The Creeping Dead: A Zombie Novel Read online

  “Alice, don’t.”

  The clown put a hand up, palming the glass. It was missing fingers.

  “Jesus,” gasped Patricia.

  “That’s not funny!” shouted Alice. “You’re scaring the children!”

  The clown cocked its head sideways, as if it was mocking Alice.

  “Wait a minute,” she said, “that’s one of the clowns that trashed the rooms. The one that ran away.”

  “What does he want?” asked Patricia.

  “I know what I’m doing,” said Alice. “I’m calling the police.” She picked up the phone and dialed 9-1-1. “I’m calling the police!” she shouted at the bloody clown.

  She nearly dropped the phone when the clown let out an other-worldly shriek against the glass.

  “Mommy, I’m scared,” said the little girl.

  “Me, too,” said the little boy. “Make him go away.”

  Joseph dropped the pen and walked toward the door. “Okay, ha ha. The joke’s over. Why don’t you get lost, asshole?”

  “Joe! You shouldn’t talk like that in front of the kids.”

  The clown pressed his face up against the glass, his bloody tongue wiping back and forth.

  “I said that’s enough!” said Joseph. “Do you hear me?” He slammed the palm of his hand on the inside of the glass where the clown’s face was.

  The clown didn’t even flinch.

  “Hello,” said Alice. “I’ve got an emotionally disturbed person at the Ocean’s Gate office. He’s dressed as a clown, and he’s scaring my guests. I think he’s the missing person who trashed one of my rooms.”

  “He’s scaring the heck outta me,” said Patricia.

  Joseph went to push open the door.

  “No, don’t open that!” shouted his wife.

  “Well, what am I supposed to do, Trish?”

  “Let the police handle it.”

  “They’re coming,” said Alice. “They know that when I say, ‘emotionally disturbed person,’ that I mean an unstable person. They’ll be here real fast.”

  The clown looked down at Joseph’s hand on the door and raised his other hand to grab the door handle.

  “He’s going to come in!” cried Trish.

  With raccoon-like eyes the clown looked at her and began to pull on the handle.

  Joseph grabbed the handle on the inside and pulled the door closed.

  The clown pulled harder, and Joseph pulled harder, putting his foot up against the glass next to the door. Another guest was rounding the outside of the glass-encased office, unaware of the scene he was about to walk into.

  “Warn that guy!” shouted Alice.

  Trish, Alice, and Patricia started to shout at the man as he rounded the office to the front.

  He looked at them questioningly as he made his way around, wondering why everyone in the office was shouting at him.

  It was too late.

  He ran into the clown, who promptly let go of the door handle and grabbed the man. The man tried to shove the clown away, but the clown pulled him in and bit him on the neck, pulling away a mouthful of flesh and blood.

  Trish screamed, and the children began to cry.

  “Somebody, help him!” cried Alice. She was halfway around the counter before Patricia could grab her.

  Joseph stood there stunned. “Jesus,” he gasped as Alice threw open the door and rushed outside to help the poor man.

  The clown already had the man on the floor and was on top of him. Alice reached out and grabbed the clown by the shoulder, trying to pull him off. The clown turned and grabbed Alice’s arm, chomping down on her forearm.

  Alice screamed as the man underneath the clown tried to struggle free. Distracted, the clown released Alice, and she fell backward on the wooden deck.

  Officers Campbell and Breslin ran up the front path, guns drawn and shouting at the clown. The clown had already opened the man’s abdomen and pulled out intestines. The victim twitched helplessly, mouth wide in a silent scream as he was being eaten alive.

  The officers fired at the clown, who stood, still clutching entrails in his good hand, but he didn’t go down. Dark blood welled up where the bullets hit him, staining his clown suit.

  He screeched at them and charged, snapping his jaws, bits of flesh stuck between yellow teeth. He tripped on Alice, who lay on the ground frozen in terror, and fell off the narrow wooden deck and into the flowers.

  The two officers open fired until a headshot dispatched the demented clown to the great unknown.

  “Are you all right, Mrs. Krueger?” Joann asked.

  To Alice, ears ringing from the gunshots and adrenaline coursing through her veins, it sounded like a muffled and distant calling, as if she was hearing it underwater.

