Dead, But Not For Long (Book 2): Pestilence and Promise

by Kinney, Matthew

  “Dan thinks that your husband turned into a zombie, and you have him tied up in the bedroom,” he said.

  “I do not!” Dan said. “You’re the one that said that.”

  “Well, you said he might be in the shed.”

  “You said that, too, George.”

  “You agreed that she’s not telling us something.”

  “Yes, I did, but that’s her business,” Dan said, rolling his eyes. “Give it a rest, George.”

  Miranda had grown silent as her eyes moved back and forth between the two men. She finally sat down at the table.

  “All right,” she said, looking down at her hands. “I’ll tell you about my husband.”

  “He’s in the shed, isn’t he?” George asked.

  “George! Let her talk.”

  “He’s at the shelter,” Miranda said, not looking at them.

  “He went to the shelter without you?” Dan asked, frowning.

  “That’s why I didn’t want to say anything,” she said, looking away. “It’s kind of embarrassing. My dad went ballistic when he heard.”

  “I can see why,” George said. “Wow, I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be,” she said. “It was my choice to stay and his choice to go. We both thought we were doing the right thing.”

  “But he left you here thinking you’d be in danger,” Dan said.

  “He thought I’d give in and follow him,” she said. “I’m hoping that once he realizes that it isn’t going to happen, he’ll come home. Then we can go to Oregon together.”

  “Do you think that’ll happen?” Dan asked.

  “I kind of doubt it,” she said quietly. “He’s never given in on anything before. I just know that if I leave, I’ll probably never see him again. We had a huge argument about going to the shelter. He slammed the door and walked out, and it bothers me that we left things like that.”

  “Can you call him or text him?”

  “He doesn’t answer. There are probably more phones than plugs at the shelters, so I doubt that his phone is even charged.”

  “I apologize for what I was thinking, Miranda,” George said. “We’d love to stay for a few days.”

  “Good,” she told him, managing a smile. “You can give your knee a rest.”

  “That’ll be a big help.”

  “And I have a favor to ask,” she said.

  “What is it?” Dan asked.

  “Would you mind giving me some survival tips while you’re here?”

  “I’d be happy to do that,” Dan said. “I’ll try to get your tire fixed, too.”

  They talked for almost two hours, with both men jumping in to give her pointers that they’d picked up along the way.

  Dan finally mentioned, “You might want to wear heavy clothing when you’re out there. Try not to leave any more skin exposed than you have to. George thought he’d been scratched by one of those things the other day, and we were sweating it for a while.”

  “He was going to shoot me,” George told her.

  Miranda gasped and looked at Hixson, who turned to Rayburn.

  “You asked me to shoot you!” Dan said. He looked back at Miranda and said, “He said I should shoot him if he started acting funny, so I told him I’d do it. Then he got offended.”

  “Wouldn’t you be offended if someone said they’d shoot you without even arguing about it?” George asked Miranda.

  “Hmm, I might,” she said, noncommittally, “but if it’s what he thought you wanted . . .”

  “See?” Dan asked Rayburn. “I was just agreeing to do what you asked.”

  They all grew quiet as the sound of a helicopter could suddenly be heard in the distance.

  ~*~

  Lansing Compound

  Lindsey donned the dress, wondering if the long sleeves were meant to hide the bandage on her arm. She didn’t bother checking her reflection, because she didn’t care how she looked. After returning to her room with Lee, she sat deathly still while a young woman fixed her hair, putting it up in a style that Lindsey would never have worn by choice. When asked if she liked it, she nodded and even managed a smile for the woman, though she felt numb inside. It felt so wrong to be dressing up for a formal dinner on the day that Hawk and Wombat had been killed, and she hated the thought that she would be forced to dine with their executioner. All she wanted was to be left alone so that she could mourn her loss in private. That could not happen in a place with cameras that followed her every move.

