They ducked down behind the skiff and waited. They could hear the patrol boat’s motor shift into idle and suddenly a bright light started playing across the water and the shoreline. They held their breath, willing the boat to pass on by.
Ed was trying his best not to cough, but it seemed the harder he tried the more he felt he had to let it out. The light went out and the boat picked up speed, swinging back toward the middle of the channel. Ed finally couldn’t hold it another second and started coughing.
By then the patrol boat was past them and picking up speed.
“That was damned close,” Bud said, starting to push the skiff off the beach, “Get in. It’s not much further.”
Ed climbed in the boat, and Bud saw that the man was not looking very good. Once Ed was seated, Bud climbed in and let the boat drift. It was only a half mile to the landing. Just before they reached the ferry, Bud started the engine and slid the boat right up to the ramp.
“Okay Ed. This is as far as I go.”
Ed climbed out, dragging his suitcase and reached into his pocket.
“It’s okay. You use the money for your family. I don’t need it all that much anyway,” Bud said.
“No sir. I said five hundred.”
Bud was already backing the boat away from the landing.
“Take care of your family. Good luck Ed.”
“Same to you Bud. And thank you from me and my family.”
Bud just waved and headed back out into the channel. He would have to use the engine going up stream. All he would need was a little luck to get back home.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
THE LOS ANGELES TIMES — The worst rioting this city has seen since the 60’s broke out today. A ten square block area was rocked by looters. Police tried to restore calm in the area but were pushed back by large gangs of armed rioters.
When the Mayor, Allen Findlay was asked how the rioters acquired such a large amount of firearms since California had some of the nation’s strictest gun laws, he had no comment.
Three police officers were killed and seventeen injured in gun fire exchanges. As of tonight, a large section of the city’s downtown is in flames and firefighters are refusing to go into the area without adequate protection. Police Chief Warren Spanner said that he could not guarantee their safety until they were able to control the downtown area.
Roland sat in the Oval Office waiting for the President. Also waiting were the Secretary of the Interior, Secretary of Defense, and the Chief of Staff. A General sat off to the side and had not made any attempt to introduce himself.
Everyone was more or less lost in thought when a Marine opened the door and Andria Toll, Acting President, walked in and sat down behind the desk.
“Thank you all for coming on such short notice,” she said, not waiting for formal introductions.
“Time is of the essence and I would like to cut directly to the heart of the matter. I see the Secretary of Transportation is missing. Does anyone know why?”
“Madam President, Calvin is in the hospital. He was admitted about twenty minutes ago.”
“Ebola?”
“Probably.”
“Has he been wearing his mask?” she asked, reaching up to make sure hers was in place.
“I don’t know. You know Calvin, vanity is more important than safety,” the Chief of Staff said.
“Alright. Doctor Peel, You have the latest figures for us I believe.”
It was a statement, not a question. He handed a sheet to her and she studied it for several seconds before looking up at him.
“And six states have not reported so we don’t know the true number. Just extrapolating from what you have here, we’re looking at a million people, either dead or soon will be.”
“That is correct.”
“And where do we stand on stopping this thing?”
“Honestly, we don’t. Without being overly critical, too much time was wasted in talking. If Doctor Riser had been allowed to stop interstate travel, we would probably not be in this position. You are undoubtedly aware that he tried to get in to see the President for two days. And then he was still stalled further. It wasn’t until the DVCT came in with the authority to override the President that the necessary precautions were activated. During that time the window of opportunity to limit the spread had passed,” he said.
“I see. That is a pretty accusatory statement,” she said looking directly into his eyes.
“No Madam President. That is a fact,” he said not breaking eye contact.
Finally she looked back at the list. She shook her head, wondering how this would all play out.
“Betty, obviously we are not containing the population well enough. It is still spreading to other states. What do we need to do? More specifically, what do you need to do the job?”
“People. We are stretched too thin to be effective. We can cover most of the routes but we don’t have enough to deter people from slipping through the cracks.”
“By people you mean the military?”
“Regular military, reserves or whatever we can get. Until we can plug the cracks we are going to have continued spreading.”
“General Ashford, what can you do to help?”
General Ashford was short, five-six or seven, one hundred and eighty pounds of solid muscle and a face that looked like it had been chiseled out of granite. His voice was deep and authoritative.
“Madam Acting President, we can pull troops from every major installation. The same for reserve units although most are already on duty. If you will authorize it, I can require full support from the Army, Air Force, and the Navy as long as the Secretary of Defense gives his blessing,” he said.
“They would be placed under your command?”
“I am willing to take that position if you so wish,” he said carefully.
“Roy?”
“I have no objection. We would need someone to be in command and not having too many chiefs and not enough Indians is the best way to go in my opinion,” Roy Ash, the Secretary of Defense said.
She was just about to say something when her phone buzzed. She looked at it, annoyed. She had specifically instructed the outer office not to interrupt her. She finally reached over and picked up the receiver.
“Yes,” she said coldly.
“I know Madam President but President André LeMain is calling from France and urgently wants to speak to you. Do you want me to stall him?”
“No. Put him through,” she said squeezing the bridge of her nose between her finger and thumb.
“Madam Toll,” he said, not addressing her as President, “I wish to inform you that reports of Ebola are starting to surface in several areas of France.”
“I see. Monsieur LeMaine, that is indeed terrible news. I am so sorry to hear that you are facing such a devastating dilemma,” she said smoothly.
“Oui. As I understand it, this virus originated in your country, is that not so?”
“No Monsieur LeMain. Ebola originated in Africa as I understand it, not in America.”
“Yes, but this latest outbreak. It came from your country.”
“That is yet to be determined. It could have well have been carried in by someone from any number of countries. All it takes is one infected person passing through and it can spread from there.”
“I see. I would like to speak to President Thornburg if I may,” he said abruptly.
“I’m so sorry. President Thornburg is simply unable to communicate at this time.”
“Unable? I don’t believe I understand.”
“I’m sorry, what is it that you don’t understand?”
“Presidents are never unable to communicate,” he said, his voice rising slightly.
“Well, Monsieur LeMaine there is a first for everything is that not so?”