The Avenger 27 - The Purple Zombie by Kenneth Robeson

Author:Kenneth Robeson [Robeson, Kenneth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 0446756113
Publisher: Warner Books

CHAPTER XII

Council of War

The vast living room had a crystal chandelier hanging from its ceiling. The dozens of glistening pendants tinkled as Smitty paced on the gold-colored mg. “You think that’s what they’re trying to do, Dick?”

The Avenger sat in a black leather armchair, staring into the huge empty fireplace. Josh was slouched on the sofa. It had been decided that Heather Brail would move in as a house guest in the mansion for the time being. Cole was driving her out to her beach house to pick up her things, and her housekeeper.

“It seems obvious,” replied the Avenger now.

“Kind of farfetched, though,” drawled Josh.

“We’ve encountered quite a few farfetched and unlikely things since Justice, Inc., began operations,” Benson reminded him.

“I’d sure as heck like to know how they’re doing it.” A sofa chair groaned and thunked as Smitty sat in it. “That is sure some trick . . . bringing the dead back to life.”

“From what the old caretaker told us,” said the Avenger, “the method used hasn’t proved completely successful. Apparently Dr. Sheehan still hasn’t been able to tell them much.”

“You mean,” asked Smitty, “that he’s maybe alive, but . . . well, not completely?”

“What they’re after is the secret of Sheehan’s radio-guided bomb. It’s possible his brain will never again function well enough for him to explain the invention.”

“Too many brain cells may have died before they revived him,” suggested Josh.

“I have a hunch something like that is what has taken place.”

Smitty turned one huge hand into a fist and tapped on his knee. “Where does the girl’s uncle come in? Does he have something they want to know, too? I thought Heather said he’d been a screenwriter or something.”

The Avenger said, “It’s possible several bodies were taken when Sheehan’s was stolen.” He turned his expressionless face toward Josh. “Look into the ownership of that cemetery, just in case someone there made it easy for our spy friends to take the dead men.”

“They took extra corpses to experiment with, huh?” said the giant.

Benson nodded. “If something was wrong with the process, they’d want to find out before risking Dr. Sheehan.”

“And what about Heather Brail’s uncle making a try to visit her?” Josh got up out of his chair.

“Somehow he must have slipped away from whoever was watching him,” said Benson. “Assuming his mind wasn’t functioning completely, he still might have had an impulse to go see the girl, since he had been quite fond of her.”

Smitty stood up, too. “That sure was bad luck for those spy guys,” he observed. “Because that’s what brought us into the picture. Think we better start checking out that list of possible hideouts the old guy gave us?”

“Yes.” The Avenger rose, moved to the door. “Though it may be much too late.”

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