by Hinze, Vicki
Could the news get any worse? A deadly pathogen loose in the HC lab. Mason braced. “Tell me. What do you mean?”
“Olivia and Jacob were playing ball. It got away from her and she went after it.”
“Olivia’s been in the HC lab?” Mason’s worry spiked through the ceiling.
“The seal on the vault door is broken. Minor leak, but the decontamination chamber wasn’t active, and she was right next to the door when the explosion hit.”
Mason needed to lock that down. Take air samples. His mind rushed into overdrive, but he tried to sound calm. “You go check her out,” he told David. “I’ll let Emma know and do what can be done here.”
“I sealed the broken valve and vial as best I could. Then the freezer. Fortunately, only a small section was affected by the blast. The rest held together. Followed protocol and it’s all done in there, so stay out,” David said. “The vault door seal is the significant thing, and the air. I’ve already adjusted the air controls inside. It’s purifying as fast as possible.”
“Good. Good job, David. I’ll work on the vault seal. You go reassure your family things are under control. Well, as best you can, considering. And check Olivia thoroughly.”
“Dr. M.” David cleared his throat, his eyes darted, extra glossy and watery. “She had a broken blister on her hand. All the practicing for basketball.”
“She blistered her hand dribbling?”
“No. She burned it making Jacob chocolate chip cookies and then busted the blister dribbling.”
His muscles clenched and his breath hitched. “It’s open, then?” That mortified Mason. David had to be losing his mind with worry.
“Yeah.”
“Take the kit with you and do everything humanly possible to sanitize it and kill the germs.”
David turned and hit the hallway in a near run.
An open wound put Olivia deep into the danger zone. Worried sick, Mason radioed Emma. “Come in, E.”
A moment later, she answered. “I’m here,” she said. “Is everything okay there?”
“No. I’m afraid, it’s not.” He went on to explain the breach and then the news about Olivia.
“Is she going to be okay?”
“It’s too soon to know.” He let her hear his concern. “Pray for her.”
“I will.” Emma said and meant it; no misunderstanding that tone. “Mason, have you been exposed?”
He hesitated, then finally answered. “Maybe. I’m not sure yet.”
“I’ll be there in ten.”
“No!” His response was swift and stern. “No, Emma. You can’t come in. Not until I’ve done all I can do and the outer ring tests safe.”
Her radio went silent.
“Did you hear me, Emma?” When she didn’t answer, he deepened his tone. “Don’t you play that you’re-not-hearing-me card because you don’t want to hear me, and don’t even think about coming back here before I give you an all-clear, Emma.”
“But I could help you.”
She could. But he didn’t want her help. He wanted her safe. “This is my wheelhouse and I don’t need help right now. Don’t get all offended. All I mean is it’s bad enough David and his family are here.” He paused, but she didn’t say anything, so he added, “We know of one. What if there are more invaders? Who will be left to take care of them and keep this stuff from spreading?”
“Okay, fine.” Emma sniffed. “But, Mason, don’t you dare die on me. I will be so ticked off at you, I’ll go into hell itself to bless you out for getting yourself killed. You hear me?”
His heart leapt in his chest. She was worried and emotional about him. Really worried and emotional. Emma rarely let anyone see her emotional or vulnerable. She genuinely cared about him. Threatening to march into hell to blister his ears? That was as open and real and genuine as Emma Miller had ever been in her life. “I will do my best not to inconvenience you, Emma.”
“That would be greatly appreciated.”
Mason bit his elation from his lips. They insisted on curving into a smile, and at the moment, that just wasn’t appropriate. No matter how long awaited, inappropriate. “David sealed the lab wall. Not sure it’ll be totally effective, but so far, testing shows it’s holding.”
“That’s a good sign.”
“How are things on that end?”
“Busy.”
He quizzed her about what she’d done to assure proper protocols were in place. From her descriptions, they were. At this point, that didn’t surprise him. Emma was a resourceful, knowledgeable woman with abilities that far exceeded his expectations. “You safe there?”
