Summary: A tragedy leads a man of the shadows on a vengeful and bloody path which eventually ensnares Adam.\u00a0 A series of vignettes written for the 2025 2nd quarter Chaps and Spurs Challenge.<\/p>\n
Rating: PG, Word Count 7016<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
The Shadow Man<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
PART 1<\/span><\/p>\n A large yellow moon hung in a black sky above the roof line of New York\u2019s Metropolitan Opera House. As guests made their way down the marble steps to waiting carriages, one couple crossed the street to begin their stroll to their favorite restaurant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cVictor, look at the moon. It\u2019s huge and yellow. I\u2019ve never seen a yellow moon before. Is it a good omen?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAva, my love, it is a very good omen. It means many successes will come to us in the future.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ava squeezed her husband\u2019s arm. \u201cThat makes my heart leap with joy. I know you have worked so hard within the company, and –\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd with the ever-increasing <\/span>revenue<\/i><\/b> of the company, tonight we celebrate my success as the new Vice President.\u201d\u00a0 Victor paused in the shadow of a building to kiss his wife. When they stepped back into the glow of the gas lamps, a shot rang out and Ava crumpled to the ground.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Victor threw his body over his wife as another shot whizzed by his head. Screams, shouting, police whistles were all deadened by the man\u2019s pleas for his wife to respond to his words and caresses. He was blind to the pool of blood beneath her lifeless body. Part of him screamed for control, order, and logic to prevail, but another part gave in to the <\/span>naked<\/i><\/b> shock and emotions that this happiest of nights had come to the most tragic end in a matter of seconds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Victor tenderly kissed his wife’s cold lips and whispered his final promise to her, \u201cYou shall be avenged my darling. I will exact a pound of flesh from each guilty man so that you may rest in peace. This I swear with a blood oath, my love.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n With his word given, Victor remained with his wife until an ambulance took her away. He waved off the police officer wishing to interrogate him, claiming he would not discuss the events until morning. The knowledge that the police would be busy with other issues by then brought a deep pleasure to Victor. Wrapping his cloak about him he disappeared into the black shadows of the night to begin his hunt.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n PART 2<\/span><\/p>\n The man menacingly poked Adam\u2019s chest with his cane.\u00a0 \u201cTell Pennington that Cecil T. Barlowe is ready to take control of this project. He can\u2019t cheat me out of what was rightfully mine.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam relayed those exact words to Jackson that evening outside a Boston pub. Jackson scoffed at Barlowe\u2019s blustering. \u201cBarlowe hasn\u2019t the money or power to renovate a garage, much less this hotel. He\u2019s all hot air and an <\/span>abomination<\/i><\/b> to us true businessmen. He cheats his clients, takes the lowest bids, and has been accused many times of shoddy construction. I truly don\u2019t know how the man stays in business. I guess that\u2019s why he\u2019s after my company, it\u2019s successful and his is not. In truth, he\u2019s been known to vandalize some of my other projects and those attacks have been getting more violent. Adam, I guess it\u2019s time to take Barlowe seriously, and keep a sharp eye on him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n A week later, in the middle of the night, Adam received a cryptic note from Jackson.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam, we\u2019ve got troubles with Barlowe. I need you at the hotel immediately.\u00a0 Police are on their way.\u00a0 – Jackson<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As Adam approached the hotel he kept to the shadows between the street lamps. At the late hour all the businesses were closed except for a pub across from the hotel. Observing the area he noticed a few men staggering across the street away from the pub.\u00a0 He could hear strains of music wafting from the establishment and men laughing\u00a0 and cheering.\u00a0 But it was the hotel that had Adam concerned.\u00a0 All was quiet, too quiet.\u00a0 Not a soul was around. Guards were supposed to be at each entrance and two more patrolling inside the hotel. All Adam could see was a light emanating from the lobby windows. It shifted around indicating someone was moving within.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n He drew his pistol and crept up to the front door. Testing the latch, he found it unlocked.\u00a0 Easing the door open just wide enough to slip through, he spotted a few lit lamps across the lobby but no people. As he pushed the door closed behind him he felt a sudden jab of cold metal against his neck.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDrop the gun.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mentally kicking himself for falling into the trap, Adam did as he was told, the gun landing with a heavy thud on the carpet by his boots.