Read Death After Life: A Zombie Apocalypse Thriller for Free Online Page B

Quarles was about to issue commands or complete equations.  
    Winter had heard a lot of commands but never seen the captain take chalk to a blackboard.
    “You kids look like shit,” Quarles said by way of preamble as they settled into their chairs.
    “Maybe the work doesn’t agree with us,” Winter replied.
    “No, you’re still the best I have. You’re not here to get chewed out.”
    That was a relief. Quarles had a drill instructor’s bark, when roused to use it. At the best of times his voice was somewhat like an 18-wheeler shifting gears.
    Quarles popped his humidor and withdrew a Punch. Winter arched an eyebrow at Nic. The captain was in a contemplative mood. The cigars only came out for promotions, strategy sessions or the rare moments of unwinding. Was the scotch next?
    As Quarles snipped the end off his stogie, he began. “Got a question for you jokers. Take a look at each other.”
    They did so. Nic seemed perplexed. But Winter could gaze into her eyes as long as necessary.
    “Good. Don’t look away. Now tell me — could you put a bullet between those eyes?”
    They both flinched. Then smiled ruefully.
    “Haha... That’s what I thought.”
    Quarles looked genuinely amused as he lit his cigar. “You two have been paired up for more than a year. Make a great team, no question. Good example for the others. But that’s too long.”
    Reassignment. Winter couldn’t believe he hadn’t thought of this possibility. He knew they kicked ass together, so he just assumed they’d be partners for the foreseeable future. But of course THIS was what landed them in Quarles’ office... The standard duty assignment was six months.  
    “You’re too fond of each other. If one of you gets the bug, the other one has to pull that trigger without a moment’s hesitation. Lives could be at stake. Now, I don’t blame you. I might hesitate to put bullets in you, too. But I’m not on the street with you every day, so I won’t have to.”
    Winter knew the regs. If your partner was infected in the field, you were obligated to carry out summary euthanasia without hesitation. There is no cure , he thought hollowly. Why was the government’s favorite catch-phrase rebounding in his brain over and over today?
    Even if it was hopeless, Winter had to argue. “Come on, Q. You split us up and you hurt the department. Hell, you hurt the state of Washington.”
    “Rules are rules,” Quarles said. “Damn good reasons behind them, too. I’ve looked the other way as long as I can.”
    “Give us another three months,” Nic said, emphatically, and Winter felt really good for a second. “Winter and me, we know what the other one’s gonna do before they do it. We’re keeping each other alive out there.”
    “I’m not that worried about you two staying alive. You know how to handle yourselves. Look, this isn’t a debate. We’re just gonna celebrate your run and call it a night.”
    With that, he turned around and slid open the panel on the credenza behind him to reveal the amply stocked liquor cabinet within. There was even a mini-fridge under there.
    Ah, the scotch came out. Turning back, Quarles slid each v-cop a tumbler of J & B on the rocks. Poured one for himself.
    They all sipped their drinks in silence for a moment. For Winter’s money, J & B had a weird aftertaste. But single malt was not on the menu tonight. He felt a nearly crushing melancholia.  
    Nic sighed. “Guess it’s for the best. I don’t want to face that moment, either.”
    Winter wasn’t ready to accept it. “We expect civvies to pull that trigger, if need be, every day. Doesn’t matter if it’s your mom, your wife or your kid. What’s it say that you aren’t sure a couple of seasoned v-cops can do what needs to be done?”
    “It says I know something about human nature.” Quarles was past arguing about it. “Now quit whining. You two can still go bowling, for Christ’s sake.”
    “Who you gonna pair us up with?” Nic asked.
    “Rookies.