Pandemic: The Innocents: A Post-Apocalyptic Medical Thriller Fiction Series (The Pandemic Series Book 2)

by Bobby Akart

  Agent Sanders stepped in to continue the briefing. “We’ve already learned from NSA phone-monitoring data, the imam of this mosque has been in contact with the imam in Las Vegas. New information has come to our attention that several locals on the terrorist watch list have made substantial withdrawals from their accounts in recent days. Further, it appears that they’ve sent their families out of the city.”

  “How was this confirmed?” asked one of the agents from the rear of the room.

  “Denver PD has deployed its aerial surveillance drones, which are capable of photographing every square mile of the city and surrounding areas,” replied Agent Sanders.

  “But, sir, the federal court …” continued the agent.

  “Let me stop you there, and this does not leave this room,” interrupted Agent Sanders. “This comes directly from the director of the FBI and the governor of Colorado. The city is knowingly violating the federal judge’s temporary restraining order prohibiting the use of the surveillance drones. The Colorado attorney general has issued an opinion that for so long as the drone films everything below, not just the so-called high-crime neighborhoods, which resulted in the claims of racism, then the City of Denver will be in technical compliance with the restraining order.”

  “Better to ask for forgiveness than permission,” mumbled Agent Taylor to Hunter.

  “Initially, the technology was used to pull footage after a crime occurred in order to recreate where the perps came from on their way to the scene and where they fled to afterward. For the next few days, we’ll assist Denver PD in monitoring the video feed in real time. Throughout the day, FBI personnel from the adjoining states except New Mexico will be arriving to assist in the search for this unsub’s vehicle and to detect their intentions.”

  Another agent raised his hand. “Our information showed the vehicle beginning its trip in New Mexico. Traveling to LA first is a little out of the way to arrive in Denver.”

  “They’re the head of the snake,” said Hunter. “They know we’re watching and they know our methods. Every trick of the trade has been broadcast in the press for years. What isn’t openly discussed on the media is disclosed through congressional hearings. Whoever is leading this operation for ISIS knows us, their enemy, as well as they know themselves.”

  “That makes our challenge all the more difficult,” added Agent Sanders. “These unsubs are capable and knowledgeable. They know the opportunity is ripe in Denver this weekend. We need to be ready for them.”

  Hunter studied the materials provided to everyone by Agent Sanders. The sporting events were too obvious, too expected. There had to be more to this. Then his phone buzzed. It was a text from Mac.

  Chapter 38

  Day Forty-One

  Denver Health

  It was just a short drive from the zoo to Denver Health, where Mac was born. Her mother had joined the Armed Services when Mac was only two years old, so she had no recollection of those days in the day care facility on the hospital’s campus.

  After parking, Mac and Dr. Matta found their way through the massive facility to the Outbreak Detection and Investigation Department, which was bustling with activity. They had no contact at the hospital, so they were planning on bluffing their way in to see the attending physician for the young woman who most likely was infected with the plague bacteria.

  The wing was guarded by security, so Mac decided to gain access through the nurse at the reception desk. She reached into her bag and pulled out her CDC credentials from Atlanta. Fortunately, Dr. Matta’s identification was issued through the DTRA rather than the CIA.

  “Hello, Nurse Randolph. I’m Dr. Mackenzie Hagan and this is my associate, Dr. Matta. We’ve been sent to see the attending physician for the newly admitted patient Malala Hussain. Can you point me in the right direction?”

  “Yes, of course, he is expecting you, or someone like you, I guess. Come with me, please.” Mac provided Dr. Matta a smile and a wink as they followed the nurse past security and into the restricted wing. The series of steel doors protecting air-locked entries to individual rooms resembled the inside of a submarine more than a traditional hospital corridor.

  Denver Hospital was designed and prepared for handling an outbreak. As they followed the nurse down the hallway, Mac counted twenty-four separate rooms, all of which contained charts on the wall next to the handle. Every room was occupied.

  “Please wait here,” started the nurse as she added goggles, a mask, and gloves to her attire. She pushed a series of buttons on an entry pad to gain access through the double doors that led to the next level of secured rooms.

