“But we know the combination of vaccines works,” Carolyn argued mildly.
“Against the virus as it is today,” David said. “But what happens when it mutates and changes the antigens on its outer coat? What happens when the vaccine then produces antibodies that don’t react with these new antigens?”
“Then the vaccine no longer protects against the virus,” Carolyn said and shuddered to herself. “It would be useless.”
“Exactly,” David told her. “And keep in mind that viruses tend to mutate in order to adapt to their environment. That’s how they survive.”
“Jesus!” Carolyn groaned. “Are you saying that another outbreak is going to occur?”
“I’m saying it’s possible.”
“You’re mincing words.”
“Probable, then.”
“You’re still mincing words.”
David smiled humorlessly and gave her a quick hug. “That’s what I told the CDC when they wouldn’t give me a straight answer to the question you just asked.”
“They beat around the bush, eh?”
“For a while.”
“What did they finally say?” Carolyn pressed.
“That it’s sure to happen again,” David said as he reached for the door to the bridge. “It’s only a matter of where and when.”
epilogue
The flock continued along the Atlantic Flyway, unaware that yet another member had become ill. The sick bird struggled to keep up as the avian influenza virus multiplied within its tissues and destroyed its muscles and lungs.
The bird had no defense against the virus because the microscopic organism was again undergoing a mutation that changed its surface antigens. The new antigens allowed the deadly invader to completely avoid detection by antibodies in the bird’s blood.
Thus the virus multiplied without resistance, weakening the bird to the point it was losing altitude in the face of the approaching thunderstorm. Desperately it searched for a landing area where it could feed and rest. Ahead it sensed land, but the oncoming wind grew stronger and the bird dropped even farther, with nothing except rough seas below. Instinctively it pushed on, knowing that a lush feeding ground was not far off. The bird beat its wings furiously as it lost more and more altitude. The storm came closer and the weather suddenly worsened. Dark sheets of rain now pounded against the bird, making it impossible for it to see the coast of Florida and the huge housing developments being built on its shores.
Then there was lightning and thunder, followed by more lightning that caused the sky to momentarily light up. In the distance, the bird saw a broad stretch of land that jutted out into the sea. With all of its remaining energy, the bird veered off from the flock and made a last-ditch dive for survival. Now the wind was at its back, propelling it forward and downward. So close to land. So close. If only it could reach the feeding grounds. If only it could reach …
the end
© Dennis Trantham
about the author
Leonard Goldberg is the internationally best-selling author of the Joanna Blalock series of medical thrillers. His novels, acclaimed by critics as well as fellow authors, have been translated into a dozen languages and have sold more than a million copies worldwide. Leonard Goldberg is himself a consulting physician affiliated with the UCLA Medical Center, where he holds an appointment as Clinical Professor of Medicine. A highly sought-after expert witness in medical malpractice trials, he is board certified in internal medicine, hematology, and rheumatology, and has published over a hundred scientific studies in peer-reviewed journals.
Leonard Goldberg’s writing career began with a clinical interest in blood disorders. While involved in a research project at UCLA, he encountered a most unusual blood type. The patient’s red blood cells were O-Rh null, indicating they were totally deficient in A, B, and Rh factors and could be administered to virtually anyone without fear of a transfusion reaction. In essence, the patient was the proverbial “universal” blood donor. This finding spurred the idea for a story in which an individual was born without a tissue type, making that person’s organs transplantable into anyone without worry of rejection. His first novel, Transplant, revolved around a young woman who is discovered to be a universal organ donor and is hounded by a wealthy, powerful man in desperate need of a new kidney. The book quickly went through multiple printings and was optioned by a major Hollywood studio.
On the strength of the critical and popular reception of Transplant, Leonard Goldberg was off to the races as an author of medical thrillers. He began writing a series of new books, with a continuing main character named Joanna Blalock. The Joanna Blalock series features a forensic pathologist at a prestigious university medical center who has a Holmesian knack for solving murders. These books include Deadly Medicine, A Deadly Practice, Deadly Care, Deadly Harvest, Deadly Exposure, Lethal Measures, Fatal Care, Brainwaves, and Fever Cell.
Leonard Goldberg’s novels have been selections of the Book of the Month Club, French and Czech book clubs, and the Mystery Guild. They have been featured as People magazine’s “Page-Turner of the Week,” as well as at the International Book Fair in Budapest. The series has been optioned on several occasions for development as a motion picture or television project.
His best-selling novels have also been praised by fellow writers, as:
• “Loaded with suspense and believable characters.” (T. Jefferson Parker)
• “Medical suspense at its best.” (Michael Palmer)
Dr. Goldberg is a native of Charleston, South Carolina (with the accent to prove it), and a part-time California resident. He currently divides his time between Los Angeles and an island off the coast of South Carolina.
Please visit his website, www.leonardgoldberg.com.
Patient One
A Novel
Leonard Goldberg
A new thriller from USA Today best-selling author Leonard Goldberg
U.S. President John Merrill is hosting Russian President Dimitri Suslev at a glittering official dinner to celebrate a new economic pact. As the after-dinner toasts begin, the two leaders, their wives, and scores of prominent guests become violently ill. Merrill and Suslev, along with the other stricken guests, are rushed to the nearest hospital. As Secret Service agents struggle to secure the hospital and locate Merrill’s daughter, the President’s personal physician—who’s been withholding critical medical information about the Commander-in-Chief—tries desperately to stabilize the President.
In the chaos, Chechen terrorists make their move, breaching the secured area and taking both presidents hostage. Emergency-room physician David Ballineau, a former commando struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, and trauma nurse Carolyn Ross may be President Merrill’s only hope for survival.
978-0-7387-3046-2, 384 pp., 53⁄16 x 8
To order, call 1-877-NEW-WRLD
Prices subject to change without notice
Order at Llewellyn.com 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Plague Ship (A Ballineau/Ross Medical Thriller) Page 30
