Dracul's Revenge 01: Dracul's Blood Read Online Free PDF Page B

tell without actually examining it in person.”
    Please, please ask me to examine it.
    “Is that something you know how to do? Date things like that?”
    “Yes. Well, I could at least give you a much clearer picture of the date. Do you mind my asking where you found this particular cask?”
    “It’s from a case I’m working. I really can’t go into details.” Bobby tapped a blunt fingertip to the photograph of the wax seal. “What about that?”
    Nik opened his desk drawer and pulled out a magnifying glass his dad had given him for his tenth birthday. He examined the image of the label and shook his head. “Well, you already know what the word Havasalföld refers to, but it looks like there’s something else under the seal.
    Nik set the magnifying glass on the desk and regarded Bobby. “Is there any way I can inspect this cask in person?”
    The detective readjusted his position in the chair. “I guess I could ask. But first you have to tell me what you’re hoping to find.”
    “The actual label is hidden under the seal. It won’t be in a language your technical personnel are likely to know. I’ve handled artefacts; I know the proper way to remove the seal to keep intact what’s hidden underneath, and I can translate the label itself.”
    Bobby scratched at his square jaw line for several moments. “I’ll see what I can do.”
    With the weekend a heartbeat away, Nik quickly scribbled his home phone number on the manila folder before handing it back to the detective. “Just in case I get lucky, and you have something for me before Monday.”
    Bobby made a gruff sound in his throat and stood. He tapped the file against his thigh and stared at Nik for a moment before turning and walking out the door.
    It wasn’t until Nik thought about what he’d said, that he became embarrassed. Shit.
    He was always doing things like that. His foot seemed to have a permanent place in his mouth when it came to talking to good-looking men.

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

    28

    After the embarrassment passed, Nik grinned. Although he hadn’t meant the statement the way he knew it sounded, he had to admit he wouldn’t be disappointed if the detective called him for reasons other than the cask.
    He reached for his book and carefully put it back on the shelf before gathering the papers he needed to grade over the weekend. If he hurried, he’d have time to run by the university library and still make his bus.

    * * * *

    As it turned out, catching his bus hadn’t been a problem. It was getting off at the right stop that had caused him trouble. Nik had been so deep into the book he was reading, he rode almost nine blocks out of the way before realising he’d screwed up.
    Instead of catching a bus back to his regular stop, he chose to walk. He had a lot of things to think about, the hunky detective being one of them. Why hadn’t he just asked the guy out?
    Nik had never tried to hide his sexuality. He’d been told on more than one occasion he set off anyone and everyone’s gaydar the moment he opened his mouth. It was something that had never bothered him. He was who he was.
    There was no doubt in Nik’s mind the detective was gay, or at least bi, because he hadn’t seemed uncomfortable around Nik the way most straight men were. He hadn’t caught Bobby giving him any looks of lust, but he hadn’t received any sneers of disgust, either.
    He was almost home before he realised the books in his arms were starting to get heavy. He went to put them into his backpack and stopped in his tracks. Damn. Where had he left his pack? A picture of it sitting on the floor in the reference section of the library came to mind.
    Nik started to pull out his phone to call the library and again cursed himself. It was in his pack along with his house keys and the papers he needed to grade. As he stood on the corner, two blocks from his apartment, he was sorely tempted to hail a cab.
    With a shake of his head, he headed towards