by K E O'Connor
I paused, took a shallow breath, and tried to get a fix on Abigail’s location. Would she really give herself up to Nick? She was so certain that she wouldn’t take the blame for killing Edward. And the way she’d talked so casually about getting rid of Danny. This was a woman I couldn’t trust.
“Cassie, stop hiding,” Abigail said. “Let’s go to Nick. I’ll make my confession, just like you want me to.”
I pressed my back against a wall and slid along, trying to find the exit door.
A cackle of laughter echoed around the ghoul train, followed by a low rumble of thunder.
“Come out, come out, wherever you are,” Abigail said with a laugh. “You can’t hide forever. I will find you.”
I reached the end of the wall and waited a few seconds, straining to hear Abigail over the rattle of the ghoul train shooting past again.
Taking a huge gulp of air, I turned the corner. There was no sign of Abigail. I inched forward, my hands extended in the dark, knowing I wasn’t far from getting free.
Air whooshed past my face. I instinctively flinched back, not sure what was trying to touch me. I was too far from the ride for it to be an animatronic.
Abigail inhaled and the air in front of me moved again as she launched herself into the space I’d been standing in only seconds ago.
“Where are you?” she screamed.
I remained crouched and then scuttled to one side. A flash of light from the ride shot through the corridor. Abigail stood a few feet away from me, clutching one of her high heels in her hand.
She spotted me and grinned. “There you are.” Abigail ran toward me, raising the shoe over her head. The heel looked menacing as the light faded, leaving me staring into blackness, waiting for the heel to strike.
A shriek echoed around the corridor. There were several loud thumps.
I had no idea what had happened, but my head hadn’t been cracked open. I scrambled away and ran for the exit door. There were emergency lights by the door. When I reached the door, I flicked the switch and looked around.
At first, I was too dazzled by the bright lights to see anything. As my vision adjusted, I saw a discarded red-soled shoe on the floor.
I hurried over. As I turned the corner, I found Abigail pinned against the wall by a zombie. It was Sebastian.
“Get him off me,” Abigail yelped. “He’s hurting me. I told you, these zombies are dangerous. You can’t trust them. He tried to bite me. He has to be put down.”
Sebastian had a tight grip on Abigail’s arms and a fierce expression on his face, but he wasn’t doing anything else. “No biting. I save you, Cassie.”
“Get him off me!” Abigail writhed in his grip. “I feel ill.”
“Sebastian, what are you doing here?” I asked.
“Came to help,” Sebastian said. “Worried about you.”
“You knew I was in trouble?”
“Stop speaking to your zombie pet and make him let me go,” Abigail said, fury narrowing her eyes to tiny slits.
“Abigail, you tried to kill me,” I said. “You’re going nowhere.”
“I’ll have him charged with assault, or kidnapping, or attempted murder.” Abigail squirmed in Sebastian’s grip. “Make him let me go now. I don’t trust him.”
“And I don’t trust you. Stay where you are, Sebastian. I have to make a call.” I pulled out my cell phone and dialed Nick’s number.
“Hi, Cassie,” Nick said. “It’s late. Is everything okay?”
“Have you charged Danny with Edward’s murder?”
“Not yet. He’s at the station,” Nick said. “He said he wants to confess to everything. Why do you ask?”
“I have the real killer with me.” I glanced at Abigail and she snarled at me. “She also just tried to kill me.”
There was a pause for half a second. “Where are you?”
“At the theme park. On the ghoul train.”
“Who is it?”
“Abigail Lovejoy.” My voice wobbled.
Nick let out a hiss of surprise. “She tried to kill you, too?”
“And confessed to everything,” I said. “She killed Edward.”
“Are you hurt?”
“No, I’m fine,” I said. “Just get over here quickly.”
“I’ll be five minutes.” Nick disconnected.
I shoved my phone in my pocket and looked at Abigail again. How had I gotten things so wrong with her?
“Cassie, please, just let me go,” Abigail said. “You’re my friend.”
