Disclaimer: I do not own Dark Shadows or Ironside. They are the creations of Dan Curtis and Collier Young. Nor am I making any financial profit from this writing. It is for pure free entertainment for Ironside and Dark Shadows fans.

Though this will be an unusual pairing, my readers have been subjected to one other unusual pairing when I combined Ironside and Star Trek in "George and Gracie." Both of these shows in this new crossover were on the air at the same time, Ironside on NBC and Dark Shadows on ABC television.

The shows became favorites of mine as a kid. Each set of Ironside and Dark Shadows fans will have to be patient as a little background from each show will be given so that those that have not seen one or the other show will have a basic understanding what the other was about, although I cannot believe anyone living in that decade would not be familiar with both very popular shows.

Fans of both shows will have to bear with me as I have a tendency to change the timelines and storylines of the shows as well as present them in the present time rather than when they were on the air.

So here goes another of my unusual crossovers!

Dark Shadows Among Us

Chapter 1

1.1

"Mark!"

Mark Sanger was awaken by the loud and boisterous voice of his boss, Robert T. Ironside, the former chief of detectives and now consultant to the San Francisco Police. In his live-in office on the top floor of police headquarters and with his hand-picked staff, Ironside continued to fight crime in the city, becoming the most famous detective in the country. Gone were the days when Mark would jump out of bed and nearly break his neck to get to the man in fear something was wrong. He had learned it would more than likely be that the handicapped detective just could not sleep. And if Robert Ironside could not sleep then neither could Mark.

Ironside had plucked Sanger off the streets and turned the juvenile delinquent into a respectable young man who was studying to be a lawyer. He had become Ironside's "legs" when the detective had been confined to a wheelchair after being shot by a sniper. Taking the job out of desperation and not planning to stay long, Mark's hatred for the man that had sent him to jail, soon turned to respect and friendship as Ironside treated him with respect and trust. He made Mark feel part of his team and gave him a sense of purpose for the first time in his life.

Sanger approached Ironside's bedside. "What's wrong, Chief?"

"I got a call from a friend I went through the police academy with. After I got a job in the police force here, he went back home and was hired in his home town. He served many years as a deputy before becoming a sheriff."

"I have never heard you talk about this man. What's his name?"

"George Patterson. He is the sheriff in a town called Collinsport in Maine. It is near Bangor."

"Well, whatever Patterson told you, it sure has gotten under your skin. You have not gotten a decent night's sleep in a week." What Mark was thinking but did not say was he had not gotten a decent night's sleep in a week. "So what is his problem?"

"There have been several attacks of young women in the area and one woman has disappeared altogether, a young woman by the name of Maggie Evans. George is being pressured to find this woman and stop the attacks."

Mark sat down in his boss's wheelchair. "Naturally, that is what they pay him for. So do you want to tell me why this has been keeping both of us up at night for the past week?"

Ironside frowned at his aide and friend. "What's the matter? Don't you like my company?"

"All I am saying is you are losing a lot of sleep over something you can do nothing about. Chief, you have enough to worry about right here in San Francisco let alone what is going on in your friend's town."

"This one is different, Mark."

"In what way?"

"This town is known for strange things that go on there. Some even say some of the incidences are caused be the supernatural." Ironside studied Mark for his reaction.

"But you don't believe in the supernatural."

"I believe others believe. However, I have always believed there is a sound scientific reason for everything. In other words I believe in facts"

"Alright, then where are you going with this? Maine is on the other side of the country. Exactly what do you think you can do about it?"

"There is a maniac attacking young women and it is only a matter of time before he kills someone. He had to be stopped. There could be a connection between the missing woman and the others."

"Chief, I don't see what you can possibly do about it. So why are you letting it affect your sleep?"

Ironside ignored the young man's question. "I have to help George. I owe him."

"And just what do you owe him?"

"When we were in the academy together, I actually thought about leaving." He looked at Mark's shocked expression. "That's right. There was a time when I thought about not becoming a police officer."

"And he talked you into staying in the program?"

"He did. I was seeing a woman at the time." He looked at Mark, raised his eyebrows and lowered his chin. "She later became Mrs. Ironside. She wanted me to find another line of work. She was appalled at my choice of occupation. George knew it was all I ever wanted to do. He convinced me that if I gave into Bella that I would some day come to resent her for robbing me of my life's dream. Bella married me anyway after I announced I would not quit the academy. I can't imagine what my life would have been like had I let her talk me into quitting the academy. For that, I have George to thank. He needs my help, Mark."

"How are you going to help him? The commissioner will never allow you to leave half way across the country and solve someone else's case."

"Why not?" Ironside said in his signature gruff voice. "I have done it before. Several times in fact. Wouldn't you like a nice trip to the east coast to soak up that salt air?" Ironside grinned at him.

