Fighting to Survive (As the World Dies #2)(82)

“On duty,” he said regretfully. “Later though...” With a smile, he kissed her quickly and settled back into his chair.

She took her place in the chair next to him. They both stared out over the town toward the hills. It was almost like sitting out on a porch on a nice lazy Sunday, except for the intense heat, the gusts of wind, and the zombies.

“They are so going to vote in Travis as mayor,” Jenni decided.

“He's gonna be pissed,” Juan responded.

“They love his calm demeanor and peacemaking skills. Plus, they know you got his back and won't let him be too soft. Your hard-line stance has everyone cheering.”

“The ‘do your damn work or take a hike’ stance? I'm an *.” Juan shrugged.

“Yeah, but it kinda makes sense. Except for the really old people like Old Man Watson and the disabled and kids.”

“I just liked it when people were doing stuff to help out and nobody had to yell at them.” Juan drank more tea and grimaced. “We got into this damn hotel and it was like everyone went soft and stupid. Travis complains about it all the damn time. I don't blame him.”

“Well, nobody is going to vote for Mr. Mann, that's for damn sure. His bitch-wife pisses everyone off.” Jenni lifted her rifle and began to survey the town through the scope.

“They're both flaming *s.” Juan watched the teenagers lob another coffee can down the street. It flattened a zombie.

“I was surprised that the Manns just didn't back Manny for mayor again.”

Juan snorted. “They want the direct power now, babe, instead of pulling someone else’s string. They want to be able to tell everyone what to do for their ‘own good’ and make sure that the social classes are restored. Must be hell for them to be forced to work.”

“Yeah, Blanche tends to just stand there and pretend to be doing something when she’s on duty.” Jenni slowly scanned the section of town they were watching over. “It’s so damn annoying. She told Katie that she was too delicate for hard work.”

Juan shook his head and looked toward the towering hotel. “Yeah, my ass she’s too delicate. She teeters around in those high heels all the damn time. I’m sure that takes some work balancing on them. And her helmet head hair? How long does that take to shellac?”

Jenni rolled her eyes and squinted. Catching a glimpse of something suspicious, she froze, swinging the rifle back along the line of trees she'd been scanning. She caught sight of a figure standing under the shade of some trees, watching the fort through a pair of binoculars.

“What are the chances of a zombie knowing how to use binoculars?”

“Those shit for brains?” Juan realized it wasn't a joking question and leaped to his feet. “Damn! Where?”

“Two blocks down, near the front porch of the blue house. Under the trees.”

Juan lifted his binoculars. “Can’t see-shit! Yeah…that’s someone alive.”

Jenni tried hard not to blink as she tried to adjust the scope and make out the person. It looked like it was probably a man. As she watched, the person lifted what looked like a walkie-talkie.

“Bandits?”

“Maybe, Loca. Or someone trying to figure out if we’re alive in here.”

“Well, obviously we are,” Jenni said. “I mean listen to the sound of the machinery working on the new extension.”

“True,” Juan said. “So bandits it is. Shit. Anyone else would come up and knock.”

Jenni snatched up her walkie-talkie. “Nerit, we have a situation. I’ve spotted what appears to be a man observing us with binoculars.”

There was a pause, then, “I'm on my way.”

Within minutes, Nerit was on the roof with Travis right behind her. “Where?”

Jenni pointed.

Nerit grabbed the binoculars and peered through them. “Near the blue house?”

“Yep.”

Nerit’s lips pressed tightly together.

Beside her, Travis squinted, trying to see through Jenni’s rifle scope.

“See them, Travis?”

“Them? I see one.”

“I have three. Three men. And a van with fresh mud on the tires. We’re definitely being studied.” Nerit quickly pointed to the other two locations. ‘How many teams do we have out, Travis?”

“One. They’re picking up that Reverend and a family out in Summerville,” Travis answered.

“Pull them back in. Tell them to waste no time,” Nerit said sharply. “That contingency plan we drew up is now activated.”

“Shit,” Travis muttered, and ran for the stairs.

Jenni took a deep breath. “Think it’s the bandits?”

Nerit handed the binoculars to Jenni. “Possibly. Keep an eye on them and keep me informed. Juan, we'll need you down below. I'll send someone else up to help Jenni.”

Jenni looked at Juan worriedly as Nerit strode away. He kissed her cheek. “It’s gonna be okay, Loca. I gotta get down to the gate.”

She kissed him firmly on the lips. “Love you.”

“Love you, Loca.”

He hurried away and she couldn't help but admire his taunt ass. To steady her nerves, she took a deep breath.

“Kids, Roger, stop doing that. We have a situation,” Jenni called out. “You better get back inside.”