by K E O'Connor
“No doubt.” Jane shook her head. “Thanks again, Cassie.”
We said our goodbyes, and I walked away with Asadi, keeping an eye out for Stool as I headed away from the harbor and back through town.
My thoughts were a mess. What was going on with the zombies? They’d never behaved like this before around dogs. Occasionally, a new arrival showed interest in people’s pets, but they soon realized that wasn’t how things operated in Zee Town.
But Iain had been here a long time. He definitely shouldn’t be taking part in dognapping. And he mentioned the zombies were following orders. Whose orders? Was someone else behind this?
One good thing that had come out of this dognapping business was that Ashton’s innocence could be proved. Once Nick had the statements from the zombies, Ashton would be free.
But if Ashton was innocent, that meant the killer was still on the loose.
I sighed. I didn’t know where to turn next. I had a list of suspects who might be involved, but they all had alibis. I needed to do more probing into those alibis and see how concrete they were.
And these recently vanished dogs had to be connected to the zombies. It couldn’t be a coincidence. What had caused this shift in their behavior? Why were they suddenly interested in rounding up the dogs and serving them as a main course? They wouldn’t have thought about doing this on their own.
The zombies were content. They had safe places to live, plenty of food, and companionship. The only thing that had changed in Zee Town was the arrival of the dog show. Was that all it took to unbalance the zombies?
If that was true, there was no chance of having another dog show. Mavis could threaten and cajole all she liked, but if having this many dogs in town upset the zombies so badly, it was never happening again.
I hurried back to my cottage and settled Asadi in with a big bowl of food.
After he was fed, I left him in the cottage and hurried out with a torch. I had to keep looking for Stool and the other missing dogs.
The group of zombies Nick and I discovered on the harbor were heading toward the warehouses. That would be the perfect place to store dogs.
My thoughts turned to Nick. I’d better tell him about this. He’d only be mad if I went investigating and discovered a clue without him.
I pulled out my phone and dialed his number. It went straight to his voicemail.
I tried a couple of more times as I continued walking, checking the alleyways for any sign of the dogs. He still wasn’t picking up.
Shoving my phone back in my pocket, I continued my search.
There was no sign of any dogs in town, so I made my way into the quiet warehouse area. The warehouses sat near the harbor. There were a dozen storage units, some of which I hired to store spare equipment for the events I ran.
I checked the first two warehouses. Both were secured with padlocks, and the lights were off.
I slowed. There was a shuffling sound. I swung my torch in that direction and walked closer. The door was padlocked shut. I stood back. Light filtered under the door.
I hurried around the side to the back door of the warehouse, which I discovered open.
I flicked off my torch and stepped closer. Quiet voices drifted toward me.
Gently inching the door open, I poked my head inside.
My eyes widened. There was a group of zombies in the warehouse. What were they doing in here?
My heart raced. They weren’t alone. Standing with the zombies was Ronald, the dog show judge.
What was he playing at?
Carefully opening the door wide enough to sneak through, I stepped into the warehouse and ducked behind a storage box.
The zombies muttered and shuffled, not sounding happy to be there.
My gut clenched. Something was very wrong here. I needed to find out what was going on.
As I hid behind the storage box, I counted a dozen zombies in the warehouse with Ronald. I recognized most of them, but there were several new faces among them. They must be recent residents to town whom I’d yet to meet.
I held my breath as Ronald moved toward the door, but he turned back before he discovered my hiding place and caught hold of the arm of a short, female zombie with pale blonde hair. He moved her away from the main group and lowered his head as he spoke to her.
I tried to calm my racing heart as they talked.
Ronald brushed a strand of the zombie’s hair off her cheek and ran his hand down her back.
My eyes widened. Of course, this had to be Ronald’s wife. From the way he was touching her, it was obvious they were close. If this was his wife, why was he hiding her in a warehouse? And why were there other zombies with her?
Maybe Ronald thought his wife wanted company and had brought the zombies here to keep her entertained.
