Stalking the Vampire Read Online Free PDF Page A

hell do I know?” said Mallory irritably. “Rupert, come over here.”
    There was no response.
    â€œRupert!” yelled Mallory. He looked around. “Where the hell did he go?”
    A small, balding man with canines that were almost an inch long, giving him the look of a chubby bulldog, approached them.
    â€œI hate to intrude, but I believe the young man you're looking for ran out the door a minute ago.”
    â€œWas someone chasing him?” asked Mallory.
    â€œOr was he chasing someone?” interjected Noodnik.
    â€œI believe he was running in terror,” said the small man.
    â€œOh, come on,” said Noodnik. “My prices aren't that high. Maybe I jacked them up a couple of hundred percent for All Hallows' Eve, but still…”
    â€œDid you see which way he went?” asked Mallory.
    â€œI'm afraid not.”
    â€œDamn!” muttered Mallory. “Where do you look for a runaway vampire in the middle of Manhattan?”
    â€œPerhaps I can be of help,” said the small man.
    â€œI thought you didn't know which way he went,” said Mallory.
    â€œThat's quite true, sir. I lost sight of him before he'd gone five yards.”
    â€œWell, then?”
    â€œHe is a runaway vampire, is he not?”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œAnd I heard Mr. Noodnik ask if you were here on a case, so clearly you're a detective.”
    â€œWhat are you getting at?”
    â€œJust that you and I should team up—if you will buy me the blood you were going to buy the young man.”
    â€œYou don't know where he is,” said Mallory. “Why the hell should I buy you anything, and why should we team up?”
    â€œWe need each other. You know all about runaways but nothing about vampires.” The man smiled a very toothy smile. “I, on the other hand, know nothing about runaways, but I know almost everything there is to know about vampires.”
    Mallory looked at the little man, then out into the empty street.
    â€œSeymour, give my friend here a bottle of blood.” He extended a hand. “My name's Mallory.”
    â€œJohn Justin Mallory?” said the little man excitedly. “The one who found that unicorn and solved all those other cases? This is an honor!” He took Mallory's hand and shook it vigorously. “Bats McGuire's the name, bloodsucking's the game.”
    â€œYou sure this is a good idea, Mallory?” asked Noodnik.
    â€œI'll be all right,” said Mallory. He turned to Bats McGuire. “Let's not waste any time. Are you ready to go?”
    â€œRight.” The little vampire turned to Noodnik. “Keep the blood on ice for me. I'll be back for it once we accomplish our mission.” He led Mallory to the door.
    â€œGot a special on caskets” were Noodnik's parting words.

“Who bit him?” asked McGuire as they walked along the street.
    â€œSome guy called Draconis,” said Mallory. “Ever hear of him?”
    The little vampire shook his head. “No. And I know most of the vampires in town. He must be in from Chicago or maybe Kansas City.”
    â€œTry Europe.”
    â€œWhy? I'm happy right here.”
    â€œI mean, Draconis just arrived from Europe.”
    â€œWell, that makes things easier,” said McGuire.
    â€œIt does?” responded Mallory. “How?”
    â€œThose European vampires are a traditional lot. He'll probably have brought his coffin with him, filled with his native soil.” McGuire grimaced at the thought. “Me, I'd much rather sleep on satin sheets at the Plaza or the Waldorf. Anyway, the case is solved.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?”
    â€œYou're a detective. Just track down Draconis's coffin and wait for him. He probably believes all that bullshit about not going out in the sunlight.”
    â€œI take it you don't?”
    â€œI burn easily—but I don't turn to dust,” answered McGuire. He stopped as they came to a bar.