But before Lou could make any more plans, there was a very crucial piece of business that had to be completed at the hospital.

“I’ve heard the gag order is going to be lifted soon,” he said as he and Humphrey prepared to part ways.

“Government going tell about Neighbors?”

“According to Chuck McCall and Beth Snyder, the answer is yes. Congress is worried about leaks and they want to be proactive about informing the American public about what happened, especially since it looks like Doug Bacon has handed over every member of the society. The president is preparing an address and he’s going to come forward about the existence of the Neighbors and how the Doomsday Germ that’s been spreading through hospitals was really a biological weapon designed by a domestic terrorist group. I hear you’re one of the few people who will be publicly credited by the president for your role in this victory over terrorism.”

Humphrey’s thin chest puffed.

“Can’t believe it,” he said.

“Your life is about to change, my friend. As soon as people find out what you’ve done, you’ll be on the cover of every major magazine and probably get an hour devoted to you on 60 Minutes.”

Humphrey’s already broad smile brightened even more.

“If I have to speak, they may need rename show ‘Ninety Minutes.’ Good thing government cleaned my apartment. Hope they help Cassie’s family.”

“I believe they will,” Lou said. “Chuck McCall told me that they’re rushing legislation through Congress to establish the One Hundred Neighbors Victim Compensation Fund. The announcement of the fund will coincide with the president’s address. I would suspect Cassie will be included.”

“Terrific. She has kids not much money.”

Lou didn’t bother to explain how much Humphrey would be able to do for Cassie and others once the pharmaceutical companies made good on their pledges to him.

“From what I’ve heard, the fund will be similar to the legislation Congress passed following the 9/11 attacks,” he said instead. “My daughter Emily’s done a great job raising thousands of dollars for Cap, but it should be a fraction of what he’ll receive from this new fund.”

“Great news. You know I’ll be at Arbor awhile longer.”

“But not in the pharmacy.”

Humphrey laughed his most wonderfully joyous laugh and applauded.

For the time being, he would continue working with a technician in his subbasement lab—a tech on loan from Sam Scupman. Soon, though, as promised, he would be moving over to the CDC. Scupman himself, the champion of bacterial power, had taken the position that simultaneously blasting the Doomsday infections with multiple killer viruses gave every reason to believe the germ would be much less of a threat to mutate.