“It’s resistant,” Nora murmured.
“Yep. The outer protein shell is incredibly strong and resilient. So far, we haven’t been able to completely breach it.” Lynne set the vials on the counter and pointed to one with a clear, blue liquid. “I’ve tried everything from adding genetic material to adding chemicals to just yelling at the damn stuff.”
Nora smiled. “That’s a pretty blue color.”
“Yes. I bombarded a sample with radiation and damaged its DNA. Well, I altered its DNA, and then I treated it with a combination of zinc and B12 by incorporating a catalyst of titanium oxide,” Lynne said.
Nora hummed. “Interesting. A mineral and vitamin known to deal with brain function. Lynne, that’s brilliant.”
“Only if it works. So far, this just looks pretty. I’m hopeful we’ll figure out something useful in it, and I’m very hopeful with the vitamin B.” Lynne pointed to a dark green vial. “Now this one, this one is scary as hell. Another radiated sample combined with Staph, injected with a cocktail of catalysts, and it could be lethal within minutes.” She stepped closer to a keyboard and brought up a computer simulation. “This is how the green interacts with human tissue.”
She showed the bacterium at a minute level, increasing exponentially and shooting green across healthy cells, creating deadly toxins.
“What the heck?” Zach breathed, stepping closer.
Lynne nodded. “The green multiplies so quickly it could conceivably cause death within minutes.”
Nora stepped back and fogged up her mask. “That rate is crazy. Wow. Bad bacterial alteration. Horrible.”
“Yes. The alteration made the bacteria even deadlier.” Lynne drew in air and turned around, her eyes oddly glowing in the mask. “Who knows what it could do inside the human body.”
A chill skittered down Nora’s back. “Does the military know?”
“Yes.” Lynne leaned closer to whisper. “Once we find a cure, we’ll destroy these altered strains as soon as possible. For now, we need to keep everything we have just in case there’s a clue here to stopping the contagion.”
Nora nodded and gulped. “Good.” She and Deacan had always disagreed about the military role in scientific discovery, and now, more than ever, she could see the chasm between them. “What happens if you combine the green and the blue?”
Lynne’s eyes lit up. “The blue slows the rate but not enough. I think a possible solution lies within some mixture of the two. I knew you’d figure that out right away.”
Nora smiled. “I was the top student at grad school.”
“Second top,” Lynne retorted.
“Whatever. Well, we should probably get to work.” Nora had developed several new possible antibiotics in the last few years and couldn’t wait to give them a shot against Scorpius. “I assume I’m here to incorporate our new studies with nanoparticles and their ability to evade the immune system?”
“Yes.” Lynne pointed to a laptop on a counter. “We’ve had your entire database transferred here.” Beneath the mask, she blushed. “Darn government.”
Nora sighed. “Fair enough. Let’s see if we can get nanoparticles to zero in on Scorpius and its outer shell.”
Lynne tapped her face mask. “Are you still working on wrapping nanoparticles in red blood cell membranes to remove toxins from the body?”
“Yes. If we can neutralize toxins produced by certain bacteria, we have a chance.” Nora rolled her shoulders, accustoming herself to the biohazard suit. “The nanosponges kill the cells by poking holes in them, but each bacteria has a different structure, so I have no clue how it’ll work with Scorpius.”
“There’s only one way to find out.” Zach headed for the far counter. “Let’s kill this sucker.”
They worked through lunch and well into the afternoon, country music playing throughout the lab. In test after test after test, Scorpius won, although Nora’s main experiments with the nanoparticles would take twelve to thirty hours to complete.
There had to be a way to curb the bacteria.
A knock on the glass door made Nora jump. She turned to see Bobbi holding a cardboard box of sandwiches. As if on cue, her stomach growled.
Zach leaned back against the counter and gave Bobbi a half salute. “My hero,” he mouthed.
Nora tried to keep from rolling her eyes. He really was a goofball.
Bobbi twittered and winked at him. “Come and get it,” she mouthed back.
Geez. Enough with the sexual innuendo.
