“Of all the people in the universe, why did you have to be my best friend?” Amos asked. “No one else in the world would bring me to a place like this in the middle of the night.”
Dunc looked at the motel. It was filthy and falling down from age. Only three letters flashed off and on in the neon sign—G, I, and N.
Amos rolled his bike around a wino in the driveway. “Well, at least the name fits. What’s the room number?”
“Thirteen.”
“What else?”
Dunc found the room. The three was hanging upside down by a loose nail. “This is it.” He knocked loudly.
The door opened a crack, and a raspy voice called out, “Simpson?”
“No, but he sent us,” Dunc said.
The door opened wider. “Come in. Hurry, we don’t want them to see you. They’re everywhere, you know.”
Dunc studied the chubby little man. He looked like he’d come from another time. His suit was made of green tweed, and he carried a bowler hat. “Who exactly don’t we want to see us, Mr. Watson?”
The man gave him a cross look. “Why, the Dragos of course. They know I’m here. I’ve been following them for years. That’s why you came, isn’t it?”
“Well, yes, but …”
“Then sit down and listen. There’s not a moment to lose.” Mr. Watson jerked the curtains closed and turned off all the lights except the lamp by the bed where the boys were sitting. He dragged a tattered chair over from the side of the room.
“The Dragos are an old and dangerous family. Their ancestry can be traced all the way back to the Count himself … Dracula.”
Amos gasped. “Then it’s true? They really are vampires?”
“Of course it’s true, boy. Now be quiet and pay attention.” He scooted the chair closer. “I almost had one of them in France. Tricked the old man into staying out until it was nearly dawn. But he had a hideout nearby and made it back in time. Now that they know I’m after them, it’s harder to catch one of them unaware.”
“Mr. Watson.” Dunc sat forward. “My friend and I have been invited to their house for dinner tomorrow night.”
Mr. Watson clapped his hands with glee. “It couldn’t have worked out better if I had planned it.” He ran to the closet and pulled down a suitcase. “We may have them this time.” The round little man knelt on the floor and snapped open the case. “Here it is. My own secret formula, you know.”
He handed Dunc a white envelope. “This contains the only thing in the world that will poison a vampire. Extract of garlic. Pour it in their glasses at dinner.”
Dunc stared at the envelope. “Poison?”
“Don’t worry, boy. You’re safe. It won’t hurt humans.” He moved to the door. “Now off with both of you. You’ll need your sleep if you intend to outwit the Drago family.”