Last night they had talked about Katie’s proposal that Hope could take care of Nadya if the nightmare scenario of the human race becoming extinct ever became reality. They decided that after the trip to Ust’Nera, they would all travel to the U.S. to meet Hope and her family so that in the event this option was needed, some groundwork would be in place.
They were both packed for a two-night stay and a third bag was packed with all of the tools and equipment they would need to obtain samples for analysis. They discussed their plans for each day and laid out a draft schedule. A member of the original excavation team would be meeting them there. They would take a government executive jet and it was scheduled for an early morning departure.
Anna had her orders for the care of the kids, and good-byes were exchanged. Ben and Natalya then left for the airfield. Driving down the highway in a taxi, Natalya reached over and took Ben’s hand in hers.
“I am really glad you are here with me. The revelations of the last few days have made me realize how important you are to me and the girls. I hope we can make this work.”
Ben looked at her, and saw that she meant every word she just said.
“Whatever it takes,” he said. “I am determined to make it work. I am happy we are together again, and the love I feel from the girls is incredible. I was a fool to have left. Fate has brought us back together now and we have to hold on to what we have.”
Natalya squeezed his hand and they drove on. It was clear now that they both wanted the same things. Despite everything, for the briefest of moments, Natalya felt that the world was just perfect.
Katie arrived at work at her usual time. She was hoping to have the results of the Center’s blood tests early, but she knew these things took time. She continued to analyze the blood bank samples and, as she expected, they continued to be positive. Her work on the life expectancy project was just about complete for the data she had. Beth was continuing to collate the new information so that Katie could use it to validate her work. She thought that she needed a little more data to have a good product, but that wouldn’t stop her from drawing conclusions from what she currently had.
Katie finished her calculations and then had the computer program graph the data. She had developed a 3D graph with the axes being time, age and total casualties. The more time passed, the more casualties there would be and the younger the age would get.
At first, the data was all over the place. She used the smoothing function in her computer software to draw an approximated line through the best fit of the dots on her screen. She then extrapolated the information until the total number of casualties in the U.S equated to the current population of about 325 million people. She looked at the date where the line crossed this population threshold and took note of it. By her initial estimate, everyone, except the few people with Down syndrome, would be dead by August 15, 2016. In just eleven months.
Then it dawned on her - the ‘bright minds’, the people who would be depended upon to find a cure, wouldn’t have long to live. She did a quick estimation of what she thought the youngest age of someone who had enough experience and education to tackle the problem would be and she came out at about twenty years old. She looked at the age scale on her graph and sat back in her chair, now quite saddened. By May 22, 2016, all hope would be lost.
Katie prepared a table by age and date and printed it off. As she reached across her desk and removed the paper from the printer she scanned the page until her eyes came to rest on age 42. Her own age. And then she dared to look at the second column. February 14, 2016 -- St. Valentine’s Day. She had less than five months to live assuming she was of average health.
She was startled out of her thoughts by the ringing of her phone. She answered, “Dr. McMann.”
“Hi Dr. McMann, this is Marvin Hughes. I was wondering if you are able to discuss the comments the President made last night.”
Katie thought for a moment and then said, “Mr. Hughes, how old are you?”
“I just turned 67,” said Marvin.
She glanced at her chart. “I would be willing to talk to you off the record, if that is acceptable to you.”
“When can we meet?” said Marvin.
Katie checked her watch. “How about at the Au Bon Pain at L’Enfant Plaza in 45 minutes?”
“That will work just fine,” said Marvin.
“How will I recognize you?” asked Katie.
“Don’t worry about that, I will recognize you,” said Marvin.
“Ok, see you shortly.”
Katie walked out of the office and up to the Shaw Metro station. About 25 minutes later she got off the Metro at L’Enfant Plaza. She took the escalator up and then walked through the inside mall until she reached the Au Bon Pain. She walked up to the counter and ordered two pain au chocolate and a cappuccino. If one thing positive could be said of late, she wasn’t about to worry about her weight anymore. She was about five minutes early, so she took a seat in the far corner at an empty table where she could see everyone who was coming and going.
About ten minutes later she wondered if Marvin was coming, when in strolled an older gentleman with a fedora and a slightly wrinkled gray suit, and he headed directly to her table.
“Dr. McMann, it’s so nice to finally meet you,” said Marvin warmly extending his hand.
“Please call me Katie and I will call you Marvin if that is alright,” said Katie as she accepted his hand.
“Perfect,” said Marvin.
Katie first established the ground rules. She could only be referred to as an unidentified government source and no quotes. Marvin readily agreed. This could be his big break and he didn’t want to mess it up.
Marvin started the questioning by wanting to know how they determined the origin of the disease and how they traced it to Russia in such a short time, and then followed up by asking how they knew everyone was infected. Katie explained in detail, using a fictional colleague to mask her work. For the remainder of his questions, Katie explained that she had only heard bits and pieces regarding the genetic testing and a timeline to find a cure.
