Jessica and Reese looked at him and both sarcastically replied, “Yeah.”
Reese reached for his wallet, but Drake stopped him. “My treat, remember?”
“No arguments here.”
As Drake counted out the money to pay the bill, Jessica took her coat from off of her chair and slid it on. She went to get Drake’s jacket and noticed the small object the size of a watch battery attached to his collar.
“What’s that on the collar of your jacket?”
Drake held it up to get a better look. He pried off the object and examined it closely. “I have no idea.”
“Let me see,” asked Reese. Drake handed it over. Reese placed it on his palm, looking at one side before flipping it over to look at the other. “It’s a listening device.”
“Who would have planted it?” asked Jessica. “The police?”
“The police wouldn’t be that sloppy about it.” Reese handed it back.
“So who?”
Drake had an unsettling feeling that he knew the answer. “The vampires.”
“Oh, fuck.” A look of fear crept into Jessica’s eyes. “What now?”
“First, we cut off their access.” Drake held the listening device over a glass half-filled with water. He leaned closer to be sure he was heard. “If it’s a war you bloodsuckers want, then bring it on.”
Drake dropped the listening device into the glass. He watched it sink to the bottom.
“Now we get Ferrar’s memoirs before they do.”
“I’ll do that first thing tomorrow morning,” said Reese.
“We go tonight.”
“Wouldn’t it be easier just to let me handle it in the morning?”
“They won’t be there tomorrow morning. Now that the vampires know we’re on to them, they’ll make their move tonight.”
“You can’t be certain of that,” argued Reese.
“Do you want to take the risk that they’ll get them before we do?”
Reese thought for a moment, then nodded his head in agreement.
“How are we going to get into the museum after hours?” asked Jessica.
“I don’t know. But I know someone who might.”
“Rodriguez?”
Drake nodded. He removed the SUV keys from his leather jacket and gave them to Jessica. “You drive.”
“Where are we going?”
“Back to the office. I’m going to call the others and have them meet us there.”
Akers dosed off twice during the monotonously inane conversation. He breathed a sigh of relief when he overheard them haggling over who would pay. Shifting his seat back into the upright position, he started the Oldsmobile. With luck, in a few hours he would be home in bed and sound asleep.
“What’s that on the collar of your jacket?”
Fuck. Akers listened with growing concern as Drake found the device. He had not anticipated this, though he should have. Don’t panic, he warned himself. Maybe they won’t figure out what it is, or who planted it.
“If it’s a war you bloodsuckers want, then bring it on.”
Shit. Shifting into DRIVE, Akers pulled away from the curb as fast as possible. Once he cleared the Brickskeller, he flipped open the cell phone and dialed Walker’s number again.
“Yes?” asked Walker.
“The hunters found the listening device,” Akers rambled. “They know we planted it. They’re on to us.”
“Calm down. I’m putting you on speaker.” Walker placed the cell phone on speaker mode and set it down on the table in front of Chiang Shih. “Start over. Slowly.”
“The hunter found the listening device I placed on his jacket. They know we planted it. I’m sorry. I failed you.”
“No need to apologize,” said Chiang Shih. “They were bound to discover it sooner or later.”
“What do we do now?” asked Walker.
“We get that book from the museum.”
“Tonight?”
Chiang Shih nodded. “If we don’t steal it tonight, the professor will tomorrow.”
“How do you plan on doing this?”
“Trust me.” Chiang Shih leaned toward the phone. “Are you still there?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I need you to steel a van. A commercial one without windows. Meet me here in two hours. Can you do that?”
“Shouldn’t be a problem. But aren’t you concerned about my bringing a stolen vehicle to your apartment building?”
“An unavoidable risk. See you in two hours.” Chiang Shih broke the connection and turned to Walker. “As the others arrive, send them back to prepare their covens. Akers will be picking them up in a few hours.”
“Where are we going?”
“To get that book from the museum.”
