Night Of The Zombie Chapter 5

Night Of The Zombie

Chapter 5

The metal chairs were cold and extremely uncomfortable. I crossed and uncrossed my legs several times, sat up straight then slouched. My back was starting to ache.

Stop fidgeting, Van muttered beside me.

Sorry, my back hurts, I grunted.

Then maybe you should work out more, he mumbled, not looking at me.

Don't snap at me, Van. This isn't all my fault.

He was silent.

Whatever, I muttered.

The door to the small room opened and there stood the one man I didn't want to see tonight—or rather this morning.

Justin Macdonald and his good friend Van Gilman. How nice meeting you gentlemen here this morning, Chief Rose boomed.

It was after 2 am and I was starting to get tired again.

Chief Reginald Rose was an imposing man. Tall and a little (a lot) overweight, he was bald except for a ring of dark hair that was greying around the edges that circled his head, his bald spot was gleaming in the overhead lights. He had a large bushy moustache, dark, peppered with grey that covered his mouth, and had a double chin. His face was pinched in a continual frown. His uniform was tight, the buttons straining against his paunch. Sweat glistened on his forehead as he sat down across from us, the chair groaning in protest. How did this guy ever become Chief?

Had a talk with your old man earlier—well yesterday morning, he huffed, putting a file folder on the table. He made me some promises, Justin. One main one was that you wouldn't interfere with police business here in Port Salser.

I wasn't interfering, I muttered, not looking at his ugly mug.

I beg to differ, the man grunted, his breath coming out in short bursts of air like he was out of breath. He turned to Van.

Mr. Gilman, what do you think about all this. Was your friend interfering?

Van was silent for a moment, then turned to me. No, Chief Rose. It's my fault. I called Justin to come downtown to check out the zombies. I had spotted one along Main St and since—.

Hold on! Chief Rose muttered putting up his hand. I only asked one question. We'll get to the rest later. So you're sticking by your friend. The loyalty is to be expected.

What do you have against me? I blurted out and Rose turned his pudgy face to stare at me, a look of shock on his face.

Well, nothing, Justin. I don't have anything against you. You seem like a decent kid. Your father is a bit arrogant, I will admit, but apart from a bit of that I can see in you now as well as disrespect for authority—

Pardon? I said, incredulous.

Justin, be quiet, Van muttered.

I obeyed Van and kept quiet. I didn't want this to escalate further. Sometimes my mouth could get me into trouble.

Rose looked between me and Van. Very well, he said finally. What do you two know about the vandalism at the City Hall building?

We heard the smashing glass but when we got there no one was about, Van remarked. We didn't see anyone except—well, except a zombie.

Why didn't you report this right away? Rose said in his calm, oily voice.

We heard sirens soon after and figured someone had already alerted the authorities; I replied. And besides, I didn't want you to think I was interfering, so I didn't want to get involved. Trust me if we had seen anything we would have reported it later—or rather Van would have reported it.

Rose seemed to accept this explanation. You mentioned zombies. Now I'm fairly new to this town but most towns don't have zombies roaming around. The “zombie apocalypse” hasn't happened yet as far as I'm aware. Unless I missed the memo, he added with a smarmy grin.

We don't know who they are or where they are from, I said, looking down. I didn't want to directly implicate Zach and Lee and their movie but they had to be connected. Or someone was doing a good job of framing them.

Rose made the connection as I knew he would. Well, I think Lee Landers and Zach Bristow might have something to do with that. Come on Justin, you're a detective aren't you. Surely you made the connection—or are you friends with Mr. Bristow and you're protecting him?

I did make the connection, but there's no proof they're involved. And I'm not protecting anyone. You know about the notes that Zach got. Death threats? You're investigating them, correct?

We are, Rose said, steepling his fingers in front of him on the table. Frankly we think Bristow put them there himself, to make it look like someone was out to get him. So he would get sympathy.

Why do you think that? I blurted

I'm asking the questions, Mr. Macdonald. That's why this is called an interrogation. I'm interrogating you—not the other way around, he said with a sudden steel edge to his voice. Good cop was gone. We have reason to believe that the backers for this movie, friends of Lee Landers are threatening to pull funding for this movie. Your friend Zach Bristow does not want the negative publicity after his last disaster was the ridicule of Hollywood. By causing havoc in this small town and someone threatening to kill him if he doesn't leave—well then he eventually stops the movie and does leave town with his zombies and no one would blame him or accuse him of being a talentless hack.

I was seething but remained silent. Van noticed and put his hand on my arm as if to say he understood why I was so upset.

Zach Bristow is not a talentless hack, I said finally after Rose just stared at me for a moment.

He was baiting me. He wanted me to lash out, get all riled up and upset and maybe do something I regretted. Then he would have something on me. Why did he hate me so much?

Well, I think he is, Rose said with his smarmy chuckle. And so do a lot of people, I'm afraid. He should just leave town now and save whatever self respect he has. Zombie movies. What a joke, Rose went on. The only dead thing walking is Mr. Bristow's career. Rose laughed at his own joke but my insides were roiling. I didn't hate very many people in the world—well nobody actually—until now. I really didn't like Reginald Rose.

And he didn't like me. And he knew I knew.