“No, we aren’t friends. You lied and deceived us all. You don’t care for Danny, you only care about finding a new sugar daddy and using people. We don’t do that in Zee Town.”
She bared her teeth. “I deserve to be treated like a queen. I can’t let these... these things bother me. The zombies are hideous.”
“So why stay?”
“Where else would I go? Bert selfishly got himself killed and left me with nothing. I was looking for a new man when Danny showed interest. He’s cute and fun to be with, so I killed time with him.”
“You tricked him into loving you and then covering for you when you killed Edward.”
“Edward deserved it. And Danny didn’t have to offer to protect me. More fool him. I was hardly going to say no.”
“Of course he’d want to protect the woman he thinks he loves. He’s a sweet guy. Way too lovely for you.”
She scowled at me. “Go play with your zombies. I’m sick of this place.”
“I will.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “It’s time we make sure an innocent man goes free.”
Chapter 24
“I still can’t believe it.” Laura set down a plate of black and red muffins on the table. “Sweet little Abigail Lovejoy, killing Edward, wanting to have Danny bumped off, and then trying to spear you with her high heel.”
It was the morning after Abigail’s arrest, and I was in the diner with Jen, Selina, and Laura.
Nick had arrived at the theme park within minutes after I’d called him and taken Abigail into custody.
It hadn’t been long before the rumor spread through Zee Town that Abigail had been charged with Edward’s murder.
“It was the same heel she used to kill Edward,” I said. “Apparently, they were too expensive to throw away. She thought giving them a clean would remove any evidence.”
Selina looked at her flat black pumps. “Women and shoes. I never understand the obsession. Abigail was pretty, but dumb. Blood always leaves behind a trace.”
“And it was Danny’s ring that made you realize Abigail was involved in all of this?” Laura settled at the table with a mug of tea in her hand.
I nodded. “I remembered seeing the rings Danny wore and thinking they’d be a hazard and to mention them to him. They could get lost in the machinery or he might trap his fingers if a ring got caught. Abigail had one of those rings on a chain around her neck. When I asked about it, she became defensive. That’s when I realized she was involved.”
“It seems she’s not so sweet,” Jen said. “Alex called earlier and gave me an update. Abigail Lovejoy isn’t even her real name.”
“What is it?” I asked.
“Amy Lewis,” Jen said. “She has a long criminal record. She’s been charged with grievous bodily harm, fraud, and has a warrant out for her arrest for missing a court date for aggravated assault. Her record came up when they ran a fingerprint analysis.”
A shiver ran down my spine. I’d been too close to getting my head caved in by Abigail. Or rather, Amy.
“You were lucky Sebastian was there to help out,” Laura said.
“I’d have been in real trouble if it weren’t for him.” I selected a black muffin.
“What was he doing there?” Selina asked. “I didn’t realize he had a job at the park. Last time I saw him, he was having trouble walking.”
“Sebastian doesn’t work at the park,” I said. “In fact, he said something strange. He said he was worried about me. He must have co
me looking for me at the theme park to make sure I was okay.”
“It’s as if our zombies can sense when you’re in danger.” Selina quirked a narrow eyebrow at me. “They’ve helped you in the past. Do you know why that might be?”
I hid my scarred hand under the table. “Not a clue. Thanks for these muffins, Laura.” I took a huge bite of the one I held.
Laura smiled knowingly, seeming to sense I wasn’t keen on talking about the zombies and why they were always interested in me. “They’re a new recipe, blueberry, lemon, and poppy seed with a black molasses swirl. Not too sure about the poppy seeds, they get stuck in your teeth. The customers like them, so I’ve put them on the menu for the rest of the summer.”
“You’ll have to get baking more, so we can sell them in the theme park,” I said. “I want to have a local produce stall to encourage tourists to get their head out of the candyfloss and into town to see what we have on offer.”
“Good thinking,” Laura said. “I’ll happily help you out by filling a stall with tasty goodies.”
We all looked up as the diner door opened. Nick and Stool walked in.
