by K E O'Connor
The next ten minutes passed in a blur of non-stop action, with everyone arriving at the same time. First it was Nick and Stool, followed by Archer and his team, then Alex and Maggie. Finally, Jen flung herself through the gate, tears streaking down her cheeks as she ran toward me.
“I thought you’d been eaten.” She grabbed me by the shoulders and looked me over.
I held out my arm. It looked like I had a large love bite from where Daisy had sucked me. “I almost was.”
Jen looked at my arm. “What’s that?”
“The rabid zombie, Daisy Atherton, tried to bite me.”
“She didn’t, though, did she?” Jen examined my arm closely. “I don’t see any break in the skin.”
“No, I thought she was going to. It was so strange, she changed her mind,” I said.
“Rabid zombies don’t change their mind about biting humans.” Jen gave me a quizzical look. “Did you say Daisy Atherton?”
“That’s right. Nancy has a daughter,” I said. “She turned into a rabid zombie, but Nancy kept her, anyway.”
Jen looked over to where Nick and Archer stood. An unconscious Daisy was shackled between them, with Nancy standing to one side, her head down and her hands cuffed behind her back. “What are they going to do with them?”
“Take them out of Zee Town,” I said. “We can’t keep a rabid zombie here. Nancy must know that hiding a rabid zombie means a prison sentence. She risked the lives of everybody. She risked the end of Zee Town.”
Nick finished his conversation with Archer and strode toward me, a deep frown line clear between his eyebrows. “Archer’s taking Nancy and the zombie away.” His gaze roved over me as if not able to believe I was still standing.
“At least we know Zee Town’s safe again,” I said. “The rabid zombie has been found.”
“No thanks to Nancy,” Nick said. “She confessed she’s been hiding her daughter for years. She feeds her in the house’s basement.”
“Nancy said that Daisy escaped. She’s been looking for her ever since.”
Nick hissed out air. “You’re sure you weren’t bitten? When I came into the garden—”
“No bites on me,” I said. “I promise.”
“She came close, though.” Jen lifted my zombie sucked arm toward Nick. “Look what the zombie did to Cassie.”
Nick gently took hold of my arm, his fingers massaging my flesh as he did so. “It looks like she sucked you rather than took a bite.”
“That’s exactly what she did,” I said. “She was behaving oddly. Like she didn’t enjoy the way I tasted.”
“It’s best if we get you checked out by Selina. Then I can take your statement.” Nick still held my arm, making my heart race, and a pleasurable warmth slid up to my neck.
“Selina doesn’t need to see me. I’m just shaken up.”
Stool leaned against my leg, and I reached down and petted his head.
“I insist.” Nick took hold of my elbow and propelled me forward, his firm grip suggesting it would be foolish to argue.
“I’ll check in on you later,” Jen said, “and make sure you’re doing okay.”
I nodded as I walked away, slowing for a second as I noticed the trinkets I’d dropped on the ground while fighting with Daisy. I still couldn’t figure out why Daisy hadn’t liked them, and also why she didn’t immediately bite me.
My gaze went to the scar on my hand. Could it be because —
“Cassie!” Archer ran toward me as I reached the gate. “Are you doing okay? Not too battle scarred, I hope. Everything’s good here?” His gaze went to Nick, and he took a step back.
“No permanent damage,” I said.
Archer reached a hand around the back of my neck, leaned forward and kissed me on the forehead. “That’s the best news I’ve heard all day. Look after her, Morton.” His dark gaze slid to Nick, who nodded in response.
Archer strode to where Buzzard and Magpie stood with Nancy and Daisy.
Nick muttered something under his breath.
I turned to him. “What was that?”
He sighed and took hold of my elbow again. “If Archer’s brain wasn’t as well developed as his muscles, we wouldn’t be friends.”
I managed a small smile. Nick and Archer were similar in many respects; strong, smart, capable, and both as stubborn and determined as mules.
“Let’s get you to the station and close this case,” Nick said. “You have a weird look on your face. I’m not sure if it means you’re about to pass out or say something stupid.”
