Yuri struggled to control his excitement as he waited. The fact that it had been decided not to autopsy Connie was unexpected good news, provided it was true. He drummed his fingers nervously on the countertop. He took another swig of vodka.

“This is Dr. Sanders,” a voice said, cutting off the music. “Can I help you?”

Nervously Yuri explained who he was and what he’d been told.

“Ah, yes,” Dr. Sanders said. “I know the case well. I was the one who decided the autopsy was not necessary.”

“So the body can be released?” Yuri asked.

“Absolutely,” Dr. Sanders said. “It can be picked up at any time by the funeral home you’ve chosen. I believe that’s Strickland’s.”

“That’s right,” Yuri said. “Should I call them to let them know?”

“I’m sure our mortuary office has done that already,” Dr. Sanders said. “Or at least they’ll be doing it very soon.”

“Thank you very much,” Yuri said, purposefully toning down his excitement lest it be interpreted correctly. “Out of curiosity, why the change of plans? I mean, I’m relieved there was no autopsy because I was not happy about my wife’s body being disturbed.”

“It was not really a change in plans,” Dr. Sanders explained. “Not every patient who’s sent in is autopsied. There is a constant evaluation of the need. In your wife’s case the attending physician certified the cause of death, which was certainly consistent with her history of asthma. Of course, her weight probably didn’t help her situation either.”

“I’m sure not,” Yuri said. “Thank you for talking with me.”

“My pleasure,” Dr. Sanders said. “And my condolences for your loss.”

“It is a difficult time for me,” Yuri said. “Thank you for your concern.”

Yuri replaced the receiver as a wonderful sense of self-satisfaction spread through him. It was as if the last barrier for Operation Wolverine had crumbled and the goal was in sight. He couldn’t wait to tell Curt.

Yuri rinsed his cereal dish, polished off the rest of the vodka, then headed down into the basement. He whistled as he opened the lock on the entry chamber. In his euphoria he didn’t even feel particularly tired.

He took off the padlock on the storeroom and stepped into the space. Facing the shelving he selected the culture nutrients and other supplies he needed. He brought it all out and placed it next to the door into the lab. Then he donned his breathing apparatus and finally the hazmat suit. When he was ready he opened the inner door and lifted in all the supplies.

The first thing he did was take out the anthrax cakes from the dryer and put them into the pulverizer. When he turned the pulverizer on he was thankful for the sound of the compressed air inside his hood. It helped compete with the racket of the steel ball bearings in the metal cylinder.