His suite was exquisite, nothing like their stateroom below. Granted, Eve had never been on a cruise and when she stepped inside the room she was to share with Glen she was impressed at the cleanliness and beauty. It reminded her of the tower rooms in Vegas. Nice, but small. However, when she stepped inside the Celebrity Owner’s suite, as it was called, she was glad if she had to be locked in anywhere it would be that suite. It was a wrap around with a view from the decks of one side of the ocean to the other. Two bedrooms, a living room, dining area, fully stocked bar and other amenities.
There was plenty to drink, lots of snacks and Silas’ addiction to Ramen noodles was assuring to Eve that she could eat Ramen three times a day for at least a week and not starve.
He brought the food onboard, he explained to her he always took cruises and after being on a semi-lockdown for the Norovirus he had learned his lesson.
“Breakfast of champions.” Silas handed her a bowl of Ramen. “Chicken flavor. Want coffee?”
Eve shook her head and took the bowl. Silas sat on the other end of the couch facing her.
“They said there would be breakfast in the concierge lounge at six. That’s an hour away.”
Silas shook his head. “Remember I told you I learned the hard way. They opened the dining rooms,” Silas said as he slurped his noodles. “They also cautioned people about washing their hands and such, but ... I still got sick. Sick as a dog. Never again. I hear word of that virus, I stay put. I did then, I’ll do now.”
“What about, excuse the phase, cabin fever?” she asked.
“That’s why I only book the best suite. I can step outside, enjoy the view and air.”
“It can’t be much fun eating only Ramen,” Eve replied.
“I bring the ramen and snacks for later or so I don’t have to go to the buffet when I'm hungry. Typically it isn’t like this. They let the passengers know of any outbreak of Norovirus. I order food brought to my room and just avoid crowded places. Sometimes there are lock downs, where they only let you into certain areas at certain times. This is different. This is really different. The outbreak has to be bad. The closest I saw it like this is when they returned to port a day early.”
“You know they have hand sanitizer everywhere here. I use it all the time.”
“Doesn’t make a difference,” Silas said. “Did you know hand sanitizer doesn’t kill norovirus? In fact, Lysol doesn’t either. Only the industrial stuff. People think they can spray that 99.9% germ killer stuff and be safe.” He shook his head. “Not from Noro. Not at all. A little research is scary. It makes you think how many other germs fall into that tenth of a percent not killed.”
“You know a lot about this.”
Silas smiled. “I’m old. I learn from listening. I'm not just a rock and roller. I have grandkids. I think about them. So I read about this stuff.”
“Maybe it has something to do with the French flu we saw last night on your iPad.”
Silas groaned in thought. “Hard to say. I mean unless someone from Paris boarded this ship with the virus. But we left from Boston.”
“True.”
At that moment the cabin phone rang and Silas set down his bowl and walked to retrieve it. He barely said, ‘hello’ before he extended the phone to Eve.
She jumped from the couch to get it. “Hello.”
“Eve,” said Glen.
“Oh my God, I was so worried about you.”
“I was chasing a story and really got caught up.”
“Where are you now?” Eve asked.
“Back at our room. Listen to me. Do you have access to a tablet or laptop?”
“Yes, Silas has a tablet.”
“Good. I know those suites have unlimited internet. I just forwarded footage to your email. Get it and download it before the Wi-Fi goes out. You need to see this footage.”
“Glen, don’t be silly, why do I need to check my email? Can’t you come up here and show me.”
“No,” he replied without hesitation. “Eve, do not leave that room. If you can stay put, stay there. Do not leave.”
“Glen? What … what’s going on?”
“Watch the footage, see if you can get it to BNN and then call me back. Eve …” he paused. “This is bad.”
Before she could ask anything further he had hung up. She set down the phone and Silas had already retrieved his tablet handing it to her.
Eve, after making sure there was a connection, went online and to her email. She saw the mail from Glen, opened it and clicked on the first of seven links. The video began downloading, but it was slow.
It took nearly ten minutes for the file to finish downloading and then it opened.
It was from Glen’s POV, he was using the hat go cam. They watched as he spoke to a steward about finding her then he moved on. He came across another steward.
“Sir, the halls are under lock down. Please return to your room.”
“I know. I am on my way ...”
“Unless you are sick, you need to return to your room.”
Eve looked at Silas. “That’s an odd thing to ask.”
“Not really. Not with the lockdown.”
“Yeah, I’m feeling pretty bad.” Glen said.
“Go to level five, the small show room. That’s the closest to here for medical attention. A member of the medical staff will examine you there.”
Through Glen’s camera, she followed him as he walked. She was stunned when she saw all the people in line. “What the … and they implied there were more areas to get medical …”
“Is this where we wait for the doctor?” Glen asked the person in front of him.
Eve gasped when the person turned around.
“That …” Silas pointed to the screen. “... Is not Norovirus.”
“This is bad,” Glen whispered. “I’m gonna walk up and see if everyone is like that or if that person was just a fluke.”
Eve kept her hand over her mouth in shock. As she watched the camera scan the faces of the people in line. She remembered the woman on the deck, the one the crew were working on.
