Zoey and the Zombies (A Mondamin Court Adventure)

Chapter Four: Part 1

Day Three

Miami, Florida

Julia climbed out of her car and stretched. She hadn't slept well last night. I should be use to this by now, she told herself. Long hours, maybe. But the latest rash of killings? Nobody should be used to that. They'd found several more late yesterday afternoon, nearly a half dozen bodies in some camp south of the city proper.

The weather was warm, even this early in the morning. She looked up and down the street. It was empty. The Miami-Dade County Medical Inspectors Office was a few blocks north of the University of Miami Hospital. Like most urban areas, it wasn't the best neighborhood at night. At six in the morning, it was mostly deserted.

A newer Lincoln Town Car pulled in beside her beat-up, old Mitsubishi. A tall man with the beginnings of a gut climbed out. He had gray at his temples and was dressed in a suit and tie.

"You must be the social worker I spoke to yesterday," he said as he extended his hand. "Dr. Greenfield."

"Julia Garcias," she said as she accepted his hand. "I would like to get this over with. I've got a full case load."

"I can only imagine," he said. "I've a pretty busy day ahead of me too. Okay then, right this way."

He ushered her across a palm-lined street toward a brick and stucco building. He had called her late last night, wanting her help in identifying some of the bodies. None had identification on them, and it was a long shot, but who had a better chance than a homeless outreach worker? Julia almost hoped she couldn't identify any of them. Her job was hard enough without that.

He grabbed her elbow, halting her progress. She glanced at him; he wore a worried look on his face. "Why is that door open?" he asked.

She shrugged. "It's not supposed to be?"

"No, it's a secure building."

"Should we call someone?" she asked.

"No," he said, "It's staffed 24/7. Should be people inside. Let me check it out."

She followed him to the door. A staircase led down from it. As she passed into the shadow of the building, she could see a long, brown streak running along one wall.

Dr. Greenfield was also staring at it. He peered down the staircase, his frown deepening. "On second thought," he muttered, pulling a cellphone from his pocket.

"What's that dark streak?" she asked, fearing the answer.

"Blood," he replied as he punched in some numbers. Into the phone, he said, "Yeah, this is Dr. Greenfield. Can you get security to the morgue entrance? Stat."