“It doesn’t really matter now, does it?” Curtis said darkly. “The government ain’t here anymore as far as we know. But we are. ”
“I’ll handle the investigation and keep it on the low down or as low as I can,” Bill said. “And I’ll start by questioning Juan. ”
Juan let out an explosive sigh and threw up his hands. “Fine. It’s not like I have work to do to make us all safe. ”
Jenni sat down next to him and took his hand. “I’m staying with him. ”
Bill nodded. “That’s fine, but the rest of you should go. ”
Manny said, “Okay, but let me know what you find out. ”
Peggy stood up and headed out the door, Katie following. Travis hesitated then followed them out as Curtis and the Mayor also left with grim expressions on their faces.
The Mayor drew Curtis aside, whispering, “We need damage control, Curtis. We can’t let this get out. ”
Travis sighed and walked on, hands in his pockets. Some things never changed he supposed; once a politician always a politician.
His face brightened when he saw Katie hanging back in the hallway that led from the hotel’s offices to the lobby. The fact she was now with him still made him grin and feel a little overwhelmed. Reaching her, he laid his hand on her cheek and leaned down to give her a kiss.
Her lips were soft and sweet against his. She slid her arms around his waist and rested against him.
Apart from everyone else, they shared a quiet moment of kisses. “I need to get to work. ”
“I know. I have to report for lunch duty,” Katie murmured against his chest. “I'll see you tonight at the party though. ”
“Are we going?”
Katie pressed herself up against him and gave him a look he found hard to resist. “I figured we could go and make an appearance, then sneak away. ”
“How about just sneaking away?” Travis asked with a grin.
“After an appearance at the party,” Katie said firmly, but with a wicked gleam in her eye.
“Okay, okay,” Travis conceded. “Anything you want. ”
“Good,” she answered, and pressed her lips against his.
Travis slid regretfully out of her grasp and headed out into the construction site. He gave her one last smile, then slipp
ed out through the old janitor’s room turned entryway.
With the “civvies” now out of the way and tucked into the hotel, the construction site was being re-organized. The plan now was to set up the third “lock” in the new vehicle entry to add more protection against the undead, then they were going to bust through the wall in the back of the old newspaper building and begin to use it for projects.
Jason was hanging out near Travis’ office with Jack. He looked nervous and unsure, his bangs hanging heavily in his face.
“Hey Jason, what’s up?”
“I was wondering if I could talk to you about some ideas,” Jason answered.
“What kind of ideas?”
Travis opened the doors to the portable office relieved that the civilians were now moved out and that they could once more reclaim it as office space.
“Stuff to kill zombies other than just guns and bows and arrows. No one is really good with the bows and arrows anyway,” Jason answered.
“Well, except Lenore. ”
Travis raised an eyebrow. “True. What do you have for me?”