“I want to give him ZMapp and fly him back to Emory. It’s what I would do if he were my son. But… it’s not Ebola. We don’t know if ZMapp will even help him, and we could be putting the entire continental US at risk.”

“And?”

“And we might save his life—and figure out what this pathogen is, and help find a vaccine or treatment.”

“Exactly,” Elliott said.

“It’s a bureaucratic nightmare.”

“You put him on a plane and focus on your job out there. I’ll deal with the bureaucrats. That’s my job now.”

“All right. There’s one more thing. The Kenyans have asked for doses of ZMapp to administer to a physician here in Mandera.”

“How many doses do you have?”

“Enough for twelve patients.”

“That’s tough,” Elliott said. “I want to say yes, but we may need the drug for our people if they get sick. We can’t make this stuff overnight.”

“I agree.”

“On the other hand, if we end up flying out of there with one dose left, we may have sentenced a man to death needlessly.”

“Yeah. It’s almost a no-win.”

“Do what you think is right, Peyton. I’ll back you either way.”

“God, you’re no help. I was hoping you’d make the call.”

“Making big decisions is part of your job, young lady. And those decisions are going to get bigger soon. I’m not going to be around forever. You’re going to have to run this place when I’m gone.”

“I don’t want your job.”

“Too bad. I’m going to insist they give it to you.”

“Then I’m going to retire.”

“That’s the emptiest threat I’ve ever heard. You’re doing exactly what you were meant to do. Text me when you put the kid in the air. I’ll work on getting more ZMapp.”

Back in the main tent complex, Peyton found Nia talking to three Kenyan government employees, pointing to the map and arguing. The tall black woman fell silent and straightened as Peyton approached.

“We’ll give you doses for one patient,” Peyton said. “On the condition that the Ministry of Health provides us with a waiver that says the medication is for research purposes only and will be used at the Kenyan government’s sole discretion. The CDC has no knowledge of what will happen to the doses, and we make no commitment to provide further doses.”

Nia shook her head. “We don’t have time for paperwork.”

“Then I suggest you make the call now. I doubt you’ll have any issues. I’ve found you to be very persuasive.”