by Adele Abbott
“It’s about five miles from here.” Tim gave Daze directions to the movie set. Blaze followed us in the van.
“Are you sure they’ll be in the compound?” I asked.
“Definitely. They never start shooting until eleven at the earliest because they work late into the night.
The perimeter of the movie set was secured by a high wire fence. When Daze pulled up in front of the double gates, Tim jumped out of the cab, and punched in the key code.
We were in.
“The zombies are down there on the right,” Tim pointed to a small compound which was enclosed with a similar wire fence.
I’d seen zombies before, but I still wasn’t prepared for the sight that greeted us. Dozens of them headed straight to the section of the fence nearest to where we had parked.
“This is awful,” Monica said.
She, Lester and Blaze had joined us at the compound fence. Daze was busy using the hydraulic hoist to offload and position the equipment she had brought with her. Twenty minutes later, we were ready to roll.
“Listen up, everyone!” Daze shouted. “This is how it’s going to work. When we throw open the compound gates, the Zs will make a rush for it. They’ll be funnelled straight into this cage which tapers towards the far end. Over there, at the narrow end of the cage, is a gate that slides back and forth. Blaze, you’ll be in charge of that gate. Make sure you only allow one through at a time.”
“Roger.” Blaze went to take up his position.
What she was describing, resembled the kind of equipment used to control sheep as they waited to be dipped. The idea was that the zombies would move down the narrowing funnel until they were in single file. At that point, they would be allowed to pass through the gate at the far end of the cage, one by one.
“Lester,” Daze continued. “Every time Blaze lets a Z through, you need to inject them with the formula. Then, Monica, you need to process them so they can go on their way peacefully.”
“But the paperwork takes several minutes.”
“Stuff the paperwork. Just fill in the essential parts for now. You can catch up with the rest later.”
Neither Monica nor Lester looked very confident, but they both took up their positions.
“What about me?” I said. “What do you want me to do?”
“You and I are here in case something goes wrong. If any Zs get out, we have to stop them.”
“How?”
“Improvise.”
“Okay.” Gulp!
“Right!” Daze shouted. “Tim! On three, release the compound gate. One, two, three!”
As soon as the gate was open, the zombies piled out, and into the cage where they were funnelled into a narrower and narrower space until they were in single file. Blaze slid open the far gate just long enough to allow one through at a time. Lester then injected the poor soul. Thankfully, the formula was quick acting. No sooner had they been injected than they fell to the floor. It was then up to Monica to despatch them as quickly as possible.
It’s hard to describe how terrifying the whole process was. I was worried that the sheer volume of zombies in the first part of the cage might prove to be too much, and that the metalwork might give way. If that had happened—I probably wouldn’t have lived to tell the tale. Thankfully, the cage held out, and an hour later, the last zombie had been sent on his way.
“Well done, everyone,” Daze said.
We were all exhausted, but elated too.
“Come on, Lester.” Monica grabbed his arm. “We have a ton of paperwork to catch up on back at the office.”
They had no sooner left with Blaze than a blue BMW came flying down the dirt road towards Daze, Tim and me. Two wizards jumped out.
“What’s going on?” The ugliest of the two (and trust me, it was a toss-up) shouted. “Where are the zombies?”
“They’ve been processed by the grim reapers.” Daze stepped forward.
“How dare you? They were our property. We’re in the middle of making a movie. We’ll sue you.”
“Good luck with that.” Daze threw a net over the two of them, and they disappeared.
“I guess that means I’m out of a job.” Tim shrugged.
“Looks like it,” I said. “But you did the right thing.”
“I know, but I’m not sure my landlord will agree when I can’t make rent. Oh, well. I suppose I’d better start looking for another job.”
***
Armi was with Mrs V when I arrived at the office.
“Hi, Armi. Long time no see. How are you?”
“Fine, thanks, Jill. At least I would be if I could talk Annabel into retiring so that we could travel the world together.”
“I’ve told him that you couldn’t possibly manage without me, could you, Jill?” Mrs V winked at me.
“It would be difficult, but I’m sure I’d cope. You should go for it, Mrs V.”
She gave me a withering look.
“See, Annabel,” Armi said. “I told you Jill would understand.”
“I’ll leave you two to make your plans.” I hurried through to my office. Mrs V was so going to kill me.
Winky was on the sofa. Next to him was his suitcase.
“Going somewhere?”
“On that cruise. You know, the one you were too mean to pay for.”
“I thought you didn’t have any money.”
“I’ve had to cash in some of my long-term investments, which may adversely affect my pension. I hope you can live with yourself.”
“I’ll try. When are you off?”
“I’m waiting for Socks to come and pick me up.”
“He’s coming here?”
“Yeah. He should be here at any moment.” Winky pointed at the open window.
“Well, I hope you have a good time. Don’t forget to bring back a present for me.”
“I will, but only if you agree to do me a favour.”
“What’s that?”
