FULL CIRCLE
Chapter 25
Eva and Miles were the last to arrive at the hospital. "What's going on, Connor?" the younger doctor asked as he took a seat at the table, placing his computer in front of him.
Stephen waited until both were seated before announcing, "Natalie has found out what we're dealing with. And you're not going to believe it. But it looks to a variation of the influenza virus that we ran
into in Virginia."
Miles leaned back in his chair. "You're right, I don't believe it. But wasn't that a mutation caused by radiation?" He fell silent, thinking about the not so long ago case in Virginia.
"You're right, that was a mutation. This looks more like it was deliberately engineered, something that a lab would use to study. There were actually samples of the Spanish flu virus retrieved and
various labs are studying them," Natalie clarified.
Stephen shook his head. "This all reminds me about something I readconcerning a similar outbreak in L.A. a couple of months ago. The whole thing was pretty well classified as bioterrism was the
suspected reason," he said and reached for the computer to access the on-line report. "The N.I.H. didn't handle it, another agency did."
"Which one?" Miles asked, moving to look over Stephen's shoulder.
"The CDC I believe was one. A scientist was testing various strengths of the virus on separate buses," Stephen replied.
"And now somebody is trying to repeat the tests here?" Frank asked, his eyes quickly skimming the report.
"Looks like it. Natalie, there were some of the flu strain that responded to specific therapies. Let's see if it'll work in this case too," Stephen said.
"I'm on it," Connor," she said.
"Whatever is going on here, it's very controlled. Nobody would suspect that these people are test subjects. In fact, not much attention was paid until some of the staff got sick. The virus in
L.A. was spread by aerosolized cans. Who would be suspicious of someone using a spray can in a resident's room?" Frank asked.
"I'd better get back to Bay View," Miles said although he was still staring at the computer screen.
"All right. As soon as Natalie comes up with something we can use, I'll get it over to you," Stephen told him. "Maybe we'll get finished up here tomorrow."
"That won't be too soon for me," Miles commented.
"In the past two weeks, it's been one case after another. I don't think any of us have been home two days straight. So we've all earned a little downtime. As soon as we're finished up here, we're
spending an extra day in the city before flying back home," Stephen told the rest of the team.
"That way I can get the girls something," Frank spoke up. "Vanessa is even doing a report on San Francisco so she wants a map and a some souvenirs. That way she'll have the best one in class.
"Come on, Miles. I'll give you a lift," Stephen said.
"Next time can I please have the keys to the car? I am old enough for a driver's license, you know," Miles said in a lame attempt at humor as he retrieved the laptop and followed Stephen.
"Next time," Stephen replied. Once they were out in the car, he turned to Miles. "I thought you might like the time off to visit family or friends since we're here."
"I was going to ask for some time off once this gets wrapped up," Miles admitted. "It has been awhile since I've been home."
"I know Frank wants to get back home to his family and I already have something arranged for the weekend. But I don't see why you, Eva and Natalie can't stay as long as everybody is at work Monday morning," Stephen continued.
"Let me think about it," Miles said. He wasn't all that enthusiastic about seeing his father. But since he was so close, he really should make the effort.
A/N fans of NUMB3RS will recognize the L.A. outbreak Stephen mentions.