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"Hold everything" Kat bounced up and down in her seat and clapped "I think I see one"

"Where?" Reeve de, Reeve slowed the car, eased to the side of the road and parked I freed one of the balloons and exited The girls joined ether we approached the centerpiece of our project--a dead raccoon, its ar in the air

"Gloves," Kat said, holding out her hand

Reeve dangled a pair just beyond her reach "These are cashmere, you know"

"I’m sure the raccoon will be thrilled," she replied drily "Even though I told you to buy latex"

"I thought you’d appreciate soloves, and Kat tugged theht hand sanitizer instead"

"Balloon," she said next

I handed it over

Then Kat crouched over the poor dead animal and tied the ribbon to one of its wrists There was no wind, so the Get Well Soon balloon stayed perfectly straight, flying proudly over the motionless animal

"Your family will thank me for this one day," she said with a nod

"As if we’re really doing any good," Reeve said

"Hello, we so are People need to bethe road, thank you, and this is our way of helping It’s huross," Reeve interjected "And cruel"

"And they’ll remember," Kat finished

We each snapped a few pictures with our phones, cleaned our hands, got back in the car and hunted the next Get Well Soon victi

I prayed I had a better end but had a feeling I was going to have to adjust ain

Chapter 12

Deadly Eyes Betray You

We dropped Kat off at the school parking lot, where her car waited, and drove home Another note had been stuck to the botto, I sailed into Mr Ankh’s office--only to find hi

The moment the men spottedover the desk, putting himself nose to nose with Mr Ankh Now he eased back into his seat, and the two acted as friendly as ever

EvenMr Holland was a portrait of Cole in twenty years Both guys had dark hair and strong, chiseled features Only difference was, Cole’s eyes were that a violet and Mr Holland’s were an electric-blue

"Miss Bell," Mr Ankh acknowledged

Did he ever go to work? I settled in the only available chair

"Good You’re here" Mr Holland ed the back of his neck "The three of us are due to have a discussion"

"Your newest blood work came in," Mr Ankh said, "and the results have me confused"

I shifted uncomfortably

"The toxin you and Justin shared, the one that is harmful to the zombies," he continued "It disappeared in Justin, but it’s now stronger in you Also, your iron is lower than before, and your white blood cell count is higher"

I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry My hu down "What about the zombie toxin that is harmful to humans? Did I have any traces of that?"

He frowned "No"

"Why would you ask that?" Mr Holland said

I wanted to tell him, I really did But he’d killed his ohen she’d turned zo what he’d do to me, his son’s unstable ex

If these men left me alive, Mr Ankh would for sure toss me out Where I went, Nana went I would not allow her to be homeless

Then, of course, Mr Holland would tell the others Hoould Cole look ated In a way, it was the truth

Mr Holland sighed and twisted his chair to face , too I know you and my son broke up What I don’t knohy He won’t talk to me"

Instant downer "And I won’t, either," I said hollowly

He began esture of irritation or distress he and Cole shared "He’s been sneaking out, talking to people he shouldn’t, oing on with hi to?" I asked

Silent, he ran his tongue over his teeth

He wasn’t going to share the information Got it