Dracul's Revenge 01: Dracul's Blood (15 page)

Bobby shook his head. “It’s too dangerous.”

“I’ll have two big cops with me. Besides, I want to look over the books in Thompson’s library.”

DRACUL’S BLOOD

Carol Lynne and T.A. Chase

96

Bobby’s brows shot up. “You think Thompson stole the book from the library?”

Nik shrugged. “I don’t know, but if he did, I’ll find it.”

Bobby looked at his partner. “I think we should watch Vanderlist. Even if I hadn’t seen the crest, I’d say he knows more than he’s willing to tell us. There’s something about that man that makes my skin crawl.”

Jablonsky stopped in the process of stuffing folders into a briefcase. “I’m guessing you want me to do that.”

Bobby nodded. “At least while we’re at Thompson’s. I’ll relieve you later so you can make it home to the family in time for supper.”

Jablonsky sighed and rolled his eyes. “I hate stakeouts.”

“Don’t we all.” Bobby clapped his partner on the back. “Call me if you see anything in the least suspicious.”

Jablonsky picked up his briefcase and headed out the door.

“You ready?” Bobby asked, turning to Nik.

Nik nodded. “Do you have a camera?”

Bobby rested his hand on his briefcase. “In here along with gloves.”

As he followed Bobby to the issued sedan, he reached into his pocket for the small tube of pain relievers, popping two in his mouth.

“You okay?” Bobby rested a hand on the small of Nik’s back.

“Just a headache.”

Bobby’s expression turned to worry. “Maybe it would be better if I took you back to my place while I search Thompson’s.”

“I’m fine, really. I want to go with you.”

Bobby opened the passenger door and Nik got in. He reached across the seat to unlock the driver’s door. Once Bobby was behind the wheel, he reached out and threaded his fingers through Nik’s.

“I’m worried about letting you get even more involved than you already are.”

Nik squeezed his lover’s hand. “I know you are, and I’ll be careful.”

Bobby started the car and pulled out of the garage.

“Can I see that picture of Vanderlist’s cigar box again?” Nik asked.

Bobby pulled out his cell and called up the image, before handing the phone to Nik. “I wish the quality was better, but I was in a hurry.”

DRACUL’S BLOOD

Carol Lynne and T.A. Chase

97

Nik studied the small picture. “It’s old. See the rounded corners of the box? I think this is probably something inherited.”

Bobby’s right eyebrow rose. “It would further your theory of membership being passed down within a family.”

Nik nodded. He wondered once again about Professor Lattimer’s warnings. Did the professor know a lot more about the society than he was telling Nik? Perhaps it was the reason he’d been warned.

Bobby lifted Nik’s hand and kissed it. “Penny for your thoughts?”

He hated to voice his concerns regarding his old friend, but knew he could always apologise later if they turned out to be nothing. “I’m worried about Professor Lattimer’s role in this. Not only did he warn me to stay away from further investigating this case, but he’s also the one who sent me to see Edna at the library.”

“You think the librarian has something to do with it?”

Nik shrugged. “I don’t know, but isn’t it odd that I was mugged after spending an entire afternoon making notes?”

He noticed Bobby’s free hand grip the steering wheel. “You’re not going back to the library, that’s for sure. I’ll have to dig deeper into Lattimer’s background.”

“Deeper? You mean you’ve already been investigating him?”

Bobby nodded. “Procedure. We were shipping a stranger a valuable piece of evidence.”

“Did anything out of the ordinary come up?” Nik held his breath, waiting for the answer.

“Not really. Other than the fact he’s also from ‘old money’. His great-grandfather was Peirce Lattimer, founder and co-owner of L & M Bank. Sorry, I figured you knew.”

Nik shook his head. “His connections to the rich and famous make a little more sense.

I wonder how deep the connections go?” He once again began picking at his tortured thumb.

“I’m glad I didn’t mention Mavis Vanderlist’s death to him.”

“One thing I learned a long time ago was to follow your gut. If something’s telling you to suspect Lattimer, I’d go with it. Make sure you don’t share any more than you absolutely have to.”

“Makes sense.” Nik closed his eyes and leaned his head carefully against the back of the seat. “What if I’ve screwed everything up by bringing in Lattimer?”