13.
Jim had been working late on the holy water-laced tear gas when he received the call from Drake stating they were all to meet at the office. Drake did not go into details on the phone. He did not have to. The call could only mean that an emergency hunt was on, so Jim prepared their weapons. By the time Drake and the others arrived, he had laid out their arsenal on the work bench.
Alison had turned in early for the night when the ringing phone interrupted her sleep. Once over the initial stupor of having been wakened, she got dressed and headed for the office, arriving thirty minutes after Drake, Jessica, and Reese.
The last to be called, Rodriguez and his family were on their way home from visiting friends in Ballston just across the Potomac in Virginia. Hanging up his cell phone, he concocted a story for his wife about being called in to fill a shift for a fellow cop who called in sick with the flu, suddenly thankful that he had decided not to tell his spouse about his change of vocation. After dropping off his wife and daughter at their home in Georgetown, he backtracked to the office, following Alison’s arrival by five minutes.
Once everyone had gathered, Drake briefed them on how the vampires had bugged him and now knew the location of Ferrar’s memoirs. Since the undead would do anything to get their hands on them, the hunters were going to break into the Freer Gallery and steal them first. Drake could tell by the worried faces around the workbench that no one was pleased with the prospects of tonight’s raid. He knew they were worried about running into vampires. Drake’s concern centered on breaking into the museum because the security system would go off the moment they set foot inside the building, which would bring half the D.C. police down on their heads. He needed to prevent that at all costs.
“Rodriguez,” asked Drake. “Is there any way you can bypass the Freer’s security and get us into the museum?”
“No. The Smithsonian’s museums are on a private current. The police don’t have access to it.”
“We’re screwed,” said Jim.
“Not necessarily,” said Rodriguez. “I know some of the nightshift guards at the Freer. Depending on who’s on duty, I might be able to bullshit our way past him.”
“And if you can’t bullshit him?” The tone of Jim’s voice indicated he had little confidence in Rodriguez’ chances of success.
“Then we overpower the guard.” Drake looked at the others. They stared at him, incredulous.
“You’re kidding, right?” asked Alison.
“What do you suggest?” Before anyone could answer, Drake cut them off. “Look. I know this isn’t like what we’re used to. But we have to get those memoirs. If the vampires find them, they could take over the world.”
“You don’t really believe that?” asked Jim.
“It’s always been part of their lore,” answered Reese. “Ferrar stated in his memoirs that he read the Vampyrnomicon, and that the legend is true.”
Jim lowered his head. “Shit.”
Drake reached out and patted Jim’s shoulder to reassure him, then returned his attention to the group. “One other thing. When you stock up, leave the Heaven’s Fire here.”
“That’s our most effective weapon,” protested Alison.
“Can’t risk it. We’d burn out
half the Freer.” Drake turned to Jim. “Do you have anything else we can use?”
“Sorry, boss. I’ve been spending all my time perfecting the holy water-laced tear gas.”
“Does it work?”
“Ninety percent of the time.”
“That’s good enough for me. Let’s bring it.”
“What weapon do I get?” asked Reese.
“You’re not going.”
Reese looked shocked, like a child told he would not be joining the rest of the family at Disneyland. “Why not?”
Drake tried to be diplomatic. “You’re not a hunter.”
“But I’m the only one who knows where the Bible’s located.”
“Tell me where it is.”
“No.” Drake began to protest, but Reese cut him off, showing forcefulness not typical of his mild-mannered demeanor. “You’re the one saying time is of the essence. I know exactly where to go, what to look for, and how to gain access to it. You’ll waste too much time trying to find it.” Reese’s tone softened, pleading. “Besides, you can’t cut me out now. Please.”
Drake relented because he knew how he would feel in Reese’s position. He just hoped he would not regret it. “Fine. I don’t have time to argue.”
“Can I go, too?” asked Jessica.
“Sorry, but this one can’t make the papers.”