I shook my head. This still didn’t feel right. Ronald told me he wanted equal rights for zombies. There was nothing equal about hiding your wife in a warehouse.
Ronald tugged at the sleeve of his shirt, and I noticed a bandage around his arm.
I tensed at the sound of a bark. I shuffled out from behind the storage box and inched closer, making sure to keep hidden behind other boxes as I headed in the direction of the barking.
“Somebody keep those dogs quiet,” Ronald said.
None of the zombies moved.
“You two, get over there and rattle the cages.” Ronald pointed a finger at two zombies.
They broke away from the group and headed toward the other end of the warehouse.
I scurried along as quickly as I could to see where they were going, being careful not to be seen by Ronald and the other zombies.
I bit my lip to stifle a gasp as I spotted three cages. The zombies stopped outside them and rattled the top of the cages in a lackluster manor. I crept closer, and my heart thudded. Stool was in one of those cages, alongside four other dogs. I spotted a Bichon Frise and a Boston terrier. These were the missing dogs Jane had mentioned. There were also the two Dalmatians Ronald had said he’d look after.
My heart ached as Stool bared his teeth and snapped at the zombies.
He must be terrified. Stool was such a calm and loving dog. It wasn’t fair what they’d done to him.
“This way, everybody,” Ronald said. “It’s time to enjoy yourselves. Don’t be shy. There’s plenty to go around. Everyone is welcome to the feast.”
A feast! No way! These zombies weren’t getting their hands on the dogs.
Ronald led the blonde female zombie toward the cages, but none of the others followed.
He turned and muttered something to his wife. “We’re all friends here. Come and keep my wife company.”
One of the zombies shuffled forward, shaking his head. “Not right. Dogs aren’t food.”
My fingers flexed. You tell him. I could trust Zee Town zombies to do the right thing. Ronald was forcing them to do this. He must have forced them to take the dogs as well.
“There’s no need to be difficult,” Ronald said. “My wife likes company when she eats. There are five plump, delicious dogs for you to enjoy.”
The zombies shuffled forward a few steps, but no one made a move toward the cages.
Ronald muttered something I couldn’t hear to his wife before he strode to the cages. He lifted out what looked like a cattle prod and waved it at the zombies.
“Let’s move, everybody. Who wants first pick after my wife?”
My mouth fell open. He was forcing the zombies to do this just so his wife got company? What kind of monster was he?
Ronald jabbed the cattle prod close to the group, and several zombies scuttled out of the way.
Hot anger bubbled up my spine.
“Once you get going, you’ll enjoy yourself,” Ronald said in a cheery tone.
My stomach clenched, and rage colored my vision. I had to stop this.
I sucked in a deep breath, stepped out from behind my hiding place, and jumped in front of the cages. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Chapter 19
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br /> Ronald spun around on his heel, and his eyes widened. “Cassie! What are you doing here?”
“Saving these dogs,” I said. “And by the looks of it, the zombies. Are you forcing them to eat these dogs?”
Ronald shook his head. “No, you’re mistaken. This has nothing to do with me. I walked in here a few minutes ago and discovered these zombies had stolen the dogs. I’ve been concerned about the missing dogs from the show, and here they are.”
My eyes narrowed, and my gaze went to the cattle prod in his hand. “Why don’t you introduce me to your wife?”
Ronald’s gaze shot to the blonde zombie standing next to him. “My wife?”
“Name’s Maggie,” the zombie whispered.
“Hello, Maggie. Is Ronald your husband?” I asked.
Maggie nodded.
“You told me you want equal rights for zombies,” I said to Ronald. “Why hide your lovely wife here?”
Ronald winced. “I’m not hiding her. This isn’t what it looks like.”
“So, you aren’t forcing zombies to steal dogs, so your wife gets to eat them?”
Ronald glanced at the group of zombies. “They’re different to what I imagined. I thought they’d be happy to help.”