  Joann squatted down next to Alice and gingerly held her arm, examining the bite on her forearm.

  Patricia cried outside, saying something to Alice that she couldn’t quite make out.

  Breslin radioed it in as she peered down at the still body of the murderous clown.

  Overwhelmed with horror, Alice’s world faded to black.

  * * *

  Mike Brunello lined up at the beginning of the boardwalk with the various residents and visitors of Smuggler’s Bay clad in clown attire. Behind them were the various performers, and behind them were the circus animals spaced judiciously apart.

  Alessandra held Mike’s hand, while Salvatore stood next to him, too old to hold hands. The overcast day and cooler temperature were a relief from the recent heat wave.

  Mike saw Chief Holbrook meandering through the crowd, scanning the people. He was looking for someone in particular. When he saw Mike, his face lit up, and he made his way over. Mike didn’t like the expression on his face.

  “Chief, how’s it going?”

  “Hi, Mike.” He looked at Alessandra and Salvatore. “Hey, kids. Excited for the parade?”

  “Yup,” beamed Alessandra. Salvatore nodded coolly.

  “Mike, I need to talk to you for a moment.”

  “Sure, Chief.”

  “Alone.”

  Mike wasn’t sure what to make of the request, but he realized it was something Holbrook didn’t want the children to hear. Mike figured Holbrook found their grandmother, and not in working condition.

  Dharma moseyed over to Mike and the children. “Wassup, fellow clowns?”

  “Dharma, perfect timing. I have to talk to the Police Chief for a moment. Can you stay here with Alessandra and Sal?”

  “Hello, Dharma,” said Holbrook.

  “Hi, Mr. Holbrook.” She saw the grave expression on his face, despite the warm greeting. “No problem, Mike.”

  “Thanks.” Mike looked down at the children. “I have to talk to the Chief for a minute. You two, wait here. I’m just going to be right over there.” He pointed off to the side. “I’ll be right back.”

  Alessandra released his hand, and she and Salvatore started to talk to Dharma about the various animals in the parade behind them.

  Mike strolled over to the side of the boardwalk with Holbrook, making sure to keep both children in line of sight.

  “What is it, Chief? Did you find Sophia Russo?”

  Holbrook furrowed his brow and sighed. “I’m afraid it’s much worse than that. We received a 9-1-1 call earlier today from Mario Russo claiming someone was attacking him. When the officers arrived on the scene, they found Sophia Russo dead on the floor, stabbed to death, and Marie holding a knife in Mario’s head. He’s dead.”

  The color drained out of Mike’s face. His mind didn’t want to process what Holbrook had told him. “I-I…that’s terrible.”

  “Marie Russo is in our custody for the murders of her husband and mother-in-law.”

  “My, God. I’m speechless.”

  “It gets worse.”

  “I don’t see how,” said Mike.

  “In our investigation of Billy Blake’s murder, the bartender at the Jolly Roger reported seeing Marie having some beers with Billy, cozying up to him. After
they both disappeared to the restroom area, Marie stormed out of the bar in a huff.”

  Mike clenched his jaw. “That son-of-a-bitch.”

  Holbrook sighed. “Yeah, we figured that’s how she felt.”

  “No,” said Mike. “I saw that snake pay Marie a visit after Mario had his heart attack. I brought them a pizza that Vinnie Cantone sent over, and as I was leaving, there was Billy moseying up the path.

  “I knew he was up to no good, moving in on Mario’s wife while he was in the hospital and she was vulnerable.”

  “You don’t know that for sure,” said Holbrook.

  “Oh, come on, Chief. Those two were never friends. She has a good husband and family. She’d never lower herself.”

  “Mike, you’d be surprised. No one really knows what goes on within a marriage behind closed doors, or outside it for that matter. So what happened?”

  “I told him to get lost. I told him not to bother that poor woman. He looked like he was going to get physical for a moment.”

  “Did he threaten you?”

  “No, not overtly. It was the look in his eye and the way he loomed over me. He even dared me to take the first punch.”

  “Well, did you?”

  Mike chuckled bitterly. “I’m still standing here. Aren’t I?”

