Shaw hesitated for a moment at the door and tried to think. He didn’t need this situation. Not with his daughter still missing. In the scheme of finding her, he felt powerless, insignificant. The distraction that he was facing didn’t help. He knew that he shouldn’t be working. He shouldn’t have been working on Amy’s twelfth birthday, the day that Cath had died. Shaw took a deep breath, then slipped his hand through the opening in his overall. He retrieved his cell phone and dialed the medical center. An answer phone picked up the call with a robotic sounding woman’s voice answering.
“Thank you for calling the Breakers Pass medical center. Please leave a message after the tone with your name, phone number, and address, and CDC will call you back.”
He closed the call.
“Who the hell’s CDC?”
Shaw dialed the funeral parlor, but it was engaged. He turned around to face the street. Curtains twitched at the house opposite as he dialed the county sheriff’s number. The receptionist answered. Shaw pulled his facemask down.
“Can you connect me with the county sheriff, it’s urgent. Sheriff Shaw, Breakers Pass.”
“One moment, sir.”
He didn’t have long to wait. The county sheriff answered.
“Hi, make this quick, I’m due in an emergency meeting with CDC.”
“What’s all this about CDC? Who are they?”
“Center for Disease Control. I hope you’re indoors over there. If you have to go out, wear a mask. We’re just getting word out now. We’re up at over one hundred deaths so far and climbing. I’ve just come off of the phone to your deputy. I’ve spoken with the governor’s office and it’s looking as though we’ll be implementing a quarantine area for Breakers Pass.”
“Over a hundred! Quarantine for the whole town? Why didn’t I get to know earlier?”
“You’re not working, remember? Besides, it’s all happening so quickly. The deaths are mainly the old and the very young that we shipped to County Hospital from the medical center.”
“Jesus. Listen, I’m at an old woman’s house now and she’s dead. Do you have someone that can see to her body?”
“Just give me the name and address. Leave the house secure and tape up the door.”
Shaw gave him the details and closed the call. He stepped over to his car and retrieved his roll of crime scene tape from the trunk. His mind was rolling in circles as he walked to the front door and tried to comprehend the scale of situation. He’d been exposed to Mrs. Fisher, and to the old guy that he’d taken to the medical center. If it was contagious, he thought that his chances of catching something already pretty high. Maybe that thought, or sheer stupidity drove him on through the door and into the living area. He couldn’t be sure why. Whatever, he was in there and looked around the room.
At the side of Mrs. Fisher, there was a small ornate French-style table. On the surface was a glass of water, maybe two thirds empty. He reached out, took the picture frame from her grasp, and then checked for a pulse that he knew wasn’t there. The frame had covered the deputy badge that he had given her and it was pinned to her blouse. He could understand it must have been a big deal for her. He wondered what must have been going on in her mind besides any pain as she passed on. A glance at the photograph in the frame said it all. She can’t have been any older than Amy in the photo. She was a good-looking girl in her day. In the picture, her arm draped around a young man, with a look of Ed Grimes. He was maybe in his early twenties and wearing an Elliot Ness style suit, with a trilby hat. Shaw turned the frame around, and written on the back was, ‘Me and Jed, 1942. High School Prom.’
Shaw set the frame down on the side table with the picture facing her. He walked into the kitchen. Montague’s food bowl was full and didn’t look as though it had as much as a lick. The bowl next to it had a small amount of water in the bottom. There were no plates in the sink to show what she had eaten. He tapped the garbage bin pedal with his foot. All that was in there was an empty tin of cat food. Shaw opened a cupboard door and moved things around. He found two screw-top containers and pulled them out, placing them on the work surface. It was a long shot, but water seemed to be a common denominator. Maybe Cleo could run some tests, he thought. He opened the cutlery drawer and pulled out some tongs. In the cupboard under the sink, he found a roll of garbage bags and took it out. Shaw poured what little water there was in the cat bowl into a container and screwed the lid tight. He carried everything through to the living room, set them down on the sofa, and poured the water from her glass into the other screw-top container.
