“The germ is actually easy to grow in culture, but with the resistance it is showing to our drugs, it’s seeming clearer and clearer that we will have to go in another direction.”

“Such as?”

Puchalsky sighed again.

“Dr. Welcome, this just is not the time to go over my work with you or anyone for that matter. I mean you no disrespect, sir, but I am just too busy for this. And I will get even busier the moment a third case crops up in our hospital. And believe me, doctor, it is only a matter of time before that happens. Feel free to visit with your friend. Stay in his room as long as you like, but if you have any questions specific to his condition, I ask that you direct them to his attending physicians, or his nurses. I plan on delivering a similar message to Dr. Carter. Are we in agreement here?”

Puchalsky clearly wanted Lou just to dry up and blow away. That didn’t matter. Lou had plenty of experience with people who, for one reason or another, wanted the same thing. Besides, the man had reminded him that just down the road was a resource that could prove far more helpful than he was—bacteria-worshiping Sam Scupman of the CDC’s Antibiotic Resistance Unit. But before he let the incorrigible infectious disease specialist walk away, Lou had one more question.

“At the rate Hank Duncan’s infection is progressing, what’s the next logical course of treatment if a new antibiotic remains elusive, and combinations of existing antibiotics continue to be ineffective?”

Puchalsky’s expression and isn’t-it-obvious gesture suggested he was in no mood for a long-winded reply.

“His leg would be amputated and we would continue to remove infected parts of his body, until either the germ vanishes, or he dies.”

Chapter 24

CHAPTER 24

To follow our government blindly is to walk blind with no cane just waiting to hit something.

—LANCASTER R. HILL, LECTURE AT PRINCETON UNIVERSITY, NOVEMBER 12, 1938

“Let me guess, you heard all that.”

Lou pointed at the discrete microphone attached to the tray of Humphrey Miller’s wheelchair. Humphrey, who had been making a delivery in the med room, motored over as soon as Puchalsky had left the isolation suite, and flashed what seemed to be a consoling look. His arms were somewhat more spastic than Lou remembered, as though Humphrey were reacting to Lou’s angst.

“Ivan sounded more cordial than expected,” Humphrey said. “Must like you.”

Lou chuckled.

“Happy to see you again, Humphrey. You don’t have to shorten your sentences for me unless you want to.”

“Saying everything more tiring. At least you bother listen what I say. It’s refreshing.”

“So long as you do it for you and not for me.”

“Believe me, much easier talk to you. Been follow situation with your friend.”

“And?”

“And everyone’s nervous.”

“Puchalsky said this was the second case Arbor has had of this germ.”