Dead Love (8 page)

Thoughts were racing as Dave considered what he had just heard. At this point, they knew nothing.

“Call me when you get lab results.”

“Will do,” said Edwards, and he hung up.

Chris asked, “What is it, Dave?” He explained, and they discussed possible scenarios.

Dave grabbed the remote off the desk and turned on the TV, sitting on the console on the opposite side of the room. He found the local news channel, which was reporting the latest on the subway shutdown. There had been no further developments, but one eyewitness at the scene saw someone being carried out of the subway station where a suspicious object was rumored to have been found. No press releases or statements were being made at this time. Mayor Donnelly had urged all New Yorkers to remain calm since nothing of significance had been discovered. Traffic was slow but not impossible, since buses and taxis were available. The Mayor requested that everyone remain at home, if possible, to ease the traffic flow in case emergency vehicles needed roadway access.

Dave said, “Check with the nurses’ stations and get an update. It could get ugly very fast.”

Chris called the nurses’ station in the ER.

“Hi, Connie, how is it out there?” asked Chris, trying to keep a lighthearted tone.

“Things are going pretty well, but we could be bombarded with more patients at any moment. It is an unpredictable situation.”

“Call me if you need some help,” responded Chris. “I’ll check on the nurses’ lounge and make certain we have food supplies and coffee.”

Connie was glad Chris and Dr. Grant were still in the hospital.

Chris gave Dave a warm kiss, touching his face gently, and said, “I better check on supplies, then freshen up a bit.”

There was a shower room with lockers next to the nurses’ lounge. Fresh scrubs were available, and the nurses had learned to keep extra clothing and personal items at the hospital, in case they had to work double shifts or had gotten soiled handling ill patients.

After starting the coffee, Chris took a shower, dressed in fresh pink scrubs, and ran a comb through her hair. After a touch of coral lipstick and some blush, she looked presentable and headed out to the nursing station. Triage was starting to get busy, and in a few minutes, several ambulances would be arriving with four patients, all with severe flu-like symptoms. Chris called Dave and gave him the information, and he rallied himself for what was ahead.

Dave called Frank, in isolation, and asked about the lab results.

“It looks bad, Dave. Never saw this before, but it’s possible that it could be some kind of virus, to act so fast. We are double-checking the results. We sent samples to the lab that the CDC maintains at the pharmaceutical research facility in north Jersey. They are working to get a firm identification. As soon as they have anything, they will call us. The FBI lab at Quantico is working on the ID as well.”

Dave said, “You stay in the isolation unit. I assume you are wearing protective clothing, mask, etc. You have nursing staff with you, correct?

Frank replied, “Three nurses, all fully covered.”

“Stay there. No one leaves or enters, and if you need something, we will run it in for you through the locked safe decontamination area.”

“Fine with me, so far. We are keeping them stable, hydrated, and are all being treated with the standard anti-viral medications and antibiotics, but one of the older men has some shaky vital signs.”

Dave hated to tell him but continued, “Frank, we have four more heading in with the same symptoms. They will be coming your way. I’ll get you an extra nurse when I can. We need to send any further patients with these symptoms to another facility, perhaps Edgewood Medical Facility. We can’t risk our staff and other patients if this is some virulent strain or bacterial attack of some kind.”

“What the fuck are you saying, Dave?” Frank asked.

Dave’s voice tightened. “You know exactly what I am saying, Frank. This could turn into a CF, big time,” and he hung up.

Dave began dialing the hospital administrator, Jim Lucas, and explained the status. “The CDC has lab samples. Maybe you should call the CDC director. The FBI must be notified, as well. We should divert any further patients with these symptoms to Edgewood Medical Facility and possibly transfer the current patients, soon to be seven, to Edgewood, as well. Call them and explain what we have going on. Got it.?” Dave wasted no words.

“What about the Mayor?” asked Jim.

Dave barked, “I don’t give a shit about the Mayor. He is last on my list. Let’s get these patients out of here, fucking Stat!”

Dave wondered how many had been infected already.

.