My zombie stressed brain was too muddled to fire back a response. With a sigh, I let him lead me to his car.
The danger had passed. Everyone was safe, as was Zee Town.
***
An hour later, and I’d been given the all clear by Selina and had my statement taken by Nick.
Now the adrenaline had left my system, I couldn’t stop from shaking. I found the best remedy to lessen the shakes was lots of sweet tea and cookies.
Nick leaned back in the seat opposite me. We were alone in the interview room at the station. He raked his hands through his dark hair. “What I still don’t understand is why Daisy didn’t bite you?”
I finished my cookie and brushed the crumbs onto the floor, where they were gobbled up by Stool, who hadn’t left my side since the attack. “I also can’t explain it. Daisy didn’t like the trinkets that fell out of my purse. It was as if they hurt her eyes. She still grabbed my arm, but she didn’t bite me. In fact, the way she behaved was as if she didn’t like the way I tasted.”
Nick shook his head. “It’s unusual behavior. Although, I’ve occasionally seen it with other zombie attack victims. They had similar suck marks on their flesh.” He pointed to the mark on my arm.
“Why do they do it?” I asked. “Is it because of my blood type? I didn’t think zombies were choosy about what sort of blood they could get.”
A look of concern crossed Nick’s face. “No, they’re not choosy about what blood they taste.”
“Then why do they do it?”
Nick’s gaze remained on me. “It has to do with the health of the individual.”
“Meaning what?” I reached for another cookie.
“How have you been feeling recently?” Nick asked. “Have you had any worrying health symptoms?”
“Do you think I’m sick?” I blinked in surprise at Nick. “I feel fine. A bit tired occasionally, but I work hard.”
Nick looked at the floor. “Where I used to work, we’d get reports of individuals who’d been chased down by zombies. When the zombie made contact with them, they didn’t eat them. It turned out that the only connection these potential victims had was that they were sick.”
“As in they had a bad cold?” The cookie in my hand snapped in half. Stool stole the piece that fell on my lap.
“No, Cassie.” Nick’s forehead was furrowed. “All of their illnesses were terminal. They were ill with no chance of recovery.”
“I’m fine.” An uneasy churning started in my stomach. “Selina’s just given me a clean bill of health. And I get regular health checks from her. I have nothing wrong with me.”
“I’ll get her to run a full health screen on you, anyway. We need to rule that possibility out.”
“No! There’s no need. I get an annual check-up. Everything’s good.”
He leaned forward. “What if you’re sick and you don’t know it?”
“I’d know if I was dying! Stop it, you’re scaring me.”
Nick sighed. His gaze went to the scar on my palm. “You never did tell me how you got that. If I didn’t know better, I’d say it was a bite mark.”
I yanked my hand off the table and into my lap. “What if it is?”
Nick was silent for a few seconds. “It would mean you’re a very unusual individual.”
My fingers traced along the scar, feeling the ridge of scar tissue. I knew how I got it and that I shouldn’t still be alive. The memories were so deeply buried. I never wanted
to access them.
“Did a zombie bite you?” Nick asked quietly.
I sucked in a breath. “Let’s say, in theory, I got bitten. Would it explain why Daisy didn’t want to eat me?”
“It could.” Nick eyed me cautiously.
I closed my eyes and rubbed my fingers on my forehead. I couldn’t have this conversation. It was too difficult. It revived memories I didn’t want to deal with. “May I go now? You’ve taken my statement.”
“Why won’t you tell me about the scar?”
“Because it’s none of your business.” My eyes filled with tears. “I’m in shock. I almost died. Stop being so rough on me. None of this is my fault.”
Stool whined and pressed his nose into my hand.
Nick sighed again, but nodded. “You may go. I do want to talk to you more about this. It’s important.”
He wouldn’t leave this alone. “Fine, but another time.”
“Sure. Go straight home and rest,” Nick said.
“What are you going to do with Nancy and Daisy?” I stood and moved to the door.
