"Roger that, Sarah. Nobody in or out unless the feds clear it. The chief mentioned something about national security when he said you'd been lent out."

He seemed curious, but she knew he wouldn't push.

"Yeah. I stumbled into a real hornet's nest." She walked with Fred toward the rear of his car. He opened the trunk as they talked. "It's been an interesting couple of days."

"So you're okay with the feds? They're treating you right?"

"No complaints. In fact, they've been respectful and forthcoming so far." She read the relief on the veteran cop's face, and was glad to know he'd been truly concerned for her.

"That's good. I remember a time when cooperation wasn't as easy among different organizations. Things have changed since 9/11 for the better, as far as that goes. I mean, we're all on the same side, right?" He straightened, hooking his thumbs into his utility belt as he drew his gaze away from the swarm of activity in the middle of the block and looked back at her.

"You got that right, Fred. I have no complaints," she replied easily.

"Glad to hear it. You know, everyone was concerned when we heard the 'officer down' call." That was as close as the old cop would come to expressing emotion. She'd learned to read the guys she worked with over the past few years, so she understood what he was getting at.

"Thanks. It's all good now, but it was a hairy situation there for a few minutes." They fell into small talk as Fred scooped some wooden pieces out of his trunk.

She helped him set up two saw horses, then lit and set a couple of traffic flares. He seemed interested about her leg injury. Apparently, everyone on the force had heard she'd been attacked. He told her that they'd sent flowers, but that the hospital insisted they be sent on to her home rather than to her hospital room, for some reason. Fred seemed to wait for her to explain that oddity, but she declined, making a fast getaway when she saw the second patrol car pull up at the other end of the street.

She said a hasty good-bye to Fred and walked through the gauntlet of federal employees to the other end of the block. Xavier and his army brothers were nowhere in sight. They were most likely already in the building. And the guys from the vans were busy setting up lighting rigs, then transporting the self-contained lighting arrays into the building. Sarah thought it would be lit up like a ball field in no time, judging by the hardware these guys had brought with them.

She repeated the greetings with the other officer, Pete Simmons. She had a good opinion of him, having worked with him a time or two on parade duty and other special events. He was still a rookie, but seasoned enough to be on friendly terms with most of the other officers.

She also helped him with his saw horses and flares, then made her way back to the building. The van guys were mostly inside now. She could see the glow from within as she neared the dilapidated door.

As she entered, she realized everyone was standing silent, listening to someone speak. It was Xavier, commanding their attention. Funny, she hadn't seen him in commander commander mode yet. Despite herself, she was impressed. He definitely had a way about him. It wasn't obnoxious or flamboyant. It was more a steady presence that made people want to listen to him and do what he asked. No wonder he was in charge. He had the gift of a born leader. mode yet. Despite herself, she was impressed. He definitely had a way about him. It wasn't obnoxious or flamboyant. It was more a steady presence that made people want to listen to him and do what he asked. No wonder he was in charge. He had the gift of a born leader.

"I want this place searched from top to bottom, piece by piece. Tear it apart and put it back together again if you have to." Xavier eyed everyone in the room. Even Sarah felt the deadly seriousness of his words. "This is a crime scene as well as a national securitythreat site. We need to find any additional evidence that may be hiding in here. We also have to decontaminate anything that could be hazardous. Reno"-he pointed to one of the Green Berets who stood with a group of the guys from the vans-"I want you to coordinate the teams. One of our guys with each decontamination team. Decon first, then go in and search, room by room." Xavier spied Sarah in the doorway and motioned her forward. "Sam, Lewis, I'll want you to come with Officer Petit and me to go over the trail. Everyone else, set up your gear. Reno, clear the north wall first and use it as a staging area. Got it?"

