National Secrets Chapter 3

It had been a week since the discovery and Riley was hovering around the museum, waiting for the translations on some of the older texts. The ancient Egyptian and Gaelic were giving the scholars a hard time. But, the Italian and Latin were coming along nicely.“Mr. Poole, we found something about Nico Meridius,” one of the scholars called out, looking up from the documents.“Yes?” Riley asked.“It seems that whoever wrote this, was keeping a detailed record of Meridius’ conquests, right before and after his death.”Riley smiled slightly in triumph.“His family was brutally murdered by a man named Marcus, who stole his lands and titles. Things get very confusing, though. Before his death, Meridius was General of the Roman Legionnaires. After, he was immortale. Immortal.”“Are you saying that he was still alive after he died?”“They could be saying that he was idolized after his death. But, it says here that after 432 AD, he was in Egypt. What we have here may just be a work of fiction. A story.”“But, it could also mean that vampires exist?”“I highly doubt that, Mr. Poole.”“Technically, it could mean that.”“Technically, yes. But doubtful. Vampires do not exist, son.”Riley sighed, “Ok, anything on the other man.”“Antonio Crisafi, Templar Knight. The writer claims that the drawings are his and the stories being told are about him and a Nicholas.”“It would make sense for a Knight to have information in with the treasure, right?”“Yes, but according to the other records we have translated, Crisafi was taken by Moors in 1147 and killed.”Riley was getting confused. “Things aren’t adding up.”The scholar was, too. “No, they aren’t.”“May I please have the drawings, just to look at them?”“They are on that table. We are still examining the signatures.”“Thank you.”Riley walked over to the drawings and pulled a file from his backpack. In the folder was a picture of the CSI from Vegas he got off the ‘net, some ‘Crime Stopper’ article posted on a website by one of his co-workers.“All right Nick Stokes, let’s see if you are Nico Meridius,” Riley mumbled. He carefully compared the two images. After a few moments he blinked and looked up, shocked but happy. “Oh my God!”~*~Speed had gotten word from a friend at the National Museum in DC, that some interesting texts had been found and were being translated and they needed some help with the Gaelic. Not long after that, Tony called and told him about the treasure being found. Both calls came in during a large case. And a call in the middle of shift at the lab was never good.Tony was adamant about him getting to the museum to check things out and possibly destroy any incriminating information. Add to all this, Speed’s mate and boss hovering around at all hours didn’t help any.Speed sighed and looked at his mate. “Horatio, I need to go to Washington.”“Everything all right with Tony?”“Things, well, might be hitting the fan. Someone found something that can prove that vampires exist.”“I see. How long do you think you will be gone? We have this case. Plus, I don’t want you going by yourself.”“Three days, tops. Tony will be there and you can give me a nice welcome home present when I get back.”“All right. But, if this case turns south, I will be calling you to get your ass home.”“That’s fine. They just want my input on some things. I’ll only be two hours away.”“Stay out of trouble, please?”“When was the last time I got into trouble?”“Every time we step out of the apartment.”“It has been three weeks since that thing.”“Just go so you can get back,” Horatio mumbled.“Thank you,” Speed smiled. He took his lab coat off. “Oh, and that’s black sand on the fiber,” he added, with a quick kiss for his mate.Horatio raised an eyebrow and watched the other man walk toward the exit. “Why do I put up with him? Oh, that’s right. I love him,” he muttered.