What Remains_Mutation (16 page)

Harper squeezed between them. “Do I want to know why you two are pissed?”

Sully swore again. “Because we’re fucking idiots, that’s why.”

She answered them with a raise of her brow.

Jake pointed at the screen. “Do you see that long line running the length of the rear truck just visible above the first one?”

She squinted at the screen. “Barely. Isn’t it just part of the external casing?”

“That’s what we thought. But it’s not. It’s a goddamn ladder.”

She frowned. “So it’s got a portable ladder. Not sure that helps us much. An extra ten feet isn’t going to change the nature of this war.”

“That’s not just a portable ladder. It’s a bloody turntable. That baby’ll go up fifty feet at least.” Jake ran a hand through his hair. “Doesn’t make sense. A facility this sophisticated… It’s bound to have been upgraded to the new fire codes. It’ll have standpipes and positive pressure fans in all the stairwells. An integrated sprinkler system. And I bet my ass most of the windows above the second floor don’t open. Probably none of them do because of security. There’s no logical reason they’d have a ladder truck like this one. It must have been a throw back they hadn’t gotten around to replacing yet.”

Her eyes widened. “Are you telling me that truck has a ladder that can access the upper floors? Without us going inside the building first?”

“In theory, love. But we’d still have to get there, move the truck closer to the building and deploy the ladder. All without getting overrun. That’s a pretty tall order considering we haven’t been able to get within a hundred feet of the area, let alone access the truck. Hell, we don’t even know if the vehicle has any gas.”

“That’s because we didn’t have a reason to investigate it before. But now…” She turned, circling her finger on the map. “We can punch the Hummer through the fence here and be at that truck in under a minute.”

Cogan scoffed, finally joining in. “Sure. And in less than half that time a couple dozen infected will be swarming the Hummer and the truck. And in case you’ve forgotten, the Hummer’s our ticket home.”

“There won’t be a home to go back to if we can’t stop this infection from spreading. And with the way this mutation is taking hold… We’ll be lucky to last until winter, which might slow them down but won’t kill them. Then what?”

“Harper.”

“It’s a calculated risk. Besides, I have an idea.”

Jake shook his head. “This similar to the John Wayne stunt you wanted to pull? Because that one wasn’t exactly the benchmark we’re looking for.”

“I promised you boys I wouldn’t go alone and I won’t. But it does involve us splitting up.” She held up her hand. “Just hear me out. Let’s assume that the truck has at least some gas left. It didn’t get there on its own, and no one’s been near it since we locked down the facility immediately following the outbreak. If we reach it, I can take out a number of targets from on top while you position it. I should be able to hold them back, at least for a bit. Once you get the ladder in place, two of us climb up, gain access to the roof and break into the ventilation system. Going down one story shouldn’t be difficult. From there it’s just weaving our way over to the lab and back.”

Cogan cocked a brow. “And while two of you are crawling through duct work, the other two are left fighting off a horde of undead, who can probably climb the truck and the ladder.”

“Not if you drive away. Do a few laps of the building then come back once we’re ready for a pickup. Might even confuse the horde long enough to jump back in the Hummer.”

Cogan laughed, though it was hollow. “Harper. I’ll give you marks for originality, but damn. There are a thousand ways that plan can go south. And it all starts with whether or not that truck will even turn on.”

“All we need is for a couple things to go right. We can adapt the rest.” She curled her hand around Cogan’s forearm. “We’re out of time. The supplies here are getting low and we’ve already tried every other entranceway. This is our best shot. You guys know how to use this equipment. How to work the levers on the truck. All I have to do is get us to Lelin’s lab.”

“Right. Because fighting off infected on the roof and dragging your ass through the ventilation system is easy.”

“I’ve dragged my ass through ducts before.”

Cogan groaned. “That doesn’t make me feel any better about it.” He ran his fingers through his hair, glancing at Jake and Sully. “I really don’t like this but… It’s worth a shot. But only as long as we’re ahead of them. We’ll get to the truck…see if we can even get the damn thing started before the horde’s on top of us. Then access from there.” He stepped up to Harper, getting as close as he could without actually touching her. “But only if we all agree to do this as a team.”

