The Perfect Pathogen (20 page)

CHAPTER 33

Back in her office, Katie
was happy to see that she had received another email with another 1,000 blood
test results. She immediately entered the data into her program and set the
wheels in motion. She wanted to find another negative to compare with Hope’s
data. There had to be something in common she thought.

Next, she gathered the information necessary to
try and calculate the projected longevity and death rate, all based on the
reporting they had received thus far. She figured if she could determine how
fast people were dying, then she could not only predict how many people would
die per day, but she could also predict how long people had to live. Once she
had this worked out, it would be a simple process of monitoring the casualty
figures to see if her calculations were in the ball park.

Picking up the phone, Katie placed a call to Beth.
“Hi, Beth. How are things going at your end of things?”

“Pretty good. It is quiet here without you, but
there are plenty of things to keep me busy,” said Beth.

“Any more creepy calls from Mr. Hughes?” asked
Katie.

“No, not yet.”

“Great. The reason I was calling is that I need
you to go through some of Herb’s files. He was working on a project to
calculate average life expectancy ages in the same regions I was using for my
longevity study. He had it broken out in a bunch of different ways. Can you
find that data and any summaries he had and email them to me?  I think it will
be valuable in figuring out some of the parameters surrounding SDX,” said
Katie.

“Sure, no problem. I know exactly where the hard
copy files are but, I think I scanned most of the information into a SharePoint
site. I will find the information and forward it to you. I guess it will
probably take me about thirty minutes, if we are lucky,” said Beth.

“Thank you. Super. I will be standing by. Talk to
you later then,” said Katie as she hung up the phone.

Katie’s next move was to head to the museum to
check on the woolly mammoth. On her way out she stopped by Sarah’s office to
let her know her plans.

“Hi Sarah. I am headed over to the Smithsonian
right now. I will probably be gone a couple of hours. I forgot to ask you
earlier, but did you ever find out anything about the tag on the car that was
following me on Friday?”

“Oh yes, I meant to tell you,” said Sarah. “They
said it was a cover plate for a diplomatic mission. They weren’t able to tell
me which one though. Someone has to go to Foggy Bottom to get the answer if we
really, really, want it. Very strange, if you ask me. Have you had any other
problems?”

“Not really. I did get another call from the
reporter this morning, but Beth handled it,” said Katie.

“Well, as long as it doesn’t happen again, I
wouldn’t worry about it,” said Sarah.

“Ok, I will see you a little later.”

Katie left the building and caught a cab to the
museum. Ten minutes later she was going through security. As she entered, she
saw a big replica of a wooly mammoth staring right at her from the Center of
the atrium. “Could you be the cause of all of this?” she said to herself.

She saw the signs for the special exhibition
leading visitors to the left, so she headed down through the hall directly to
the exhibition area. There was a young woman in a side office near the glass
case displaying the baby mammoth. She went to the door and knocked.

The young lady answered. “May I help you?”

“Yes. My name is Dr. Katie McMann and I am from
the CDC,” handing the lady her business card as she spoke. “We are working on
the SDX epidemic and one of my colleagues thinks that there may be some link
between what caused the disease and a baby mammoth that was found in the Sakha
region of Siberia in 2010. This wouldn’t happen to be the same mammoth, would
it?”

“I don’t know for sure, but I do know that this
mammoth was discovered in 2010 near a town call Ust’Nera in Russia. Says so on
the display right over there,” she said as she pointed to the glass. “That
might be in the same area.”

“Bingo,” said Katie. “That is exactly where the
mammoth we are looking for is from. Do you have any statistics on this mammal? 
It is a mammal, isn’t it?” said Katie.

“It most certainly is. I don’t have a lot of
information. DNA testing has been done to find out why it died, but it hasn’t
revealed any significant information. We believe this youngster was about ten
years old, based on how developed she was. I know there were fluid samples
taken when they first found her, but those are in Russia, I think. She sure is
really well preserved and that is why we keep her behind the window here in a
refrigerated display case. We are trying not to let her decompose.”

“So, you are an anthropologist I assume,” said
Katie.

“Yes, that is correct.”

“So why do you think the mammoth became extinct
anyway. Have you been able to tell anything based on this specimen?” said
Katie.

“Nothing is certain, but it doesn’t seem to be due
to some cataclysmic event. They didn’t all die at once either. They died out
over a period of time, and about the same time, relatively speaking.”

“Do you think they died of a virus or bacterial
infection?” asked Katie.

“That is really hard to determine. What we know is
they all disappeared due to hunting, disease, climate – maybe all the above. My
bet is that there was something in the environment or a disease that infected
them and the last of their kind were all wiped out.”

“Sort of like the epidemic that is killing people
around the world right now,” said Katie.