“I’m surrounded by a crew John Taylor pulled off construction. A dozen men, all armed and standing watch.”
“John Taylor had that many guns in Security?”
“I didn’t ask where they got the weapons.” She hedged. “They do have them, but they have limited ammo. They also have a variety of tools, which can be formidable weapons, should the need arise.”
A stray thought occurred to Mason and it worried him enough that he put a question to Emma. “Are you sure none of them are part of the backup team?”
“John Taylor vouched for every one of them—and they’re wearing neon armbands, so I know they’re on our side and don’t shoot them.”
Mason almost smiled. John Taylor certainly respected her skills. “Good thinking.”
“He’s impressively competent, Mason. I fear he’s often underestimated, but only by fools.”
“He is, and you’re right not to minimize the value of the crew’s tools. A nail gun can be wickedly effective.”
“Indeed, it can.”
“I’ve got to get busy here,” he said, reluctant to break contact with her. “Keep me posted, and do not come to the lab, Emma. I mean it. Don’t make me change the code and lock you out.”
“That’s not necessary. I promise, I won’t,” she said. “But only because that would cause you more worry.”
He forgot shielding his heart and games and banter and answered honestly. “It would. I want you safe.”
She was equally honest. “I want you safe, too.”
He stilled, mentally staggering. After all these years, it was hard to believe. But maybe all those years ago her mother had been right…
Chapter Fourteen
Tuesday, December 17th
2330 (11:30 PM)
Having reported the breach to Liz earlier, Emma called her again now to fill her in on the details and give her the latest update on consequences. In the mouth of the tunnel near the lab’s rear wall, she leaned back and accepted the truth. If she had a job after this mission, it’d be a miracle. “Yes, I can talk now,” Emma said, the frigid air fogging her breath.
“Human costs?”
“One fatality and one possible direct exposure.” Her emotions in riot, Emma tamped them down. “Close proximity to the blast on the exposure.”
“And the fatality?”
“Gunshot. Twice to the back of the head.”
“Them or us?”
Liz was asking who had done the shooting. “Them.”
“Who was the victim?”
“Kyle Greer. Security staff member.” John Taylor was really upset about Kyle’s death. Who wouldn’t be? Seeing someone who works for you lying shot to death on their way to taking a position you ordered them to take… of course, it was upsetting. Not John Taylor’s fault, but certainly upsetting. Emma hadn’t prevented the death. That was upsetting to her, too. “Greer was assigned to guard the lab’s rear wall. It appears he was on his way to it.” The position his body was in indicated that clearly. “Looks like he was ambushed from behind.” Blessing or curse, Kyle had never seen it coming.
“Is his post covered now?” Liz asked, her voice amazingly calm and neutral.
“It is, yes.” Emma scanned the tunnel and the opening to the outside near the rear lab wall. All seemed well. “Security Chief, John Taylor Moore, recruited a crew of construction workers to assist. A dozen m
en. They’ve been issued masks and gloves. Had their own eye protection.”
“No suits?”
“Not enough available. But they’ve been briefed and are aware their clothing has to be disposed of before leaving the area, and how to do so properly.”
“With the storm parked over you, that’s about the best you can do, Emma.”
In the distance, the wind howled in the tunnels. At her point in the tunnel, there was a chilly breeze. “It is.”
“These construction workers know the risks, right?”
“They do,” Emma said. “I disclosed only what I had to for the importance of the instructions to be understood. They were told the truth about how this could impact their health, possibly kill them.”
“And they stepped up anyway.” Liz let out a sigh. “Amazing courage.”
It was amazing. “They’re parents and sons and spouses and they want their families safe. And they want others’ families safe.” They were incredible people. Exceptional. Admirable.
“So, what about the possible exposure? You said the person’s blast proximity was a factor.”