  Mac took a moment to text Hunter.

  Mac: I’m at Denver Health. Possible plague patient.

  Hunter: For the day?

  Mac: Probably. Can you come over here?

  Hunter: Yes. Be there by 4.

  Mac: Miss you.

  Hunter: Miss you back.

  The nurse emerged with an older physician wearing surgical scrubs. Mac immediately wondered if he was sterile and she subconsciously took a step backward. Dr. Matta did as well.

  “I’m Dr. Franklin,” the man greeted Mac and Dr. Matta with a dour look on his face. “You arrived much faster than I expected.”

  “Hello, Dr. Franklin,” started Dr. Matta. “By a stroke of luck, we happened to be in the area. In fact, we just left the Denver Zoo, where we were discussing the afflicted primates. That’s how we learned of your patient, Miss Hussain.”

  “Yes, follow me, please,” said Dr. Franklin. He walked up the hallway until he reached one of the steel doors. He pulled Hussain’s chart from the door and handed it to Dr. Matta, who immediately gave it to Mac. While Mac studied the reports, Dr. Matta continued the conversation.

  “What’s your diagnosis, Doctor?” asked Dr. Matta.

  “The plague bacteria, without question. The symptoms are there and we’re awaiting her labs now. But look around you. Do you see these rooms? They’re all full of patients exhibiting plague-like symptoms.”

  Mac looked up from the chart. “When did this happen? Why wasn’t the CDC notified?”

  “It just started and we’re still performing tests on them,” replied Dr. Franklin. “Within the last twenty-four hours, we’ve admitted thirty-two patients into the Outbreak wing and have dozens more in a specially created isolation ward on the floor above us. We’re beyond our capacity.”

  “How many dead?” asked Dr. Matta.

  “We haven’t lost any yet, but I know there are autopsies being performed today at other hospitals where the patients died of unknown causes,” replied Dr. Franklin. “What has happened in Denver since late yesterday afternoon has created a crisis, in my opinion. In the past, health care workers would mistake the disease for a flu bug or the common cold. The patient would be advised to drink plenty of fluids, get bed rest, and swallow Tylenol. Maybe antibiotics would be prescribed.”

  Mac handed Hussain’s chart back to Dr. Matta. He looked over the medical reports while Mac discussed the situation with Dr. Franklin.

  “Here’s what my mother always said when she spoke to large groups of health care providers about infectious diseases,” said Mac. “To detect the plague, physicians have to adopt a mindset that when you hear a herd of galloping horses coming your way, you must consider they might be a herd of zebras.”

  “Well, what we have now is a herd of zebras,” added Dr. Franklin. “To complicate matters, we have galloping horses too. Everyone who has a sniffle or a cough is rushing to their doctor or our emergency rooms out of fear they’ve contracted the plague. The problem is that more and more of them are right.”

  Dr. Matta returned the charts to the box on the wall and asked, “How are you handling the triage?”

  “Not well,” said Dr. Franklin. “Like most hospitals, we have to protect our staff first. This morning we experienced a crush of symptomatic patients at sunrise. It’s stretched our staff to the limit.”

  “How many plague-stricken patients can you handle?�
�� asked Mac.

  “Last year, I ran an analysis of common infectious diseases using the FluSurge program created by the CDC. By inserting a number of variables, I was able to determine things like how many ICU beds would be needed, projected doses of antibiotics, number of ventilators, etcetera. My findings prompted Denver Health to create a pandemic preparedness committee comprised of clinical, support, and senior administrative representatives who meet periodically.”

  Mac looked up and down the hallway and saw frenzied nurses scurrying in all directions. “So how many plague patients can you handle?”

  “We’re prepared to admit forty-six,” replied Dr. Franklin, with a frown.

  “What’s your present count?” asked Mac.

  “Forty-six admitted and, at last count, over a hundred held in a roped-off area in the center courtyard, isolated from staff and other patients. Frankly, I don’t know what the hospital has planned for the influx. I’m just trying to focus on the patients in this wing. It’s all I can do.”

