'Colonel Hedgeworth is out of the office, sir. Would you care to speak with Major Dunlap?'
'That would be fine.'
'Please hold.'
Halfa dozen beats, then another drawling voice. Male baritone: 'Major Dunlap.'
'Major, this is Dr. Alex Delaware, from L.A.' I repeated my credentials.
'Uh-huh. What can I do for you, Doctor?'
'We've been doing some pilot research-contagion patterns of viral epidemics, influenza and pneumonia, specifically-in relatively closed environments such as prisons, private schools, and military bases.
Contrasting it with control groups in the general population.'
'Epidemiological research?'
'We're working out of the Pediatrics department. Still in the process of assembling a preliminary data base, and Fort Jackson came up as a possible target site.'
'Uh-huh,' he said. Long pause. 'Have you got a research grant on this?'
'Not yet, just some preliminary seed money. Whether or not we apply for full funding depends on how the data base shapes up. If we do write a proposal it would be as a collaborative effort-the target sites, plus us. We'd carry all the overhead, would just need access to facts and figures.'
He chuckled. 'We give you our stats and you put our names on any papers you write?'
'That would be part of it, but we'd always be open to scientific input.'
'What med school was that?'
I told him.
'Uh-huh.' Another laugh. 'Well, I guess that would be pretty attractive, if I still cared about that kind of thing. But yeah, sure, I guess you can put our names down, for the time beingconditionally, no commitment. Got to check it with Colonel Hedgeworth, though, before I finalize anything.'
'When will he be back?'
He laughed again. 'She'll be back in a couple of days. Give me your number.'
I gave him my home exchange, saying, 'That's a private line, easier to reach.'
And what was your name?'
'Delaware.'
'Like in the state?'
'Exactly.'
And you're with Pediatrics?'
'Yes,' I said. Technically true, but I hoped he wouldn't delve too deeply and find out I had a clinical appointment but hadn't lectured in years.
'Fine,' he said. 'Get back to you soon as I can. If you don't hear from me in, say, a week-call back.'
'Will do, Major. Thanks.'
'No problem.'
'In the meantime, though, if you could give me one bit of information, I'd appreciate it.'
'What's that?'
