The Hungry by Steve Hockensmith & Steven Booth & Harry Shannon & Joe McKinney

Author:Steve Hockensmith & Steven Booth & Harry Shannon & Joe McKinney [Hockensmith, Steve & Booth, Steven & Shannon, Harry & McKinney, Joe]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Horror, Genre Fiction, Action & Adventure, Literature & Fiction
ISBN: 0615539718
Amazon: B005QT10X6
Publisher: Genius Book Publishing
Published: 2011-09-29T00:00:00+00:00

ELEVEN

"I'm still waiting for the results of the blood tests," Sheppard reported excitedly, "but I have every reason to believe that the sheriff was infected but is still showing no signs of ill effects."

"Outstanding," said Colonel Sanchez. He rose up from behind the plain wooden desk like a man posing for a photograph. He began to pace. A small television droned in the background, replaying videos of zombie attacks on civilians and news reporters. Sheppard licked his lips and flinched. His stomach rumbled ominously. He'd had watery diarrhea for days. Probably just stress. Sheppard didn't complain. He'd learned it was best not to interrupt the boss when he was thinking.

Sanchez stopped walking. He stared out through the thick, bulletproof window that overlooked the busy aircraft hangar.

"What is the subject's status?" That was the reedy tenor of Lt. Albert, who remained at attention by the desk. Sheppard couldn't tell if he was relieved that there might be a pot of gold under this particular rainbow, or shaking off the nasty reprimand he'd received after losing biker Romeo-Two and letting the infection spread. Sanchez kept his back to them. Sheppard despised Albert. He knew that if the prick had done his job properly, there would have been no zombie outbreak. Their project would still be a secret. A whole lot of people would still be alive, including Sheppard's old partner Taylor. Poor Taylor had deserved a stint in rehab, not suicide by cop after murdering his own girlfriend. Sheppard studied Albert, barely hiding his disdain. Arrogant bastard. He probably thought he had gotten away with it. And based on Sanchez's demeanor, he may very well have. But one of these days…

It took Sheppard a moment to snap out of his revenge fantasy. He realized Albert had asked him a question. "Sorry, sir. I shot her up with about 20 cc's of thorazine to make her sleep. Her metabolism is already accelerating, so there's no telling how long she'll stay out, maybe only an hour or two. It's amazing. That nasty wound in her shoulder is already halfway healed. Sheriff Miller is a medical marvel. I've never seen anything quite like it."

"Security?"

"She's locked up properly, and I have two good men guarding her. She shouldn't be a problem."

"Let's hope for your sake that she isn't," said Lt. Albert smugly. The hint of an accusation crouched between his words. His lips were pursed.

Sheppard sighed inside. He knew Albert was already spinning things, shifting responsibility for the outbreak to cover his own ass. He'd surely find some way to blame both Sheppard and Taylor and cover himself with glory. But Col. Sanchez would have to be stupid to believe such a line of shit. And Sanchez was many things, but a moron wasn't one of them.

"Take it easy, Lieutenant," said Sanchez absently. He was still staring down at the hustle and bustle of the helicopter hangar. "Let's not fall out amongst ourselves over events that cannot be altered. Despite the setbacks of the last few