly freed herself from the chain. Kathryn sneaked into the
garage to find her BMW was there and the key was there as well.
Kathryn opened the door and cursed profanely when the car alarm
sounded. She grabbed the keys out of the ignition and turned off the
alarm but it was too late. Charles was already there. He held a pistol
in his hands and said," That was very foolish of you, Kathryn, to try
to escape." Kathryn glared at him hatefully but she did not say
anything. Charles took careful aim and was about to fire when he was
suddenly attacked from behind. Adam grabbed him and tossed his with all
his strength. Charles landed with a heavy thud against the villa.
Charles fired his pistol at Kathryn before he slumped to the ground.
The bullet found its mark in Kathryn's back. Adam caught Kathryn in his
arms as she fell to the ground.
Adam quickly placed Kathryn in the front passenger's seat of her car
and got into the driver's seat." Do not die on me, Kathryn!" he said
angrily as he started the car and they drove off. Kathryn felt herself
fall into a pleasant darkness and then she saw nothing but white light.
No one noticed Emily walk out of her hiding place, grab Charles's
pistol from him, and shot him. She then wiped the gun clean with water
and a handkerchief before she placed it back in Charles's hand. She
took out a folded piece of paper and carefully placed it in his other
hand. Emily placed Charles in the back seat of his black Lexus and
drove off.
Kathryn woke up to find herself in a hospital room in Amsterdam General
Hospital several hours with several ives full of medicine attached to
her. The room was sterile and cool with crisp white linens on the bed,
a small color tv attached to the ceiling over the bed, and a tray of
hospital food stood on a small wooden table by her side. A window with
plain dark grey wool curtains that stood a few feet away had been left
open to cool the room. There was a small private bathroom with a shower
and a bathtub.
Adam was sitting in a metal chair at her side. He wore the same clothes
that he had worn the other day; a champagne colored silk shirt, black
jeans, and black leather boots. Adam smiled at her when he saw that she
was awake and said," You gave me a hell of a scare, Kathryn. I am glad
to see that you are finally awake." Kathryn groaned at the pounding
pain she felt and said softly," I am glad that you are here, Adam." A
doctor suddenly walked into the chamber. She was closed the door
behind, lowered the shade on the door, and locked it securely. Emily
smiled wickedly at them and said," I am going to enjoy this."
Adam was about to attack her when she took out a pistol and said
smugly," Stay where you are, Adam. I had this all perfectly planned and
it worked beautifully. I killed Charles and I hid him in the bath tube
of this hospital room because he wanted the farm for himself and I was
not going to let him take it away from me. That is why I married you,
Adam, so that I could kill you and then I could get the farm for
myself. My friend, Serena Campton, who works here as a nurse told me
you two were here a few days ago. I took the place of a doctor and I
hide the body here in the bathroom. This room is perfect because it has
special soundproofing and dark shades. I will kill you both and then I
will make it look like Charles killed you. The note that I left on him
is a confession from him that he killed you both. This is his gun with
his fingerprints on it and it can only be traced back to him and no one
else. I will then walk out of here and I will claim what belongs to
me." She gave a smug dark laugh." What would that be, Emily?" Adam
asked coldly. Emily gave him a sinister smile as she said," Avoca farm.
I will take over it as your widow and then I will sell it and move to
another country with the money."
Adam took his chance and rushed Emily held her to the ground as he took
out his police badge and showed it to her as he said," You are under
arrest for murder in the first degree, attempted murder, as well as
conartistry." " You have no evidence, Adam." Adam removed the tape
recorder from his pocket and played the recording as he said," I always
keep this hidden on me and left on in case I hear something important.
I knew who Charles and you really are, Emily. You are both dangerous
criminals who escaped from prison and tried to hide out here in The
Netherlands because it's a neutral country. I bought Avoca and I
pretended to be a farmer because it is one of the best farms here in
The Netherlands. I knew you two would want it as a place to hide
yourselves. I was going to simply arrest you at first but I found away
to get Charles and you. We were then married. You led me to Charles
just as I thought you would. The only problem was when Kathryn came and
tried to take the farm away."
Emily cursed profanely under her breath. He hauled her to her feet and
managed to get his handcuffs around one of her wrists before she
suddenly grabbed his gun and fired. The bullet struck him in the left
arm. He stumbled back and fell to the floor. Emily was about to fire
again when Kathryn suddenly fired the pistol that had fallen to the
ground. Emily froze in shock and then fell lifelessly to the
floor.
Kathryn numbly dropped the pistol to the ground. She found some
alcohol, fresh linen, scissors, special pliers, a sterile needle, and
dark thread. She cleaned cut the fabric away from the wound and cleaned
it with the alcohol. She used the special pliers to pull out the bullet
and then sewed the wound closed with the needle and thread. She then
covered the wound with the fresh linen and sewed it to the wound with
thread. She found a needle full of anesthesia and gave him the
injection." I love you, Kathryn," Adam whispered softly before he fell
asleep. " I love you too, Adam," Kathryn whispered as she fell asleep
with him.

Epilogue

Den Haag, The Netherlands September ,23, 2000
Avoca Farm

Adam and Kathryn stood together and stared at the beautiful scene that
lay before them. The fields of the farm were a new lush green filled
with fresh crops. The soil and fertilizer were a healthy brown now as
it was laid on the ground. The flowers were blooming and filled the air
with their sweet scents. The workers of the farm were sitting in
beautiful birchwood chairs in the fields. They were all dressed in
black silk tuxes. A young priest stood in front of an altar before them
in his white holy robes of silk and stain with his holy book in his
hands. There were long tables with benches stretched out across the
fields laden with dishes of fire roasted turkey, baked potatoes with
seasonings, large bowls of fresh fruit and vegetables, plates of
peppermint cake, cups of sweet mulled wine made from raspberries,
strawberries, blueberries, mulberries, and grapes. An orchestra was
playing soft music that filled the air from a large dais.
Adam was handsome in a black silk doublet, a white velvet cravat, black
silk breeches, and black shoes. Kathryn wore a white silk wedding gown
trimmed with silver velvet. A slash down the middle from the waist
revealed a dark green silk pelisse. A plump layer of delicate ruffles
was around the hem of the gown as well as the top and bottom of the
sleeves. The wide skirts fell to the ground in wide folds. Kathryn wore
a long white veil over her head. The young priest wrapped a long length
of white damask ribbon around Adam and Kathryn's wrist as they kneeled
down on white silk pillows before him. He then tossed holy water on
them and performed the wedding ceremony. The wedding feast lasted for
several days.
It was nine months later that Adam and Kathryn had a baby boy and a
baby girl named James and Sarah. They both had dark brown hair, amber
eyes, dark golden skin, and fine chiseled features.