Once Bitten, Twice Dead - By Bianca D'Arc Page 0,104

a small moment as they neared the main building. The black helicopter sat on its roof.

“Let’s go home.”

Matt Sykes had awoken at dawn to a ringing phone. He’d been catching a quick combat nap while he waited to learn the status of his operatives. Like the admiral had admitted to him days ago, Matt wasn’t entirely comfortable having sent a woman into a combat situation. Not one where it was more than likely she’d have to go hand to hand with a bunch of face-eating zombies.

Then Sarah had been abducted and now Sam Archer was in critical condition. Or so Matt had learned from his early-morning phone call. The situation kept escalating and he feared it would only get worse before it got better. Worst-case scenario, the whole thing could spiral out of control. Which was why Matt was getting very little sleep lately. The threat of the contagion being sold to enemy powers or terrorists—or released on a wider scale from whatever source—was something that kept him up nights.

As a result, Matt was now in his car, headed for the airstrip before full light. He took to the air less than forty-five minutes later, speeding toward New York.

Beauvoir had managed to pull a rabbit out of his ass, digging up Dr. McCormick and her magic serum. This could be a big break for them…if it worked. Unfortunately, Sam Archer had become their first guinea pig. They claimed he was stable for now. Further testing would be necessary to see if he’d stay that way.

Matt had liked the tall lieutenant. He was gruff, but his loyalty to Beauvoir was clear and unequivocal. If Archer survived this new treatment and turned out to be immune, Matt had just gained another highly skilled operative to send out against the zombies that continued to turn up at Fort Bragg no matter what he did.

They’d vaporized another one last night. By dribs and drabs, the casualties were starting to add up. And as yet, nobody could seem to pinpoint the source of the problem. It was enough to make him want to scream in frustration—or beat the shit out of someone.

Since he couldn’t very well do that, Matt resigned himself to working steadily on the problem until they found a solution. The situation at Fort Bragg was under control for the moment. Unfortunately, the investigation was going nowhere fast. Matt hoped the action in New York would provide them with some solid leads.

Dr. McCormick could be key, which was another reason Matt had decided to make another excursion northward. He planned to take control of Sam Archer’s recovery and the good doctor as well. By tonight, they’d both be ensconced in a secure hospital lab area at Fort Bragg.

Matt had entertained the idea of sending them both to Quantico, but Matt spent more time at Fort Bragg nowadays and his current problem was centered there. No more zombies had been sighted at Quantico since they’d dealt with the initial infestation months ago.

The scientists who’d been on the original research team had scattered. He found it interesting that not a single one had stayed in the Virginia area. They’d given various forwarding addresses, all of which were being checked out now.

More than one of them was tinkering with their old research. Sellars wasn’t alone. Sarah had heard four names. Beauvoir had relayed the information to Matt and they both recognized at least two of them. More than anything, Matt wanted to track down the bastards that would prey on innocent people like this. They were worse than wild animals. They had no regard for human life whatsoever.

He also needed to get a handle on Dr. McCormick. She’d disobeyed orders and continued to work on the zombie technology—developing her serum even after she’d taken a new job. That was probably a good thing in retrospect. However, it was also a big problem. For her.

Matt could easily have her arrested on charges of endangering national security by continuing the research she’d been specifically forbidden by the highest possible authority to pursue. Such actions amounted to treason. If the good doctor wouldn’t play along with Matt’s plans, he’d pull that out of his pocket and give it a spin. He’d be interested to see what she’d say then.

For now, he’d try the soft approach. If her serum proved viable, it could be a great help to them. It could save a lot of lives. And if Sam Archer made a full recovery, he would want to continue the