“We think the Russian mob wants Tae and her vaccine so that when they release the smallpox into our population, they can hold us hostage for the cure,” Pete said.

“Well, I’ve lost my appetite,” Barry said from the recliner. So, not sleeping.

“If the CDC has stockpiles, then they have vaccines too.” Ranger found a serving bowl and set it on the counter next to the stove.

“Yes, they do. But what if they don’t work? What if this strain is too virulent?” Logan slid off the stool and took the plates from Colt, who’d retrieved them from the cupboard.

Tae checked on the spaghetti, stirring it to loosen the strands. “Five more minutes.”

She looked at Logan. “Then we start over until we get it right. Except, now we’ll have to start over completely.”

“Surely you backed up your research on your computer,” Logan said as he set the table.

“Yes . . . to the servers in the lab.”

“The ones that burned in the explosion.”

She gave Logan a grim look.

“How long will it take to re-create it?” Logan returned to the counter for the glasses.

“I don’t know. Without my notes, we’ll be starting over.” She picked up the pot to drain the water. Steam rose from the colander in the sink. “Which means that anyone can do it.”

“No, Dr. Price. You’re the only one who knows what’s happening. If we widen the field of researchers, we risk the threat getting out.”

Yeah, if the world felt like she did now . . . maybe it was better to keep it quiet. “It would help to have a strain of the actual virus instead of one we synthesize. But my guess is that also burned up in the lab.”

She plated the noodles, then added butter.

“Yes, it did.” Logan had returned to the counter. “Listen. We can protect you.”

“Can you?” She stepped back. “Because . . .” She closed her eyes. Took a breath. It didn’t matter if they could or not. “I’m going to make the world a better place.” Perfect. Her father picked now to wander into her head. She opened her eyes, turned, and was about to nod when Colt picked up her fight.

“I think that’s enough, Logan. Give her some time.”

“We don’t have time,” Logan said quietly and looked at her.

Fine. And it wasn’t even a question, really. She just wanted a second or two to breathe. “Set up the lab. I’ll be there when it’s ready.”

But Logan’s ominous words sat in Tae’s head throughout dinner, and even after, as Pete and Logan left.

She noticed the stiff goodbye that Noemi gave her father.