Vampires are often portrayed as charismatic. More through force of personality then pure good looks. Wouldn't be out of character for some rather normal living types to be followers. Possibly even some nominally good types that are fooled by the vampire's personality.
Maybe the vampire funds a medical care center where the poor can receive treatment. Most patients survive so the place is well regarded by local authorities. (behind the scenes, patients of a certain blood type often die from mysterious reasons(blood loss)).
As the vampire is in good with local authorities, maybe it is successful in casting the PCs into the role of the bad folks for the PC's attempts to interfere with the vampire.
Maybe the vampire funds a medical care center where the poor can receive treatment. Most patients survive so the place is well regarded by local authorities. (behind the scenes, patients of a certain blood type often die from mysterious reasons(blood loss)).
As the vampire is in good with local authorities, maybe it is successful in casting the PCs into the role of the bad folks for the PC's attempts to interfere with the vampire.
