But he’d offered her some hope. She could go to Talas and maybe help Adesina. It was something she could do. Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Michelle went and answered it. Joey was back with groceries. Two zombie dogs were with her, both large mutts. They seemed pretty fresh—hadn’t begun to smell yet.

“We have company,” Michelle said as she let Joey and the dogs in. Joey put the bags on the table and walked into the living room.

“Jayewardene,” she said. “This is pretty fucking weird.”

“Hello, Miss Hebert,” he said. “It’s so very nice to see you again. I trust your visit has been pleasant.”

Joey snorted. Formal politeness never impressed her. “Jayewardene. I guess y’all decided to send in the really fucking big guns.”

“Indeed I did,” he replied. He looked back at Michelle. “What do you say? Will you help us? Will you help your daughter?”

The zombie dogs lay down on the floor and stared up at Michelle. Joey stared at her for a long moment, too. “What the fuck is all this about? What did he say?”

Michelle looked away for a moment, then looked back at Joey. “I can’t tell you how, but he says the only way to help Adesina is for me to go to Talas.”

“That sounds like an incredible amount of bullshit,” Joey spat. She jerked her thumb at Jayewardene. “Why would you believe anything those fuckers say?”

Michelle exchanged a long look with Jayewardene. His expression was closed, and she knew he was waiting for her to make a decision.

“Joey,” she said, turning away from Jayewardene. Her voice was low and urgent. “I need you to trust me. Really trust me. You know I’d never leave Adesina unless I thought I could help her.”

“What did he tell you?” Joey demanded. She had a stubborn expression on her face that Michelle knew all too well. “Tell me!”

Michelle ran her hands through her hair. “I told you already,” she said more forcefully. “I can’t tell you. You know I would if I could. Please, please trust me.”

Joey glared at Jayewardene. “I don’t know what the fuck you said, and my girl wouldn’t leave if she didn’t think it would help. But I’ve got my eye on you. You know the dead are everywhere.”

“Miss Hebert, I respect you and your power more than you know,” he said with a slight bow. “And please know that were this not imperative, I would not be asking it of Miss Pond.”

Joey snorted. “Oh, you are one slick motherfucker, Jayewardene.” She sighed and took Michelle’s hand. “I can stay and take care of the niblet. And just so you know, I’ve never seen you do anything but what you thought was fucking righteous.”

A surge of relief went through Michelle. She knew Joey would protect Adesina with her life. “Thank you,” she replied, squeezing Joey’s hand. “And I’m going to call Wally and see if he can help out, too.”