“I have to let this story out. I have to …” Eve said.
“Here.” Silas handed her a phone. “Use my sat phone. Call it in. People need to know if they don’t already. And for sure now … we do not leave this room.”
Eve took the phone.
◆◆◆
National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL), Boston, MA
Rob Corley had stayed in his office all night, not that he had planned to go home during the crisis. When he started his day, it was just that ... a crisis. Now it was more, it was bigger, he didn’t even think there was a name for it.
When Doctor Abe Boone dropped the first bombshell on him he felt devastated that a team right under his nose could do something so inhumane and heartless.
The only positive that came out of it was the fact the information he forwarded to WHO would be helpful in putting out the word to the public on what to look for and what to do.
At four in the morning, in order to minimize panic, they weren’t releasing how deadly it was. By seven in the morning, when two federal agents, Conner Banes of WHO and Senator Graham, leader of the Senate committee for Health and Infectious Diseases arrived, all that changed.
They came to speak to Abe.
Abe had gone home to say goodbye to his wife, pack a bag and return to face his consequences.
Conner had told Rob not to let Abe leave for fear he’d flee, but Rob knew Abe wouldn’t do that. He was committed to taking whatever came his way and working on X if they’d still allow him.
Elias, on the other hand, was told nothing.
He, Rob believed, was the only flight risk.
“Mr. Boone, we appreciate that you came forward with the information,” the senator said. “I realize you are busy working on this virus. Is there any reason you can think of that Dr. Petit would want to steal the virus?”
“It wouldn’t be malicious. The only thing I
can think of is to protect it in case the ban went into effect,” Abe answered. “I thought I was here to be arrested.”
Connor, from WHO, shook his head. “Not right now, we need every mind on this, you know this virus, you and Dr. Marcum. He’ll be told when he arrives we know about the testing, but until we find a way to stop this, if that is even possible now, you both will not face consequences. Problem is, Dr. Boone, in about a week no one is gonna give a shit what you did, in fact, they’ll probably be asking why you didn’t try it again.”
Abe titled his head and blinked his eyes in confusion. “I don’t understand.”
“From our investigation,” Conner said, “It appears Petit took the virus on the twenty-seventh. We believe that was the day X leaked from its holder. According to the notes recovered in his lab, he became symptomatic nine hours later. The lab followed the data they stole from you, not having the … guinea pig info and they lifted the quarantine on the building when they believed it was clear. Fortunately only six of those people left. We located five of them in Paris. All of them right now are dead. One of them lived three days, the other died in two. It’s a nightmare because they were around family who are now dying.”
“You said six left, five are dead. What about the sixth?” Abe asked.
“Went on holiday to Spain. Died right there in the hotel. Twelve people from his flight are now sick. We can trace this thing forever,” Conner said. “Overseas it’s out of control. Here is another story and it’s going to be worse. We have a cruise ship in the Atlantic with a BNN reporter ready to break the news about the French Flu that has the boat quarantined and a third of the ship sick. More are coming down with it by the hour. French Flu, that’s what they’re calling it.”
The Senator added. “The network contacted the CDC, we bought some time, not much though. The public has to be told. This thing has been in circulation now seven days.”
“Oh my God,” Abe gasped. “Seven days?”
Conner nodded. “It’s a nightmare chasing flights and passengers. We can’t possibly do that. It’s too far ahead of us. It didn’t start in France, it started here.”
Rob asked. “Here?”
“Here,” Conner said. “Right here in Boston. Those exposed to the direct virus strain become symptomatic in under twelve hours. Those they infected, twenty-four hours. We have a TSA supervisor who was believed to have died of the shingles the exact same day as Petit. Yesterday morning the ER physician, registration clerk and nurse, all the ones that cared for him like his wife … all dead. We believe he had the X virus. We have countless sick in Boston. We would have never looked into Boston as ground zero had we not received a call from General Hospital about the hundreds of people coming in with the flu. You know as well as I do, flu season is still a month away.”
Slowly, Abe rose from his chair. “I’m sorry, I have to stand. This is too much. If a TSA worker had it, then it happened at the airport.”
Conner nodded. “It’s a nightmare. We traced Petit’s journey, seems he was pulled to have his laptop manually searched and it was searched by the TSA supervisor who died.”
Rob listened to the explanation and all he kept thinking was, all the people the TSA agent touched and came in contact were infected. Hundreds, who would spread the virus wherever they went. There wasn’t a shot in hell of containing it. He knew that. Containing it or stopping it was impossible, the focus had to be on beating it. Then he saw something, a look that Abe made. A puzzled, yet sickened look.
“Abe?” Rob questioned. “What is it?”
“You said a laptop?” Abe asked Conner. “Do you know anything about this laptop?”
Conner nodded. ‘We do. We have it.”
“Was the battery pack the containment compartment for the virus?” Abe asked.
“Yes,” Conner answered.
“It’s ours.” Abe looked at Rob.
“What?” Rob asked.
“It’s ours. We’ve had it for nine years. Remember the alleged bio attack. They were smuggling anthrax. We got the laptop. It has to be ours. That’s how he got it.” Abe looked at the faces in the room. “You asked why Petit would steal it, he didn’t. Elias gave it to him. He probably gave him X to hold. I’d bet my life on it.”
