Authors: Linda Wells
“God help us,” said Dave as he hung up the phone. Chris was sitting on the sofa, transfixed by what Dave had said. He sat next to her, pulling her close. Their lips met, as he held her, no words needed.
Dave said to Chris, “I need to check on our staff, get updates on patient status, and may I ask you to make sure the staff lounges are comfortable and ready for breaks? We’re stretched thin.”
“Yes, Dave.” He could tell she was scared. He also knew she was on game and he could count on her.
“How are you feeling, sweetheart?” he asked. He could see dark circles under her eyes.
“I’m all right, just a little tired. That’s all. I am worried about you,” she said.
“No worries, Chris. We will get through this thing, but we both know what ‘pandemic’ means.”
“Yes,” she said.
He kissed her again, held her tightly against him, and then said, “Keeping our heads will keep others on track.” He knew she would have no problem with that.
“Come on, baby,” he said, opening the office door.
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M
ike was transfixed by Mayor Donnelly’s news conference. The Mayor was at the podium, in front of City Hall, surrounded by representatives of various agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the NYC Police Commissioner, the FBI Regional Director, the Department of Defense, FEMA and other high ranking officials. The words weren’t quite making sense. Mike had some knowledge regarding viruses and specific strains, and of recent reports of avian flu and its transmission studies. The more he listened, the more his concerns mounted. The Mayor said that cases of avian flu had been reported by several hospitals in the New York City area. Other cities in New Jersey and Florida were reporting similar outbreaks. New York had declared a state of emergency, and flights in and out of New York City were cancelled.
The Mayor was asking the general public to remain calm but to use caution and stay at home, if possible, to prevent further spread of the contagion. No one was to leave home unless absolutely necessary. All government officials were to continue to report to work. Further reports and instructions would be forthcoming as more information became available. Stations would be set up by FEMA where protective face masks would be distributed. This was simply a precaution. The National Guard was being mobilized if needed. Mike wondered what that meant.
“There is nothing definite to report about this being a possible terrorist action. The FBI is investigating and will provide updates as soon as possible.”
The Mayor wanted to quell fears as much as possible.
After the Mayor again stressed that everyone remain calm, the director of FEMA took the podium. He explained further about face mask distribution and gave a government website that provided detailed instructions on dealing with pandemics. He also asked neighbors to help neighbors and for families to share supplies.
Mike was stunned. He grabbed the phone and called Pembrooke Academy. He spoke with the receptionist, asking about the children, and whether they would be dismissed early. She said no, but the school was aware of the subway incident, and they were monitoring all news reports. The administration was evaluating options that would best safeguard the children and she assured him that he would be notified if there were any changes in school policy.
He slammed the phone down and called Johns Hopkins, asking for the Isolation Unit.
“ICU isolation desk, may I help you?”
“Yes, I’m Mike Ryan, Maggie, uh, Margaret Ryan’s husband. How is she?” The clerk put him on hold as she connected him to the charge nurse.
“Barbara Knox speaking.”
Mike repeated his query, “How is Maggie Ryan, my wife? This is Mike Ryan.”
“Mr. Ryan, she is holding her own, though she has a fever and pneumonia. However, she is not worsening, which is encouraging.”
“May I see her?” He was plaintive, though he knew the answer.
“No, your safety must be ensured. Maggie is getting excellent care. And you realize Maggie would want you to stay put. Correct?”
Mike didn’t answer. She was correct. “Please tell her I called. May I call again?”
“Of course, Mr. Ryan.”
“Ms. Knox, do you have other patients arriving with Maggie’s symptoms?”
“None at present, Mike. And call me Barbara.”
“What has the lab determined regarding Maggie’s illness?”
“We are repeating the lab studies, but we have essentially confirmed the avian flu diagnosis. But you know Maggie is strong, young, and has no current health problems. Correct?”
“Yes, very healthy,” he responded, more hopeful.
“Then we have optimism about her prognosis. You did know that Maggie is pregnant.”
Mike sat back in his chair in stunned silence.
