At her orders, Dr. Bloomberg was assigned to the task along with a couple of nurses and orderlies to assist him. They screened prospective patients at the door. If they weren’t infected with the Red Flux, they were decontaminated and given treatment for their ailments.
Dr. Bloomberg was the perfect man for the job. Kind and patient, the people loved him, plus his age and hypertension placed him at high risk for the disease. Instead of risking his life in the infirmary, his skills were put to better use.
But none of that really mattered at that moment. Kat exited the room with a light step. She sank down into a chair opposite the doctor and allowed herself to drift off on a cloud of joy. The sensation of euphoria lasted until she realized one important fact. I won’t be able to work anymore.
She said as much to the doctor, and he confirmed her fears.
‘‘I’m afraid you’re right, my dear. It would only place you and your baby in unnecessary danger.”
“So what do I do?” Kat asked.
“Do? Why you rest, of course. You take care of yourself, and you stay far, far away from anyone who’s sick.”
“But, I can’t sit around and do nothing for six months,” she protested.
“You can still do your part behind the scenes, I’m sure. Coordinate and strategize. As long as you don’t overdo it or come into contact with the Red Flux, you’ll be fine,” Dr. Bloomberg said.
Kat nodded, relieved. At least she didn’t have to twiddle her thumbs while the city was dying.
“But, there are rules,” Dr. Bloomberg said, wagging a finger at her.
“Such as?”
“You need to stay hydrated, and a healthy diet is a must. I can’t give you any prenatal vitamins, so it’s especially important that your body gets the nutrients it needs from food. Don’t over-tax yourself. Gentle exercise is fine, but again, don’t overdo it. And no herbal concoctions, caffeine, or drugs without my approval.” He leveled a stern stare at her. “Is that clear?”
Kat nodded. “Crystal clear.”
“I’m scheduling you for regular checkups. I mean to keep a close eye on you.”
“No problem, doctor,” Kat replied with a broad smile. Suddenly, the day seemed a lot brighter than before.
She left the exam room filled with the urgent need to find Callum. She made her way through the hotel, avoiding people where possible.
A member of the Watch guarded the entrance, and she paused. “Do you know where Callum MacNamara is?”
“No, ma’am,” the guard replied.
“What about Bruce Copeland?”
“Sorry, ma’am. I haven’t seen either of them all day.”
“Thanks anyway,” Kat said. After thinking it over, she went looking for Callum herself. While wandering about the city might not be the best idea, she needed to find him. Her news simply could not wait. She was far too wound up for that.
For the next hour, she wandered about the city. First, she knocked on Moran’s door, but the woman wasn’t at home. Next, she went to Patti’s, but she was also out. Lee was there, wheeling about in his wheelchair with a book on his lap. “Well, this is a surprise. It’s good to see you again.”
“Sorry to bother you, Lee, but do you know where Callum is?”
“No, I don’t,” he said. “I’ve been stuck inside all day.”
“What about Patti?”
“She said something about a meeting around two,” Lee said.
“Is it a council meeting?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Thanks, Lee. I’ll see you again soon,” Kat said.
“You won’t stay for tea?” he asked.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t. I need to find Callum,” she said, taking her leave.
The meeting Lee spoke about was unknown to her which meant it was a council meeting, not a general one. Unfortunately, she did not know where the council convened for their meetings. It involved various citizens of Prime city and could be held anywhere. Finally, she admitted defeat and returned to the hotel. She’d scarcely entered its confines when Sandi rushed toward her. “There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you!”
“What’s wrong?” Kat asked, Callum forgotten for the moment.
“Look who came back,” Sandi said, pointing to a familiar figure.
“Paul? What are you doing here? What happened? Is something wrong?” she asked, her mind running a mile a minute. “What about the expedition to Vancouver?”
“Slow down,” Sandi said. “He just got here, and he hasn’t had a chance to talk.”
“Are the others here as well?” Kat said.
“It’s just me and a friend,” Paul said.