“I don’t want to go as a journalist. I want to help.”
“What can you do?” asked Alison cattily.
“I can help Reese get the Bible while you do what you do best.”
Jim chuckled. “Get arrested?”
Drake glanced at Jim, a strange look on his face. Jim grew uncomfortable. “Sorry, boss. It was just a joke.”
“Actually, it’s a great idea.”
Drake stepped over to the far corner of the work area, flipped open his cell phone, and dialed. He spoke quietly so the others could not hear. Everyone looked at Alison for an answer, but she shrugged. A minute later, Drake closed the cell phone and rejoined the group.
“What was that about?” asked Alison.
“Making sure our asses are covered.” Drake picked up a flask and handed it to Reese. “Here’s your weapon.”
Reese stared at the flask, confused. “What am I supposed to do? Invite them for a drink?”
“It’s holy water. Throw it on them if they get too close.”
“Not much of a weapon.”
“It’ll slow them down enough for one of us to take care of them.”
“And me?” asked Jessica.
“Do you know how to use a gun?”
“No.”
Drake handed Jessica a flask.
The time for talk was over. “Jim, load the weapons in the duffle bag and put it in the SUV. We head out in five minutes.”
Smith disconnected his call from Drake, then dialed the phone number of his employer. Being so late at night, it took eight rings before he answered.
“Hello?” The voice on the other end sounded groggy.
“Sir, sorry to bother you at this hour.”
A grunt as his employer sat up in bed. “Let me guess. Drake’s been arrested again?”
“Not yet.”
Akers cruised down Massachusetts Avenue, looking for Treja and his coven. Or more precisely, partially looking for them. He spent half his time eyeing his rearview mirror, watching those crouched in the back of the van, unnerved by the five sets of blood-red eyes that stared at him. Ever since picking up the first of the covens, he felt as though the undead viewed him as a meal on wheels.
“There he is,” said Chiang Shih from the front seat.
Treja stood along the curb. As Akers slowed the van, Treja turned to the alley behind him and motioned with his hand for something to join him. A vampire in a leather mini-skirt and blood-stained red silk tank top darted out of the alley and raced over to the van. Walker opened the side door, ushered the two inside, and slid it shut. Akers was about to pull out onto Massachusetts Avenue when Chiang Shih placed a hand over his. She turned to the vampires in the rear of the van.
“I want you to memorize this human. He’s with us. If any of you harm him, you’ll answer to me. Is that understood?”
A chorus of affirmative but disappointed grunts echoed their response.
“Thank you,” whispered Akers.
Chiang Shih nodded in acknowledgement and leaned back in her seat. “Drive.”
“Where to?”
“The Freer Gallery.”
“Park here,” ordered Rodriguez.
Jim pulled the SUV over and parked on Jefferson Avenue in front of the Freer Gallery. Everyone climbed out and began loading up from the duffel bag. Drake opted for his traditional armament—two Glock 23s each with a magazine containing nine rounds of holy water-tipped .40 caliber shells and three stakes stored in the pouch sewn inside his leather jacket. Alison took a pair of stakes, as did Jim. Jim also carried his crossbow and a satchel bag containing two canisters of holy water-laced tear gas. In addition to their flasks of holy water, Drake gave Jessica and Reese one stake each. He turned to Rodriguez.
“What’s your weapon of choice?”
“I got this.” Rodriguez removed a stun gun from his coat pocket.
“You’d have better luck spitting holy water at them.” Drake took the stun gun from Rodriguez and dropped it into the outer pocket of his leather jacket. He pulled open the duffel bag to reveal a third Glock, a sawed-off shotgun, and a 12-guage shotgun. “Take your pick.”
“Can’t. I lost my permit to carry in D.C. when the force suspended me.” When Drake laughed, Rodriguez became miffed. “What’s so funny?”
Drake feigned a Mexican bandito accent. “Permits? We don’t need no stinkin’ permits.”