DRACUL’S BLOOD

Carol Lynne and T.A. Chase

98

“I don’t think you’ve screwed anything up, but I do worry about the danger you’ve put yourself in. If Lattimer isn’t on the up and up and he thinks you know more than you do…” Bobby squeezed Nik’s hand. “I think you should stick close to me.”

Nik agreed. Not only for his own safety, but because he was quickly becoming used to the brawny detective. “After we finish at Thompson’s place, would you take me by my house for a change of clothes?”

“I think it would be wise for you to pack a bag. I don’t see this investigation wrapping up anytime soon, and, until the danger dies down, I’m not letting you sleep anywhere but with me.” Bobby finished the statement with a wink that had Nik’s cock twitching in response.

When they pulled up to Morgan Thompson’s Manhattan mansion, the first thing Nik noticed was the lack of yellow tape. “I thought the lieutenant said they hadn’t released the house?”

“They haven’t, but the neighbours were complaining, so they took down everything on the outside of the house except the seal on the door.”

Nik spotted a teenager standing at the black iron gate. “Looks like we have company.”

Bobby turned off the engine and pocketed the keys. “Stay here while I check him out.”

Nik reluctantly agreed, and waited while Bobby approached the young man. They talked for several moments before the boy ran off. Bobby motioned for Nik to get out.

Joining Bobby on the sidewalk, Nik glanced in the direction of the retreating stranger.

“Get anything?”

Bobby rubbed the back of his neck. “He just said he knew Morgan and was shocked by the news of his death. He said Morgan was a gentle man and he doubted he’d really done the things Morgan has been accused of.”

“How would a boy like that know Thompson? They definitely hadn’t run in the same social circles.”

Bobby grinned and slit the seal on the door with his pocket knife. “By the emotions evident in the boy’s eyes, I’d say they might have run in the same social circles, just not the ones admitted to in public.”

The thought of the sweet young boy being involved with The Knights of Paiderastia turned Nik’s stomach. He followed Bobby inside the house, wanting more than anything to expose the secret society for the sickos they were.

DRACUL’S BLOOD

Carol Lynne and T.A. Chase

99

The noise from his cell phone startled him. The particular song he had attached to other members of the brotherhood rarely sounded, especially during the middle of the afternoon.

One glance at the display, and he was worried even more. “Excuse me.”

He left the conference room and stepped into his private office. “Yes.”

“What’s going on? I went by Morgan’s house and the police were back. The detective pretty much ran me off, but I went back and looked in the windows. They’re in the study, going through Morgan’s desk and bookshelves.”

The boy was in a near panic. He groaned, knowing he now had two new situations to handle. “Stay calm. They don’t know anything.”

“Easy for you to say. I need money. I need to get away from here.”

He ground his teeth. Phillip Cochran was going to be a problem, one that needed to be taken care of. He stuck his hand in his pocket and ran his fingers over the cold silver of his flask. With the help of his liquid courage, he should be able to accomplish both tasks by the end of the business day.

“Meet me at our regular place at four.”

“You’ll bring money?”

“Haven’t we always taken care of you, Phillip?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Be there at four.” He snapped his phone shut and stuck his head back into the conference room. “Something’s come up that requires my attention. I’ll have my secretary call you with the rescheduled time.”

With that, he walked out of the building and climbed into his car. He pulled the antique flask from his pocket and drank the sweet wine. Maybe if he was lucky, he’d have the chance to sip from Phillip’s sweet young body before killing him.

He took another drink.
Yes, I’ll definitely need a proper meal before dinner.
He headed in the direction of Morgan Thompson’s to take care of his first problem.

DRACUL’S BLOOD

Carol Lynne and T.A. Chase

100

* * * *

As soon as they were in the house, Bobby opened his briefcase and handed Nik a pair of gloves. “I’ve got evidence bags as well, so holler if you need one.”

Nik nodded and pulled on the gloves as he made his way to Thompson’s study. The wall of books he’d only seen in the crime scene photos came into view, making him gasp.

“Something wrong?”

Nik’s gaze never left the floor to ceiling shelves. “No. I’ve just never seen a collection quite like this. These books are worth a fortune.”

“Well, since I know absolutely nothing about books not written by Tom Clancy or Louis L’Amour, I’m going to check out the desk and leave you to it.”