  Walking down the hall with Lee, she forced herself to take one step after another until they finally arrived at the dining room. They took seats at a long, ornate table where several others were already seated. When Lindsey was introduced as Lee’s wife, she didn’t even react until Lee’s tight grip on her hand prompted her to produce a smile.

  Play the game, she told herself. Buy some time. It was just one more surreal moment in the hell that had become her life.

  Doune was seated at the other end of the table, deep in conversation with another guest. Obviously he wasn’t quite as distressed about their situation as she was, and that bothered her. Then again, he probably still didn’t know what Henry had done to the two bikers. Lindsey wondered how long it would take the doctor to give up Autumn’s name.

  She did her best to keep control of her emotions during the meal, though it took considerable effort. While normally not a violent person, she would have put her steak knife through Henry’s heart if she could have gotten away with it. She had the feeling that Lee realized it, because he watched her carefully whenever she picked up the utensil.

  Eating was the last thing she wanted to do, but she forced herself, knowing that she would need the energy to escape if the opportunity arose. She found Doune watching her, more than once, though his face remained expressionless. She wondered what he was thinking.

  When dessert was brought out, Lindsey declined.

  “Ah,” Henry said, winking at Lee, “I suppose you and your new wife are anxious to get back to your room and spend some time alone.”

  Lindsey’s hand tightened on the steak knife, which Lee quickly pried from her fist.

  “Yes, we are,” he said, taking her hand. “So if you’ll all excuse us, we’ll be on our way.”

  There was some light laughter around the table, and Lindsey wondered if the guests would still be amused if they knew the truth. Were they innocent bystanders who would be shocked to learn what Henry had done, or would they simply look the other way, deciding that his actions had been for the good of the community?

  ~*~

  St. Mary’s Hospital, Lansing

  Jack stood and cracked his back. He and Snake had talked to almost every person who had been in the hospital when the helicopter had landed. So far, they hadn’t learned anything useful, but Jack had taken notes, just in case.

  Eric walked in. “You wanted to see me?” he asked.

  “You were here when the kidnapping happened, so yes, we need to see you. What can you tell us?”

  “Nothing. I was sleeping,” Eric said with a shrug.

  “You were sleeping?” Jack said, frowning. “You were supposed to be on duty since most of the bikers were out helping with the harvest.”

  “Oh, yeah, that’s right,” Eric said. “Well, I guess we can call it a sick day, since I . . .”

  “That isn’t the point, Eric,” Jack snapped. “I needed you on duty. Everybody was working yesterday. Nobody was supposed to be sleeping in.”

  Eric just shrugged. “Can I go now?”

  “Might as well,” Jack said with a sigh.

  Eric left the room, and one of the newcomers walked in.

  Snake recognized the blonde woman immediately. She was the one who had thrown herself at Wombat. She’d also offered herself to several of the other bikers, hoping to get drugs. When that hadn’t happened, she had tried to get them to do her work in exchange for sex. As far as Snake knew, none of them had taken her up on it, though Dumbo had being doing some of her work. Snake had tried to talk
to the woman once, but she’d just flipped him off and walked away.

  “Brandi, right?” Jack asked.

  “That’s me,” she said. “Wait, you’re the guy that kicked me out of my room, aren’t you? That was bullshit.”

  “Oh, right,” Jack said. “You’re the one who wanted a double room. Well, I’m sorry, but all the single people get smaller rooms.”

  “Whatever. So, who got kidnapped, and why do you need to talk to me?”

  “Dr. Doune and Lindsey were both taken,” Jack said.

  Brandi laughed. “Good. I hate that bitch.”

  “Excuse me?” Jack said with a frown.

  “Lindsey wasn’t very nice to me. I’m glad she’s gone.”

  “Do you know anything about this?” Snake asked.

  “Of course not,” she said, looking at her nails.

  “Where were you at the time?” he asked.