A chorus of affirmatives answered him as Sarah walked through the clustered groups of men. She reached his side as activity resumed, one team of van guys heading over to work on the north side of the building. She saw them donning protective gear that included eye and respiratory protection. Then she watched as they hefted big cylinders that looked like they held compressed gas of some kind with hoses coming out of one end. She assumed the cylinders held whatever substance they were using for decontamination. She quickened her step.

"Is that stuff safe?" she asked Xavier in a low voice as she stepped close to his side.

He looked up, following her gaze to the decon team. "We're far enough away here. Besides, it's not harmful to humans unless you're exposed to massive amounts over a long period of time. The masks and goggles are just a precaution because these guys have been using the stuff for a while now."

"Good to know." She turned back to find two other men had joined their small group. One was a giant blond who must've had Viking roots, and the other had a wiry build with brown hair, brown eyes, and a gorgeous tan.

"Officer Petit, this is Lieutenant Sam Archer, my second-in-command for this mission," he said, motioning to the blond, "and Private Lewis Kauffman, the unit's bloodhound." Xavier's slow grin invited her to join in their little joke.

"Bloodhound, huh? I didn't know there was a rank for that in the army." She reached forward to shake hands with both men.

"I'm a good tracker, ma'am," Lewis said as he shook her hand. "Learned the skill first from my grandfather, then Uncle Sam helped me add to my skills."

"There isn't a thing in the woods Lew can't find," Xavier added. "This urban jungle might prove a little more difficult, but we can definitely use his skills outside. I want you to go over the attack just one more time with Sam and Lew so they'll know where to concentrate. Then I'll show them the lower level and we can leave them to it." Unspoken went the reason he wanted to leave-the disc they had yet to check out.

Each time Sarah went through the events of the attack it got easier. She was almost dispassionate this time as she described what had happened and where. It was comparatively easy to walk the two soldiers through the building in a repeat of what she'd done earlier with Xavier. She was glad now that he'd done a rehearsal with her. She was much more composed this time.

Sarah wondered if he'd done it on purpose, to help her. She wouldn't put it past him. He was a nice guy, no matter how much he tried to pretend otherwise. It would be like him to try to put her at ease privately before subjecting her to this dog and pony show.

Her leg was throbbing by the time they came to the end of her tour, and they'd gathered a small crowd. A few soldiers had begun to follow along when they'd emerged from the hallway. When they reached the main area all the Green Berets surrounded her as she described her fight with the two zombies. Xavier seemed content to let them listen in, so she didn't object. Sam asked a few pertinent questions, and she thought she read approval in some of their eyes when she looked up from the place where she'd fallen over a week before.

She described the mad scramble away from the creatures and the way she'd headed for the door, calling for backup. She tried to keep her voice composed and thought she'd succeeded, but she still caught a few emotion-filled looks from the men gathered around her. Some of their expressions held pity, others admiration or a mix of the two. When she met Xavier's gaze, all she read there was pride.

He was proud of her? What a strange thought, but that's what she saw in his whiskey-colored gaze. It puzzled her, but it also made her feel warm in the secret heart of her that craved his approval like a teenager with her first big crush.

Damn. The man had affected her in ways she hadn't even realized. He'd slipped right under her defenses and turned her into a silly schoolgirl. She should really be annoyed with him, but she was too busy falling under his spell to grumble too much.

"Thanks, Officer Petit." He ended the retelling of her nightmare encounter once they were outside and she'd gotten to the point where she'd passed out. He sent his guys back inside, then stepped over to Sarah. "Why don't you get off that leg? I'll show them around downstairs, then pop back up here so we can check out the disc together. All right?"

She hated to admit to weakness but knew the value of truth. "I'd be grateful not to have to climb up and down that ladder again today," she admitted, earning a nod of understanding from Xavier. "I'll wait in the Humvee."

Xavier stilled her as she moved away by placing one big hand over her forearm. "You heal fast now, but you still have to take time with serious injuries like the one you suffered. It's not weakness to admit when you need to take it easy. It's just common sense."

She was touched by what he was trying to say. "Thanks, Xavier. I hear you."

