Inquisition

by Marcy G. Dyer

  Inquisition

  Dark Days Book Two

  Marcy G. Dyer

  Copyright © 2018 by Marcy G. Dyer

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Contents

  Dedication and Acknowledgment

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  About the Author

  Also by Marcy G. Dyer

  Dedication and Acknowledgment

  Once again, I would like to dedicate this book to Pastor Matt. His help has been invaluable with Randi's spiritual journey through this series. I know I didn't do his words justice, but I appreciate his help more than words can express.

  Chapter 1

  Randi's shift didn't start for another hour, but Ethan was on watch in the front tower. He would listen to her rant. Besides, he was the one person in camp she could ask to help her keep an eye on Barker and his crew. At least until they knew none of them were infected.

  Ethan looked up and grinned as she walked into the room. "What do I owe the pleasure of your company to, darlin'?"

  Normally someone calling her by an endearment grated her nerves, but coming from Ethan, it sounded natural, sincere. "Hey. I need to talk."

  "I'm listening."

  "Do you realize we allowed Barker's entire crew into our midst without checking if anyone was infected? When I brought it up, I was told that they'd been out in the world longer than any of us, and if one of them had been bitten or scratched, they would tell us."

  "Yeah." He gave her a questioning look. "And?"

  "They also know if any of them are infected, we'll send them on their way and not allow them in." She sucked in a noisy breath. "What if one of Barker's kids got scratched? Do you think his wife would speak up?"

  "Probably not." He bounced his leg up and down. "Fear would keep her quiet. Especially after losing the boy."

  "Exactly, and what about the guy they brought with them? They don't know him. How do we know if he would be honest or not?" Randi waved her arms around. "Maybe he's a freak who wants to infect as many as possible on his way out. Or he doesn't realize the seriousness of a deep scratch. Or he didn't know he got saliva into an open wound."

  "You have a point." He drew his brows together. "In fact, when I ran into him a little while ago, he was sweating like crazy, and it's only sixty-five out. Not hot by any means. I figured he has a bad heart." Ethan lifted his shoulders in a shrug. "The man looks like a walking heart attack, but when I get off duty, I'll watch them all. How long's the incubation period?"

  "I'm not sure. Last I heard it could be an hour to a few days. Maybe, it depends on the depth of the wound and the viral load?"

  "Sounds reasonable."

  She took a deep breath. At least keeping watch on the Barker crew didn't fall solely on her shoulders now. "Thanks, Ethan." She gave him a quick hug. He held tight. The tension left her body. How had they gotten so close in such a short time? It wasn't like her to trust people, especially those new to her circle. When Josh brought Ethan into the camp, she'd been concerned about letting him into their safe haven. Just like she was with most newcomers, but Ethan was different than most people. "I'm headed back down to wander the complex and maybe visit the house. I want to see these strangers for myself."

  "When you relieve me, I'll do the same. While you're at it, get something to eat. If you lose more weight, your clothes are gonna fall off."

  Randi shook her head. "It's hard with everything we do."

  "I get it, darlin', but you can't help take care of these naïve people unless you keep up your strength." He rubbed his face. "I'll make you some deer jerky. It'll have less odor, but until I get that done, eat. Girl, we need you in top shape if we're going to keep these people safe."

  She left the tower, headed to the house, and encountered Mary Anne on the front porch. The woman swiped at her forehead, and her hair hung in wet tendrils around her face. "You okay, Mrs. Barker?"

  "It's Mary Anne." She motioned for Randi to follow her inside, and she flopped down on the sofa. "I just added logs to the fire upstairs. For such a pretty day, the house seems to hold in the cold."

  Add her to the list of people to watch. "Think I'll head to the kitchen for a bite."

  "Your sister made venison steaks, gravy, and some turnip greens." Mary Anne leaned back. Fatigue etched her features. "The girls said it was good."

  "You didn't eat?"

  Tears shimmered in her eyes. "Not much of an appetite. I think of David constantly." She gave Randi a weak smile. "How do I eat with a broken heart? When I know how many people I've killed? The thought of food is revolting."

  Randi sat on the coffee table in front of her. "When we first got here, my brother-in-law, who was more like my big brother, went on a run with me. A sniper shot him in the heart. I couldn't do anything to save him. While it's nothing like losing a child, I know, it still hurts." She took a deep breath. "I've suffered a lot of loss in my life. Devastating loss. I've killed more people than I can count." Randi dropped her chin to her chest and slumped her shoulders. "Each face haunts my dreams at night."

  Life started out screwed up. Now, Randi didn't even know what it was. She scrubbed her hand over her face. "My point is we can't allow our pain to kill us. If we don't eat and force ourselves to join the living, we're dishonoring their memories. I know Leon would be ticked if he saw me now, and how I've let his death define me. Would your son feel the same way?"

