Stalking the Vampire by Mike Resnick

paused and checked his watch. “It's almost a quarter to eleven. We'd better head over to the Garden and have a chat with Aristotle Draconis.”
    â€œI suppose so,” agreed McGuire. “It's about a five-minute walk.”
    â€œGood,” said Mallory. “That gives me a little time.”
    â€œFor what?”
    â€œI've spent damned near an hour of All Hallows' Eve here and haven't turned up a thing, except that the kid wasn't bitten again. It's time to consult an expert.”
    â€œOn vampires or All Hallows' Eve or murder?” asked McGuire.
    â€œYes,” said Mallory.

They left the morgue and turned in the direction of Madison Round Garden, which was about half a mile away. As they reached the corner, Mallory stopped and looked around. When he found what he wanted, he headed off to his right until he came to a hotel with a series of enormous swords forming a covered path to the front entrance.
    â€œI thought we were going to the Garden,” said McGuire, confused.
    â€œWe are, but like I said, there's someone I have to talk to first.”
    â€œAnd he's at this hotel?”
    â€œHe will be.”
    They entered the plush lobby, and Mallory walked right up to the registration desk.
    â€œGood evening,” said a clerk. “Welcome to the Sword Arms, formerly the Tudor Arms.”
    â€œWhy Sword?” asked Mallory curiously.
    â€œOld man Tudor lost his arm in a croquet accident and had it replaced with a three-foot-long sword blade,” answered the clerk. “Damned impressive, especially when he's wearing his old military dress uniform, the one with all the medals for valor in the Patagonian campaign. Just don't be standing on his left if he turns suddenly.” He smiled. “Now, what can I do for you? You look like a man who'd like a double single.”
    â€œWhat the hell is that?”
    â€œA double room with a single woman, of course.”
    â€œThat's not what I'm here for.”
    â€œWell, for an extra fee, we could arrange a single room with a double woman.”
    â€œI just want to know where the men's room is.”
    â€œOh,” said the clerk, pointing toward a door across the lobby and promptly losing all interest in the detective.
    Mallory turned to McGuire as he began walking. “Bats, you got a cell phone?”
    â€œWho would ever call a vampire after dark?” replied McGuire.
    â€œScout around the place and see if you can find one. I'll be in there,” he concluded, pointing to the men's room.
    â€œWhat about her? ” asked the vampire, jerking a thumb toward Felina.
    â€œLet me worry about her. You just find me a phone.”
    McGuire sighed and set off on his quest, and Mallory reached the door. He opened it, saw that the room was empty, and turned to Felina.
    â€œExcept for McGuire, no one enters. You got it?”
    â€œGot what?” asked the cat-girl. “And is it good to eat?”
    â€œDo you understand what I said?”
    â€œWhen?”
    â€œJust now.”
    â€œYes, John Justin,” said Felina with a happy smile. “You asked if I understood what you said.”
    â€œBefore that.”
    â€œNo one enters except McGuire.”
    â€œRight.”
    â€œOr maybe it was: Except for McGuire, no one enters.”
    â€œI'll accept that as a separate but equal right answer.”
    â€œI knew you would.” She turned her back to him. “Skritch between my shoulder blades.”
    â€œLater.”
    â€œOkay,” she said. “I'll invite everyone from the lobby into the men's room.”
    â€œFine,” said Mallory. “And I won't feed you until June.”
    â€œIf I only invite half the lobby, will you feed me before we go to see Aristotle Draconis?”
    â€œLet me put it in terms you understand,” said Mallory. “If you let anyone into the men's room except McGuire, you're fired as the office cat. You will have no home, no place to go, and no