“I never really thought about it like that. Gee,
so you think the disease going around right now could result in the extinction
of the human race?” she asked.

Katie was now skating on thin ice. She would take
to the shore. “Not right now, but like any disease, whether it is the plague or
the avian flu, we need to determine why and how it started and then find an antidote.
I am just hunting down all possible leads,” said Katie.

“Oh, I understand. I hope I was helpful.”

“You sure were,” said Katie as she thanked the
young lady and said good bye.

Katie sat down at her computer to write a quick
email to Ben. “Hi Ben, I saw the mammoth and it is the same one that was found
in 2010. What luck!  I confirmed that they did a blood draw and they think it
is being stored in Russia. The find was near the city of Ust’Nera, which
coincides with our hypothesis that the disease started in that area. I am
starting to think that whatever killed the mammoth might be what’s killing us.
Maybe the pathogen was spread from the mammoth when it was thawed out. You
mentioned that the cells in the blood may have been damaged and what I am thinking
is that whatever killed this mammoth could have mutated when it thawed. That
may be why it is now killing humans. I will check to see if any elephants are
dying. There may be some type of link there too. That’s all I have for now.
Keep us posted on your progress. Bye, Katie”

Katie pulled up the results of the latest run on
her blood samples. All positive again. “Argh, Why weren’t there any negatives?”
she asked herself.

The next batch was already here, so she entered
that data and started the program running. Just as she had completed the
process her phone rang. It was Sarah.

“Can you come up to my office?  I need to talk to
you now,” said Sarah.

“Sure thing, I will be right up,” said Katie.

Moments later, Katie entered Sarah’s office

“Close the door and sit down,” said Sarah. “I just
got off the phone with the Secretary. There was a huge blow up at her meeting
with the President this afternoon. She wanted to talk about disseminating
information to the public and the President wouldn’t even consider it. She said
that Jim Redman was sitting there with a shit eating grin on his face the whole
time. When she insisted, the President lost his temper and told her that a
decision was made and that she should fall in line or consider resigning. So,
she resigned on the spot, effective Wednesday.”

Katie was astonished. She couldn’t believe what
she was hearing. The only person  in a position of power who had a clue was now
out of the picture. This couldn’t be happening. She felt somewhat responsible
for this new drama, having made the public disclosure point today.

“So what are we going to do?” asked Katie.

“Well, I think one her deputies will be the acting
Secretary in the interim until another Secretary can be appointed. We will have
to read in another person tomorrow. I am not sure how much the Secretary was
sharing with her staff, but she led me to believe not very much,” admitted
Sarah.

“Well, let me know what you need me to do,”
replied Katie. “I will be happy to provide as much data and information as I have.
Ben left me some of his information too, so I can talk about his theories on a
broader level,” said Katie. “How was Jennifer taking it?”

“To tell you the truth, she almost seem relieved.
She said she was going to take some time off and go visit family.”

“Talking about family,” Katie interjected, “I am
going to try and get out of here by seven tonight. Is there something you need
me to do before I go?”

“Just shoot me an update on the status of the live
blood testing before you walk out the door,” said Sarah.

“You bet.”

Katie went back to her office. Checking her
computer she saw the latest test run was complete. She pulled up the results
and was met with disappointment again. Everything was positive for SDX.

She did a quick check of her email. Ben had received
the report on the mammoth and there was another batch of blood sample test
results. She decided to do one last data run before she left for the day.

Katie entered the data and looked at her watch. It
would take about an hour and it was already 6:30 p.m. She decided she would get
the results in the morning, already pretty sure they would all be positive.

She picked up the phone and called Rob. “I am
leaving the office now. I should be home in about an hour. We are still on for
tonight, aren’t we?” she asked.

“You bet. I have been thinking about you all day.
I hardly got anything done at work.”

“I’ve been thinking about you too, but it has been
a really hectic day at work. There has been a lot of change and I have learned
a lot today. I will tell you all about it when I get home. Don’t hold dinner
for me, I am sure the kids are hungry.”

“Yes they are. I promised I would take them to the
Mexican restaurant again if you wouldn’t be home for supper on time,” said Rob.

“Well, enjoy. One of these days I will make it
home in time to join you,” said Katie. “I will see you all in a little while.”

Katie finished up in her office and then went down
to the parking garage. She still had boxes in the back seat. She decided to
take one more load up to her office and that would leave her with only one load
to bring up in the morning.

Finally ready to leave for home, she exited the
parking garage. As she was turning onto the street she noticed a man sitting in
a car across the way. He was staring right at her. She made eye contact and he
turned his head away abruptly. She sped away down the street, but the car did
not follow. She once again was relieved. She wondered what Marvin Hughes looked
like and if that had been Marvin. Then she thought, he’s such an amateur.

At the White House, Jim Redman was discussing
Jennifer’s resignation with the President.