Her smile was nothing short of wicked. “Ah, baby, I’m touched you three think I could take on all of you and not have it end in a repeat of this morning. I’m good, and individually, I wouldn’t bet against me, but as a team…” She leaned into him, pressing her chest against his. “I’d rather call a truce and get my revenge as promised with you three tied to the bed. Unless you’d like to go a few rounds first? Just to see.”

Cogan chuckled, snaking his arm around her and claiming her lips in a quick, hard kiss before tapping her ass. “Wench. And I think we’d rather maintain our foolish belief that we’d be more than a match for you and forgo the ass-kicking for now.”

Jake moved in beside the couple. “Assuming we reach the truck without getting swarmed then what? Who goes with Harper?”

“I suppose we could do a round of rock, paper, scissors, but my gut’s telling me it should be you.”

Jake glanced over at Sully, but the man nodded.

“Don’t look so surprised, bro. It’s no secret you can run and climb faster than Cogan and me. Not to mention the fact you jump like a fucking gazelle on steroids. Those traits could come in handy. If we’re putting Harper’s life at risk, we’d better sure as shit give her the best backup she can get. I’m not too proud to say that in this instance, that’s you.”

Jake forced himself to swallow, praying he didn’t choke in the process. “I won’t let you guys down.”

“Never have yet.” Sully winked at Harper. “And that was when it was only our sorry asses on the line. But with a rear-end like hers…” He whistled. “No doubt in my mind you’ll take extra care to ensure it stays in one piece.”

Jake smiled as the tension in the room eased.

Harper snorted, pushing Cogan back as she went to retrieve her bow. “And just when I thought we were making progress on those alpha tendencies of yours.” She slung the weapon over her shoulder. “Let’s do this, before one of you decides I’m too fragile, and I end up having to kick that man’s ass just to prove a point.”

Jake shook his head, collecting what little there was to take with them. He checked his weapons, choosing to ignore the fact that they were running low on ammunition, as he followed the others out. Cogan led the way, carefully crossing the grounds toward the tree line where they’d hidden the Hummer. He moved quickly, but silently, using whatever natural features there were to keep them hidden. Jake kept checking their six, ensuring nothing surprised them as they sprinted the last few yards to the SUV. Sully removed some of the brush they’d used to camouflage the vehicle then climbed in, keys jingling in his hand. He waited until a small group of infected wandered past, disappearing over a low rise before starting the engine. The motor purred, the steady vibration making Jake’s skin bead in anticipation.

Shit, after all the years he’d spent on the job—all the burning buildings he’d raced into without thinking twice—he’d never had a case of nerves like the ones churning low in his gut. A fear that he’d fail and let his team down. Let
her
down. He glanced at Harper. Her gaze seemed focused on the path ahead, her features schooled and firm. She looked every inch the operative she’d once been, and he had an odd realization that she probably could have taken them all down at once. And the fact she’d chosen not to spoke more about her skills than if she’d tried to best them. She must have felt his gaze. She turned to look at him, gracing him with a stunning smile.

Fuck. One look, one damn smile, and his heart flip-flopped in his chest.

He reached over and gave her hand a squeeze as Sully maneuvered onto the main road, heading straight for the gate. Though the damn thing had been breeched long ago, the fence line beyond still sported a sizeable chunk of chain-link. Sully revved the engine, shifting gears as he hit the barrier full force, making the Hummer shimmy across the pavement. The tires squealed before finding purchase on the asphalt, hurtling them forward again. The length of fence fluttered against the windshield then flew over the top, clattering onto the ground behind them.

Jake braced his arm against the side of the vehicle as Sully took a corner going way too fast, nearly tipping the damn SUV over. But the man managed to keep it upright, aiming for the fire trucks parked a few hundred yards in front of them. He hit the accelerator, knocking them back in their seats as the Hummer ate up the distance only to slam on the breaks when they reached the vehicles.

“Move!”

Cogan’s voice sounded loud in the stillness, the urgency in it impossible to miss. Jake yanked open the door and jumped out, glancing behind them. A mass of pale fresh undulated around the far bend, bobbing and weaving as they tracked the group’s new location. Shrieks and grunts echoed across the open space, followed by the pounding of feet on the pavement.