“Sorry about this, Montague.”
Shaw tore off two garbage bags from the roll, stuffed one in his pocket and opened the other. He picked up her cat with the tongs by its neck and placed it into the bag. He took one last look around, and then set off outside carrying the containers and Montague. He shook his head that there wasn’t a birthday card in sight.
He was greeted at the door by a throng of neighbors.
“Has she been murdered?” Esther said.
“Not that I can see. I’m guessing her immune system couldn’t cope with the bug she had, especially given her age. Please, all a ya go home.”
He walked over to his car and opened the trunk, placing Montague inside, together with the containers
“Wait.” he said. It wasn’t his problem, or area of expertise, but he couldn’t leave it at that. “Look, this bug that’s going around is serious, but they don’t know what it is yet. I’m no medic, but I suggest you all stay inside and watch for news reports. Only eat food that you cook, and boil any water you use. And avoid outside contact, just in case it’s contagious.”
“Contagious! She’s been in my car and I’ve sat with her at her home,” said Esther.
He sensed his patience wearing thin. He wanted to go about his business at the sanctuary, then get back to meet the FBI.
“What can I say? Change your clothes and take a shower. I know that’s what I’ll be doing when I get home.”
The crowd exchanged suspicious glances, and then put some distance between each other as they hurried back to their houses. Shaw stripped out of his protective clothing except for his facemask, stowed the clothing in the garbage bag and put it in his trunk. Over at the door, he secured the crime scene tape, picked up his hat of the floor, then returned to his car.
A mile along the country road, with the widows closed and the AC still not working, it was as much as he could bear with the heat. Sweat poured from every pore in his body. Breathing was difficult with the facemask sodden with sweat. Gyp looked just as distressed, his tongue hanging loose and panting rapidly. Shaw pulled the facemask down, and opened his window. His cell phone rang and he fished it from his pocket and answered.
“Shaw.”
“Hi, it’s Jim. I know you’re not meant to be working, but I had a call from the county sheriff earlier.”
“Yeah, I’ve spoken to him. What a mess. What did he tell you?”
“That we have to suspend normal duties and to man the office. County are taking charge of the town. He said for Frank and me to be in the office early tomorrow and he’ll brief us. I can’t believe how many are dead. I phoned Annie at home and she and the kids are fine, thank God.”
“Mrs. Fisher’s not as lucky. I’ve just left her house. She’s dead, and it looks as though she’s a victim of the sickness. County is taking care of her body.”
“Oh no, poor old lady. Listen, the FBI called. They should be here in two hours.”
“Good, I’ll be back by then. That’s too late for the FedEx depot though. Better get over there and send my shirt to the crime lab, and then call it a day. Leave my key for the apartment on the desk.”
“Will do.”
The call ended and he drove on. So much had happened in such short space of time, he found it difficult to get his head around all the events of the day. All he hoped for was that Logan would deliver the goods and find Amy safe and sound. The radio speaker crackled.
“Fox O
ne to, Blue Leader, our Fox is in the hole, over.”
Shaw picked up his cell phone and dialed Frank’s number.
“I’m just trying to call you on the radio,” Frank said.
“Yeah, I heard. You need to get home and check on June. Didn’t you say she was ill? County are putting the town under quarantine. We’ve got over one hundred dead so far.”
“Yeah, Jim told me. June’s fine, I spoke to her earlier.”
“All the same, tell her only to eat cooked food, and to boil any water. Keep your eye on the news.”
“Will do. I’ll phone you if the Fox moves from the hole.”
Shaw closed the call as he approached his turning to the sanctuary and slowed. A black Toyota pulled out from the entrance roadway. Shaw’s eyes followed the driver and they exchanged glances. If he hadn’t seen the photos at Ted’s cabin, he may not have put a name to the face. Well not exactly a name. It was the son of a bitch from Homeland Security.
