Broussard snorted. “Unless you want the military to waste all of their resources flying around shooting darts at infected individuals to inoculate them with the new variant DNA, airborne is the only viable solution.”
She swallowed hard and pushed away from the table. “I thought we were trying to treat the infected, not infect everybody.”
He stood up slowly, his eyes searching her. “Explain to me another feasible method and I will certainly consider it.”
“The water. Food sources. Flying around in their fucking helicopters and inoculating them like you said. All of them sound better to me than infecting everybody.”
Broussard sighed and sat back down. “Water would eventually infect everyone as well. These food sources you speak of? They are other people.” He shook his head at her. “We do not have the resources to inoculate the entire population of infected; it would take years.”
She had to force herself to slow her breathing. “I’m sorry but this just seems extreme to me.” She pressed a hand to her chest and tried to force herself to calm down.
Broussard gave her a solemn look. “Any other method of inoculation would ultimately infect us as well. One day we will reconnect with friends or family who were once infected. One inadvertent scratch, a cough, a sneeze, any of those mechanisms would undoubtedly transfer the new variant; it will remain contagious.” He shook his head slowly, his eyes probing hers. “If the new variant is neutered first, what difference could it make if it were airborne? Chere, we are exposed to viruses every waking moment, non?”
She forced herself to breathe, quelling her panic and allowing her mind to accept his words and to look at the situation scientifically. Slowly she began to nod. “You’re right. Eventually, everyone would be exposed to the new variant,” she looked up at him with worried eyes, “so I guess we better make damn sure that it stays neutered.”
Sinner shook Simon’s boot, waking him. “Shooter is taking off. He’s got a pretty good idea where to start his search.”
Simon sat up and reached for the bottle that wasn’t there. He cursed under his breath and slung his legs off of the mattress. “Where’s he headed first?”
Sinner shook his shaggy head. “Some place across town. He spotted a hybrid car at one of the houses here. He wants to use it. Says if he keeps the speed down, there won’t be any noise, that way he can get closer.”
Simon nodded as he wiped the sleep from his eyes. “Yeah, okay. Find me a bottle, will ya?”
Sinner rolled his eyes and looked down at the smaller man. “You really need to lay off the hooch, you know that?”
“Fuck you and good morning. Now get me a bottle.” His words lisped as he spoke through clenched teeth.
Sinner sighed and turned for the door. “Yeah, and the shoulder doesn’t throb nearly as much, thanks for asking.” He paused at the doorway. “If you want your booze, you’ll have to come downstairs to get it.”
He stomped down the carpeted steps and disappeared through the door leading to the garage. Simon groaned as he rolled off of the mattress and pulled his boots on. “Can’t find good help anywhere these days.”
He tromped down the stairs and spotted the pint bottle sitting on the dining table. He reached for it and noticed Sinner sitting in the recliner, his eyes closed. “It smells like assholes and ball sack down here.”
“Try showering once in a while.”
Simon raised a brow at the man as he cracked the seal on the bottle. “A bit mouthy this morning ain’tcha?”
“I’m mouthy every morning. I’m not a morning person.” Sinner kept his eyes closed as Simon tilted the bottle back and took a long pull.
“Ah. Breakfast of champions.” He belched loudly then shambled into the kitchen to pick through the boxes of food. “You really need to do some shopping. There ain’t shit left to eat.”
“I thought that was why we’re stalking the new neighbors.” Sinner pulled the lever and brought up the footrest. “Try to get drunk a bit quieter, please. I need my rest,” he cracked an eye open and looked at Simon, “I’m trying to heal over here.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Simon dug through the boxes and pulled out a can that was missing the label. “I wonder if this is fruit cocktail or sour kraut?”
“Could be pickled possum peckers for all you know.” Sinner chuckled at his own joke. “Either way, might be the only thing left that’s edible.”
“Maybe if you whiny bitches pulled your weight around here instead of mooching off of my good nature…” Simon paused and glanced back at Sinner. “Speaking of my good nature, where’s them pain pills?”
Sinner shrugged with his good shoulder. “I don’t know where you keep your stash.”
“Not mine, asshole. Yours.” Simon stared at the larger man reclined in the chair.
Sinner cracked his eye open again and stared at the man. “I got them hid.”
“You need to share.” Simon gave him an evil smile.
“You can have whatever I don’t use.” Sinner nodded as he closed his eyes again. “The moment I’m done hurtin’, you can have them all.”
“I could do with a little Vicodin this morning.” He kicked at Sinner’s boot. “Pony up, fucker.”
“I don’t have any Vicodin.” Sinner waved him away. “The best I can do you is Lortabs.”
“That’ll work.” Simon stepped closer and held his hand out. “Tax time.”
“The hell,” Sinner snorted.
Simon kicked at his boot again. “I’m serious. Pony up.”
Sinner opened his eyes and glared at the man. “What if I need them?”
“I didn’t say give them all to me. Just a few. Now pay the tax.”
Sinner inhaled deeply and for a moment considered telling Simon to piss up a rope. Instead, he reached into his vest pocket and pulled out two of the white pain pills. “You gonna fuck off if I give you these, right? Leave me be so I can sleep?”
“Sure.” Simon nodded to him sharply. “Unless I decide I need more.”
Sinner
