“Of course, Dr. Nantal with the WHO,” she said, awestruck to be speaking to the WHO’s executive director of communicable diseases. “As part of my thesis, I studied your legendary work on the global smallpox vaccination program,” she gushed.

“You must have studied ancient history in school, then?” he laughed easily.

“Hardly!” she said. “What you and the others accomplished—”

“Was a long time ago, but thank you,” he said graciously. “I hope I’m not calling too early. I get hopelessly confused by time zones. I think it should be about seven-thirty A.M. in Seattle, but I must confess it might be midnight or noon for all I know.”

“No, that’s the right time,” Lopez laughed, realizing that Nantal’s reputation as a world-class charmer was justified. “I’m just heading out the door to go back to the hospital to interview a patient with early MRGAS.”

“Indeed,” he said. “Dr. Lopez—”

“Lina.”

“Of course. And please, I am Jean,” he said. “I was hoping you might update me as to where your cases stand. I have spoken to Dr. Kilburn in Vancouver, but I only know what Nelson Amar told me of the Seattle cases. And I believe he relied on you for the information.”

“Certainly.” Lopez gave Nantal a concise update of the Seattle cluster, and then added, “Jean, there’s another woman in isolation. Her father had nectrotizing fasciitis. And it seems she accidentally exposed herself with a contaminated glove. She’s the one I am interviewing today. After that, I plan to drive to Vancouver to meet Dr. Kilburn.”

“Very good,” Nantal said.

“Jean, how involved is the WHO?” she asked.

“Thus far we’re not, beyond acting as consultants. Nelson was confident that the CDC could lead the investigation.” Nantal paused. “Lina, he told me you were very capable.”

“He did?” she said without masking her surprise.

“Ah, Nelson.” Nantal laughed again. “I believe the American expression is ‘his bark is worse than his bite.’ Yes?”

Lopez chuckled. “But it’s a pretty impressive bark. Did Nelson mention our concern that the simultaneous outbreaks might not be random?” She neglected to clarify that it was far more her concern than his.

Nantal paused. “He did.”

“What do you think, Jean?”

“In this day and age, it is always a concern,” he said wistfully. “Lina, do you mind if I share a little of my personal experience?”

“Mind?” she said. “I’d be honored.”