She limped away, her leg too painful to hide.

Xavier joined her in the vehicle about fifteen minutes later.

"I think we should head over to the precinct," Sarah said without preamble as he seated himself in the driver's seat.

"Why's that?"

"The chief wants to meet you. He called a few minutes ago. Seems he began to rethink things after we hung up before. Plus, I have a fast computer with good virus protection on my desk at work. I'd rather not chance destroying my home computer with an unknown disc."

"Good point," he conceded, starting the powerful engine. "The precinct it is."

When they arrived at the station, her fellow officers greeted Sarah with genuine happiness. It was clear she was well liked and respected among her coworkers. Most expressed their concern over her injuries and mentioned that they'd tried to visit her in the hospital, but had been turned away.

They eyed Xavier with varying levels of inquiry, concern and even a little distrust. That was only to be expected, he figured. He'd swooped in and denied them the right to visit their fellow officer in the hospital, then had taken over her work schedule and had her reassigned to his top-secret little project. He wasn't surprised by the way they eyed him, taking his measure as Sarah introduced him around.

He was taking their measure, too, though they probably didn't realize it. He wanted to meet the people Sarah worked with so that he could observe their reactions to her injury. Their reactions to his presence were just as interesting. He didn't expect to learn anything troubling, but it was better to take a look just to be sure. He couldn't leave a stone unturned in this investigation. The stakes were just too high.

Not that he suspected anyone on the local police force of having dealings with the people he was after. Still, it didn't hurt to gauge their expressions. If, by some odd chance, one of them started acting suspiciously, Xavier could have Sam and the rest of the team do a little digging. So far, though, he wasn't seeing anything other than a group of people who were genuinely concerned about their coworker and curious about the Green Beret at her side. All in all, that was totally acceptable and understandable.

"One more introduction before we can get to our mystery disc," Sarah said in a low voice as they approached a big office in back. She knocked perfunctorily before opening the door. A big man with wavy salt-and-pepper hair sat behind a cluttered desk. He had his shirtsleeves rolled up and appeared to be laboring away, pecking at keys on his computer keyboard with a scowl on his face.

"Chief O'Hara, this is Captain Beauvoir." She made the introductions as the older man rose from behind his desk. He stuck out a hand and Xavier returned the gesture.

"Have a seat," the police chief invited, gesturing toward two empty chairs as he reseated himself and cleared a space in front of him on the blotter. "It's good to see you up and around, Sarah." He gave her a rusty smile. "I was with you at the hospital when the feds arrived. They quarantined everything, and a day later, this guy showed up but didn't do me the courtesy of an introduction." The sarcasm in his tone was pointed and not easily missed.

"I'm here to rectify that now, Chief O'Hara." Xavier did his best to soothe the chief's very obviously ruffled feathers. "Things have been moving rapidly since Officer Petit woke up."

"So I gathered, given the roadblocks you requested and all the activity my officers are reporting out on Wheeler Road."

"Sir, I believe you've been briefed on the national security aspects of this incident. I can't tell you much more than what you've heard already, except to say Officer Petit is vital to the ongoing investigation and a credit to your department."

O'Hara stared him down for a long moment. Finally, the old man nodded and leaned back in his padded leather office chair.

"Special Forces, eh?" The chief nodded toward the row of ribbons pinned to Xavier's chest with knowing eyes. "I was in Nam-82nd Airborne. So I have a great deal of respect for the uniform, son, but I don't know you. I'm willing to give you a lot of leeway based on Uncle Sam's recognition of your skills and honor. Don't abuse my trust."

"You have my word, sir." Xavier read knowledge in the older man's eyes. He wasn't surprised to hear that the chief of police was a vet who had seen action abroad. The old guy seemed as tough as they came. No doubt he'd learned those people skills during his time in the service.

