“The rest were the same?” Montgomery asked. “You’re sure about that?”
“Yes. Well, they all have the same structure as the El Salvador sample, except for Paris, Rio, and Sydney. Those samples each showed an additional genetic cluster. Between the samples, it appears to be two totally new serogroups we’ve never seen before.”
“Not one, but two? It can’t be.” Montgomery shook her head. “A new pathogen takes time to spread. Simultaneous appearances across the globe are unheard of, even today.”
“True, but the Cairo, Haiti, and Shanghai water samples are several weeks old.”
Montgomery flipped through the binder, studying the analysis. “I’m not aware of any cholera outbreaks in Paris or Sydney—nor Rio, for that matter.”
Byron shook his head. “Perhaps the added genetic structure has reduced the toxicity.”
“Thank heavens, if so. Still, how did it appear in the public water supplies of Paris and Sydney? Those were treated water samples, weren’t they?”
“Yes, the samples are from the public water system. And your guess is as good as mine.”
Montgomery couldn’t believe what she was hearing. A mutated form of the cholera bacteria seemed to be spreading like a global pandemic, yet without a massive death rate. At least for now. How had the same pathogen spread so quickly? She gazed at Byron and saw from the look on his face that he had more bad news.
“Something else?”
Byron nodded. “Each of the samples, except for Haiti, contained a significant portion of bacterium in a transient hypermutation state.”
Montgomery cringed. All bacteria were capable of mutating into potentially more dangerous forms. Typically, signs of mutation occurred in a very tiny percentage of a bacterium colony. Bacteria in a hypermutation state, however, had upward of a thousand times higher likelihood of successfully mutating.
Montgomery felt like she had taken a blow to the stomach. She gazed at the computer monitor with the image of the fuzzy jelly beans.
“You know what this means?” she said in a low voice.
When Byron didn’t respond, Montgomery answered her own question.
“It means we could be facing an entirely unknown catastrophic killer. And we have no clue how to stop it.”
36
What a beautiful view of the lake.”
Loren pulled open a heavy panel of curtains, exposing a southwesterly view down the length of Loch Ness. A group of people paddled kayaks along the near shore, but otherwise the calm surface was empty of boats.
Pitt lifted their luggage onto the porter stands. “This is quite a room. You must rate high on the guest list.”
Though not large, their room was exquisitely decorated with Edwardian antiques. Wood-paneled walls supported oil paintings of hunting scenes and two large beveled mirrors. Across from the picture window and sitting area was an ornate four-poster bed.
“I hardly think that’s the case.” Loren crossed the room and opened her suitcase. “There was no shortage of movers and shakers in the lobby. Even the Spanish prime minister is here. Evanna McKee must have quite the network.”
“Be sure and find out what she’s selling.”
Loren shook off the comment and pulled out a wrinkled dress. “Customs really went through our luggage.”
Pitt opened his bag and found similar evidence of turmoil.
“How long will you be gone?” Loren asked, moving to the bathroom to brush her hair and reapply makeup.
“My meeting is in town, it shouldn’t last long. Sounds like they may not let me back in for a bit. I may be forced to while away the time at a local pub.”
Loren stepped back into the room and embraced him. “Don’t be gone long. And if they lock the front door, I’ll dangle a bedsheet out the window.”
Pitt escorted her back to the rotunda, which was beginning to clear out as the guests moved to the dining hall. Pitt kissed Loren good-bye, then exited the manor. He hopped into the Mini and retraced his route back to Inverness.
Just before reaching the city, he spotted a park near the river and pulled in. At the riverside he retrieved a glass vial from his pocket and filled it with water from the River Ness. Ten minutes later, he drove into the parking lot of a nondescript building at the opposite end of town. The structure had dark-tinted windows facing the street and a fenced warehouse yard in back. The only identification was a small sign by the door marked INVERNESS RESEARCH/BIOREM GLOBAL LTD.
Inside, Pitt found an empty waiting area and a middle-aged receptionist seated at an enclosed desk.
“May I help you?” she said in a brusque voice. Black bangs hung over a pair