Free Outer Banks by Anson Barber Page B

this quiet?” I asked as we walked toward the exit.
    â€œThat would be impossible. People saw the helicopters. The farmer across the field saw it and hit the internet. Word’s already out. Just don’t mention it was a queen yet.” She sighed. “Besides, there’s no threat, everything is fine.” She said it like more a mantra than the actual truth. “I’m more worried about the misinformation that’s about to hit the fan. The press are already out there.”
    It was going on midnight as we walked outside. A crowd of people was waiting by the automated doors.
    â€œMr. McAllister, is it true you encountered a live Bug at the chemical plant this evening?”
    â€œHow did you escape its grasp?”
    â€œDid it bite you?”
    â€œAre there others?”
    â€œIs it true that Haunts are turning into Bugs now?”
    â€œWas it half-Haunt, half-Bug?”
    I blinked from the flash and the lights of the video cameras as they continued to pepper me with questions.
    The guards at the doors made sure the reporters couldn’t get too close. I put up my hands. They quieted for a moment to allow me to answer.
    â€œYes, there was a Bug, but there is no longer a threat. There was nothing to indicate it was a hybrid or that it had once been human. Just a lone survivor from the invasion.” It seemed to be a safe comment. “I’m sure you’ll be getting more details from Dr. Arder and her team when they’re available.”
    Of course, that didn’t satisfy them. They wanted details, and I wanted to get the hell out of there. I pushed through the throng of reporters and helped the doctor into my van.
    She made a phone call while I drove to the next town in an effort to get away from my paparazzi. We were followed by her escort.
    Most of her conversation consisted of yes and no. Occasionally she would glance over at me and say, “I’ll have to get back to you on that.” Which I translated to mean, “I can’t talk about it.”
    I found a nicer hotel with a lounge. After taking care of the room so I had a place to crash, I led Michaela to the lounge area.
    The place was deserted as hotel bars often were. The only other patrons were two business-looking men at the one end of the bar. We sat at the other end. Her escort kept themselves at a discreet distance.
    The bartender gave us a second glance, no doubt curious as to why a woman dressed in a cocktail gown would be associating with a guy in a dirty sweatshirt and ruffled hair.
    The bartender gave us a nod and I turned to Michaela to order first.
    â€œLine ’em up. Tequila, please.”
    Okay, so it was going to be that kind of night.
    â€œBourbon,” I gave the bartender a smile and tried to pat down my hair, seeing the mess it was in the mirror.
    â€œWhat did you mean when you said you were the acting Chief Medical Officer?” I asked. There had been something in her tone when she said it.
    She sighed and frowned.
    â€œIt means that after my superior, General Roberts was killed in an accident experimenting on a live Bug, I was next in line for the position. It’s just not official yet.” It had been a year and it wasn’t official? That was some slow bureaucracy. Or was she referring to something more recent?
    â€œThrown to the wolves?”
    â€œMore or less. Did you have any clue this wasn’t a regular recovery when you got there?” she asked.
    Apparently the doctor wasn’t done debriefing me.
    As the bartender poured her shots, I explained the reports of drained livestock. It seemed like way too much for even a group of Haunts. I couldn’t help but snicker when I mentioned the llama, though I didn’t know why I still found that funny.
    â€œBut no fluid replacement? Huh. Still, we should check the animal corpses. The queen must have been desperate for food. So your colleague said he could hear it in his head?” She leaned