  “Sleeping,” she snapped. “Not that it’s any of your business. You’re way too concerned about what I do in my free time. Now, if you’re done harassing me, I need to go check my e-mail.”

  “You’re free to go,” Jack said. “Have a nice day.”

  Brandi left the room without another word, but she slammed the door on her way out.

  “And that’s another issue that may have to be addressed eventually,” Jack said. “Apparently, she’s still on the computer a lot, and she doesn’t like to share. Jackson’s talked to her about it twice already. Her response was to ask him if she could have her own laptop if she made it worth his while.”

  Snake shook his head. “I’m kind of surprised she hasn’t tried to talk Dumbo into picking one up on a supply run. He’d probably do it. He seems to have a thing for her.”

  “She’s getting him to do her work,” Jack said.

  “That’s what I’ve been hearing. I’m going to talk to him.”

  ~*~

  Whispering Springs, Nevada

  “Do you get helicopters around here normally?” Dan asked, going to the window again.

  “No,” Miranda said. “They fly into the airport and hospital in Boulder City, but not here.”

  “They might be looking for us,” he told her. “I didn’t want to have to tell you this, but we’re being pursued by some really dangerous people.”

  Miranda only hesitated a moment before asking, “Do they know what you’re driving?”

  “They might, if they talked to anybody in Cholla Ridge. The California plates would be a red flag, too,” Dan said.

  “We could put your truck in the garage and leave mine out,” Miranda told him, grabbing her keys from a hook.

  “We’ll have to do this fast,” Dan said. “If they see us moving the vehicles, it’s all over.”

  Miranda ran to the garage with Dan right behind her. While she started her truck, Dan went to look out one of the small windows on top of the garage door.

  “I don’t see anything,” he said.

  Miranda opened the garage door with her remote, and Dan ducked beneath the door to slip outside. He checked the sky as he hurried to his truck and started it. As soon as the spot in the garage was vacated, Dan took it. Miranda parked in the driveway and rushed into the garage, hitting the button to close the door. Before it was completely shut, Dan could see the chopper above the houses a few streets away.

  “I hope they didn’t see us,” Miranda said as she stood on her toes to watch through the window.

  “I think if they had, they’d be over here by now. They look like they’re still searching.”

  Moments later, a red Toyota pickup full of men with rifles drove down the road.

  “Shit,” Dan said.

  “Don’t worry,” Miranda said. “Those are just more of the people who are patrolling the town. I recognize that truck.”

  “Thank God,” Dan said. They stayed in the garage as the chopper moved up and down the street, finally passing directly overhead.

  “Keep going,” Miranda whispered to herself, urging the helicopter on.

  The sound began to grow quieter as the aircraft continued down the street.

  “I think we’re okay,” Dan finally said, relieved.

  They went back into the house, and Miranda turned to look at the two men with a question in her eyes.

  “Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” she asked.

  “We’ll tell you if you want to know, but it could put you in danger,” Dan said. “These people have been trying to kill us. It’s probably best if we just leave.”

  “Do you think they’ll find you here?” she asked.

  “I don’t know,” he admitted. “They haven’t found us yet, though we’ve seen them searching several times.”

  “There’s nothing around here but desert,” she pointed out. “If you drive out of here, you’ll probably be spotted on the road, and George is in no condition to walk. Personally, I think you should stay for a day or two until they move on.”

  “I don’t want to put you in danger, Miranda.”

  “You think I’m not already in danger?” she asked. “I’m living alone in a world filled with the cannibalistic dead. I’m not worried about some men in a helicopter. Can you promise me that the two of you didn’t do anything wrong; that those are the bad guys out there?”

  “I promise,” George said. “They want us because we know too much. That’s why it’s best if we don’t tell you anything.”

  “Okay,” Miranda said. “Then I really think you should stay.”

  Dan debated for a few moments, but he finally gave in. Miranda was right. They’d be sitting ducks as they drove through the desert unless they left at night, and George wouldn’t be able to do any walking.

