“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 depre
ssing. 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.
CHAPTER 35
Ben’s plane was right on time at 8:25 a.m. and Natalya was at the airport to meet him. Just like old times, thought Ben as he saw Natalya standing on the other side of customs. Only this time there wasn’t the hug and kiss that he remembered so well. “Maybe she will warm up to me,” he thought.
“Hi Natalya, how are you?”
“We have been very busy here, like you I’m sure, with trying to isolate and find a cure to what is causing this epidemic,” said Natalya.
“It has been very frustra
ting not having a firm lead that could point us to the cause so we can start to work on the solution,” said Ben. “But that’s why I am here I hope.”
A few minutes later Ben was claiming his luggage and they were in Natalya’s car heading for her office, as Ben had flown business class and was somewhat rested on arrival.
“I did some inquiring into the mammoth and fluid samples you are interested in. It seems the mammoth is now in Washington, D.C. and the samples are in New Delhi at a private laboratory. Several months after the mammoth was discovered it was moved to India for evaluation. The archaeological dig where the mammoth was found was sponsored by India and Japan. I can get in contact with the lab if you can convince me that this is worth our time,” said Natalya.
“I can show you why I think this is important. When we get to your office I will describe everything to you. I brought some graphs and blood sample data with me,” said Ben.
Pausing a bit, Ben then asked, “How is Natasha?”
Natalya was quiet for a moment and then said, “She is doing fine. Her grades are good and she really likes school.”
“Does she know I am in town?”
“Yes, I told her. I asked her if she wanted to see you and she said yes, so I thought that this evening, after you have rested and freshened up, you can come by the house and have a visit.”
“That would be really great,” said Ben. “I’d like that very much.”
He was actually going to get to see his daughter, Ben thought. Even if the mammoth tests are negative for SDX, the trip will have nevertheless been worth it. He could still see her smiling face, as the memories of their time together flashed across his mind.
“Here we are,” said Natalya at last.
She pulled her car into a private space in the front courtyard of the massive Soviet-era building. They went in through the front entrance, picking up a visitors badge for Ben on the way in. Ben recalled the last time he was here with her. He would come over for lunch on many days, since this wasn’t far from the U.S. Embassy.
The Perfect Pathogen Page 21