“What business would he have at the sanctuary?”
Chapter 37
TURNING at the bend, Shaw was confronted with traffic cones spread across the road to the sanctuary. He pulled over and parked. Looking over at the entrance, he could see activity. It wasn’t what he expected. There were figures in white overalls, and they were wearing white helmets with visors. A sign next to the cones, nailed to a wooden post, and set in a concrete base, read, ‘QUARANTINE’ and under that, ‘Appointments only.’ His cell phone rang and he answered.
“Hi, it’s Cat, I saw you arrive.”
“What’s happening?”
“Wildlife and Fisheries have told us to set up emergency quarantine protocol. Don’t touch the intercom at the gate. I’ll let you in. Just follow my instruction when I meet you at the gate.
“Is this connected to what’s happening in Breakers Pass?”
“Yes, although we’re outside the boundary. It’s just a precaution.
“What about Gyp?”
“We’ve made provision for him. It’s best that we check him over.”
“Listen, I don’t want be the one who brings any infection to the sanctuary. I can forget the visit for another day. I can leave some items at the gate I needed the professor to run DNA tests on. I have a dead cat that I suspect has died from the bug that’s going around Breakers Pass. I was thinking you could run tests and do an autopsy. But maybe it’s better I send it over the W and F veterinary lab for them to test.”
“No, don’t worry. Our equipment is more advanced than theirs is. You did right to bring the cat. We can get the results to the W and F vet. Just wait at the gate.”
He collected the water samples and Montague from his trunk, then walked over to the first gate with Gyp following him. A figure in white overalls approached carrying a cardboard box and set it down. Through the second entrance, he saw a truck pull over and park.
“You’ll need to put on the protective clothing from the box,” said Cat. Another figure approached with a pet carrier. “Sorry, but once we have Gyp stowed, we need you to come inside and strip so we can hose you down, and then you can put on the protective gear. Step back from the gate.”
Shaw stepped back as the lock buzzed at the gate, leaving Gyp sitting at the entrance with his tail wagging. Cat opened the gate.
“Come on, in the box,” said Cat.
Gyp simply stood and sauntered through the entrance and into the box. It wasn’t exactly any old container, more like a mini-iron-lung device with an air filter. Cat fastened the clips to the entrance, leaving it hermetically sealed. Cat and the other suited figure picked up the container with Gyp and carried it to the pickup, setting it on the back.
“Come on, don’t be shy. Step inside and strip.” said Cat, as she returned, carrying a plastic container. “First pass the cat here and the samples.”
She placed Montague into the container and sealed the lid. Shaw fished in his pocket and took out his DNA swab, lock of hair and Amy’s baby tooth.
“These are for DNA sampling. The lock of hair is my wife’s sample, the swab is mine, and the baby tooth belongs to my daughter. I’m hoping you can do it, because my daughter’s been kidnapped.”
“Kidnapped? Oh no. I’m so sorry. We were wondering why you needed the tests. Now I understand. I’m sure we can do it. What’s in the containers?”
“Water samples from where I found the cat and the owner, dead.”
“Okay, I’ll need to get some plastic bags to put them in while you take a shower. Use the biological soap.”
Shaw followed Cat’s eye line and gulped. They’d obviously heard improvisation was called for out there in the wilds. It wasn’t high-tech, and there wasn’t a vanity screen, just an empty kiddies’ paddling pool, with a hosepipe fastened to a pole. Shaw stripped, with his back facing Cat. He looked over his shoulder, relieved she was talking with the others. He showered, then put on the protective clothing.
I’ll see to the samples,” said Cat. “You can take a ride on the back of the pickup with Gyp. Kitten will be waiting for you.”
They arrived at the entrance to the compound. Two of the escort removed Gyp in his container and hurried inside. The driver picked up the containers holding Montague and the samples, and followed them.
