Stalking the Vampire by Mike Resnick

outside it looks like it's all blood and bites, but the general public has absolutely no idea.” He stifled a manly little sob and wiped his nose on his shirtsleeve.
    â€œIs there any way to convert back into a normal human being?” asked Mallory.
    â€œOne of them? ” demanded McGuire with an expression of absolute contempt.
    â€œSorry I asked.”
    â€œI apologize,” said McGuire. “It's hardly your fault that you're not at the top of the food chain.”
    â€œGetting back to business,” said Mallory, “where are we likely to find a kid who's been bitten once or twice, hasn't joined the glorious ranks of thevampire brigade yet, and—now, I know this is difficult for you to come to grips with—doesn't want to be a vampire?”
    â€œDoesn't want to?” repeated McGuire. “One of the insane asylums, of course. Bellevue, probably.”
    â€œI don't believe I'm getting through to you at all,” said Mallory. “At least you were trying to be helpful before.”
    â€œHelpful is my middle name,” said McGuire. A pause. “Actually, Oglethorpe is my middle name, but I've never been very fond of it. Perhaps if I'd actually known any Oglethorpes…Still, I suppose it could be worse. Could be Frothingham.”
    â€œShut up.”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œWhere would someone go if he didn't want to run into a vampire?”
    â€œAh!” said McGuire, his face brightening. “You mean, where would a prey animal hide?”
    â€œRight. And make it within a mile of Seymour Noodnik's grocery store.”
    â€œWhat were you doing there in the first place?” asked McGuire.
    â€œPicking up some stuff to eat.”
    â€œLike ripe young girls with bulging jugular veins?”
    â€œCalm down. I was going to put the kid up at my apartment, and since I'm almost never there, I figured I should lay in some supplies.” Mallory grimaced. “I haven't bought any milk in about three months. How long does it stay good?”
    â€œNot that long.”
    â€œJust as well,” said Mallory with a shrug. “I don't think my refrigerator's working anyway.”
    â€œSo where do you spend your time?” asked the vampire.
    â€œMostly at the office. It's just a block from where I live—well, on those occasions that I live there.”
    â€œWell, that makes it easy enough,” said McGuire. “As far as the kid knows, you're his one protector. He'll gravitate to your apartment or the office.”
    â€œHis aunt is a protector, too, and he knows her far better,” Mallory pointed out. “Why would he choose me?”
    â€œBecause Colonel Carruthers could be stalking through the middle ofCentral Park with her trolls,” answered McGuire. “At least he knows where to look for you.”
    â€œOh, shit!” muttered Mallory, suddenly heading off. “I know where he'll be! Come on!”
    â€œYour apartment or your office?” asked McGuire, his little legs moving rapidly to keep up with the detective.
    â€œHe's never been to either. He doesn't know where they are. He'll be at Winnifred's apartment.”
    â€œThat doesn't make sense,” offered the vampire. “He left Noodnik's quite some time before you and I visited your partner, and he hadn't shown up.”
    â€œThat's because I'm not a stranger to Manhattan, and I'm not looking into every shadow to see what might be lurking there ready to pounce on me,” answered Mallory.
    â€œI don't know…”
    â€œI've been waiting half an hour for you to come up with a better suggestion. Have you got one?”
    â€œNo, but…”
    â€œShut up.”
    â€œYes, sir,” said McGuire.
    They'd gone about two blocks when a goblin stepped out of the shadows, blocking their way.
    â€œEncyclopedias?” it asked in its sibilant voice. “Nice cut-rate encyclopedias, only been read by half-blind little old