“Oh, Christ,” Ruby said, picking up her beer. “She likes black suits and long coats. I’ve never seen her with anyone, nor have I heard her talk to anyone. Mr. Hawkins in 2B said she’s lived here for about twelve years and basically keeps to herself. She leaves at night, comes back in the morning…and that’s about it.”

“When you say she leaves at night, do you mean once the sun goes down?”

“Um…well…yeah, I guess so. Her hours must change though because during the summer I hardly saw her at all, but now that it’s getting darker earlier—”

“I knew it!”

Ruby hid her mirth. She was well aware of Doreen’s obsession with all things mythical, magical, mystical, and make-believe. If a Comic-Con convention were being held within two hundred miles, Doreen would be in attendance. The staff at Newbury knew her by name, and Halloween was her favorite holiday—bar none. Her comic book collection numbered in the hundreds, and if a movie didn’t revolve around superheroes, aliens, werewolves, and Doreen’s passion, vampires, it wasn’t among the DVDs lining every available shelf in Doreen’s apartment.

“I know where you’re going with this, and I’m not playing along,” Ruby said, crossing her legs.

“Why not?”

“Because vampires aren’t real, and just because the woman works nights doesn’t mean she’s a vampire.”

“She doesn’t just work nights. She doesn’t leave until it’s dark, and those are two entirely different things,” Doreen said, bubbling with excitement. “And you’ve had to think about it—right? I mean, she does fit the criteria.”

“Criteria?” Ruby said with a laugh. “Please don’t tell me you have a checklist.”

“What?”

“Doreen, we both know you’re fanatical when it comes to this stuff. I mean, since meeting you, I’ve learned more about vampires than I ever thought possible, but the only criteria this woman meets is what’s brewing in your over-active imagination.”

“Fine, then if you’re so smart, tell me what you think she does.”

“Haven’t you been listening? I don’t know what she does or where she works or…or even her stupid name. All I know is that every time I’ve tried to strike up a conversation, it’s a huge swing and a miss.”

Doreen’s forehead creased. “And it bothers you, doesn’t it?”

“No, it doesn’t,” Ruby said, erupting out of the chair. “And I need another beer.”

Entertained by her friend’s reaction, Doreen waited patiently for Ruby to return. “Are you as pissed off as I think you are because she won’t talk to you?”

Ruby sunk into her chair. “You saw her. She’s hot, and I’m not a bad person. I’m polite, well-mannered, and educated, but it’s like she doesn’t even see me or…or wants to see me. It’s weird.”