“They need to be processed and charged,” Nick said. “As you know, there’s nothing we can do for Daisy. Nancy will go to jail. Then I’ll send stern reminders about how illegal it is to keep rabid zombies hidden. I’ll also organize house-to-house searches of properties with basements, to make sure we don’t have anybody else thinking it’s a good idea to keep a rabid zombie as a pet.”
“What Nancy did was wrong and foolish, but she was trying to keep her daughter safe.”
“At our expense,” Nick said. “That thing isn’t her daughter. It’s a killing machine.”
I couldn’t disagree with that. Someone was dead, and Nancy’s actions could have devastated the entire town.
“I thought the people in this town were smart,” Nick said. “Nancy surprised me.”
“You’re not the only one surprised,” I said. “I didn’t even know Nancy had a daughter.”
Nick’s gaze went to the scar on my palm again. “We all have our secrets.”
I tucked my hand behind my back. “So, I’m free to go?”
“Yes. Take Stool with you. I don’t want you alone tonight.”
As if Stool had heard Nick’s comment, he stood and walked to my side.
“It looks like it’s you and me,” I said to him. I appreciated Nick’s offer. I didn’t want to be alone either.
I left the station and walked along the street as dusk rapidly faded into night.
The shadows no longer felt eerie, not now Zee Town was safe.
I didn’t want to go home just yet. I was both wired and exhausted. I stopped in at the office to see what feedback we’d had for the Spring Fling.
It was a good decision. The positive comments flooding in online as I scanned through news feeds and social media sites were what I needed to give me a boost.
The desk phone rang. I picked it up without thinking.
“Cassie, this is Councilman Tapping.”
My eyes widened. Did he have a camera in this office? He always knew when I was here. “Good evening, Councilman.”
“I want to congratulate you on what appears to be a successful event.”
“I’m guessing you’re looking at the comments online, too?” I asked.
“Yes, I spend hours online these days. Social media is amazing.”
“It has its benefits,” I said.
“Now, about this new job,” Councilman Tapping said. “Have you come to a decision?”
I gazed around the office. I’d spent many happy years here, planning events with Zara, helping bewildered tourists navigate their way around the zombies and Zee Town. Did I want to leave it all behind?
“I have,” I said. “I appreciate the offer. I’m going to turn it down.”
“That’s a tragedy. Especially considering the recent events in Zee Town.”
“Recent events?” I stood from my seat. Did he know about the rabid zombie?
“Yes, the unfortunate incident with the tourist.”
I swallowed, my throat tight. “That was unfortunate. Everything’s resolved now.” I had no idea how Councilman Tapping had found out what happened. Had Nick or Archer told the Council about the rabid zombie situation? Or had the information been leaked online, and I’d missed it? That was possible. I’d been busy over the last couple of hours not getting myself killed.
“I’ve had the good news that the zombie is being dealt with. I believe you had some involvement with that.”
“Only by chance.”
“It would be terrible bad luck if this news got into the media,” Councilman Tapping said. “Zee Town has such a strong reputation as being a stalwart for protecting placid zombies. If anything came out about this recent attack and loss of control, it could devastate the town. No one would visit. The tourism office would have to close.”
I frowned, not liking the direction of this conversation. “That would be terrible, but no one’s talking about it. The town’s safe. Everything is back to normal.”
“I wouldn’t want Zee Town to be at risk of closure,” Councilman Tapping said. “In fact, the Council met just last night. We’ve voted to have the theme park. We see a bright future for the town.”
My frown deepened as I looked out the office window onto the quaint cobblestoned street. Zee Town would change with this theme park. “Well, if that’s the Council’s decision, we’ll abide by it.” There was no point in going up against the entire Council. They never backed down on their decisions.
“The problem is, there may not even be a town to abide by our decision.” Councilman Tapping’s tone was sly. “If we don’t have the right person in charge, and word gets out that Zee Town isn’t a safe place to visit, we’ll have no choice but to reconsider the future of Zee Town and focus our efforts just on the theme park.”
