After breakfast, the Aldens walked along the winding trail that went out to the old fishing lodge.
“There must be an explanation for this,” said Henry.
“What is it?” asked Benny.
“We’ll follow the clues and find out,” said Jessie.
“I see Madison,” said Violet. She pointed at the reporter. Click! Click! Click! Madison was taking pictures of the flattened dirt and grass next to the trail they had cleared earlier.
“Don’t let her see us,” said Henry.
The Aldens quickly stepped into the woods and hid behind a tree.
“The zombie came back,” said Violet softly.
“The trail is torn up again?” whispered Henry.
“Yes, it is,” said Violet. “Here, look for yourself.” She gave the camera to Henry.
Benny looked over at the old fishing lodge. No one lived there, but something was different. What was it?
Benny closed his eyes and then he opened them again. It was the porch. There was something new on the porch. It was a tall, skinny bag filled with black-and-silver sticks. Each stick had a big silver handle at the top.
“What is that on the porch?” said Benny.
“It’s a golf bag,” said Henry. “See the golf clubs sticking out of it?” Then he put his hand on his forehead. “That’s it!”
“What?” said Benny.
“Do you remember Matthew Donovan, the guy that was making Madison crazy?” said Henry.
Jessie nodded her head. “The missing millionaire,” she said.
“He was missing his own charity golf tournament,” said Violet.
“Is he in the cabin?” asked Benny.
“I think so,” said Henry. “Let’s go tell Madison.”
The Aldens walked down the trail to where Madison was taking pictures. They told her what they had seen.
“You found Matthew Donovan!” said Madison.
“Well, we didn’t see him,” said Henry.
“We saw golf clubs,” said Jessie.
“It must be him,” said Madison. “That man is always playing golf. He even plays in his office.”
“In his office?” repeated Benny.
“Crazy, isn’t it?” replied Madison. “Where did you see him? I mean, where did you see the golf clubs?”
“At the old fishing lodge,” said Henry.
“Let’s go,” said Madison. She took her cell phone out of her pocket. “There’s one way to find out if Matthew Donovan is inside.”
“What is that?” asked Violet.
“We can call him!” said Madison.
Madison and the children walked down the trail to the clearing by the old fishing lodge. Then Madison called the number she had for Matthew Donovan.
Inside the cabin, they could hear a phone ringing.
Madison hung up. “I have to call Sheriff Briggs,” said Madison. She quickly called the sheriff’s department.
“Sheriff Briggs,” said Madison. “I have some good news.”
The Aldens waited with Madison until the sheriff and his three deputies arrived. They walked into the woods, and a few minutes later, Sheriff Briggs was with Matthew Donovan, who wore handcuffs.
Madison took her notebook and her pen out of her pocket. She went up to the millionaire and started asking questions. “Did you spend all of the investors’ money, Donovan? Is that why you were hiding in the woods dressed in a zombie costume, so no one could find you? And why did you tear up the grass here?” She pointed at the clumps of grass next to the trail. “Did you think we wouldn’t notice?”
“Madison said he was making her crazy,” said Jessie.
“Now he’s making news,” said Henry.
“I’ll record it for her,” said Violet. She walked over and filmed Madison talking to Matthew Donovan.
“Now wait a minute!” said Donovan. “Everyone makes divots when they play golf. The club pulls up a bit of dirt and grass when it swings. I was just playing a little night golf.”
“Dressed as a zombie?” said Madison.
“Everyone knows about the zombie legend at this lodge,” said Donovan. “I heard it when I was only a child, like them.” He looked over at the Aldens. “I was just having a little fun.”
Donovan leaned forward and stared at Madison. “Why are you bothering me? I came here to get away from nosy reporters like you.”
“So you were hiding from your investors,” said Madison.
“I’m not hiding,” said Donovan. “I didn’t steal the investors’ money. It’s all just a misunderstanding.”
“I don’t think your investors would agree,” replied Madison.
“No, they don’t,” said Sheriff Briggs. “That’s why we’re here.” Then Sheriff Briggs and his deputies took Matthew Donovan away.
Madison took out her cell phone and called her editor. “I have your front page story for tomorrow,” said Madison. Then she turned and looked at Violet. “And some news footage, too.”
That night, Violet’s film was on the news, and the next morning, Madison’s story was on the front page of the Greenfield Gazette with one of Violet’s photos. Even the teens woke up early that morning. They were huddled over a copy of the newspaper at the end of the table.
“So there isn’t really a zombie,” said Benny.
“No,” said Jake. “It’s just an old story.”
Ring! Ring!
“There it goes again,” said Maude. She stood up and walked into the lobby to answer the phone.
“The phone has been ringing all morning,” said Jessie.
“Everyone wants to come and see where the missing millionaire was hiding out,” said Jake. “Thanks to you, it looks like business is picking up.”
“Glad we could help,” said Henry.
“Can we see your zombie movie?” asked Jessie.
“Sure,” said Jake. “We call it The Zombie Project. I posted it online last night.”
“You put it online?” said Violet.
“Then everyone can see it,” said Jake. “We made the movie to help Grandma. We wanted more people to know about the lodge.”
“That’s right,” said Abby. She put her arm around Jake.
Jake gave Abby a kiss. “Let me go get my laptop,” said Jake. “It’s in my room.” He walked out of the dining room.
“I’ll make the popcorn,” said Abby, and she went into the kitchen.
“Popcorn!” said Benny. “Yum!”
“For breakfast?” said Jessie.
“It’s a special occasion,” said Violet.
“It’s not every day that you catch a zombie,” said Henry.
Caleb stood up and put his hands out in front of him. Then he grimaced and began walking slowly across the dining room floor. “Uh-uh-uh!” he said.
Benny ran over and grabbed Caleb by the waist.
“You got me!” said Caleb.
The Aldens laughed. |