“No, no, he figured out the Elvis thing. A few of the wives got together and knitted him a complete neck scarf. He’s very cozy now. Stella didn’t get her own pool, but Grant was able to give her a private pond.”
“So what’s the problem?” frowned Cam.
“Well, it seems Alvin would like the freedom to nibble on the illegal trappers and fishermen in the bayou. He says it would save everyone a lot of time and Trak is happy to help him.”
“I bet he is,” laughed Eric.
“Semu has adopted a litter of motherless kittens and wants the heat turned up in her enclosure so they don’t get cold.”
“That feels reasonable,” smirked Hex.
“All of it is reasonable,” grinned Alexandra, “it’s just feeling a bit like insanity to Gaspar. Oh, I almost forgot. I need to find Lucy and Claire. The toucans and flamingoes have come down with something. They’re not eating at all.”
“Wait, the birds aren’t eating?” asked Darcie turning around from her table. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to listen in.”
“It’s okay,” smiled Alexandra. “Yes, the birds came down with something a few days ago and haven’t eaten in a while. Tito, one of the flamingoes said his stomach was hurting.”
“I don’t like this,” said Darcie. “I don’t like this at all.”
“Don’t worry. My sister and Claire will take a look at them,” said Luke.
“I know, Luke but many unusual, deadly viruses often have their start in the animal community. Bird flu, diseases in horses or cows, even chimps. If those birds carried something into our community, they could be our patient zero. When did they arrive?”
“The flamingoes have been here for at least a year,” said Cam.
“Then it’s not them. The toucans?”
“I’d have to check, but I’m pretty sure they came six or seven months ago.” Darcie nodded, then stood. “Where are you going?”
“To find Lucy and Claire. I just want to check a few things to rule out the birds.” The look on Darcie’s face had them all concerned but they understood that she had to check everything.
“This would fucking suck if one of the animals brought the virus in,” said Hex. “It would kill Mama Irene. You know what I mean.”
“I know what you mean, brother,” said Luke. “Maybe for the time being we keep people out of the animal sanctuary both for the sake of us, and the animals.”
“I think that’s a good idea,” said Cam.
The wind whistled outside, blowing the moss from the trees, leaves and fallen flowers circling the earth. In the distance they could see lightening streaking across the sky. There was a storm warning that would bring gale force winds, rain, and even a possibility of sleet, ice, and snow.
The team turned to look outside, the sudden burst of wind feeling like an ominous warning. Luke stared at the others.
“Let’s buckle everything down. I think it’s going to be a long night.”
CHAPTER THREE
“What the hell happened?” mumbled Kennedy staring at the disarray of the emergency room.
“Patients,” said Layla. “Non-stop patients all night. This is bigger than we think, Kennedy and I’m not sure we’re ready for this.”
She stared at the room, then walked down the hallways looking into the treatment bays. There were patients on oxygen, all were on IV’s, many were sound asleep. And then there were three with sheets covering their faces.
“What the hell is happening?” asked Kennedy looking at Ambry.
“I don’t know. We had a handful of cases that came in yesterday and then today we’ve got an entire waiting room full of people. It’s overflowing out there again.”
“Call Ham and the others to see if we can get some help controlling the crowds,” said Kennedy. “Tell everyone to wear masks and gloves like yesterday. I don’t know what this is but we can’t risk spreading it to the entire property.”
Layla came into the room with Virginia, their faces masked but their eyes telling them they had a problem.