“The President commented that there was a small group that is not positive. What can you tell me about that?” asked Marvin.
“The jury is out on that, Marvin. As soon as I have more information, I will let you know,” said Katie.
“One final question,” said Marvin. “In your estimation, how long do we have to find a cure? Or more specifically how long do I have?”
The look in Katie’s eyes gave her away. She let her guard down thinking that Marvin was a washed up old newspaper man, but he was also quite clever. She started to think that he had seen right through her story.
“I don’t have any information on that,” said Katie unconvincingly.
“Then why did you ask me how old I was when I called,” said Marvin.
“It was simply to help me identify you,” said Katie. With her adrenaline now peaking, she went on the offensive. “You don’t happen to have a White Malibu do you?”
By the look on Marvin’s face it was clear that it was he who had followed her that day. Then the picture of the man sitting in his car outside the parking garage flashed through her mind and she was sure it was him. She knew it was him.
“Busted,” Marvin said, “It wasn’t my car, it was a diplomat friend of mine.”
“Well, you really scared the shit out of me. I shouldn’t even be talking to you based on the antics you pulled,” Katie said, nearly hissing.
She knew this was a false sentiment now, because she truly wanted the part of the story out she had shared with him.
Marvin sat with his head hung low. “I was just trying to get an opportunity to talk to you because you wouldn’t answer my questions on the phone. My deepest apologies.”
With little resistance, Katie accepted his apology.
“Will I hear from you again?” asked Marvin.
“It all depends on your first article,” said Katie.
“I will honor our
agreement. No mention of who you are and no quotes.”
Katie hoped he was as good as his word.
CHAPTER 47
Katie arrived back at her office and checked her email. The results of the Center’s blood tests were in. There were seventy five samples. She entered the data in her computer and ran her program. About thirty minutes later the results were displayed. Fifty-three positives and twenty-two negatives. To be honest, she had expected to see more negative results. She started to match the names with the results based on the batch list provided by Patti. As she went down the list, she quickly realized that she didn’t know who had what disability at the Center. She assumed that these were all of the students with Down syndrome.
She continued down the list and then stopped dead in her tracks. There it was, plain as day, Marge’s name correlated with one of the samples that was negative. Katie immediately assumed that Patti had transcribed the name incorrectly when she put the lists of names and sample numbers in an email. She picked up the phone and called Patti.
“Hi Patti, this is Katie. I want to thank you for going by the Center yesterday and taking all of the blood samples and then starting the testing. It is a great help,” said Katie.
“Don’t mention it,” said Patti. “It was a pleasure working with the kids yesterday. What can I do for you?”
“I just need you to check one name on a sample. I got a result I didn’t expect and I just want to verify the information.”
“Sure, no problem. Let me grab the rack of test tubes I used for the samples. What number do you have?”
“20101,” said Katie.
“That will be easy,” said Patti. “It was the first sample I drew. I can tell you the name without looking, but let me double check to make sure there wasn’t a mix up.”
A few seconds went by and then Patti said, “Yes, just as I thought. That was the sample for Marjorie Kline. I think she goes by Marge. I even have her signature on the side of the test tube we used.”
“Could you have written the batch incorrectly when you did the testing?” asked Katie.
“It is highly unlikely, since I do them one at a time and in order. I double check the number in the analyzer against the number on the tube before I run the test too.”
“Ok, thank you for the information,” said Katie, now quite puzzled.
This didn’t make any sense to Katie. She now wondered if any of the other negatives could be children with disabilities other than Down syndrome.
Katie finished typing up the list of names of those with negative results and emailed them to Rob at his office. Next, she called Rob to let him know the news about Marge.
“Hi sweetie. I just emailed you the list of names of the students and staff who were negative. I got a surprising result. According to the test, Marge is negative. I think we need to retest her. Could you take a close look at the list to verify that everyone else on the list has Down syndrome?” asked Katie.
“Sure,” said Rob. “Just give me a second”
Rob went down the list making a check mark next to the name of each person with Down syndrome. When he finished all the names had a check with the exception of Marge.
“Yes, they all have Down syndrome, except Marge” said Rob. “When do you think you will be finished analyzing the rest of the results?”
Katie, sounding a little surprised, asked “What do you mean? These are all of the results. The rest of the seventy five were positive for SDX.”
Rob said, “Are you sure? There are at least fifteen more students that were tested that have Down syndrome that don’t show up on your list.”
“There must have been a problem with the testing,” said Katie. “I already called Patti about Marge’s test, I hope she doesn’t get irritated with me questioning her.”
“There must be some explanation,” said Rob.
“Yeah, but I don’t know what it is at this point. Thanks for helping me with this. I’ll be home on time this evening. We’re still heading to our parents’ house this weekend, right?” asked Katie.