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D
onna had taken the baby to her mother’s home after Marty called about Joey being sick. It had been a happy day until then. Before the call, Donna had straightened the house, cleaned up the kitchen, and showered before Rosa woke up. Then she was busy, feeding the baby some rice cereal and baby food. Rosa had made sweet cooing noises and sighs, and smiled at her, which made Donna melt.
But now she was scared. She gathered some of the baby’s things and drove straight to her mom’s. Thank goodness her mom was home. They had been watching the news, which made Donna worry even more. She kept replaying, in her mind, the words that Joey had spoken when he had called. He sounded a little worried, but okay, strong, her Joey. After Marty called, her doubts had grown. Where did they take Joey? Why didn’t Marty tell her? It was just a precaution, he had said. She fully understood that she needed to keep the baby safe. She hated hospitals anyway, always fearful of germs and catching something, but she would give anything to be with him. Donna had dialed Joey’s cell phone number, but she only got his voice mail. He probably was busy, getting tests or being checked.
Donna and her mom, Elaine, had played with Rosa, then fed her again, and put her down in the port-a-crib that her mom kept in the spare room. Elaine loved the baby and doted on her. Life had been empty since Ed had died. It was sudden. He had a massive heart attack, and abruptly, life changed. The baby had filled some of the void though her mom’s heart was broken forever. Donna loved seeing her mom holding Rosa and the joy that it brought to her.
Donna and her mom kept the TV on, listening for further developments. It was more confusing now, and the subway was still shut down. The buses were running, which prevented traffic from coming to a total standstill. They both wanted things to be back to normal.
Donna said, “Mom, maybe I should call Marty. I need to know about Joey.”
Elaine said, “It can’t hurt to call. Do you know which hospital Joey went to?”
“No, I can’t remember exactly. I think Marty just said they were taking him to the doctor, just to get checked. And why hasn’t Joey called?” Donna wondered, aloud. “I’m calling Marty,” Donna decided and grabbed her cell phone from her jeans pocket. She found Marty’s office number in her contact list. She was glad Joey had given that to her. He was always thoughtful about things like that. She heard the ringing.
A man’s voice said, “Officer Lewis speaking.”
“This is Donna Caruso. I am trying to reach Marty, please.” Her voice sounded nervous.
“Are you Joey’s wife, ma’am?”
“Yes, sir,” she answered awkwardly.
“Ma’am, Marty had to step away from his desk. May I help you?” He was being very formal.
“Well, I want to know how Joey is doing. Marty said he went to the doctor. Is he okay? I can’t reach Joey on his cell phone, and I am getting worried.” Donna couldn’t hold back her tears.
“Mrs. Caruso, please be calm. Everything is under control. Your husband got nauseated, and Marty decided Joey needed to be checked out, as a precaution, and we haven’t heard back yet. But I know he is getting good care. As soon as I hear anything, I’ll call you right away, okay? There is no reason to be overly concerned, but I understand.” His voice was comforting. Donna felt better. “Where are you?” he asked.
“I’m at my mom’s, with Rosa, our baby,” Donna said. She gave him her cell phone number and her mother’s number.
“Good, you just sit tight there. Okay?”
“Yes, sir. Just tell Marty I called, please, and to call me when he can,” she requested.
“Will do, Mrs. Caruso.” Officer Lewis hung up.
He thought he had handled that the best way he could. What he had not told her was that Marty and several of the other maintenance guys had gotten sick, as well, plus his partner, Jack. There were only a few left in the subway station office, including several passengers who happened to be on the platform at the time of the quarantine. They were all waiting for answers. Right now, no one knew what was going on or why. All Lewis knew was that he was scared shitless. Who would be next?
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D
r. Ambrose was getting regular updates about the virus and the measures being taken to halt its spread. He was deep in thought, analyzing all available information. Numerous medical facilities in New York and several in New Jersey were beginning to report patients’ arrivals, all with similar symptoms as those who had been in direct contact with the deadly viral release in the New York City subway station.