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMove to your right and face the wall.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As soon as Adam began to move he saw several more men appear from the far shadows of the lobby.\u00a0 Two men pinned his arms while a third searched him.\u00a0 The man easily found his other two guns and the extra bullets.\u00a0 Next Adam was stripped of his jacket, hat and gun belts.\u00a0 Finally allowed to turn around he found himself facing five men, each as large as his middle brother.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n With his eyes darting to each of the five large men surrounding him, Adam\u2019s attention was drawn toward a sixth man who stepped away from a shadowed doorway and into the low light.\u00a0 He was tall and slender, with a chiseled face and dark, neatly cut hair. The two men eyed each other with equal contempt.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat is going on here? Where\u2019s Jackson Pennington?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The five muscular men sniggered, apparently finding his questions humorous.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The well-dressed man spoke with the silky tone of a serpent\u2019s hiss.\u00a0 \u201cCome, come Mister Cartwright. Surely your inventive mind can conjure up the answers. However, I shall indulge your inquiries for my own pleasure. First, it is rather obvious that Mister Pennington is not here.\u00a0 Second, it is also obvious what is \u201cgoing on\u201d here, or rather what is about to go on here. What happens to you will send a strong warning from my employer to Mister Pennington. After tonight\u2019s events, Mister Pennington will be ready to sign over his contract in full to Mister Barlowe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJackson will never do any such thing and Barlowe knows that!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n That part is not of your concern, but this next part might pique your interest. It has come to my employer\u2019s attention that you have been spending time with his niece.\u00a0 Mister Barlowe is not pleased that his niece should be in the company of any man not of his choosing but he was quite, how shall I put it, enraged to learn that it was someone who worked for his greatest enemy.\u00a0 He has ordered me to make sure you never see Miss Locke again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam\u2019s heart quickened as the news hit him – Cecil T. Barlowe is Caroline\u2019s uncle? Thinking back, he realized she had never mentioned him by name, only referring to him as \u201cUncle\u201d. So many questions flooded Adam\u2019s thoughts. Why keep it a secret from him? As he tried to absorb the information another part of his brain was working furiously to find a way out of the impending fight. He struggled to keep his face neutral so as not to reveal his inner turmoil, but the shock slipped across unchecked.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The man of the shadows scrutinized Adam\u2019s face hoping for any reaction to his words.\u00a0 He was not disappointed. His lips curled into a rueful leer when he noticed the look of shock on his victim\u2019s face at the mention of the familial connection of Barlowe and Miss Locke.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The shadow man took advantage of the fact that Adam had no clue of who his lady friend was. He stepped closer to his victim. \u201cI see that you were unaware that Miss Locke is related to your employer\u2019s enemy. I can\u2019t help but wonder if she kept that little bit of information from you. Perhaps to use you to bring her uncle closer to Mister Pennington?\u00a0 Well, it does not matter now as the truth is revealed, but sadly you won\u2019t have the opportunity to confront her about it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fury filled Adam\u2019s eyes before his mask slipped back into place. \u201cMiss Locke\u2019s uncle has no control over who she chooses to spend her time with, and she has not deceived me in any way.\u00a0 And as for this little party you\u2019ve invited me to, I\u2019m not interested.\u00a0 If Barlowe has a complaint against me he needs to show himself and deal with it man to man.\u00a0 But I sense he\u2019s a coward.\u00a0 He has you and these goons of yours do his dirty work while he sits in his estate, smokes his expensive cigars and drinks his imported wines.\u00a0 He won\u2019t deign to get his hands dirty with the murder of innocent people who get in his way. Jackson was correct about Barlowe, he\u2019s not only an <\/span>abomination<\/i><\/b> to honest business men, but to humanity itself!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The shadow man squinted his eyes ever so slightly. Adam noticed that struck a chord, giving him a bit of satisfaction. Both men knew he had described Barlowe perfectly.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhatever you may think of my employer, Mister Cartwright, will be kept here, and will be your last thoughts. It is time for me to leave as I must collect Miss Locke and return her to her uncle. A pity though, it would have been intriguing to match wits, and even strength, with you. But alas, that too is not to be.\u00a0 I bid you farewell, Mister Cartwright.\u201d\u00a0 The man returned to the shadows at the other end of the lobby but turned to add one more comment, \u201cOh, and with you gone, Miss Locke will fit perfectly into my future plans.