O'Hara held Xavier's gaze for a moment longer, his jaw like iron. He nodded once and turned to Sarah. "Anything you need, Officer Petit, you just call. We're on the federal dime, so we can afford all kinds of overtime to assist you, if necessary. More than that, you know I'd never leave one of my officers out in the cold. You may be on loan to the feds, but you still work for me. You need anything, you let me know."

"Will do, sir. Thanks."

They left the chief of police after only a little more small talk, and headed back to Sarah's desk. She was a patrol officer, so she shared a workstation. A guy named Officer Riley, according to the plaque on the desk, who, Sarah informed him, was out on patrol. He wouldn't be back for hours, so they had the desk and the small area around it all to themselves for the time being.

There were only a few other people in the office at this hour. Most of the other officers were out on patrol or going about their various clerical tasks for the day. After a few greetings and introductions, they left Sarah and Xavier alone to work.

He understood her caution about slipping this potentially dangerous disc into her home system, but he didn't like doing his investigation in public. Still, a police station was about as secure as you could get in the civilian world.

He could've just booted up the disc in his laptop, but he'd wanted to see where Sarah worked. He also wanted her to feel like she was contributing to the mission. She was a vital player on the team he'd put together for this. The only woman. He'd never had a female on his team before in the field. It was a novel experience.

Not only that, but Sarah herself was a special lady. Skilled and brave, she'd proven her mettle. She was going through a rough patch right now. It was up to Xavier to help her through it so that she could continue the career she so obviously loved. He needed her help on this, and she needed a helping hand through the aftereffects of the attack and the changes it had made in her life.

He'd been there. He knew something about how she felt. A combat veteran, he'd been better prepared to deal with the emotional storm after his own first rude introduction to the nightmare creatures. The zombie attack had shaken him to his core. He could only imagine what a police officer who normally didn't see anything worse than the occasional drug-related shooting would feel when faced with being savaged by two zombies and left for dead.

Sarah booted up the computer while he snagged a chair and brought it around to sit next to her.

Her shared desk was toward the back of the large room, which suited Xavier fine. He had a good view of the others and none of them could easily see what might come up on the computer screen. After getting her permission to make a cursory inspection of the system, he was satisfied that it had good encryption and other protections. He handed over the disc and Sarah stuck it into the drive. Both of them leaned forward, watching the screen eagerly as the disc spun up.

Xavier reached for the keyboard, then pulled back. "Sorry. Do you mind if I do it?"

Sarah handed him the keyboard. "Go for it."

Typing in a few commands, Xavier quickly searched the directory of the disc. "There are some video files on here in addition to text files. I can't see a lot of coherence. This could be a partial backup of something."

"Play one of the videos. Let's see what they are."

"Here's an interesting date. The day you were attacked." He brought up the video file. The picture was dark at first, but he figured it out quick enough. "It's a surveillance camera. See the angle from above this doorway?" He pointed to the screen. "Do you recognize anything about the setting?"

"There's not much to see. Just a door. Could be anywhere." A little frown line appeared between her eyebrows as she concentrated. Xavier had to force himself to focus on the screen rather than watch her. She really was the most distracting little thing. Cute as a button and tough, too.

She'd probably deck him-or at least try to-if he ever told her she was cute. In his experience, officers of the law didn't appreciate that sort of description. But she was. Cute, sexy and very distracting. It was a potent mix.

"Wait." She touched his forearm where it rested on the desk between them, her eyes focused on the computer screen. "That's me."

Xavier paused the playback, going back a few frames. Sure enough, that was Sarah, entering a doorway.

"This has got to be the building on Wheeler Road. Surveillance caught you going in."

"Play the rest of it. Let's see what else they thought important enough to back up to disc."

Her eyes narrowed and he could tell she was angry now. Good. That was a healthy reaction to realizing she'd been spied upon and observed by use of hidden cameras. He hit the button to let the video resume.

The camera angle switched. It showed her walking into a new frame, somewhere within the old building. Her small flashlight was a flare of brilliance on an otherwise dim scene.