The buzz of the intercom from the secretary cut through the air startling them both, then she announced Dr. Marcum was waiting.
“Send him in,” Rob said.
The door opened and Elias walked in.
He stopped and looked at everyone in the room. “Is something else going on?”
Rob walked over and shut the door. “We brought you here because Dr. Boone has turned over your hidden research on X.”
Elias chuckled smugly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Cut the shit,” Rob said. “We know. We also know …” he paused. “Petit smuggled the virus in a laptop that belonged to us. A laptop designed to smuggle viruses. The only way he would know that and be able to get X in there was with your help.”
Elias didn’t say anything at first. He looked angry, then after a few seconds he returned to calm. “Yes, I did. I gave him X. I was afraid of the ban. I was afraid all my work would be for nothing and we’d end up facing a virus we couldn’t beat.”
“Guess what?” The senator slammed his hand on the desk. “We are. I told you at the hearings that arrogance could cause an extinction event, and it looks like I was right.”
“Okay, so the truth is out.” Elias pointed to the silent agents. “You can’t arrest me. You can’t take me away. You need me to help stop this. I made this virus.”
“You did,” Conner said. “It’s too late for your help.”
“What do you mean it’s too late?” Elias ridiculed. “We still have time to stop this before it reaches our soil.”
“It already has,” Rob said. “The laptop failed. It leaked at the airport. It’s far too late.”
“The story is about to break,” Senator Graham said. “We are going to inform and advise the public the best we can. The only consolation we can give them, when they ask why or how, or when a mother is holding her dying child, they’ll know exactly who caused this.” He waved his hand to the agents. “Take him away.”
Rob watched as the Senator stormed out, the agents took hold of Elias.
Justice would be served swiftly. Within hours the world would know the face of the monster who started what could be an extinction pandemic. But when it was all said and done, and the last of the ill took their last breath, would it matter? Would they even care? The only way calling out Elias would truly make a difference was if people would never forget. To Rob, there was only one way.
“Wait,” he called out to Conner as he was leaving.
Conner stopped.
“When you make your announcement. When this goes public. Make sure the public does know. Make sure they always will know and remember.”
“We will.” Conner nodded. “His face will be synonymous with this flu.”
“You have to do more than that. You have to make him synonymous with this virus. Don’t call it the French flu, call it the Marcum flu.” Rob stared coldly at Elias. “That way no one will ever forget his name.”
17 – Hitting Home
Franklin, PA
Hervé’s Bites didn’t need the trim in the back dining area painted. But Hervé knew Matt needed money and called him up to do the work. That was just the type of person Hervé Christoph was. In fact, the whole family was good hearted. Both his parents were active in the church growing up. That was until his mother died, then Dr. C pulled back from it. His father was the epitome of the small town doctor. Affordable, friendly, and he did house calls for the elderly and those who couldn’t get to his office. Although in his advancing age, he stopped doing hospital visits.
While Hervé was ten years younger than Matt, he remembered when Hervé arrived in town. His father was doing a volunteer tour for Doctors without Borders for some outbreak in Haiti. He came home not only after
recovering from a case of Cholera, but he came home with Hervé.
Hervé was six at the time, scared and quiet, but that changed. Rather quickly, too. He became funny and outgoing, and though he was unconventional at times for his very conventional family, Hervé never did anything to disappoint his father. He felt he lived a privileged life—as privileged as one got in a small town—and he always gave back.
Hervé’s Bites was a quaint deli with unusual daily specials and the locally famous Mystery Grab and Go Brown bag. Folks on their way to work would stop in, grab a brown bag lunch and never know what they got until they opened it.
Matt hated the idea, but others loved it. Just like they loved Hervé.
“Here you go,” Hervé opened the register. “Fifty right?” He handed Matt the cash.
“Thanks. I appreciate it,” Matt replied.
“No, man, I appreciate how great you work.”
Matt laughed.
“I thought you were bringing the girls with you,” Hervé said. “I made them a special Brown Bag.”
“Stew is with them. He wanted to spend time with the girls, and he brought them McDonald’s.”
“Ug, no. It had to be cold. The nearest McDonald’s is ten miles away. Here.” He reached behind the counter. “Give them these. This can be dinner.”
Matt took the bags. “I’m sure they’ll love them.”
“Do you want anything? I have …” The bell on the door rang as someone entered, and Hervé looked beyond Matt to the entrance. “Hey, Sheila. What brings you in on a Saturday?”
“I’m in the mood for your egg salad,” she said.
“Made it fresh,” Hervé replied.
“I gotta go,” Matt said. “Thanks again.” He turned, and when he saw Sheila he recognized her. It was the woman from Children Youth Services.
“Mr. Hader,” she said pleasantly. “How are you?”
“Good. Good.”
“You know each other?” Hervé asked.
“Yeah,” Matt replied. “She came to my house, cause you know, the pediatrician or someone doesn’t think I’m taking good enough care of Hannah.”
Plague Book: One Final Gasp Page 8