“Yes. It is supposed to be a great weekend. I better let you get back to work. Love you, bye,” said Rob.
Katie hung up and then dialed Patti again.
“Hi Patti, sorry to bother you again, but I am not getting the results I expected from the blood samples. Is it possible that there could have been a problem with some of the tests or that they could have been mixed up with other samples.”
“I doubt it,” said Patti. “I calibrated the analyzer before I ran each batch and there were no other blood samples in the lab at the time. I still have enough blood left in the test tubes to re-run the tests if you like. Do you want me to run them all or just a select few?” asked Patti.
“Let me send you a list of the ones I would like you to rerun if that is ok. I will email it to you in a few minutes,” said Katie.
Katie went through her results and picked out all of the positive tests and Marge’s negative test and then emailed the list of names and blood sample numbers to Patti.
Katie looked at the clock on her wall and it was already one-thirty. She picked up the phone and called Sarah. “Hi Sarah, do you have time for a quick briefing before the DVC today?”
“Give me a few minutes and then come on up. I am working on a briefing paper for some information the Secretary wants posted on our website.”
“Ok, I will be up in about ten minutes,” said Katie.
“That should work.”
Ten minutes later Katie went up to Sarah’s office and knocked on her door.
“Come in,” Sarah shouted. “Katie, good, it is you. Read this and tell me if I made and errors on what you reported last week.” Sarah had cut and pasted information from one of Katie’s emails.
“It looks accurate. What is this for?” asked Katie.
“It looks like someone leaked some information to a Washington Post reporter. A story was posted on the internet about 20 minutes ago that reported that there were a group of blood tests that were used to prove the presence of SDX in someone’s body. Pretty harmless information, but we wanted to get ahead of the story, so the Secretary wants to post the names of the tests and their normal ranges and SDX levels so that other scientists have this information to further their research,” said Sarah. “So, it looks right?”
“Yes, the tests and the values you’ve quoted are accurate.”
Sarah clicked the send button on her computer and the email disappeared.
“So what do you have for me?”
“Two things,” said Katie. Katie pulled the life expectancy table from a portfolio and handed it to Sarah. “This is my first iteration which is based on only two weeks of data. I expect it will change and become more refined as time goes on. But for now, it is all we have.”
Sarah looked at the table and went immediately to her age. She was 53 years old. “So according to your table, if I am of average health I can expect to be dead on or about January 5, 2016. Is that what this is telling me?”
“Yes, I am afraid so.”
“Well, hopefully when you refine the data, that date will move to the right. Did you do any calculation as to when we need to find a cure? Of course, for me it needs to be before the New Year,” she sighed.
“I made the assumption that a bright 20-year-old could possible find a cure. Based on that, we have until the end of May to save the human race as we know it” said Katie.
Sarah looked almost defeated for a brief moment, then she pulled herself together. “You said you had two items to discuss. What other good news do you have?” There was a hint of sarcasm in her voice, and a slight smile played around her lips.
“I received the test results from the Center and they are mixed. Not all of the samples from Down syndrome subjects were negative. In addition, one of the staff who doesn’t have any disability was negative. I have asked the lab to retest the blood to make sure none of the samples got mixed up. I should have some of the results later today,” said Katie.
“About 6 p.m.,” said Katie.
Sarah picked up the phone, issued the order and a doctor was on the way ten minutes later.
The DVC occurred as scheduled. There were sober faces all around the table when Katie shared her life expectancy table with the group. The mixed results for the Center’s blood samples were discounted by most of the group.
At the end of the DVC the Secretary spoke. “I don’t know who released additional information from our research to the press, but remember, any contact with the press should be coordinated through my office. The information that was printed in the press today was being prepared for release. All this did was force our hand, which resulted in a hastily prepared document posted on the CDC site. If you suspect anyone of this, please reaffirm with them the need to work through my office. I plan on releasing all the data that will help guide researchers in their quest for a cure. I am not ready to release the life expectancy table that Katie shared with us today. I will have to discuss this with the President. It could have some grave consequences on our National Security. I presume the only people that know of this work are on this call. Please keep your silence on this issue. With regards to the negative blood results, as soon as we have definitive information on the negative samples, I plan on making a press release, so the rest of the world will know what to look for. Any questions?” said the Secretary.
Everyone remained quiet.
“Ok, that is all for today,” said the Secretary. “Katie, thank you for your great work.”
CHAPTER 48
In a small village in northern Scotland, Alastair McGregor was watching the evening news on his small television while eating his dinner. This was his main contact with the outside world since his retirement five years earlier from the British Ministry of Health at age 75. Alastair had been the Chief Veterinary Scientist in charge of the search for the cause of and cure for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, more commonly known as Mad Cow disease.
The Perfect Pathogen Page 29