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Ezekiel’s dealership tour became an impromptu tea social, with everyone sitting around the conference table, partaking of the provided pastries and drinks, and talking at length about some of Bloodstone Antiquities’ more interesting acquisitions. Keiko departed for the evening at 7:00, and Ezekiel promised to lockup the dealership once he and his visitors finished their get-together.

“I got a B on that research paper,” Honorato told Angela.

“Which paper?” Angela asked.

“The vampire one.”

Ezekiel coughed in surprise. “I’m sorry, what?”

Violette actually jolted in her seat, eyes going wide, and Angela’s empathic sense detected a spike of anxiety from the other woman. They already suspected Violette believed in vampires—her brewed, protective fragrance shouldn’t have worked otherwise. Still, Angela wasn’t sure how to fully interpret the emotions she now channeled. It almost felt like Violette was … ashamed? Why shame? Was she embarrassed that she believed in vampires?

Corin maintained a nonchalant demeanor and took a sip of his tea. “The things they teach in universities these days.”

“It was for a class on cultural anthropology,” Honorato explained.

Prudence chuckled. “Why vampires, of all things?”

“The assignment was to explore the anthropological significance of a widespread belief found in multiple cultures, and folks all around the world believe in people or monsters who suck the life out of other creatures.”

“Imagine that,” Ezekiel mumbled, giving Angela an uneasy look.

“Yeah, but your research did find rational explanations for these beliefs, right?” Angela ventured.

“Oh, totally,” Honorato replied. “Like, superstitious people would dig up graves, find the bodies bloated, and assume it was because they left their burial grounds and gorged on someone’s blood. The thing is, all bodies bloat as a natural part of decomposition.”

Prudence was about to take a bite of an éclair but stopped and placed it back on her paper plate. “Goodbye, appetite.”

“Oh, here’s another interesting tidbit,” Honorato continued, oblivious to the distaste of everyone around him. “Some thought you could identify a dead body turning into a vampire if the fingernails fall out and new black nails grow in their place.”

Ezekiel and Corin both glanced down at their gloved hands, then shared matching looks of discomfort.

“Except when all bodies decay, the nails fall out and the nailbeds dry and turn dark, making it appear as if new black nails have grown in when they actually haven’t. I mean, pretty much every alleged sign people looked for to detect vampirism was a typical phenomenon in all cases of decomposition.”

“Okay, Honorato, we get it,” Angela interjected, nudging her plate away. “Sorry I asked.” Her gaze drifted to Violette, who sat in silence just staring into her foam cup of tea. Angela still sensed Violette’s shame and wished she could ask her about it. Violette noticed Angela looking at her and gave an unconvincing smile.

“Of all the topics for your research paper, how did you land on vampires?” Ezekiel broached, taking a bite of a strawberry tart.

Honorato shrugged. “I thought it would be funny.”

The conversation returned to matters of historic collection preservation and object authentication. Honorato and Violette soon called it an evening. Angela was sad to see them go, but it was getting late, nearing 7:30. The three of them made plans to meet up the following week for drinks. Angela chatted fifteen more minutes with the others until Prudence remarked on how convenient it was that the dealership was right across the street from Briarthorne Park. “Keiko tells me she always goes out and enjoys the scenery during her lunch breaks.”

“Angela, Fiona, and I used to take Shade to the park every weekend when she was a puppy,” Corin said, a wistful look in his eye.

“Was Shade your dog?” Prudence asked.

“Is our dog,” Corin corrected. “You didn’t meet her yesterday because our neighbor was watching her for Thanksgiving.”

“Aw, I wish I could’ve seen her. I love dogs. Why couldn’t she be there for Thanksgiving dinner?”

“Ask him,” Corin said, gesturing to Ezekiel.

Ezekiel gave a sheepish look. “You know animals don’t take kindly to me.”

Angela cleared her throat. “Um, Prudence, if you’d really like to meet Shade, maybe you and Uncle Corin could take her for a walk in the park sometime.” This earned a flustered look from Corin.

“I’d like that.” Prudence leaned her chin in her palm and beamed at Corin. “Actually, I was thinking I might take a stroll through the park this evening. They installed a new fountain not far from here, and I’ve heard it’s beautiful at night.”

Corin blushed. “Oh, well … yes, the fountains can be … quite lovely in the evening … with all the fluorescent lights and … and the sculptures.”

Angela shared a knowing smile with Ezekiel.

“I don’t suppose you’d like to join me,” Prudence ventured.

Corin gave Prudence a blank look. “Oh, you mean now? I … I would, but … I drove Angela here, and she’ll need me to take her back.”

“Ezekiel can give me a ride home,” Angela interjected.

Corin looked back and forth between Prudence and Angela. “No, no, no, we wouldn’t want to impose on Ezekiel.”

“I don’t mind giving Angela a lift,” Ezekiel offered, earning an annoyed look from Corin.

Prudence tucked a stray lock of gray hair back into her flowery bun. “It’s all right if you don’t want to come with me, Corin.”

“Oh, no, it’s not that,” Corin blurted.

“Then you do want to come?”

Corin started to clarify. “Well, certainly I would love to accompany you, bu—”

“Wonderful,” Prudence enthused before Corin could finish. “I’ll get our coats.” She rose from her chair and left the conference room.

Corin sat in befuddled silence for a moment, then sighed and gestured to Ezekiel and Angela. “Straight home, understood?” Angela and Ezekiel nodded in unison, and Corin rose from his chair to follow Prudence.

“Be home by curfew, young man,” Angela teased.

“Har har,” Corin grunted.

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