The Beginning of the End (Book 1): Toward the Brink Read Online Free Page B

from you.”
    “I called your cell.”
    “That thing hasn’t worked properly since I dropped it. Anyway, have you informed Mr. Lang?”
    “No, not yet. I wanted to speak with you first.”
    “Why? Why would you wait? The nurse just told me that ten patients have died since they started coming in, and …”
    “Thirteen.”
    “What? Look at all the people out there. This could develop into an epidemic!” Bronden brought a trembling hand to her mouth. “We can’t keep covering it up now. We don’t know who is responsible, but we have to let the authorities know.”
    She paused a moment as her last inference sunk in on her as much as the doctor.
    “My God.” Bronden stared straight ahead as if a ghost had just revealed its presence to her. “What if this is happening across the
whole
country?”
    “It’s not,” Morrisey said.
    “What?” She turned back to face her ‘cloak and dagger’ colleague. “How do you know?”
    “I called around to other hospitals. It’s only occurring here in Idaho.”
    “You had time to call other hospitals but not enough time to inform Lang?”
    “That man scares me,” he finally admitted.
    “And people vomiting green sludge doesn’t?”
    The doctor had no answer. He was guilty as charged.
    “What the hell is that racket?” Morrisey heard the yelling coming from Filer Avenue.
    “A demonstration against Baer and the hormone. Their website said they had information from an ‘inside source’ about the amount of sick people. It even mentioned the birth defects.”
    “What, how? No one knew about them outside of the select staff!”
    “I assume it was that damn young nurse. I should have kept a closer eye on her, but that’s all moot now.”
    Bronden took charge, taking Morrisey’s cell phone. She would place the call to Mr. Lang that the doctor should have done long ago.
Wretched lazy man!
She would also call the CDC. There would have to be a quarantine placed on the center.
    “Get back to the ER, Doctor.”
    # # #
    “Mr. Lang.” Langlie used his alternate name when he answered the red cell phone. “Yes, Miss Bronden, what can I do for you?” he said after the caller identified herself.
    Bronden informed him of the disaster unfolding at the medical center.
    “Is that so? Well, that’s disappointing isn’t it?” Langlie’s less-than-surprised response told his caller that he obviously had prior knowledge.
    “You knew about this, didn’t you?”
    Langlie heard the distaste in her voice.
    “Yes, I was informed earlier that a few individuals had returned to the center with symptoms that …”
    “A FEW INDIVIDUALS?” Bronden yelled. “Are you crazy? We’ve got hundreds of patients in here and thirteen
dead
at last count. Thirteen, Mr. Lang, or whatever your name is. I’ve covered up a lot, but no amount of money will cover up murder!”
    Langlie’s demeanor changed now that he realized the full extent of the situation. There was a long pause before he finally said to his informant, “Thank you, Nurse. Thank you very much for that information. You won’t be forgotten about, I promise you.”
    He wouldn’t forget about her at all. In fact, she would be a priority now that she had ceased being of any use. Langlie ended the call without giving the nurse a chance to say anything more. He made a series of phone calls immediately.
    “Doug? Get the plane ready. We’ll be leaving soon,” was the first call.
    “Sir, the walls are coming down around us. It won’t be long before even your highest friends abandon you. We have no choice. It’s time to leave,” was the second.
    For his third call, he retrieved yet another cell from the top drawer of his desk. After connecting this to an encryption device, he made the call. “You on the scrambler?”
    On receiving confirmation, he continued. “The job I mentioned; it’s a go.”
    A pause.
    “Yes, their names are Doctor Morrisey and Nurse Bronden at Filer Avenue Medical Center … and don’t forget the