Right after I rung the bell to draw the attention of the absent clerk, I laid down the list of ingredients, the envelope with the crest on it and the shopping bag on the counter top, all aligned in a row. I failed to notice that upon pulling out the envelope and the list, the detective's card slipped out of my pocket and landed on the floor. I waited patiently and finally the vampire girl from the previous night walked through the back door. She paused for a second to see who it was, saw my face with an uncertain smile painted on it, then approached the counter where the items were placed.
"This is a long list," she commented as she scanned over the list to see if Miss. Catherine's supplied everything that was written on it. It was the only convenience store within walking distance, so I