  Mary Anne gave a slight nod.

  "Come on. I'm going to eat. You have to try at least. Things'll only get worse before they improve. You and I have to be strong enough to get the others through it. Especially the children. Our future hinges on them."

  "Yeah. I can't see your mom or sister picking up a gun to protect any of us." Her eyes grew wide, and she covered her mouth with her hand. "I did not mean that as an insult."

  Randi smiled and patted Mary Anne's knee. "No offense taken. I worry about the two of them also."

  Randi and Mary Anne entered the kitchen. Kurt Grissom sat at the head of the table pale and sweating just like Ethan had said... "Mr. Grissom, are you okay? Do you need some water?" Are you infected? Do I need to worry about my family?

  He shook his head. "No. I need some nitro. Forgot my bottle at the gas station when I left."

  "Have you talked to Miguel or Jill?"

  "No." He frowned. "Why? I know Miguel is a doctor, but he can’t do nothing for my heart. Just need some relief."

  "We may have some tablets or patches."

  "That would be nice." He pushed his chair back.

  "No, sit. Let me find one of them and see what we have." She started toward the door as Jill came inside. "Mr. Grissom needs some nitro."

  Jill tapped her chin. "I'm not sure we have any, but let me check."

  Mary Anne set a full plate on the table as Jill turned and left. "
You agreed to eat if I would."

  Randi nodded, took a seat, and looked at the food that normally would've tempted her but not now. The aroma nauseated her. Why couldn't she find protein bars when she was scavenging? At least those didn't have much odor.

  Katie, the girl who'd come with the Barkers came into the room as Randi forced a few bites down. Why did everything taste like the Sahara? Katie downed a large glass of water, splashed some on her flushed face, and went back out. Had the girls been playing hard? Everywhere she looked someone was sweaty and flushed. She excused herself after she'd forced down enough food to stay alive, then walked across the packed earth to the center tower.

  She walked in and Ethan raised his eyebrows.

  "Nothing yet. Several people have symptoms, but so far those can all be easily explained away. Grissom does have a heart problem and needs nitro, by the way."

  "Or so he says."

  "True."

  "I'll wander around checking people out." Ethan stood and stretched. "Who's relieving Mark in the rear tonight?"

  "Dad or Miguel. I don’t remember which."

  "All righty, I'm going to get something to eat, but I'll check on you in a while." Ethan disappeared through the door.

  Randi continued to watch the road. If she prayed, she would ask her father's God to not let anyone be infected, but even if He did exist, why pray to someone who'd let her down so many times? No time to dwell on that now. She hopped up, walked outside, and looked over the yard. A cool breeze through the area stirred up the dirt. The odor of dust hung in the air. She closed her eyes for a few seconds, and images of all of the people she'd killed came flooding back. Why were they etched in her memory?

  As she stepped back inside, shrieks came from the yard. She flew down the steps and ran out of the compound just in time to see a drooling Kurt grab Candy.

  Bryan Ridley watched Vixen as she called a town hall meeting. She had that infernal German shepherd at her side. Did she steal the dog from Barker's girls, or did they leave it when they escaped? He doubted they abandoned their pet intentionally.

  He stood at the fence as everyone gathered in the park. The feline woman stepped onto the dais several of the men had built into one end of the park. She had a mesmerizing grace when she moved. What had she done before the world fell? Maybe a model? She had a cutthroat air about her that might've served her well in the competitive business.

  Applause broke out. She waited a beat, smiled, and picked up a bullhorn. They treated her like royalty. He rubbed his breastbone with his fist. He'd fallen into her vortex just like the rest of them.

  "Ladies and gentleman, I've found us a new home. It's large, self-sufficient and full of creature comforts we've only dreamed about here." Vixen paused and stared at each person gathered. Her weird purple eyes sparkled and gleamed in the dwindling evening light. Why did she wear those freaky contacts? Did she think they made her look intimidating? Instead, she resembled a villain in a superhero movie. "How would you like to have electricity, running water, protected land for hunting, and an almost impenetrable fortress where you can raise your children in safety?"

  Everyone began clapping even before she'd finished her first words. Almost everyone. A few people stared at her with raised eyebrows. The woman knew how to draw a crowd in that was for sure. Of course, she demanded they all join for her for her town-hall meetings. Dictatorship at its finest.

  "Our very own Phil Harrison found us a new town where we can live in complete safety." She held a hand toward Phil in true politician style. "Let's give Phil a round of applause." Maybe she was in local politics before the country fell. That seemed to fit her better than the modeling angle. She was vicious enough to have aspired for the White House.

  "Unfortunately, someone who betrayed our fair town is now residing on this land. You all remember Reginald Barker who rendered most of our vehicles useless, kidnapped his wife and daughters against their will, and spirited them away from our safe home. He has invaded the land and hired people to protect him."