“A friend? What friend?” Kat asked.
“Let’s go somewhere private, shall we? Like your office,” Sandi said. She took Kat’s elbow and coaxed her down the hall. “Paul can fill us in there. You shouldn’t expose yourself to sick patients, anyway.”
Kat pulled her elbow free from Sandi’s grip. “Wait a minute. What did you hear?”
Sandi grinned. “I might have heard a rumor confirming what you told me in the bathroom the other day.”
“A rumor,” Kat exclaimed. “I should’ve known. Nothing stays a secret in this place for long.”
“No, it doesn’t,” Sandi said, unrepentant. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks, but keep it to yourself for now,” Kat said. “I want to tell Callum first, and I don’t want him to hear it from anyone else.”
Sandi placed her finger on her lips. “Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me.”
Kat snorted. “It’s not you I’m worried about.”
“I’ll pass the word down the line. No one will spill the beans to Callum, I promise,” Sandi said.
“Fine. Let’s go to my office,” Kat said, leading the way. She opened the door and stopped, surprised to see a stranger lounging in a chair. “Who are you?”
The woman stood up and stuck out her hand. “Casey Hargitt, at your service.”
“This is the friend I was talking about,” Paul explained. “She flew me here from Kalama.”
Kat sat down behind her desk and waited until the others were seated as well before she prompted, “Let’s hear it then. I confess I’m dying of curiosity.”
Paul cleared his throat. “The mission to Vancouver started out as planned. We traveled by boat to Kalama, anchoring offshore for the night. That’s when it all went wrong.”
“What happened?” Kat said, almost too scared to ask.
“A Spinosaurus attacked us. It wrecked the boat. We tried to fight it off, but nothing stopped it, not even Jessica’s rifle slugs.”
Kat placed one hand across her mouth, horrified. “My God.”
Sandi mirrored her shock, her expression pale and drawn. “That’s awful.”
Paul nodded. “In the end, it was Brittany who saved us.”
“Brittany?” Sandi repeated.
“She grabbed Tony’s flare gun and fired a shot into the sky. It distracted the creature long enough for her to fire a second shot into its mouth.”
“Its mouth?” Kat said, visualizing the scene. “That was brave of her.”
“Uh-huh. The flare must’ve done a lot of damage because the beast retreated and died not long after that.”
“Is she okay?” Sandi asked.
Paul swallowed. “She didn’t make it.”
“What?” Sandi cried.
“Before the Spinosaurus fled, it swept her overboard with its tail. She seemed fine, at first. But it turned out she had internal injuries. There was nothing anyone could do.”
“No, it can’t be,” Sandi said, bursting into tears. “Not Brittany. She’s my friend. We’ve known each other since we were kids!”
Paul gathered Sandi into his arms and attempted to soothe her. “I’m sorry, Sandi. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s not right,” Sandi said, shaking her head. “I should’ve been there. Why wasn’t I there?”
Kat blinked back tears of her own
, shocked to the core. “Take her home, Paul. She needs you now.”
“What about the rest of the story?” Paul asked.
“It can wait,” Kat said.
“I can fill her in,” Casey said, raising a hand. “It’s the least I can do.”
“Thanks,” Paul said, leading the hysterical Sandi away.
Once they were gone, Casey turned to Kat. “It’s a tragedy. From what I hear, Brittany was both young and bright.”
“That she was,” Kat said, letting out a shuddering breath. “The news will devastate her mother.”
“My condolences.”
“Please, excuse me for a moment,” Kat said, fleeing the room. She ran toward the bathroom where she threw up, this time from sheer anguish. Afterward, she splashed her face with cold water. Staring at her reflection in the mirror, she composed herself. This is not the time to fall apart. I have to stay strong.
She walked back into the hallway and flagged down an orderly. “Jesse, right?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I need you to do me a favor.”
“Anything, ma’am.”
