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Authors: Bianca D' Arc

Dead Alert

Dead Alert
 
B
IANCA
D’A
RC
 
 
KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP.
 
All copyrighted material within is Attributor Protected.
This book is dedicated, as is all my work, with loving thanks to my mother, who I lost much too soon. She was my inspiration and my guide and I have been very lost without her these past months. And to Dad, who’s been my rock through all of this adjustment and readjustment to the new normal. I love you, Dad.
I’d also like to remember Sherry Palmer Walter and her mother, Anna Palmer, who by all accounts had a lovely smile. Anna left us while this book was being written. While some might say it is inevitable that daughters lose their mothers, knowing that doesn’t make it any easier. I’d like to think that our loved ones are always with us, guiding us, if only we are open enough to listen. Many thanks for your kindness during my grief, Sherry. I hope by the time this book comes out, you will have found some measure of consolation.
Thanks also to Suzanne, Shanda, Susan, and all my Facebook friends. I don’t know what I’d have done these past months without you. Special thanks to Joy Roach, who came through for me—again—at the last minute. You are a lifesaver and a wonderful human being.
And last but definitely not least, many heartfelt thanks to my editor, Megan, for challenging me to try something a little out of my comfort zone. Thanks also for making allowances for my grief. I will never forget your kindness and forbearance during this time. Without you, my version of the zombie legend would never have seen the light of day—or perhaps I should say, the dark of night.
Prologue
 
Fort Bragg, North Carolina
 
“I
’ve got a special project for you, Sam.” The commander, a former Navy SEAL named Matt Sykes, began talking before Sam was through the door to Matt’s private office. “Sit down and shut the door.”
Sam sat in a wooden chair across the cluttered desk from his commanding officer. Lt. Sam Archer, US Army Green Beret, was currently assigned to a top secret, mixed team of Special Forces soldiers and elite scientists. There were also a few others from different organizations, including one former cop and a CIA black ops guy. It was an extremely specialized group, recruited to work on a classified project of the highest order.
“I understand you’re a pilot.” Matt flipped through a file as he spoke.
“Yes, sir.” Sam could have said more but he didn’t doubt Matt had access to every last bit of Sam’s file, even the top secret parts. He had probably known before even sending for him that Sam could fly anything with wings. Another member of his old unit was a blade pilot who flew all kinds of choppers, but fixed wing aircraft were Sam’s specialty.
“How do you like the idea of going undercover as a charter pilot?”
“Sir?” Sam sat forward in the chair, intrigued.
“The name of