How long would he be in prison? Could they actually do it to him? He was caught in a scenario that would do Kafka proud. Theater of the most absurd, only this drama was for real. And as Vaill had said about his wife, the real victim here would be the person he loved more than anyone in the world.

Emily …

“Humphrey Miller,” he heard his voice say in a strained whisper.

Vaill leaned forward.

“Again?”

“Miller. Humphrey Miller,” Lou repeated, more forcefully this time. He felt a weight lift from his chest, but there was no sense of relief. “He’s a pharmacy tech at Arbor General, but he is also a brilliant microbiologist. He was part of a team that was helping Kazimi develop a treatment for the germ.”

“So, what happened?”

“They had a fight—a falling-out because Kazimi didn’t believe Humphrey’s phage theory would work. Humphrey was either kicked off the team or he dropped out.”

“I think you’re messing with us.”

“Think what you want. I don’t believe Kazimi ever even met him. Humphrey isn’t a scientist. He’s a plain old hospital employee, who has debilitating cerebral palsy. He and Kazimi have communicated for years online, but they’ve never met.”

“This is ridiculous!”

“Well, it’s the truth. Humphrey never spoke to anyone at the hospital about his talents because people often ridicule him, and have trouble understanding his speech, and because the blowhard in charge of infectious diseases would never have taken him seriously. But Humphrey grew to trust me, and I understand his speech and respect his theories. I believe Humphrey can cure this infection using killer bacteriophage. If you’ve been researching it, you know it’s possible. They use the method in Russia and other countries.”

“Jesus,” Vaill murmured. “Why didn’t you tell us this?”

“Because Humphrey is wheelchair-bound. He has poor use of his hands and not much of his legs. He wanted my help setting up a lab in a storage space in Arbor General, so we could conduct experiments to prove his theories, and I needed him to do it quickly.”

“You mean an unsanctioned lab?”

“Yes, in the subbasement. He hacked into the hospital’s computer system and ordered all the supplies and animals he needed. Thanks to me, it’s all ready to go. Now please, Cap’s life is at stake. You can’t stop Miller now.”

“Jesus,” Vaill uttered again, shaking his head.

He turned to McCall.

“Chuck, call Beth and give her the name Humphrey Miller, a pharmacy tech at Arbor General. See what she wants to do.”

“You got it. Meet you at the car.” He hesitated at the door and gestured toward Lou. “Tim, you believe this guy?”

“I don’t think he’s a whack-job if that’s what you mean. But I’m not the least bit sure I can say the same thing about this Miller.”