\u201d He snapped his fingers as he disappeared through the darkened doorway. The five men moved forward from different directions effectively trapping Adam against the wall.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The last thing Adam saw before the five henchmen closed in on him was the well-dressed man sauntering to the back of the lobby and out of sight.\u00a0 Adam attempted to fight his way out of the cocoon of over-sized attackers by looking for openings between them as he punched and swung as hard as he could.\u00a0 He used every tactic Hoss had taught him in their own sparring matches, but after receiving too many blows to the face, ribs and back, Adam collapsed to the floor gasping for any bit of air he could get.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n While being dragged across the lobby and through a side exit door the pain he felt in every fiber of his body was nothing compared to the pain in his heart as he realized this was how he was going to take his last breath.\u00a0 The cold night air barely registered on his skin through his ripped clothing as he was dragged across the chilled ground. When one of the men yanked him up by his left arm he felt it snap and a searing pain shot through his shoulder as he was tossed like a bag of rubbish onto the pile of discarded lumber.\u00a0 He landed on something hard that stabbed into his back. After that he felt nothing. His final thoughts remained on Caroline, wishing so much to see her again. Doubts and love mingled together as his consciousness ebbed away.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/span><\/p>\n Strolling through the shadows of downtown Boston, the Shadow Man found his thoughts mixed with regrets and intrigue concerning his latest victim. Since his wife\u2019s death, he researched his victims thoroughly, to understand their habits, their strengths and their weaknesses. After all he had discovered about Adam Cartwright, he was surprised Cartwright could be so easily led astray. Yes, he had been foolish to fall for the fake note, and to allow himself to be so easily captured, but this evening the Shadow Man noticed an obstinance in this man which puzzled him. Most of his victims tried to babble their way out of their predicament, but this one remained silent and stoic. He felt his eyebrow rise as he realized Cartwright had been analyzing his situation and calculating his odds of a healthy exit, much as he himself would do. He felt it would have been interesting to get to know this man a bit more before killing him, but, to his regret, that was not to be. He had his orders from Barlowe, but he had his own agenda as well. Indeed, Cartwright was a link to Pennington, and Barlowe wanted that link broken in the hopes of weakening Pennington, but Cartwright also was connected to Barlowe\u2019s niece which Barlowe would not tolerate. However, once Cartwright was dead, Miss Locke became available once more. That thought pleased the man quite well and brought a rare smile to his solemn face. Putting aside his desires for the lovely Miss Locke, he returned his thoughts to the assignment at hand which ended as he had planned. Yet one thing still troubled him: what made him break his one rule – to let no one see his face. Perhaps he felt a kindred spirit in Cartwright. Truly, he would have made a worthy adversary. However, it was a moot point. Cartwright was dead, and no longer a threat to him.<\/span><\/p>\n ~~~~~<\/span><\/p>\n The midday sun was trying hard to brighten the small hospital room, to spread its cheer to those inside but the shade over the window made it a futile attempt. For a long, torturous week the sleeping occupant had not stirred.\u00a0 A quiet, musical voice filled the air in the room.\u00a0 Its sweetness was incongruous with the sharp smell of medicines and antiseptics.\u00a0 The voice ebbed and flowed with the words of Emily Dickinson, Henry David Thoreau, and the Psalmist in the Bible.\u00a0 Now the voice quivered and broke, too tired to continue.\u00a0 The words from the writers could not bring peace to the broken soul.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n A silence filled the room.\u00a0 No sound was more deafening to the ears that were eager for that lyrical voice.\u00a0 Another sound now made its presence known, barely audible but there nonetheless.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDo-n\u2019t…shtop.\u201d\u00a0 It was weak, no more than a sigh but Caroline would have known the sound anywhere.\u00a0 She opened her tired eyes and found gentle hazel eyes staring at her, full of love, yet full of questions as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Caroline moved to sit carefully on the bed so Adam could see her better.\u00a0 Tears of joy filled her eyes and spilled down her cheeks.\u00a0 She brushed them away as she took his hand in hers.\u00a0 He lifted his fingers toward her in a feeble attempt to give reassurance, but to Caroline it was all she needed.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon-\u201d Adam cleared his throat and tried again. \u201cDon\u2019t cr-y\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The two simple words were music to her ears.\u00a0 In response she leaned forward to gently give Adam a kiss on his cheek.\u00a0 When she leaned back he frowned through the bruises on his face.\u00a0 He managed this time to squeeze her hand and speak more clearly.