“Well, we think it would be best if we had a designated area where known infected people were kept in isolation.”
“I’m not sure I follow exactly,” Toll said.
The Senator cleared his throat before beginning again, “It seems to us that one of the reasons we can’t get a handle on this virus is because once a person comes into contact with the virus it is several days before the actual symptoms appear. Once they do, it’s essentially too late.”
“So you are suggesting what exactly?” she asked.
“That as soon as a person discovers they have come into contact with an infected person, they would be isolated to see if they develop further symptoms. All other infected persons would be held at a different facility,” he replied.
She clasped her hands and placed her elbows on the desk. She leaned forward and put her chin on her clasped hands.
“Are you saying we would have a meat packing arrangement? We bring anyone in that we think could have contacted the virus, we hold them until they either develop full blown Ebola or are cleared.”
“That’s a little simplistic but that would give us a better method of isolating the cases before they could spread further,” Long told her.
“How would we know if they had contact? For that matter, how would they even know?”
“Primarily we would encourage anyone that has had contact with someone that has been diagnosed with Ebola to come to the isolation facility until testing can be done,” Neilson spoke up.
“And if they decide not to report?” she asked.
“Why wouldn’t they? It is for their benefit. We could monitor their progress.”
“But what if they decided not to go?” she insisted.
“Then if we knew of such a person, we would use a different method of enticing them.”
“You mean you would by use of force,” she said, not as a question but a statement.
“Only under the most extreme means. It would be a last resort.”
“Interesting. And the third item?”
“We have received word that the Bedford Mine, the Delta mine as I believe they refer to it, has been opened up and they are considering going down the shaft they discovered to investigate what is in the bottom,” Neilson said, taking over for Senator Long.
“And why does that concern the Senate? Why would discovering what caused the epidemic upset you in any way. I would think you would want to know the reason behind this.”
“Well, without an official representative going down to determine the cause. Who knows what kind of story they could concoct. They could tell the world anything they wished. We believe strongly that whoever goes down in that pit should be accompanied by a government representative,” Neilson replied.
She just sat looking at them for a long time.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Time seemed to slow down for the two Senators as they sat waiting for the President to reply. They fidgeted and looked back and forth at each other, willing her to speak. Finally she was ready.
“First let me say that while I appreciate the vote of confidence, I assume that the second two items are totally independent of the first. Is that accurate?”
“Absolutely,” Neilson said.
“Certainly,” Senator Long replied.
“Good. Very good. I will give the second item my full attention, you can be certain of that. I do see the logic behind such a plan. It is this third item that has me baffled. Why would the Senate be worried about what they may or may not find in the bottom of a mining shaft?”
“We just want to ensure that what they report finding is accurate and factual. We are concerned about the authenticity of what they claim they have found,” Neilson replied.
There was another pregnant pause before she was ready to speak. There was more to it than what they were claiming, she was sure of it.
“Senator Long, Senator Neilson. We know between us, that all politicians are great bullshitters. Some of the best in the country or else we wouldn’t be in office very long, if we ever even made it that far. So, why don’t you stop playing footsie with me at tell me exactly what you are afraid of. Just what could be so devastating that the Senate wants to control the information?” Toll said, sitting back in her chair.
“Would you believe me if I said it is in your best interest to not delve into this too far? At this point you have plausible deniability. All we have discussed so far is your upcoming swearing in, the possibility of a different system to limit the spread of the Ebola virus and having a military expert as part of the team going down into the shaft. All of that is true, and I would be perfectly willing to attest to that in a court of law,” Neilson said.
“And if I push harder?”
“Then you could potentially place yourself in peril. Not from the Senate but from the American public,” he told her.
“My, that is a dilemma.”
“Yes Ma’am, you could certainly say that with the utmost confidence,” Neilson replied.
“Would someone please tell me what the heck is going on around here,” Buck said as he stormed into the trailer, holding a paper in his hand.
“What are you talking about? You know what’s going on as much as we do,” Randal replied looking up from where he had been peering through the microscope.
“I’m talking about this,” he said waving it in the air, “Darned note I got today.”
“Let me see?” Randal said holding out his hand.
“I just don’t get it,’ Buck fumed.
“What the…”
“Exactly,” Buck interrupted.
“What is it?” Mark asked coming over to join them.
Randal handed it over to Mark. He quickly read it and then looked at them shocked.
“What is that all about?” Randal said to no one in particular.
“Hey, I’m just the messenger. Can you believe that crap. From the President no less. What in the world does she think is down there? Gold, platinum, what?” he said exasperated, wadding up the paper and tossing it in the trashcan.
“You shouldn’t have done that. It was from the President. You could have had it framed.”
“Like I need another one,” Buck said.
“I assume this puts you back at square one?” Mark asked.
“No, I just need to re-calculate a few things. I guess what really ticks me off is the fact that every time I get just about ready to build the darn thing, something or someone comes along and changes things. We are going to be putting a man’s life at risk. Two now, and I sure don’t want to be the one responsible for having one or both of them die down there.”
“Buck, if anyone in this world can get those men down there and back up, I would want you doing the job,” Randal said.
Bucked looked at him a moment to see if he was kidding but decided he meant it sincerely.
“I appreciate that. Look I’ll need all the information you can get on this guy. Is he going to use the same bio-suit as your guy.”
“No problem. We just won’t give them an alternative.”
“Okay then. Gotta run,” he said and went out a lot calmer than when he had come in.
“I’m glad he takes it that seriously. I sure the hell wouldn’t want someone that just figured what the hell, I’ll give it a shot,” Mark said.
“I’ll bet you are since you’re the one going.”
“Like I didn’t know that all along. You think I'd trust someone else to do this?”
“No. It never even entered my mind,” Randal said, slapping him on the back.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Raymond “The Kid” Roundhouse had joined the military right out of High School. He had hated school and couldn’t wait to get out of there. To his credit, he did manage to stick it out.