“Can you cover this window with something while I’m away? Black plastic sheeting should do the job.”
“Why?”
“I’ve told Peggy that you’re taking me to your family’s holiday cottage in the countryside.”
“Why did you lie to her?”
“I didn’t lie exactly. I was simply being economical with the truth.”
“Why not just be honest with her?”
“Because she would have wanted to come too, and I couldn’t run to that.”
“Is there any wonder your relationships don’t last?”
“Will you cover the window or not?”
“No.”
“How about you crouch down whenever you go past it?”
Before I could tell him what he could do with his suggestion, the sound of an engine distracted me. Moments later, Socks came sailing through the open window in his microlight.
“Hello, sexy.” He flashed that smile of his. “Long time no see.”
“Not long enough.”
“Still playing hard to get, I see.”
Winky grabbed his suitcase, put on a crash helmet, and climbed onto the back of the microlight. “Let’s go, bro. Our cruise awaits. See you soon, Jill!”
“Bye.”
And with that, they were gone.
***
My phone rang.
“Jill? Are you there?” It was Kathy.
“Yeah, sorry. I was miles away. Have you ever been on a cruise?”
“You know I haven’t. Why?”
“No reason.”
“What’s this all about?”
“Nothing. Someone I know has just gone on one, and I was wondering why I couldn’t afford to.”
“If you cut back on custard creams, you probably could.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Oh, well, I’d better get going.”
“Hold on! It was me who rang you, remember?”
“Oh yeah. Sorry.”
“Pete is taking Mikey fishing on Saturday.”
“Has he been misbehaving? Is th
at some kind of punishment?”
“No. Mikey wants to go.”
Weird kid.
“Anyway,” Kathy said. “Lizzie and I are going to The Central, and we wondered if you’d like to come?”
“What for?”
“Not for anything. Just for fun.”
“Fun? In a mall?”
“I can see this was a mistake. Don’t worry. I’ll tell your niece you don’t want to go with us.”
“Wait. Don’t do that. How long would it be for?”
“Three or four hours. We can get a coffee and something to eat.”
“Okay then. Jack said he was bowling this weekend, anyway.”
“Great. I’ll give you a call later to arrange a time.”
When I’d finished on the call, I realised that Mrs V was standing in the doorway to my office—glaring at me.
“Hi.” I smiled, for all the good that was going to do.
“You and I need to have words, Jill.”
“I was just about to look at my balance sheet.”
“You don’t even know what one of those is.” She approached my desk like a lion stalking its prey.
“I was only joking about the retirement thing.” I managed a weak laugh.
“I’d just about persuaded Armi that his idea to travel the world was a non-starter, and then you go and stir it all up again with your little joke.”
“Sorry.” I whimpered.
“The next time Armi asks if it would be okay for me to retire, and if you’d be able to cope without me, what will you say?”
“That I couldn’t possibly manage without you?”
“Correct.”
Chapter 21
Dale Thomas’s brother, Philip, had never forgiven him for refusing to provide additional funding to improve the care of their mother in her final days. Was Philip’s accusation that Lesley Thomas had been having an affair with Robert Lane true, or a lie fuelled by his animosity towards his brother? I had to find out.
I’d tried without success to get hold of either Lesley Thomas or Robert Lane. Neither of them was returning my calls, so I tried a different tack. I called Robert Lane’s office to try to make an appointment under some fictitious name, on the pretence that my company may have work that it was considering putting Lane’s way. The PA who answered told me that Lane wasn’t in, and when pressed, confirmed he was working on his aeroplane, and wouldn’t be in until the following day.
It was time to pay another visit to Washbridge North Airfield.
“You again?” Lane was clearly pleased to see me. “What do you want?”
“I’ve called you several times and left messages, but you didn’t return my calls.”
“Maybe that should have told you something? Why don’t you let Dale rest in peace?”
“How long have you and Lesley been having an affair?”
Subtle, that’s me.
“That’s nonsense. Lesley and I are friends—nothing more than that.”
“You were seen in West Chipping being much more than friendly with one another.”
His face flushed red, whether from embarrassment or anger, I couldn’t be sure.
“Who saw us? Who told you that?”
“Dale’s brother.”
“Philip?” He scoffed. “You can’t believe anything he says. He hated Dale.”
“Dale’s gone now. What would Philip have to gain by lying?”
“Who knows how he thinks? He isn’t right in the head. Look, I’m telling you that there’s nothing going on between Lesley and me. There never has been. I’d like you to leave now.”
Lane went back to working on his plane.
I wasn’t sure what to make of his reaction. Had he been outraged at hearing an unfounded accusation, or concerned that I knew the truth? If he and Lesley had been having an affair, that might be a motive to get rid of Dale, but it still left a very big question.
How?
