CHAPTER THREE

Arthur had seen Brain recently, just as Brain had seen Arthur, but neither of them had seen each other in person. Technology allowed them to talk online in a way that made in-person meetups almost implausible. Both of them were working men, and that was why Arthur needed him now, why he demanded an in-person appearance at his office. He'd added that Kate would be with him, a request Brain almost refused. He wanted to see Kate, yes, and catch up with one of the Read sisters he'd watch grow up, but his important profession made him wary of allowing people into his office.

Kate knew exactly who they were going to see as soon as she saw the building, and she knew by the awkward way her brother and his childhood friend stood to greet each other that this was far deeper than she once realized.

She knew that Brain was a part of Elwood City University by the building, which was named after someone Kate didn't know. But she did recognize the department name—STATISTICS. Brain was a doctor of mathematics (and he had numerous other degrees too, but most of them were in either math or science), and he was one step away from being the head of the department.

Kate knew statistics thanks to school, so she realized right away why they were here. Brain must deal with census information for the department, or at least he had access to very detailed census information, which would allow him to know just about anything about anyone who was documented by the government. Hospital information was extra, but seeing that the university's medical departments had a good bit of Elwood City General Hospital under their control, it wasn't much of a leap to assume they knew just about everything that went on there, not necessarily by person but by ailment.

Brain cleared his throat to break the awkward silence, "Well, you told me your sister noticed a pattern that you wanted me to look into. Kate, why don't you and I discuss the matter in here?" he questioned, gesturing to a nice office filled with mathy knick-knacks—posters by Esher, the bouncing balls, and several geometric figures, alone and in puzzles, lined the room. Kate stepped in first and studied them while Brain settled behind his desk. Arthur, who knew every bit of the office thanks to his online chats, stood in the corner to listen.

"When my mom had her stroke, I began to think about all the people who have had strokes lately, so I started an Excel sheet using a starter data workbook I found online," Kate explained, pulling out her tablet and passing it to Brain, "I made a list of everyone I found online to add up for this year's total, but there's a spike, and I feel like it's one of those spikes that shouldn't happen. Arthur suggested Baby Boomers because they're one of the largest populations and they're old, but look at the young people on that list."

"Yes, yes," Brain nodded, "and I'm afraid I have several more to add to this. Some people moved away, but Arthur and I keep in touch online with several classmates. George, in Nevada, married a girl who moved to Elwood City High School during our junior year. She has had a stroke after childbirth, which is typical and minor compared to the others. Maria's fiancé, who was a year below us in school at ECHS had one of these debilitating strokes just a few months ago. He's still in a vegetative state in a nursing home in Maine."

Arthur stepped forward, "How widespread is this among our age group?" he questioned.

Brain raised an eyebrow, "Among our age group? Not as many as the thirty-somethings, the people who would be considered part of Catherine's generation, plus those in the next. Baby Boomers are included as well, but many of theirs are the standard age-related strokes, many of which are minor and are cured by typical methods. What Kate has noticed, and what I too have been studying for the last four months or so, are the sudden debilitating strokes, the ones that hit on the left side and are too intrusive to treat, even with advancements."

Kate's eyes lit up despite the tragedies this meant, "But what could cause such a thing?" she asked, turning to Arthur and saying excitedly, "I told you I was onto something!"

"It was Dad who wasn't convinced. I believed you as soon as you showed me that document," Arthur said, looking up to Brain, "So, theories?" he asked.

"I've asked a group of graduate students in my population studies class to do detailed journals on every single victim, all of them. You and your father will need to speak with one about your mother. I've been meaning to call you, but they're happening at an increased rate. I've actually considered calling the CDC or at least a larger university," Brain said with a worried look.

Arthur sank onto the other chair in the office, "The Center of Disease Control? You want to call them because you think this could be an epidemic?"

"One like we've never seen before," Brain nodded, "but different colleagues and the students themselves have a different theory. Everyone working with the situation has different ideas, and many seem quite valid. One student noticed many of her victims were active or mostly active, as one had recently stopped exercising to have a knee replacement surgery to make running easier. According to his physicians, he'll do good to blink on his own again."

"Active adults," Arthur nodded as Kate pulled out her phone and began taking notes.

But Brain interrupted them, "Not just adults. Some teens have had the strokes, a few children too. The children were from elsewhere, but we've had a few teens. Kate, I believe you knew Mei-Lin as well."

Kate nodded sadly, "Yes, and I've thought of talking with her parents, but I didn't want to intrude. This is really hard on them, and Binky too. I don't want to get in their way or—"

"I think I have a way for you to be included without being fully intrusive. They've given one of our students permission to search their house, as well as interview them about Mei-Lin's habits. You can go along and help with the process, and I can see about getting you credit for school to join our project," Brain smiled, his smile quickly fading as he adding, "but I fear this will grow far larger in coming days. A colleague has called some university contacts of his, two in California and three or four sprinkled around the South and Midwest. He's waiting to get the numbers back, but judging by their tones—"

"This is nationwide. I'm okay with that, I really am. I mean, I thought about going into law enforcement, but this is just as exhilarating and just as…justice," she stammered, looking up to Arthur, "You'll convince Dad to let me do it?" she asked.

"Of course," Arthur nodded, "and I'll get DW to help, but I think he'll be okay with it. But we have to tell him what we know. I think he's already picking up on it. He sent me this text earlier today," Arthur said, handing Kate his phone after finding the text.

Kate was floored, and Arthur's face paled again as Kate passed the phone to Brain. He too blanched as they all realized that another person had been effected, a person they loved dearly—Mr. Ratburn.