“This is going to look really bad in the press,”
said Jim

“Yes. Well maybe I was a little too hasty. Maybe I
should ask her to reconsider. Maybe we should release some of the information
we have to the public. I should have listened better. There was probably a
middle ground that would have been acceptable,” said the President.

“I think you did exactly as you should have. She
was out of line and I think she wanted out anyway. I just wish there was
another way to handle this that wouldn’t discredit your office,” said Jim.

“I think I will call her later and see if we can
work something out,” said the President, as they finished their conversation.

Jim wasn’t happy with this decision. He thought
that letting the Secretary win was a big mistake. She would try to grab power
and run the show now. Jim had always protected the President before from these
blood sucking incompetents and he would figure out a way this time also, he
vowed to himself.

CHAPTER 34

It was 6 a.m. and the
alarm went off as it always did. Rob looked over at Katie with a look of
satisfaction. She had lived up to her word last night. He placed his arm around
her and gave her a gentle hug, followed by a kiss. Katie arose slowly and
rolled toward Rob kissing him back. They lay together in an embrace for several
minutes before Rob got up and fixed breakfast for them both and then woke up
the children. Right on cue, Katie made her stops in each of the bedrooms to
kiss the kids good-bye for the day.

Soon Katie was out the door headed to her downtown
office. At this time of day she expected the trip would take her about
forty-five minutes. She was real glad she had a parking place, so she didn’t
have to rent a garage space or use the metro.

Not too much later, Rob and the kids were out the
door. He would drop them all at school, and then head across the Route 231
bridge and up to the Center. Crossing the bridge he could see that the
construction was already underway this morning. Part of one of the prefab units
was sitting on a truck at the entrance to the Center.

As usual, Marge was already at the office ahead of
him. Rob drove up the drive and could see crews putting the finishing touches
in place for the septic systems and water supply pipes. He was starting to get
really excited about the future of the Center, until he remembered again that
this might all be for nothing. But then again, he remembered that Katie had
told him that they had confirmed that Hope was not infected by SDX. What did
that mean?  Did it mean that she would be all alone in the world?  Surely there
were others that were negative too?,

Marge was sitting in her office with a long look
on her face.

“What’s up?” said Rob.

“Not much,” said Marge. “They are making good
progress on the project.”

“I can see that. I can also see that something has
got you down.”

“Yeah. An old friend of my parents died last
night. I got a call from his wife. After my parents died, he was like a father
to me, and she a mother. I am going to go over to see her later this evening
and take her out to dinner. She is about ten years younger than he was. Now she
is afraid she will not have long to live either. This epidemic is frightening,
especially if you are old,” said Marge.  “I wish the news had something positive
to report. All we hear is speculation and hope, but no facts or leads. What is
Katie hearing?” asked Marge.

“Not much really. I am surprised that the word out
of the White House doesn’t have more detail. Likewise, the World Health
Organization and others also don’t seem to have anything better to report as to
what is causing so many people to die,” replied Rob.

“Did you see they are digging a mass grave south
of Prince Frederick, near the landfill?  I think they are planning on using it
for the Tri-County area, at least that’s what I heard at the grocery store last
night when I ran into some friends who work for the State,” said Marge.

“Well, that is starting to get a little
depressing. I am just glad we have this project and our students to keep us
going. They all seem to be hanging in there so far,” said Rob.

It was about ten when the students started
arriving, just like clockwork. The staff was in place to greet the kids and
take them to their learning stations. Rob was especially amazed at the output of
the greenhouse learning stations. They were producing enough vegetables to feed
two-hundred people he thought, plus have leftovers to sell at their roadside
stand. The greenhouses, with their solar heating, were capable of maintaining a
proper temperature to grow their crops year-round. He had been thinking about
adding flowers next spring to diversify and as another form of education for
the kids. This fall they would put mums in the ground, since they were
perennials and people liked to have them around because of their bright and
earthy colors.

It was getting close to noon when Rob said to
Marge, “I am going to take off for a little bit, pick up Hope, take her to
lunch and then on to her work. Are you ok to hold down the fort?”

“I will be ok.”

“Do you want me to bring you back something?” said
Rob.

“Yes. I am in the mood for a couple of soft shell
tacos from Taco Bell. You don’t mind?” Marge asked.

“No, not at all. I’ll see you in a little while.”

Rob drove down the driveway and turned left onto Route
231 to pick up Hope. She was standing on the curb at the main entrance to the
school waiting for him when he arrived.

“Hi darling. How’s my girl today?”

“I’m doing really good dad. I got an “A” on my
project and everyone congratulated me on my creativity and attention to
detail.”

“So what did you say?” asked Rob.