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNot-right. A-gain.\u201d\u00a0 He strained to put his lips together.\u00a0 Caroline understood immediately. She leaned over him and, this time, kissed his lips, lingering there for a moment as he squeezed her fingers again.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Caroline sat back and smiled.\u00a0 \u201cBetter?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMush-bet-ter.\u201d\u00a0 Adam managed more of a smile this time.\u00a0 \u201cYou shmiled.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n At that moment, all was right in the little room.\u00a0 As the sun continued on its path across the sky a few rays managed to sneak around the shade and land on the foot of the bed. The couple didn\u2019t notice, so absorbed as they were with each other.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n PART 3<\/span><\/p>\n Adam escorted Caroline out to the rose garden. The refreshing May air caressed their skin.\u00a0 Both were quite warm from dancing and they also wished to spend some time alone.\u00a0 The last waltz of the evening was beginning and as the melody wafted across the cool night air, Adam took Caroline into his arms and guided her around the garden while humming to the distant music.\u00a0 After a while Adam slowed their dancing to the point that they were simply swaying in place.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Caroline rested her head against his chest and Adam rested his cheek against her soft curls.\u00a0 Both were content to feel each other breathing to the rhythm of the waltz.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m so happy Adam. I could stay like this all night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo could I.\u201d\u00a0 Caroline felt his sigh move through his chest. \u201cYou have filled my life with so much joy.\u00a0 There\u2019s so much light in my heart.\u201d\u00a0 He stopped moving and took her face gently in his hands.\u00a0 Leaning down, he let his lips rest against hers in a soft kiss.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Caroline looked up into his golden-hazel eyes. \u201cI see your love reflected in your eyes, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 She leaned in to return the kiss.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Out of nowhere there was a loud crack and a shot whizzed by Adam’s head.\u00a0 Instinct had him crouch to the ground as Caroline screamed. He pushed her behind him so he could shield her with his body.\u00a0 At the same time he drew his pistol from under his jacket.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCartwright!!\u00a0 You and Pennington ruined me.\u00a0 You\u2019re dead, Cartwright.\u00a0 Do you hear me?\u00a0 Dead!!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Another shot split the night air.\u00a0 Adam rotated to keep Caroline behind him and whispered for her to stay down.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t move when he shifted.\u00a0 Since they were in the shadows near the building, Adam could stay hidden and scan the area.\u00a0 Shrubbery across the terrace moved and Barlowe stepped out into the lantern light.\u00a0 Each man held his pistol steadily aimed at the other\u2019s chest; Adam was vaguely aware of the sounds of chaos emanating from the ballroom.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDrop your gun, Barlowe!\u00a0 I can\u2019t miss at this range.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNeither can I, Cartwright.\u201d\u00a0 He cocked the gun and fired again.\u00a0 Adam flattened his body to the ground as he felt a burning sensation in his arm. He fired his gun.\u00a0 Barlowe stumbled back and fell into the shrubs, firing the last of his bullets wildly.\u00a0 Adam dropped his head to the ground for a moment trying to catch his breath and stem the pain in his arm, then he pushed up with his good arm and staggered over to where Barlowe lay.\u00a0 With glassy eyes, Barlowe looked up at Adam and gave a sinister smile while gasping for his last breath.\u00a0 Blood saturated the front of his shirt.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam, feeling a strong arm around him, turned to look into his father\u2019s face, his adrenaline starting to cause him to shake. Joe and Jackson rushed to check on Caroline.\u00a0 Hoss and several\u00a0 other men had gone to scour the area for anyone else who might be lurking, but they found no one. Barlowe apparently was acting on his own.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe came up, squeezed Ben\u2019s arm and urgently whispered to his father who spun around to look back toward the building.\u00a0 Adam, sensing something was wrong, turned and froze at the horror before him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNO!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n He ran over and shoved Jackson out of the way. Falling to the ground and gently taking Caroline in his arms, he brushed her soft curls from her face with his fingertips, all the while calling her name.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCaroline, sweetheart.\u00a0 Oh, God, please open your eyes.\u201d\u00a0 His hand shook as he caressed her cheek and he rocked her gently back and forth, unaware of her warm blood soaking his shirt.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Her eyes fluttered open and she smiled up at her love\u2019s face.\u00a0 Her voice was weak. \u201cAdam? You\u2019re safe? You\u2019re alright?