Exposure Quotes

“So what's the plan?” Ben asked.

“Go inside. Look around. Improvise.”

“Brilliant." Hi stroked his chin. “Quick question: Is having no plan the same as having a terrible plan, or are those different categories?”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure

“Ella finished her burger and dug into a side of fries. Hi watched, enraptured.
She couldn't help but notice. “Would you like one?”
“What? Sure.” Hi smiled, made no move.
After a moment, Ella nudged the bowl his way. “Careful, they're still hot.”
“Oh, no problem.” Hi fumbled for a fry. “I like food that's hot.”
I caught Shelton slowly shaking his head.
“Oh, shoot!” Ella winced. “I forgot to stop by the office. My mother had to drop off my shin guards.” She slid her fries over to Hi. “Enjoy. They're hot, which apparently you like.”
“Got that right. Hot hot hot!” Hi awkwardly shoved another fry into his mouth.
“Okay, wow.” Ella gathered her things, then brushed my cheek with a kiss. “Later, Tor.” Shouldering her bag, she hurried from the cafeteria.
A loud thunk drew my attention back to the table.
Hi's forehead was resting on his tray. “Tell me that wasn't as bad as I think.”
“Worse,” Shelton said. “So, so much worse.”
Then head rose, then thunked back down. “I don't remember parts. I think I lost time.”
I patted his shoulder. “That's probably for the best.”
“Such.” Thunk. “A.” Thunk. “Dumbass.” Thunk.
Shelton laughed nervously. “See? That's why I don't talk.”
Hi's face shot up. “Tell her I have brain seizures. A serious medical condition. Or that I have an evil twin who sometimes takes my place, but can't talk for crap.”
“Got it," I promised. His head dropped once more.”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure

“Static cackled from the cafeteria speaker. A bored female voice come on. “Victoria Brennan, please report to the headmaster's office. Victoria Brennan to the headmaster's office.”

Classmates glanced our way. Whispers sprang up around me.

“Not good.” Shelton was reaching for his earlobe.

“Tell them you have amnesia,” Hi said. “Or dementia. Pretend you're Joan of Arc.”

“Thanks for the support, guys. If I'm not back for class, look for my body in the harbor.”

Hiram's hand flew up. “I call her iTunes collection. Shelton can have the mutt.”

“Nice.”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure

“She's using you to get to me," Hi said confidently. "Both of them. They've caught Hiram fever."
I nodded. "Of course. It all makes sense now.”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure

“Move along,” Hines said. “Last room down.”

I spotted a fish tank halfway down the aisle. Dug into my pocket.

“Hi,” I whispered. “Distraction in five. Four. Three...”

I broke off as we neared the tank.

Hi spun. “Yo, warden. When do we eat around here? I'm hypoglycemic, plus I've got a hernia. And rabies simplex D. Basically, I need a ton of pills or my arms will fall off.”

“Boy, you're on my last nerve.”

As Hines glared at Hiram, I palmed the flash drive and dumped it into the fish tank. The yellow-and-black rectangle tumbled to the bottom.

So long, friend. Let's hope Shelton's email went through.

“It's a cultural thing,” Hi was saying. “I think you're being very insensitive.”

Hines snorted. “Do you want me to cuff you?”

“Kinda.”

“Hi.” I nodded.”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure

“That's just stupid, Tory! Quit being so damn stubborn!”

“Not a chance! You've got some kind of death wish! We can't even trust our power lately. They're too erratic for a public heist.”

Ben thumped the steering wheel in frustration. “Maybe for you.”

I glowered at Ben from the backseat. I'd given Hi shotgun, having sensed this argument was inevitable. I didn't want to be close. The urge to slap might become overpowering.