  “So, then what happened?”

  Mike shrugged. “I left. I saw Billy ring the doorbell, and Marie answered, but I have no idea what happened afterwards.”

  Holbrook looked Mike up and down. “You seem pretty worked up about Billy. Mike, don’t take this the wrong way, but where were you the night he was murdered?”

  Mike was incredulous. His expression turned sour. “I was home sleeping in my bed. Jesus, Chief.”

  “Now don’t get upset with me, Mike. I have to look at all the angles. It’s my job. I don’t suppose you have an alibi…”

  “Everyone’s well aware of how you felt about Billy,” snapped Mike. “Where were you last night, Jim?”

  “There’s no need to get nasty, Mike.”

  “Well, are you going to haul me in, too?”

  “Why, should I? Actually, the reason why I’m here is because Marie told me you had her kids. I have to call Youth and Family Services in on this one. Marie has family in upstate New York who can take them, but they won’t make it down here until after the storm.”

  “What are you asking, Chief? Spit it out.”

  “Marie said she’s comfortable with the kids staying with you until her brother can get here.”

  “That’s fine with me,” said Mike. He looked over at the two children, who were hopping up and down and smiling. “This is an ugly situation. How am I supposed to break it to them?”

  “I don’t want you to do that,” said Holbrook. “You’re doing enough already.”

  “Telling them now won’t do any good,” said Mike.

  “I’ll drop by this evening, after the parade, and break it to them,” said Holbrook.

  Mike nodded, his heart torn apart. He felt so sorry for those children. First, their grandmother went missing. Then, their mother murdered their grandmother and father. “What a mess. I still can’t believe Marie would do something like that.”

  “Like I said, you never know what happens behind closed doors.”

  “I suppose so. I’m going to get back to the kids now. The parade is about to begin.”

  “Sorry about the bad news, Mike.”

  Mike nodded and made his way back to the children.

  “Everything okay?” asked Dharma.

  Alessandra slipped her hand back into his. “Yeah, everything’s fine. Hey, kids, your mom had a cool idea. You’re going to have a sleepover at my house tonight.”

  Alessandra and Salvatore looked surprised. Alessandra smiled politely, but Salvatore, being older, looked uncomfortable.

  “Is everything okay?” asked Salvatore. “Did they find Nana?”

  Mike saw Alessandra’s smile fade as she picked up on Salvatore’s uneasiness. “Remember what your mom said about getting out and having fun while they search for your Nana?”

  The children nodded.

  “Well, your mom wants you to get away for a bit and have some fun.” Salvatore looked unconvinced. Mike managed his best smile given the circumstances. “I have board games, lots of them, and we can make s’mores.”

  Dharma sensed that something was wrong. Poor Mike. He was doing his best to shield the children from whatever Chief Holbrook had told him.

  “Hey, Mike, can I sleep over, too?” she asked.

  Mike looked a bit lost for a moment, but he quickly caught on to what Dharma was doing. She was helping him. “Sure, Dharma! The more the merrier!”

  This new development won Alessandra over immediately. “Yay!”

  Salvatore’s face brightened a bit, but he still felt awkward about it.

  Dharma bumped him with her hip. “Oh, c’mon, grouchy pants. It’ll be a blast. I bet we can stay up late. Right, Mike?”

  “Oh, yeah,” said Mike. Then he leaned in. “Just don’t tell your parents.”

  That was it. Mike’s subversive remark was the last bit of enticement that Salvatore needed. A puckish smile crept across his face, and he began to lighten up.

  Dharma put her arm around him. “This is going to be the best night ever.”

  Her eyes met Mike’s, and Mike conveyed a nonverbal thank you to Dharma. She nodded in acknowledgement, both of his thank you and her realization that something was wrong as per Mike’s aside with Chief Holbrook.

  Dharma had just taken an awkward situation and made it seem like an impromptu adventure. However, Mike had lost the jovial spirit. He stood there, his soul heavy with bad news, looking shell-shocked.

  Holbrook took his place in the parade, beside the Mayor who had yet to arrive. He watched the crowd, lost in thought, his mind mulling over all the angles of the recent murders. The truth was, in Holbrook’s estimation, none of this added up.

