Wolfram, the twist got to me. Here was this nice guy making friends with a homeless person, and the boom! Vampire or Ghoul or Serial Killer or whatever. Total shock.

Thanks. I actually started with run-of-the-mill serial killer/cannibal, but I like the vampire or ghoul thing better. Also, I was coy on the killer's gender, but I thought a woman would be more interesting. Was the "will work" pun too obscure?

Gardner actually is an old Boston name.

But I like "Brice Brower of the Boston Browers" better. Not that I expect my preference to dominate.

And for "strong and attractive choose a good first name:

Her first name is Rebecca. I just needed a surname for her after having to nix my original choice, Caton (long story). And Barlow is growing on me.

Rebecca Barlow (or Becca or Becky?). Fits well together. Is she a person who would let her named be shortened. Cause if so, then alliteration.

Her first husband calls her Becky (though he's the only person she's ever allowed to do so); her second calls her Rebecca.

Next

Her sudden spasms proved her timing was way off. Not a painful combustion, though not pleasant. Nor quiet. In the shattered mirror, she saw him stir. They had a room for this - not this bathroom. Dammit. A chunk of her hand was lodged behind the faucet, painted nail pointing. Accusing.

"I'll take care of it, go lie down." His voice was soothing, patronizingly so.

It annoyed her that he, the human, never raised his voice. She had practiced emotions for centuries, and he seemed without.

She shuffled her remains to the bed. He’d bring her a new body tomorrow.

A chunk of her hand was lodged behind the faucet, painted nail pointing. Accusing.

Okay, this? Is really awesome.

I'm going to start calling you Clive Barker.

Now you got me blushing.