"They were using infrared. There's the heat signature of your flashlight. There's you in red, orange and yellow. See this green and blue shape in the corner?" He kept his voice low and pointed to a human-shaped object that was stationary in the far corner. "This is probably the guy who came up behind you. The creatures don't register as hot to an infrared, but they do hold some warmth. The science team explained it's the kinetic energy of the cells which make up their bodies. They don't live like you and me anymore. They've been reanimated on a cellular level. That requires some energy and that's what you're seeing on the infrared. It's cold compared to us, but it's not ice-cold."

"Son of a..." She was focused on the screen as the creature began to move up behind her. It was shadowing her movements as the camera angles switched again and showed her walking down the hall toward another blue-green being.

Xavier covered her hand with his as they watched the blue-green shapes converge on her glowing form. The attack played out before their very eyes. Xavier saw firsthand how she'd fought back, how she had tried her damnedest. That initial blow to the head had been her undoing.

She fought like a wildcat. The action caught by the infrared surveillance footage revealed the scenario just as she had described it. Even with her police training, she hadn't stood a chance against the creatures in the darkness that was their domain.

In the end, she had succeeded in saving herself. Xavier had to hand it to her. She had grit and skills to back it up. She'd gotten herself out of the situation, badly injured and in serious need of help, but she definitely had rescued herself.

The surveillance cameras followed her out into the sunshine, zooming in on her, using regular film once there was enough light. Xavier saw the pain on her face, the disoriented focus of her eyes, the blood pouring from her wounds. She held out until the last possible moment, propping her battered body against the tire of her patrol car. A minute later, a second patrol car pulled up and her fellow officer called the rest of the cavalry.

Xavier stopped the replay. She was breathing hard, her free hand fisted on her thigh, the hand he held gripping his tightly. She stared at her image on the screen and swallowed hard, anger and dismay warring on her lovely, pale face.

"I know that was hard to watch," he said in a soft voice. He bent close to her ear, wanting to offer comfort. They were in her office, with others about, or he would have dragged her into his arms for a hug. She looked like she really needed a hug.

"You have no idea."

She took a deep breath and straightened her spine. Damn, the girl was a trouper.

"Did you see the way the cameras were zooming in and out?" she asked him. "Someone was watching this live. They were controlling the cameras, following my progress."

He had noticed it and was pleased she had, too. The woman was smart, brave and intelligent. A lethal combination.

"You acquitted yourself well, Sarah. That initial fall scrambled your brains, but you fought back and managed to save yourself. You deserve a lot of credit."

"For letting that bastard shadow me all over the damn building? I should've realized I wasn't alone. I should've known someone was following me. That was a rookie mistake. I let him catch me from behind."

"Sarah, these things are better at stealth than anything I've ever seen before. They don't breathe. They don't make a sound until you confront them. I'm not surprised you didn't know it was there. You were expecting living, breathing human beings. Not them. You did better than most would have in such a situation. You have nothing to be ashamed of."

"Thanks for being nice, but I expect better of myself." She squeezed his hand and let go, turning back to the computer.

"Nice, eh? Can't say anyone's ever called me that before." He felt the moment needed a little levity. He wanted to see her smile. "My unit would laugh their asses off if they heard anyone call me 'nice.' They'd say I was slipping."

She laughed, and he felt a small victory at seeing the light of humor in her eyes. She was tough on herself, but then, she probably hadn't gotten where she was by going easy. She was a fighter and she demanded a lot of herself. He actually liked that about her.

"Your secret is safe with me, Captain. You're nice and there's little you can do to convince me otherwise."

"Just you wait, Sarah." He gave her a sly look filled with sensual promise. The more he got to know her, the more he wanted to really know know her. her.

He wanted her. He wanted to be inside her and drink in her light. He wanted to hear her scream his name as she came. And he wanted to come inside her sexy body, claiming her as his own.