Free The List (Zombie Ocean Book 5) by Michael John Grist

ocean were, then listened to the clamor as he struck the camp, keeping the walkie channel open. Everyone ran for the RVs, she heard engines firing up, but Amo had kept on running. In a minute Masako's voice had followed, she was angry, and Alan's voice rose up in an argument, and Amo spoke too, followed by gunfire.
    It felt good to say it, sitting in the court letting out this one truth she could afford to share. Perhaps Amo had been right. When she was finished she looked out over the congregation, feeling lighter than before.
    "What did they argue about?" Witzgenstein asked. "Specifically."
    Anna went on. "I wasn't sure at first. I didn't have the context then; I didn't know about the vote, the split in the group. But Masako was obviously angry, she sounded frantic. She said Amo was a liar; about the demons, about Julio. She said Amo was trying to hurt her or take her family away. It sounded crazy. Amo said something about saving Lin's life, and that's when she hit him."
    Witzgenstein nodded. She steepled her fingers and considered for a moment. She looked down at some notes in front of her then back up at Anna, as if making a tough decision. "And how do you know she hit him? You were only listening through your radio, in your plane, isn't that correct? There must have been engine noise, other distractions, an imperfect signal. How do you know Masako hit Amo and not the other way around?"
    Anna frowned. Something unexpected had just changed, and she peered at Witzgenstein, but her face was a total blank, giving away nothing. This was supposed to be a show trial, to clear Amo's name of all the rumors swirling through the community, but this didn't sound like a show question. This sounded like a cross-examination.
    "Why are you asking me that, Janine?" Anna asked.
    Witzgenstein usually hated to be called Janine, but it didn't have any effect now. "I'm trying to establish the sequence of events." She took a breath. "Because I'm afraid I've heard different testimony."
    Anna sat up straight. Amo in the dock did so too. The jury of every person in New LA took a sharp breath.
    "What different testimony?" Anna asked.
    "From Alan, Masako's widower, and her son Lin. They were both there, in person, as you've confirmed. The differences in their testimony are quite consequential."
    Anna looked down at Alan and Lin, sat in the front row in starched gray suits, along with everyone in the hall. Alan was sweating freely, staining his white collar. Lin looked like he was about to throw up.
    Anna turned back at Witzgenstein. This wasn't the schedule. They'd already agreed Alan wouldn't give testimony. He was a Council member himself now, after inheriting Masako's seat, and he'd pleaded with them not to make him take the stand. He didn't want to relive the ordeal of losing his wife, or so he said.
    But now? Everything was changing so fast.
    "I think we need to hear that testimony," Witzgenstein said. "Before we go any further here. If there are no objections?" She looked to Anna.
    There were plenty of objections Anna wanted to raise, but none that seemed valid. Clamoring about agreements made by the Council now would sound churlish and even elitist. In this venue, Alan plainly had a right to speak, no matter what he'd said earlier. He'd been there and could offer an eyewitness account. It was his wife.
    Janine nodded, accepting Anna's silence as approval, then banged her gavel sharply. "I call Alan Keller to the stand. Anna, if you wouldn't mind?"
    Anna got down and walked past Amo, feeling slightly in shock. He didn't meet her eyes. She dropped into the open seat beside Ravi, who patted her arm tenderly and whispered something she didn't catch. At the same time Alan rose from nearby, a little unsteadily, and walked to her place in the pulpit. He was sweating and fiddling with his fingers as he took the stand. He avoided looking out at the audience.
    This was not going as planned.
    "Alan Keller," Witzgenstein prompted. "May I remind you that