“You don’t have papers for these?”
Drake patted Rodriguez on the shoulder. “Stop thinking like a cop. You’re playing by a different set of rules now.”
Rodriguez nodded. “Cool.”
Removing the Glock from the duffel bag, Drake handed it to Rodriguez. As Rodriguez tucked the weapon between his pants and the small of his back, Drake zipped up the bag and closed the SUV’s hatchback. He turned to the others.
“This time it’s simple. We go in, get the memoirs, and get out. If things go south, we’ll hold off the vampires while Jessica and Reese get the memoirs to safety. Any questions?”
None.
“Let’s rock.”
The hunters made their way around the museum and approached the Independence Avenue entrance. Climbing the steps to the glass doors, Drake and Rodriguez peered inside.
“What are we looking for?” asked Drake.
“The night guard.” Rodriguez loudly rapped on the glass with his knuckles, repeating the process every five seconds until a kid in his mid-twenties dressed in a security guard uniform emerged from the small corridor to the left of the interior marble stairs, his right hand on his service revolver. He approached the door cautiously. Then his eyes widened in recognition. The kid removed his hand from the revolver and quickened his pace.
“He knows you,” said Drake.
“Bill’s a good kid, but not very experienced. I should be able to bluff our way inside. Just follow my lead.”
Bill unlocked the front door and opened it wide enough to stick out his head. “Hey, man. What’s up?”
“The station received an anonymous phone call claiming there’s a bomb planted in the Freer. This is one of our bomb teams. Let us in so we can check the place out.”
Bill looked at each of them in turn, checking out their lack of uniforms, and looked beyond them onto Independence Avenue. The uncertainty on his face indicated he did not buy the story. Drake slowly moved his hand to the stun gun in his pocket.
“Where are your vehicles?”
“Parked in back. We want to avoid a media circus.”
Bill thought a moment. “Makes sense.”
“Bill, we have to get the team in there to check out the threat.” Rodriguez took on a tone firm
but not threatening. “If you have to call someone to verify this, go ahead. Just hurry up.”
Though still not certain he was doing the right thing, Bill opened the door and ushered them inside. As he locked it behind him, Bill asked, “What can I do to help?”
“Turn off the inside alarms so we don’t accidentally trigger them.”
“Can do.”
“And we’ll need a master key to gain access to any locked areas.”
“Give me a minute to turn off the alarms and I’ll go with you.”
“Sorry, can’t allow that. Too dangerous. Besides, we’re expecting backup. I need you to stay by the doors and let them in.”
Bill paused, the uncertainty returning, but by now he had committed himself. Removing from around his neck the lanyard with the master card key, he handed it to Rodriguez. “This will work on all the offices. The laminated card gives you all the pass codes to gain access. The elevator at the top of the stairs will take you to all floors.”
“Great.” Rodriguez hung the lanyard around his neck. “I’ll keep you posted on our progress.”
The hunters rushed up the marble stairs and into the museum. The elevator sat in an alcove on the left. They took it to the basement, which opened onto the archives area. As everyone stepped off, Reese ran over to the collection manager’s cubicle and searched her desk for the key to the bookshelves. He found it hanging on her schedule board.
“Got it.” Reese pulled the key off the hook, holding it up triumphantly.
“You stay here,” Drake said to the others. He and Reese headed into archives until they came to the book room. Drake slid the card over the electronic lock and punched in the three-number code. The shining of the green access light and click of the electronic lock told them it worked. Reese opened the door, switched on the lights, and crossed over to the storage shelf that contained Ferrar’s books. Using the key, Reese opened the cabinet and rummaged through the basswood cases until he found the one containing the ceremonial Bible. He brought it over to the table and lifted off the lid. The book sat in its protective cradle.
“Is that Ferrar’s Bible?”
“Yes.”
The Vampire Hunters (Book 2): Vampyrnomicon Page 27