Harper jumped onto the side of the truck, climbing to the top. She swung the bow off her shoulder, notching an arrow as she waited, holding the shot as the horde neared. A soft twang was the only indication she’d fired, drawing another as the first hit home.

Jake made a quick survey of the machines, deciding to focus on the ladder truck Harper had climbed. The other was a tanker, and while they could use any remaining water to keep the horde back, it’d only last a fraction of the time they needed. Instead, he searched the first fire engine, looking for anything obvious before joining her, rifle snugged into his shoulder. He took a shot every time she paused to grab another arrow, downing infected as they raced at the machines. But the mass kept moving, the steadiness of its gait more than unnerving. Sully and Cogan had disappeared inside the cabin, and Jake crossed his fingers the damn vehicle would start.

Jake pounded his foot against the back of the cab. “We’re nearly out of time if we want to retreat back to the Hummer. About fifty yards.”

“Sully’s working on it. Despite his checkered youth, these damn things aren’t that easy to hot-wire.”

“Well he’d best hurry or we’ll be stuck on this thing either way. And those fuckers look like they could climb the damn building let alone this truck.”

Cogan grunted but didn’t reply. He didn’t need to. Jake knew the man was aware of the situation. He didn’t need more pressure. Harper’s labored breathing sounded beside him. Jake glanced at her, noting the way her jaw clenched. She spared him a quick scowl, motioning to the horde.

“I’m fine. Shooting arrows is just more work than you’d think. And I’m already onto my second lot. I’ve got three more quivers, but I’ll have to take a break and start knifing. I’ve only got a few rounds left in the pistol.”

“Fuck.” Jake dropped several more. Another ten seconds and there wouldn’t be enough time to retreat. He shouldered up beside Harper, ready to snag her arm and pull her back to the Hummer when the engine rumbled to life, rocking the machine back and forth. “Hell yeah, Sully!”

The vehicle lurched forward, and Jake grabbed Harper, holding onto her as they picked up speed. Jake frowned, wondering where the man was heading when they crashed into the line of zombies, bouncing bodies off the front.

Harper cursed, slipping a knife out of her belt as she glanced over the edge. Her breath hissed through her teeth, her hand whacking him in the shoulder. “Some are latching onto the sides. We can’t let them get all the way up here.”

Jake nodded, scanning the opposite side when a head popped above the edge near the back. He lunged toward it, bashing it with the butt of the rifle, knocking it onto the pavement. Its head cracked against the hard surface, the dull sound reverberating through the air.

Cogan opened a small window at the rear of the cab. “There’s too many. We’ll never get the ladder deployed before they’re all over us. We’ll head out. Regroup. Wait for them to dissipate a bit.”

Jake whacked two more off the side, turning toward Cogan. He took a couple steps when a growl sounded behind him. He spun, barely getting the rifle braced in front of him before the zombie was on top of him, teeth snapping as they fell backwards. He held it back, trying to shift his weight when the creature’s head snapped back, the hilt of a knife sticking out of its gray flesh.

Harper appeared beside him, grabbing the zombie’s shoulders as Jake shoved it off. It toppled over the side, another dull thud sounding in the distance. His heart thrashed against his ribs, threatening to pound clear through when her face blurred into view.

Her hands ran the length of his body before her gaze settled on his face. “Shit. Jake. You okay? Did it touch you?”

He shook his head, accepting her hand as she helped lever him up, his chest still heaving. He scanned the small space, but they’d left the horde behind, nothing but trees on either side of the vehicle as it sped down the road. Her fist connected with his shoulder, drawing his attention.

She snapped her fingers in front of his face. “Snap out of it. It’s gone. But I need to know if you’re okay?”

“If you call being smothered by one of those things okay then yeah. I’m fucking perfect.” He ran a shaky hand through his hair. “Never been that close to one. Shit, they stink.”

“Probably has something to do with the fact they’re dead.”

“Actually Kace says…” He released a slow breath. “Forget it. You’re right. Those things aren’t breathing.” He gave her a smile. “Thanks.”

“Figured I still owed you for carrying me back to the Hummer that first day. Wouldn’t want to feel pressured into repaying you other ways.”