  “Thank you, Miranda,” Dan said. He went to go get their packs from the truck since they’d be staying a while.

  Rayburn waited until Dan was out of hearing range then said to Miranda, “I noticed you had a lot of DVDs in the family room. You wouldn’t happen to have The Sound of Music, would you?”

  “Sure I do,” Miranda said with a smile. They went into the family room at the back of the house, and she pulled the movie off the shelf just as Dan entered the room. “My dad always said it was Julie Andrews’ best role.”

  Hixson froze, eyes shifting toward Rayburn.

  “It’s my favorite movie,” Rayburn said, ignoring Dan, “but someone gave my copy away.”

  “Seriously? I have to defend myself over that stupid movie?”

  “I like it, too,” Miranda said. “My parents always loved it, and we used to watch it at least once a year.”

  “Can we watch it tonight?” Rayburn asked.

  “Sure, George,” Miranda said. “I’d love to. It’s been a while since I’ve seen it.”

  “While you two watch the movie, maybe I can catch some sleep. I’ll pull guard duty tonight.”

  “I just push a dresser against my door at night,” Miranda said. “The dead can’t get into the side yard, and I don’t think they could get past the bars on the front door and window.”

  “I think the overhead garage door is the only weak point,” Dan said, “but they’d have a hard time with the door leading into the house from the garage.”

  “See, Dan? You can watch the movie with us,” George said, way too happy about it for Dan’s liking.

  “Fine,” Hixson said.

  ~*~

  Lansing Compound

  “Has she told you anything yet?” Henry asked Lee after Lindsey finally fell asleep that night.

  “Not yet,” Lee said, “but she’ll talk. I just need a little more time.”

  “I’m not going to wait forever, Reynolds. If you can’t get her to cooperate, I’m sure that Loto or Wayne can.”

  “What if she’s the one?” Lee asked, changing tactics. “What if she’s immune and you . . . hurt her.”

  “She’s not the one,” Henry said. “But she knows who it is, and she’s protecting them. I’m certain of that.”

  They were suddenly interrupted by a knock
on the library door.

  “What is it?” Henry asked when Loto stuck his head in.

  “Sir, there’s been a problem. The woman locked herself in the bathroom.”

  “So unlock it,” Henry said the words slowly as if Loto might have trouble understanding them.

  “Wayne already did it, but he hit her when he pulled her out.”

  Lee was already on his feet and moving for the door.

  “She’s got a split lip, and her eye looks pretty bad,” Loto said. “Brett’s with her now, since I didn’t want to leave her alone with Wayne.”

  “Let’s go see how bad it is,” Henry said with a sigh.

  “Should I go get Dr. Chan?” Loto asked.

  “I suppose so,” Henry said, waving him off.

  By the time Henry got there, Reynolds had Wayne against the wall, and the guard had blood running down his lip.

  “Stop!” Henry yelled before the pilot could take it any farther. “Let him go. He’s simply doing his job.”

  “Doing his job?” Lee asked through clenched teeth. “Did you see what he did to Lindsey?”

  “Obviously not, and it doesn’t really matter,” Henry said. “I don’t know what she thought she was going to accomplish by locking herself in the restroom, but this sort of thing will not be tolerated. She was told to keep that door unlocked.”

  Reynolds reluctantly let the guard go.

  “She was trying to get the window open when I finally got in,” Wayne said, wiping blood from his lip. “It’s a small window, so we never put bars on it, but I think she might fit through it.”

  “That will be remedied immediately,” Henry said. “Go take care of it. We’ll talk later.”

  Reynolds’ eyes followed Wayne as he walked away. He wanted to believe that there would be a punishment for what the guard had done, but knowing Henry, a reward was more likely.

  As Wayne disappeared around the corner, Dr. Chan appeared with Loto.

  “Let’s go take a look at her,” Henry said, walking into the room with Reynolds and Dr. Chan. Loto stayed outside the room.