When I didn't say anything, Rose finally stood up. You two are free to go. But if I catch you meddling one more time in this investigation or withholding information related to this case, I will arrest you. You're an adult now so don't think I won't do it. Now, get out of here, both of you.

I stood up and went to the door, Van following. I walked along the corridor, my high tops squeaking on the newly waxed floor. Van had the decency to remain silent until we were back in his car.

I can't stand that man, Van said, starting up the ignition. He's ugly and he's fat, he added with a grin.

We shouldn't judge people, I said quietly. But yeah, I added turning to my friend. I think he's fat and ugly too, and I hate him. I really hate him.

The local morning TV news was all about the zombie invasion of Port Salser the night before. In all, City Hall sustained major damage as did three vehicles parked in the downtown core. Slashed tires and broken headlights. Another abandoned store front had it's front window smashed. Upturned garbage cans and spray paint on the entrance to Burger Barn.

Three townspeople reported to police, seeing zombies walking around downtown. One guy actually took a video of the woman Van and I had seen. Police were investigating and now said they had proof that Zach Bristow's movie “Night Of The Zombie” was definitely connected. It was supposed to be a publicity stunt, but it got out of control. Arrests were pending.

I lowered the volume and turned to dad who was sprawled out  in his reclining chair reading some case notes, dressed in gym shorts and t-shirt. I can't believe Zach is involved. It doesn't make sense, I said anger rising again. I hadn't slept well, having discussed with Dad when I had gotten home—at 3 am—what had taken place at the Police Station.

Dad put aside his notes and turned to me. Chief Rose must have proof or they wouldn't have said that on the news, he said calmly. Look Justin, just let the police do their job. I'm sorry this is happening to Zach and Lee but if they are guilty and it looks like they are, then there's nothing you can do.

I shook my head. I can't just sit around and watch this from the sidelines. I'm going to talk to Zach and to Lee.

I went upstairs and had a quick shower and got dressed in my usual cargo shorts and t-shirt. I was pulling on my socks when my cell phone beeped a message. It was from Zach.

<can you meet me at my place?>

I'll be there in 10 minutes, I texted back. I bounded downstairs and pulled on my high-tops and said to Dad I'd be going out for a bit.

Don't get into trouble, son, he said from the living room.

I won't, I called back. I promise.

I hopped in my SUV and was pulling out of the driveway when Van's car pulled up in front of the house. Raj was in the passenger seat.

I pulled over to the side of the road beside him. What's up?

I got a text from Zach to go to his house. You too?

Yeah, I said. Come on, we can go in my SUV.

Van and Raj piled into my SUV and we headed over to the Bristow’s. A police car was parked out front behind a couple of movie crew utility vans. Uh-oh, I thought as I parked behind it. This wasn't a good sign.

We got out and Van and Raj followed me up the driveway to the garage/apartment. We bounded up the stairs and knocked. Zach came to the door. He looked a mess, like he hadn't slept. He was still wearing the same clothes he had on yesterday.

Thanks for coming, guys, he said, letting us in. Lee Landers was there as were some of the guys and girls from the crew and Mandy and her make up crew. Officer Canning was seated on a kitchen chair, the others spread out around the living room area.

Justin, Van, Raj, Canning said, nodding. Thank you for coming gentlemen. Have a seat, anywhere.

What's—up? I said warily.

I'm—well we're being framed, Zach said matter of factly. We need you guys to help find out who.

But—Chief Rose—I'm not—.

Never mind him, Justin, Canning said. I'll deal with Rose. Look I'm sorry for acting all weird the last few days. It's a long story.

I already know why, I said. And it's cool, Paul, really. No hard feelings? Canning just nodded. I sat down on the couch next to Mandy and her assistant Randall, a young guy with a hippie beard and Glenn another young man with a purple Mohawk and ring through his nose.

Raj sat on the edge of the couch and Van took a kitchen chair, turned it around and straddled it, sitting next to Canning.

We need to find out who wants to stop this movie, Canning said. I've gone over the evidence—the notes that Zach received, the zombie episode last night downtown, and of course the evidence from the fire. Something doesn't add up. I called the crew over here to question them but no one knows anything about the stunt last night.

I was shocked when I saw the news this morning, Mandy said. They must have gotten the masks from my set at the movie shoot, she went on.

When the firemen sifted through the fire damage there was a chest missing, Canning related.

I kept a lot of masks in there and a lot of my make up as well, Mandy said, biting her lip.

Yeah, Glenn said, fiddling with his nose ring. They got a lot of the good make-up. It’ll be hard to replace.

We think the fire was set to cover this robbery, Canning continued. Someone stole the masks and make-up, set the fire to cover up the theft. They then pulled this stunt last night to implicate the production crew of this movie. They did a lot of damage. Rose is of course furious. He wants to shut down the production. I told him to hold off for a while longer.

That's good news, Zach said, scratching his beard.

Canning nodded. We've been investigating Mr. Bristow and Mr. Landers and frankly have done background checks on all the crew, he remarked. Everyone checks out. There was one incident in Lee’s past but that is not related to this.

Lee just looked away, embarrassed. I was intrigued as to what the incident was.

Either someone here is responsible and has covered their tracks very well, or we're barking up the wrong tree altogether, Canning continued.

He turned to me. Justin we need you to continue with the movie—before Rose or someone else pulls the plug—and find out who's behind this.