The Book of Death (Bourbon Kid 4)

switchboard. Maybe his trip to the local news station had
backfired? Perhaps the vampires had gotten to the police station? Who knew?
Certainly not Harker.
    Thirty minutes of mulling over
his options was long enough. There was nothing else for it. He was going to
have to go into the museum with no back up and arrest Elijah Simmonds on suspicion
of the murder of Bertram Cromwell. Arresting a murder suspect on his own wasn’t
part of protocol, and for good reason. It was dangerous. Especially when the
suspect in question was accused of such a brutal slaying.
    There wasn’t a soul in sight as
he stepped out of his car and trudged through the snow and up to the front
doors of the museum. He rang the doorbell in the wall three times and waited
for an answer. Just as he was about to give up and try to find another way in
the doors were opened by James the security guard he had met on his earlier
visit.
    ‘Hi,’ said Harker. ‘Mind if I
come in for a minute? Wanna see Mr Simmonds about something.'
    ‘Sure. Come on in.’
    James stepped aside to let him
through and then secured the doors shut behind him. ‘Is it as cold out there as
it looks?’ he asked.
    ‘It’s as cold as I can ever
remember this city being.’
    ‘Want me to take your coat?’
    ‘Nah, that’s okay. Just tell me
where I can find Mr Simmonds, please.’
    ‘He’s down in his office. Want
me to walk you there?’
    Harker shook his head. ‘That
won’t be necessary.’
    ‘Okay. I’ll buzz down and let
him know you’re on your way.’
    Harker took a step towards the
corridor that led down to Simmonds’s office. He hesitated a moment then turned
back to the security guard. ‘Actually, would you mind not calling him? I’ve got
some good news for him and I’d like it to be a surprise.’
    ‘Are you sure it’s good news?’
    ‘It’s good news.’
    ‘Good luck to you then,
Captain.’
    Harker continued on his way down
the corridor to Simmonds’s office. As soon as he was out of sight of the
security guard he hurried up his pace. If the guard decided to ignore his
request and call ahead to Simmonds, he would lose his element of surprise. As
he approached the large black door at the end of the corridor and saw the
bright silver lettering that read SIMMONDS he pulled his pistol from its
holster by his ribcage.
    He stopped outside the door and
considered knocking on it, but just as his knuckles were about to rap against
it, he thought better of it. He needed every ounce of surprise on his side. He
reached out for the doorknob and twisted it quickly. He pushed the door and
flung it as far open as he could, keeping his pistol at the ready. Directly in
front of him Elijah Simmonds was sitting behind his desk in his large black
leather chair, counting money. Lots of money. On the desk in front of him was a
huge mountain of cash. Bundles of fifty dollar bills were stacked a foot high.
He looked shocked at the sight of Harker appearing at the door.
    ‘Captain Harker,’ he spluttered.
‘What can I do for you?’
    Harker pointed his gun at
Simmonds and stepped inside the office. ‘I’m gonna have to ask you to stand up
and put your hands on your head,’ he said.
    Simmonds raised his hands
defensively, a nervous look across his face. ‘Don’t shoot,’ he said. ‘This
isn’t what it looks like.’
    ‘Stand up,’ Harker repeated
taking another step towards the desk.
    ‘Okay, okay,’ said Simmonds. He
began to slowly rise from his seat, taking great care not to make any sudden
movements. Harker stared down at the bundles of cash on the desk. It was more
money than he’d ever seen. ‘What’s with all the cash?’ he asked.
    Simmonds didn’t respond. Instead
the next sound Harker heard was that of the door slamming shut behind him. He
spun around to see who or what had shut it. Stepping out from behind the door
was a giant of a man in a silver suit. He had a shaved head and wore a pair of
sunglasses.
    ‘So you’re Captain Dan Harker,’
the man said. ‘You’re the smartass detective who’s been on the news warning the
public about the possibility of vampires taking over the city.’
    ‘That’s right. Who are you?’
    ‘I’m Rameses Gaius, the leader
of the undead army whose plans you tried to wreck.’
    Harker could feel his fingers
twitching on the gun. ‘Well, Mr Gaius, I’m gonna have to ask you to get on your
knees. You’re under arrest.’
    ‘I don’t think so.’
    Gaius raised his right hand. His
palm began to glow a