She pressed her fingers to her temples and shut her eyes.
“What you trying to say? I don’t get it!”
“That amount of firepower, you gonna get bullets all over the place. They cut the trees down and cleared the ground to hide the evidence.”
“Tony, will you listen to yourself?”
He continued, “But they missed one tree.”
“And that proves what?”
“That there were people up there shooting, which means there’s at least some truth in what Rob said.”
“Then why didn’t he go to the law?”
“He was too scared.”
“In fact why don’t you tell Eastman?”
“Eastman! Eastman gunned down Zoë in front of me right after he killed Erin Burke.”
“Not more than ten minutes ago, you said Eastman saved your life.”
“He and the others could have captured those people but they just killed them. What if Eastman and the others hand the infected people over to the guys in the woods? They’re in on this. Don’t you see?”
Now he sounded like that fool Jimmy Emmett. Then Bridget began to think about the danger to Conrad. Tony had said you only needed a scratch to become infected. Conrad had lots of bruises and he also had cuts and scratches. She couldn’t be sure if her husband thought Conrad was infected or not? If he was ill then the hospital had to be the best place for him. What if Tony was right?
“If you’re one hundred percent, and I mean one hundred percent sure that I’m talking bull, take these and you drive him to the health center, right now.”
Firth took his keys and tossed them at her.
She caught the keys then turned them over in her hand, then she looked at Firth. “Okay, what are we gonna do Tony?”
****
Eastman surveyed the search teams on the sidewalk in front of him and the people who’d come to see them off. He’d spent the last half hour or so going over the routes and checkpoints and what was needed of them. The search teams were divided into three mobile patrols of three four-by-fours, and three five-man foot patrols, with a rapid action Jeep to act as a run about.
The thing that troubled Eastman the most was the level of weapons. They were armed with everything from handguns to military assault rifles and even a few crossbows were being toted. This was a rescue mission, not an invasion. He looked over at Benteen and the Judge: there was still no sign of Firth. With or without him they’d need to make a start soon.
“Judge, I think we’re going to have to get underway,” cautioned Eastman, looking at his watch.
“I agree Brad. We can’t wait all day for him. I’ll leave the taking to you.”
Carmille turned to face the crowd. “I’d just like your attention for a few seconds.”
He clapped his hands above his head.
“Before we get on with the search, Sheriff Eastman has a brief statement about last night.”
The crowd fell silent and all eyes fixed on Eastman as he took centre stage.
“At a quarter after ten last night, there was serious incident at the health center. This incident resulted in the death of Zoë Watson and both Ben and Erin Burke. The situation was brought under control by the Sheriff’s Department and there is no danger to the public. The health center has been closed as a temporary measure and should re-open later today. I’ll answer briefly any questions but remember this is an ongoing investigation.”
The citizens exploded into a frenzied buzz of excited racket. Not surprisingly the first to fire questions was Lenny Kovak.
“Sherriff, have you got the person who did this?”
“There were no suspects involved.”
“So who killed them?”
“No comment at this time.”
“So does that mean they attacked themselves or...wait? Did the police kill them?”
“No comment at this time.”
“Sherriff, did the police kill those people?”
“Lenny, that’s enough for now,” interrupted Carmille. “We’re making another statement later today. Now we’ve got lots to do, so no more questions.”
Eastman nodded and began his address. “First off, I want to thank you all for turning up here today and for showing your support.”
He moved next to Benteen.
“Let’s remember what we’re doing here today. We got a child lost in the hills; he could be hurt or trapped, but we gotta fetch him back. Doctor Lenski and Fire Chief Virdon have put together emergency packs for all the teams.”
He held up a backpack with a rolled silver blanket attached.
“A big thank you to them!”
“Now I can see a lot of shooting irons out there. This is a rescue mission. I don’t plan on invading the next county. These guns are for protection only. I don’t want anyone out there causing problems. One last point, Jimmy Red Cloud has been listed as missing, so be on the lookout for him too. You’ll be working close to the tower and Bill Merka here,”– Merka raised his arm in acknowledgement – “is going to help coordinate. Now anyone got any questions?”
“Yeah, I got me a question.”
Glyn McDowall stood dressed more for war than a rescue.
“What happens if we come up against this maniac?”
“Call in for help and keep an eye on him. No need for a gun battle. Is that clear to everyone?”
The last thing Eastman wanted was someone like McDowall taking the law into his own hands; that was a darn sure way for people to get hurt, or worse. He looked around for any other contributions and then caught sight of Ramon Tuco, hand raised. Eastman didn’t know a lot about him, other than he’d moved to Armstrong recently with his wife and two kids. He was a small man, but with a frame that was suited to outside labour. He was dressed in rough old denim pants and jacket, with a pair of rugged boots on his feet. Tuco had a backpack but was unarmed. Eastman signalled to him to speak.
“What about these creatures Sheriff, what we do if we meet them?”
“Just observe and call in. Under no circumstances do you let them touch you. That’s real important. Let’s move on out.”
“Well done there Brad.”
The Judge looked at his golden wrist watch.
“Where in Tarnation is that Firth?”
