Lion’s nostrils flared. He nodded. “He came to us because his mom died. Do you think she had this illness?”
“It’s possible. The doctors will do an investigation.”
*
Structured mayhem took over in the next hours. More helicopters arrived. Tents were set up for a morgue and others to triage sick patients. Sparrow’s body and the others from the clinic were put in body bags and transferred to the temporary morgue.
Greer showed the doctors where the healer and his two patients were, then he and Lion went up to the guest cabin. Kit was there, with Lobo and the other guys.
“Lion and his pride were inoculated against smallpox about six weeks ago,” Greer told Kit. “All except the newest member.”
“Does his boy have smallpox?”
Greer nodded. “He did. He died.”
Kit set a hand on Lion’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, Lion. Jesus. Tell me about the shots you and your pride received. Who authorized it? Who did them?”
Lion shook his head. “King ordered them. A man showed up one night a while back and administered them. We were told if we discussed the shots with anyone, we would be arrested by your government, that the pride would be dissolved, the cubs separated.”
“We’re not going to let that happen.” Kit looked at Greer. “I need you to take one of the physician assistants to the house to vaccinate everyone there. Take Lion and let him clean up. You guys need to stop at the station over there to change into a pair of scrubs. Put your clothes in a laundry bag. They’re giving out instructions for washing…which only apply to us and the other responders, since there are no washing machines in the community. While you clean up, the PA will vaccinate everyone else—including the Jacksons. Doc Beck is going to be at the house, too. He needs a vaccination in case this spreads wider than the Friendship Community.”
“I want to get Remi out of here.”
Kit sighed. “She can’t go. No one who was exposed and unvaccinated is allowed to leave.”
“Then I’m coming back to stay here with her.”
“Good. We could use you here.” He looked at Greer. “Listen, Greer—Ivy can’t get the shot.”
Greer frowned. “Why?”
“She may be pregnant. We’ve been trying, anyway.”
“I’ll be sure the PA spells that out for her and the others.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Greer changed, then went to say goodbye to Remi. The silence inside the small cabin was deafening after the chaos outside.
“I can’t take you home yet, Remi. As an unvaccinated person, you’re caught up in the quarantine.”
“I know.” Her mouth tightened. “I’m dreading calling the university. The semester will be starting before my quarantine is over. They told me to stop, and I didn’t. And now look what happened.”
A thought occurred to Greer. He looked at her, almost hoping she’d shut him down. “Shit. Remi. Do you know if Senator Whiddon had anything to do with their changed opinion of your research?”
She shook her head. “He’s a Colorado senator. Why would he be involved with the University of Wyoming?”
“Because he figured out who you were. Sweet little Chastity grew into a major threat to him. As a senator, he could pull strings.”
Her eyes widened. “Do you think he did?”
“I can find out.”
She bit the tip of her thumb as she turned from him, deep in thought. “You could be right. When I went down to the Grummond’s earlier this summer, I gave them my academic credentials. When they wouldn’t let me in, I asked to speak to some of the women I grew up with.” She looked at Greer. “I told them I used to live there.” Panic grayed her face. “I told them I used to be known as Chastity.”
“Oh hell. That’s it. The senator is still plugged in to that community.”
“I did bring this on myself.”
Greer took hold of her arms. “No, you didn’t. You had no idea Prophet Josiah was Senator Whiddon. And you had no knowledge of his connection to the WKB.” God, he wished he could hold her tight and tell her everything was going to be fine, but even that contact might endanger her.
“I’m going to do a little digging when I get back to the house. Kit or one of the guys will stand guard over you here until I return. Don’t call the university yet. Let me talk to Kit and Owen first.”
She gripped his wrists. “Okay. Let me know what you find out. I’ll walk with you part of the way. Kit said they’re doing vaccinations now. I need to get mine.”
“I’m afraid to kiss you. I don’t want to contaminate you. I’m taking one of the medics home so he can vaccinate everyone there. Is there anything you want from the house?”
She shook her head. “I have everything I need.”
They crossed the main square. Already, it looked like a war zone. Military trucks were driving across the property, carrying troops and supplies. Residents were standing in small groups, holding each other, watching the goings-on with frightened eyes. Remi’s hand tightened in his.
“This isn’t going to be forever, Remi. Just a few months. Half a year. Only as long as it needs to be. Soon they’ll clear out. Next summer, this will all be a memory.”
She shut her eyes and nodded.
Mayor Dunbar was standing on one of the picnic tables in the community square. His arms were raised and fists clenched. Sweat cloaked his face. A truck went past, keeping them from hearing what he was saying. People from the community were gathered around his table in a half-moon throng.
Off to the right side of the square, a neat line of residents was queued up for their shots, their numbers and complacency in sharp contrast to the rabble the council leader was whipping up.
Kit caught up to them. “What’s going on?” Greer asked.
“The CDC can’t vaccinate the residents involuntarily.” He gestured toward the mayor. “This portion of the community doesn’t want the inoculation.”