“Wow,” Katie breathed, surprised. She had assumed nothing was left of the former government.
“I thought all those bozos got eaten,” Peggy drawled.
Kevin chuckled lightly. “No. The vice president was hunting in East Texas when the world went to hell. He’s holed up in Galveston. The military and civilians worked together to blockade the bridges to the mainland, and Galveston Island is now the location of what is called the Central Government of the United States.
“Eliminating all the zombies from the island took months and exhausted most of their resources. We know that there are a couple of other enclaves on the coast and that those people are sending supplies to Galveston by boat.” He paused.
“The area is heavily infested because of Houston. The only way on or off the island is by sea or air. The senator’s been trying to make the mall seem like an asset to the president so that we would receive more assistance—”
“And make her life cushier,” Valerie grumbled.
“—but it was clear that the powers that be consider us a lost cause. Not long ago, Central informed the senator that the mall is on its own.”
“Why doesn’t she just ask us for help? Or put us in contact with Central?” Travis’s tone was wary.
“She considers the fort to be a tool that she can use to secure a power base. Then she’ll have leverage with the new government.” Kevin sighed somberly. “I read her entire plan without her knowledge. Bruce Kiel smuggled a copy of the senator’s plan for your fort to me. She had given it to him for feedback. What I read both saddened and horrified me. Basically, she intends to enslave everyone from the fort and the mall. Based on skill set, education, and health, a person would be given a specific task to perform and receive shelter and a specific amount of food in return.”
Katie saw that everyone in the room looked shocked except Nerit, who nodded as if what she was hearing simply confirmed something she already suspected.
“The military will not only defend the civilians against the zombies, but enforce martial law. Curfews would be enacted, and in general people’s movements and freedom of choice will be heavily restricted. Even reproduction will be regulated.”
Katie gasped, her hands holding her tummy protectively. “What do you mean?”
“All women between the ages of eighteen and forty-five have been designated as breeders. One child, every two years.”
“How does Major General Knox feel about the plan?” Nerit asked.
“Brightman sold the whole idea to Knox by skewing it as a return to the values of the founding fathers. She claims it will restore the American family and society by encouraging hard work and a close-knit community.”
“Has she proposed it to the Central Government yet?” Travis’s voice was pensive, matching his expression.
Kevin shook his head. “No. She wants to create a seat of power before dealing with them again. I serve the American people. And the people deserve better.”
“What do you suggest we do?” Katie asked. “Do you think the senator will try to invade or stop people from leaving the mall?”
“She probably has about twenty military people on her side, but we have more soldiers on ours. She may try to order them to attack us. Considering what I’ve seen of the fort’s defenses, a successful invasion by twenty men would be very difficult, if not impossible.”
Valerie agreed with a curt nod of her head. “It could get nasty. Everyone is under extreme duress. Tempers might flare. Shots could be fired.”
“Do you think she’ll just back down from her plans?” Travis asked.
With a weary sigh, Kevin answered, “No. I don’t.”
Katie took a deep breath. Her father was alive but trapped. She wanted him here, with her. She wanted him to know and love Travis as he had once known and loved Lydia, to hold her child—his first grandchild—in his arms. She wanted Jenni and Bill to come home and to have Jenni at her side when she gave birth. She wanted her family to be whole again.
She stood up and said, “I’ll go to the mall and speak with the senator.” At Travis’s startled look, she continued, “I was a prosecutor before, and I can be very persuasive. I can make the senator see that the fort is open to everyone who is willing to work hard.”
“Katie, no,” Travis protested.
“I may personally despise the woman, but if Ashley Oaks is all that remains of the American dream and Texas’s independence, we need to fight for our freedom.”
Everyone was staring at her.
Determined, Katie said, “I’ve argued Paige Brightman into corners before. I had the displeasure of meeting her at more than one dinner party. She had a real issue with me being married to a woman, and we’ve had words about that.”
The “married to a woman” line elicited raised eyebrows from Peggy and looks of curiosity from the mall’s representatives, but Katie had no intention of explaining.
Travis kissed her temple, his lips warm against her skin. “Okay, then I’m going, too.” He pointed at Nerit. “And you are not stopping me this time!”
Nerit inclined her head. “I agree with you. This time.”
“If the senator agrees to relocating, how do we get the people away if there’s a big horde of zombies outside the mall?” Peggy sounded uncomfortable. One foot was rapidly tapping on the floor.
“Airlift. We got three other helicopters,” Greta answered.
“We’ve been using an abandoned commercial airstrip for refueling. We keep it clear of zombies,” Kevin explained. “It’ll take a lot of trips to bring everyone out, but it’s the safest option.”
“As long as the helicopters don’t attract any zombie mobs, that should work fine,” Nerit said.
The tension in the room was being swiftly replaced by a tentative sense of camaraderie. It would be rough bringing everyone here, Katie knew, but they could do it. And perhaps they could use the senator’s contacts with President Castellanos to their advantage.
“Sounds like we have a lot of planning to do before we get this ball rolling,” Travis said, taking control of the conversation. “I say we get to it.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
1.
