that is the secret to health, happiness, and long life.” She smiled.
“Tell me about you, Suzy. I can see in your face that you are burdened.” Rose Lin studied her daughter’s face carefully. “I have heard about New York City and the terrorist attack. Are you involved in the investigation? I heard that they found something in the subway.”
Her mother knew that Suzy couldn’t talk about work, but Rose Lin was concerned for her daughter’s safety. She was also worried about the terrorist threat and what it could mean on a large scale.
“Mother, I need to tell you something, but it could have dire consequences. I must have your word of honor that you will not disclose this information to anyone, only Father,” said Suzy.
Her solemn tone frightened Rose Lin. Suzy couldn’t believe she had to talk about this, but it was crucial, since it directly involved her mother.
“My daughter, you know that I am here for you and will help in any way that I can,” answered her mother. “What is it? Is something wrong?” Her mother’s voice was plaintive.
“I know about Lee,” Suzy stated, placing an envelope in her mother’s hands.
Her mother’s delicate face froze. Rose Lin spoke no words, but a single glistening teardrop began flowing down her angular, beautifully sculpted cheekbone.
.
30
As Dave sat in Jim Lucas’s office, he spoke on the phone with the CDC director, Dr. Ambrose. The test results of the canister were as yet undetermined, but the patients’ symptoms suggested a virus of unknown origin. The CDC lab in north Jersey was still working on the lab samples, as well. Additional nasal and throat swabs along with blood samples were on their way to the CDC lab in Atlanta. The symptoms of the patients, all of whom had been in the subway station where the “object in question” had been found, were all similar: coughing, breathing difficulties, severe headaches, fever, nausea, chills, weakness, muscle aches, and sore throat. Some were affected more severely than others.
Dave and Dr. Ambrose were deep in conversation, when Jim got a phone call from Dr. Edwards in the isolation unit.
“What is it, Frank?” asked Jim.
“One of our patients, an older gentleman who came in earlier today, just died from respiratory failure. His wife has been told, and we have the hospital chaplain with her now. He was in the subway station this morning.”
“Holy shit,” said Jim.
Dr. Edwards continued, “He had a history of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. He was vulnerable to any severe respiratory infection.”
“How are the other patients doing?” asked Jim.
“Not good. They are all coughing and have multiple acute symptoms. We are trying various anti-viral medications. Without knowing the strain, we don’ know which medication will be most effective. It is too soon to tell.” Frank was matter of fact.
“Keep me posted, and you and your staff use extreme caution. We don’t have an f-ing clue what we have on our hands.” Jim was concerned.
“We are, but thanks, Jim, we appreciate that. I just wish we knew what we are dealing with.”
Dave was saying to Dr. Ambrose, “Until we know for sure, we continue to treat and contain.”
Dr. Ambrose agreed that they would stay in touch as more information was obtained.
After a few more minutes of conversation, they concluded the meeting.
Dave asked Jim, “What?”
Jim was ashen. “We lost one of the patients in isolation. The older man, John Keaton. He had a history of emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Respiratory failure.”
“Damn!” Dave sat for a few moments and then said, “I need to check on something.”
After reaching his office, Dave logged on to the New England Journal of Medicine and began a search for viral information. An article about avian flu captured his interest. It was an unlikely source, but many symptoms matched those of the patients that they were currently treating. Could this be possible, he wondered? It is rare and is transmitted from wild birds to domesticated birds, like turkeys, chickens, and ducks, and then to humans, if eaten. Pandemic risk can follow. As he read further, the more suspicious he became. When bird flu affects humans, it is often deadly. Then again, it could be a swine influenza, which has many similarities to avian flu, but is transferred, human to human. That would make more sense.
He enlarged the search criteria to include the common symptoms that had been presented, including quick onset and respiratory distress. The results suggested other possibilities including West Nile virus or the norovirus, sometimes called the cruise ship virus. Both