Zach turned to finish up, and a quick clatter startled Nora out of her thoughts. She instantly focused on him.
“Damn it,” Zach muttered, hustling across the lab and ripping off his glove.
Panic heated up Nora’s throat, and she ran toward him. “What happened? Did you puncture?” The idiot had been flirting and not paying attention. God, had he infected himself?
He finished tearing off the glove and shoved his hand under a faucet.
Red welled beneath the knuckle of his left thumb.
Nora scrambled for disinfecting liquid to pour over the wound and glanced toward his station. “What was it?” she breathed.
“Original Scorpius strain. No mutations,” he bit out, rubbing vigorously.
Shit. He’d punctured his own skin. Nora’s gaze met Lynne’s somber one.
Lynne nodded. “Zach? We need to get you to the infirmary. If you infected yourself, the fever will start within an hour.”
Chapter Three
After a full day of monitoring the spread of outbreaks, Deke leaned back in his chair and eyed the president’s chief of staff over the man’s sprawling mahogany desk. They’d shut the doors, and quiet reigned for the briefest of moments inside the West Wing. “What happens now?”
George Ellis rubbed a bruised hand over his bald head. “Nothing for now. We’re covering for the president, and as soon as his fever breaks, everything will be fine.” Almost sixty years old, the stately politician filled out his expertly cut suit like he ran five miles a day, which he did. His eyes were a deep brown, his skin a shade darker, and intelligence all but emanated from him. “The fever has lasted longer with him than with the students, but he’s only fifty-five and in great shape.”
Deke exhaled. “Even so, fifty-five is different from twenty years old, like it or not. He’s older and it’s not unrealistic to believe it’ll take him a little longer to fight off the infection.”
“Don’t tell him that when he’s better.”
“What happened to your hand, sir?” Deke asked quietly.
George winced. “I ducked when I should’ve dodged, practicing with Secret Service agents earlier.”
Deke smiled. “I’m glad you took my advice about additional training.”
George glanced at his hand. “I’m not.” He flexed his fingers and winced. “The president’s fever is at one hundred and four, so I’m thinking it’ll break soon.”
Deke swirled the brandy snifter. “We’re going to scan his brain, right?”
“Yes.” George took a deep swallow of his drink. “If he protests, we have a problem.”
“He won’t.” Deke knew his friend, and he’d want to make sure his brain still functioned normally before continuing to lead the country. Of course, if his brain wasn’t functioning, he might not agree. “How’s Sally?” The president would want to know his daughter was doing better when he awoke.
George shook his head. “Not good. We’re keeping her contained in the residence, and she’s quieted. Is claiming she’s better, but . . .”
Deke lifted an eyebrow. “But?”
“She doesn’t seem right.” George rubbed his chest. “I’ve known that girl since she was two years old, and now there’s a different light in her eye. One I don’t recognize—or like.”
Bloody hell. So much for Sally’s brain kicking back into normal. “We’ll find a cure, I’m sure of it.” Yet nothing was coming close. He’d checked in with Nora through the day, and so far, Scorpius was invincible.
&nbs
p; George nodded. “I know.” His gaze sharpened. “Just in case, I have the vice president under tight security.”
Deke grimaced. “How’s he feeling after the heart attack last month?”
“Not good.” George rubbed his chin. “I’m glad we kept it quiet.”
The government kept a lot quiet, but Deke was okay with that. For now. He lifted an eyebrow. “I hate to sound cold, but who’s third in line? Just in case? Is it you?”
George’s eyes widened. “Hell, no. How can you not know the order of succession?”
Deke shrugged. “Don’t really give a damn until it matters to my job.”
George shook his head. “Third in line is the Speaker of the House.”
“A politician?” Deke winced.
“We’re all politicians, jackass.”
Deke snorted a laugh. “Oh yeah. I forgot.”
George studied him like a hawk searching for dinner. “You’ve seemed more at ease since the crisis started than you’ve been all last year.”
“How so?” Deke took another sip and allowed the aged liquor to heat down his throat.