Entering the Parlor
This is hell, Jenni thought. She’d just spent hours scrubbing toilets and sinks along with five other women. The mall stank of fear, sweat, and unwashed human beings. According to one of the people on her work crew, there were only a few working showers in the mall and most of them were upstairs, where the senator and her entourage lived. Most people were allowed a two-minute shower once every four days.
The mall’s lower floor was shaped like the letter A. The corridor that connected the two legs held the food court and public area, complete with a two-story waterfall. Today there were a few kids running around in the playscape near the waterfall, but most people were just sitting at the tables in the food court, silently eating what looked like beans with bits of hot dog mixed in.
The scene was depressing. Word had spread that the senator wanted to seize control of the fort, and hope had slowly fizzled out of everyone.
An enormous skylight let in the outside light and illuminated the area. Looking up, Jenni noticed that a crisscross of catwalks sprawled over the entire food court. A fire escape–like metal stairway snaked up the back wall and over the empty fast-food stalls.
She fell in behind other people waiting for food and let her hair down from its ponytail. After a few minutes she was handed a bowl of beans and wieners. Turning, she spotted Bill at a table and went to join him. He was eating, watching the children with a sad look on his face.
“They’re just waiting to die,” he said as she sat down.
“Aren’t we all?” she answered flippantly.
“No, not really. At the fort we were actually living. Finding love, making babies. Movie nights and dances. We live.”
With a sigh, Jenni started eating. She heard the sound of the helicopter returning. Its shadow filled the food court as it flew over the enormou
s skylight before settling somewhere outside the mall.
“You’re right. It’s different at the fort,” she admitted. “This is just existing. It’s not right.”
Bill sighed. “Katarina and I were going to have a beer together after the hospital run.”
“Really?” Jenni grinned. “Good for you!”
“I felt kinda guilty at first, liking her. My wife died a year ago, so…” Bill let out a slow breath. “You know what I mean.”
Jenni didn’t, but nodded anyway. She had hated her abusive husband. She felt no remorse or guilt about her relationship with Juan.
“Then I figured that in this world, you gotta take your chance at happiness.” Bill glanced at the people all around them. The mall people were muted, shadows, living on what little remained of their normal energy.
“I just hope we can get these people a better life,” Jenni said with a sigh.
“We just got the military and zombies standing in our way,” Bill answered. “Piece of cake.”
Jenni stood up to return her bowl and spoon to the cleanup crew. She saw movement out of the corner of her eye. Pivoting around, Jenni saw Kevin leading a group of people through the food court. Her bowl and spoon clattered to the floor when she saw Katie and Travis among them.
“Katie!” Jenni rushed toward her friend. Katie saw her and called her name. As if they were in some stupid movie, they ran to each other and flung their arms around each other. Katie squeezed her so tight, Jenni could hardly breathe. Pressing kisses to her best friend’s cheek, Jenni felt her tears of joy falling down her face, hot and fierce.
“How’s Juan?” Jenni asked.
“He’s fine,” Travis answered as he joined them and gave Jenni a comforting hug. Jenni exhaled with relief.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded. “It sucks here!”
Katie grinned before throwing her arms around Bill, who had also come up to the group. “We came to take you guys home.”
Travis gave Jenni a little squeeze. “And everyone else here.”
“We’re game.” Bill answered with a grin, “Just tell us what to do!”
Jenni glanced at the soldiers around them. She frowned.
“They’re with us,” Katie assured her.
“Honestly?”
“Yes,” Travis said with a grin.
For the first time since she’d entered the mall, Jenni felt a sense of hope.
2.
The Spider and the Fly
Those around him would make decisions, Lydia had said, that might lead to their deaths.
Travis sat solemnly beside Katie in the food court as they waited for Kevin to return with the senator. Kevin was certain the senator would want to make a grand show of welcoming the fort’s leaders to the mall.
Katie’s decision to go to the mall had terrified Travis, but one of the things he loved about Katie was her strength. She looked at him with her clear, beautiful green eyes and smiled at him reassuringly. Jenni sat on Katie’s other side. Their fingers were intertwined. Travis had been relieved to see Jenni and Bill. Not that he didn’t mourn Roger and Felix, but it was hard not to feel relieved when those closest to you survived.
The people seated at the nearby tables kept stealing looks at the newcomers. Some stared openly. Even the workers who were mopping the floor of the food court were watching them.
The daylight spilling through the enormous skylight above was somewhat comforting. All the mall doorways were blacked out. Travis supposed it was to keep the people from seeing the hordes of zombies outside the gates. He had been horrified when he’d seen the mass of the undead as the helicopter swung over the mall. How the soldiers had kept them at bay so long was beyond him.
A tall man with white hair and an imposing face rushed down a frozen escalator. At the sight of him, Katie let out a cry and jumped to her feet. Travis realized who the man must be: her father. Without a word, Bruce Kiel took Katie in his arms.
“Dad!” Katie gasped as they embraced.
“Katie-girl, it’s so good to see you. I’m so sorry about Lydia, baby. I can’t believe you’re here!”
“Dad, I can’t believe you’re here!” Katie pulled Travis closer. “This is Travis, Dad, my husband.”