“You can force a zombie to do just about anything with enough encouragement.” I nodded at the cattle prod. “I imagine you can get most humans to do what you want if you jab them with that hard enough.”
“Ronald? What’s happening?” Maggie tilted her head.
“Stop! Not in front of my wife. She’s sensitive.” Ronald leaned down to his wife. “Stay here. I’ll just be a minute.” He swiftly approached me.
I backed up several steps. “Tell me what’s going on.”
“You must understand my situation.” Ronald caught hold of my arm and moved me farther away from the zombies. “This isn’t easy for me.”
I shook his hand off and crossed my arms over my chest. “When you told me about staying with your wife after she turned into a zombie, I was surprised. I even admired you. But this is wrong. Maybe you feed your wife things you shouldn’t when you’re at home, but in Zee Town, it doesn’t happen. She cannot eat these animals.”
“I thought it would make her happy,” Ronald said. “I want to make her happy. We don’t have much of a marriage anymore. I never know how to show her I still care. It gets lonely being married to a zombie.”
“Why include the other zombies in this?” I asked.
“I thought it would be nice for Maggie to have company,” Ronald said. “We’re so different. I don’t understand her. I think she wonders why I’m still hanging around. Taking these dogs worked out well for both of us.”
“How come? What’s so special about those dogs?” I asked.
Ronald shrugged. “They’re obedient, easy to grab, and the best in their class.”
“Best in their class? You picked them deliberately?”
“Not that three-legged one.” He gestured at the cages. “I’ve been a judge for years. Those dogs wipe the floor with the competition. It gets boring. There’s never a challenge when I learn those dogs have entered an event. They’re guaranteed winners. I figured, since I’d need a few dogs to keep my wife busy, why not them? It evens out the competition and makes it more fun for everybody else.”
My nose wrinkled. That was wrong on so many levels.
“I know it wasn’t the best idea,” Ronald said.
“It’s a terrible idea. You have to return them to their owners.”
“I’ll give those four back if I have to, but the zombies found that three-legged one as a stray on the beach.”
“How have you not seen Stool around the dog show? He’s not a stray.”
“He’s most certainly not a contestant.”
“No, but he’s one of my best friends,” I said. “I part own Stool. You can’t feed him to your wife. You have to let him go, too.”
“What will my wife eat if I do that?” Ronald asked.
“Brain stew like all the other zombies do,” I said. “She’ll like it. It comes pre-prepared and warm. She doesn’t have to deal with the dog fur. You can’t keep feeding your wife animals. You’re breaking the law, and I’m pretty certain it’s not making her happy.”
Ronald tipped his head back. “That’s the problem. I don’t know how to make her happy. I wish I knew what was best for her.”
“Not this,” I said. “Let the dogs go and let the zombies go. This has to end.”
“Ronald? Are you in here?”
Ronald spun around. His face paled as he spotted Fleur. “Fleur! What are you doing here?”
“I’ve been waiting for almost an hour,” Fleur said. “When you didn’t show at the restaurant, I got worried. I’ve been driving around looking for you and spotted your car. I heard the voices and found you.” She looked around the warehouse. “What are you doing in here?”
“You can’t be here.” He hurried over and tried to walk Fleur to the door.
Fleur’s expression grew cautious as she looked at the zombies. Her gaze went to the caged dogs. “I recognize those dogs.”
“It’s nothing to worry about,” Ronald said. “Just a misunderstanding.”
Her gaze went to me. “Cassie? What are you doing here?”
“Solving a mystery,” I said. “And Ronald’s involved.”
Ronald tugged at his shirt collar. “Wait here, Fleur. I must speak with Cassie.” He hurried back toward me and caught hold of my arm. “You have to understand I had no choice.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked. “Why is Fleur here?”
He glanced back at her. “It’s complicated.”
Fleur walked over, her arms folded across her chest and a sour expression on her face. “Is that her?” She jabbed a finger at Ronald’s wife.