George shrugged. “You’re a man of action, McDougall. Always have been and always will be. Strategizing, being on the sidelines, hasn’t been good for you.”
Deke shifted in his chair. “I’ve done my time, and I’ve done my action. I’ve earned peace.”
“Speaking of motivation and peace, how’s the ex?” George’s upper lip twitched.
“Spirited,” Deke said. “Not happy to be taken off a beach in Hawaii.”
George full-on grinned. “Has she figured out you waited until her first day of vacation before sending in the team?”
“No, but she will.” There hadn’t been a choice, considering BioGlax Pharmaceuticals would’ve noticed its number-one team missing. “We have nearly two weeks until her people need to report back to work, and we’ll have the bacteria contained by then.”
“I hope so. We’ve had reports of illnesses in Key West that match the Scorpius symptoms.”
Deke rubbed the scruff on his chin. After the initial students had been released, they’d scattered for spring break until he’d had soldiers hunt them down and bring them back. “We knew there was a chance of some spread of the infection.”
“I know.” George stood. “I have a meeting on the Hill. When this is all over, I’d like to meet your ex, at some point. I’m quite curious.”
Deke followed suit and placed his glass on the desk. “How so?”
George tilted his head. “You’re military, and she’s well, antimilitary. Her people are from Argentina, yours from the Highlands of Scotland. Talk about opposites.”
Deke grinned. “She’s not an anarchist, George. She just thinks the government breaks too many rules.” He cocked a shoulder. “She isn’t wrong.”
“No, she isn’t.” George crossed around the desk. “However, I learned a long time ago that there are two types of people in this world.”
Deke turned for the door. “Do tell.”
“The kind who believes the ends justify the means, and the other kind.”
“Who are they?” Deke paused before opening the door and glancing at the older man.
“People who live the life they want because there are people out there, like us, making sure the ends justify the means.” Wisdom, right or wrong, lit George’s eyes. “For now, we claim the luxury of having two kinds of people.” He opened the door and clapped Deke on the back. “If we don’t get a handle on this infection, only one type of person will remain.”
A chill sliced into Deke’s temple. “Which one?”
“Survivors.”
Deke nodded and turned down the hallway, his mind spinning. George had pegged him right. He did feel more like himself now that there was something to fight, and wasn’t that all sorts of fucked-up?
He made his way through the building and out to his car, stopping then to check his phone. A text message from his contact at the CDC read: One of the new team was infected. Fever started two hours ago. Call in.
His legs stopped moving, and he slapped a hand onto the roof of his car. His gut clenched. What had he done? He quickly dialed Nora.
“Hello?” she answered.
“Nora? You infected?” He wrenched open the car door and slid inside, igniting the engine in one smooth motion.
“No. My assistant, Zach, was infected.” Concern rode her voice.
Deke pulled out of the lot, driving one-handed. Thank all the gods. “I’m on my way.” He clicked off to maneuver through traffic. What the hell had he been thinking? Not for one second had he thought about the danger to the research team. There were so many protocols in place. Nora ruled her lab, and he figured she’d be fine.
Yet her own team member now fought the fever.
Every instinct he had pushed him to yank her from the CDC, and he knew the urge came from the hardheaded warrior persona he’d tried so hard to shed. Was George correct? Did Deke belong in the fight and not behind the scenes? No, he’d tried too hard to banish the anger and deal with not only a crappy childhood but the things he’d seen in the service. Hell. The things he’d done in the service. Now he could be a normal guy just living his life.
He could be that guy. He really could. Right?
Traffic hampered him, but he finally arrived at the CDC. His card would get him through any secured door, but he had to go to reception in order to find Nora. As soon as possible, he needed to memorize the layout of the building. An escort arrived, a young intern by the name of Judy, who led him through the building to a heavy metal green door manned by two armed guards. An imposing red biohazard warning spanned the door.
“You go the rest of the way on your own,” Judy said with a happy hop.
