Page 79 of Deadly Strain

Clark struggled not to laugh. Runnel looked like he was going to bust something if he didn’t let out his laughter.

She gave them a look. “You need to get out more, with, you know, people who don’t swear all the time.”

“Doc,” Runnel said, unable to keep the grin off his face. “Those people are a long way from here.”

“I realize that, but think of them once in a while, please.”

“Yes, ma’am. The poop is, we’re waiting foryourMax to get here.”

Was she hearing attitude?

“He’s notmyMax. He’s my boss and a good friend.”

“Whatever.” Clark shrugged, and didn’t look the least bit sorry. “Sharp talked to him while you were out cold. He’s coming with another A-Team, all disguised as extremists.”

“That’s not a bad idea.”

“Yeah.” Clark gave her a sidelong glance. “You planning on playing with that bug in here?”

She looked around the cave. “Since this place is mostly underground, the temperature is moderate. We’re protected from wind and any odd idiots who might get curious and want to investigate what we’re doing.” There was enough space, even with another dozen men, as long as they made an effort to stay out of the way.

“Odd idiots?” Clark asked, laughing again.

“You know what I mean.”

“The sad thing is, I do know what you mean. And you’re right, there are no eyes on us in here.”

She glanced around the cave again, trying to pick out the best area to set up the mobile lab. The stone benches along the wall where Sharp was sleeping were probably best. They would need to move some stuff around.

“Uh-oh,” Clark said to Smoke. “I know that look on her face. It’s the one that says we’re going to be moving furniture.”

When she turned to give the two men a piece of her mind, Smoke pointed at Clark and said, “Odd idiot.”

Clark looked at his friend sourly. “Thanks, man.”

“What’s with all the noise?”

Sharp’s voice brought Grace’s head around. “I’m sorry, I thought we were being quiet enough.”

He glanced at his watch, then at her with a frown. “You should still be sleeping.”

“I’ve got too many thoughts racing around in my head.”

“Grace,” he said, his voice heavy with disapproval. “You won’t be good for anything if you don’t get more sleep.”

“I had a great cat nap.” She stood and put her hands on her hips. “When I was doing my residency I had to work thirty-six hour shifts. I know what my limits are.” She grabbed her pack and pulled out the medical supplies. “Speaking of limits, I’d like to examine your various wounds to make sure none of them reopened over the last few hours.”

Sharp watched her face for a couple of seconds more before he stood. He grinned and started unbuckling his pants.

Clark, Runnel, and Smoke got up at the same time.

“We’re going to relieve Hernandez and March,” Clark told Sharp, waving his hand around in Sharp’s general direction. “And, uh, give you some time to do that.”

Clark and Smoke split up, one going to the tunnel, the other out toward the hillside exit. Runnel nodded at them. “Yeah, so, I’m going weapons shopping in the grenade aisle.”

She watched them all but run away. “That’s not necessary.” But they were gone. She turned back to Sharp and asked, “What do they think we’re going to do, have sex?”

Sharp shrugged. “Probably.”