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, my love. I\u2019m fine. You\u2019ll be fine too.\u201d\u00a0 He gasped for breath. \u201cDon\u2019t leave me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t, my love.\u201d\u00a0 She struggled to place her gloved hand upon his heart. Adam frantically pulled the glove off and wrapped his hand around hers, holding it against his heart.\u00a0 \u201cAdam.\u00a0 Promise me you\u2019ll keep the light in your heart.\u00a0 Don\u2019t let it grow dark again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, don’t …I promise, my love.\u00a0 You\u2019ll always be in my heart.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA-dam…I…love\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Caroline\u2019s eyes closed slowly and she went limp in his arms.\u00a0 Adam crushed her body to him as if to keep her spirit from slipping away.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben, Hoss, and Joe looked on in shock and dismay as they stood side by side, forming a protective shield around Adam. Jackson leaned heavily against a wall, his fists clenched in rage and his eyes filled with pain as he beheld the heart-wrenching scene before him. All the while Adam rocked his beloved Caroline, his heart-rending moans filling the night air.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n PART 4<\/span><\/p>\n After Caroline\u2019s funeral, Adam departed for England. Staying in Boston was suffocating to him. He needed a clean break from the violence that had invaded his life. Settling in Liverpool with a country doctor and his daughter, Adam\u2019s heart began to heal and he found life returning to his soul. Until his friend Jackson arrived at the same time Adam received his letter..\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n After a filling English lunch, the friends explored the area around the clinic, then headed to a local pub.\u00a0 Having brought Jackson\u2019s letter with him, Adam hoped to find out all the latest details of the case concerning Barlowe.\u00a0 As they sat in a corner, enjoying their beers, Adam skimmed the letter then peered over the top at Jackson.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe man assisting Barlowe was actually the Shadow Man and the head of a syndicate operation?\u00a0 Somehow that doesn\u2019t surprise me, but why work for Barlowe?\u00a0 What was he after?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jackson rocked his chair back on two legs and nursed his drink.\u00a0 \u201cI wish I knew.\u00a0 No one has been able to figure out why he infiltrated Barlowe\u2019s company.\u00a0 Records found at Barlowe\u2019s attorney’s office showed that the company itself was nearly insolvent.\u00a0 Barlowe was all hot air in his threats to take over Pennington Engineering. He wanted my company because we made money.\u00a0 His company was failing because he refused to put money or effort into it. He also took bribes to cut costs in workmanship and materials, most times resulting in poor construction. My business sources confirmed he had plenty of his family money but refused to invest it in his business.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo his company was actually in financial troubles.\u00a0 Perhaps that\u2019s why the syndicate was interested.\u00a0 They loan Barlowe funds to keep going then eventually take over and own him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Intrigued by that thought, Jackson rocked his chair forward. \u201cThat\u2019s entirely possible. If that had happened, they would have the business but I\u2019m quite certain Barlowe wouldn\u2019t have been running it. However, after Barlowe was killed the paper trail led to a few underground groups that police were eventually able to shut down, effectively shutting down the entire syndicate operation in Boston. Near as the police can tell, only a few members remain on the loose. The main man they want is one called Orpheus.\u00a0 And by all indications he seems to be the same man who was Barlowe\u2019s right hand man, the \u2018Shadow Man\u2019 some called him. They worry that as long as he\u2019s on the loose he can start up a new syndicate operation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam sipped his beer as a cold chill crept through him. He tapped a couple of his long fingers on the glass as he considered Jackson\u2019s words, his eyes losing their focus.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOrpheus is an intriguing choice for a name.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019s that? Does it mean something to you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t recall your Greek mythology?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNever was an interest of mine. More of a mathematics fellow, you know.\u201d\u00a0 Jackson\u2019s eyes twinkled, but dimmed when Adam\u2019s face remained passive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n In a subdued monotone voice Adam recited the myth, \u201cIn Greek mythology Orpheus was a musician who played the lyre perfectly. He charmed man and beast with his songs. One day he fell in love with a beautiful woman named Eurydice. They lived together happily until a prophet told them it wouldn\u2019t last. Later, wandering in the woods she was bitten by a snake and died. Mourning for her, Orpheus descended to the underworld to beg Hades to return her to him. Hades, persuaded by Orpheus\u2019 music, agreed but only if Orpheus agreed not to look at Eurydice until she had entered the light, or he would lose her forever. Orpheus agreed but just before they were fully in the light, he grew impatient and turned to look at her. Her shadow was whisked back to Hades forever. Failing to get her back a second time, he filled the world with mournful songs. One tale says that Zeus killed him with a lightning bolt to keep him from revealing the secrets of the underworld to humans.