As I stumble forward, I notice that there are three people already within – Dana, Ted, and Maria Gonzales.
Maria looks harshly at both of us, and motions to Dana and Ted. They pull out their weapons and aim them at me and my dad. I keep my hands holding my wound.
My dad looks furious. “What the fuck is this all about Maria?”
Maria walks as she talks. “Isn’t in convenient that the police found evidence of my investments where Ben was shot. Evidence that I never keep at home.”
Dad responds. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“It has become exceedingly clear to me Dan that you intend to set me up for our earlier drug operation, and take me out like you did Ben to prevent me from talking.” She pauses. “What is the term? You're trying to ‘throw me under the bus’."
Dad is flabbergasted. He doesn’t know what to say. He glances angrily at Ted. Ted smiles wryly and grips his gun more firmly.
Maria continues. "It's time to retire the Stack family from the zombie crime business."
Chapter Twelve – Salvation
I raise one of my hands in the air while wincing, clutching my side a little harder.
I hunch over a little and talk to the group – particularly Maria. "Wait! Hold on a minute. I just started working here – don't condemn me with him."
I look into Maria’s eyes and weakly attempt to smile. I hope we have a distraction soon.
Perhaps I should bring you up to speed. I haven't been telling you everything.
On the weekend – once I knew Dad was involved – I knew that confronting him would put him in a difficult position. As soon as he knew I was on to him, things could get very unpredictable. I didn’t like that.
I could have gone in ‘guns a blazing’ with very little information, or I could play along, get on the inside, and learn more about what we have to deal with here.
* * *
Monday June 28, evening
After agreeing to neutralize Dana for my father, I called the Captain.
“McDowell here.”
“Hey boss.”
“Rob – this better be important – you’re cutting in on my beauty sleep.”
“Tomorrow at zombie school, we need to really glamour Dana. Can you set it up with Captain O'Neill?”
“She needs some help staying on the rails, is that it?”
“No Captain, it’s worse than that. She’s been off the rails for a while, and we need to get her on to our team.”
“This sounds serious Rob.”
“It is. Everything we have been working on is all tied together in one large criminal enterprise, and Dana has been a part of it. My dad too. Can we meet tomorrow at 9am? I’ll bring you completely up to speed.”
“Sure thing Rob. Don’t do anything crazy before then.”
“Sorry boss, I can’t make that promise,” I said with only a bit of sarcasm in my voice.
I hung up, and dialed the FBI.
"This is Detective Rob Stack with the Seattle PD. I'd like to talk with Agent Dana Light's handler."
“Sir, we don’t have a Dana Light in the directory.”
"Look, we don't have time for bullshit here - Dana's life is in jeopardy. I need to speak with someone right now."
“Please hold.”
I listened to music for a short while.
A voice came on. “Who is this?”
I repeated my name and credentials and asked for his. It was Dana’s handler.
“Listen, I’m sure you know there is something big going on in Seattle. Dana and I are in the middle of it, and her life is presently in danger. I need you to get here tomorrow morning – I will explain what’s going on and what we need to do about it.”
“When should we be there?”
I gave him a time and place.
* * *
Tuesday June 29, early morning
I waited with Jill Simpson at the District Attorney’s office. We had some time to talk. I brought her partially up to speed.
“Rob, if you are going to be confessing to something here I can’t act as your lawyer.”
“I know.”
“So why am I here for this?”
“I trust you to do the right thing. Your experience with zombies and the law may be helpful here.”
Two FBI guys arrived and were shown in. We all introduced ourselves. They introduced themselves as Dana’s handler and the Seattle Office Director.
I started the conversation. “Let me be up-front gentlemen, I need to begin this meeting by asking for immunity for Dana and myself.”
“Dana, what has she done?” Dana’s handler inquired. He was shocked.
The director spoke to him, “We’ll get to that in due time.” Then he looked at me, “And in return for immunity?”
“In return, we provide you with the names of the people behind the largest zombie crime syndicate in North America, being operated out of Seattle with connections to Mexico and China. I also provide you with all of their drug locations in Seattle, and the people operating partner drug operations in over 30 major American cities, plus three more in Canada. This enterprise is also connected to prostitution and paramilitary zombie security forces under their influence. The organization is staffed by turning people into zombies within churches across North America.”
That got their attention.
The director responded. “Okay, we have an agreement in principle. As long as you don’t hide anything from us during these talks, you’ll have your immunity. However, we can’t give immunity to Dana without her being here in the room to tell her story.”
“Listen, we are done here if Dana doesn’t have immunity too. We’ll handle this without you.”
The two FBI guys discussed among themselves. “I still don’t understand what Dana could have possibly done.” They chattered a little longer.
The Director turned to me. “Ok Detective, you have a deal – for you and Dana.”
I looked at Jill. She nodded back at me.
Dana’s handler was anxious. “Exactly what has Dana done wrong?”
“Dana has been using her access within the FBI to find corrupt politicians and business owners that could be bribed or somehow influenced. These people have now become part of or enabled in some way the international zombie crime organization we’re here to talk about. Additionally, she has been using her position in anti-corruption to keep you from learning the truth about who is behind things in Seattle.”