An advisory was received from Chicago regarding a dozen possible cases of the “flu” in question. Tests were being conducted to confirm if they were in fact the avian flu.
Miami University Medical Center had informed the CDC that they had received, in addition to the flight attendant, several other patients with the same symptoms, all of whom had been on Flight 227. They were quarantined.
The reports continued to trickle in, and now that the avian virus had been identified, time required for diagnosis confirmation was shortened. Dr. Ambrose’s concerns were growing as each report came in, showing the steady rise in the number of cases and a broadened geographic spread of the pandemic. He had studied the avian flu virus, and from all indications, it is rare and only transmitted from wild birds to domesticated birds, like turkey, chicken, and ducks, and then to humans, if eaten. Then pandemic risk can follow. When bird flu affects humans, it is often deadly. The mutated weaponized version of avian flu could continue mutating. The kill potential was vast and out of his range of expertise.
With advanced technology and a fast news cycle, he was hopeful that there might be the greater likelihood of containment of this apparent mutating virus. Keeping people at home, informed, for an as yet undetermined time frame, might save some lives, but many would still die or become severely ill, especially the very young, the elderly, or others at high risk. Outbreaks were unpredictable.
The CDC and the World Health Organization had experience tracking pandemics, going back to the 1918 worldwide flu outbreak, which was severe and deadly. Ambrose was well read on the Spanish flu, as it was called. Its duration had been approximately two years, and it killed between fifty and one hundred million people worldwide. Three percent of the entire world population had died, though 27 percent had been infected.
Dr. Ambrose also knew that some pandemics were more severe than others. This one, he was certain, would be one of the more severe. By definition, influenza pandemics occurred when a new variant of the influenza virus was transmitted to humans from another animal species, like the most recent 2009 flu pandemic. That one seemed to affect only young people.
All Dr. Ambrose could do was keep the Health Alert Network, Homeland Security, and FEMA alerted to the extent of this ongoing crisis and pray that it could be contained. The CDC was tracking the evolving pandemic and would start the process of developing a vaccine. Time was critical. It would take a minimum of three months to produce the needed vaccine. By then, he feared it might be too late.
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M
ax felt close to Suzy throughout the entire weekend, though he had been observing her, trying to note any deviation from her normal behavior. At times she seemed distracted, but this wasn’t necessarily unusual. Her work could be intrusive, and she often had to answer e-mails and take a few hours on a Saturday to finish up required reports or do some reading. Sometimes she mentioned non-classified work issues she was dealing with, but not often.
Only once had Suzy had complained to Max about the lab director, Dr. Adams. He was a demanding, egotistical personality type. Even though she was assistant director of Edgewood Labs, there had been difficulties. Max quizzed her playfully, but was inwardly jealous. Apparently the man was a skirt chaser, and Suzy had been his target at one time. She eventually caught on, but Max could tell it bothered Suzy, deep down, that Adams had deceived her. Although implied, she didn’t really say she had cared for him, but Max knew something significant had happened between them. She had alluded to the fact that they had been in a relationship, or at least, Suzy had felt they were in a relationship, but she was let down when she realized that she was just another of his conquests. She never admitted any of this to Max, but he sensed what went down. He wanted to punch the guy out and would have to resist doing so if they ever crossed paths.
It had been difficult for Max not to broach the topic that weighed heavily on him. He wanted to say, “Baby, tell me everything and let me help you,” but he couldn’t. Not yet. He wanted no harm to come to her or her family, and he felt he had a little more time. He knew the risks were high, but he wanted to assist in the capture of those who were behind the threats. He had to trust Greg and not let Suzy become aware of what he had been told. He didn’t know what they wanted her to do, but he was concerned.
They shared a lingering good-bye kiss that Monday evening, and Suzy embraced him so very tightly, not wanting him to leave. He responded, holding her close to him, as close as possible, feeling her love and passion all mixed together.
“I’ll call you when I get home,” he said, and pulled away, though he did not want to leave.
She was quiet, just smiled at him, and said, “You know I love you, right?”