the same sound sensitivity that a bird's body does. It just isn't effective for a large-scale assault against any other creature.'
'Seems like it would be,' Jim mused. 'I sure as hell felt it on that rooftop.'
'We tried, of course. Both of our helicopters were outfitted with the devices. The first one flew over the city, using the U.B.R.D. in the streets below its flight path. The zombies did indeed fall back, and it even seemed to damage some of them, but not enough.'
He paused.
'What happened exactly?' Jim asked.
Stern sighed. 'The zombies had a rocket-propelled grenade launcher. They shot down the chopper while it was conducting the experiment. All onboard were killed. After that, Bates and Mr. Ramsey decided to limit its use to only the birds, since it proved effective on them.'
Finished with his lollipop, Danny began to grow restless. He swung his legs back and forth beneath the examination table. The white paper covering it rustled.
'Who are Bates and Ramsey?' Jim asked.
The doctor arched an eyebrow. 'Surely, you've heard of Darren Ramsey?'
'The billionaire developer?' Jim asked. 'The one with his own board game and books and a reality series on TV?'
'That's him. He is our host. In fact, he designed this building. I'm sure you'll meet him soon.'
'Wonderful,' Jim drawled, his voice thick with sarcasm.
'I take it that you're not a fan?'
'Truthfully, doctor? I always thought he was a jerk. Just another rich yuppie with too much power and too much time on his hands.' Jim immediately wished he hadn't said that, but he'd never been good at censoring himself when he was tired.
Stern smiled. 'Well, he certainly has both. Especially now.'
'So who's this Bates you mentioned?'
'Mr. Ramsey's personal assistant and bodyguard. A very good fellow to know-but a dangerous one as well. We all feel a lot safer with him in charge of security.'
'This place is pretty secure? Even with all of those zombies out there?'
'According to Mr. Ramsey, it's impregnable, and I must say that I'm convinced. Those things outside have made numerous attempts to get inside, but so far they haven't succeeded. We're safe here-safer than anywhere else, at least.'
'As long as we don't go outside?'
'We've no reason to. We have our own electricity and our own air. There's plenty of food and water and medical supplies. We can withstand a long siege.'
'Why don't they just burn it down?'
'They've tried.' The doctor snorted. 'They've also attempted grenade and rocket attacks, swarming us with birds and rats, scaling the walls, landing a helicopter on the roof. We've repelled every attack. Trust me, Mr. Thurmond. You and your boy are safe here. So are your friends.'
'Don and Frankie!' Jim exclaimed, slapping his forehead with his palm.
He winced-the action making his head throb again. 'I'd almost forgotten about them. How are they?'
'Mr. De Santos suffered some contusions but otherwise, he's been given a clean bill of health.'
'And Frankie?'
'My associate, Dr. Maynard, is examining her now. I imagine he'll start her on codeine or ibuprofen for the pain, and streptomycin or penicillin for the infection from her wounds. I'm sure your friend will come through just fine, as well.'
Nurse Kelli dashed back in the room, breathless.
'You'd better come quick!'
'Maybe you didn't understand me the first time,' Frankie spat, her hand wrapped around the fat doctor's throat. 'I said you're not sticking me with any fucking needles!'
Dr. Maynard's eyes bulged and spittle flew from his lips.
'Young ... lady ... I... must ... insist ...'
'Frankie!' Don ran over to the hospital bed and grappled with her.
'Frankie, stop it. You'll kill him.'
'No shit, Don. That's what I'm trying to do.'
'He just wants to help you.'
'He's not sticking me with that needle!'
'Can't ... breathe ...' Dr. Maynard turned purple and the veins bulged in his cheeks.
Don struggled to break her grip.
'Listen to me, Frankie.'
'No! You don't understand.' Her eyes were huge, her pupils dilated.