  Dr. Matta asked, “What antibiotic course have you undertaken?”

  “The usual. Streptomycin, gentamycin, and doxycycline.”

  “They won’t work, Dr. Franklin,” Mac added quickly. “I must forewarn you. This strain of the pneumonic plague, if it’s the same as Europe and Guatemala, is antibiotic resistant. Colistin is your only option at this time and that will provide you no guarantees.”

  Dr. Franklin tilted his head slightly. “We haven’t identified this as pneumonic plague. In Colorado, bubonic plague, via zoonosis, is most likely.”

  Mac pressed on. “It’s not bubonic plague, Doctor. Normally effective antibiotics will not help these patients.”

  Dr. Franklin studied Mac’s face and then looked at her ID badge, which was clipped to her blouse. He scowled slightly and then began to point toward her badge.

  “Wait a minute. I know you. You’re that Dr. Hagan from the CDC. I thought you were discharged from service.”

  “Doctor, we’re just trying to help. Please listen to me,” plead Mac.

  “I will not waste any more of my time with you. Security! You there, security! These people are leaving, now!”

  Two guards approached Mac and Dr. Matta. As they reached for their arms, Mac pulled away and began walking briskly toward the exit. She shouted over her shoulder, “Dr. Franklin, trust me. Colistin is your only hope.”

  “Let’s go, ma’am,” instructed the guard, who forcibly pushed Mac through the door.

  Dejected, Mac lowered her head for a moment as Dr. Matta led her toward the hospital entrance. They crossed over a long walkway that connected two wings of the medical complex. Below them was a reception area and on the other side of the open area were large windows, which rose from the ground to the top of the second story of the breezeway. This provided them a view of the center courtyard of the hospital, where hundreds of people were milling about, waiting their turn to enter the emergency room.

  “If they didn’t have the plague when they came into the hospital, they certainly do now,” said Mac as she pulled out her phone to text Hunter—It’s happening.

  Chapter 39

  Day Forty-One

  REI Sporting Goods

  Denver

  Hunter drove Mac in silence after she recalled the events of the day. She confided in him that the pandemic was hitting home and the sheer volumes of patients would crush hospitals in a matter of days. As they crossed the South Platte River to enter the Interstate 25 on-ramp, Hunter noticed an REI Sporting Goods store. He quickly debated whether he should drag Mac into a shopping expedition, but based upon her revelations from Denver Health, Hunter decided a lost opportunity might be a mistake. With the promise of a Strawberry Refresher from Starbucks, Mac agreed to stroll around the store.

  With their drinks procured, the two held hands as they entered REI’s flagship store in Denver. REI, an acronym for Recreational Equipment Inc., was a company dedicated to providing people who enjoyed the outdoors products for the trails, slopes, and waterways.

  Hunter began creating a list of items that were both basic to survival in the wilderness, but would also be useful for transportation during summer and winter. He didn’t want to raise any concerns in Mac as of yet, but he knew he’d have to broach the subject of bugging out to Quandary Peak soon.

  “Look at this place! Now this is my kind of toy store!” exclaimed Hunter out of genuine excitement. The Denver REI store not only provided all types of outdoor gear, but it also had instructors on staff to teach rock climbing, rappelling, and mountain cycling.

  “I didn’t know you were the outdoor type,” said Mac.

  “Oh yeah,” said Hunter. “When I was a kid, instead of plunking myself in front of a TV and video games, I played outside. I’d explore the woods, hunt, fish, and ride my bike on trails. When I grew up, sort of, I traded my kid experiences for Afghanistan and Iraq.”

  Mac wandered towards the women’s apparel. Despite being the middle of summer, REI was well stocked with down-insulated jackets, rain gear for running, and snow sports apparel. She began strolling through the women’s section while Hunter set off for the camping and hiking department.

  He grabbed a sales associate, a young man barely out of high school who said dude a lot, and told him to grab two shopping carts. The young man hustled to the front of the store and met Hunter, whose arms were already full.

