Read Online This Would Be Paradise (Book 2) by N.D. Iverson - Free Book Online Page B

the scratches on my side and knew I was immune. That was why he’d stalled my leaving and involved me: so I’d remain here until those gang members came to grab me. He was lucky I was too weak to kill him myself; another step closer to that serial killer title.  
    I shook with anger, and Elaine rushed to my side.
    “Do you feel like you’re going to faint again?”
    I took a deep breath through my nose to contain my rage. “Chloe, can you grab me some food? I think I’m good to eat.”
    Chloe’s eyes widened. “Sure can. Be right back.”
    She took off out of the office.
    “Close the door,” I said.
    Mac shut the door and came right back. “What is it?”
    I had to make sure I worded this right. Maybe it would be better if I started off with a bit of show and tell? I moved to get off the stretcher.
    “Hey, you don’t need to stand yet,” Elaine said.
    “Trust me,” I said and steadied myself on my feet.
    All eyes were on me. I lifted my shirt to reveal the scars that ran up my side. Mac’s face lit up. Roy’s face was a mask of anger, and Elaine peered at the marks curiously.
    “These are from an infected person. I got them months ago and never turned,” I explained. “Tim saw these the other day and deduced I was immune. I knew he was up to something when he kept trying to keep me here. Then before the attack, I saw him with those two guys outside my window. He took a bag from them and pointed to my apartment, and then they came after me.”
    Stunned silence filled the room. I didn’t need to be a mind reader to know what they were thinking. Mac’s theory. Roy’s wife and dead child. Elaine’s clinical logic. They were putting the pieces together.
    “Are you sure it was Tim?” Elaine asked.
    “A hundred percent.”
    “I believe you,” Mac said. “I always thought he was off.”
    “All right, how do we proceed from here?” Elaine asked. “I mean we need a little more evidence than just what you saw.”
    “I’d say it’s pretty damn incriminating,” I shot back. “How else would you explain it?”
    “Makes sense.” Mac crossed his arms. “He always makes these extraordinary finds. Like the time he came back with half a trunk full of guns and ammo when every place that sold weapons for miles had been picked clean. I’m willing to bet that bag he they gave him was filled with supplies and food and maybe guns.”
    Mac was probably right. That bag wouldn’t contain hundred dollar bills. Money was useless these days, but weapons and food were gold. Whatever was in that bag was what Tim considered me worth.
    “You know, come to think of it,” Mac continued, “during the attack on the apartment, Tim was coincidently on watch with Karla at the interstate entrance. He even traded shifts with Roy if I remember correctly.”
    “But why would Tim send them after you?” Elaine asked.
    “I’m immune. Mac has a theory about it, and I think he’s right.” I touched my side, feeling the raised scars underneath my shirt.
    Mac told them what he’d told me in the kitchen.
    “That’s all circumstantial,” Elaine said. “Is it true, Roy? Was your wife bitten?”
    Roy hadn’t said one word since I’d revealed my scratches. He was tense, his fists clenched at his side. Instead of answering, Roy stormed out of the room, the door slamming against the wall. We all looked at one another and followed him out of the room. I tested my legs, taking a few shaky steps, and found I was okay to walk.
    He rounded the corner to the common room and marched up to Karla.
    “Where is he?” he demanded.
    Karla was shocked into silence. Roy grabbed her forearms and shook her.
    “Where’s Tim?” he yelled into her face.
    Mac grabbed him and yanked him off Karla.
    She looked at us, confused. “I-I don’t know. He’s still out, I think.”
    Curious faces watched the scene from their spots all over the common room. Everyone should have been in their rooms with the doors locked, but no one had common sense