Read Online The Dead Series (Book 2): Dead Is All You Get by Steven Ramirez - Free Book Online Page A

idea what you just said.”
    “She’s paid very well, Dave.”
    “Oh.”
    As we sat reading through our copies of the documents, Holly took my hand. “I’m scared.”
    “What? Why?”
    But I knew why. I had already told her what Warnick had said about Evie being interrogated by the mayor. It scared me too.
    “I don’t know,” she said. “It’s a feeling I have. It’s like, I want us to have a life. To be able to make a life for our baby. But I’m worried about what’s happening. And it’s bigger than Evie. You asked me about my little woman. I lied when I said she wasn’t telling me anything. She is. She’s saying that something very creepy is going on here.”
    “Then why are we doing this?”
    “Because it’s better than the alternative, which is to be thrown out on the street. We’ve already lived that kind of life. I don’t want to go back to it. Especially not with Griffin and the baby.”
    “All right,” I said. “Let’s promise that we’ll do what we have to, but we won’t give up trying to find out what happened.”
    “Promise.”
    Pederman returned, carrying two black hard-shell cases. “Welcome aboard, guys. You are officially entitled to your Black Dragon-issue weapons.”
    He set the cases down on the conference table and opened one of them, revealing a brand new Glock 17 pistol, speed loader and two magazines already loaded with ammo. Adrenalin surged in my blood and I had to breathe deeply before reaching for the weapon.
    “You can go see the quartermaster to pick up your holsters and extra ammo. Holly, this weapon is a little larger than you’re probably used to, but I think you’ll come to appreciate its firepower.”
    “Great,” she said, opening her case and removing the weapon. “This is gonna sound weird, but it’s beautiful.”
    “Let me just say again how pleased I am to have you two on the team.”
    We stood and shook hands.
    “Mr. Pederman,” I said, “I’m curious about people coming and going. I mean, with the quarantine.”
    “We have to get permission from the mayor, but we are allowed to make trips outside when warranted.”
    “What about people coming in?”
    “Again, special arrangements need to be made. I’m late for another meeting. See you both soon. Again, congratulations.”
    When Pederman left, Holly and I took each other’s hands. “I never thought a gun would get me excited,” she said.
    “Careful. You’re married, remember?”
    “As Chuck would have it.”
    Mrs. Malaprop was back.

    We spent the rest of the afternoon doing target practice, followed by a CrossFit workout in a corner of the gym. It just about killed me, considering my bad shoulder and my leg. By the time we were finished, I was drenched—and sore.
    “What is this, basic training?”
    “Lightweight,” Holly said.
    When we got outside, I almost tripped on a step. Evie was waiting for us, wearing a backpack.
    “Where have you been?” Holly said.
    “Around,” Evie said. “I’m glad I found you two. I’m heading out.”
    “We heard they interrogated you,” I said.
    “Tried to.”
    I checked my watch. It was after five and getting dark. I was starving and suggested we go over to the cafeteria. Inside, dozens of people—soldiers and civilians—ate at long tables. We found an empty table in the rear by the entrance to the kitchen and kept our voices low. Only Holly and I ate.
    “So, where will you go?” I said.
    “I’ll find a place for the night. Tomorrow, I’m going to Robbin-Sear.”
    “But you can’t walk it—it’s too far,” Holly said.
    “I’ll figure something out. Anyway, I need to learn more about the outbreak. Hell, there might be an Emmy in it for me, if I can get out of this rat hole.”
    “I think you should stay here,” I said. “With us.”
    “I can’t.” Evie lowered her voice to almost a whisper. “It’s not safe for me here.”
    “Are you worried about Black Dragon?” Holly said.
    “Let me put it this way. There might be