“We’re starting to see a lot of kids.”
Samantha was a quiet a moment. “I know.”
“When’s the trip to Peru?”
“I have it booked for five days from now.”
“Who else is going?”
“A lot of people it seems. Ralph is coming. He never comes on field assignments like this so I’m guessing he thinks it’s either going to be an adventure he can tell stories about at parties or he thinks he can write a book about it. Then some people from the CDC and one guy from the FBI. They seem to think this is a matter of national security.”
“It’s not totally far fetched. Smallpox could’ve been sold to the North Koreans or any number of countries. I wouldn’t put it past the Russians at this point. They’ve become a criminal state.”
“I really hope you’re wrong.”
“Why? Because you don’t want to believe humanity can be so inhuman? I’ll give you a tip: never underestimate how cruel people can be to each other.”
There was commotion on the mac’s screen and they saw the governor come to the podium among flashes of photography.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, “thank you for being here. I would first like to thank the efforts of Police Chief Talona, and our friends from the Army Medical Unit and the Centers for Disease Control. I know each and every one of them is working tirelessly to ensure that our citizens remain protected and that this crisis will soon be a memory.
“As it has been made public, we are facing a public health scare unlike any our state has faced before. I know many of you have been praying and sending contributions or even volunteering on the island to lend a hand to your fellow Hawaiians and I want you to know that I am eternally grateful. None of us should stand alone, and as Darwin once remarked, ‘a weakened animal is never alone.’ Together, I know we can overcome any tragedy that befalls us.
“We have faced war, we have faced famine, invasion, pestilence, and deadly storms throughout our history. They have been painful episodes, but episodes nonetheless. They, like all things, have passed and we have moved on. Perhaps a little stronger and a little wiser for the wear.
“I know that in times of uncertainty there is fear. You are all worried about your families and friends, as am I. But I can assure you that everything is being done to guarantee that this episode in our history is like every other: evanescent. In the meantime, we must be cautious. As of this moment, all transportation to and from the island of Oahu is halted. Employers on the island have been notified that all businesses are to be closed by tomorrow morning along with public facilities such as schools and other government buildings, parks, and beaches. I know this will be hard. Many of you live in our great state for the sole purpose of being out in wondrous nature. However, we must keep our fellow citizens in mind at this time of need and I ask that you remain home with your families, only traveling out if absolutely necessary.
“All the physicians and biologists and public health experts have assured us that the quickest way for this illness to pass is to end daily public life for a while. We must be vigilant and accept the fact that, for at least the foreseeable future, our lives will be altered. But I have no doubt that we will soon be out on our fine beaches, eating at our wonderful restaurants, and enjoying the natural beauty of our largest island.
“I thank you for your time, for your patience, and for your efforts in helping your fellow citizens. God bless Hawaii, and God bless the United States of America. Thank you.”
Samantha looked to Duncan who whistled through his teeth. “All transportation?” he said. “That’s pretty crazy.”
“There’s no other way to keep it from the mainland.”
“It’s going to get there anyway.”
“I think we’ve done a pretty good job of keeping it out.”
“Doesn’t matter. This is nature we’re talking about. It’s fluid, constantly adapting. Viruses are nature in its purest form. They have one purpose, one burning desire and they will do anything to achieve that desire. Nature’s ends tend to get accomplished. The virus wants to spread. It’ll spread until it can’t anymore.”
“I think you give viruses too much credit.”
He shrugged. “I don’t have a girlfriend so I think about viruses all day.” She smiled and he grinned. “We never got to have dinner. Have it with me tonight.”
“I don’t think tonight’s a good time.”
“It’s the perfect time. You heard the gov, they’re closing all the businesses tomorrow so I’m assuming they mean restaurants too. Come on, we’ll go to the best restaurant on the island and then tomorrow you can start eating Army food and Top Ramen.”
She closed her mac and sat down. “All right. Dinner. But it’ll have to be a little later. I have a meeting with Ralph.”
“No sweat,” he said, standing up. “I’ll swing by and pick you up from Queen’s Medical.”
“They meet at the Ritz-Carlton now. Pick me up from there in a couple of hours.”
“You got it. I’m gonna go hit the showers.”
“Okay. And Duncan? Maybe we shouldn’t go anywhere too crowded?”
CHAPTER 23
The Ritz-Carlton sat on three acres of beachfront property and looked like a photo out of a tourist magazine. Normally, crowds swamped the hotel’s two pools and half a dozen tennis courts. A restaurant there named Ice served lush Hawaiian inspired cuisine on a large veranda that was open year round.
But that’s not what it appeared like now. As Samantha pulled up on her Ducati and parked, she thought it looked like a crime scene. News crews had set up on every inch of property they were legally entitled to and the rest of the space was taken up with military and police vehicles. Sam’s parking spot was across the street in a paid lot and she jogged over to the hotel. The concierge informed her that they were not allowed to take any more guests.
“No,” she said, “I’m with the CDC; the government. Please call Ralph Wilson and let him know I’m here.”
“Certainly. One moment.”
Samantha stepped back from reception and watched as a man spoke to another concierge, asking him if there was any way off the island. The concierge said there wasn’t and the man began to grow upset and swear at him. The concierge glanced to a group of police officers that were standing by the door and Sam could see him suddenly fill with courage.
“Sir,” he told the man, “I really don’t give a damn what you think. You can take your attitude and blow it out your ass for all I care. Now either get out of my face or leave my fucking hotel.”
Nerves were frazzled, Sam thought. This situation was frustrating enough but throw on top of that a looming food shortage and the closure of all businesses and you had a populace on the verge of violence. Attempting to be a courteous customer service rep for your company at that point was nearly impossible.
“Ma’am?” the concierge said to Sam. She turned and walked back to reception.
“Yes?”
“Dr. Wilson stated that he would like you to meet him at his table inside Ice. It is the restaurant at the end of that hallway and to the right.”
“Okay, thank you.”
Samantha made her way down the hallway and to the plush restaurant decorated in gold and black. The hostess pointed her right to Wilson’s table. He was seated indoors though the veranda looked much more pleasant. The table he was sitting at had views of the parking lot out the windows and his back was against a wall as he ate pasta out of an ornately decorated bowl.
“This place looks nice,” she said, sitting down across from him.
“Expensive as all hell. But I figured I wouldn’t be getting a decent meal after tomorrow. How’s everything at the recreation center?”
“A little over two hundred patients. We seem to average one new admittee per hour.”
“I looked over the list. Have you noticed how many were police officers?”
“No, I haven’t had time to go through it.”