Chapter 70
The next day at N.I.H. Miles was going over the journals and other items in his inbox when his pager sounded. The ID showed it was from Stephen. Laying aside the journal he'd been engrossed in reading, he got to his feet wondering when Stephen wanted to see him
as the page wasn't the usual '555' he received.
Stephen laid aside the file on the latest out break and stared at the door. Before he called in the rest of the team, he wanted toget an idea how the younger doctor was doing physically. It had
been less than a week since his head injury and symptoms could still manifest themselves. If he wasn't up to the case, it would be better to find out now.
Miles knocked lightly on Stephen's door and after a moment stuck his head in. "You wanted to see me, Connor?" he asked.
"Yes, I did, Miles. Take a seat," Stephen answered, indicating the chair across from the desk. "A case just came in and I wanted to talk to you before I summoned the rest of the team."
"What about?" Miles asked.
"It's been less than a week since you were injured and I need to know how you're doing," Stephen said in reply.
"I'm okay. Glad to be home. Besides if I wasn't feeling okay, Natalie would make sure I stayed at home," Miles answered.
Stephen thought for a moment and said, "I'll take your word for it. But if you feel any of the symptoms returning, tell Natalie or myself. We'll manage someway without your help."
"Don't worry, Connor. I'm fine," Miles stated. "Anything else?"
"That's all I wanted to talk to you about. I'll call in the rest of the team." He watched Miles get to his feet and head for the door before beginning to dial pager numbers.
Once the team was assembled in the conference room, Stephen showed the US map on the screen and said, "A small town, Montrose, Missouri has been experience a severe and unexplained outbreak of severe flu like and respiratory illness."
Miles pulled out a notepad and pen as he asked, "What are the symptoms?"
"Generally severe respiratory distress with full lung involvement, fever spikes of 103 and above. Onset of symptoms is approximately three-four days after exposure and progression to death at lest four days later. So far about a dozen people have come down with it with five fatalities," Stephen replied.
"When do we leave?" Natalie asked.
"Two hours. The closest medical facility is in a small town seven miles away. It probably doesn't have the most up to date lab equipment so be sure and pack what you might need," he answered. He watched them get to their feet and head for the door.
Natalie caught up to Miles and commented, "Well, back to work," before they headed off in different directions.