"Good point," I said.
"And how long would it have taken the police to get there?"
"Another good point."
"So perhaps their assessment was wrong, or based on false information."
I looked at my sister. "You would make a good investigator."
"But a terrible vampire," she said.
I winced a little and looked around.
We were alone on this segment of the boardwalk. Our shadows stretched before us. Mary Lou's shadow involved a lot of bouncing.
"Who says I'm a vampire?" I said.
She looked at me. "Still in denial, Sam? What else could you be?"
"I don't like that word vampire. I'm just...different."
She shook her head. "Whether you like that word or not, I'm pretty sure you're one, Sam. I mean, I never believed in them until you got attacked...but I sure as hell do now."
"Fine," I said. "So, why would you be a bad you-know-what?" I still couldn't say the word.
"Vampire?" she said again.
I cringed again.