Virtually Timeless

by Casi McLean

  Chapter 27

  Uhhhh. Sydney moaned, opening her eyes a slit. She blinked to clear the misty fog surrounding her, but the images remained a hazy blur. Where am I? An attempt to turn her head failed. Frozen in place, she couldn’t move. Something firmly held her entire body in a vise-grip. She might have panicked, had she not felt numbed… disconnected from her arms and legs, as if she had no will or control. Her head throbbed and her muscles ached, but the sensation felt separate from her thoughts… detached… as if she drifted beyond the pain.

  The whoosh-whoosh-whoosh of helicopter blades muffled voices within the confines of the small space. Instead, faint comments purred a distant hum.

  Who’s there? Her words only echoed through her mind… nothing fell from her lips. Stay calm, Syd. You’ll be fine. She closed her eyes. To relax her nerves, she focused on breathing. In… out… in… out, until the tension melted from her neck and shoulders. She kept still, believing… knowing she’d soon understand what had happened. She probed her memory to reveal the last thing she experienced. The chamber. Feeling sick and dizzy. Uncle Clay and Jack. But the voices she heard didn’t sound like Clay… or Jack. Or did they. She couldn’t be sure.

  Again, she strained to hear the muffled conversation. She could make out only a random word or two, as if she could hear only one side of a conversation.

  “Copy that… definitely quarantine… ETA in five.”

  A woman. The voice was definitely female. Syd wanted to know more, tried to listen, but she was so tired. For the first time in her life, she couldn’t help unravel the mystery. She felt herself slipping farther into the fog… into a place where she felt no pain… she had to let go. Noah would find her… help her… but for now, Syd knew her life was in the woman’s hands.

  ❋

  “Run them again.” Noah screeched into his phone. “Answers exist, Richard. Whatever made Syd sick is detectable, given the right test.” He turned his wrist to check the time. “My flight lands in fifteen minutes. I’ll be at the helipad in twenty and the hospital in a half hour. I want those test results. Can you make that happen?”

  “I’ve got them top priority.” He paused a beat. “Maybe you’re too close to this case, Noah. She’s your sister, for God’s sake. You could––”

  “I won’t. Please. Leave it at that.”

  Richard fell quiet for several seconds before replying. “Okay. The team is at your disposal and I’ll help with whatever you need.”

  “Thanks. I’ll be there soon.” He pressed End and lowered his arm until his phone rested in his lap. What could have made his sister so sick? Blake’s team was one of the best in the country. They tested her for everything under the sun… but aside from a mild case of Influenza C, they came up empty-handed. If she was immunocompromised, he could understand why the flu could have taken her down. But Syd ate a healthy diet, ran every day, and had more energy than anyone he knew… no. Some other element changed the equation, and Noah would be damned if he’d leave the case in anyone else’s hands.

  Leaning forward, he rested his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands then lowered his head. His stomach, already in knots, grumbled, and a cold heat snaked around his neck. He’d been so involved with Jillian, he barely kept up with his sister’s agenda since they returned to Atlanta. He mentally chronicled what he recalled.

  Worried about him, Syd flew to Connecticut. She could have picked up a virus on the flight. But she showed no symptoms through the whole BW ordeal. Aside from work, she spent time at the hospital… but Syd was careful about germs, and Emory had no unusual illnesses. She spent some time with Uncle Clay and Jack Duncan… but neither of them had symptoms… Julie Crenshaw… no, Syd was already sick when she met with Jules.

  What was he missing? Had his sister come in contact with someone else… perhaps the night she ate at The Palm? Possibly, but not likely. A virus this viral and rapid would have raised some eyebrows, and he was in the inner loop of any such bugs. He shook his head.

  When the wheels hit the runway, he gathered his things then watched as the plane slowed to a stop. The chopper sat in wait, and the moment the door opened, Noah darted down the stairs and across the airstrip toward the helo pilot. After a few brief words, he climbed inside the helicopter and stared out the window as they flew toward New Haven Hospital and Sydney.