“Yep, you’d have thought he’d been here, on account it’s his kid we’re looking for.”
Eastman nodded to Benteen in agreement. They could wait no longer, the search teams had to make full use of the light. Frank Jorgan and his boys had also failed to show up which was odd. Frank was like a reliable watch, always on time. He turned to Benteen.
“Gerard, where’s Frank Jorgan? I’d have bet my last dollar he’d have been here.”
“Well Brad, it ain’t exactly common knowledge,” he continued in a low voice, “but Frank and his people have hit hard times.”
“Hard times how, d’you reckon?”
“I was up at their place a day or so back and they had them a barn sale, I mean they was selling everything, pots and pans even that ancient John Deere tractor. I got to talking with Frank, he told me they’d run out of money.”
“Jeez.”
Carmille drew their attention to Tony Firth making his way towards them, the sun reflecting off his sunglasses. Eastman couldn’t make his mind up whether he was late or just making a grand entrance.
“Sorry, guys I reckon yesterday all but done me in. Brad, I got the statement you wanted ...”
“Brad’s already made a statement.”
Carmille was in no mood for Firth. “As the Mayor you need to be setting an example here, not making excuses. Now maybe we can get this started?”
It was not wise to get on Judge Camille’s wrong side and Firth let the remarks go. Carmille owned a lot of the town and had a great deal of influence. He’d also been responsible for cleaning up the town with Sheriff Buck Mitchell around the time the Firth clan had all but escaped being run out themselves.
When the teams were at last ready to depa
rt, Eastman gave the signal to move out.
“Tony, I want you to take one of the mobile patrols. I got your instructions here.” He handed over a plastic map case to Firth.
“Sweep up past Ben’s farm, then branch out.”
Eastman noted the odd look that Firth gave him and watched as he got into his vehicle and drove off. Eastman looked on as the last of the teams meandered out of town, then he headed back to his car.
****
Britney and Marv walked down the path from Tony Arcado’s house and headed into town. They were both troubled by their friend. They’d all experienced bad dreams after their ordeal but Tony’s were way out. He’d dreamt he was a butterfly that ate all the other butterflies. They’d told him that it meant nothing, but it had spooked them. People had been talking about the ‘the great rescue operation’ having left. But neither of them could find in themselves any interest in finding Conrad.
“Do you think they’re gonna find him, I mean alive?”
“Don’t be so lame,” chided Britney. “I hope one of those things got him.”
“How can you say that?”
“Marv, I don’t know what I mean. These last few days have been the worst of my life!”
“Yeah, me too, but we’re gonna hold it together, we owe it to the others.”
When they’d heard about the dreadful events at the hospital, they’d both come to the conclusion it had been Jenha who’d killed the people. Try as they might, they were unable to convince each other differently; the memory of the events in the Paxmores’ truck was impossible to forget.
They sat on the bench overlooking Abe McReedy’s Gun shop; it seemed to have a constant stream of people. People were going into the shop empty handed but leaving with bags of stuff.
“Looks like everyone’s getting ready for a war. I bet McReedy’s shelves are bare.”
“Is that what you think is going to happen Marv, a war?”
“That guy Sarge said if any of those things get into the town all kinds of stuff could go on. We gotta be ready, that’s all.”
“That’s too freaky, it gives me the creeps.”
What they needed was some fun. As if on cue, Britney punched his arm and gave an excited shout. “Come on, let’s get some candy.”
She sprang up and produced her purse. “I’ll pay.”
He scratched his head and got up. “Well in that case, lead on.”
****
The sound of their footsteps echoed on the wooden floor of JM’s convenience store as they headed for the candy aisle. Marv noted that the usually well-stocked shelves were run down: in some areas completely stripped. Britney tugged at his arm as she pointed to Bob and Mandy Galway shopping in the other aisle. She started to move towards them; Marv caught her arm and shook his head. The time was not yet right.
They completed their selection and went to the long glass counter to pay. Britney smiled at Mr Martinez as she handed him the money. Javier Martinez was a jolly round little man with a large drooping moustache hanging under his hooked nose. His pot-belly stuck out over his pants. He’d run the store for as long as anyone could remember and despite the arrival of Wal-Mart, JM’s was as popular now as it had always been.
“Britney and Marv, I’m sorry your money is no good today,” Martinez said pushing her hand away.
With her eyes and mouth wide, Britney was dumbfounded. She turned to Marv only to see him with a similar reaction. What had they done to deserve this? They could feel the eyes of the other shoppers burning into their backs. Her whole head flushed as she stared at Martinez.
“Your money is no good today, because you are my two little heroes,” Martinez beamed with delight as he clasped her hand. “You brung those kids down on your own. That was amazing. No charge for the candy and I give you soda pop and chips free, too.”
The two kids had no idea of what to say as the jolly man handed them the items. Marv turned bright red as he saw the faces smiling at them. He was not accustomed to being treated in this way; the limelight was something new to him. He smiled back awkwardly, there was a time when he’d have just run away, but those days had gone for good.
Mandy Galway’s sister slammed her shopping basket down on the wooden floor and marched angrily up to the pair, stopping inches away from them. Her tearful eyes burrowed right into Marv and her whole face contorted as she spat her words at him.