“Why don't we all use our friendly words?” Hi suggested. “Let's take five, and everyone can say something we like about each other. I'll start. Shelton, you're super at——”

“Shut up, Hi!” Ben and I shouted, the first thing we'd agreed upon all morning.”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure

“You three looking for something specific?” Her voice was surprisingly melodious.
“Any sacrificial knives?” Hi raised an index finger. “Nothing too fancy, and I'll need a no-slip grip. Me and the coven have some goats lined up for Saturday's bonfire.”
I could've kicked him. I think I tried.”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure

“Hi's nose was pressed to his window. “I've changed my mind, Tory. This is the perfect place to hold someone prisoner. I'm keeping this on file.”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure

“Moments later, Hawfield walked in. He wasn't alone.

“You've got to be kidding!” Hi blurted.

Carmine Corcoran's scowl was as deep as ever. He'd lost a few pounds, but was still a large man, with muttonchop sideburns and a bristly black mustache. His hair was graying at the temples, making him appear more distinguished than his forty-five years merited.

Ruth popped the back of her son's head. “Mind your manners, Hiram.”

“Why does everyone do the?” Hi muttered. “And child abuse. In front of the police, I might add.”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure

“You’re the coolest thing alive,” Hi breathed, as close to the bonewhite reptile as he dared. “Don’t let anyone tell you different.”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure: (Virals 4)

“I spoke softly. “The cops will eat you alive, Benjamin Blue. You have to go.”
Ben tensed, ready to argue.
“Detective Hawfield died. This is going to get serious. It’s way too much heat for you. Please be sensible.”
Ben hesitated. Then his shoulders slumped.
“Maybe you’re right.” Deep breath. “But you’re taking away the other possibility, too.”
“I don’t understand.” I glanced over my shoulder at the approaching vehicle. “What other possibility?”
He smiled wanly. “Ben Blue, The Hero. That kinda would’ve been nice.”
I paused, at a loss for words. My heart broke for him.
“But that’s okay.” Ben dug keys from his pocket. “After all, we’re Virals, not heroes. And that’s fine. Plus, I’m not really the hero type.”
He turned to leave.
Impulsively, I grabbed Ben’s arm. Pulled him close.
Smashed my lips against his.
The kiss only lasted a second, but also an eternity.
Then I stepped back and shoved Ben toward the Explorer.
“Of course you’re the type.” I was grateful the darkness hid my blushes. “Now go.”
Ben stared, stricken, thunderstruck. Hi and Shelton watched, wide-eyed with shock.
“Weirdest birthday ever,” Hi whispered.”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure

“Gift cards?” Hi’s complaining brought me back to the present. “Why not just hand me a note that says: I don’t care enough to make an effort.”
April 7. Hiram Stolowitski’s sixteenth birthday.
“When exactly were we supposed to shop?” Shelton was scrolling Rex Gable emails on his laptop. “It’s been a hectic week, bro.”
“I bought you Assassin’s Creed six weeks before your birthday,” Hi shot back. “Waited in line all afternoon. The guy behind me smelled like fish tacos, but I stuck it out.”
Ben clapped Hi’s shoulder. “If it helps, I didn’t remember to get you any gift. Tory and Shelton picked that up. I signed the card though. See? Ben. Right there.”
“These are the memories that scar,” Hi huffed. “I’m gonna be so complicated when I grow up. I’ll probably film documentaries.”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure

“Then Ben tugged my elbow. Nodded to his left.
“Kit?”
“Yeah?”
“Can you pull the car around? I’ll be there in a sec.”
Kit’s gaze flicked to Ben, then he nodded. “Five minutes.”
As my father strode away, Shelton and Hi both unleashed dramatic yawns.
“Welp.” Hi stretched his arms over his head. “I’d better go check on various things that aren’t right here. You coming, Shelton?”
“Oh, you know it.” Hiding a smile. “Stuff to do. No time to waste.”
They hurried off together, chuckling quietly.
Thanks, guys. This couldn’t be more awkward.
Ben was looking at me, a soft smile on his lips.
Panic.”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure

