“Because we found another place,” Joe continued. “The police station. It’s empty now. Man, they still have everything.” Joe showed his brother the same kind of radios Carla carried. “We just have to change the frequency to limit to our own group. And you should see what Mike picked up.”
Mike’s grin broadened.
“You’re gonna love this, Jack.”
Jack didn’t think he would love anything in this nightmare. But he followed Joe and Mike to the motel’s parking lot.
The brand-new Cadillac Escalade was indeed a shocker. Beautiful, fully loaded. More importantly, the tires were huge. “It’s a four-wheel drive,” Mike smiled as they approached. “Found it with the keys inside. A little blood on the driver’s seat, but that’s all.”
“Gasoline?”
“Full tank.”
Jack shook my head, and allowed a weak smile to pull on the corners of his mouth. Maybe there was hope for them yet. They loaded the rest of their supplies. Finally ready, they woke up Brice and Julie, and were on their way. None of them knew what to expect, but Jack was certain of two things: he would get his daughter and Carla back. Then he would personally kill Cole, the agent in black.
Chapter Nineteen
Jack and the gang arrived at the great Dodger Stadium just before three-thirty in the morning.
An unusual number of zombies roamed the grounds. There were more than Jack had ever seen gathered before. They headed toward the ballpark, coming in droves from all directions as they filled up the huge parking lot. The fences were torn down in places; some of the gates stood open. Jack and his companions were astounded at the numbers of undead. How did they get here? And why? There was nothing here for them. No humans to feed them all, no prey. Yet there they were, wandering listlessly in the night.
Brice led the way to a fairly hidden spot to park close to Top Deck. “This will give us the easiest way out, whenever we need it,” he explained. “We used it all the time with our season tickets, helped us escape the crowds.”
“Human crowds,” added Jared glumly.
“I don’t know why they’re here, but we can dodge them,” said Jack. “We have to be quiet, stealthy. We’ll check which gates are open, too.” He handed out the radios, having already set them to a private frequency. Then he added flashlights and Sharpie pens. “Use the flashlights only in an emergency, and only after communicating that you’re about to by radio. If anyone sees a flashlight without communication, we all come running. Got it?”
“What if he uses a flashlight?” Julie, of all people, asked.
“Good question. We’ll all be outside the stadium,” replied Jack. “If we see light inside, announce the location via radio. If Cole’s outside, I guess that’s a chance we’re gonna have to take. Use your knives on the infected, and try not to get bit.” Jack smiled at his wry joke that went ignored.
“Um, Jack? What are the Sharpies for?” Brice asked.
“Mark anything that could be of use to others. An open gate, any sign of recent human activity, anything your gut tells you. Write the location, the gate and aisle number and the time.”
Jack was grateful that his brother and friends had military training. The plan seemed sound... solid. Joe took over the conversation. “We use the buddy system. Jared, you’re with me. We’ll start from the left. Jack, Brice, you two go the other way.”
“And Mike and Julie?” Jack asked. He could tell Julie was dying to say something, but she kept quiet.
“She stays with me,” Mike answered. “I’m going to check out the lower level. I’ll make myself invisible. I want to see if I can locate him, or them. Julie, I will find you a safe place to stay.” He faced her, eyeing her seriously. “I’m saying this in front of everyone. If you make unnecessary moves, or sounds, or try to run, I will kill you. I don’t want to, but I can’t have you screw this up for us. Do you understand me?”
“I—I understand,” she said. “But don’t leave me alone, please. I’ve never been here. I’m scared. You know how in the movies, they always split up, and it’s always a mistake.”
They collectively rolled their eyes.
“What is it that you really want to tell us, Julie?”
She looked at Jack, surprised, then nodded. “Cole has something... something big planned. I don’t know what it is, but he said you’ll be dead once it happens.”
“No, you tell us what it is!” Mike demanded. “We don’t have all fucking night, so make it quick!”
She cowered at the harshness in his voice.
“All I know is it’s in a suitcase. A shiny silver suitcase.”
Jack looked at his brother and Mike, and then Brice. They looked at him.
“There’s no way he has one,” Joe finally said.
“Has what?” asked Jared, stepping forward. “Tell us, please.”
“A bomb,” said Brice.
“A bomb?”
“And my guess, based on what we know about this asshole, is it’s a thermonuclear warhead.”
“How in the hell did he get his hands on one of those?” Jack asked.
“He’s a high-ranking agent in a shadow program,” Joe explained. “There’s no telling what he has access to, or what force he’s been authorized to use.”
“Jesus,” Jack whispered in dismay.
“And he’s figured out a way to lure the local chapters of the undead.”
“And, us, too,” added Mike.
“Well, we have to get the girls and get the fuck out of here,” said Jared, “Before....”
He didn’t have to finish. They all knew what he meant.
Before Kingdom Come came to Dodger Stadium.
* * *
Jack gave the final briefing before exiting the truck.
“If we move quickly, we can make it around the perimeters within twenty minutes.” He regarded Brice before going on. “Twenty-five max. If you’re slow at halfway, then communicate that. It’s three-oh-nine by my watch,” Jack continued, “That should get us all back here, at the car, no later than three thirty-four. Any problems, we cover each other.”
He took stock of the roaming mass of infected humanity. “Are we ready? Mike, you and Julie wait here in the car until we’re well on our way.” Jack looked everyone in the eye one last time. “Cut your way through them, run faster than them, and get back here safely. Let’s go!”