“Well, Walter, you’re turning into an investigator yet,” Zach chuckled.
“Uh huh. Don’t say sweet things to me.” Pete joined in with a laugh.
“I’m gonna bring Poole and Clarke in to watch the video. You and Seth take care of Ellie. I’ve cleared Riley Armstrong—she’ll be safe as a care provider. I’ll talk to Baker. He served with Ethan Miller from San Diego.”
“Okay. The rash is beginning to fade on her face. I’m hoping the immunoglobulin and the vaccination we gave her when we figured out it was the measles, thanks to Tuck, are working. I’m hoping if the pneumonia continues to respond to the antibiotics, and we get her antiseizure meds up to the therapeutic range, she should grow more alert.”
Zach’s phone beeped. He shook his head. “Another child was admitted to the PICU at Morgantown with the measles. That tells us the people responsible for these kidnappings are located in West Virginia.” He opened his phone. “It’s me. Run a search for measles diagnoses in the past twenty days… Huh? Get over there, and, Tighe, grab Killian… No news.” Zach’s eyes closed as he hung up.
“What?”
“A family was put in quarantine at JFK. Mom has the measles and so does their newborn. They were admitted to the hospital. She and her husband clammed up when the hospital questioned maternity. Blood types don’t match.”
* * *
Daisy Jackson/Dinah Drake rocked a toddler in her arms. The little boy cried a pained wail, his body burning hot. Flat red spots covered him.
“Baby boy, Grandma has you. I know you don’t feel well.” She swished and swayed her hips, trying to soothe him. A frenzy was erupting around her. “Let’s move, people,” she ordered. Soldiers rushed to pack up supplies.
“Major, the armory, the animals, and all the food and kitchen supplies are packed up. The medical supplies are also ready to roll. As soon as we move the mothers, we can pack up the housing supplies and level the area,” a man in fatigues said.
“Pack all the linens in plastic. They need to be boiled. Wipe down every piece of furniture with bleach,” she asked.
“Yes, ma’am.” He saluted.
She looked at the little boy. “I’m sorry, little boy, but you need to leave momma and grandma.”
Resa screamed, “You promised me. He’s mine!”
Dinah Drake’s eyes narrowed. “He’s contaminated with measles and very ill. He will die without the care he needs. You’re more than welcome to be with him, but you think the authorities will let you keep him? The kidnapped girl survives with a child. And when they check your maternity—and add the fact those people on our rightful land will say they saw you with Conrad,” she sniped.
Resa’s eyes filled with tears. “Let me stay with him until it’s time,” she begged.
Dinah nodded. “Conrad, Albert, at dusk, pack up all the sick children and take them.”
The soldiers left in a convoy of vehicles. Each one, now in civilian clothing, headed to the new purchase of a large house on a private eighteen acres along the Shenandoah River in Boyce, Virginia, one car leaving ten minutes after the next.
Dinah stopped directing the troops at the sight of a car arriving. Crawford and Tripp pulled up, both covered in blood. Her knees wobbled, and she forced her legs to lock. “How bad? Is she alive?” Her hand pressed against her mouth as she tried to swallow back the rising bile.
“Oh, God, Mama. She was shot in the gut. It was a mess; there was so much blood. She stopped talking. Her skin was so pale. We dropped her off and drove away. We ditched the car and stole this one.” Tripp was shaking.
“Tripp, change your clothes. We’re bugging out,” Conrad yelled at him. “Crawford, you too. And, Weaver, come with me, let’s burn the car.”
At her son’s shouted orders, she snapped out of her worried trance. There was nothing she could do for Belinda now.
* * *
Duncan Mulligan flew out of the OR, running past the surgical waiting room and heading toward the ER.
Kyle ran after him. “Doc, what’s going on? Is it Wes?”
“No, he’s still on the table. They need a trauma surgeon in the ER, gunshot wound.”
Kyle stopped. Placing his hands on his thighs, he caught his breath.
“Kyle?” Christian Paulsen whispered.
“He’s still in surgery,” Kyle said.
