Free Silent Creed by Alex Kava

wrong. I’d like to know we at least have someone who will be—” He stopped, as if to select his words carefully. “Someone who will be on our side.”
    There was that phrase again, as though they were schoolchildren choosing up sides for a game of flag football.
    “What exactly was at this particular facility?” Platt asked.
    Another shrug from Hess, and Platt noticed how slumped his shoulders had become.
    “I’m not sure at this time. You know we purposely allow our facilities and directors much leeway for their research.”
    Platt did know that. There were dozens, perhaps more than a hundred, research facilities across the country like the one in North Carolina. Giving them a generous amount of independence was an attempt to relieve them of the many constraints the politicians tried to saddle them with. Platt understood all too well from his own experience at USAMRIID how much politicians could get in the way. Everyone wanted a cure for Ebola but few wanted to know the deliberate and tedious process it took to develop a serum or vaccine. Until recently they couldn’t even experiment on human cases.
    “I do know Dr. Shaw, who’s the director of this facility,” Hess told him. “She’s a brilliant woman. Very impressive. I doubt there’s a virus she wouldn’t be able to replicate.”
    Platt felt a knot tighten in his stomach with the sudden realization.
    “Hold on, Abe. Are you saying there could be Level 3 or Level 4 samples at this facility?”
    “You can’t find cures without having the samples.” When he saw Platt’s concern, he continued, “They take every precaution to keep them safe. Our laboratory lockboxes are made to withstand a terrorist explosion.”
    “But can they withstand the destructive forces of a landslide?”
    The phone began to ring on Hess’s desk, interrupting them. Before Platt could offer to get it for him, Hess struggled to his feet, shuffling as quickly as he could to pick up the receiver.
    “This is Colonel Hess.”
    Platt watched the colonel’s face as he listened to the caller. The downturned mouth, the taut jaw, the perpetual lines in his forehead remained unchanged. The perfect poker player except for his eyes, which again darted from side to side, giving away his worry.
    He was quiet for almost a minute before he said, “I’ll get back to you with instructions.” And then he hung up.
    He stayed behind the desk, leaning against it as if needing an anchor. This time when he looked up at Platt, he couldn’t hide the anxiety.
    “One of the scientists was found.”
    Platt waited to see relief that never came.
    Then Hess added, “He’s dead.”
    “He died in the landslide?”
    “No. Probably before. It appears that he was shot in the head.”

18.
    Haywood County, North Carolina
    C reed kept his palms flat against the tiled wall and let the warm stream of water course over his battered body. Beside him, Bolo was doing the same, standing still, head down, and enjoying the spray.
    After he examined Creed, the medic, named Kevin, had taken him away from the noisy gymnasium that was being staged to accommodate the rescue crews. He had led Creed and Bolo down a long hallway to a small locker room with a private shower and bath. Creed guessed it was normally used by the high school’s coaching staff.
    He couldn’t shake the pressure from inside his head. His ears were ringing and if he moved too quickly he got dizzy enough to see stars. Kevin had barely left them when Creed had caved to his knees, emptying his stomach in the toilet. Bolo kept close the whole time, nudging Creed and allowing him to use the big dog’s back to help him get to his feet. Even now the dog kept so close his side touched Creed’s leg. Every once in a while he noticed Bolo looking up at him.
    As soon as Creed felt he had his balance back, he knelt down again, only this time he ran his hands over Bolo. He let the water help him clean and examine the dog’s back, his legs, his neck and chest.