“Find Callum MacNamara and tell him to meet me at my office,” Kat said. “Tell him to bring Ric and Olivia as well. It’s an emergency.”
“Right away, ma’am.”
“Thank you.” Kat returned to the office, greeting Casey with a wan smile. “I’m sorry about that. Please, continue.”
Casey filled her in on the rest of the events: The group’s decision to continue to Vancouver overland, and her own reason for coming to Prime. She finished by saying, “It isn’t much. We don’t stock a lot of medical supplies on a mission, but I brought along what I could. It should be enough to save a few lives, at least.” She indicated several large duffle bags on the floor. “Everything’s in there.”
Kat inspected the bags and clasped Casey’s hand. “You don’t know what this means to us. Things have been rough around here.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t do more,” Casey said, with a regretful shake of her head.
“Would you mind sticking around for longer?” Kat asked. “I’ve asked a few people to join us. We have some things to discuss, and I’d like you to be present.”
“Of course. I don’t mind at all,” Casey said.
While they waited for Callum and the rest, Kat handed out the supplies in the duffle bags. As Casey had said, there wasn’t a lot, but every bit helped. Still, the mission to Vancouver was now more important than ever, and she hoped the group wouldn’t meet with more disaster along the way. It’s our only chance. Everything depends on them.
Chapter 14 - Callum
Callum knocked on the door and cracked it open. He stuck his head through the opening. “Tis me. Callum.”
“I’m glad you made it, love,” Kat said, greeting him with a soft kiss.
“I brought Ric and Olivia, just as ordered,” he said with a wink.
“Ordered? I’d never order you around,” she said.
“Really? Tis the first I’ve heard of it,” he quipped.
“I’m glad you came, Olivia. You, as well, Ric,” Kat added, greeting them in turn.
“I tagged along too if you don’t mind,” Patti said, popping her head around the corner.
“Of course, not. It’s a blessing you came,” Kat said before pointing to a woman who sat in the corner. “This is Casey Hargitt, everyone. She hails from Vancouver, and she’s the reason I called you all here.”
“Tis a pleasure to meet you,” Callum said, shaking Casey’s hand.
“I haven’t heard a Scottish brogue in years,” Casey said with a smile.
“Have ye got the blood?” Callum asked.
“Some on my grandmother’s side but nothing to get excited about,” Casey replied with a twinkle in her bright blue eyes.
Kat waved a hand at the chairs. “Please, have a seat.”
Callum sank down into the nearest chair, relieved to get off his feet for a change. He’d been busy all day, overseeing the Watch and raiding parties. “So, what’s the big emergency?”
Kat told them everything Paul and Casey had told her. When she reached the part about Brittany’s death, Olivia broke down.
“I can’t believe it. I’ve known that child since the day she was born,” Olivia said, dashing tears from her eyes. “This will hit Jamie very hard. She’ll probably blame me for not stopping Brittany from going on this trip.”
“It’s not your fault,” Ric said, his expression grave.
“I’m not so sure about that,” Olivia said, crying into her handkerchief.
Callum shook his head, saddened by the loss. Though he hadn’t known the girl, she’d been young and vital, a future leader of the community once her thirst for adventure abated. Now, that promise was lost. “I’m sorry, Olivia. Please send the mother my regards.”
Once Olivia calmed down, Kat relayed the rest of the tale. “As you can see, we owe Casey a debt of thanks for gifting us with the much-needed medical supplies.”
“It was nothing. Anyone would’ve done the same,” Casey said, waving off their proffered thanks.
“I’ve already set aside a portion for the Exiles,” Kat continued. “You can pick it up at reception, Ric.”
“Thank you,” Ric said, holding the distraught Olivia’s hand.
“That still leaves us in desperate need of more supplies of every kind: Food, medicine, equipment, tools, wiring, plumbing, and mechanical parts,” Kat continued. “Which means, the expedition to Vancouver is of more importance than ever before.”
“Aye, but we cannot control the outcome. Nor can we afford to wait,” Callum said. “We have to look after ourselves.”