  Walking into her room, he was taken aback to see his sister so pale, drawn, and haggard. He took her vitals then dove into her records, cross-referencing everything he knew with her test results. Richard Blake had been thorough, and, on the surface, his records appeared accurate. But if Noah had given up after test results proved negative, he’d never have attained the status he achieved in his field. Rare diseases seldom followed the rules or popped to the surface upon first analysis. Sheer tenacity gave Noah the edge. The same determination Syd had in everything she did.

  Again, he racked his brain. What did he miss? He dragged a chair to her bedside and sat, staring as if he willed her to tell him the answers he sought. A tap-tap rapped on the door and he turned around.

  Clay poked his head inside. “Is it okay if I come in?”

  “Of course.” Noah stood to greet him with a strong handshake. “I’m glad you’re here. I wanted to talk to you and Jack. Did he come with you?” He peered over Clay’s shoulder expecting Jack to appear around the corner.

  “He’s in the waiting room, checking his messages and returning phone calls. He’ll be here in a few minutes.” Clay stared at Syd. “How is she?”

  Noah shifted his gaze toward her. “Sedated. Once she stabilized Sydney, Elise injected her with propofol to slow her heartbeat and, with any luck, slow the rate of infection to give us time to identify what caused this illness. She’s still out.” He turned to face Clay. “Did anything odd occur that struck you? I mean, since Syd came to see you last week, did you notice anything unusual about her? Any detail at all might help.”

  Clay rubbed his chin with his thumb and forefinger then shrugged. “Nothing comes to mind… except the obvious. I mean how she found the amulet and didn’t want it to leave her sight.”

  “Jack tested the talisman. I don’t suppose he found anything noxious.”

  “Nothing toxic, but he did say the stone was surrounded by an unknown alloy. Something he’d never run across before… said the compound was not from this planet.”

  He jerked his head around. “You mean, he thinks it might have come from a meteor or something?”

  Clay frowned. “He barely broached the subject when Sydney got sick, so I don’t really know. I’m sure he’ll fill you in though.”

  “Hmm. It’s a long shot, but maybe she had a reaction to the alloy… she’s had that stone with her since she found it.”

  Clay angled his head to gaze at Syd. “I wish I could help more. She looks bad, Noah. Really bad.”

  “You don’t remember anything else unusual?” Snatching the tablet from her bedside, again, he scanned Dr. Blake’s notes.

  “I could tell she wasn’t feeling well when we started the hike to the stone structure. But I didn’t realize she felt sick the day before until Jack told me you sent her some Tamiflu and she felt better this morning.”

  “Are you saying the Tamiflu worked?”

  “For a while, but after we hiked to the chamber, she went downhill fast.” He edged closer to Syd then took her hand.

  Muttering more to himself than Clay, Noah mentally shifted his possible diagnosis list, recategorizing symptoms as clearly in his mind’s eye as the indicators would appear on a touchscreen. “So… if the flu compromised her immune system, any number of new symptoms could slide into place… completely masked by the original virus.” He shot a glance to Clay. “How about a bite? Could a snake or spider have bitten or stung her on the hike?”

  He narrowed his brows. “I suppose so. She didn’t react as if something bit her… but as you well know, once your sister sets her mind on something, she pushes forward with reckless abandon. She’s a pistol. Feisty, just
like your mom. So excited about the amulet, she wouldn’t stop until she brought us to the exact spot. We never would have found the structure without her. The undergrowth completely camouflaged the entrance, and despite Jack’s exposé and archeological experience, if those bats had stormed me, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have come back to ask for seconds.”

  Clay’s chatter trailed off into the background as Noah’s mind re-opened his mental touchscreen and manipulated new possibilities. He examined Syd’s IV drip and wrinkled his brow then returned his gaze to Clay. “Stay with Syd. I’ll be right back. I need to order a few new tests.”

  Chapter 28

  Recounting in his mind additional tests to run, Noah mentally deleted H1N1, H3N2, and B-Victoria flu symptoms then focused on a clean slate, ordering tests for COVID-19, toxins, heavy-metal poisoning, bites, stings, and… what was Clay saying about Syd? As the technician approached, he shook his head. “I need these tests taken STAT on the patient in room 8-A-116. Bump the process to the top of the list and notify me the moment you get the results.” He handed her a business card with his personal phone number. “This woman is hanging on by a thread. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, doctor…” She gazed at the card. “Monaco.” Her brow wrinkled. “Emory Hospital Rare Disease Specialist. You are THE Dr. Noah Monaco, aren’t you?” Her cheeks flushed with a pinkish tint.