  Firstly, he didn’t like Mike for Billy’s murder. Billy’s body was ravaged with a force and fury that didn’t match a man of Mike’s age and physical limitations. Secondly, the 9-1-1 tape recorded Mario yelling about his mother being a vampire and being bitten, and Holbrook heard animalistic sounds in the background. Lenny Krueger told Joann that Sophia Russo was covered in blood and tried to bite him in the parking lot.

  Then why did the two officers walk in on Marie with a knife through her husband’s temple?

  None of it added up. Holbrook was just glad the two missing persons cases were off his desk for the moment, although neither ended well. The murder investigation would have to wait. The priorities were now crowd control and possible evacuation of the barrier island.

  Vinnie stood right in front of his pizza shop with other spectators waiting for the parade to begin.

  Ted shoved his way through the crowd and over to him holding his skateboard.

  “Where’s your better half?” asked Vinnie.

  “I was hoping you knew,” said Ted. “He won’t answer his cell. I dropped by his house, and he wasn’t home.”

  “I’m sure he’s somewhere in the crowd looking for us.”

  The Stonewall High School marching band sounded down the boardwalk. The crowd stirred in anticipation, drowning out the usual din of the arcades and carnival games.

  Not too far down from where Vinnie and Ted stood was Lenny in full Magma Man garb, grinning from ear to ear.

  Tara was meandering through the crowd with Marcus and Tyrell when she saw Lenny standing alone.

  “That’s my new patient standing over there,” she said to Marcus. “He’s by himself. Let’s go keep him company. I’ll introduce you.”

  She led Tyrell by the hand, and Marcus followed. They walked between the wall of spectators and the boardwalk storefronts until they were right behind Lenny. Tara called his name, and he turned around. When he saw her, his face lit up.

  “Hi, Lenny!”

  “Hi, Dr. Tara!”

  Marcus caught up wit
h her. Lenny was looking down at Tyrell and smiling.

  “Lenny, this is my son, Tyrell.”

  Lenny stuck out his hand to shake, but Tyrell high fived it instead. Lenny was taken off guard, but was positively tickled by the greeting.

  “Hi, Tyrell. My name is Lenny!”

  Tyrell smiled. “You like Magma Man, too?”

  “How could you tell?” said Tara sarcastically.

  “He’s my favorite superhero,” beamed Lenny, puffing out his chest.

  “Lenny, this is my husband, Marcus.”

  Marcus stepped forward and extended his hand.

  Lenny high fived it and winked at Tyrell. They all laughed.

  “The parade is starting,” said Lenny.

  “Is it okay if we stand here with you and keep you company?” asked Tara.

  “Of course,” said Lenny, making a grand inclusive gesture.

  “How’s your mom doing?”

  “Oh, she’s okay,” said Lenny. “She’s working at the office.”

  Across the way, in his small radio booth, Johnny Wong announced the parade over the air.

  “It’s a cool, cloudy day here in Smuggler’s Bay—thank God—and the eighteenth annual Circus Faire parade is underway. People from all over the tri-state area have gathered on the iconic Smuggler’s Bay boardwalk to watch the clowns and circus performers march.

  “Some of the clowns are Smuggler’s Bay locals, and some are even boardwalk vendors dressed up to join in the fun. We have jumping poodles, dancing bears, clowns on stilts and unicycles, fire breathers, and more!

  “Leading the pack is the Stonewall High School marching band!”

  Trumpets, trombones, and drums filled the air as students carrying the Stonewall High School banner marched in front of the band. Spectators on either side of the boardwalk waved and cheered as the band belted out the theme to Octopussy, cross fading into the James Bond theme.

  As they passed, Lenny mimed the opening sequence of every Bond movie, where Bond pulls out a gun and shoots the camera.

  “And right behind the band is the Mayor of Smuggler’s Bay, Christopher McDonald, and Police Chief Jim Holbrook!”

  McDonald, ever the politician, hammed it up with the crowd, while Holbrook waved modestly, obviously uncomfortable with the spotlight. He scanned the edges of the crowd, noting the strategic placement of his officers and the auxiliary police.