“My own walls caved. Tears trickled from the corner of my eyes.
Then strong arms enveloped me.
“Don’t cry.” Ben’s hot breath on my cheek. “We’ll find her. And the twins. I promise.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” I hiccupped. “People always do that.”
“I mean it.” Firmly spoken. “I won’t let us fail. Not at this.”
The sobs broke free. I burrowed into Ben’s chest, letting everything go. I cried and cried and cried, unthinking, releasing a week’s worth of pent-up emotion in a few hot seconds.
Ben held me, silent, softly rubbing my back.
A thought floated from somewhere far away.
This isn’t so bad.
I pushed away, gently breaking Ben’s embrace. Looked into his eyes. His face was a whisper from mine.
I thought of Ben’s confession during the hurricane. How he’d wanted to be more than just packmates. Emotions swirled in my chest, making me dizzy. Off balance.
“Ben . . . I . . .”
“Tory?”
My father’s voice sent us flying apart as if electroshocked.
Kit was descending the steps, an odd look on his face.
“Yes?” Discreetly wiping away tears.
I saw a thousand questions fill Kitt’s eyes, but, thankfully, he kept them shelved.
“I hate to do this, kiddo, but Whitney’s party starts in an hour. She’s trying to be patient, but, frankly, that isn’t her strong suit.”
“No. Right.” I stood, smoothing clothes and hair. “Mustn’t keep the Duchess waiting.”
Kit frowned. “Say the word, and we cancel right now. No question.”
“No, sorry. I was just being flip. It’s really fine.” Forced smile. “Might be just the thing.”
“All right, then. We need to get moving.”
Kit glanced at Ben, still sitting on the bench, striving for invisible.
A smile quirked my father’s lips. “And you, Mr. Blue? Ready for a good ol’-fashioned backyard barbeque? My daughter will be there.”
Ben’s uneasy smile was his only response.”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure

“Yo, warden. When do we eat around here? I’m hypoglycemic, plus I’ve got a hernia. And rabies simplex D. Basically, I need a ton of pills or my arms will fall off.”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure: (Virals 4)

“So many gentleman admirers,” Hi mused. “Must be tough, being a heartbreaker.”
“Zip it. Unless you wanna see a leg-breaker, too.”
Hi shook his head. “And such violent thoughts. I blame Bravo.”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure

“On Saturday Ben and I drove to Johns Island to see Skyfall.”
“You did?” Hi asked sharply. “Thanks for the invite, jerks.”
Shelton raised his palms. “You were at temple. We’re supposed to just wait around? Plus, you’ve seen that move like five times.”
“You still could’ve asked,” Hi grumbled.
“I don’t—”
“Guys!” I clapped my hands once. “The story, please.”
“An hour in, I go for a popcorn refill.” Shelton shuddered. “When I get back, Ben’s sitting in the dark, flaring away, and he’s not even wearing his sunglasses! I almost wet myself. He said he wanted to watch the movie in HD. Man, I don’t remember a single minute from the rest of the film.”
“In a theater!?” My temper exploded. “That stupid mother—”
“Hiram!”
Our heads whipped. Ruth Stolowitski was standing on her front stoop.
“Get back in here this instant! You’re not dressed.”
Ruth wore a fuzzy pink bathrobe, her free hand vising the garment closed. Her eyes darted, as if worried that cagey perverts were surveilling our remote island, waiting for just this opportunity to get an eyeful.”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure

“He’ll have nightmares about Kit diving for his knees,” Hi added. “I’m pretty sure that was an illegal tackle. Chop block. Something.”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure

“The four of us piled inside. Hi pressed five. The doors slid shut.
“Hope nobody else needs a lift,” Shelton whispered.
“We can make something up,” Hi hissed. “Say we lost our pony.”
I snorted. “And came to report it at one a.m.?”
“Better than breaking in to steal evidence,” Hi countered. “Maybe we loved that pony.”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure

“Cutting class,” I muttered. “That idiot.”
Ben did a double-take when he spotted me, then slowly shook his head. As I drew near, he whispered something under his breath. His moron buddies exploded in laughter.
I’ll kill him. Then murder him afterward.
“What the hell are you doing?” Not the most diplomatic of greetings, but my temper was long gone. “Is your first class Parking Lot Maintenance?”
Ben waved a hand at me. “You see what I mean?”
Wallet Chain chuckled as he toked a cigarette. “That’s not very nice, sweetheart.”
“You’ll never land a man like that,” added Ski Cap. “This ain’t Beantown.”
“Ben?” Seething. “May I speak to you privately?”
Ben rolled his eyes. “Give me a sec, guys. I’ve been naughty.”
I waited until the stoners were out of earshot.
“Great crew you’ve assembled.” Dripping with sarcasm.
“Leave them out of this,” Ben warned. “What, I can’t even have friends, now that I’ve been kicked from the Ivory Tower?”
“Maybe go to class. You might find a better peer group in there.”
Ben snorted. “I’m pretty sure you have class right now, too.”
Touche.”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure

“Then you and that mutt hijacked my thoughts and started dancing Gangnam Style on my cerebral cortex.”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure: (Virals 4)

“Hi shook his head. “The guy’s not a rocket scientist. Or a rock scientist. He’s dumb, is what I’m saying.”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure

“So I’m not using anything but two-ply from now on,” Hi was saying. “Otherwise, the stuff just shreds—”
Noting Shelton’s expression, he abruptly cut off. Turned. Went beet red.
“Hey.” Sitting down as if nothing was unusual. “You know Ella. Okay if she joins us?”
“Okay if she joins us?” Shelton repeated. “I mean, yes. Join us. Okay.”
“I was talking about art supplies,” Hi blurted. “I’m into papier-mâché.”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure

“I THINK SOMETHING TERRIBLE DID HAPPEN DOWN HERE.” “Someone spent a lot of time and energy cleaning that area. My guess is, they were concealing evidence.” “Of a violent crime,” Shelton finished. “Oh Lord.” Hi gulped. “The Gable twins didn’t run off, did they?” I shook my head. “I think somebody snatched them. Or . . . worse.” I didn’t want to finish that thought. “What should we do?” Ben asked. I considered our options. “We already took pictures. Now we treat this entire room like a crime scene. I’ll dust the door for prints, while—” A loud bang broke the stillness. My head whipped to the windows facing the backyard. I saw a dark form kneeling in the grass outside. Watching.”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure: A Virals Novel

“But as we maneuvered my wolfdog up the stairs, riser by riser, the dark thoughts returned. I’d been targeted. Someone had come for me in the night. And there could only be one explanation. I didn’t know how or why. I couldn’t fathom the connection. But the truth was as plain as the smashed nails on Cooper’s swollen paw. The Zodiac kidnapper was now after me.”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure: A Virals Novel

“A deep breath as I worked the cobwebs out, then I stood. Reality came crashing home. Someone had attacked me. Here. On Morris Island. Miles from anywhere a stranger should be. Facts molded into conclusions. I’d been targeted. There was no other reasonable explanation. Not for an attack on this deserted beach, at this late hour. Not out here in the middle of nowhere.”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure: A Virals Novel

“Calm down.” Trying to do so myself. “Chance doesn’t have all the pieces yet. He knows Coop was infected with XPB-19, and he knows we have the wolfdog. But that’s it.” “You said yet,” Hi pointed out. “That implies he’ll put it together eventually.” Deep breath. “Chance suspects we caught the supervirus. And given what he’s witnessed over the last year, I think he believes it affected us somehow. But he has no idea how,” I added quickly. “He doesn’t know the whole truth. And, most importantly, he can’t prove anything, or tell anyone. Not without exposing Candela’s involvement with illegal experiments. Which he obviously won’t do.” “We’re supposed to trust Chance freaking Claybourne”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure: A Virals Novel

“A black luxury car at a Gibbes Museum event? Not exactly a rarity. But I don’t believe in coincidence. My body was tired, and my mind completely shot, but my instincts were wide-awake. And they were in total agreement. I’m being followed.”
― Kathy Reichs, Exposure: A Virals Novel