cellular level. The science team explained it better than I can. From what I recall, inert cells like those in fingernails and toenails respond differently to the contagion. Hair, too. All the zombies I’ve seen had hair that was at least a few inches longer than when they’d died. The nails seem to lengthen by at least an inch as well. They get thicker and turn yellow. Those things can do some serious damage to unprotected skin.” His face tightened as if in painful memory. “After being exposed to the contagion, they’re not human anymore.”
“The perps made a sort of moaning sound,” she said, remembering. “It sounded like a sick cat or some kind of wild animal. It didn’t sound human at all.”
“I’ve heard it. Chills you to your bones, doesn’t it?”
They shared a moment of commiseration until she got back on track, out of the fog of frightening memory.
“So what now? How do we catch them?”
Xavier eyed her strangely for a moment, then relaxed. “Ordinarily, I’d tell you that your part is done and I’d handle it from here.” She was about to object when he held up his hand, palm outward to forestall her. “That’s ordinarily. But as you can imagine, this situation is far from ordinary. For one thing, you are now the only one, outside of a few military personnel, who has been proven immune to the contagion. In fact, I’m the only one they could spare to investigate this incident. Now that we have confirmation it’s a zombie infestation, I’ve been assigned to solve the problem as I see fit. I think you can be instrumental in helping me fulfill my mission. For another thing, you’re a highly trained officer of the law. You know how to shoot and how to be cool under pressure. I’ve seen your file and your fitness reports. Your superiors speak highly of you and your abilities. I’m inclined to believe them.”
He gave her a little nod of guarded respect. She interpreted it to mean he was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt, within reason.
“And since you’re immune, that, more than anything, makes you qualified to go after these guys. Are you willing to help?”
“Willing?” She couldn’t believe he was asking. “Of course I’m willing.”
“Hold on a minute there and think about your answer. It would mean facing a bunch of zombies, more than likely, with the full knowledge of what they are and what they can do. If they manage to trap you, they’ll eat you, and because of your immunity, you won’t have the mercy of dying quick.”
The queasiness in her stomach returned at his words, but he wouldn’t scare her off that easily. If she was one of the few people who could hunt these creatures without fear of turning into one of them, she had to help. It was her duty.
“I’m in.” She managed a tight nod.
Xavier gave her a sexy grin. “I was hoping you’d say that. As soon as they spring you from this joint, we’ll go back to the building where you were attacked. I’ll want you to walk me through what happened. We’ll start there. Sound good?”
“Sounds like a plan. I assume you’ll square all this with my chain of command?”
“Already done.”
That lopsided smile of his threatened to make her mouth water. He was altogether too appealing for her peace of mind.
“You were that sure of my answer?” She couldn’t help but be amused by his overconfidence.
“In my experience, lady warriors are often fiercer than some of their male counterparts. I know what your fellow officers think of you. I would have been disappointed if you’d shied away from this challenge.” He winked and sauntered toward the door, turning to speak as he grasped the doorknob in one hand. “I’ll be back in the morning. The docs will want to keep you for study, but it’s more important to stop the creatures before the contagion spreads. Innocent people will die unless we go out and end this as quickly as possible.”
“You’ll get no argument from me.”
“Good. I’ll see you around 0700. Rest up.” He paused as if remembering something. “Your friend Terry came to visit but we couldn’t let her in. Likewise, your dad and brothers have been asked to leave you be for now. You can call them if you like, but you’re not to give them any specifics about your condition or what happened to you. If they ask—and I’m sure they will—just tell them it’s a