“I said thank you, and then I said that a lot of
what I put into the project I had learned through the things I work on at the
Center,” said Hope. “Some of them asked if they could come and see what we do
here, and then Ms. Taylor, my business management teacher, asked if we could
maybe do a field trip to the Center. I told her I would ask you.”

“I would be more than happy to show them what we
do. In fact, you could show them the greenhouses and the classrooms and they
could also see the new independent living facilities we are building as part of
the learning program,” said Rob.

“That would be great dad. When can we come?”

“Whenever you want. You just need to let me know
and I will be happy to lead the tour, with your help of course!” added Rob.

They went to Hope’s favorite restaurant again,
Panera Bread. While they were sitting there eating, Rob was thinking about the
fact that Hope was negative for SDX. He looked at Hope and smiled.

“Daddy, what are you smiling about?” asked Hope
now, a little embarrassed.

“I was just thinking about how special you are. I
think you are destined to be someone very important in the future. I remember
you as a little baby, and now you have grown and matured so much. I am so very
proud of you,” he said.

Hope was now blushing and didn’t know what to say.
“Stop kidding with me, dad.”

“I am not kidding, Hope. I am very serious. You
will see. You will see.”

Rob changed the subject and Hope became
lighthearted again. She didn’t like to think of herself as being leader. She
was happy to be just a part of a team, for she thought of herself as a skilled
follower. The thought of leading made her nervous. She looked forward to having
her mom and dad with her for a long time to guide her along the path of life.

“I’d better get you over to work,” said Rob.

“Yes, I don’t want to be late. I have to show the
people I work with that I can be responsible. A big part of that is being on
time.  You know, I want to have a permanent job with them after the internship
is done. Do you think I’ll be able to?” said Hope.

“As long as there is a job opening. But then
again, I was hoping that you would consider working at the Center after you
finish your degree,” said Rob.

“I’d like to dad, but I don’t think you pay good
enough,” said Hope with a smile and a wink.

“Well, when the time comes, we can talk about
salary. I can already see you’ll be driving a hard bargain.”

“I learned my negotiating skills from you dad.
You’re in trouble, you know?” she said as they laughed.

“So I am.  I’ll see you this evening. Have a good
day at work,” said Rob as she waved and walked into the building.

After a stop at Taco Bell, Rob drove back down
Highway 231 to the Center. Marge was on the front porch of the main office. She
walked out to Rob’s car as he drove up.

“Have you heard the news?” asked Marge?

“No, what happened?”

“The Secretary of Health and Human Services is
dead. It’s on the news. They think she committed suicide,” said Marge.

“Oh my god, that is horrible. When did it happen?”

“Sometime last night.”

“I can’t believe it. I have to call Katie right
away,” said Rob.

“Yes, you do. In fact, she called while you were
gone. She said she wanted you to call when you got back from lunch with Hope.”

“Thanks Marge.”

Rob picked up the phone and called Katie. He only
got her office voice mail. Next he called her cell phone. It was off. Now he
felt helpless. He knew Katie would want to talk, but he couldn’t reach her and
she hadn’t called him on his cell. “Why wasn’t her cell phone on?!” he said out
loud with a worried frustration.

“All I am getting is voicemail,” said Rob to
Marge. “I will have to try again in a little while.”

Rob sat down at his computer and went to the
different news sites to read what had happened. There wasn’t much detail. She
had been home alone. No one heard anything. Her neighbors were surprised. The
White House had already released a statement praising her service and offering
her family condolences. She had shot herself in the head. Her family didn’t
even know she had a gun.

Rob thought, “I am sure they will investigate this
quickly to ensure there was no foul play. I need to try and call Katie again.”

Rob re-dialed Katie’s office and she answered the
phone.

“Hello, Dr. McMann,” answered Katie.

“Hi Katie. I heard the news. What is going on?”

“Everybody here is in shock. She was so well liked
and respected,” said Katie rapidly with a tremor to her voice. “Having worked directly
with her over the past week, I can’t imagine her doing this. Like I said,
everyone is in shock, including me.”

“Calm down a bit my dear. You sound a little
shaken. Is anything else going on?” asked Rob.

“I don’t know. Sarah seems to think that she
wouldn’t have killed herself. The Secretary had an argument with the President
yesterday, but then the President called her early yesterday evening and they
had worked out their differences. After that, the Secretary called Sarah last
evening and told her everything was ok.  So, why would she have done this?  I
just don’t understand,” said Katie.

“Sounds like you have a mystery on your hands. If
you aren’t getting any work done, why don’t you just come home?” asked Rob.

“I can’t. There is too much going on. I have data
to analyze and I have a call with Ben Shah in about two hours to find out what
is going on in Moscow. I won’t be late though. If anything changes I will call.
I love you honey, good-bye.”

Katie hung up and Rob just sat there staring at
the phone. He felt more helpless now than he did before he called.