The Blacker Death: An Ebola Thriller Read Online Free Page A

there? I want to see him.”
    “I’m sorry. That’s not possible.”
    “I read that Ebola is only transmitted by contact with an infected person’s blood. I also read that you’re not contagious unless you’re showing symptoms.”
    “That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take every precaution.”
    “So, loan me a spacesuit.”
    “CDC and hospital protocols don’t allow it, Agent Matthews.”
    “You mean your insurance won’t cover it?”
    I knew I’d hit the nail right on the head. I could see it in his face. They were worried I’d sue if I got it too.
    “We have an intercom and a privacy booth set up for visitors,” he said. “You’re welcome to use that.”
    I didn’t see any reason to ruin the guy’s day. He was just doing his job. So, I stepped into the soundproof booth, put on the headset, and said hi to Billy. He got up and came to the window.
    “I want to go home, Bam.”
    “Yeah, I know, kid. Just hang in there. Doc said this is the best place for you right now.”
    “I don’t want to die.”
    “Billy, you’re not going to die. Even if you’ve got it, which isn’t a sure thing, you’re young, you’re in good shape, and you’ve got good people looking out for you.”
    He wasn’t feeling the vibes. I could tell. I wasn’t feeling them either.
    “Do they get ESPN on that thing?” I nodded toward one of the monitors.
    He laughed, “Yeah, right. That one pings every five seconds like a fucking submarine.”
    “I’ll see what I can do about getting you a big screen TV and cable.”
    “Get me a computer while you’re at it. I’m going crazy in here with nothing to do.”
    “You got it. I’m on my way to the office to talk to Carmine and his lawyer.”
    “Did they tie him to the hit?”
    “Don’t know. You want me to stop back and fill you in?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Did you tell your folks?”
    “My dad is flying in from California tomorrow.”
    “He can bunk with me, if he wants. I’ve got a couple spare beds.”
    “He said he found a hotel nearby, but I’ll ask him.”
    “All right, kid. I’ve got to get going. Be good and no banging the nurses.”
    Dr. Williamson stopped me by the elevator and handed me an envelope with a packet of papers inside. “Mr. Driscoll said you were nowhere near the deceased, but I want you to read through these anyway. It’s important information on the disease. There’s also a digital thermometer in there. I want you to take your temperature twice a day. If it’s 100° or more, call me.”
    “Anything else?”
    “Try to keep your distance from people for the time being. Especially avoid any intimate contact. If you experience any of the symptoms, if you even think you might be experiencing them, call me. My cell number is on the top sheet. This isn’t a trivial matter.”
    I took the packet. “Okay, Doc. I get it. How many rooms have you got here in the Hotel California?”
    “Just this one.”
    “So, if I come down with it, you’ll ship me off to Philly?”
    He shook his head. “They’re already at capacity. We’d set up something for you here.”
    “What if more people turn up on your doorstep with symptoms?”
    “We’re trying our best not to let that happen.”
    I handed him the list with the names and numbers of the people who had been at the scene. There were twelve of them. “You might want to cancel your afternoon tee time,” I said. “These people were with the guy when we found him.”
    The doctor looked at the list. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t have to. The wrinkles on his forehead did all the talking for him. I told him I’d see him later. I took the elevator down to the garage, found the Gremlin, and left.
    It’s hard not to think about dying when death is staring you in the face. Billy was just a kid. He didn’t deserve this. Nobody does. The more I thought about it, the madder I got, and by the time I’d pulled into the parking lot at the Six, I decided I was going to find out what the hell that guy