by K E O'Connor
“But the zombies,” I said. “I’m not sure I can handle living alongside them. After everything that happened with Mel...”
Katie patted my knee. “I know, that was horrible. This could be an opportunity for you to see that things can be different. You could lead people toward making this work and finding a way for our villages and towns to get back to a state of normality. There are so many placid zombies now, we can neither ignore them or get rid of them. We have to find a way to live with them. You’d be great at helping figure out how to do that. I think you should go to Zee Town. Plus, I want you off the streets. Without me covering your back, your days are numbered.”
I looked at Katie and then over to the slumbering dog in the corner. I hated to admit it, but the attack tonight had shaken me. I’d been so close to dying, as had Katie. Although I’d had numerous near misses in the past, this was the first time it hit me as to just how dangerous this job was and how futile it sometimes seemed.
“What have you got to lose?” Katie asked.
“My dignity and possibly my life if I end up in this town and the zombies turn on me,” I said.
Katie grinned. “We’ve been around placid zombies for long enough to know that they don’t do that, despite what that idiot Scott tells everybody. The scientists are right; placid zombies are safe and they’re here to stay. We need to get used to that, and we need to create a model that works for us all, the living and the undead.”
“You make a lot of sense for someone who spends too much time with their nose in a book.”
Katie swatted me around the head. “That’s why I make a lot of sense, idiot. I read a lot, I listen, and am open-minded enough to think about other possibilities.” She stood and pointed to the bulletin board. “And I know you are, too.”
“Maybe,” I said, my gaze on the bulletin board.
“I’d better go. Carla was threatening to put me on a week’s bed rest if I don’t get some down time soon,” Katie said with a grimace. “Think about Zee Town. I bet you’d love to live by the sea.” She gave me a final grin before leaving the room.
I stood and moved to the bulletin board. I scanned the information Captain Page had left about Zee Town. Could it work? Could humans and placid zombies live together and make a real go of it?
“What do you think, boy?” I looked at the sleeping dog. “Do you fancy long walks on the beach?”
He gave a quiet grunt and shuffled on his cushions as if he’d heard me.
“Yes, I’m not sure either.” The thought of getting away from night patrols and zombie nests wasn’t without its appeal. I’d been doing this longer than most. This job burned you out fast. But wouldn’t I let people down if I left to try out some hippy zombie commune?
I heard running footsteps in the corridor outside the break room, guns being loaded and weapons strapped on. Was this what the rest of my life should be like?
“Why don’t you decide for us?” I asked the dog. “If you give me a clear sign we should try this strange experiment, I’ll put our names on the list to go.”
For a second, there was silence. Then the dog broke wind in a loud and proud manner.
I laughed and waved my hand in front of my face before picking up the pen and writing my name on the sign up form for Zee Town. Breaking wind wasn’t quite the sign I’d imagined, but it would do.
It was time for a change. I was exhausted, both physically and mentally. If Katie thought she could make a difference at the top than I could make a difference on the ground, working out how we could live in this strange new world and make things work for everybody, whether they had a pulse or not.
I put down the pen, walked over to the dog and patted him on the head. “Thanks to you, we’re going to Zee Town.”
THE END
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Thanks so much for reading. I hope you loved spending time in the sun with the zombies. Cassie, Nick, Stool, and the gang are still in Cornwall having fun and saving the day whenever they’re needed.
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If you’re ready for another mystery series, try the complete Lorna Shadow cozy ghost mysteries. The first six books are available in a bumper set of fun, twisty mysteries, with a little spookiness on the side, a dash of romance, and an adorable ghost-sensing dog.
About the Author
K.E. O’Connor (Karen) is a cozy mystery author living in the beautiful British countryside. She loves all things mystery, animals, and cake (these often feature in her books.)
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When she’s not writing about mysteries, murder, and treats, she volunteers at a local animal sanctuary, reads a ton of books, binge watches mystery series on TV, and dreams about living somewhere warmer.
More books by K.E. O’Connor
Witch Haven series – a fun cozy witch mystery series, featuring four feisty witch best friends as they deal with murder, mystery, and secrets. Join Indigo, Luna, Odessa, and Storm in this 12-book adventure.
Spells and Spooks
Hexes and Haunts
Curses and Corpses
Muffins and Moonlight
Cupcakes and Cauldrons
Pancakes and Potions
Crypt Witch series - cozy witch mysteries, featuring Tempest Crypt, a witch who can swallow demons, a talking hellhound, murder, intrigue, and a host of fun characters.
Luck of the Witch
Hell of a Witch
Revenge of the Witch
Curse of the Witch
Son of a Witch
Framing of the Witch
Trickery of the Witch
Wishes of the Witch
Harmony of the Witch
Remedy of the Witch
Gift of the Witch
Toil of the Witch
Jinxing of the Witch
Craving of the Witch
Union of the Witch
Lorna Shadow series – a complete 12-book cozy ghost mysteries set in the fun world of a personal assistant who sees ghosts! Meet Lorna Shadow, her ditzy sidekick, Helen Holiday, and Flipper, the dog who senses ghosts, as they solve crimes and save the day (without getting fired – sometimes!)
Ghostly Manners
Ghostly Secrets
Ghostly Games
Ghostly Affairs
Ghostly Business
Ghostly Rules
Ghostly Waves
Ghostly Play
Ghostly Proposal
Ghostly Vows
Ghostly Fright
Ghostly Hunt
Zee Town – a complete cozy mystery series, featuring Cassie March, Stool the three-legged dog, grumpy cop Nick Morton, and friendly zombies (they exist!)
Dangerous Tails (prequel novella told from Nick Morton’s point of view)
Murder Daze
Hearts & Murder
Murder Fling
Candyfloss & Murder
Furballs & Murder
Holly Holmes culinary mysteries – a complete eight-book adorable cozy culinary mysteries set in the beautiful Audley Castle. Each book is full of treats, murder, and twists. Join Holly and Meatball, her clue hunting dog, as they solve the murders.
Cream Caramel and Murder
Chocolate Swirls and Murder
Vanilla Whip and Murder
Cherry Cream and Murder
Blueberry Blast and Murder
Mocha Cream and Murder
Lemon Drizzle and Murder
Maple Glaze and Murder
Old Sarum cozy paranormal series – a witch mystery series set in the magical world of Old Sarum, featuring curses, magic, and murder.
Witch Kissed
Witch Rose
Witch Guy