He didn't rise to the bait. That was both disappointing and discomforting. Leah would've felt more at ease if he'd snapped back an appropriate defense. Either he really was that brainless (which was very unfortunate for his team), or too many people had called him on his incompetence and he'd simply reached the point of ignoring any more jibes.
Leah hadn't reached the point of total paranoia, though, but there'd been too many close calls to count. Looting was especially dangerous — she was almost tempted to say it was more dangerous than facing down the hordes. Resources were getting thinner every year, and more people were getting killed over the tiniest things, like the last roll of toilet paper. Being cornered by a group of all male marauders had given Leah enough reason to be paranoid.
"Clint Eastwood's just an actor," she said, eyes scanning the street on which they were standing. "And he was probably one of the first to get eaten."
No backup plan? At all? Letting her eyes fall closed, Leah sighed. It honestly shouldn't have surprised her. It also should've made her feel more concerned, but it was what it was. Preventing a fall from a height like that didn't exactlty allow for many alternate plans. At least if the fire escape did collapse, she'd have someone to report her demise back to his superiors. As long as the message got back to her family, she was okay with that.
"I have family back at Madison Square. Something happens to me? Make sure they know about it." And that was that.
Jude explained that he was an engineer and therefore knew the basic layout of buildings like these, which, though she didn't admit it aloud, eased Leah's mind somewhat. They weren't likely to get hopelessly lost once they were inside, at least. The dumb waiter suggestion had been a clever one, too. She'd never have thought of looking there.
Leah chuckled without humor when he asked if she had a Plan B. She leaned carefully over the railing to watch him climb. "Yeah, I have a Plan B. You fall and die, I use your body for bait. How's that for a plan?"
Leave no man behind. One of those honorable soldier mottoes that more or less applied to everyone these days. Leah had never willingly left a crew member behind, but with a group this small and all of them entering the warehouse at different locations? It wouldn't be good for anyone if Jude fell. He was too large for her to drag his body to safety by herself.
"If by that you mean a tree house about to come tumbling out of its tree? Then sure." He'd made it up that far, but he still had a little ways to go. Leah wouldn't breathe easy until they were both off the fire escape and inside the warehouse.
While he continued up, Leah fished out her flashlight. Zombies would be attracted by the light, true, but it was better than stumbling blindly into the midst of a large group of undead. She didn't turn it on right away, instead peering in the window to see what she could make out. Inside was the skeletal framework of unfinished rooms. Empty and rusted paint cans and white sheets were scattered about. She didn't notice any movement, no telltale sign that zombies were present.
Jude finally made it to the top, causing the rusted fire escape to sway and make protesting noises in response to the combined weight of her and Jude. The flashlight slid from Leah's hand, landing and rolling into the darkness of the top level of the warehouse, as she gripped the window frame with both hands, bracing herself in case the whole thing decided to give way.
She frowned at Jude for suggesting they take this precarious route. "Your Plan A sucks," she said.