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“You ain’t going though, right?”

“What is this? A conspiracy?”

“You’re the fearless leader. You can’t go. ”

“We’ll discuss this later! Just. . . get the word out that we’re doing this.

Okay?”

Bill shrugged again. “Okay. I will. ”

“Meeting in an hour in the dining room, okay?”

“Gotcha. ”

Travis walked away, rubbing his neck, wishing to God he could restart the day. Instead, he went to check in with Peggy.

* * * * * Katie could hear the arguing through the door and had a good idea what it was about. Her eyes hurt from crying and she felt a little sick to her stomach. She had left Jason and Jack to wait for Jenni and Rosie to come out of Juan’s room while she went in search of her husband.

Peggy hadn’t been at her regular haunt at the front desk, so Katie had gone on down the hall to the old hotel manager’s office. Now, the voices on the other side of the door were getting louder.

The second she opened the door, the people inside went quiet. Travis was leaning against his desk, glaring at Nerit and Peggy. Bill was standing with his hands on his belt, glowering at Travis. Eric was seated, legs crossed, cleaning his glasses while looking quite pensive.

“What’s going on?”

“Your fool husband wants to go out and get himself killed and leave us without a leader,” Peggy answered, her voice harsh with her frustration.

“Why should I ask other people to go out into the deadlands and risk themselves if I’m not going out myself? Huh?”

Katie looked at her husband and raised her eyebrows. “I thought it was settled that you weren’t going. ”

Throwing her an annoyed look, Travis flung up his hands.

“Your most trusted advisers and good friends are telling you that you need to stay. ” Eric donned his glasses and looked up. “Don’t you think you should listen to us?”

Picking up the volunteer sheet, Travis shook it at the co-conspirators.

“We have only seven people on this list. ”

“Katarina and Curtis wanted to go, too, but they’re getting rid of Blanche,”

Bill reminded him.

“I would go, but I’m needed here,” Nerit added.

“And I would have no idea how to handle myself out there,” Eric admitted, reddening slightly.

“Linda I can understand going because she’s Juan’s cousin. Lenore and Ken have me surprised, but they’re good people. Who is Dale?”

“The big guy that was rescued the other day. Has long hair and chops,”

Bill answered Travis.

“That’s kinda weird, him volunteering,” Travis said, obviously perplexed.

“He told me he wants to get involved and he might as well start now. ” Bill shrugged. “I think he’ll do fine. ”

“Okay, I guess. ” Travis returned his gaze to the piece of paper. “Felix always volunteers. I’m a little surprised by Roger though. Should Roger be going out?”