“Yes, it was.” Olivia’s image filled Emma’s mind. She blinked hard and focused. “It’s David’s daughter, Olivia, Liz. She was near the vault door when the blast occurred. Seal was broken on the vault door in the blast. Olivia has an open burn blister on her hand. I know with Holly getting antibiotics here is impossible, but we need them…just in case someone contracts.” Emma stepped out far enough to scan the men John Taylor had positioned all throughout the chamber. The temperature dropped due to the jagged hole to the outside, leaving no doubt how the backup team had entered the area. All of the men on the crew looked alert and watchful. And resigned. “She’s confined to quarters in quarantine at the moment with her mother and brother.”
“Were they exposed, too?”
Emma stepped back into the tunnel. “They were with her after she was exposed, so indirectly, yes.”
“I hate this.” Liz let out a puff of breath. “What exactly would they be contracting? Do we know?”
Emma hated it, too. Thoroughly and completely. “Black plague.” She dropped her voice even lower. “Weaponized.”
“No.” Liz gasped. “Why didn’t they tell us that before?”
“They haven’t told us now. I realized it when pulling the lab inspection. I asked, and Mason confirmed it.”
“The director is going to have a stroke,” Liz predicted. “Emma, we wouldn’t have put you in the position had we known.”
“You wouldn’t have wanted to put me in this position, but you would have done it, Liz. You wouldn’t have a choice because I am here and protecting this lab is more important than any one life.”
“Weaponized Black Plague,” Liz said, as if scanning her memory. “Is there an antidote for that?”
Emma’s stomach fluttered and sank. “No.”
“Nothing?”
“Nothing.” Emma’s stomach sank a little lower. Mason had told her that much. Deeming it best not to dwell on that, she moved on. “Do you have an ID on any of the invaders?”
“Not yet. The team at headquarters is working on it.”
Disappointed with that news, Emma squeezed her eyes shut. Flying blind was something she always tried to avoid. “Sooner we get that information, the better.”
“Insights would help. I know. They are trying.”
“I’m sure they are,” Emma said. They didn’t want a nightmare on their hands any more than the people guarding the chamber or in the lab wanted to die. “It’s just been a lot of drama. This little Olivia…” Emma felt emotion welling and let it. “She’s something else, Liz.”
“I can hear that she is in your voice.” Liz shifted subjects, as if sensing they both needed a brief mental break to ratchet down the tension and emotional strain. “Not that we have to talk about it now, but I’m curious about something.”
Grateful for the reprieve, Emma sniffed. “What?”
“Was Dr. Hunk forty pounds overweight and married with kids?”
Emma chuckled under her breath. “Actually, he’s single, more muscular than he was and, unfortunately, still very much a hunk.”
“I might faint. I’m definitely envious.” Lisa let out an exaggerated sigh. “What’s wrong with you? You actually sound disappointed.”
Emma stared at the edge of the rock wall near the mouth of the tunnel that opened to the outside. Beyond the hole, wind whipped the snow and a concrete barricade stretched out of her line of sight. On the far side of the barricade was a crane. On it, a wrecking ball hung suspended from chain. Cables stretched over the machine to hold it tied down and in place. Why hadn’t they lowered the wrecking ball? It wasn’t moving, so it had to be tied down, but it should have been lowered to the ground and secured. “Honestly, I am disappointed.”
“Why?” Liz sounded totally baffled. “Is he still giving you the cold shoulder?”
“More like the deep freeze.” She hoped her disappointment about that didn’t come through in her voice. “He’s cooperative and even a little concerned about me. But mostly, he’s a lot confused, and still distant about anything personal.” Maybe a little angry, too, though she couldn’t imagine why he would be, so she didn’t mention it to Liz.
“Well, you are posing as a reporter who’s been given authority over him and his lab. That’s bound to have his hackles up at least a little. He knows you, Emma, and he knows you aren’t being straight with him. Considering it all, his is a pretty normal response, don’t you think?”
