Chapter 2

Chapter 2 "Did a guy all dressed in black come in?" Josh asked. Ellie looked confused. "In my diner? When?" "Just a minute ago. He had black hair and pale skin," Dink said.

Ellie shook her head. "I don't know," she said. "He might have. I was out back getting supplies." "I saw him walk in here," Josh said, peering over the counter. "Well, he's not here now," Dink said. "Let's get some ice cream." Ellie followed them to a booth. "Cones all around?" she asked the kids. "Your usual flavors?" The kids all nodded, and a few minutes later, Ellie brought three cones. Butter crunch for Dink, pistachio for Josh, and strawberry for Ruth Rose. As they licked their cones, Josh stared through the window. "What're you looking for?" Dink asked. "The vampire guy," Josh said. "He's not a vampire, Josh," Ruth Rose said. "Everyone knows vampires sleep during the day and come out at night. They hate the sun." "Maybe this one's on vacation," Josh said. Dink started to laugh and nearly choked. "Josh, why would a vampire pick Green Lawn for his vacation?" he asked.

But Josh wasn't listening. He had his nose against the window. "There he is again!" Josh shrieked. Dink and Ruth Rose craned their necks to look. Ellie walked over to see what the commotion was about. The man in black was crossing Main Street near the swan pond.

"Doesn't he look like a vampire to you?" Josh asked Ellie. Ellie didn't answer. When Dink glanced at her, Ellie seemed afraid. She backed away from the window and walked behind her counter. Josh crunched the last of his cone, then pushed his way out of the booth. "He's heading down Main Street. I'm following him," he announced. "You guys coming?" "Sure, why not?" Ruth Rose said. "I want to be there when the vacationing vampire grabs you!" "Can I at least finish my cone?" Dink asked. He and Ruth Rose followed Josh out to the street. "He's going into the Book Nook," Dink told Josh. "I wonder what vampires read when they're on vacation," Ruth Rose said, taking the last bite of her cone. "Let's find out," Josh said, heading for the bookstore. They stopped in front of Howard's Barbershop while Dink finished his ice cream.

Josh kept an eye on the Book Nook door. "Okay, let's go," he said as Dink wiped his mouth on his sleeve. Dink and Ruth Rose followed him into the Book Nook. A bell tinkled, and Mr. Paskey looked up from behind his counter. He smiled and waved at the kids. Two teenagers were reading magazines. The only other person in the store was Mr. Paskey. "He's not here," Dink whispered. "I don't believe this!" Josh choked out. "The guy keeps disappearing! What does he do, walk through walls?" "Hi, kids. Can I help you?" Mr. Paskey asked. "Hi, Mr. Paskey," Dink said. "Did a man wearing black just come in here?" Mr. Paskey rubbed his neck. "No, I don't think so. But I was in the store-room for a minute or two. I suppose he could have come in, then left again." Josh shook his head. "I was watching. He came in, but he didn't come out," he said.

"Sorry," Mr. Paskey said. He raised his eyebrows and shrugged. "Did you kids leave this?" asked Mr. Paskey, reaching toward the cash reg-ister. He held up a twenty-dollar bill. The kids shook their heads. "How odd," Mr. Paskey said. "Someone left this bill on the counter." He looked at the money for a second, then shrugged again. "Do you have any books about vampires?" Josh asked. "I think there's one over in non-fiction," Mr. Paskey answered. "It's called Vampires Among Us, by Dan Starch." The kids found the nonfiction books, then looked for Starch. They found a book by Wanda Star, then one written by Peter Starkey. The space between them was empty. "Mr. Paskey?" said Josh. "We found where the book should be, but it's gone."