FULL CIRCLE
Chapter 13
After leaving Bay View Eva headed for San Francisco Community Hospital. That was where the nursing home staff was being treated. Flashing her N.I.H. credentials, she was soon escorted to the lab where Natalie was once again hard at work. "How's it coming along?" she asked, looking over the doctor's shoulder.
"I'm still waiting on some blood cultures. But everything I've tested for comes up negative," Natalie replied.
"In other words, nothing," Eva commented.
"You could say that. But if it can be identified, I'll eventuall find it," Natalie stated turning to face her.
"Where's Connor this morning?" Eva asked after a moment.
"He and Frank headed over to the nursing home to collect samples and talk to Miles."
"I guess I just missed them then. I talked to Miles already. He didn't get any new patients but was up since 2:00am taking care of a resident who died," Eva told her.
"That means he probably only got three hours sleep. Not enough. I'll call Connor and see if he can take over so Miles can take a break for awhile," Natalie decided. "What have you found out?"
"The only thing I can see in common with the all the patients is that they either worked at or were residents of Bay View. Different people they know, different places they frequent. They all had to have been infected at the same place and it had to be the nursing home. The residents rarely if ever left the premises," Eva explained.
Natalie picked up her phone and quickly dialed the number for Stephen's cell phone.
Stephen and Frank had just arrived at Bay View when Stephen's cell phone rang. "Dr. Connor."
"Connor, I just spoke to Eva. She said Miles was up most of the night with one of the residents and didn't get much sleep. Do you think you can give him a break for awhile so he can rest?" Natalie asked.
"Let me talk to him first and see what he says," Stephen replied.
Frank looked over and asked, "What was that all about?"
"Natalie was saying that Miles didn't get much sleep last night. You collect the samples and head back to the lab. I'll take over here so he can get some rest," Stephen replied, closing the phone.
Inside the nursing home, they stopped at the front desk and Stephen asked the woman on duty there. "I'm looking for Dr. McCabe. Can you tell me where he's at?"
Mrs. Landon looked up and pointed to the elevator. "I believe he's on the second floor where we've got all the sick residents quarantined."
"Thanks," Stephen said as he and Frank made for the elevator.