“Back in a minute.” Laura walked over to the counter to serve Nick.
I noted his gaze linger on me before he placed his order.
Stool wasn’t so subtle and limped over the second he spotted me. He rested his head on my lap and looking longingly at the muffin I ate.
I broke off a piece and fed it to him. “Watch out for the poppy seeds.”
Stool didn’t have any problem with the poppy seeds and ate the muffin in one bite before drooling on my pants.
“Leave Cassie alone,” Nick said, approaching the table with a takeout mug in one hand and a brown paper bag in the other.
“He’s fine,” I said. “Just doing his usual cute begging routine.”
“It’s an effective routine,” Nick said. He nodded at Selina and Jen. “Could I have a word with you outside, Cassie?”
“Is it about the murder case?” I brushed crumbs from my fingers.
“In a way,” Nick said. “I won’t keep you long.”
I stood and followed Nick and Stool outside. “I told you I’d make my formal statement today if that’s what you’re worrying about.”
“That’s fine,” Nick said. “Abigail’s confessed to killing Edward. Danny has withdrawn his statement. I’m debating whether to charge him with wasting police time.”
“He only did it because he’s young, foolish, and in love,” I said. “You must remember what that’s like.”
Nick shook his head, but then smiled. “I remember. And I’m not so old, you know. Still, he wasted a lot of my time claiming he was involved with Edward’s murder. And in a way, he was. He saw Abigail attack Edward.”
“I didn’t know that,” I said.
“According to Abigail, Danny snuck her through the staff entrance so he could show off the park. Edward must have followed through the gate when Danny didn’t lock it properly. Danny was planning a surprise ride on the ghoul train for him and Abigail.”
“That’s not the most romantic date in the world,” I said. “Full marks for originality, though.”
“Quite. As they got off the ride, Edward emerged and surprised Abigail. When she realized who it was, she got angry and hit Edward on the back of the head with her shoe.”
“I’ve seen those shoes. They could do serious harm.”
“They did,” Nick said. “Danny saw everything. Abigail convinced him to keep quiet and not to say anything about her involvement.”
“Then Danny got in trouble because he didn’t have an alibi for the night of Edward’s murder,” I said.
“And because he was clearly hiding something. That kid is a terrible liar,” Nick said. “Also, they hadn’t planned far enough ahead. They didn’t anticipate that Jen would find Edward when you tested the ghoul train. Abigail had covered the body and was going to get Danny to dump Edward somewhere he’d never be found.”
“That’s cold,” I said.
“Abigail convinced Danny to help,” Nick said. “And like you said, he’s a love struck idiot who didn’t want to lose the woman he thought he’d spend his life with.”
“She used him. That’s one tragic love story. You’re really going to charge Danny? It’ll only add to his misery.”
“I should. He covered up a lot. If he’d been honest as soon as the body was found, your life wouldn’t have been put at risk.”
“Danny was an idiot, I’ll give you that,” I said. “Have a stern talk to him and warn him not to let his heart make him do stupid things. That’ll be enough.”
“He tried to cover up a murder,” Nick muttered. “And you almost died. Again.”
“But I’m very much alive. Have you seen Danny recently?” I asked. “He dropped by the office first thing this morning. He kept saying sorry, and I thought he was going to cry. He has a broken heart and everyone is gossiping about him and Abigail. That’s punishment enough.”
“How about a stern talking to and community service?” Nick said.
“That sounds better than a criminal record. Go easy on him,” I said. “We’ve all done dumb things when we thought we were in love.”
Nick shrugged. “I’ll think about it.”
I studied him in silence for a few seconds. “Is that why you wanted to see me? To tell me about Abigail, or rather Amy.”
“Partly. Hold on a second. How do you know her real name?” Nick asked.
Whoops! Our gossiping had been discovered. “Erm, well, I might have overheard it somewhere.”
Nick shook his head. “It seems I’ll also need to have words with one of my officers and remind him not to give confidential case information to his girlfriend to spread around town.”
