“I’d assumed as much,” Jack said. “What about the third case?”
“I did her first,” Laurie said. “She was from central supply. I couldn’t quite figure how she contracted it.”
“Tell me about it,” Jack said. “I’ve done two other people from central supply. One with plague and one with tularemia. I can’t understand it either.”
“Somebody better figure it out”, Laurie said.
“I couldn’t agree more, Jack said. Then he pointed to Nancy s organ. “What’d you find?”
“It’s all been consistent with Rocky Mountain spotted fever,” Laurie said. “Are you interested to see?”
“I sure am,” Jack said.
Laurie took time out to show all the relevant pathology to Jack. Jack told her the findings were the mirror image of those he’d seen with Lagenthorpe.
“It makes you wonder why just three got sick, since they were so sick,” Laurie said. “The interval from the onset of symptoms to the time of death was a lot shorter than usual. It suggests that the microbes were particularly pathogenic, yet if they were, where are the other patients? Janice told me that as far as the hospital knows there are no more cases.”
“There was a similar pattern with the other diseases,” Jack said. “I can’t explain it, just like I can’t explain so many other aspects of these outbreaks. That’s why they’ve been driving me crazy.”
Laurie glanced up at the clock and was surprised by the time. “I’ve got to get a move on here,” she said. “Sal has to leave early.”
“Why don’t I help?” Jack offered. “Tell Sal he can go now.”
“Are you serious?” Laurie asked.
“Absolutely,” Jack said. “Let’s get it done.”
Sal was happy to leave a little early. Laurie and Jack worked well together and finished up the case in good time. They walked out of the autopsy room together.
“How about a bite up in the lunchroom?” Laurie asked. “My treat.”
“You’re on,” Jack said.
They disposed of their isolation gear and disappeared into their respective locker rooms. When Jack was dressed, he went out into the hall and waited for Laurie to appear.
“You didn’t have to wait for…” Laurie began to say, but stopped.
“Your jaw is swollen,” she said.
“That’s not all,” Jack said. He bared his teeth and pointed to his left incisor. “See the chip?” he asked.
“Of course I do,” Laurie said. Her hands went onto her hips and her eyes narrowed. She looked like an irate mother confronting a naughty child. “Did you fall off of that bike?” she asked.
“I wish,” Jack said with a mirthless laugh. He then told her the whole story minus the part about Terese. Laurie’s expression changed from mock anger to disbelief.
“That’s extortion,” she said indignantly.
“I suppose it is in a way,” Jack said. “But come on, let’s not let it upset our gourmet lunch.”
They did the best they could with the vending machines on the second floor. Laurie got a soup while Jack settled on a tuna-fish salad sandwich. They took their food to a table and sat down.
“The more I think about what you’ve told me, the crazier I think it sounds,” Laurie said. “How’s your apartment?”
“A bit dilapidated,” Jack said. “But it wasn’t so great before this happened, so it doesn’t much matter. The worst thing is that they took my bike.”
“I think you should move,” Laurie said. “You shouldn’t be living there anyway.”
“It’s only the second break-in,” Jack said.
“I hope you’re not planning on staying in tonight,” Laurie said. “How depressing.”
“No, I’m busy tonight,” Jack said. “I’ve got a group of nuns coming into town who I’m supposed to show around.”
Laurie laughed. “Hey, my folks are having a little dinner party tonight. Would you care to come along? It would be a lot more cheerful than sitting in your plundered apartment.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you,” Jack said. As with Terese’s actions the night before, this invitation was totally unexpected. Jack was moved.
“I would enjoy your company,” Laurie said. “What do you say?”
“You do realize that I’m not particularly social,” Jack said.
“I’m aware of that,” Laurie said. “I don’t mean to put you on the spot. You don’t even have to tell me now. The dinner is at eight and you can call me a half hour before if you decide to come. Here’s my number.” She wrote it on a napkin and handed it to him.