Deke nodded. He swiped his card, and the door buzzed. Keeping his expression stoic, he yanked open the door and crossed inside, waiting until it closed before wiping his hand down his jeans. Give him ten armed assassins over a nearly invisible bacteria, any day. He could only kill if he could see the target.
A petite brunette with weary green eyes lounged against the stark white wall, measuring him carefully. He strode toward her and stopped far enough away that she wouldn’t have to tilt her head to look at him. “Can I help you?” he asked.
She lifted one eyebrow. “Yes.” Her tennis shoe tapped a rapid staccato against the tiles.
Interesting. It seemed Nora’s buddy didn’t care for him. Well, that was fine. At the moment, he didn’t like her overmuch, either. “Would you please take me to Nora?”
The brunette lifted an eyebrow. “I’m Lynne Harmony.”
No shit. He’d read her file and knew everything about her from her favorite color to her weakness for chocolate-covered raisins. “Deacan McDougall.”
She chewed on that for a bit before speaking again. “So you’re the bastard who broke my friend’s heart.”
Yep. That’s what he’d figured she’d say. “Yes, ma’am,” he said slowly.
“Do you want to tell me why?”
“Nope.”
“Why not?” Lynne continued to tap her foot.
He glanced down the hallway. There was only one way to go, but he didn’t want to tick off Nora’s friend too much. “I don’t figure it’s any of your business.”
By the woman’s huff, she apparently didn’t agree. “I’m the only family she has left in the world, which does make it my business.”
When she sounded all outraged on Nora’s behalf like that, Deke couldn’t help but like her a little. “Now that’s where you’re wrong, Lynne Harmony.”
She strode toward him, hand on hip. “Excuse me?”
Deke met her gaze, keeping his hands at his sides and trying to appear harmless. He had a point to get across, but there was no need to frighten the woman. “You’re a friend, and from what I can tell, you’re her best friend. That’s good. But I’m her family. Period.”
Lynne kept his gaze without blinking for several tension-filled moments, although a
slight blush filled her face. Admiration welled through Deke at her stubbornness. Not many hardened men could hold his gaze for that long. Finally, Lynne nodded. “I guess we understand each other.”
He grinned. His Nora chose her friends well. “I guess we do.” He waited a beat. “She left me, ya know,” he said softly.
“I know. But you let her go,” Lynne said, stretching her neck. “You don’t seem like the type of guy to give up something good.”
Deke gave a short nod. “I’m not, but at the time, I didn’t think I was something good. I figured she’d be safer on her own than with me.”
“Was she?”
Now that was the big question. “I donna know.”
“Fair enough.” Then Lynne Harmony, brilliant scientist and good friend, threw back her head and laughed. “Man, I like you.”
He smiled, feeling as if he’d overcome a deadly hurdle. “The feeling is mutual.”
Lynne tucked her arm through his. “I’ll take you to Nora. She’s not doing well.”
That quickly, Deke’s gut roiled again. He shortened his stride so Lynne wouldn’t have to run and allowed her to lead him through a labyrinth of hallways to a room outside a hospital bubble. Nora sat on a makeshift sofa, her gaze on the young man inside.
Lynne patted him on the arm. “I’m heading back to the lab. If there’s any change, let me know.”
Deke nodded and strode forward to touch Nora on the shoulder. For the slightest of seconds, she leaned against his leg.
Then she straightened. “His name is Zach Barter, he’s twenty-two, and his fever is at a hundred and five.”
Deke sat and slid an arm around her shoulders. “He’s young and strong. The fever should break within the night.” Pulling her into his side, he couldn’t help but press a quick kiss to her curly hair. “You haven’t slept in over twenty-four hours, baby.” They hadn’t been together in eight years, but Deke knew without a doubt she wouldn’t leave her friend to fight the fever by himself. So he took care of her the best he could. “Close your eyes. I’ll watch Zach.”
Nora shuddered and leaned into him.
The situation sucked, but the rightness of the moment dug deep into Deke’s gut and took hold. If they were such opposites, why did it feel so damn good just to sit and hold her?