Outbreak (24 page)

Her first thought was to visit the Emory Medical School library. Perhaps one of the librarians might know where to look. But then, remembering running into Alice MacCabe, she decided the chance of being recognized was too great. She would do much better to go out of town for a few days. But where?

Starting the car, Marissa had an inspiration: the AMA! If she couldn't get information about a physicians' organization at the AMA, then it wasn't available. And Chicago sounded safe. She headed south toward the airport, hoping the meager supply of clothing in her suitcase would hold up.

Joshua Jackson's heavy sedan thundered over the wood-planked bridge spanning Parsons Creek, then veered sharply to the left, the tires squealing. The pavement stopped, and the car showered the shoulder of the road with pebbles as it sped down the tree-lined lane. Inside, Jackson's fury mounted with each mile he traveled. He didn't want to visit the lab, but he had no intention of being seen in town with Heberling. The man was proving increasingly unreliable, and even worse, unpredictable. Asked to create minor confusion, he resorted to atomic warfare. Hiring him had been a terrible decision, but there wasn't much any of them could do about the fact now.

Puffing up to the lab, Jackson parked across from Heberling's Mercedes. He knew that Heberling had bought it with some of the funds he'd been given for technical equipment. What a waste!

Jackson walked up to the front of the building. It was an impressive affair, and Jackson, perhaps better than anyone, knew how much

money it had all cost. The Physicians' Action Congress had built Dr. Arnold Heberling a personal monument, and for what: a hell of a lot of trouble, because Heberling was a nut.

There was a click, the door opened and Jackson stepped inside.

"I'm in the conference room," shouted Heberling.

Jackson knew the room Heberling meant, and it was hardly a conference room. Jackson paused at the door, taking in the high ceiling, glass wall and stark furnishings. Two Chippendale couches faced one another on a large Chinese rug. There was no other furniture. Heberling was on one of the couches.

"I hope this is important," said Jackson, taking the initiative. The two men sat facing each other. Physically, they couldn't have been more different. Heberling was stocky with a bloated face and coarse features. Jackson was tall and thin with an almost ascetic face. Their clothes helped heighten the contrast: Heberling in coveralls; Jackson in a banker's pinstripes.

"The Blumenthal girl was right here in the yard," said Heberling, pointing over his shoulder for effect. "Obviously she didn't see anything, but just the fact that she was here suggests that she knows something. She's got to be removed."

"You had your chance," snapped Jackson. "Twice! And each time, you and your thugs made a mess of things. First at her house and then last night at the CDC."

"So we try again. But you've called it off."

"You're darn right. I found out you were going to give her Ebola."

"Why not?" said Heberling. "She's been exposed. There'd be no questions."

"I don't want an Ebola outbreak in Atlanta," shouted Jackson. "The stuff terrifies me. I've got a family of my own. Leave the woman to us. We'll take care of her."

"Oh, sure," scoffed Heberling. "That's what you said when you got her transferred off Special Pathogens. Well, she's still a threat to the whole project, and I intend to see that she's eliminated."

"You are not in charge here," said Jackson menacingly. "And when it comes to fixing blame, none of us would be in this mess if you'd stuck to the original plan of using influenza virus. We've all been in a state of panic since we learned you took it upon yourself to use Ebola!"

"Oh, we're back to that complaint," said Heberling disgustedly. "You were pretty pleased when you heard the Richter Clinic was closing. If PAC wanted to undermine the public's growing confidence in prepaid health clinics, they couldn't have done better. The

only difference from the original plan was that I got to carry out some field research that will save me years of lab research time."

Jackson studied Heberling's face. He'd come to the conclusion the man was a psychopath, and loathed him. Unfortunately the realization was a bit late. Once the project had started, there was no easy way to stop it. And to think that the plan had sounded so simple back when the PAC executive committee had first suggested it.

Jackson took a deep breath, knowing he had to control himself despite his anger. "I've told you a dozen times the Physicians' Action Congress is not pleased and, on the contrary, is appalled at the loss of life. That had never been our intent and you know it, Dr. Heberling!"

