FULL CIRCLE

Chapter 8

After seeing to the patients, Miles joined Eva in the room set aside for their use. They had been working for about an hour when Eva announced, "I'm hungry."

"Probably because it's past supper time," Miles commented, not looking up from the chart he was studying.

"Okay. I have several ideas of what we can do. We could always raid the kitchen for something that sounds good," Eva suggested.

Miles shook his head without looking up.

"Well, so much for plan A. We could order out for pizza. And I'll even let you have your veggie half." Another shake of the head. "Okay, last and final option. I go get us a couple of sandwiches at the Subway I saw. It's either that or you think of something," she told him.

"Subway it is," Miles said.

"What do you want?" Eva asked, picking up her purse.

"A six inch vegetable sub."

"Did I even have to ask? You want mayo on that?" she asked.

"Mayo's fine," Miles replied, his attention back to the chart

. "All right. I won't be long," Eva said, heading for the door.

"After a few minutes, Miles closed the chart and stretched, starting to feel the effects of jetlag and the time difference. So far he'd came across nothing he hadn't expected to see. No clue as to how the initial infection began. Not even a clear decision as to who the first patient had been.

Twenty minutes later Eva entered the room, her hands full. "One six inch vegetable sub for you and one roast beef for me. I also got chips and sodas," she announced. "I thought you were ready for some caffeine."

"Thanks," Miles said, pushing aside the chart he was studying and reaching to take the sandwich offered.

"Getting anywhere?" she asked.

"Nothing yet. All the patients exhibited the exact same set of symptoms, in addition to the ones from their various ailments," Miles replied. He gestured to his laptop. "I'm keeping a file in there for easy access."

"Well, I'm going to eat right now," Eva decided, sitting back to enjoy her meal.

Miles had started on his own sandwich when he heard a soft thump as Kritter jumped up on the table, inviting herself in through the open door. "What the?" he said startled, trying to protect both sandwich and soda from the inquisitive cat. "Eva, can you get it before it spills something?"

"I'll try," she replied. "Nice kitty."

Kritter, having taking an interest in what Eva was eating, now had her tail in Miles' face. "Shoo. Get away," he said and sneezed several times.

Eva grabbed a tissue with her free hand and gave it to him. "I didn't know you were allergic to cats."

"I'm not. At least I don't think I am. But then I've never had one stick its tail in my face before." He wiped his nose with the tissue.

"Come on kitty," Eva said, luring Kritter to the floor with bits of roast beef. She picked her up and dropped her unceremoniously outside the door. "Go mooch off somebody off else."

"And keep the door closed," Miles added, returning to his meal.

"Kritter's such a good name for that cat. She's such a pesky critter," Eva commented, sitting down beside him.