Free The Hammer of God by Tom Avitabile

you moved things along up in New York.”
    â€œWe got lucky because Kronos didn’t get lucky, so he was home Saturday night to wire the patch up.”
    â€œAll the same, it’s your team. We’ve got bio-med crash units in the two Muslim communities where we found two of the infected men. So far it’s contained, but we are losing people. Almost 3,000 innocent folks are dead because they were first to get infected by the bastards hiding in their neighborhoods. They were already dying long before we got to them.”
    â€œBut those 3,000 could have in turn exposed 90,000. Both communities could have been wiped out,” Bill said.
    â€œOf course, those 90,000 could have infected millions before this thing burnt out,” Ray said closing the briefing folder on his lap. “Again, you don’t wire up the fast patch thing and we don’t get facial recognition on these animals. Then untold millions would be dead or dying now, Bill.”
    â€œThe cop didn’t make it…” Bill said without moving his head or eyes.
    â€œWhich cop?”
    â€œAt the motel. An NYPD cop found a jar cracked open on the asphalt. As far as we can tell, he didn’t touch it, but he inhaled a full dose. He was quarantined but slipped away yesterday.”
    â€œI hope those sons of bitches, rot in hell for bringing that shit to America.”
    â€œNationally, the Center for Disease Control says we are talking 26,000 additional deaths this flu season. And that’s with 21 of them caught or killed before they could infect anyone.” Bill had just read that report a few minutes earlier.
    â€œEven so, I’d say we dodged a bullet.”
    Both men uncharacteristically sat in silence, each dwelling on what could have been.
    â€œWell, I better be getting back to my office.” Ray got up and looked at the game ball behind Bill’s desk and noticed what was written on it in white paint. “Stanford 27, Penn State 3? Bill, I watched you on three consecutive New Year’s Days win all kinds of bowls. What was so special about this mid-season snorer?”
    â€œThat was the best game of my life, Ray.”
    The quizzical look on Ray’s face begged for more clarity.
    â€œThat was the first game that Janice came to. I got in trouble talking to her on the sidelines during the game, but I didn’t care. Right in the middle of the third quarter, I knew she was the one, and that I loved her.”
    â€œSo that solves a mystery that’s bugged me for a while.”
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    â€œHow, with all the awards trophies and souvenirs you’ve collected in your football career, the only trace in this office that you even threw a pass was this one game ball. I though scientists were supposed to be cold and unsentimental.”
    â€œOnly the ones who never meet Janice, Ray.”
    â€œTouché, my friend.” And with that he was off.
    Bill picked up the phone. He scribbled something on a pad as he dialed home. “Janice, let’s stay in tonight. I don’t know. Just hang a little… maybe get to bed early. Yes and get to sleep late… you got it!”
    Bill smiled to himself as he hung up the phone. He checked his calendar and called out to the outer office. “Cheryl, can I have the summary for my eleven o’clock?”
    Cheryl came in with the summary and said, “I have a Mr. Remo on the phone?”
    â€œRemo? From where?”
    â€œHe says he’s an old friend.”
    Bill’s mind whirled. “Peter Remo? Yeah, I’d say so. Okay, put him through.”
    Cheryl went outside and a few seconds later Bill picked up. “Peter, how the hell are you, man?”
    â€œHey, Bill; thanks for taking my call.”
    â€œDon’t be silly. How ya been, buddy?”
    â€œI’ve been okay, but something’s come up and I need to sit down with you.”
    â€œThis doesn’t sound too