The stern man looked startled, then smiled, took Travis’s hand, and pumped it in a handshake. “Good to meet you, son,” Bruce said in his deep voice. “If Katie chose you, you have to be one helluva person.”
“It is a pleasure meet you,” Travis answered, feeling a bit overwhelmed.
“And as you can tell, you’re going to be a grandfather, Dad.”
Bruce grinned and put his hand gently on his daughter’s abdomen. “I’m thrilled, Katie. Surprised, but thrilled!”
A group of people appeared at the top of the escalator; Travis saw Kevin and eight other soldiers, a man Travis recognized from CNN as the senator’s campaign manager, and Senator Paige Brightman. Her campaign manager wore a suit, but the senator was clad in a bright red dress with diamonds glittering in her ears. She descended the steps at an even pace; there was a beauteous smile on her face. She and her entourage stopped near the base of the escalators while Kevin walked briskly to Travis and the others. Looking again at the group, Travis realized that one of the soldiers probably outranked the others, judging by his uniform.
“It looks like it’s time for you to deal with the senator,” Bruce said grimly.
“Don’t worry. We’re ready,” Katie assured him.
“That’s my girl.” Bruce glanced at Kevin, who inclined his head slightly. Katie’s father fell back, joining Jenni and Bill.
“She believes this is a transfer of power, so she’s in a good mood.” Kevin escorted Travis and Katie to the senator. “She wants a bit of a show.”
The senator’s personal guards swooped down to keep the mall’s inhabitants at bay as the fort’s delegation approached.
“Welcome to the Madison Mall Rescue Center,” the senator said, projecting her pleasant voice and extending her hand. “I’m Senator Paige Brightman. The gentleman behind me is Major General Gordon Knox.”
“Travis Buchanan,” Travis answered, shaking hands briefly.
“A pleasure to meet you. It’s good that you have agreed to move forward for the benefit of the American people,” the major general said.
Travis hesitated, then decided not to rock the boat just yet. “This is my wife, Katie.”
Senator Paige Brightman clearly recognized the younger woman. She laughed, a bright, amused chuckle, and lowered her voice to a more conversational volume, one that the onlookers could no longer hear. “Katie, I see you came back to the right side of the fence.”
Travis sensed Katie’s cold anger rising like a wave.
“My wife died the first day,” Katie answered tersely.
“Oh, I see. I’m sorry,” the senator answered in a sorrowful tone that Travis pegged as false. She flashed a smile at Travis, winking. “But you found a strapping, handsome man, I see.”
He observed Katie’s eyes glittering with anger and unexpected tears. “And I was lucky to find a wonderful woman who has no prejudices,” Travis responded, taking his wife’s hand.
“I meant no offense. It’s a shame about Lydia. She was one of the best interior designers in Texas.” Paige Brightman displayed a fairly convincing mournful expression, and Travis felt Katie’s hand clench into a fist inside his grasp.
“I’d love to catch up on old times,” the senator said in her Texas drawl, “but there are matters of great importance to be discussed.” A crowd of people was watching from the food court, and the senator gave them her best campaign smile. Raising her voice, she said, “Why don’t we go upstairs to my office?”
“Very well,” Katie said. “Let’s get this over with.”
3.
Showdown
As Katie walked up the unmoving escalator, she felt the hundred or so people gathered in the corridor below staring up at her. The irony of the rescue center being a mall made her s
mile to herself. And of course, Kevin was a black hero. Romero would be proud.
That she was a blond, pregnant woman was also amusing, but unlike the heroine of Dawn of the Dead, she was a former prosecutor who had no trouble stepping up to the plate. Add in the fact that she was bisexual, and she pretty much blew the stereotype.
She loved that.
Katie saw the strain in Travis’s face and knew that he was worried sick about the risks they were taking. Every time she looked at him, his gaze seemed to wrap around her protectively. Their love for each other gave her strength. Strangely, being brought up by the senator had given Lydia strength as well. The memory of her wife made her feel more determined and strong. There was no way she was going to let the senator enslave these people.
Entering the office behind the senator, Katie saw that the desk was flanked by large American and Texan flags. A map of Texas was tacked to the wall; the locations of the fort and the mall were marked and labeled. The senator took her seat as the major general positioned himself behind her chair. Katie remembered that Kevin had pegged this man as someone who had joined the military to enhance his political résumé. Compared to her father, he did appear a little soft. The campaign manager and armed guard remained outside.
Kevin took a seat, but Travis did not. Instead, he closed the office door and leaned against it, arms folded over his chest. His gaze was direct and encouraging.
Katie remained standing. She took a breath, readying herself.
The senator crossed her legs and rested her folded hands on her lap. “Let’s get down to business. I take it you are speaking for the fort, Katie?”
“Consider me their ambassador,” she answered.
“Very well, Ambassador. We will be relocating to the fort immediately. I expect for you to have the Governor’s Suite ready for us,” the senator said. “I will meet with the fort’s former leadership for an in-depth debriefing within an hour of my arrival.”
Katie arched her eyebrow. “I see.”
As The World Dies Trilogy Box Set [Books 1-3] Page 82