  “Yes. I am. And if you know my reputation, then you’re aware my patients have gone through more than most. I can’t stress how important these tests are.”

  “Yes, Dr. Monaco. I’ll see to these myself, right away.”

  “Thank you.” He turned, smacked the Open-Door button then hurried down the hallway toward the eighth-floor family waiting room. He still hadn’t spoken directly to Jack and wanted to do so while the man’s memories were still fresh.

  When he walked into the room, Noah saw only one man. His disheveled, sandy-blond hair and bearded-chin gave the impression of someone more interested in work than a social life. Wearing khaki pants, a lightweight green jacket, and hiking boots was a distinct giveaway that Noah had the right man. He sat on the edge of the couch, scrolling through notifications on his smartphone. “Jack Duncan?”

  The man immediately looked up. “Yes.”

  Noah extended his hand. “I’m Dr. Monaco, Sydney’s brother. I was hoping I could ask you a few questions. Do you have a couple of minutes to chat?”

  Jack stood and shook Noah’s hand with a firm grip. “Of course. Please. Have a seat. I was just about to go see your sister. I wanted to give Clay a few minutes first, though, since he’s a friend of the family. I hope Syd’s okay.”

  He sat on the far end of the couch and clasped his hands across his thighs. “I hope so, too. She’s heavily sedated, and I’m testing her for everything I can imagine. I have two questions. First, is there any chance the unusual alloy in the amulet could be laced with a toxin or something that could make Syd sick if she carried the stone with her all the time?”

  He shook his head. “If that was possible, I’d have identified the toxicity when I ran my analyses. The amulet and that alloy intrigued me. I ran every test possible, and I can say with certainty, the amulet posed no threat to your sister.”

  Noah nodded. “Good. Second question. Is there anything you remember that stood out about her illness or condition?”

  Jack shook his head. “She looked pretty sick yesterday. But this morning, she seemed a lot better. I thought she dodged a bullet.” He bit the corner of his lower lip. “She tired easily, though. But that wasn’t surprising considering the day before.”

  “Is there a chance she was bitten or stung by something?” He leaned forward and angled his position to face Jack.

  Stuffing his phone into his jacket pocket, he stared at Noah. “You mean like a snake bite or scorpion sting?”

  “Sure. Can you remember her reacting to anything… of course, she might not have felt the pain of a sting or bite.”

  “I don’t think so. I mean… her jeans covered her boots. She wore a baseball cap and her coat was zipped. I could tell the hike was getting to her, but that didn’t raise any red flags. When she found the stone structure, she pushed aside the vines and overgrowth. Maybe something bit a hand, but honestly, I doubt it. When we tried to enter the chamber, she grabbed my arm to warn us about the bats, so we edged in slowly to keep from disturbing them.”

  “Bats.” Noah’s internal radar sounded an alert. “That’s what Clay said. A scratch or bite from a bat can be so tiny, so she might not have felt it.” Noah stood. “Thanks Jack. I think I know what happened to Syd. And time is running out.”

  Popping out of his seat, Jack gripped Noah’s arm. “Wait, doc. Even if a bat bit her earlier today and happened to be rabid, she wouldn’t have symptoms for a few weeks.”

  “I’m not talking about a bite or scratch today, Jack. Clay mentioned something about bats storming her when she originally found the amulet. She warned you before you entered the chamber, right?”

  Jack nodded.

  “My fear is a rabid bat bit or scratched her a few weeks ago. I have to run.”

  He darted down the hall toward the nurses’ station then dashed to the desk and addressed the first attendant he saw. “I need Immunoglobulin for the patient in 116. STAT. HRIG 20 IU/kg. She weighs about 132 pounds.” He scooted around the counter to the computer then scrolled to Syd’s chart and added his prescription.

