could be deadly and fast spreading. He couldn’t rule out chemical inhalation or pneumonia, either.
He punched Jim’s extension. “Hey, Jim, I don’t know what the hell we are dealing with. I found information that points to anything from West Nile to avian flu, chemical contact or coincidence. Whatever it is, we’re fucked. At this point, it doesn’t matter anyway.”
Jim said, “You’re right. We are fucked. And wait till you hear this. I just heard a news report that a Century Air flight, departing from LaGuardia this morning, made an emergency landing in Baltimore, approximately one-half hour into the flight. A flight attendant was transported to Johns Hopkins. She had severe flulike symptoms, and I guess she was pretty much out of it.”
“I wonder if she was on the subway platform this morning.”
Jim hesitated. “Yes.”
“Fucking A…” Dave said.
.
31
Dave went back to his office, and closed the door. He texted Chris. “My office. D”
It only took a few minutes for Chris to get there. She looked beautiful, even in her hospital scrubs. He had showered in the doctors’ lounge and was dressed in his standard ER attire of jeans, running shoes, dress shirt with sleeves rolled up, and tie. She closed the door, and they embraced. They kissed softly, and then passionately, with desire. He was pulling her as close to him as possible.
“I love you so much, Chris,” Dave said.
“I love you, sweetheart, so very much,” she responded, feeling secure in his arms. “What is this, Dave? What is going on?” asked Chris, knowing this was serious. She saw the concern in his eyes.
He took her face in his hands and spoke firmly, “I want you to go home now. Things are going in a direction I don’t like, and until we have answers, I want you out of here.” Fearing for her safety, he wanted her out of the hospital.
Chris said, “I heard about the man dying in isolation, but he had pre-existing health issues and was at high risk.”
“True enough, but allow me to be cautious. You are tired. You need to go home, and don’t come back to work until I know what is going on.” Dave was firm. He was scared, not just for her, but the entire hospital and staff.
“I don’t want to leave you, Dave, please.” She never wanted to be anywhere but with him.
He ignored her. “What is the status in the ER now?”
Chris said, “Things are stable but busy. The subway is still shut down. The Center City Hospital administrator called Jim Lucas. They have received several patients with flu-like symptoms. The military is helping transport them to Edgewood. It is precautionary. The patients just happened to be on the subway platform in question, so they don’t want to place any hospitals in jeopardy.”
Dave spoke quietly “I am concerned, Chris. I have some hunches, but we need lab confirmations.”
“What do you think it is, Dave?” she queried.
“I’m not sure, but my guess is a dangerous airborne virus of unknown origin, possibly mutated, as indicated by the uncommonly short incubation period. The CDC or the FBI will give us the answers we need, though we can only treat with certain antiviral medications, no matter what it is, and they are limited in quantity.”
Chris said, “I think I should stay. I can rest here if necessary, and the other staff nurses will need breaks. Our ER is busy, under routine circumstances.” She was right, but he didn’t want her exposed to this unknown virus. He loved her dedication to her job, patients, and coworkers, but he also knew she needed to be near him. He needed her also, but protecting her was foremost.
“Okay, Chris, stay, for now,” he said. He held her, not wanting to let go.
“Did Vicki call? How is Carolyn?” asked Chris.
“Thank God, Carolyn is home. Vicki is very upset. I told her I had to stay here and asked her to stay home and not let Carolyn go out. I think she will do as I asked,” Dave said.
When it came to their daughter, fortunately Vicki was a good mother. That was all he could ask of her.
.
32
Max walked into the remote CIA office, one of many maintained in the DC area. His friend of over twenty years, Greg Hammond, worked for the NCS, the National Clandestine Service, which is the secret investigative arm of the CIA. Greg and Max had graduated from West Point in the same class, and after Greg finished his tour of duty, he was recruited to work