100 Days in Deadland (Deadland Saga, #1)(80)

Clutch narrowed his eyes. “But you’re not here for a briefing.”

“You’re right, Sarge. To be honest, we’re tight on resources. Before the outbreak, we didn’t have many troops with real field experience. And Doyle’s attack on the Camp put a hell of a hurtin’ on us. You’ve served two tours, Sarge. I need you out there with my men tonight. It’s not a request.”

I watched Clutch turn and pace the sidewalk. When he returned, he ran a hand through his short hair. “What’s the SITREP?”

“From what Jase and Southpaw reported, this isn’t Doyle’s primary camp, but we believe he’s running out of multiple small camps instead of one larger camp now. Nevertheless, the camp Jase and Southpaw found would be a critical hit from a payback perspective. The payload is three fuel tankers, which we believe constitute all of Doyle’s mobile fuel reserves. We could really use that fuel at Camp Fox, so we can’t go in with guns blazing and risk blowing the trucks sky-high.”

He motioned to Jase who handed Clutch his iPhone. After Clutch scrolled through the pictures, he handed the phone to me. Three fuel tankers sat side by side at a rest stop. Calling it an outpost was an exaggeration. There were no fences, hardly any people, and only the single building. If the trucks were lined up, I would’ve driven by without looking twice.

“As for tangos,” Tyler continued. “We’re looking at no more than five guys on duty at any time, but they’re likely patched into Doyle through handheld radios we provided the militia awhile back. I think Doyle figured this place is far enough north that we wouldn’t find it.”

“Which rest stop is this?” Clutch asked.

“It’s about twenty miles north of Chow Town, just south of the ethanol plant.”

“I know the place,” Clutch said.

“I’m leading the mission, and I’m taking my entire squad with me. That makes ten of us. With you, it’d be eleven.”

Silence boomed, and I noticed Clutch watching Jase. “If I do this, both the kid and Cash are on my team.”

Tyler nodded. “I was planning on that.” He turned to me. “Since you’re not ex-mil, I couldn’t make you come along, but your assistance is appreciated.”

I gave a tight nod.

Tyler faced Clutch and continued. “Griz has Alpha team. You’ll take Bravo team. That brings our total to twelve troops for the mission. It should be an easy in-and-out.”

Clutch shot me a strained glance before turning back to Tyler. “Hoorah.”

Tyler smiled. “We head out at zero-three. I’ll make sure you both have clearance into Camp Fox. We meet inside the front gate. Got it?”

“Cash and I need weapons and gear,” Clutch added.

“Roger that,” Tyler said. “Those are two things we still have in good supply. Ammunition is another story.”

“How low are you?” Clutch asked.

“If we’re careful, we might have just enough to take Doyle down. But we’re going to have to get creative with the zeds.”

Clutch nodded and headed back to the truck. I shot Jase a quick smile before following.

We drove away, and neither Clutch nor I spoke until after we passed by the farms we’d looted a few days earlier. “I guess it’s official. We’re with Camp Fox,” I said.

Clutch took in a deep breath. “Yeah, guess so.”

My eyes widened. “Wait. Turn around.”

He hit the brakes and did a one-eighty. He frowned. “What’d you see?”

I hurriedly pointed to a house with a couple rustic tin buildings. “Turn in here.”

He pulled into the drive. “Is that—?”

“Yeah.”

He stopped the truck next to the old tree, with dozens of red apples dangling from it. I shot him a wide grin before we both rushed out to the tree. The apples were high, and I had to jump to reach one. When I bit into it, tart juices splattered, and I groaned. “Mm, so good.”

Clutch didn’t reply. He was too busy chewing on his own apple.

It had been so long since we had fresh fruit. These tart apples were meant for pies, but they tasted like heaven. Clutch finished his before I finished mine and grabbed another apple. I tossed my core, and he held the apple out to me. I grinned, grabbed his wrist, and pulled him into a long, sugary kiss. Bliss.

I pulled away to find Clutch wearing one his rare smiles.

My smile fell at the same time the blood in my veins froze. “Watch out!”

He twisted around just as the zed tackled him.

I reached for my shotgun and realized I’d left it in the truck.

I pulled out my knife and ran at the zed snapping its teeth at Clutch, who was holding it back. I grabbed its legs and yanked it to the side, got to my knees and shoved the knife through its cheekbone. Clutch was next to me, stabbing it through its eye. Jumping to my feet I turned around to find at least a half dozen more heading our way, all looking less than friendly and more than hungry.

“We’ve got trouble,” I murmured.

“Truck” was all Clutch said, and we both sprinted back to the still-running vehicle.

As Clutch tore out of there, I watched the zeds through the back window. They stood under the apple tree, watching us, as though daring us to come back.

I turned back around and sighed. For more apples, I just might.