Emma hated to admit it was, but personal integrity required it. She swept at the dust beneath her feet with the toe of her shoe. “Yeah, I do.”
“Yet you still resent the deep freeze.”
“Well, yeah.” Emma paced a short path down the tunnel and back again. “I mean, he does know me, but he really doesn’t. Or he doesn’t think much of me. If he did, he’d give me some credit for being a decent human being.”
“If he’s a little concerned instead of a lot concerned, isn’t that some credit?”
“I guess, but mostly I’m getting the deep freeze, Liz.” Emma was confusing herself with all these conflicting emotions and feelings about him. “You know what? Let’s just forget it. It’s not important.”
“Let’s don’t.”
Emma stilled. “Why not?”
“Because I think it’s very important,” Liz said. “You don’t typically care what others think about you or what you’re doing. But you care a lot about what he thinks.”
Did she? The truth seeped inside. Well, she guessed she did. No. That was a coward’s response. The truth was, she did care. She always had. Admitting it was hard and left her a little bewildered. How had he gotten that kind of power over her? Clueless, she grunted. “Silly, isn’t it?”
“I don’t think it is silly, Emma. I think you care because he matters to you. Maybe in ways none of the others did. Maybe he always has mattered, and maybe he always will.”
Liz’s words resonated so deep they had Emma shaking down to the soles of her feet. She stiffened and walked quickly back to the tunnel’s mouth and then looked out, checking the guys near the rear wall, then those near the hole to the outside. Mason had rejected her most of her life. Guarding against that kind of hurt happening again, she willed her protective shields to slide up and lock into place. “I don’t know if I’d go that far.”
“I would,” Liz countered. “Remember all the broken engagements and potential relationships that haven’t worked out?”
Emma’s face burned. “You know, Liz, I’m starting to regret ever telling you any of that.”
“Don’t bother. I’m not judging you.”
“What are you doing then?”
“Merely pointing out that when you talk about the doc, you get this tone in your voice. It’s special. Through all the others, one date, a couple weeks or months, or even engaged, I’ve never heard that tone in your voice when you talked about any of them. Never, Emma. Think a
bout that.”
“I don’t want to think about it.” She smacked her heel down hard in the dust. “I want to get beyond it and never think about it again.”
“Why? Are you seriously eager for more of the same?” Liz grunted. “No. Go the distance, Em. That’s my best advice. You know what they say about a deep freeze.”
She had no idea. “What do they say?”
“It never lasts forever. Sometimes you have to hang tight until it thaws out.”
The temptation to make an attempt was great, but common sense prevailed. “Not happening, Liz.” Emma scuffed the toe of her shoe and drew a circle. “This is not the right time or place or circumstance. Who needs the distraction?” It’d be futile anyway. Emma could hang tight for a lifetime and Mason would still resist and reject her. Buffet.
“Just keep an open mind, okay? You never know.” Something on Liz’s end buzzed in the background. “Oh, man.”
“What?”
“Dr. Hunk is calling me.”
Emma frowned. “That’s bad news?”
“The worst. If it wasn’t, headquarters would be calling.”
Emma wasn’t tracking Liz’s line of thought. The HC lab was breached, they had a fatality and potential exposure. “The situation here is critical, Liz.”
“Critical just escalated. Him calling me direct means one thing.”
“What?”
“The entire lab has been breached.”
“Oh, no.” Mason. Mason had been exposed? He hadn’t told her. Why hadn’t he told her? “Call me back as soon as you can.” Emma ended the call in a cold sweat, her nerves punching through her skin as if they were attached on the outside.
But it wasn’t Liz who called Emma back. It was Mason, and he confirmed the horrible news. “The lab was compromised. It’s now secure, and air samples are testing okay and improving. Fortunately, David made essential adjustments to the purification system right away.”
That didn’t sound so bad. “And…?”
“Olivia’s been exposed through the open wound.”
“Yes, you told me that,” Emma said, confused about what had changed. “A ruptured blister on her hand.”