Dana’s handler was outraged at this accusation. “That’s ridiculous! Dana is one of the most distinguished field operatives we have.”
I could tell he needed to be schooled on zombie psychology. “That may have been who Dana was before she turned into a zombie, but that all changed when she became a zombie.”
“Listen. We had that crack-pot cop, Deputy Chief what’s his name, come and talk to us about zombie inspiration. He was a flake. There was no real science there.”
I spoke very clearly. “He appeared like a flake to you, because that’s what he wanted you to think. He’s trained in psychology with a great working understanding of both human and zombie minds – and how to influence them.
“Retired Deputy Chief Dan Stack – my father incidentally – didn’t want you to use zombie inspiration techniques because he was already in control of Dana. She was effectively working for him! Dan Stack is the head of the zombie crime enterprise that Dana provides information to.”
The handler sputtered. He was still angry, but he couldn’t object to this new information. He was starting to look worried.
Jill, who had been silent until now – intervened. "Gentlemen, am I to understand that you have a zombie in your employ – with access to national secrets no less – that is not receiving regular inspiration sessions to keep her aligned with the rules and policies of the FBI? This is now considered standard operating procedure for every police organization in the world that employs zombies. Your behaviors here are tantamount to criminal negligence."
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God bless you Jill! I knew I wanted her here for a reason.
The Director silenced Dana’s handler by putting his hand on his shoulder while nodding. “Thank you Rob and Jill – what you are saying makes sense with what I’ve been learning recently about zombies. We are indeed behind the times. With just one zombie working for the FBI we haven’t put enough resources into understanding how to manage Dana.”
The Director looked right at me. “Rob, if Dana has been manipulated to work for Dan Stack for all these years, then how can we know if you can trust her?”
“She has been convinced to participate by hiding the complete truth from her about the aims of the organization. She believes the organization exists to help society integrate zombies and humans, in effect giving her zombie brethren more equality. The reality behind zombie drug crimes and prostitution has been hidden from her.
“However, as she has been working with the police, she has been coming to understand more of the fallout of my father’s enterprise – some things that she has seen directly. Plus, she has been encouraged to comply with and enforce the law through our bureau’s own inspiration sessions.
“I’ve been trained by my father in zombie psychology, and I use it every day at work when dealing with zombies on both sides of the law. I believe I can have her completely on our side by the end of today.”
During the remainder of our time together, I took Jill and the FBI through the details of zombie turning, staffing illegal activities, and international locations. I explained my own indiscretions.
I also described my plan for today.
* * *
At 9am, while Dana was in zombie school, I met with Captain McDowell instead of the shrink. She could wait.
I explained the nature of the entire zombie crime organization, my father’s role, Dana’s role, and my attempt to get on the inside. I also described how the FBI was becoming involved, and that they would be calling him shortly after 10am to discuss.
“We need to turn Dana completely back onto the side of law and order. I’m pretty sure we can do this. She has been increasingly outraged by the fallout of my dad’s criminal enterprise.”
He took a moment to soak it all in.
I continued. “I'll bring her back in the afternoon around 4pm - can you and O'Neill put together something extra special?”
“Yes – we’ll make it happen.”
“Oh, and the zombie prostitution drug mess I heard about yesterday, can you put Dana and I on it? She needs to see what these drugs are doing to zombies up close.”
“Will do.”
* * *
After visiting the morgue, I took Dana outside to sit down for a long talk.
I asked her a question. “Since we’ve been working together, how many zombies have been killed because of drugs?”
There were the four zombies we shot while investigating, three prostitutes, and four military zombies.
She looked sad while adding them up. “Eleven people Rob.”
“And that’s just one week, in one city. I wonder how many zombies will be dead at the end of the year –in over 30 cities mind you – due to drug crime.
“Those girls, they were just earning a living. They didn’t deserve to die. Same for your military friends – they were just out having fun.”
Dana was silent.
“Does it still seem to you that zombie drugs are as safe as alcohol?”
Dana bent forward and put her head in her hands. She shook her head no.
“I have something you need to hear Dana.”
I pulled out my digital recorder and clicked to play back recording one, which I had prepared earlier.
My voice. “Speaking of, what does Dana do in your operation?”
Dad’s voice. “Oh, she’s been very helpful. I can’t tell her everything – we keep things compartmentalized – and she wouldn’t like some sides of the business.”
I click ahead to recording two.
My dad’s voice. “Even our plan to use the original zombies to scare the mayor was ruined by the IAB.” The sound of slamming fists. “If the mayor doesn’t trust zombies, she can’t support the IAB.”
My voice. “This is funny in a twisted kind of way. Jake, the hero zombie cop, actually made the IAB look better yesterday, thanks to the original zombies you sent in.”
Dad’s voice. “Damn it. We need to give the politicians a reason to pull the plug on the IAB, and zombie relations units everywhere that police have them.”
My voice. “Is this what you and the Chief disagreed about? Were you actually trying to get him to shut down the IAB?”
