UBER ZOMBIE [2]

'Show it to me.'

'I don't think that's really nece—'

'Show it to me,' the Colonel insisted, employing what Sam guessed was his parade-ground bark, a tone that invited no argument. 'I need to know it exists, that there's still a chance …'

His voice choked off, and Sam realized how raw the Colonel's emotions were, how hard he was fighting to hold himself together. Walking forward a few paces, Charon sighed and reached into his pocket, producing the stoppered vial of yellowish liquid.

'There you are,' he said, as if speaking to a spoiled child. 'Happy now?'

White produced a Beretta M9 from his holster and pointed it at Charon. 'Hand it over.'

Sam glanced at Charon, who was now standing to his right. The Organization agent rolled his eyes. 'Oh, come on, Colonel, put that away. You're embarrassing yourself.'

'Give it to me.'

'Why?' asked Charon. 'So you can feed it to your wife like medicine? Don't be ridiculous. It has to be fully tested and an antidote manufactured. That's going to take time.'

'We don't have time,' White insisted, and he seemed twitchy now, agitated. Beads of sweat stood out on his broad forehead. 'My wife's sick, can't you see that?'

'Your wife's dead, Colonel,' Purna piped up. She jerked her head towards Charon. 'And he killed her.'

'Dead?' White shook his head angrily. 'No … no, she's very ill. But she's going to be fine.'

Charon laughed. 'Of course she is, Colonel. Don't listen to this woman. She's just trying to drive a wedge between us.'