“I want to go back to the lab,” Pia said, stopping suddenly. They had just reached the corner where 168th Street turns into Haven Avenue. “I want to see if there are any clues as to why or how he got infected. He’s so careful, I don’t understand it. He’s so detailed and compulsive about his work, his organization, his technique, it’s all flawless. It doesn’t make sense.”

Still lurking in the back of Pia’s mind was the thought that Rothman had infected himself intentionally. But why would he involve Dr. Yamamoto? It couldn’t be the case, or could it? What she wanted to do was completely eliminate the idea as even a remote possibility. If Rothman died, it was going to be a betrayal of sorts, but she didn’t want it to be his betrayal. Betrayal by fate she thought she could ultimately handle. Personal betrayal by Rothman would be something entirely different.

George groaned inwardly. Visiting Rothman had been bad enough. Visiting a lab that was off-limits by order of the CDC was something else entirely. “The lab is closed,” George said in a fashion that wouldn’t brook discussion. “Order of the CDC. Let’s head up to your room. I saved the sandwich you didn’t eat.” To prove his point, George pulled the food from his pocket.

“I’m going,” Pia said.

“What on earth do you think you’re going to turn up that the CDC hasn’t?”

“I don’t know, but I can’t do nothing. You can come with me or not, I’m going anyway. Of course two sets of eyes may be better than one.”

George realized Pia was asking for his help, however indirectly, which was a first. Still, it wasn’t an easy decision. He was okay with bending the rules, but not breaking them like this. He couldn’t afford to get kicked out of medical school. It had been his goal as long as he could remember, and he had his family to consider. But George had no time to ponder his decision. Pia had already turned around and was heading toward the research building.

“You’re not worried about getting typhoid fever?” he asked, catching up to her.

“I was in there this morning. And there’s protective gear we can put on just like we used in Rothman’s room.”

Pia entered the building. George followed. It was like making a decision without making a decision. They showed their IDs to the security man and headed for the elevators.

As George had expected, the door to the lab was crisscrossed with yellow caution tape. “See, just as I expected. We can’t go in.”