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“All fine. There have been no casualties so far. Which is a good thing. So let’s make sure it stays that way. Now tell me everything you know about the zombies, doctor.”

So he told Colonel Spear everything he knew, which wasn’t much. But it clearly seemed to satisfy the military man, for he nodded once, and said, “I would like to ask you to work with us. I can use a man with your expertise.”

“Work with you?”

“Yes, we have several military doctors working around the clock to contain this thing—to find out as much as we can about the virus as quick as we can. Will you help us?”

He didn’t even have to think twice. Saving lives was his profession, and if he could save even one life by working with Colonel Spear it was worth it. “Of course,” he said therefore. “What do you want me to do?”

“Come,” said the colonel, and got up. “There’s no time to waste.”

[Êàðòèíêà: img_3]

Vesta had been walking for miles, Clarice by her side. She would have taken a car, but had a feeling the military wouldn’t take kindly to little old ladies—who might or might not be zombies—driving out of town. So she decided to leg it, with Clarice as her guide.

She wished now she’d paid more attention to the whole Peppard Pet Food thing when Odelia had mentioned it to her that morning. But who could have thought a couple of hours later Hampton Cove would be the scene of a zombie apocalypse?

“So how did you end up at the Peppard Pet Food place?” she asked.

“I didn’t,” said Clarice. “But I’ve heard plenty of stories of cats that did. Unfortunately cats can’t talk to their humans, the way Max and the others can, so they have no way of conveying the message that the place isn’t exactly kosher.”

“I should have listened to my granddaughter when she told me about this Peppard,” said Vesta now. “But I was so busy with my own stuff I kinda tuned it all out.”

“What stuff?”

“Oh, I’m trying for another baby. Which would make me the oldest mom in history.”

“And you think this is a good idea why, exactly?”

“Oh, don’t you start too, missy. It’s a great idea, all right?”

“I think it’s a crazy idea.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Now where is this roadblock? I didn’t see no dang roadblock.”

“That’s because I led you right past it, remember? You’ve got to pay attention.”

Clarice had warned her that the town was locked down, with roadblocks set up along all the roads leading in and out of town. She knew a shortcut that would get them past them, though, and had been taking Gran through a patch of wood, then up a hill.

“Look, I’m having this baby and that’s final,” Gran said now. “End of discussion.”

“When this baby is ready for college she’ll have to pay for your funeral instead.”

“Don’t you worry about my funeral. I’m gonna live to be a hundred, possibly two hundred or even a thousand. Just you wait and see. This Doc Clam is a miracle doctor.”

But Clarice merely laughed, which wasn’t the response Vesta had anticipated.

“Are we there yet?” she grumbled. “My feet are killing me. If I’d known I’d go on a cross-country hike I’d have worn my sensible shoes.”

“Almost there,” Clarice announced. “Though I think you better hide behind that tree over there.”

“Why?”

“Because I said so, okay? Trust me, my ears are a lot better than yours, and so are my eyes.”

Grudgingly, Vesta did as she was told, and hid behind the tree indicated. Moments later, an actual tank trundled past!

“Jesus,” she said. “Are we at war or something?”

“Yeah, with the zombies,” said Clarice. “Coast is clear. Let’s move out.”

“Yes, sir,” Vesta grumbled.

Finally they arrived at the small semi-industrial zone that the town council had once designated fit for small business enterprises. There was a paper factory located there, several IT companies, and of course… the Peppard Pet Food Company.

“So how do we do this?” asked Vesta.

“Like I told you, this place is like Fort Knox. From what I’ve been told they’ve got it locked down pretty tight. The only way to get inside is either through the front door, which is not advisable, or through the staff entrance, but you need to badge in.”

“I don’t have a badge, you wise-ass.”

“I know you don’t, you old nag, so I suggest you get one. That one, for instance.” She was pointing to a man dressed in blue coveralls who’d just exited the building, whistling a tune, and looking happy that his shift was over. He was making his way to the parking lot, presumably with the intention of picking up his car and driving home.

“Go on!” said Clarice. “What the hell are you waiting for, slowpoke?”

“Oh, bite me,” Vesta grumbled, but made her way over to the man nonetheless. On her way over, she picked up a nice stick she saw lying near a tree, and as she walked up behind the man, beaned him over the head with the stick. She then yanked his badge from around his neck and put it around her own. Then, glancing back, she proceeded to drag the man’s body behind a car, so no one would notice.

“What did you do?!” Clarice hissed when she jogged back. “I told you to get his badge, not kill him!”

“I didn’t kill him. Just made him take a nap.”