Nik chuckled as he neared the shelves. He knew antique and out-of-print books weren’t everyone’s cup of tea. That was fine with him. It would give him a chance to thoroughly investigate each and every volume. He decided to start at the top and work his way down. He slid the library ladder to the far corner and climbed up.

He was glad he had gloves on which allowed him to physically touch each and every spine as he read through Thompson’s collection. As he worked his way down the row, he couldn’t help but whistle. “I hope to hell he willed these to a museum or library.”

“That impressive, huh?”

Nik glanced over his shoulder at Bobby. “Thompson must’ve been into a bit of everything. There are books here that delve into subjects from the rise of Christianity to black magic.”

He pulled out a thick leather-bound volume. “This one is spells from an old voodoo priestess.” He shook his head. “Fucking amazing.”

Bobby closed the drawer he’d been going through. “You think we’re dealing with some kind of witchcraft?”

Nik shook his head. “No. I think we’re dealing with a man who got off on delving into the underbelly of polite society.” He slid the heavy book back into place and continued down the row.

After forty-five minutes, Nik climbed down the ladder. He took off his glasses and unconsciously began to clean them.

DRACUL’S BLOOD

Carol Lynne and T.A. Chase

101

“Giving up?”

“No. I just feel like something’s off. So far, all the books I’ve found belonged to Thompson’s ancestors. So, where are his?”

Bobby shrugged. He closed the drawer he was digging in and walked over to wrap an arm around Nik. “Maybe he didn’t enjoy them like his forefathers did.”

Nik shook his head. “With a collection this impressive, Morgan would’ve felt it was his obligation to continue to add to them.”

“I don’t understand why you think he hasn’t?”

Nik pulled a large book from the shelf and opened it to the first page. “See this?” He pointed towards a small pencilled in date with the initials JAT. “This book was acquired in 1914 by James Allen Thompson, Morgan’s great grandfather.”

“Aren’t you the little smarty pants.” In an uncharacteristic move, Bobby laughed and bumped Nik with his hip.

Nik grinned up at his silly lover. “Of course I am, otherwise you wouldn’t need me.”

Bobby bent and kissed Nik. “I’m beginning to think I’ll need you long after this investigation is over.”

The statement warmed Nik’s heart. He pulled Bobby’s head back down for a deeper kiss, sweeping his tongue through the interior of his lover’s mouth. He rubbed his growing erection against Bobby’s hip and moaned into the kiss, completely forgetting where they were.

Bobby pulled back first, smiling down at Nik. “Let’s get this finished so I can take you home.”

With a dramatic sigh, Nik broke away and turned back to the shelf. He noticed the empty space from the book he’d pulled earlier and flushed. “Oops. Guess you had me a little distracted.”

Bobby leant over and picked the heavy leather bound volume off the floor and handed it back to Nik. “I like being your distraction.”

Nik gave Bobby’s arm a playful slap. He turned to put the book back in its place and stopped. “Uhhh, Bobby?”

Already on his way back to the desk, Bobby answered over his shoulder. “Yeah, honey?”

Nik pointed towards the shelf. “There looks to be some kind of release lever.”

DRACUL’S BLOOD

Carol Lynne and T.A. Chase

102

He set the book on the nearest table before turning the small brass handle. He heard a click, but that was it.

“Did it do anything?”

Nik shook his head. “Not yet.” He rested both hands on the shelf and pulled, when nothing happened, he pushed. The entire section of the bookcase, from just under the moulding to the floor, swung inwards. “Bingo!”

Nik started to enter the dark room, but Bobby grabbed his hand. “No. Let me get my camera and go in first.”

Nik nodded. He’d been so excited by the hidden room, he hadn’t even thought of gathering crucial evidence.
Guess that’s why I’m not the cop.

Bobby returned with his briefcase and retrieved the camera and a flashlight. Nik was dutifully impressed. “Wow, that thing’s like a clown car.”

Chuckling, Bobby snapped on the flashlight and entered the darkened room. After several moments, a light turned on, illuminating the interior. “Holy fuck.”

Nik took a chance and poked his head into the room. “Holy fuck is right.”

“I guess we know where Morgan Thompson practiced his chosen religion.”

The room looked like something out of a porn flick. A large round bed shrouded in white organza sat centre stage. Bobby was busy snapping photographs as Nik eased his way into the room. His gaze shot to the wall of books. “I knew it.”