  “Hmm.” The nurse turned toward Noah. “Intravenous Immunoglobulin? That treats immunodeficiency and inflammatory demyelinating disorders, right?”

  “Among a few other ailments. I need the IVIG STAT.”

  “I thought Dr. Richards’ tests came up negative for those disorders.”

  After a quick gaze at her nametag, Noah gave an appreciative nod. Every fiber inside demanded he bark the order again and again until she sprang into action… expediting the treatment held Syd’s life or death in the balance. Each minute wasted reduced her chance of survival. But, in his experience, reacting emotionally rarely proved effective. Instead, he held his tongue and responded. “Among other conditions… Impressive call, Slone. Not many nurses could recite those ailments, let alone connect them to Immunoglobulin.”

  “Thank you, Dr Monaco. I’m a second-year med-student, and I want to specialize in rare disease.”

  Challenging his patience to again refrain, he drew in a long breath. “Good work.” Instead of his gut instinct to shake her or bypass protocol and fulfill his own prescription, he placed a hand on her shoulder. “Immunoglobulin also treats rabies, and every second that passes without the medicine in her system narrows her chance of survival. Go. Now, Nurse Slone. Please hurry.”

  “Oh, dear lord. That poor woman. So sorry, Doctor Monaco. I’m on it.” She dashed around the counter and scurried down the hallway.

  Squeezing his eyes shut, he drew another deep breath to calm the rush of anxiety gripping his chest then scrolled through his phone to pull up his notes. He had one more option that could save Syd’s life. Only a few weeks earlier, he’d read an article about Centivax, a therapeutics company founded to treat and eradicate pathogens. The biotech company developed therapeutic monoclonal antibodies against the most challenging diseases––one of which was rabies. At the time, Noah realized their cutting-edge technology would not only be a game-changer in his field, but also in the war against pandemics. He jotted down notes and a specific contact…what was the doctor’s name?

  There. Dr. Jacob Glanville. Noah clicked on the phone number and pressed Send.

  After an extraordinary conversation, Dr. Glanville agreed to provide the vaccine under the new ‘Compassionate Use’ Act and would deliver the antibodies directly to Noah within twenty-four hours. He tucked his phone into his pocket then hurried into Sydney’s room.

  Inspecting her body, inch by inch, he searched for a tiny scratch, a red splotch, or bite mark. Hell, if a flock of bats flew toward his sister, her adrenaline would soar into overdrive… she likely never
felt the contact, and even if she did, the mark would have healed by now.

  He wished he had proof of his diagnosis, but his gut screamed to give her the treatment. If his evaluation proved correct, she still might pull through… and if he was wrong, most of the medicine’s side effects were insignificant. Headache, fatigue, nausea, fever and chills, the only downside would be the possibility of aseptic meningitis. The treatment was definitely worth the risk.

  Slone returned quickly with the Immunoglobulin. “Here Dr. Monaco. You administer the medication.” She handed him the IVIG.

  Noah gave her a quick nod, grabbed the medication then administered it into Syd’s IV. “The protocol is not only crucial for her recovery… but time is of the essence.” He tossed a glance over his shoulder toward Slone. “Because rabies is so rare in humans, it’s seldom diagnosed in time to save the patient. Ninety-nine percent of human rabies victims die, Nurse Slone… and this woman is not going to be one of them.”

  She watched Noah’s every move. “Your work inspired me to specialize in rare diseases, Dr. Monaco. I’m sorry I chose the wrong time to pick your brain.” She lowered her gaze to the floor.

  “Learning from one’s own mistakes can make the difference between a good doctor and a great one.” He paused until her gaze met his. “I trust you will become a great doctor.”

  She smiled. “If it’s within my power, I will.”

  Noah snatched the tablet and updated Sydney’s status.

  A tap on the door preceded Dr. Richard Blake entering the room. “Amazing call, Noah.” He approached the bedside. “We tested for literally everything… except rabies.”

  Eyes still on Noah’s every move, Nurse Slone leaned in and whispered to Dr. Blake, “That patient is so lucky Dr. Monaco flew in for a consult. If he’s right about his rabies diagnosis, he saved her life.”