"Bullshit!" shouted Heberling. "There would have been loss of life with influenza, given the strains we would have had to use. How many would you have tolerated? A hundred? And what about the loss of life you rich practitioners cause when you turn your backs on unnecessary surgery, or allow incompetent doctors to keep their hospital privileges?"

"We do not sanction unnecessary surgery or incompetence," snapped Jackson. He'd had about as much of this psychopath as he could tolerate.

"You do nothing to stop them," said Heberling, with disgust. "I haven't believed any of this crap you and PAC feed me about your concern for the negative drift of American medicine away from its traditional values. Give me a break! It's all an attempt to justify your own economic interests. All of a sudden there are too many doctors and not enough patients. The only reason I've cooperated with you is because you built me this lab." Heberling made a sweeping gesture with his hand. "You wanted the image of prepaid health plans tarnished, and I delivered. The only difference is that I did it my way for my own reasons."

"But we ordered you to stop," yelled Jackson. "Right after the Richter Clinic outbreak."

"Half-heartedly, I might add," said Heberling. "You were pleased with the results. Not only did the Richter Clinic fold, but new subscribers to California health plans have leveled off for the first time in five years. The Physicians' Action Congress feels an occasional twinge of conscience, but basically you're all happy. And I've vindicated my beliefs that Ebola is a premier biological weapon despite the lack of vaccine or treatment. I've shown that it is easily introduced, relatively easy to contain and devastatingly contagious to small populations. Dr. Jackson, we are both getting what we want. We just have to deal with this woman before she causes real trouble."

"I'm telling you once and for all," said Jackson. "We want no further use of Ebola. That's an order!"

Heberling laughed. "Dr. Jackson," he said, leaning forward, "I have the distinct impression that you are ignoring the facts. PAC is no longer in a position to give me orders. Do you realize what would happen to your careers if the truth gets out? And I'm telling you that it will unless you let me handle Blumenthal in my own way."

For a moment, Jackson struggled with his conscience. He wanted to grab Heberling by the neck and choke him. But he knew the man was right: PAC's hands were tied. "All right," he said reluctantly. "Do whatever you think is best about Dr. Blumenthal. Just don't tell me about it and don't use Ebola in Atlanta."

"Fine." Heberling smiled. "If that will make you feel better, I'll give you my word on both accounts. After all, I'm a very reasonable man."

Jackson stood up. "One other thing. I don't want you phoning my office. Call me at home on my private line if you have to reach me."

"My pleasure," said Heberling.

Since the Atlanta-Chicago run was heavily traveled, Marissa only had to wait half an hour for the next available flight. She bought a Dick Francis novel, but she couldn't concentrate. Finally, she decided to call Tad and at least attempt an apology. She wasn't sure how much to tell him about her growing suspicions, but decided to play it by ear. She dialed the lab, and as she suspected, he was working late.

"This is Marissa," she said when he answered. "Are you mad at me?"

"I'm furious."

"Tad, I'm sorry . .

"You took one of my access cards."

"Tad, I'm truly sorry. When I see you, I'll explain everything."

"You actually went into the maximum containment lab, didn't you?" Tad said, his voice uncharacteristically hard.

"Well, yes."

"Marissa, do you know that the lab is a shambles, all the animals are dead, and someone had to be treated at Emory Emergency?"

"Two men came into the lab and attacked me."

"Attacked you?"

"Yes," said Marissa. "You have to believe me."

"I don't know what to believe. Why does everything happen to you?"

"Because of the Ebola outbreaks. Tad, do you know who got hurt?"

"I assume one of the techs from another department."

"Why don't you find out. And maybe you could also find out who else went into the lab last night."

"I don't think that's possible. No one will tell me anything right now because they know we're friends. Where are you?"

"I'm at the airport," said Marissa.

"If what you say about being attacked is true, then you should come back here and explain. You shouldn't be running away."

"I'm not running away," insisted Marissa. "I'm going to the AMA in Chicago to research an organization called the Physicians' Action Congress. Ever hear of them? I believe they are involved somehow."