That sounded suspiciously like blackmail. “You’d never close Zee Town. It makes you too much money.”
“It provides us with an ample return on our investment,” Councilman Tapping said. “We can always turn it into a memorial park or a museum. A ghost town. No, better yet, a zombie town. Ha! Imagine that. It could be fun.”
“That sounds...” I didn’t have the words. It was horrifying.
“Imagine what a theme park can bring us? Imagine what you can do with all that money if you were in charge? Zee Town would be safe. The placid zombies have a home for as long as they want. Sounds good, don’t you think?”
I dropped into my desk chair. Stool laid his head on my lap, giving a gentle whine as if he shared my worry. “If I take the theme park job, will Zee Town remain safe? No news about the rabid zombie attack will slip out and you won’t close the town? We can keep looking after the zombies?”
“You have my word of honor that if you become the park manager, and make sure people are on side and supporting the theme park, no one will hear about the attack. The Council will work to ensure no one questions the disappearance of the tourist whose bad luck led to his tragic demise. Zee Town will be safe.”
The Council was sounding more like the Mafia than a bunch of overweight stuffed suits.
“Cassie, what will your answer be?” Councilman Tapping asked. “Are you with me when it comes to the theme park? Do you support the Council?”
A part of me wanted to tell him to stuff the job, but I loved Zee Town and our zombies. I couldn’t live anywhere else. I couldn’t abandon the zombies or my friends. If it meant I took a job I didn’t enjoy, so be it. I’d do anything to keep Zee Town safe.
“I’ll take the job,” I said.
“That’s marvelous news,” Councilman Tapping said brightly. “The Council will be thrilled. I’ll make the arrangements and send you your contract. Welcome aboard, Cassie. You’ll be a huge asset to this theme park.”
We said our goodbyes, and I thumped the phone down. “Well, Stool, it looks like I’ve got a new job.” I gently petted his head. I could handle it. I’d just survived a rabid zombie attack. Overse
eing a theme park should be easy compared to that.
I locked the office, Stool by my side as I walked along the narrow lanes of Zee Town, the smell of salt in the air and the faint cry of seagulls overhead.
This place was about to become very different. I was determined to make sure I was around to keep it safe and the residents happy.
I stopped by the harbor with Stool, leaning against the wall and listening to the sound of the waves shushing across the sand.
“Cassie!” Jen’s voice drifted toward me on the wind.
I turned and smiled as she approached. “I was on my way home.”
“I’ve been looking for you.” Jen reached my side and hugged me. “I wanted to make sure you survived trial by Nick Morton.”
I tucked my hand into the crook of her elbow. “I survived. He let me go. Nancy and Daisy are being taken away. The town is secure again.”
“You should rest,” Jen said. “You’ve had a stressful day. What with the Spring Fling and a rabid zombie trying to eat you. That’s more than most mere mortals can handle.”
“I could do with a mug of tea,” I said.
“Perfect! I’ve just seen Laura, she was asking after you. Let’s have tea and cake, and you can tell us all about the attack.”
“I thought you weren’t going to eat for a week?” I asked.
“There’s always room for Laura’s cake.” Jen’s blonde curls were caught in a sharp sea breeze and floated around her head. “What do you think, Stool?”
Stool gave a bark and stood. He clearly considered tea and cake an excellent idea as well.
I nodded, and the three of us walked to the diner.
I’d have to break the news about my new role, but not now. I just wanted to be surrounded by friends, eat cake, and relax.
Zee Town was my home. My whole life was here. The theme park was an unwelcome addition, but since I’d be in charge, I’d make sure it worked.
Everyone would be welcome, zombie or human. This was our home, and I’d protect it for all of us.
BOOK 4
CANDYFLOSS AND MURDER
K.E. O’CONNOR
Chapter 1
I dabbed my top lip and pushed my hair from my face. Summer had arrived with a vengeance in Zee Town. So far, I’d had little opportunity to enjoy basking in the glorious heat on the golden sands of our beautiful beach.