“Please, not here,” Ronald said to Fleur. “I beg you.”
Fleur’s gaze narrowed. “You told me you were leaving Maggie.”
My eyes widened. “You and Ronald are seeing each other?”
“No,” Ronald said swiftly, his guilty gaze going to Maggie.
Fleur tilted her head. “Really? So, it wasn’t you sneaking out of my room in the early hours of yesterday morning? I must have dreamt it.”
Ronald closed his eyes for a second. “Please, not in front of my wife. She gets easily confused.”
“She’s not the only one,” I said.
“Maggie’s a zombie,” Fleur said. “Of course, she won’t understand. She probably doesn’t even realize she’s still married to you.”
“Lower your voice,” Ronald hissed. “I don’t want to hurt my wife’s feelings.”
“You’re happy enough to hurt mine, though?” Fleur said. “I’ve waited for you for almost a year. You promised me you’d come clean and move her out of the house, so I can move in.”
Ronald gulped loudly. “I can’t. If I walk away from Maggie, I’ll look like a hypocrite.”
“And cheating on your wife doesn’t make you look like a hypocrite?” Fleur said. “The money means more to you than I do?”
“What money?” I asked.
Fleur glowered at Ronald. “He’s always getting invited to speaking gigs around the world, all-expense-paid, to showcase what an honorable man he is, sticking with his zombie wife. He’s even taken me on some of the trips, hush-hush, of course. He can’t have his mistress by his side when he’s putting on the front of being such a hero.”
Ronald scowled. “I still care for Maggie. I thought you understood.”
“I understand that you have physical needs,” Fleur said. “You’re always pawing at me at every opportunity.”
Everything clicked into place, and I took a step back. “Delia found out about your relationship with Fleur, didn’t she?”
Ronald ran a hand down his face. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I shook my head. “What did Delia threaten to do? Tell your wife? Expose your lie, so you would lose the lucrative side-line?”
Fleur’s face paled. “You were glad when she fell down the stairs.” She turned to me. “He tried to hide it, but I could tell he was pleased. Ronald, did you do something to Delia?”
“No! I was with you and Claire when she died.”
Fleur shook her head. “Not all evening. I remember you insisted on getting us coffee even though I didn’t want one and there was free coffee at the venue.”
“And that’s all I did,” Ronald said. “I went to the café, got the coffee, and came back.”
“It took you over forty-five minutes,” Fleur said.
“Which is enough time to go to the bed-and-breakfast, confront Delia, and get back without arousing suspicion,” I said. “Was Delia blackmailing you? Threatening to tell your wife about what you’d been doing behind her back?”
Ronald’s shoulders slumped. “I had no choice. She saw me out with Fleur one evening and put everything together. I denied it, but Delia was having none of it. She knew about the side-line I’d built up, talking about equal rights for zombies. Delia was going to ruin everything. I had to stop her.”
“You confronted Delia at the bed-and-breakfast,” I said. “When she wouldn’t back down, you got angry.”
“Ronald!” Fleur backed away, shaking her head. “You killed Delia?”
“For us, my love,” Ronald said. “To keep our secret safe.”
“To keep your reputation intact,” Fleur said. “I wanted Maggie to find out. I was sick of sneaking around behind everyone’s back while you made out you were such a saint. You’re nothing of the sort.”
“Fleur! Wait.” Ronald hurried after Fleur as she strode across the warehouse and out the door, slamming it shut behind her.
My fingers flexed. “Not only did you cheat on your wife and kill the one person who knew about it, but you’re also using our zombies.”
Ronald glanced at me and scowled. “What if I am? It doesn’t do them any harm. Maggie needs the company while I’m busy.”
“You’re injuring them,” I said. “That cattle prod leaves wounds. You should know that zombies don’t heal. You’re damaging them. That’s wrong.”
“We both know zombies don’t feel pain,” Ronald said. “Maggie was lonely. There are plenty of zombies to go around.”