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Silence settled between the two men as music and conversations flowed through the rest of the pub.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jackson turned his mug in his hands. \u201cSo exactly how does this story and this name connect to our Shadow Man?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know, but I have a feeling his choice of the name was not random.\u201d Adam refocused his eyes on his friend. \u201cHow can the police be sure both men are the same person?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jackson\u2019s sudden low tones had Adam straining to hear him. \u201cAll the men who worked for him that the police questioned gave the same details – he was a tall man, kept to the shadows, and usually remained silent or gave a one- or two-word command. And all those found dead were men who had some type of connection to Barlowe, whether as an employee or a business man. The one missing link is what he really looks like.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jackson scanned the room then leaned in to close the gap between himself and Adam. \u201cThe police seem to think that you are the only one who knows what he looks like. Is that true?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam drew in a deep breath and closed his eyes. Images of that night when he was nearly beaten to death still haunted him. He recalled the conversation with the man after he\u2019d stepped from the shadows into the hotel lobby. Even after the beating, the man\u2019s face and voice were forever etched in Adam\u2019s memory.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jackson\u2019s persistent voice brought him out of his melancholy thoughts.\u00a0 \u201cAdam?\u00a0 Did you hear me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, I heard you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know what he looks like.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jackson blew out his breath and ran a shaky hand through his hair. \u201cWhen did you get a chance to see him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam clenched his jaw, not wishing to vocalize the answer. But his friend deserved to know the answer. \u201cWhen I was attacked at the hotel.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Eyes widening at his own memories of that horrific time. Jackson considered his next words carefully, \u201cEveryone said he always remained hidden so why reveal himself then?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam shrugged as he recalled that conversation. \u201cI believe he was curious as to why I didn\u2019t beg for my life, much the way I\u2019m sure others did. He seemed to want to match wits with me, perhaps seeing me as an intellectual equal. He was carrying out Barlowe\u2019s orders to get me out of the way. He gloated over the fact that I hadn\u2019t known that Caroline was Barlowe\u2019s niece. He also was pretty clear that he had inclinations toward her, and relished tormenting me with that idea, that he would claim her after I died.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jackson shook his head. \u201cI find it difficult to believe there’s no one else who can identify him.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam\u2019s face sobered. \u201cProbably because they\u2019re all dead.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the ensuing silence a small clock chimed behind the bar.\u00a0 Adam slowly rose, suggesting they leave and walk around the town a bit more.\u00a0 After their somber discussion he needed to move and clear his head.\u00a0 He tossed a few coins on the table, then he and Jackson left the pub and made their way toward the docks and back to the clinic.\u00a0 As they walked and reminisced about old times and made plans for their trip to London, a tall, slender man slipped from the shadowy doorway of the pub, watching the two friends stroll away. He had heard and seen enough to know he had found his prey.\u00a0 Heading back to his hotel room his thoughts turned to the next step in his plan.\u00a0 Being a patient man, he would wait until Adam Cartwright was alone, then silence him forever.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n PART 5<\/span><\/p>\n Filled with an inner peace, and a plan, Adam arrived in Paris. Exhausted from the cat and mouse game between two countries with Orpheus, Adam rented a room nearby in order to rest. As midnight approached he unlocked the door to the tiny room. Stepping in and securing the door, he immediately laid down for a brief respite from the day\u2019s travels. He needed sleep, for the next day would bring its own trials.