I put my bags in the back and climbed behind the wheel. Top patted me on the shoulder and got out to join the others in the TacV. In silent convoy we headed out of the airport for the ride to Baltimore. We could have gotten a DMS helo, but this was fine.

As we cleared the airport traffic I took a deep breath and let it out. There was half a hitch to it, almost a sob.

Ghost laid his head on my thigh and whined softly. I stroked his fur.

When we were on the highway my phone rang. I didn’t want to answer it. I didn’t want to hear from Church or Rudy or any-damn-one else. I wanted to be alone. I wanted to get drunk.

But the DMS owns my ass, so I snatched up the phone without looking to see who I was going to growl at. “What?”

“So,” she said, “how many brownie points do I have now?”

Ghost raised his head and whuffed.

I smiled.

“Hello, Violin,” I said.

Also by Jonathan Maberry

Also by Jonathan Maberry

NOVELS

The King of Plagues

The Dragon Factory

Patient Zero

Dead of Night

The Wolfman

Flesh & Bone

Dust & Decay

Rot & Ruin

Bad Moon Rising

Dead Man’s Song

Ghost Road Blues

V-Wars (editor)

NONFICTION

Wanted Undead or Alive

They Bite

Zombie CSU

The Cryptopedia

Vampire Universe

Vampire Slayer’s Field Guide to the Undead (as Shane MacDougall)

Ultimate Jujutsu

Ultimate Sparring

The Martial Arts Student Logbook

Judo and You

GRAPHIC NOVELS

Marvel Universe vs Wolverine

Marvel Universe vs The Punisher

Captain America: Hail Hydra

Klaws of the Panther

Doomwar

Black Panther: Power

Marvel Zombies Return

About the Author

About the Author

Jonathan Maberry is the New York Times bestselling and multiple Bram Stoker Award–winning author of Patient Zero, the Pine Deep trilogy, The Wolfman, Zombie CSU, and They Bite. His work for Marvel Comics includes the Punisher, Wolverine, DoomWar, Marvel Zombies Return, and Black Panther. His Joe Ledger series has been optioned for television.