"Maybe in June or July but not at the end of October. It gets cold in Maine in the winter."

"It is not winter yet. Besides, you, Ed and Eve are spoiled by the mild winters in San Francisco."

Mark looked at him incredulously. "You really don't think the commissioner is going to allow Ed and Eve to go too? They are on the city payroll."

Ironside smiled, his dimples prominent. "Don't I always get what I want from the commissioner?"

Mark sighed. "I may have to go shopping. My wardrobe is not geared for cold weather."

1.2

Sheriff George Patterson knocked on the main entrance at Collingwood. He walked for a moment and then knocked again. The door opened and a short woman with long straight blond hair greeted him. "Good evening, Sheriff. I hope you are here to bring us some good news about Maggie."

Patterson removed his hat and rubbed his bald head. "I wish I were, Carolyn." Carolyn Stoddard, daughter of Collingwood's matriarch stepped aside to allow him to enter. "Unfortunately, I am completely stumped. Can I speak with Mrs. Stoddard and your Uncle Roger?"

"Of course, Sheriff, please come into the drawing room. I will ask them to come down."

Sheriff Patterson walked straight ahead toward the drawing room, then stopped. He turned and looked at the portrait of a Collins ancestor, a man who had lived in the seventeenth century. Patterson did not know why but for some reason it gave him the creeps, as the kids would say. He did not even know who the man was. He had never asked any of the Collinses.

"Why do you stare at that portrait every time you come here, Sheriff?"

Patterson turned toward the stairs where David Collins stood on the bottom stair with his hand on the banister which was made of beautifully carved wood.

Patterson smiled at the sandy-haired boy. David was a troubled boy who had been through several governesses until Victoria Winters had come to Collingwood. It looked as though the Collins family had found the right woman this time as she had had a positive influence on Roger Collins' son. "I don't know, David. There is something about the man in the portrait that fascinates me."

David grinned. "Then you certainly will be in for a surprise."

"And why is that?"

David grinned again. "You'll see." He stepped down from the stair and disappeared into the door that led to the service entrance as well as the kitchen.

"Sheriff Patterson, what a nice surprise," Elizabeth Stoddard exclaimed as she descended the stairs in the foyer.

Patterson bowed in respect to the strikingly beautiful woman with long dark hair who carried herself with the poise of a movie star. "Good evening, Mrs. Stoddard. I was wondering if I could speak with you and Mr. Collins."

Roger Collins walked down the stairs. At average height, Roger had an air about him that would be considered by most as snooty. He walked with his back erect. He had short blond hair and a brooding look that gave the impression that he believed himself better than others. "Sheriff, have you solved the attacks yet and what about Miss Evans?"

Roger Collins had been one of the reasons Patterson had called on his old friend, Chief Robert T. Ironside of the San Francisco Police to help him with this case. Roger had called his office every day demanding to know what was new in the case. Patterson would not have cared but Roger Collins had a lot of influence in Collinsport and not surprisingly so since the town was named after his family. "No, Mr. Collins, I have not found out much more than you already know. However, I am..."

"This is completely unacceptable, Sheriff. It is not safe for any young woman in Collinsport to go out alone at night! You simply must find this maniac!" Roger demanded.

"That is what I am here to talk to you about, sir." Sheriff Patterson could not stand Roger Collins. The man was an insufferable fool but he would cater to him nonetheless. He smiled inwardly as he knew of one man who would not. Robert Ironside would not give two cents for Collins' position in the town and would never tolerate his uppity attitude. Yes, Bob would put Roger in his place.

"Why don't we go into the drawing room? Would you like a drink, Sheriff Patterson?"

"No, thank you. Not while I am on duty." He followed Elizabeth and Roger into the drawing room and took a seat on the couch.

Roger Collins stepped over to the bar and filled his glass with sherry. "Well, what news do you have for us?"

"I am sorry but Maggie Evans' trail had gone cold."

Roger turned sharply with his drink in hand. "What do you mean cold? Surely, you can find this man. What are we paying you for?"

Patterson kept his temper in check. Collins acted like he was paying him personally instead of the citizens of Collinsport. "What I came to tell you is I am calling in some help."

Carolyn Stoddard entered the drawing room along with her cousin, David. "What kind of help?" David asked.

"Have any of you heard of Chief Robert T. Ironside?" Patterson asked them.

"Yes, of course," Elizabeth answered. "He's that famous detective from California. His brother is the famous attorney, Perry Mason." *

"That is correct. Bob Ironside is a brilliant detective who has solved cases no other detective s seemed to be able to. He has agreed to come to Collinsport and help me with this case."

There was a knock on the door. David looked toward the foyer and called out, "I'll get it." He ran out of the drawing room to the foyer toward the door. He quickly opened the door. "Good evening, Cousin Barnabas."