  She focused on Alton Jones. An almost intimate look passed between them. Was something going on between those two? Bryan wrinkled his nose. Wasn't Jones smarter than to get involved with their leader?

  "We must rid the place of the vermin living there by any means possible."

  "If this place is impenetrable, how will we get inside?" Marguerite asked.

  Good question. How many Atlas residents would die executing Vixen's plans?

  "I said, 'almost impenetrable'. We will watch and plan. If we rush this job we'll never succeed." Vixen turned her attention back to the crowd. "We must bide our time observing the group, how it functions, and planning our take over at the most opportune time."

  "In the meantime, we gather intelligence. Teams of two will provide surveillance. If captured, claim you're looking for sanctuary. There are plenty of trees for cover, so I expect each of you to complete your tasks without alerting Reginald's group. You will displease me if you're captured by his vile team." Vixen pointed her long, red nail-tipped finger at Kaley. "They'll kill you if they capture you."

  Kaley crossed her arms and a few other people in the audience gasped. Bryan glowered at Vixen. For some reason, he didn't believe anything out of the woman's mouth, but he would take his turns at observation. He wanted confirmation of Reginald's treachery or innocence before planning his next move. In fact, he might observe from a different vantage point while she had her people watching. He could sell it to her by touting his experience and offering a different perspective.

  Vixen smiled and spread her arms wide. "We'll have room to expand after we move. Just think of the new people we can bring in and make our community a real town." She consulted her clipboard. "Now, down to business. Joe, Alton, take the first stakeout of our new home. Bring back copious notes and photos. I want to know who leaves and when. If they have weapons, what kind? Take the best binoculars and zoom lenses for the camera. Most importantly, do not get caught.

  "Phil, Kaley, Marguerite, and Lewis will scour the countryside all the way to San Antonio if necessary, to find weapons, ammo, and scopes. We need more firepower before we attempt this coup. While you're out, look for working vehicles and gas."

  She smiled at her town. "Alton, Joe, when it's time for someone to relieve you, they will contact you via radio. If you don't hear anything, assume that you are to continue surveillance. That will be all now."

  He turned and headed toward his house. Muttering as he went. He needed to get away from Vixen.

  "Bryan, wait up."

  He turned to see her approaching him with her dog at her side. She never let the pup get more than a foot away. As he waited for her to catch up, he crossed his arms over his tightening chest. What did she want from him?

  "What do you think?"

  "About what?" He raised an eyebrow. "Invading another group without even approaching them to begin with? It's wrong."

  "I didn't tell the others, but I tried." Vixen gave a long sigh and placed her hand on his arm. "I went to the gate and called the attention of the person on guard. When I asked if they would allow us to join, she gave me thirty seconds to get off their property before she put a bullet in my head."

  Bryan stared at the woman. "Oh, really? What did this woman look like?"

  "What does that matter?" Her nostrils flared. "Are you calling me a liar?"

  "Just want to know who to keep an eye on when it's my turn."

  "Of course. Black, short hair. She's thin and muscular. They're all evil people." She moved closer to him and slid her open palm onto his chest. "You know, I would never attempt to invade someone else's space if they were decent human beings, but these people, Bryan, they have to go. Even if we have to kill them."

  "How many of ours will we lose?" He stepped back. Her touch made his skin crawl, and He didn't want to encourage any advances from her. "Is revenge on Barker for not following your rules worth the lives of those who live here?"

  "If you're not with me on this, maybe-
-"

  "I didn't say I wasn't with you. However, I have some serious concerns. Maybe those will be alleviated after I scope out the place."

  "They will. You can pick a tree outside the inner fences and pick people off one at a time. None of our brave citizens need to die."

  He nodded. "You'll wait to invade until I'm comfortable our group stands a chance?"

  "Of course." Her eyes went wide, and her hand flew to her throat. "I would never go if you thought we were in danger. You're an Army Ranger. A sniper. This op will depend on your planning and guidance to execute."

  Chapter 2

  A scream split the air as Josh stepped out of the ATV barn. He ran to the center of the compound. His heart thudded in his ears, and his muscles clenched. What had happened?

  Kurt Grissom had Candy's arm in a stranglehold and lunged for her. She kept moving back as fast as she could, but she couldn’t get out of his grasp.

  He lunged for her again, and Josh put two rounds in the man's head.

  "Are you okay?"

  "No!" she shrieked. "Do I look okay? Barker brought this zombie into our home. Now I'm dead." Blood soaked the shoulder of her tee shirt. When had Grissom bitten her?

  "May I check it?" Randi reached for her, but she batted her away.

  "What good does that do? He was infected. He bit me. End of story. Either you put a bullet in my brain, or the cycle repeats itself.

  He closed his eyes. Why hadn't he stood with Randi when she wanted his uncle's group to strip?