Page 54 of Property of Zombie

“Remember the conversation we had about other tasks Dr. Binks did?”

“Yes.” She drags the word out as if uncertain whether or not she wants to proceed with this conversation.

“How open are you to the idea?”

“What idea, Zombie? Just spell it out for me.”

“What he’s trying to say is,” Trick begins. “Can we bring Michael Martin to the zoo and feed him to the animals?”

“Jesus,” she whispers, and a rustling sound comes through the line before she continues, her voice sounding clearer. “I had you on speaker, you idiot.”

“Oops,” Trick mutters. “Sorry.”

“Well?” I prod.

There’s the slightest hesitation before she asks, “Can we toss him in with Leo and Sarabi?”

I grin widely. “Yeah, babydoll, we can.”

“Then, yes, you can bring him to the zoo.”

“Really, it’s that easy?” Trick asks, surprised.

“It’s that easy,” Lucy confirms. “I’m at the end of my rope. I’m not convinced it’s Michael who’s the threat, but I also know that you’re gonna take him out anyway. Might as well get some enjoyment out of it.”

Trick whistles. “Damn, man, you scored with her.”

“I’m aware,” I say dryly.

“Look, I gotta go,” Lucy states. “Do you think you’ll bring him tonight? Undertaker’s supposed to pick me up, but I can let him know not to if I need to stick around.”

“I’m not sure yet. I’ll let you know soon, okay?”

“Sounds good.”

“Okay. Talk to you soon. I love you.”

I disconnect the call, and a second later, Trick smacks me upside the head.

“Ouch,” I snap. “What the fuck was that for?”

“Do you know what you just did?”

“What?”

Before he can answer, my phone pings with a text, and I glance at the screen. My stomach drops when I read it.

Lucy: Did you just tell me you love me for the first time and then hang up on me?

Fuck.

Me: Did I?

“You did,” Trick confirms, reading over my shoulder.

My cell pings again.

Lucy: You did