Read Online Dracula Unbound by Brian W. Aldiss - Free Book Online

dramatically and gestured toward the table. “Take a look at the photos. You’ve scarcely glanced at them. You’re like the Italian authorities, refusing to look through Galileo’s telescope. You’ve taken it for granted you know what the photos are all about. These are shots of a second grave, Joe. We struck it just when you were leaving to get your plane.”
    Bodenland gave his friend one baffled look, then peered at the pictures.
    The second grave much resembled the first, which was why he had hardly bothered to look at the photos. The remains had been enclosed in a similar coffin, with the same mysterious sign on the lid. In this case, the lid had been removed with little damage.
    The skeleton, sunk in red ocher, lay on its side, in the same position as the first skeleton. Distance shots showed that this grave was no more than fifty yards from the first, still just below the K/T boundary but deeper into the hill, where the strata curved inward.
    â€œYou observe,” Clift said, now using a voice of icy calm, “the second grave. There are two significant differences compared with our first discovery. In this case, the skeleton is that of a female. And she lies with a wooden stake through what was her heart.”
    â€œI’m sure your beautiful young daughter-in-law would tell you that you know nothing about human nature, Joe,” Clift said as they walked through the building. “I can’t keep this secret. I’m bursting with it. There’s the scientific aspect, and that’s predominant. This is something that is going to cause shock waves. It’ll be hotly contested. I’m in for the Spanish Inquisition and I know it. I also know I can defend my case.
    â€œBut there’s more to it than that. You’ve had plenty of publicity in your time, what with your association with Victor Frankenstein and Mary Shelley and all that. I also want publicity. I want recognition, as every man does, if he’s honest. Publicity will give me the funding I require.
    â€œMillions of dollars are needed—millions. The whole Iron Hills area must be torn apart. We’ve got a new civilization to explore—beyond our dreams. Imagine, civilization started here, in the USA, long before apes came out of the African jungles!”
    â€œYes, and when this hits the media, you’re going to have the whole universe invading your territory. You’re not going to be able to work. The site will be ruined. And I won’t be able to chase that phantom train.”
    â€œThat’s where you can help. If your organization will back me, we can get an army of security personnel down at Old John straight away.”
    â€œLet’s do it! Do you want a bed for the night? I’ll call Mina, if she isn’t twenty thousand feet up.”
    â€œI’ll call her, Joe, thanks. And Joe—thanks a million. I know you’ll be in the hot seat too. One day, I’ll return this favor.”
    They shook hands.
    Joe said, “Mina will take care of you. I may be a little hard to contact, just for a while.”
    â€œHow’s that?”
    â€œNever mind. Up and at ’em, Bernie. Shake the world! I’m on your side.”
    The great green-and-white waves of the Pacific came curling into Hilo Bay, Hawaii. The foam scattered in the sunlight, the water lost its power, crawled up the volcanic sands, sank down again, and miraculously revived to make another assault on the beaches.
    Larry and Kylie came out of the ocean shaking the water from their hair.
    â€œI just know something is wrong, Larry. Please let’s get back to the hotel,” she said.
    â€œNothing’s wrong, sweetie. Forget your intuitions. It’s something you ate. How can anything be wrong? We’ve only been down on the beach an hour.”
    â€œI’m sorry, Larry,” Kylie said, reaching for a towel. “I just feel kind of edgy inside. I need to get back to the hotel to