Dracul's Revenge 01: Dracul's Blood by Carol Lynne, T. A. Chase Page A

warned my lieutenant before she gets the actual phone call.”
    “Is there a way for you to speak to her now? I’ve no idea what’ll be involved in finding out what’s under that wax, but it’ll most likely take some time. The quicker we get answers, the quicker you solve your case.” Nik held his breath, waiting for Bobby’s decision.
    After several moments, Bobby stood and pulled his cell phone out of his jacket pocket.
    “I’ll give it a shot. I sure hope you’re right about this.”
    Nik reached out and grabbed Bobby’s free hand, giving it a slight squeeze. “I wouldn’t put you in this position if I wasn’t sure.”
    Bobby pulled his hand away and left the room in mid-dial. Nik was surprised when the door opened a few seconds later. He turned to find Peter. “Oh. Did you get them?”
    Peter held out several photographs. “That’s the best I can do with what we have here.
    Is it enough?”
    Nik studied the blown up images of the wax seal. “These are great. Thanks, Peter.”
    Peter left the room, and Nik continued to stare at the crest. God, why did it look so familiar? He reached for his backpack and withdrew a notebook and pencil. He was far from an artist, so he laid a blank sheet of paper over the photo and began to trace the image.
    He was so involved in what he was doing, he didn’t hear Bobby re-enter the room.
    The large hand landing on his shoulder caused him to jump.
    “Shit. I’m sorry,” Bobby apologised.
    Nik shook his head and picked up his pencil from where it had dropped. “Did you talk to your boss?”
    “Yeah. She’s not happy, but she listened to everything I said, which is a good sign.”
    “So? What does that mean? Will she come down on you if I call Professor Lattimer?”
    Bobby scratched at the back of his neck. “She said I’d better be right or it would be my head. That’s as close to her blessing as I’m likely to get.”

    DRACUL’S BLOOD
    Carol Lynne and T.A. Chase

    43

    The drawing forgotten, Nik reached into his backpack for his phone. He searched his contact list and came up with George Lattimer’s phone number. Now that Bobby had faced the dragon, it was Nik’s turn.
    “Hello?”
    “Professor Lattimer? This is Nikolay Radin.”
    “Nikolay, how are you, boy?”
    “I’m well, sir, and you?”
    “Having the time of my life.”
    “That’s good to hear, sir.” He knew he needed to get to the point. George Lattimer was a talker, and Nik knew he could easily spend the next fifteen minutes discussing the weather. “The reason I’m calling is for your expertise.”
    “Really? I thought you were an expert now?” George chuckled.
    “In some subjects, but I have a miniature cask from the mid-fifteenth century that I need help with.”
    “Is this for a class?”
    “No, sir. I’m working with the NYPD.” Nik went on to describe the cask. He didn’t tell the professor any more than was absolutely necessary, but from the sounds of George’s breathing on the other end of the phone, he didn’t need to. Nik nodded his head at Bobby before he even finished his conversation. He knew his old professor was as excited by the find as Nik had been.
    “…so I’d like to find out what’s written on the label under the wax seal. Can you tell me how long you think that’ll take you?”
    “It would depend on how soon I can get it to DC and the severity of the staining.”
    “Do you think a call to the mayor would help speed the process?” Nik knew he was pushing, but George had never been known to back down from a challenge.
    “Leave it to me. One way or another, I’ll get it couriered down here as soon as possible. Now, about this crest, any idea who it belongs to?”
    “Not yet. I have a feeling I’ll be spending a few hours with my nose stuck in research books.”
    “Go to the New York Public Library on Forty-second Street and ask for Edna Grant.
    I’ll give her a call and let her know you’re coming.”
    “Thank you, Professor