“I’m so sorry to hear about your daughter,” said Kitten, and placed her hand on Shaw’s shoulder. “I’m sure the professor will want to do all she can to help. We’ll all want to help.”
“Thanks.”
They set off through the gate and over to the elevator. His mind hovered over seeing the guy from Homeland Security, and wondering what business he could have had there. The coincidence thing bugged him. Coincidences, he thought, simply have alibis that get in the way of truth. They stir instincts that run in shivers down the spine. He shivered. First, there was Homeland Securities connection to the missing girls six years ago, and now, him turning up near town just as Amy had gone missing. Amy had turned eighteen, the same age as the girls who went missing. And then there was Amy’s connection to Ted Carter and his connection to one of the girls.
“We’re here,” said Kitten, as the elevator came to a halt and the door opened.
He knew he’d have to be polite. He was asking a big favor. He’d have to stay long enough to show his gratitude, but not too long that he’d be late for the FBI. Kitten walked with him down the corridor and into Cleo’s lounge area.
“Take a seat. She’s just finishing up in surgery. I’ll go and see to Gyp’s blood tests.”
He sat in an armchair and glanced around the room at the Egyptian artifacts on the walls. He wondered if maybe she could shed some light on the Pharaohs in Summers’ NSA report. There again, he wondered, as it was from his personal computer, maybe it was a part-time interest of Summers and he’d mixed up the file with the reports on the missing girls.
He waited maybe twenty-five minutes, when Cleo entered in a protective suit with a facemask and visor. He could still see it was her from her eyes.
“Sorry to hear about your daughter. Of course we’ll be pleased to run the tests, but tell me why you need them so quickly?”
“Thanks. The thing is; it’ll take up to two weeks for our people to come up with results. Finding a match could be vital before then. The missing persons’ unit, they need the sample for the national data base... for if... Sorry.” The answer stuck in his throat. He couldn’t get to saying, for if they found her body, although the words rolled around in his mind.
“I understand. It must be painful. We’ll do our best. I’m so sorry we’re meeting like this. I was hoping for some quality time together.”
Shaw had a good idea what she meant about quality time from her hitting on him the first time he visited. She was right. Now wasn’t the time.
“Look I’m sorry, but I really shouldn’t be here. I have a meeting with FBI agents soon. I have to get back. Any idea how long the tests will take?”
“Well, as I understand it, you have a baby tooth. If all goes well we could have the result tom
orrow. As for the autopsy on the cat and the water sample tests, I have people working on those now. We should have the results later tonight, or first thing in the morning.”
“Sounds good. Maybe you can phone me and send the results in an e-mail. It’ll save me having to go through showering and the changing ordeal. I feel like we’re meeting in the international space station dressed like this.”
Cleo laughed. “Yes it is restricting. I’m sure there be other times when all this is over. I’d have offered you a coffee, but we’re having to ration our water with all the showering.”
“Why’s that?”
“We’re not connected to the mains supply and out tank’s running low. We have it shipped here with the rest of our supplies from LA. The supply company phoned to say they’re a driver down and it’ll take a few days.”
Shaw stood. LA. Supplies, Grimes.
“Is that GS that’s let you down?”
“Yes. First time. They’re usually reliable.”
Shaw realized just how far Grimes’ business tentacles reached.
“Before I go, there is something you could tell me. I saw a familiar face leaving the sanctuary just as I arrived. Damned if I can’t put a face to the name, but I know he works for Homeland Security.”
“That would be Alice Fuller. He’s our only visitor today except for you.”
“Alice! Yeah I remember now. What business would he have here?”
Shaw grinned. He could understand why he didn’t advertise his name with a first name like Alice. He didn’t like it that she hesitated, and he wished that he could have seen the expression on her face as she walked around her chaise longue and sat. She could be stalling to come up with an excuse.
The Killers Amongst Us: Chimera Dawn Chronicles Page 24