24

S
ince they had met in January, every weekend was filled, day and night, with Max. During the week, they were in daily contact. They couldn’t get enough of each other. They sometimes had dinner out or would order in. Suzy would prepare special dinners for Max, and they would cook, laugh, and sip wine, savoring each moment they shared. They loved spending each night together, naked.

Some Saturday nights, they would dine out, each choosing a favorite restaurant to surprise the other. One particular weekend in the spring, Max took her to the hotel in Baltimore where they had first met. He had reserved the same suite where they had spent their first night, and he had arranged for a special candlelit dinner to be served by the balcony, overlooking the Inner Harbor. Suzy was surprised when they walked into the hotel and he escorted her to the elevator.

“Max, I thought we were having dinner here,” queried Suzy.

“We are, baby.” And he smiled at her. Her beauty continued to amaze him, as he studied her upturned face, realizing she was delightfully surprised.

“Max, how lovely this will be. Thank you.” She spoke softly.

Max was already excited, just being near her. Both were impatient to get to the suite and enjoy the memories of the night they had met, and make more and more memories.

After entering the beautiful and familiar suite, he took her light wrap and hung it in the closet. She was wearing a stunning sleeveless turquoise blue cocktail dress, with a low-cut V-neck that was angled off center. It was just low enough that he could see the slight mound of one of her breasts. She was erotic and sensual, with a flair for dressing perfectly to showcase her exotic beauty. She wore little jewelry, only the diamond drop earrings. He loved watching her walk to the bar, the form-fitting dress hugging her rounded hips, heightening his desire.

An hors d’oeuvres tray was on the bar, next to the chilled champagne. Max poured the sparkling liquid into their glasses, and they sipped slowly, sampling the delicious caviar and the assorted canapés. They talked about their week, with Max saying he had been assigned a difficult project, but it was going well. Suzy said her lab had been busy, but neither could go into much detail. Discretion was required when discussing their work.

Suzy asked, “When will dinner be served?”

Max said, “We will order when we are ready. I thought you might like to look at the menu.”

She knew his thoughts. She set her wine glass down, touched his hand, and gently guided him to the softly lit living room. She pulled him down next to her on the plush sofa, and they began kissing, deep tongue kisses, ravenous kisses, his arms enveloping her. She was hungry for him, her desire and need equal to his. He leaned her backward, sliding his warm strong hand under her dress, feeling her thigh, his hand finding her opening, covered with silk. He slid her panties aside and touched her. She moaned, his lips on hers, their wet kisses full of longing, and she began moving against his fingers. They stopped just long enough for him to remove her dress and panties, and then he started kissing her breasts, so exquisite and her taste was thrilling. She was ready for him instantly, and he took his clothes off, put his knee between her legs, spreading them, opening her body for him alone. She was touching his hardness, meant only for her, and after touching him, holding him close to her body, rubbing him against her wet opening, she guided him into her, his cock filling her.

She wrapped her legs around him, her stiletto heels still on, pulling him deeper into her. His touch, their kisses, their longing, his body completing hers, they made love passionately, moving rhythmically against each other, heart to heart, saying love words, and they both came forcefully, in a huge burst of emotion. His fierce possession of her body was complete. She gave herself fully to him, and he to her, in all ways. Their lovemaking was so powerful, enough seemed never enough.

“I love you, Suzy, and I will always love you,” he said, from the depths of his heart and soul.

The tear droplets fell from her eyes. He was still on top of her, kissing her, his arms enveloping her.

“Max, my darling Max, I love you so.”

.

25

M
ax was nestled against Suzy’s back, both still naked. He awoke slowly, lightly kissing her shoulders. She stirred, moving back against him, to get closer to his warmth. His body encompassed hers, and she loved the feeling. He loved her small proportions and the feel of her beautiful body against his. He couldn’t stop his desire, and she didn’t want him to stop. They began to make love, his lips on the back of her neck, his hands on her breasts, as he moved in and out of her slowly, never wanting to stop. It was as though nothing existed in the world but them. She gasped, and he felt her body respond to his, and he came into her, both feeling they were in a dream, the rare moments, their rare magic. They savored each other, falling asleep wrapped tightly together.