I grinned. “Alex is great at his job, and Jen is always discreet. So, what did you want to talk to me about?”
Nick cleared his throat. “It was something Abigail mentioned when I interviewed her.”
“What did she say?”
“That you’re thinking of leaving Zee Town. Is that true?”
I scuffed my foot on the ground. “Maybe. I’m not happy anymore.”
“Is the theme park the problem?” he asked.
“That’s part of the problem.” My fingers traced over the scar on my hand. “I need a break. There have been so many changes around here. I’m not sure I fit in.”
“You fit in Zee Town,” Nick said. “I can’t imagine a more perfect fit.”
I looked at him. “That’s surprisingly nice of you.”
“You can’t leave,” Nick said. “We’d miss you.”
“You would?”
“I mean, everyone in Zee Town will miss you,” he said. “Especially Stool. Where would he go when he’s looking for a biscuit fix and a belly rub?”
“Oh, sure. I’d miss Stool, as well.” I blinked my eyes several times. “I’m just not sure I want to be here.”
Nick tucked a stray strand of my hair behind one ear. “We would all miss you.” He glanced over my shoulder.
I turned to see some of our zombies standing not too far away, watching me. Zara was there holding some candyfloss, which she raised toward me.
“I know you’re a little different,” Nick said. “That doesn’t mean you don’t fit in here. If anything, it means you fit even more. The zombies would be lost without you. And you’d miss them just as much. Nowhere else is like Zee Town.”
“I would miss them.” I turned my attention back to Nick, a lump in my throat.
“If it’s the theme park that’s the issue, tell the Council you no longer want to do the job. You’ve done what they asked. The park is open and popular and will make them a heap of money,” he said. “Quit the job and return to the tourist center. It’s what you love to do. Why leave that?”
I looked up into Nick’s pale blue eyes, the sincerity in them clear. Maybe I did have something to stay for. Something more than a job, and friends, and my zombies. When I wasn’t fighting wi
th Nick, I did like him, more than I should.
Stool nudged my knee with his nose and gave a grumbling bark.
“You see, even Stool’s asking you to stay.” Nick smiled down at me. “So, what will it be? Are you going to stay with us or leave all of this wonderful weirdness behind?”
I took a deep breath, inhaling the salty air, and looked behind me as the sun framed the zombies in a beautiful aura of angelic light.
“Cassie, are you going to leave us?” Nick asked.
I turned back, petted Stool on the head and smiled. “I’m not leaving. Zee Town is my home. It always will be. I’m staying right here.”
“That’s good to know,” he said, a broad smile lighting his face, making him look handsome.
I could never leave. My weird, wonderful, unique town had me again. This was my only home. I’d never change that.
“Why not come back into the diner and have your coffee with us?” I pointed at the window where Jen, Laura, and Selina were indiscreetly watching us.
“I should get to the station. A murder produces a lot of paperwork.”
“The paperwork can wait for half an hour,” I said.
Nick smiled ruefully. “I guess it can. These days, I seem to have trouble refusing you anything.”
“I can think of a few things you’ve refused me,” I said. “Come on, I’ll treat you and Stool to a muffin. Laura’s made black muffins this time. They’re really quite repulsive looking, but they taste lovely.”
“You’ve won me over, again.” Nick smiled as he held open the diner door for me.
I returned his smile. Yes, Zee Town was home. It had a place in my heart. As did Nick.
BOOK 5
FURBALLS AND MURDER
K.E. O’CONNOR
Chapter 1
“You realize that some of our zombies think animals are walking meat popsicles?” I lifted my gaze to the ceiling of my office as I gripped the phone.
“Stuff and nonsense! Cassie, you must see this as an opportunity,” Councilwoman Mavis Buster said. “You’re always extolling the virtues of placid zombies in Zee Town. Why not showcase how safe they are by having a dog show in town? It’ll illustrate to the rest of the world that zombies can integrate anywhere. It could open doors for them and get other towns to have zombie havens. It’s a brilliant idea.”