The tall man with the extremely pale skin stepped into the mansion. "Good evening, David. Is Elizabeth in?" He spoke in very crisp English with the air of a proper gentleman.

"Yes, she and my father are speaking with Sheriff Patterson."

"Oh," Barnabas replied. "Would you tell them I have come to call?"

"Certainly, Cousin Barnabas." David headed back to the drawing room while Barnabas waited.

Barnabas removed his capped cloak and hung up his wolf head cane as Doctor Julia Hoffman came down the steps. "Barnabas, I did not know you were coming to Collingwood tonight. Do you have your days mixed up? You do not need another injection until tomorrow."

"Is it so unusual for me to want to visit my family?" Barnabas said to the red-headed doctor.

"No, of course not. I just did not know you would be visiting tonight," she said, dropping her eyes from his.

David returned. "Aunt Elizabeth would like you to join everyone in the drawing room."

"Thank you, David," Barnabas said, smiling at the youngster.

David grinned after Barnabas turned to head for the drawing room. "This is going to be good."

Allowing Julia to enter before him, Barnabas Collins entered the drawing with a presence that could not be ignored. Everyone looked his way. He bowed slightly and said, "Good evening, I hope I am not intruding." He took Elizabeth's hand and kissed the back of it with cold lips.

Sheriff Patterson stared at the man that had just entered. He was a little over six feet tall with dark brown hair and shallow check bones. His bangs spiked over his forehead. His brown eyes were literally hypnotic. He spoke with clear, proper English that sounded like an actor in a movie depicting an earlier century. Patterson noted his pale, pasty skin. Despite his peculiarities, he was a ruggedly handsome man.

When Elizabeth realized Sheriff Patterson was staring at Barnabas, she chuckled. "No, he did not step out of the portrait in the hall. Sheriff, this is Cousin Barnabas. He arrived a few weeks ago from England. He is from the English branch of the family."

"How do you do?" Barnabas said with a smile as he bowed.

"It is amazing... the resemblance." Patterson stared at Barnabas with his mouth open. "You could be the man in the portrait!" David was grinning at Patterson's reaction.

Again, Barnabas smiled. "I assure you, I am not. However, the man in the portrait is a direct ancestor of mine. He left Collinsport for England and founded the English branch."

"Amazing, just amazing," Patterson repeated.

"Sheriff, I understand you have come to Collingwood to update us on the attacks. Is there anything new?" Barnabas' eyes bore into Patterson's.

Patterson fought to look away from the Collins he had just been introduced to. It was as if he had some kind of hypnotic hold. It had to be his imagination. He shook his head to clear it.

"Is there something wrong?" Barnabas asked Patterson.

"No, Mr. Collins. I came to tell the family that I am bringing in some help on this investigation. Chief, Robert T. Ironside. Have you heard of him?"

Barnabas shook his head and looked at Julia. "No, I can't say that I have but then I have not been in this country for very long."

Julia tried to keep the worry from showing on her face. "He's a very famous American police detective, Barnabas. He is the one that did the investigation that cleared President Whitmore of murdering his wife. His brother defended the president. He is an equally famous lawyer." **

"I see," Barnabas said, his dark eyes nearly betraying his concern. "This detective... Ironside, you say... he is known for his detective work then?"

"Very much so...He solves the cases...no one else can," Julia told him, looking into his dark brown eyes.

"Well, then, maybe we will find out where Miss Evans is. The dear girl has been missing too long." He forced a smile.

"And it is about time too," Roger said. "These attacks should have been solved a long time ago."

"Now, Roger," Elizabeth interrupted. "The Sheriff has had his hands full and he has very little help."

"He shall have it now," Roger said.

"Yes, indeed," Barnabas said, looking at Patterson who became very uncomfortable.

1.3

Back at the old house...

"I don't like it, Julia. We did not have much worry that Sheriff Patterson would discover anything but this Ironside... is he really that good a detective?" Barnabas paced the parlor.

"The best there is, I'm afraid."

"Then we must not allow him to learn anything."

Julia looked at Barnabas with worry. "That will be easier said than done. The man is brilliant. He will not stop until he knows the truth."

"Then I have no choice, this Ironside must die."

"We have an agreement, Barnabas. You are not to kill anyone. You will stick to that agreement. Besides, you have seen all the attention the attacks on the women have caused. What did you think the murder of the world's most famous detective would do?"

Barnabas frowned. "Yes, I see your point but he must never learn my secret."

"He won't. We will find a way to keep him from finding out."

"We better, Julia. Because if we don't, I am afraid I will have no choice but to break my promise."

"I kept Maggie from revealing anything. I will do the same with Ironside... with hypnotism if necessary."

"You better because you know what must be done if you fail."

*Refers to my Ironside/Perry Mason crossovers.

**Refers to my Ironside/Perry Mason crossover The Case of the Politician's Wife.