Finding precision tools wasn’t much harder. Still, I found an old Nokia brick-excuse me, an old cellular phone-that still worked perfectly.

Maybe it’s better if I stay out of it, or at least keep to the edges of it, be involved without being involved involved. What did he call it? He said taking me back to base would be like “taking a fistful of sparklers into a fireworks factory,” or something like that. I’d be delighted to help out with it, but getting deeply involved didn’t seem a good idea. There was also the zombie population problem. He was dealing with humans successfully, but I got the impression my presence would cause…complications. The temptation to hang around in Zombie World was strong. Your service and sacrifice are truly appreciated. To the men and women of the armed forces and first responders: you are never far from the forefront of my thoughts. It is my sincerest hope that you enjoy this book, and, as always, thank you for your enthusiasm and support! There are my beta readers, Kimberly Sansone, Patti Reilly, and Vanessa McCutcheon, who do tireless work for no pay, I cannot tell you how thankful I am for your due diligence! There is Sean Runnette who will bring these pages to life with his regaling of this story! Then, my dear reader, there is you, without whom none of this happens. There’s my editor Sheila Shedd, who must wonder why on God’s Green Earth she decided to take me on as a client (but for which I am grateful). There’s my wife, who has to listen to my ravings when a scene isn’t working right then loses more sleep as I get out of bed once again to make notes and do revisions. It feels sort of the same way bringing a book to fruition. They say it takes a village to raise a child.

The perfect betrayal mark tufo