Page 86 of Lethal Game

“Orders have come down, food and supplies can be air-dropped, but until you determine what’s causing so many people to sicken and die, no one new is going in. Identify the pathogen. That’s your only priority, Sophia. It needs to be done fast.”

“Understood, sir.”

“Check in with me every four hours. Good luck.”

“Thank you, sir.” She hung up and tucked the phone into a holster on her belt. When she stood Dr. Blairmore looked at her expectantly.

“They’re going to start supply drops from the air, but won’t send more human assistance until after I determine the pathogen responsible for this outbreak.”

There was no hiding the disappointment and frustration on his face. “Fine.” He glanced at the bags of equipment around her. “Do you need help setting up your lab?”

“No.” She pointed at Smoke and the Marines. “I have all the help I need.”

“Well, don’t take too long.” He turned and strode away.

“Can I get your records and patient files?” she called after him.

He spun around. “What for?”

“The Army always wants more info. It may help me convince the higher ups to send help faster.”

“Yeah, fine.” Blairmore headed toward a spot in the middle of the hospital tent where some pallets and boxes were stacked.

“What do you think of Dr. Blairmore, Smoke?” Sophia asked in an undertone that wouldn’t carry.

“Jackass.” Was the one word reply.

“Agreed,” she said with a sigh. “I’ve met his type before. They never make the job easy.”

Smoke grunted.

A local man came out from the area Dr. Blairmore disappeared to with a banker’s box in his hands. He set the box on the ground about ten feet away from Sophia, then hurried away.

Blairmore came out of his hidey hole of supplies and shouted, “Our records, so far. Some of the patient documentation is missing. We’ve had so many people we sometimes don’t even get a name before they’re too far gone to talk to us.”

She waved at him, happy to interact with him at a distance. “Thank you. I’ll read them here.” She quickly went through the box, scanning the forms for symptoms, treatment, and results.

A couple of people pointed, then ran out of the tent. Sophia glanced after them. Con, River, and his buddy were laden with sacks of rice.

Smiles graced the faces of everyone not wearing a surgical mask as the men came closer to the tent with the sacks. A woman came over and directed them to another tent about fifty feet away. Probably where they did the food preparation for the sick.

Con glanced at Sophia as he passed her. “I’ll be right back.”

She nodded and set the box aside. There wasn’t anything in view for miles, only desert. Casting her gaze over the camp only revealed that every available spot within eyesight with any shelter or older building was already in use.

Con came back within a minute. “You still here? Where are we setting up?”

“I thought I’d let you choose the spot.”

“Really?” His expression said he didn’t quite believe it.

She sighed. “To be honest, I’m not sure where to go. Nothing is closed off or easily defendable, so...”

He looked around. There wasn’t much to see. The tent was open until about five or six feet above the ground so air could circulate. Anyone could see in and out of the structure.

Con’s mouth pressed into a grim line. “No privacy or protection.”

“Privacy isn’t a huge concern,” she told him. “Safety is another matter.”

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