***
Mad had been in touch to set up a meeting between me and her boss, Aubrey Chase. He’d asked that we meet in Washbridge Park, on the bench closest to the bowling green—all very cloak and dagger. I’d asked Mad if I needed some kind of secret pass phrase like: the fleas are biting today or pork chops are half price in the precinct.
Mad had said I didn’t, but that I’d know her boss because he’d be wearing a grey suit. It might have been more helpful if she’d mentioned he had only one arm.
“Jill?” He offered his hand. His left hand. As I normally shake with my right, that made the whole handshake thing a little awkward.
“Thanks for agreeing to this.” He took a seat next to me on the bench.
“No problem. Mad’s a good friend.”
“And an excellent operative.” He grinned. “Even if she can be a little wilful at times.”
“She didn’t tell me what this was about.”
“No. I wanted to do that face to face. You may already have heard that there’s been a dramatic increase in the amount of ghost activity in and around Washbridge?”
“Yes, I have heard a few reports.”
“In itself, that’s not a cause for concern, but it has occurred during a corresponding increase in crime rates in GT.”
“Do you have any theories why that is?”
“More than just theories. We know that certain sections of the sup criminal community have realised there’s potential for profit in GT. It’s becoming more and more difficult for sups to run their criminal enterprises in the human world because the rogue retrievers are now much more effective at closing them down. So instead, the criminals are now partnering with ghosts, in order to expand their operations into GT.”
“And you have evidence that this is happening?”
“Yes, and it’s getting worse all the time.”
“I’m still not sure where I come in?”
“Our police force is doing a magnificent job, but they can only do so much. We need someone with magical powers to combat the worst offenders. A powerful wizard or witch.”
“I don’t see how that’s ever going to happen because sups can’t travel to GT.”
“You may be the exception.”
“Why on earth would you think that?”
“There are rumours that one particular sup was able to do it. A witch by the name of Magna Mondale. I believe you will have heard of her?”
“Of course, but you said ‘rumours’. I take it you don’t have any proof that she was able to do this?”
“No.”
“Which means it may not be true?”
“But it might be, and that’s why I wanted to speak to you. I’ve done a lot of research into your background, and it’s clear to me that you have some kind of connection with Magna Mondale.”
“Not really. I was able to get into her sealed room, and I had her book for a short while. That’s all.”
“Maybe. But you must have asked yourself: why you?”
“Not really,” I lied.
“Would you be prepared to give it a try?”
“What would I need to do?”
“If you agree, I’ll ask Mad to liaise with you. Her parahuman powers are part of her being, but maybe they can be emulated by your extraordinary magical powers.”
“I don’t see how.”
“What do we have to lose? Would you at least be prepared to try?”
“Sure.”
“That’s great.” He stood up. “I’ll brief Mad, and ask her to contact you.”
Although I liked the idea of being able to travel to GT, I didn’t hold out much hope of it ever happening. There was no precedent for it other than some rumours that Magna Mondale may have been able to do it.
Interesting times!
***
“You’re quiet,” Jack said.
We were supposedly watching TV, but I had drifted away with thoughts of zombies and ghosts.
“Sorry. I’m just tired. I shuffled lots of paper today.”
“Are you ever going to let me forget t
hat?”
“Probably not. How was your day?”
“Busy. They’re going to have to bring in some extra bodies soon just to keep pace.”
It was a sign of the unusual life which I led that when Jack said ‘bodies’, I immediately pictured zombies.
“Kathy has asked me to go to the new mall with her and Lizzie on Saturday.”
“Did you say you’d go?”
“Yeah, but now I’m wondering if I should call and cancel.”
“If you decide not to go, you could always cut the hedge. It’s getting a little long.”
“Come to think of it, I probably should go to the mall. I don’t get too many chances to spend time with my niece.”
Just then, a howling noise came from somewhere behind the house.
“What was that?” Jack stood up. “It sounded like a wolf.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. There aren’t any wolves In Washbridge. It was probably just a dog.”
Despite what I’d said, there was no doubt in my mind—that wasn’t a dog. When Jack had said ‘wolf’, he’d been close, but that wasn’t the sound of a regular wolf. That was unmistakably the howl of a werewolf.
“I think I’ll take a short stroll.” I stood up.
“I thought you were beat?”
“It might wake me up.”
“I’ll come with you, if you like?”
“No. You stay here and watch—err—what is that rubbish you’re watching?”
“It’s Celebrity Candle Makers.”
“Right. I won’t be long.” I was out of the room before he had time to object.
I hurried down the back garden, and scrambled over the fence into the fields. There had only been the single howl, but I was fairly sure I knew from which direction it had come. I could think of no reason why a werewolf would be hanging around there. Even more confusing was why it would draw attention to itself by howling. It would have made more sense if it had been a full moon, but that wouldn’t be for several days.
Another howl. It seemed to be coming from a patch of bushes a few yards to my right. I’d have to be careful; an angry werewolf could be a handful.
As I neared the bushes, I spotted a very small, very young werewolf.
“What are you doing?” I shouted.