“He’s right,” Patti said. “The city stores are stretched to the limits. There’s little the council can do that hasn’t been done already. Today’s meeting did not go well.”
“Soon, we’ll see riots. The people are scared, as ye can well imagine,” Callum said. “When the food runs out, we run out of time.”
“What about your plane?” Ric asked.
“No fuel,” Casey said with a shake of the head. “The tank’s almost dry.”
“What if we could find more?” Ric said.
“Aviation fuel? I doubt you’ll find any that’s still good after all these years. We produce our own,” Casey said. “Besides, the plane can carry a maximum of four-hundred-and-thirty pounds, including passengers. That doesn’t leave a lot of space for supplies. Especially not in the amounts you need.”
“That’s too bad,” Ric said.
“The hunting and fishing parties are meeting with some success,” Callum said, scratching an itch in his beard. “We’ll be able to provide the city with dried meat and fish for a few weeks to come. Tis risky, though, and we’ve lost a few people already.”
“Dried meat and fish aren’t enough, but it’ll help,” Patti said. “At least until the fall harvest comes in.”
“What about the map Jessica drew?” Kat asked. “We were supposed to talk about that at some point, but we’ve hardly seen each other these past few days.”
Callum exchanged a look with Ric. “I’ve been meaning to tell ye. Ric and I have decided to pool our resources and go out together.”
“This is news to me,” Kat said with a frown. “Do you plan on leading this party yourselves?”
“Aye,” Callum said, shifting beneath Kat’s gaze. It was a subject he’d planned to broach in private, couched as a discussion instead of a decision already made.
“I see,” Kat replied, her voice heavy with disapproval.
“This is certainly the first I’ve heard of it,” Olivia exclaimed, and Ric squirmed about like a worm on a hook.
Callum smothered a grin. At least, I’m not the only one that has to answer to the missus tonight.
“Where are you going?” Kat asked before waving her hands in the air. “Never mind. I don’t want to know.”
“When are you leaving? That’s what I want to know,” Olivia said.
&n
bsp; “I’d planned to leave for home tomorrow and make the arrangements,” Ric said, his face flushed with embarrassment.
“Excellent,” Olivia said with a tight smile. “We can break the news to Jamie that her only daughter is dead at the same time.”
“Olivia, please. I was going to discuss this with you tonight,” Ric said.
Olivia pushed back her chair and stood up. “I don’t know what there is to talk about. It seems you’ve already made up your mind.”
“It’s the best option,” Ric protested. “These towns lie in unfamiliar territory, and it makes sense for us to work together.”
“Of course, dear. I completely understand.” Olivia nodded at Kat and the rest. “If you’ll excuse me, please. I need to pack my belongings.” Without another word, she whirled around and exited the room.
Ric jumped up and shot everyone an apologetic look. “Thank you again for the supplies, Casey. I bid you all goodnight.”
The couple left, and a brief silence descended on the room. After a few moments, Patti cleared her throat. “Unless there is anything further to discuss, I need to get going. I’ve got a million things to do, and not enough time to do it.”
“Of course, Patti,” Kat said. “I’d like to ask one favor of you though.”
“Name it.”
“Could you accommodate Casey in your home, please? I’m sure she’d be more comfortable living with one of her own, and she’ll be safe from the infection there.”
“One of my own?” Casey asked with a quizzical look.
“Lee is staying in one of my spare rooms,” Patti explained, “and I’d be happy to host you as well.”
“Thank you. That’s very kind of you,” Casey said. “Are you certain I won’t be a burden?”
“Not in the least. Lee will probably be glad of the company. I confess I’m hardly ever there, and it must get lonely for him,” Patti said. “Come with me, and I’ll show you to your new home.”
Casey stood up and nodded at Callum. “Good day to you, Sir.”
Callum inclined his head. “Same to ye, Mistress Hargitt.”
The Extinction Series | Book 6 | Primordial Earth 6 Page 9