Narang nodded to him, held down the mike button, and spoke. “Thank you all for your patience. We have set up the quarantine module in four levels. One is the level that you are currently in. At the moment, you are all equally suspected of carrying the infection, despite only one of you displaying symptoms. We will be attempting to establish our ability to detect the infection. If we find that we can do that, then any person who comes up negative will be moved to the next level.”

Narang swallowed before continuing. This part hit too close to home. “After a suitable interval, you will be moved to the second level, which is with the ICDC doctors, including myself. We will all be lab rats for the next phase. If no infection is detected, we will be moved to another module and re-tested. If we pass that, then you, and we, will be free to go home.”

She released the button and took a deep, shaky breath.

Samuelson muttered, “Except for Ivan Pritchard, who will spend the rest of his life here.”

“Put a cork in it, Samuelson. Let’s have no giving up before we start.”

* * *

Dr. Narang smiled at the man on the other side of the window as she took her seat. She had Dr. Kemp’s notes and reports on her tablet, with annotations and questions in the margins. Before her staff dove in full-bore, she wanted to be sure of the facts.

Kemp gazed back at her, his expression relaxed and expectant. She found herself liking him before he’d even said anything. The written reports showed a quick mind, a methodical and thorough work ethic. The conclusions indicated an ability to evaluate the situation honestly and without illusion. She’d be happy to have him on staff.

The man across from her had an open, friendly face, clear blue eyes that looked right at you, and an easy smile. A very good doctor face, indeed.

“Dr. Kemp, I’m Dr. Narang, lead investigator on this incident. I’ve read your notes and reports. I have some questions.”

Kemp chuckled. “Only some? I still have a ton of questions. Each thing I learn just raises more issues.”

“Mm, yes, well, we’re hoping to get a bit of a head start by leveraging off what you’ve already accomplished.” She straightened her tablet on the desk. “Let’s start with your initial examination…”

* * *

Narang looked over the notes she’d taken during the interview. As with any good investigator, Kemp had avoided injecting speculation into his documentation. However, he’d been more willing to open up in a one-on-one interview, especially once it was understood that there would be no quoting out of context.

The event was frightening in its simplicity. This had all the feel of a deliberate trap. But by humans? Or something else?