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“It is a longshot, but it wouldn’t be a shot at all if you hadn’t had the presence of mind to collect the bottles.” He gave me a proud smile that lifted my spirits. “Now, why don’t you tell me everything that happened.”
With supreme effort, I managed to keep it all from tumbling out in a torrent, and instead carefully thought through each event to include any details that might be important.
Dr. Nikas listened attentively until I finished. “I’ve already spoken to Bear Galatas to get his account of events. I am deeply disturbed and quite baffled at the report that people are turning within minutes of each other. It implies another factor in the transmission that I’ve yet to even consider, much less isolate.” Fatigue washed over his face. “This shambler epidemic is like nothing I’ve ever seen before.” He shook his head. “I’m missing something, and I’ve no idea in which direction to look.”
“You seriously need to stop being so hard on yourself.” I stood and planted my hands on my hips. “Even Kristi says so, and if the two of us agree on something, you know it has to be true!”
A puzzled smile touched his mouth. “Did she?”
“She did.” I paused. “She also said you’re pretty much the only dude who takes her seriously. As odd as it sounds, I’m fairly sure she respects the hell out of you, despite the fact that you’re a nasty, icky zombie.”
A chuckle escaped him. “Strangely enough, that’s quite heartening.”
“Yeah, well hold onto that good mood, ’cause now it’s time for me to give you the full briefing on Kristi and the gym.”
“Yes. I do need to hear it.” His expression turned bleak, and I had a feeling it was both for the patient who died as well as the failed cure trial. He listened attentively while I rattled off every aspect I could remember. By the time I was done, I wanted to call Portia back in and get
him to smile and laugh again, but right now her being terminal might just make him sadder. “Do you need help with anything?”
He patted my shoulder. “Not at the moment. You should go home and get some rest.”
“I’ll be at NuQuesCor bright and early.”
“As will I.”
I reluctantly left him to his work then checked on my dad in the media room—only to find Portia, Jane, and Bear in there as well. Jane’s zombie bodyguard, Victor, sat unobtrusively in the far corner, reading a paperback with Moose sprawled at his feet. Jane held the second game controller, and the others shouted encouragement as she and my dad slaughtered a variety of monsters in the ruins of an ancient castle.
I sat next to Bear. “Did you talk to Nick?”
“Uh huh. He told me he respects my position and my concerns, but he wants to be where he’s needed. He’s doing good out there. Hard to argue with that. Gotta say, I’m really proud of him.”
“Did you tell him so?”
He chuckled. “Yes, I did. You’ve taught me a thing or two about that.”
“Glad to hear it. If it helps, I worry about Nick, too.”
“I know. Y’all are really good together. You take care of each other.” Before I could fumble out a response to his statement, he rose to investigate a tray of sandwiches that someone had thoughtfully provided for the human refugees.
I waited until the gamers finished the level then told my dad I was returning to the house to get some sleep. After the expected, “You be careful, y’hear me?” I started to leave then stopped by the armchair where Portia sat, bare feet tucked beneath her.
Trusting my gut, I bent and gave her a hug.
Startled, she returned it then gave me a curious look as I straightened. “What was that for?”
“Kinda felt like you need one.”
A warm smile spread across her face. “Thank you. I suppose I did.”
Feeling somewhat lighter, I continued on out to my car.
The cool thing about hugs was giving one meant you got one, too.
Chapter 29
My good mood faded during the drive home, growing nearly as dark as the sky. It didn’t help when I passed a mosquito truck spraying its payload of malathion. Then another. And when I turned onto my road, a mosquito control plane zoomed low overhead, dousing everything below in a fine mist of chemicals.
Fatigue gripped me as I pulled into my driveway, and I sent up a silent thanks for Dr. Nikas’s stay-awake mod. At some point after midnight, I intended to break into the impound lot to search Reno Larson’s Camry, and it wouldn’t do to fall asleep in the process.
