Jack went on to explain about the Corinthian Rug Company, about how a recent shipment of Turkish rugs and hides was locked up in the warehouse in Queens, that Jason Papparis was the only employee, and that he’d never taken any of the rugs home.

“Thank you,” Clint said without emotion. “You’re so very astute. If I have any epidemiological mysteries, I’ll be sure to give you a call for your assistance.”

“If you don’t mind my asking,” Jack said, ignoring Clint’s sarcasm, “I’d like to know what you plan to do about this current anthrax episode?”

“I’ll have one of my assistants go out to Queens and seal the warehouse,” Clint said.

“Is that all?” Jack questioned.

“We’ve got a major cyclospora outbreak that’s taxing our manpower at the moment,” Clint said. “One case of a containable occupational illness doesn’t constitute an epidemiological emergency. We’ll get to it when we can, provided, of course, there are no more cases.”

“I suppose you know your business,” Jack said, “but it’s my feeling ...”

“Thank you for your vote of confidence,” Clint interrupted. Then, without warning, he hung up.

Jack replaced the receiver. “Hell’s bells,” he said to Chet, who’d twisted around in his chair as the conversation progressed. “So much for intra-agency cooperation. That guy’s more sarcastic than I am.”

“You must have mortally wounded his ego when you dealt with him during that plague episode,” Chet said.

“Well, let’s see if I have any better luck with the director of the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management,” Jack said.

“Why on earth are you calling him?” Chet asked.

“It’s a courtesy call,” Jack said. “Strict orders from our deputy chief.”

A secretary answered, and Jack asked for Stan Thornton.

“Is that the guy who lectured to us on weapons of mass destruction?” Chet asked.

Jack nodded. To his surprise the director himself came on the line immediately. Jack explained who he was and why he was calling.

“Anthrax!” Stan exclaimed. It was obvious the man was impressed. In sharp contrast to Clint Abelard, he bombarded Jack with questions. Only after he learned that the probable cause was contained and that there was only one case did his voice lose its urgency.

“Just to be on the safe side,” Stan said, “I’ll use my contacts with the Department of Health to make sure there are no other inpatients in the city with suspicious symptoms.”

“Good idea,” Jack said.

“And I’ll have that warehouse quarantined,” Stan added.

“That’s already in the works,” Jack said. He related to Stan his conversation with Clint Abelard.

“Perfect!” Stan said. “Clint Abelard would have been high on my list to contact. I’ll coordinate with him.”

Good luck! Jack thought to himself.

“Thanks for your quick response,” Stan continued. “As I mentioned in my lecture, you medical people might be the first to see the effects of a bioterrorism event. The faster the response, the higher the possibility the event could be contained.”

“We’ll certainly keep that in mind,” Jack said before winding up the conversation and hanging up.