CHAPTER TWO
Mac Taylor's team had worked for hours without a break: they had been able to reconstruct the dynamics of the massacre, but they still had no clear idea what had triggered it.
Finally, they all gathered together in Mac's office in order to review the investigation's progress.
"It seems like they were all intoxicated" Stella said to Mac. "Seems that way" Mac said, frowning, checking the report that Stella had brought him.
"Intoxicated" he repeated. "...with almost no ability to judge ... and a suspected viral contamination by unknown agents ..." he read.
"The strange thing is that the victims apparently had pretty wild sexual activity before they died ..." Stella continued, but was interrupted by Lindsay dashing into the room.
"Please help me!" she cried "Danny is sick!".
Exchanging a startled look, Stella and Mac followed Lindsay to where Danny sat with Sheldon standing by him. He seemed perfectly normal, even if his face was dripping with sweat and he was out of breath.
Mac turned a questioning glance to the doctor, before asking the younger man, "Danny, why are you sweating so much?".
"Why?" he shouted aggressively "Why do you think? Because it's too hot in here!" Mac and Stella were shocked, but with her gaze fixing Danny in the eyes, Stella said, "I don't think so, Danny... and don't you think you've overreacted?".
"Okay, okay" Danny said trying to be conciliatory "But that was a really stupid question!".
Sheldon struggled to retain a chuckle.
However Lindsay, Mac and Stella exchanged worried glances.
After a moment of silence, Danny tried to resume the conversation, turning to Mac. "Hey, boss…I was only joking" he told him cheerfully.
Mac stared at him. "Yes... don't worry. It's all right".
After he finished speaking, he walked away with Hawkes, who preventing any questions said quietly "I'll arrange some additional tests on Danny, since he's behaving so strangely".
"Do it, and soon please" replied Mac.
With a nod, Sheldon went back to work.
In the meanwhile, Mac asked Lindsay to follow him outside the lab.
When they were away from the others, Mac asked her, "Has Danny reacted aggressively other times today?".
No ... no" replied Lindsay, with a trembling voice, "He was just upset and said meaningless things...".
Mac clearly felt her anguish.
"Don't worry" he said, taking Lindsay's arm, "We'll find a solution. Everything will be all right".
Lindsay gave him a glance full of hope and returned to Danny.
Not much time had passed since their last conversation, when Hawkes brought him the results of his analysis. Mac and Stella were still checking the reports, trying to fit together all the pieces of what looked like a difficult puzzle.
"What have you found out about Danny?" Mac asked the doctor.
Hawkes sighed.
"According to the tests, he's ok ... he's just very upset and has the symptoms of a high fever, even though he doesn't actually have a fever...".
Mac was silent for a moment: the situation was complicated and he needed to reflect in order to find a solution.
"Sheldon; all those people who died…do you think the virus they had could have contaminated our laboratory too? ".
"I don't know" Hawkes replied.
"According to what I've managed to find out, the reasons for the massacre can be found in madness or in some kind of emotional turmoil" Stella said, "Although I still can't explain why the corpses were found in those conditions".
"And Danny?" asked Mac.
"If I didn't know him, I'd say he was under the influence of drugs" she said, "Or otherwise intoxicated..." she clarified after a moment's pause. "But we found no traces of drugs, alcohol or toxic substances" Sheldon concluded.
There seemed nothing more to say, so Hawkes left to continue his work, Leaving Mac beginning to feel guilty about what was happening.
The crime scene had endangered his companions - his friends, and for once, Mac really had no idea how to find a way through this muddle. What he was thinking was written over all his face and as usual, it was not hard for Stella to guess what he thought.
She gently took his hand.
He glanced up and their eyes met for a moment.
"It's incredible" he said aloud "an entire team of agents who apparently completely lose control have died and now we risk the same fate"
His expression darkened.
"I have to find a solution; I have to find a solution now".
He picked up the phone and left the room, needing to make a call, leaving Stella staring after him.
A little while later, Flack hurried into Mac's office, finding Mac sitting behind his desk, studying the latest analysis performed by Sid and Hawkes.
"Mac" Don said.
He was engrossed in his work so much, he didn't hear.
"Mac!" Flack repeated, louder, touching Mac's arm in order to attract his attention.
Finally, the older man noticed him "Hi, Don" he said "What's happening?"
He noted that although it was cold, Mac had pulled the sleeves of his shirt up to his elbow.
"I don't know" Flack said, bewildered. "A few minutes ago the NSA evacuated everyone in the department except for Adam, Danny, Sid, Lindsay, Stella, Sheldon and us. They've told us no one can enter or get out of here until the situation has been clarified".
"I'm aware of that" replied Mac seriously "I called them …"
"What?" Don shouted furiously "Why you call them?".
If he didn't know Mac as well as he did, he would probably have assaulted him.
Mac stood up. "Calm down and listen to me, Don. It's almost certain the lab was contaminated... If it is, then whatever killed those agents is now a threat to us. Unfortunately, we are the only ones who have handled the contaminated items, therefore we have to remain in quarantine until further notice".
Flack saw that Mac seemed tired and spoke with difficulty.
"I couldn't risk that the contagion was extended... you understand, right? I hadn't any other choice" he said wearily.
Flack looked down. He had to admit that Mac, as usual, had made the right decision.
"Nothing is lost yet" Mac concluded, "Hawkes has identified a viral agent contamination from the blood samples and is working on an antidote"
Flack ran his hand through his hair. "Then let's hope he gets it soon..." Mac was forced to sit, his tiredness even more evident.
"Are you okay?" Flack asked him, noting that his face was beaded with sweat and he was bleary-eyed.
"Yes ..." he stuttered, wiping away the sweat from his forehead, "It's just kind of hot in here...".
"Damn" Flack thought. "Even Mac has been infected ... and I've touched him".
He had to find Stella and tell her immediately.
Thanks to my husband Paolo for translation and to lilymoonlight for her suggestions.