Jonas exhaled. “Okay, let’s assume it is, and play it out. Al-Shabaab is the resident terror group in the area. If they could get a biological agent, it would certainly accomplish their goal of destabilizing Kenya. They want to take over the government and set up a fundamental Islamic state. The outbreak is a pretty drastic way to go about it, but it could set up an opportunity for them.”

“So the motive is there.”

“Yeah, but let’s face it, this is way over their head.”

“Maybe they had help,” Peyton said.

“Maybe. But from whom, and why?” Jonas studied the map. “Look, I think it’s within the realm of possibility, but I don’t count it as likely. Maybe we’re just looking for a group of five people who were infected at the same time. They could have set off the outbreaks at Dadaab, the airport, Mandera, and the surrounding villages. That seems more likely to me.”

Hannah stepped inside the tent and handed Peyton a warm MRE and a bottle of water, both of which she badly needed. She thanked the young physician, who nodded and stepped back. While Peyton and Jonas studied the map, Hannah took out her satphone, dialed, and waited.

She spoke softly, then raised her voice. “How long?” She paused. “Hold the line.”

Hannah put the phone to her shoulder. “Millen has been in the first cave for an hour and a half. He hasn’t checked in for over an hour.”

“Who’s on the line?” Peyton asked.

“Kito, the local guide.”

“Put him on speaker.”

Hannah hit a button on the phone. “Kito, I’ve got Doctors Shaw and Becker here.”

“Hello, doctors.”

“Kito, did Millen bring an extra hazmat suit?” Peyton asked.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Are you comfortable putting the suit on and going into the cave to see if you can make radio contact with him or find him?”

“Yes, ma’am,” the man said instantly. “I will do my best.”

“Good. We appreciate that very much. Millen should have left chemlights along his path. If the trail of lights stops, search the area for him. He may have been injured during a cave-in or accident.”

“All right.”

“Keep us posted, Kito. Thank you.”

Hannah hung up, and Peyton looked into the young EIS officer’s eyes. “We’ll find him, Hannah.”

The three physicians spent the early afternoon coordinating with teams in other villages and prepping the camp for disassembly. They planned to leave at dawn the next morning.