Free Transylvania's Most Wanted by M L Dunn Page A

accent, not
British or anything Tom recognized, was never-the-less charming and
the way he spoke betrayed confidence and good manners. For all
these reasons, and more, Tom did not like him.
    “Thank you,” Red said.
    “You must excuse my appearance,” Count
Vasili said gesturing toward his clothing with a sweep of his hand.
“It is of course early in the day for a vampire.”
    Tom did not know what possibly could be
forgiven, his clothing, without any imperfection or even a single
wrinkle hung perfectly.
    “Count Vasili is to be the princess’s date
tonight,” Chief Rogers explained. “He met her while he was visiting
Londonium and invited her to visit Transylvania and Draculia and
attend the ball tonight.”
    Count Vasili was the only vampire Tom had
heard of that was allowed to travel around Britannia.
    A tall, fit man entered the room then. He
must have stood six foot six, and might have been the toughest
looking man Tom ever saw. Not just because of his muscles, his
uniform or the military-like way he carried himself, but because of
his many scars.
    “I am Colonel Popov,” he announced in a
Russian accent, clicking his heels together. “I believe you are
expecting me.”
    “Yes. Welcome,” Chief Rogers said. “Have a
seat,” he said waving Colonel Popov toward a chair.
    “I will stand.”
    “All right, Chief Rogers
said unc o mfortably. “Colonel Popov is head of security for the prince
and princess,” he informed the rest of them. “Let me introduce you
to…”
    “That is not necessary,” Colonel Popov
interrupted. “My security personnel supplied me with full
backgrounds on each of you including photographs. Please let us get
started.”
    “We already have a contingent of constables
stationed at the Triumph Hotel,” Chief Rogers said.
    “Fine,” Colonel Popov said. “But only my men
will be stationed outside the rooms of the prince and princess. I
will allow your men to be stationed by the stairs and by the
elevator.”
    “ We’ll also have some
detectives in the ballroom tonight, dressed in tuxedos,” Chief
Rogers said. “And I’m afraid I’ve been withholding something from
all of you. Shut the door,” he said gesturing at Tom and Tom
reached over and closed the door. “We may want to cancel the prince
and princess’ appearance at the ball tonight, but I will let you,
Colonel Popov, decide that.”
    “What is it?” the colonel demanded.
    Chief Rogers opened his desk drawer and
pulled out a letter. “We received a death threat on the prince’s
life a few hours ago. This is the first chance I’ve had to tell you
about it,” he said holding the letter out toward Colonel Popov.
    Colonel Popov snatched it out of Chief
Rogers hand so abruptly; Chief Rogers suffered a paper cut. Colonel
Popov read it while Chief Rogers sucked on his bleeding finger and
Tom was certain Count Vasili was looking at the blood there.
    “I will talk to the prince about the
matter,” Colonel Popov said handing the note back. “In light of
this, in addition to the incidents here in Transylvania City the
past couple of days. I’m referring to the jail escape, the incident
at Goblin Park and now the assault and destruction of property that
happened just an hour ago not more than two blocks from the police
building,” he said, “I will recommend the prince and princess not
attend the ball, and that they immediately return to Londonium as
soon as arrangements can be made, but it will be their
decision.”
    While Colonel Popov was listing the failures
of the TCPD the last few days, Chief Rogers glared at Red and
Commander Gates.
    “Well if you could let us know what they
decide,” Chief Rogers asked.
    “Of course,” Colonel Popov said. “Is there
anything else you need of me?”
    “Just one more thing,” Chief Rogers said. “I
wanted Commander Gates and Chief Inspector Meriwether to know that
your men have been given permission to carry weapons while they’re
here in Transylvania City.”
    “ I