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As Adam slept, the Autumn air became chilled and misty, swirling round the Parisian streets. A block away, a gaunt face appeared in a grimy window of an abandoned apartment. Something about the dark, the mist, the shadows brought a calm to this man who had taken the name of one from the underworld. Letting his eye draw in and focus on his reflection Orpheus felt a satisfaction come over him as he knew the time was near, the end of his nemesis was close at hand. The face disappeared from the window, as <\/span>the slender man<\/span> turned toward the interior of the room. A fire barely burned in the grate while a small lamp provided just enough light to the table it rested on.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n An unbridled fury churned through his chest as his impatience mounted. He slammed his fist down on the table, causing the lamp to rattle. Oh how he longed to see Cartwright writhe and die.\u00a0 The man was the only one left who could identify him to the Boston authorities. It was his own foolish arrogance that had allowed Cartwright to see him and it was now his responsibility to rectify that fatal error in judgement. By morning he would make sure Cartwright died a most unpleasant death.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Leaving the filthy room as he had found it he drew his cloak about him. Disappearing into the mist and darkness <\/span>Orpheus sought a place to await the arrival of his prey.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As the hours passed, the cool mist became a deep fog in the Parisian night. A breeze drifted by causing the fine water droplets to swirl and dance in the air as if in an ethereal ballet. The predawn hour brought a deep chill but the man in the shadows was unaffected. More than a year ago, he had witnessed the worst of human<\/span> civilization<\/i><\/b>. <\/span>The so-called <\/span>human society with its well developed social organizations was what killed his beloved wife, and shoved him onto a path of vengeance, to wipe out every life connected with her murder. Once completed, he was able to build his empire until one man appeared. One obsolete employee whose mannerisms intrigued him, giving him a desire to match wits with him. And that in one weak moment he revealed himself. Now he was paying the price and had no choice but to kill this man who seemed to have more lives than a cat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Orpheus scoffed at that absurd thought. Blending into the blackness of a dismal, smelly alley, Orpheus observed the small cluster of rental rooms across the street, specifically one room on the second floor. Soon, he was rewarded with a faint light appearing in the window. No sooner had it been lit, it was extinguished. Orpheus counted precious seconds until Adam Cartwright left the building.\u00a0 He drew his knife and mentally ticked off the footfalls as they grew louder. Only a fool would think he was safe from Orpheus and Adam Cartwright was proving himself to be that fool. Pushing himself away from the wall he prepared to attack.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n ~~~~<\/span><\/p>\n Watching from his darkened room, Adam didn\u2019t miss the drifting shadow that settled into an alley across the street. It had been a long tense few days of playing a hide and seek game with Orpheus. As time wore on, Adam\u2019s tension deepened and his instincts were telling him the final encounter was close. He\u2019d learned years ago to trust those instincts but now he wondered if he was prepared enough to end this cat and mouse chase?\u00a0 Would he finally rid himself of his sinister shadow?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the last hour before sunrise, Adam stepped from the ramshackle building into the cold fog, drawing his jacket tighter about him. It wasn\u2019t so much the cold as it was the niggling feeling he had. As he crossed the street he relaxed his grip on his jacket, letting it swing open as he made his way to the sidewalk.\u00a0 With each step his body warmed, his muscles became taut, his senses heightened.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n In spite of the physical preparedness, he still was caught off guard when a knife appeared from nowhere, slicing through his jacket sleeve.\u00a0 He shifted away from his attacker and drew his own knife. A small pistol was securely hidden near his left arm under his jacket but he didn\u2019t want to use it except as a last resort. The report of a gunshot would bring the police down on them in a heartbeat. This needed to be a silent battle. As he crouched and scanned the dark passageway for his assailant, he noticed that only his jacket sleeve was damaged. His left arm was fully functional.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hearing a faint intake of breath, he crept into the alley seeking its owner.\u00a0 In the anemic glow of a street lamp the two men quickly assessed one another and began to circle around the alley.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI see I have your attention.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA bit annoying actually. It was a favorite jacket.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhen I am through with you, you won\u2019t care about anything as mundane as a jacket.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou can try but I doubt you will succeed any better than you did the other times. I\u2019m still alive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThose times I made the mistake of allowing others to do the work.\u00a0 I have since learned that it is best to deal with one\u2019s enemies oneself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n