“He and Dr. Heberling would be—I think your word is lynched—if the public got ahold of them,” added Dr. Fakkry.
“I guess Ralph will also be sentenced,” Marissa said slowly. She was still trying to come to terms with the fact that the man she considered a protector had tried to kill her.
“He was one of the first to cooperate with the prosecution. He’ll get some breaks, but I doubt he’ll be released for a long time. Aside from his connection with PAC, he is directly linked to the attacks on you.”
“I know,” Marissa sighed. “So it’s really over.”
“Thanks to your persistence,” said Dubchek. “And the outbreak in New York is definitely under control.”
“Thank God,” she said.
“So when will you be coming back to the CDC?” asked Dubchek. “We’ve already gotten you clearance for the maximum containment lab.” This time there was no doubt about his grin. “No one relished the thought of your stumbling around in there at night anymore.”
Marissa blushed in spite of herself. “I haven’t decided yet. I’m actually considering going back into pediatrics.”
“Back to Boston?” Dubchek’s face fell.
“It will be a loss to the field,” said Dr. Fakkry. “You’ve become an international epidemiological hero.”
“I’ll give it more thought,” promised Marissa. “But even if I do go back to pediatrics, I’m planning to stay in Atlanta.” She nuzzled her new puppy. There was a pause, then she added, “But I’ve one request.”
“If we can be of any help . . .” said Dr. Fakkry.
Marissa shook her head. “Only Cyrill can help on this one. Whether I go back to pediatrics or not, I was hoping he’d ask me to dinner again.”
Dubchek was taken off guard. Then, laughing at Fakkry’s bemused expression, he leaned over and hugged Marissa to his side.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s Imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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Robin Cook, Outbreak
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