“You two ‘little heroes’ have done real nice out of this, but what about my girl, what about her?”
“Mrs Galway I’m so sorry...”
“You’re so smug, Britney Patrick, with your big house and money. You never even showed for her birthday. What do you care?”
Britney watched; her body trembling and tears running down her face, as the Galways headed for the door.
“It should be you lying in that hospital!” Mandy’s sister yelled and with those words ringing in the air, she was gone.
****
Eastman was talking to Clara at the station house reception area. He told her that it was vital they kept track of the search groups. Each party had one radio set including the police sets being used by Benteen, Koneg and Eddy Joe. This was adequate to provide the teams with reasonable communication. Pat O’Brien had managed to set up a booster receiver for Merka and although it only had limited range, Merka could relay communication from the CB teams. It was enough to reach the station house – but only just.
“Clara, I reckon that’s about it for now. Keep your ears open for anything from them.” He handed her the route clipboard.
“I’m gonna find Anne but I’ll be back soon.”
Clara would have to watch the store for a while. He didn’t think there’d be any news; they’d only been gone half an hour. He wanted to talk to Taylor, but he knew that Anne would want to ask him a cart-load of questions too. The last time, Taylor had produced as many questions as he did answers. Without the police database Eastman couldn’t even tell if Taylor was this guy’s real name.
There was some stuff that made sense and there was no denying the creatures were real enough. But all that stuff about being an undercover PI and the mad, bad drugs company was difficult to swallow. There was no place in this area where you could set up a secret base. Still, he wasn’t going to get anything done here, he had to find Anne. As he turned to leave, Frank Jorgan’s deep voice cut across the room.
“Sorry I’m late Sheriff but Nancy’s gone missing.”
Jorgan strode across to stand in front of the desk. He looked uptight.
“What you mean, missing?”
“The back door was wide open and the kitchen was upside down and there was some blood on her pillow.”
“Okay, now Frank let’s slow down here and start at the beginning.”
“I got back from the Lloyds’ place with Iris, to look after Nancy but when we got back to the farm, she’d gone. We started looking for her, but then I thought I’d better get some help.”
“Have you got any reason to think somebody else was involved? Any tracks?”
“Nope, the only tracks were hers.”
“A dumb question, but how’d you know they were hers?”
“They was bare footprints. When she was a girl she lost a toe on her right foot. These was her prints all right. We followed them to the rocks, then we lost them in the stream.”
“I know it’s easy for me to say but try not to worry. I’ll send some of my people up with you and the boys.”
“Appreciate that Brad, but my boys are still up there looking for their Ma. I reckon that hand of hers drove her crazy.”
Her hand! Of course. How could he have been so stupid? There was every likelihood that she’d transformed. Why else would someone head barefoot over rocks and into the wilderness? Frank’s boys were in more danger than either of them could imagine.
“I’m gonna send you back with one of my officers and some other guys. I’m sorry but I gotta stay here. I got people all over the mountainside.”
“Yeah, sure thing Bra
d, I understand.”
“Frank, if Nancy’s not well I need you all to be careful with her. She may not be herself.”
“What you saying there Brad?” He fixed Eastman with a cold stare.
“I’m just saying she could be confused and...”
“I know what you’re saying. You think ‘cause she got herself injured, she gonna be like one of them things. Like last night. But you’re way wrong, she’s just ill, not a monster!”
The sad thing was there was nothing Eastman could say that would make Frank see otherwise. As Jorgan left the building, Eastman looked glumly at Clara.
“Clara, can you get hold of Mitch and Jedrey? Ask them to bring some other guys too. Frank’s gonna need some help.”
****
Zach Clayton was a rough kid from the wrong end of town. But here he was, sitting in ‘The Beast’ reading one of Luke’s comic books. It had been Luke who’d given the bright orange Chevy four-by-four its name; they’d built it up over the years, some legal parts, others not so legal, but now it was their pride and joy. It was also one hell of a chick magnet and the other guys hated him for it. If anyone asked what they did for a living, Zach would tell them ‘auto traders’. He’d spent his childhood learning from his Pa about taking cars apart in the chop shop. There was a darn sight more dollars to be earned doing that than working in some store in town.
Zach tossed the comic into the rear of the truck and looked out at the surrounding woodland. The bright sunshine bounced off the tinted glass, betraying the encroaching heat of the day. He lazily flicked through the CD tracks and wondered where the hell Luke had gotten to? His curly brown hair jutted out from his baseball cap as he surveyed the track. Then, just in the distance, he saw his brother running towards him. Within seconds Luke was clambering into the truck.
“We gotta move. Half the town’s on us. Let’s go man!”
Zach looked at his brother, his thin frame shaking with exertion and beads of sweat running down his bright red face. He was sure the boy was about to have a heart attack. Luke really was not the sharpest of tools. But, with a gearbox and a full set of alloy wheels under a tarpaulin in the back and no bill of sale, maybe it was time to haul ass. Zach hit the gas and shot off. The Beast slunk into the woods like a great orange metal tiger.
Containment_A Zombie Novel Page 17