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“So we’re not waiting for backup?”I asked.
“Wichita isn’t the only FOB to go dark.We’re headed south toward Vance Air Force Base.I think Patrick is hoping to pick up more bodies there.”
“How far away is that?”
“Two hours without any problems.But don’t count on no problems.We need to cross the Arkansas River.The fastest way is through Arkansas city.”
“Please tell me Patrick isn’t taking us that way.”
Mateo shot me a quick grin.
“No, he’s smarter than that.We’re hooking up with North Silverdale off 141stRd and winding our way south along the river.We’ll attract some attention, but we should be able to cross East River Road in better shape than going through the city.”
Patrick was smart.He avoided as many cities and towns as he could now, but that meant long backroad drives.Two hours could easily translate to all day in the MRAP.
I finished my meal, used the facilities, then got behind the wheel.We closed up as we left the FOB and bumped over the tracks made through the field.
Roland, my navigator for the day, lifted his binoculars and looked out his window.Swearing, he clicked over the walkie.
“You see that?”he asked.“One field over.There are at least seven bodies there.”
“Active?”Patrick asked.
“Nothing’s moving,” Roland answered.
“Keep an eye on it.No stopping unless we need to thin the numbers we attract.”
The walkie went quiet after that, and I glanced at Roland.
He was frowning.
“What aren’t you saying?”I asked.
The glance he gave me churned the eggs in my stomach.
“The angle’s not right to see clearly, but I think one of them is missing its head.The shadow’s wrong.Or I’m wrong.”
I tapped the wheel and thought for a minute.
“You need to tell Patrick.We need to know.”
He got on the walkie again.Patrick ordered Roni and Cody in the Humvee to check it out.
They drove off while we continued on.The Humvee swung close, then turned sharply and headed back.
“All headless.No signs of anything else.”
Patrick didn’t say anything to that, but we all knew what it meant.One or more of those greys had tracked us.
We drove for several minutes before Patrick’s voice broke the silence.
“Little town of Silverdale coming up.Stay sharp.”
I looked back at Katie, who watched out the rear windows.We weren’t the end of the line, but after yesterday’s undead stunt, Patrick wanted more eyes on our trail.
“Get ready to hang on,” I warned her.
“Yes, Mom.”
