Page 34 of Smoky Lake

“That missile wasn’t us,” snapped the colonel.

“Then who was it?”

Ani knew the answer before it came. “Classified.”

For a moment, no one spoke. Then the doctor cleared her throat. “We believe the virus is from a rare class called omegavirus. Some virologists thought it was extinct, that’s how uncommon it is. A group of mine workers became infected a few weeks ago in Ninuk, near the Arctic Circle. They were doing some core sampling deep in the permafrost layer. We managed to contain that outbreak, except for one loose end. Victor Canseco. He was doing research in that area before he came to Firelight Ridge.”

“So you’re tracking down everyone he’s been in contact with, even if they’re in a cabin in the wilderness?” Gil shook his head. “That’s dedication.”

“Has anyone else gotten sick?” Ani asked, thinking of the pilot, dead in his backyard, and the girl who worked for him, although nausea and vomiting weren’t on the list of symptoms that Dr. Christianson had mentioned.

“That’s classified,” growled the colonel.

“Did Victor have the virus? Was he contagious when I talked to him?”

The colonel and the doctor exchanged a glance. “We don’t know. That’s why we’d like to test you.” She turned to Gil. “I understand Victor Canseco’s a friend of yours. Do you know where we could find him?”

“I don’t know where he is.” Ani noticed that he didn’t mention that he’d spoken to Victor on the phone. Interesting.

“My brother Lachlan is closer to Victor than I am,” he continued. “Have you talked to him?”

“We have. He hasn’t seen Victor since he came back from Ninuk.”

Gil’s visible tension eased and he relaxed back in his chair. Always so protective of his brother, thought Ani.

The doctor pulled out an iPad and tapped into it. “Now I have to ask again, would you be willing to provide a blood sample so we can make sure you haven’t been infected by this virus? We’re trying to learn everything we can about it.” She turned to Ani. “We’re most worried about you, since you talked to Canseco in close proximity.”

Ani nodded tightly, thinking of Victor’s sweaty face. “What happens if we’ve been infected? Is there a treatment?”

“At this point we have no treatment, this virus is too unfamiliar. But we can manage the symptoms. We expect that it’s hardest on kids and the elderly, like most viruses. If you test positive, we’d ask you to confine yourselves to a private space until you’re clear of the omegavirus.”

“Quarantine?” Ani’s heart sank. The worst part of Ani’s entire marriage had played out during Covid lockdown. John had been a nightmare to live with. In fact, that time had finally opened her eyes to the fact that they weren’t a good match, that he only loved her when she was idolizing him. The only saving grace was that she was an essential worker and so they’d kept distance from each other.

“Entirely voluntary. I wouldn’t call it quarantine, just a simple precaution. But if we find you’re clear, then there will be no need for that.”

There was no question in Ani’s mind that if she had a virus, she wanted to know about it. “I consent, with the stipulation that you don’t retain my blood sample unless it’s useful for research.”

“That’s fair. If you’re clear, we’ll destroy it. If you’re not, we’d like to know more about this virus, with your permission.”

“Can I have a moment with my doctor?” Gil asked. “In private. Patient-doctor confidentiality.”

At Dr. Christianson’s nod, Ani followed Gil out of the room. He drew her close to whisper in her ear. “You think it’s safe to do this?”

She whispered back. “I want to know if I have a virus. I don’t want to get anyone sick. I’ve been thinking about all the people I’ve been in contact with. My friends, everyone in Firelight Ridge. You.”

“You’re worried about me?”

“Of course. Apparently I’m your doctor.”

A whisper of a laugh against her ear. “If we have to be quarantined, would you mind if we did it together?”

“That would be nice. But will you be offended if I still hope we don’t have it?”

“Not at all. Hell, if we don’t, we can always self-quarantine just for the fun of it.”

“I like the way you think.”

When their whispered consultation was over, they pulled away and faced the interrogators, who were watching them curiously.

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