Patient Zero

Chapter One Hundred Six

Gault / The Bunker

THEY CROUCHED TOGETHER in the gloom of a narrow corridor that ran inside the walls of the Bunker. LEDs set into the floor cast just enough light so they could pick their way through the darkness.

“Let’s split up,” Gault suggested. “Go to the rear hatch and make sure Captain Zeller’s team can get in. Kill anyone who gets in your way.”

“And what are you going to do?”

“I’m going to the lab.”

“To do what?” Toys asked, his tone brimming with unspoken accusation. “Remember that we came here to kill her. Not to snog and make up.”

Anger flared in Gault’s chest. “Don’t tell me my business,” he snapped. “I’m tired of-”

“Tired of what, Sebastian?” Toys cut him off. “Don’t try to assert your authority over me at this late date. The time for that passed when you let your girlfriend develop a doomsday weapon.”

Gault’s pistol was in his hand, the barrel almost but not quite pointed in Toys’s direction. His assistant looked down at it, then with a smile he reached down and pushed the barrel toward him so that it pointed right at Toys’s heart. Toys leaned close, forcing contact with the gun.

“Either kill her or kill me,” Toys said calmly.

They stared at each other over the gulf that was opening between them.

“Toys I ”

Toys pushed the gun aside. He bent forward quickly and kissed Gault on the cheek. “I love you, Sebastian. You and I are family. Remember that.”

With that he turned and vanished down the corridor, leaving Gault alone in the dark.