"Marissa, I think you should come directly back to the Center. You're in real trouble, in case you don't know."

"I do, but for the time being what I'm doing is more important. Can't you please ask the Office of Biosafety who else went into the maximum containment lab last night?"

"Marissa, I'm in no mood to be manipulated."

"Tad, I . . ." Marissa stopped speaking. Tad had hung up. Slowly she replaced the receiver. She couldn't really blame him.

She glanced at the clock. Five minutes until boarding. Making up her mind, she dialed Ralph's home number.

He picked up on the third ring. In contrast to Tad, he was concerned, not angry. "My God, Marissa, what is going on? Your name is in the evening paper. You're in serious trouble, the Atlanta police are looking for you!"

"I can imagine," said Marissa, thinking that she'd been wise to use a false name and pay cash when she'd bought her airline ticket. "Ralph, have you gotten the name of a good lawyer yet?"

"I'm sorry. When you asked, I didn't realize it was an emergency."

"It's becoming an emergency," said Marissa. "But I'll be out of town for a day or two. So if you could do it tomorrow I'd really appreciate it."

"What's going on?" asked Ralph. "The paper gave no details."

"Like I said last night, I don't want to involve you."

"I don't mind," Ralph insisted. "Why don't you come over here. We can talk and I can get you a lawyer in the morning."

"Have you ever heard of an organization called the Physicians' Action Congress?" asked Marissa, ignoring Ralph's offer.

"No," said Ralph. "Marissa, please come over. I think it would be better to face this problem, whatever it is. Running away makes you look bad."

Marissa heard her flight called.

"I'm going to the AMA to find out about the organization I just mentioned," said Marissa quickly. "I'll call tomorrow. I've got to run." She hung up, picked up her briefcase and book and boarded the plane.

13

May 22

ARRIVING IN CHICAGO, MARISSA decided to treat herself to a nice hotel and was happy to find the Palmer House had a room. She risked using her credit card and went straight upstairs to bed.

The next morning, she ordered fresh fruit and coffee from room service. While waiting, she turned on the Today Show and went into the bathroom to shower. She was drying her hair when she heard the anchorman mention Ebola. She rushed into the bedroom, expecting to see the news commentator giving an update on the situation in Philadelphia. Instead, he was describing a new outbreak. It was at the Rosenberg Clinic on upper Fifth Avenue in New York City. A doctor by the name of Girish Mehta had been diagnosed as having the disease. Word had leaked to the press, and a widespread panic had gripped the city.

Marissa shivered. The Philadelphia outbreak was still in progress and another one had already started. She put on her makeup, finished fixing her hair and ate her breakfast. Marissa got the AMA's address and set out for Rush Street.

A year ago if someone had told her she'd be visiting the association, she never would have believed it. But there she was, going through the front door.

The woman at the information booth directed her to the Public Relations office. The director, a James Frank, happened by as Marissa

was trying to explain her needs to one of the secretaries. He invited her to his office.

Mr. Frank reminded Marissa of her high-school guidance counselor. He was of indeterminate age, slightly overweight and going bald, but his face had a lived-in look that exuded friendliness and sincerity. His eyes were bright, and he laughed a lot. Marissa liked him instantly.

"Physicians' Action Congress," he repeated when Marissa asked about the organization. "I've never heard of it. Where did you come across it?"

"On a congressman's contributions list," said Marissa.

"That's funny," said Mr. Frank. "I'd have sworn that I knew all the active political action committees. Let me see what my computer says."

Mr. Frank punched in the name. There was a slight delay, then the screen blinked to life. "What do you know! You're absolutely right. It's right here." He pointed to the screen. "Physicians' Action Congress Political Action Committee. It's a registered separate segregated fund."

"What does that mean?" asked Marissa.

"Less than it sounds. It just means that your Physicians' Action Congress is an incorporated membership organization because it has legally set up a committee to dispense funds as campaign contributions. Let's see who they have been supporting."

"I can tell you one candidate," said Marissa. "Calvin Markham." Mr. Frank nodded. "Yup, here's Markham's name along with a number of other conservative candidates. At least we know the political bent."