Page 50

Katarina shook her head. “Actually, you’re wrong. It used to be a picnic location. People would go up there on the Fourth of July and stay until evening to see the fireworks over City Hall.”

“Any structures?” Nerit asked.

“The only building up there is a restroom. It used to scare the shit out of me, literally, when I went to the toilet, since you’re basically perched over a deep hole. It’s also where high school students used to go to make out until the old sheriff started patrolling up there.”

“Someone could have taken the old road up there looking for refuge when the horde came through!” Juan said excitedly. “If Belinda and any of the others are alive, we’ve got to save them. And if she’s not alive, I have to do right by her.”

Nerit stared toward the hill, pushing her sunglasses back on her head. Lifting her sniper rifle, she peered through the scope for a minute. “I’ll take a squad out.”

“I’ll get a vehicle ready.” Juan started to dash off.

“In the morning,” Nerit added.

Swiveling about, Juan gaped at her. “We can’t wait!”

“Yes, we can. The sun is going down and we need to plan and not run off half-cocked. Katarina, I’ll need a map of the area. Draw it if you need to.”

“You got it, Nerit.”

Juan bent toward Nerit to get her attention. She met his desperate look with a calm one. “Nerit, if Ed was pointing up there, it’s important. You know that.”

“Which is why we’re going in the morning.”

“But what if people are up there right now? What if they’re trapped?”

“Juan, I understand your concerns, but I’m not risking people at night. We’ve got heavy cloud cover and no moonlight. Additionally, we don’t know the road conditions. We haven’t bothered with that hill since it was deemed irrelevant to the protection of the Fort. We’ll find out what’s up there. In the morning.” Her definitive tone said the argument was over.

Sputtering with frustration, Juan shook his finger at her. “I’ll talk to Kevin and Travis.”

“Go ahead. They’ll back me up,” Nerit responded with a cold as ice smile.

“We’re all concerned,” Katarina said to Juan. “You’re not the only one. Nerit is right and you know it.”

With a frustrated grunt, Juan reluctantly gave in. “Fine, but I want to go with you.”

“I’ll consider it.”

“Nerit, you can’t make me sit it out!”

“Yes I can if you can’t prove to me that you can calm your ass down.”

“I’m calm!”

“Prove it.”

Juan wilted under Nerit’s stern glare. With a weary sigh, he lowered his head, pressing his palm to his brow. “Okay. I will.”

“Katarina, you’re coming with me. Who else do you want on the team?”

Emma raised her hand. “I want to go with you. I can handle myself. I’d like to help, since this is my new home.”

Nerit gently pushed her hand down with her warm, rough one. “You’re in, Emma. How about you, Rune? You sticking around for a rescue?”

“I can’t. I won’t be any good to you. They’re getting louder and distracting me.”

“Okay. That’s fine. Just take care of yourself out there.”

“Will do, Nerit.”