The Vice President held his hand out, offering to help Andre to his feet. “I’m sorry, doc. I had to.” He was still laughing as Andre pushed his hand away and came slowly to his feet.
“That wasn’t funny,” Carol berated as she knelt next to him, pulling him from the floor. “If you had any idea what we’ve been through…”
“I really am sorry,” Harrison repeated as he wiped the tears from his face. “I was just commenting to Jim how it…” He stood upright and sighed. “I guess it sounded funnier in my head.”
“There, there now doctor,” President Walters softly chided. “It’s all in jest. Bill has always been a bit of a practical joker.”
“Excuse me if I don’t see eye to eye with his humor,” Andre mumbled as he swiped dirt from his lab coat. He stood and rubbed at his shoulder. “I’m glad that you’re feeling better.” He gazed towards Carol then turned back to the men. “If you’ll excuse us, we have a lot of work to do.”
“Dr. Broussard,” President Walters began, stepping closer and draping an arm over the man’s shoulders. “I can’t tell you how much we appreciate your efforts.”
Andre opened his mouth to explain how he understood that they had little choice in the matter. Instead, he opted for diplomacy. “We look forward to continuing the same quality service in Colorado.”
“About that…” Walters lowered his voice and turned away from the other two men who took the cue to step away. “We are working on a little project near Omaha. We’re actually going to be moving a lot of civilians into the military housing at an Air Force base there.”
“I think I may have heard rumors of such a project.”
Walters raised his brows. “Really?” He glanced back at General Green and shook his head. “So much for secrecy,” he mumbled. He turned back to Andre. “We’d really like it if you and your people joined us out there.”
Andre stiffened slightly and let his breath out slowly. “Sir, with all due respect, it would take us much more time to convert a usable space for the work we do…it would be so much more expedient to clean up Fort Collins and go to work right away.”
The president seemed to pause for a moment then slowly shook his head. “The biggest problem for us will be logistics. Fort Collins is just so far away.”
Andre smiled. “We’ll establish radio communications, sir. And I’m told that we’ll even have our own military presence to help maintain the power and provide security.” He gave the man a patronizing smile. “I’m sure we’ll be just fine there.”
“I really think—”
“Excuse me, sir?” Carol interrupted. “If I may be so bold…”
“Carol,” Andre cautioned.
She held a hand up to stop him. “We’d rather work in Colorado. AWAY from everyday distractions.” She gave him her best disarming smile. “And if you consider the lethality of some of the things maintained by the CDC, you’d want minimal exposure to civilians. Especially after the devastating effects of this virus. Humanity might not withstand another exposure to something else.”
He studied her for a long moment then slowly nodded. “Perhaps you’re right.” He patted Broussard’s shoulder. “We’ll make sure that you have everything you need there.”
“Thank you, Mister President,” Andre replied. As Walters stepped away he pulled Carol closer to him. “What was that all about?”
She gave him a reassuring smile. “My father was overbearing like him. I learned a long time ago how to deal with people like that. They have to think that everything is in their own best interests.” She patted his chest as she turned to leave. “No need to thank me.”
Veronica watched Lana from the corner of her eye as she rifled through her bag. She brought out her penlight and flashed it across the other’s eyes. “Proper pupillary response.” She leaned back and sighed. “Blood pressure is normal, her color is returning, heart rate and respiration all seem good.” She hung her stethoscope across the back of her neck and gave Simon a shrug. “She seems healthy as a horse.”
“A bald horse,” Lana muttered, running her hand over her head.
“Your follicles are regenerating,” Veronica stated. “You’ll have a full head of hair in no time.”
“So…nothing?” Simon asked, hoping for an answer.
“Not that I can see.” Veronica crossed her arms and studied Lana. “Do you remember any of the things that he told me?”
She nodded sadly. “Unfortunately, all of it.” She looked up at Veronica, her eyes reddening. “I’m so sorry.”
Vee refused to acknowledge the apology. “I can’t see anything obvious that could cause such a dissociative split.” She gave Simon a tight lipped smile. “Unfortunately, I’m not well-versed in psychiatric medicine.”
“Great,” Lana moaned. “I’m crazy.”
“Nobody said you were crazy,” Veronica said, “but this might be a side effect of being infected.” She shrugged slowly. “Or a side effect from whatever the cure was that snapped you out of it.”
“So, it could be like dropping acid?” Simon asked.
Vee raised a brow. “Like a flashback?”
“Yeah, I’ve heard from people who used to drop acid that remnants are stored in the fat or something. If that fat is ever metabolized, then it’s back in their system and they trip balls all over again.” He gave her a knowing look. “Without warning.”
Veronica nodded. “I suppose it could be.” Her brows wrinkled as she thought. “I suppose, if the infection was viral that…” She shrugged. “What good is the supposition if I have no treatment?”
“You’re saying I just have to live with it?” Lana asked.
“I’m saying I’m not even sure the cause, so there’s no way to treat it. That is, if it even could be treated.” She sighed and pulled her stethoscope off. “I suppose your best course of action would be to notify Simon or myself if you feel these…changes coming on again.”
“That’s just it, Vee. I didn’t know what was happening until I questioned myself, and then I realized I had no control.”
“Explain that.”
Lana
