From where Red was in the kitchen he could see a large tank by the side of the barn, it was positioned so it couldn't be seen easily from the road in front of the house.

"I'm glad he likes the dog; I think she misses her owners."

"Kids and dogs go together like stink and shit. And smell about like that after a hard day of playing too. But that is the natural way of things." Jimbo moved and sat down at the table again, after a moment Red joined him.

"Why'd the owners let you have their dog?" asked Jimbo.

"They didn't, the dog kinda adopted me when the owners were put on a bus heading east. The adults there didn't have room or want her I guess, if the story I heard was right. Anyway when I was heading back to my friends, the dog started following."

"So you didn't kill them?"

"No, I haven't killed one of the living on purpose in a few weeks."

"On purpose?"

"It's complicated. I hit one guy too hard, broke his neck."

"Oh."

"I just meant to knock him out. He was holding this woman hostage and we needed her."

"You and your friends?" Jimbo asked.

Red shook his head, "These were different friends. Not my zombie friends."

"You had human friends?"

"Have. I hope. I sent them into Iowa to tell the soldiers what was coming."

"Really?" Red felt Jimbo pressing him mentally.

"Really." he answered trying not to resent the other man's intrusion.

"Sorry."

"No you're not." said Veronica before Red could, she turned towards him, "It will go faster if we believe you. He can tell if you lie, which makes things easier."

The three of them sat and stood in the kitchen for a moment of awkward silence, broken only by the sound of an ancient cuckoo clock ticking from where it was hanging on the wall.