A few hours later, Max drove Suzy home, pulling his Mercedes into Suzy’s driveway, using the opener that Suzy had given him to raise the garage doors. He parked in the space next to her Lexus. He was comfortable in her world. It had been a beautiful night, and both were glad they had all day Sunday to be together. It was a warm spring day, and they planned on taking a swim in the heated outdoor pool after lunch. Both loved being active and exercising together. Fitness was part of his training, and Suzy had always been disciplined to exercise. It helped keep the gremlins at bay.

Suzy had to shower, change clothes, and do a few obligatory household chores for a short while. She had started coffee before going upstairs. They had stopped for fresh bagels and cream cheese on their way back from the Inner Harbor, and she had oranges for making fresh juice.

Max called to Suzy upstairs, “I need to make a few calls and check my email, Suzy.”

Suzy replied, “Sure, Max, use my office.”

Max entered the small office off the living room and sat in the plush leather chair behind Suzy’s uniquely designed desk. It was made of teak, a Chinese antique and family heirloom. The burgundy Oriental rug covering the hardwood floor, along with the ornate burgundy and green silk lined curtains, added warmth to the décor of the room.

Max began looking for some notepaper and a pen. The center desk drawer seemed stuck, and then realizing it was locked, he searched for a key. It was taped under the bronze desk lamp, as he expected. He smiled. He found a note pad and several pens in a special partition in the front of the drawer. That was all he needed. Then he saw the .38 S&W. He picked it up, opened the cylinder, and saw the Hornady hollow points. He placed it carefully back where he found it. Nice little bauble. My girl is full of surprises, he smiled. He noticed the manila envelope, unmarked, and the two photos. He stared at both, seemingly of the same girl. What a beautiful but very young Chinese girl who looked like a teenage version of Suzy. They were old black-and-white photographs. Maybe it was Suzy. He looked in the envelope. The message was cryptic, typewritten, and contained only five lines:

4.7: D-Day.

10 mil. 842-66895. D + 1.

+ L
Failure unacceptable.

The Organization.

Max noticed the copier on the credenza. He made copies of the note and photographs, then placed the originals back in the drawer, and stuck the folded copies in his pocket.

.

26

M
ike had called the doorman to retrieve his car from the garage. He grabbed his small suitcase, in case he had to spend the night. He knew the drive to Johns Hopkins would take at least three hours plus, on a good day, but he wanted to take the car so he could bring Maggie home comfortably. She could recover from this flu bug at home. It seemed the most practical thing to do.

He threw the bag in the backseat of their Audi and tipped Arnie, the doorman. He mentioned he might be away overnight and to watch for the boys and Annie to get home from school.

Arnie got along great with all of the residents, but he felt close to the Ryans and did many favors for them. He had been doorman at their building for a long time and was well-liked by everyone in the building. Arnie had Mike’s cell phone number in case of emergency.

“Is there further news about the subway problem, Arnie?” asked Mike.

“No, Mr. Ryan, but I see lots of traffic and emergency vehicles going by and what looks like yellow police tape around the subway entrance. You might want to turn left and go around the block to avoid that area,” he answered.

“Yes, you’re right.” Mike could see the congestion and some activity surrounding the entrance just a short distance down the street.

Arnie continued, “I thought I saw an ambulance’s flashing lights down there, not too long ago, but I don’t know what that was all about.”

“Crap,” thought Mike, that doesn’t sound good.

“Thanks, Arnie. I’ll let you know what is going on. Wish me luck.” He waved at Arnie as he pulled out into traffic.

Mike had the hospital address and programmed it into the GPS. The directions were simple, but he wanted to take the quickest route possible. He turned on the car radio, hoping to hear of any further news of the subway closing. Mike followed the doorman’s advice and turned left at the next intersection. Traffic was heavy, as always, but this area was tight. He realized he had a very long drive ahead, but he had to get to Maggie.