  “Can you guys ship my purchases?” asked Hunter as he dumped two sleeping bags and two backpacking tents into the first cart.

  “Yes, sir,” the young man replied. “When you check out, let them know the information and tonight we’ll box it up. Where are you from?”

  “Oh, well, it’s just going to Breckenridge, but my car won’t hold this stuff,” replied Hunter. In reality, during his last trip into the mountains, Hunter surmised he couldn’t purchase everything on his list and make constant trips to Quandary Peak. He’d stopped in Breckenridge yesterday and rented a postal mail box at the local UPS Store. Not only would he have these purchases shipped there, but now he could order from Amazon and ammo sites online without the scrutiny of a Walmart or gun shop employee.

  Early this morning, he’d visited a website called ammoseek.com, which provided a large search engine for price comparing ammunition online. He’d placed several orders with half a dozen online retailers, totaling eight thousand rounds. He’d monitor the tracking of his purchases to determine when they’d be delivered. He didn’t want all of his packages sitting around the UPS Store for curious eyes to catalog and store in their memory banks.

  The REI salesclerk took these two carts to the front and returned with four more and another helper. Hunter was systematic and proficient in his shopping. The next basket was filled with backpacks, including CamelBak hydration attachments, dry ditty sacks for medical supplies, and hip belts for ammo storage.

  He purchased everything he needed for a complete camp kitchen—cookware, portable stoves, coolers, and utensils. This basket also received water treatment supplies like LifeStraws, a larger Katadyn Hiker Pro, a GravityWorks Water Filter system, and a SteriPEN water purifier. Purification tablets and a digital water quality tester rounded out the kitchen supplies, as Hunter called them on his checklist.

  As these two carts departed for the front of the store, Mac wandered over to Hunter to check on him. “Hey, are you gonna take me camping?”

  “Yeah, if we, um, maybe?” said Hunter with a nervous laugh. “I’m thinking we’ll get to spend some time soon at your parents’ place. We might want to venture out on the trails.”

  “I’d love that!” exclaimed Mac. “I never got a chance to do that around Atlanta. You know what else? I might want to try skiing again. I’ll be over there.” Mac pointed to the ski and snowboarding department.

  Hunter would make his way there eventually, but not to purchase downhill skiing equipment, but rather snowshoeing and backcountry ski gear designed to get around rough terrain. He’d be prepared to hunt for extended lengths of time if ne
cessary. There was also the very real possibility that it would be unsafe or impossible to travel by car.

  After Mac moseyed off to the ski gear, Hunter escorted his two personal shopping assistants to the climbing gear. The location of the mountain home at the base of Quandary Peak gave Hunter some ideas on how to defend their location in the event unsavory characters dared to assault them.

  In Afghanistan, the Taliban learned to maintain positions on the high ground overlooking the roads below them. It gave them a tremendous strategic advantage over U.S. convoys. With the proper climbing equipment, Hunter could maintain the high ground as well as have access to a better view of their surroundings.

  He’d never climbed before, but his young sales associate had. In addition to outfitting Hunter with the proper gear, for two, he gave him some instructions as well as an easy-to-read how-to book on climbing.

  Within minutes, a cart full of climbing harnesses, ropes, webbing, and cords was headed toward the checkout. Hunter added the tools, axes, and hardware like carabineers and pulleys. Some of these items would have multiple uses when hiking and camping.

  When Hunter finished shopping, he’d drawn the attention of store management and several shoppers. The line of carts included mountain bikes, ski gear, an inflatable kayak, and a canoe, which he’d strap to his roof.

  Mac, who’d been enjoying shopping with her buck, picked out several items of apparel and two pairs of hiking boots. They were lightweight and ideal for both steep descents and walking uphill.

  At the checkout, thirteen shopping carts were stacked behind the counter. Hunter provided the checkout clerk his American Express and the address for shipping. During the process, Mac walked up and down the carts and looked at the variety of gear. She paused at the cart full of GPS devices, radios, and solar and portable power devices before moving on to the freeze-dried foods, energy foods, and Nuun hydration tablets.