Dad’s voice. “Yes. And he wouldn’t go for it. I tried to find every misstep and bad choice in the IAB, and turn it into a case for dismantling the bureau I originally helped create. I tried reasoning directly with the mayor too – but she trusts the Chief and wouldn’t listen to me.”
And finally, I clicked ahead to my third prepared recording.
My voice. “How much does Dana know anyway?”
Dad’s voice. “She has contact information for each and every city we’re established in. Son, you know that Dana needs to be eliminated – or she will bring everything down.”
The recording stopped.
“Dana, you know in your heart that my dad needs to be stopped. Let’s work together and bring his criminal enterprise down. What he’s doing is not good for zombies – or anyone.”
Her eyes were as cold as steel.
* * *
We didn’t speak much on the ride back to the office. I didn’t tell her why we were headed back, and she didn’t ask.
Shortly after we arrived, Captain O’Neill came by. "Dana, I need to see you."
I’m pretty sure that he had all of the zombies together for a special inspiration session dedicated to Dana.
I asked Mac to grab Jake and join me in Captain McDowell’s office.
“Sure thing Rob.”
Once the three of us were together, I explained my plan for gaining entry to the secured vault in my father’s office building.
Once we were done, I wandered over to see how the zombies were treating Dana. It was a raucous occasion, and Dana was in the center of it.
As I stood by the entrance to the room, a handsome zombie walked by me.
Eric Gunner, our local zombie inspiration reporter, was carrying something into the room.
He paused in the middle of the area, until people started to notice his presence. Zombies poked each other and pointed. The room quickly grew silent in anticipation.
"Hi Dana! I’ve just heard we have a special operation today. I understand that an ex-cop needs to be brought to justice. My question is, are you the zombie for the job?"
Her face lit up with a huge smile. "Eric - you brought me cake?"
* * *
After watching Eric feed Dana and share a slice of cake together, I was pretty sure she was on board.
That brings us back to the vault in unit C and our predicament with Maria. I didn’t realize that she was going to try to kill Dad. And me!
I proclaim my innocence again. "Seriously Maria – don't wrap me up with all his shit. I'm just the new guy."
She pauses to look closely at me, inquisitively. Then she is distracted by something on one of the screens.
"Rob, if you are being so honest with us, then why are the two cops you shot standing up?"
My dad is shocked. He turns to look at the screen. Ted turns to look at the security monitor as well.
Dana uses this opportunity to slam Ted’s arms to the ground and knock him out with the butt of her gun. She kicks his gun away, and turns to aim at my dad.
I stop pretending to be wounded, and I grab my second gun. This one has actual bullets. I aim it at Maria, and walk up towards her.
“Maria, how about you make your way over next to your good friend Dan here. That’s a girl.”
Her eyes shoot daggers into me, but she complies.
While keeping her gun t
rained on the two of them, Dana walks over to the security door and opens it.
“Hey guys, everything is clear in here. Come on in and help us take these folks in.”
Mac and Jake join us, weapons raised.
Jake lowers his weapon to cuff my dad and Maria. He checks them both for weapons. I nod Mac over to where Ted has fallen.
As we remove all three of them, our CSI guys and the FBI enter the room to learn as much information as they can from the papers and computers within. Captain McDowell joins us as well. He is grinning like a kid in a candy store.
Outside, I walk over to join my father. He is in cuffs and being put in the back of an FBI vehicle.
"I guess I was right about Dana being a risk." He smiles grimly.
"If there's one thing I've learned from you Dad, it is how to change a zombie's opinion when they are on the fence."
"I'm sorry we couldn't work together son. I'm disappointed."
"I’m not Dad. If I didn’t get involved, you would have died tonight instead of going to prison. I feel pretty good about how things went."
His car door is closed, and the FBI guys take Ted, Maria, and my father away.
Chapter Thirteen – Redemption
Wednesday June 30
MASSIVE ZOMBIE CRIME RAID LED BY IAB
SEATTLE – Three alleged zombie crime-ring leaders were taken into custody yesterday following a joint investigation by the Seattle Police and the FBI.
Included in the arrest were retired Deputy Chief Dan Stack, Maria Gonzales, wife of recently deceased Chief of Police Benito Hernández, and Ted Madison, a former police sergeant.
The arrests were accompanied by drug seizures and captures of additional alleged zombie criminals in twelve locations throughout the city.
At press time the exact quantity of the drugs seized was unknown, however sources suggest these drugs are the same drugs that were taken from the Seattle Police narcotics unit last week.
Seattle is the center of a new international crime organization that is apparently employed by freshly turned zombies. The zombie-accepting Church of Progressive Faith has been creating zombies by using heart surgery drugs to simulate death.
Other raids are being led across the continent by the FBI, the DEA, and even the RCMP in Canada.
Continued on Page 2…
One Month Later
As Dana’s mission was complete – and her cover blown – she returned to the FBI and no longer works for the Seattle PD.
We’ve been collaborating from time to time on the information collected, rounding up the last few zombie criminals as we can find them.