Hank nodded and slowed the truck, turning the direction the man pointed. “Sweet. Not too far off the beaten path, either. We’ll grab the stuff and may even get to the lumber yard before the other truck is loaded.”
“I’ll help you look for it,” he said. “Between the two of us, we’ll be in and out in no time.”
Hank smiled broadly. “Something tells me this is going to be a hell of a day.”
7
Roger cracked his eyes opened and blinked at Candy. “This must be heaven.” His voice cracked when he spoke and he gave her a weak smile. “I see an angel.”
Candy practically sobbed and squeezed his hand. “You’re so full of shit.” She kissed his knuckles and fought back tears. “I was so worried.”
“Was that an arrow?” Roger tried to sit up and instantly regretted the move.
“Yes.” Candy stood and adjusted the bed for him. “It missed your heart by a fraction of an inch.” She sat down forcefully and felt exhaustion seep into her bones as quickly as relief had flashed through her muscles. “Vicky said you lost a lot of blood.”
“I hope she topped me off with the premium stuff.” He flashed another weak smile.
“There are a few O-negatives that donated to the cause.”
Roger closed his eyes and nodded, his mind pushing blood-borne pathogens from his thoughts. “Tell them thanks for me.” He inhaled deeply and almost immediately slipped back into sleep.
Candy patted his hand then slowly stood. She knocked on Vicky’s door and regretted it almost immediately. Vicky’s head popped up from her desk, a paperclip clinging to her cheek. “What?” Her head snapped around as her eyes tried to focus.
“I’m sorry I woke you.” Candy stepped inside and gave her a brilliant smile. “He came to for a moment.” She could feel her hands trembling as she spoke. “He sounded good, but…”
“He needs his rest.” Vicky stood and felt her legs refuse to cooperate. Her right foot was asleep and rather than walk around to embrace Candy, she sat on the edge of the desk and tried to appear more alert than she felt. “The more sleep he gets now, the better his chances of making a full recovery.”
Candy nodded and stepped closer. “Thank you.” She wrapped her arms around Vicky’s neck and hugged her. “I know that surgery isn’t your thing, but thank you. He’d have never made it if you hadn’t—” her voice caught in her throat as she tried to speak.
“It’s okay.” Vic patted her arm. “Trust me, I understand completely.”
Candy nodded, trying to keep her emotions in check. “It must be this pregnancy that’s got me so worked up.”
Vicky gave her a knowing smile. “I’m sure that plays a small part.” She watched as Candy stepped back out of the office then slowly came to her feet. She stared longingly at her couch then decided she had better check on her other patients. She picked up her clipboard and slipped her smock on.
“No rest for the weary.”
“So I won’t be trying to eat my patients?” Miller grinned as he scanned the printout.
“Not unless we run out of food.” Broussard stretched his neck and stifled a yawn. “My mind keeps coming back to the field test.”
“I think you’re wasting your time.” Miller folded the printout and slipped it into his lab coat pocket. “Infected people will be scattered throughout the world. Locating them and trying to field test them?” He shook his head. “I see it as an impossible task.”
Broussard sighed and wiped a hand over his eyes. “Still, it would be nice to know if their behavior was due to—”
“You should stop,” Miller interrupted. “You did the best you could, and by my own estimations, if you save half of the surviving population, then you exceeded expectations.”
Broussard nodded slowly. “I suppose you’re right.” He glanced up at him and gave him a half-smile. “I wonder how many there actually are out there?”
“We can’t know from here.” Miller slipped his lab coat off and draped it over his arm. “That’s why I’ve requested a field trip.”
Broussard snorted. “Your captain won’t allow it.” He turned and gave him a wide smile. “Remember, I’m the one who disappeared on just such an outing.”
“Believe me, I’ve heard all about it.” Miller returned his smile but his seemed a bit more devilish. “That’s why I went over the captain’s head, so to speak.”
Broussard’s interest was suddenly piqued. “How so?”
“With the limited number of survivors out here, doctors are few and far between.” He leaned against the counter and seemed to beam as he spoke. “I went up the chain of command and asked the president’s right-hand man.”
“You what?” Broussard stared at him, his mouth agape.
“Colonel…rather, General Vickers was one of the original military men on the scene when Yellowstone belched this nasty bug out into the open. He has the president’s ear.” He shrugged. “I went to him.”
“And he’s willing to let us go to the mainland?”
“He’s considering it.” Miller’s face suddenly went stoic. “However, he said that if it happens, it will be under armed guard.”
“Of course.” Broussard was willing to accept any terms at this point. “I don’t suppose we could return to the university and at least check on Dr. Chaplain?”
Miller’s face softened slightly. “IF it’s approved, and yes, that’s a big ‘if’ there, then my intention is to retrieve your colleague.” He glanced to the screen displaying Dr. McAlester pacing his cell. “If there’s any chance of helping your other colleague, you’ll need help from people who know a lot more about this than I do.”
Broussard felt a huge weight lift from his shoulders and he secretly crossed his fingers. “I almost wish I were a praying man. I’d certainly request favors from whatever god would listen.”
“I don’t want to get your hopes up, but I think the odds are in our favor.”
“Our? So you would accompany me?”
Miller chuckled, “Of course.” He pushed off the
