by Bushman, LJ
“Duty calls,” he said in a low voice.
“There’s zombies in Washington, you know,” I started tentatively. It felt like I’d known him for years, but we barely knew each other.
“There’s an FBI office in Washington, even on the east side.” His eyes crinkled.
Not quite a declaration of intent, but I’d take it. My kids and I were safe for now. I had a lot to think about and we had a lot to go over from the files Lori found. The mega form of the virus Andrea created needed to be stopped. Shit. The truck of vaccine she’d shipped out. I pulled back to look at his face.
“Joseph?”
“Yeah.”
“Did you guys get the other truck of Resurrection Vaccines that went out?”
“Yes. They picked it up from the first clinic it went to. A local news station reported how excited the local clinics were to be receiving it and how they’d be on hand for the first delivery of the miracle drug.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. Until we made it through the files Lori found, we had no way of knowing how far the virus had been spread or if other trucks may have gone out previously. I just hoped Joseph would be able to get someone to listen.
“If I were you, I wouldn’t say zombies in my report. Just say the drug numbs them so they don’t feel pain or something. Trust me on this.”
“I won’t add zombies in my report,” he said with feeling. “I need to make people believe there’s a problem, not convince then I’m crazy.”
I smiled. Though I trusted he’d take care of it, I’d worried he might feel compelled to tell the “whole truth and nothing but the truth” in his reports.
“I’m sorry to leave you with such a mess. After seeing Al, I know what could have happened to me and I’m grieving for Riverson. He saved me when he played his role as chef. Think of that when you think of him, not the monster she turned him into.”
Joseph grabbed me in a bear hug. “Thank you for that. Check in with me before you leave town? Maybe we can catch a few minutes after I’ve wrapped things up here.”
I gave him a long kiss. “I’d like that, if you can. I really do need to get home.”
“I understand. We can get the kids something to eat before you head out. And you as well.” He kissed me again. After we came up for air, he retrieved our car from where we’d hidden it so I wouldn’t have to walk on my still healing leg. Whatever Andrea had done to slow down my healing better not be permanent.
Joseph called in the Mexican authorities who’d helped before. I didn’t know how he planned to explain all the bodies—I recommended burning, but it wasn’t my problem anymore. I was going home. I mourned for Trent and Riverson, as well as the unnecessary loss of lives.
Lori’s sadness wafted over me, pricking my extra senses. Something about the way she stood echoed how I felt. I leaned on her as she helped me into the car. She slid into the driver’s seat. Her body trembled, but I figured the cold was from emotional shock more than anything; the air outside remained warmer than we were used to in Washington this time of year.
Lori turned on the heater before putting the car in gear and backed up. As she started forward again, she looked over at me. “I’ll say one thing. Working for you is never boring.”
Stunned, I sat for a moment before laughing. “I guess not. But you’re more friend than employee. We make a damn good team.”
She smiled. “Thanks,” she said softly. “What about Joseph?”
I turned and looked out the window. “I don’t know. But I think he’s on our side. For now.”
It was enough. I had a good friend and someone in the FBI who could help when I needed it. Maybe someone who could be more than a coworker. “Although, it would’ve been nice meet him in an ordinary way,” I said with a sigh.
“Serena, as long as I’ve known you, you’ve never done anything ordinary.”
I couldn’t argue with that. Smiling, I watched the trees go by as we drove off. I didn’t know what the future held, but for now I was content. I found a man I could trust, my kids were safe, and we’d stopped more of the Resurrection Vaccine from being distributed. Not bad for a few day’s work.
Not bad at all.
The End
About the Author
Leona Bushman is a crazy writer taught by dragons and known as Dragon Queen of the North. She loves to write and paint, even when her muse tries to muck things up. She chases after the three out of the five children still at home, and sometimes after the other two and the grandbaby around her freelance editing jobs. She has many hobbies like SCA, painting, quilting, sewing, and gardening. Or, as one blogger succinctly put it, Leona Bushman is a whirlwind made of sheer will with a dash of clumsy to keep her grounded.
She can be found solving mysteries, exploring space, making art, and loving dragons and other creatures of the supernatural.
Read More from LJ Bushman
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLeonaBushman
Newsletter
http://madmimi.com/signups/374285/join