She turned and gave him a shocked expression. “Not worry? You tell me that there could be a herd out there, but not to worry.”
Hatcher smiled to himself and pushed up from the couch. “If something comes knocking, whether it’s an infected person or a bear, we have options.”
She planted her hands on her hips and glared at him. “Like what? One of us pushes the other out in front of them and hope that they’re a big enough meal that they’ll be satisfied? Because right now, I’m seeing you as the biggest Manwich in the room.”
Hatcher groaned as he walked past her. He pointed to the ceiling. “That. We can escape through there. Whatever comes calling might still smell us inside, but they won’t smell us in there.”
Her eyes followed his finger and she squinted. In the far corner of the room was a square of plywood in the ceiling. “An attic access way?”
He nodded. “And in that attic is a window…a vent, really. We can use it to get onto the roof.”
“Where we’d be safe…?”
“Unless it’s a mountain lion,” he smirked. “They could easily climb the posts and still get to us.”
She shrugged. “A single mountain lion can be dispatched.” She patted the pistol at her hip.
Hatcher nodded. “Except the noise from that would attract every infected person for miles.”
“I’ll take my chances.” She pushed the small wooden chair below the access and reached for the plywood. “I can’t…reach…”
He cleared his throat and pointed to the table. “If it comes to it, I’ll go up then pull you in behind me.”
She raised a brow at him. “You wouldn’t leave me below to feed the masses, would you? Because I was teasing about you being a Manwich.”
Hatcher sighed and crossed his arms. “I won’t leave you.” He drew an X over his chest. “Cross my heart.”
She held a hand up. “Don’t say the other part.”
He walked past her and pulled the thin fabric away from the window. “The moon is bright enough, we should see them coming.”
“The more I think on this, the more I like the idea of going to the roof anyway.” She gave him a weak smile. “A preemptive move.”
He shook his head and picked up the deck of cards again. “I don’t know about you, but I have no desire to sleep on a roof when there’s a somewhat comfortable couch right here.”
“I don’t mind the roof,” she stated a bit too quickly. “Better safe than sorry, I say.”
He lowered the cards and studied her. “You realize that you’re getting worked up over nothing, right? We didn’t see anything out there that should have us worried.”
“I thought it was the ‘lack of’ indication?” She crossed her arms and glared at him. “You were the one who said you felt like you were being watched.”
Hatcher shrugged. “I’ve been wrong before.”
“Not according to Mitch.” She shook her head at him. “According to him, you had the instincts of a warrior. And he should know. He was military.”
Hatcher nodded solemnly. “I know.” He lowered the deck of cards and gave her a quick smile. “Look, we’ll bar the doors. If anything bigger than a black bear comes sniffing around, we’ll head for the roof.” He stood slowly and held his hand out for her. “Until then, we keep our cool.”
She stepped forward and gripped his fingers. “I’m trusting you in this.”
“Good.”
She moved around the couch and had just sat down when a blood curdling scream echoed through the trees outside. Missy immediately came to her feet and moved to the table. “After you!”
“Don’t you have enough real problems to contend with?” Hilliard asked as he increased his pace.
Broussard kept pace with him and continued. “You said we could have any equipment we needed.”
“Show me one scientific need, one logical, honest reason you should have this radio and I’ll consider running it up the flagpole and see who salutes it.” He stopped abruptly and poked a finger at Broussard. “But until then, the answer is no.”
“Captain!” Broussard stepped in front of him, preventing him from marching off. “Please.”
Hilliard narrowed his eyes at him and shook his head. “Our resources are cut thin. Why on earth would you—”
“Because we don’t trust Green.” He glanced to the sides to ensure the two were alone. “If we can make contact with another group of survivors out there, we can go to them once this is settled.”
Hilliard lowered his head and chewed at his cheek. “There’s no way I could get you a radio powerful enough to do what you want.” He sighed heavily and tried to think. “Even a handheld wouldn’t reach very far in these mountains.”
“Then let us have access to the long range radios you do have.”
Hilliard looked at him as though he were daft. “You can’t be serious. General Green would have to sign off on that and there is no way—”
“Tell him we need to confer with surviving medical staff out there.” He lowered his voice and leaned closer. “Tell him that we are hoping to reach others with expertise…”
Hilliard slowly shook his head. “It’s late. I can’t take this to him tonight.” He glanced at his watch and blew a low whistle. “I might can get you access to the radios…” He looked up and a slow smile began to form.
“What?”
“When the president arrives. All hands will be on deck. There will be a skeleton crew at all watch stations, including the radio room.” He nodded slowly. “If you know who you are contacting…” He studied the researcher intently. “Tell me you know of people out there already.”
Broussard shook his head. “I can only assume that there are others.”
Hilliard seemed to deflate. “You know the odds of them even establishing a radio communications system are extremely slim.”
Broussard nodded. “Even slimmer that I could find the frequency they use.”
Hilliard raised his brows and slowly shook his head. “I’m afraid without more…”
“It’s a moot point.” Andre rubbed at the back of his neck. “Then tell me this.
