“Oh, hey, Cole. Well, we think we’ve figured out what’s making Meg so sick: malaria.” His voice was strained and exhausted.
“Malaria?” Cole turned in his seat to look at his father.
“Not just a normal species of malaria, either. Williams created some mutant, super parasite and tipped that damn dart with it.” His hands were shaking with anger as he scooped the coffee grinds into the machine causing him to spill.
Whether it was because he heard Meg’s name or just was lonely enough for company, Maze’s large frame came lumbering into the kitchen. His nails clicked softly on the tile floor as he made his way to the first lap he could find. He draped his head on Cole and whimpered, shamelessly seeking an affectionate scratch between his ears.
“What does that mean, dad? Can she be cured?”
“We’re still not sure. With four normal species of malaria, usually a smear of the patient’s blood would be sufficient to determine which parasite was present and subsequently, which antigen was needed to treat the illness.” The coffee maker was gurgling already and the aroma of coffee was beginning to fill the room.
“This parasite has some of the same components as the known species, but not all. It’s those unknowns that could make curing Meg very difficult. We won’t know until we start to try.”
“How soon will they get here?”
“We have about two and a half hours before their plane is expected to land.”
“What can I do to help, dad?”
Theo was leaning against the sink, arms crossed. “I was wondering the same thing. Even I don’t know enough about all of this to be much help. We’re really going to have to lean on Evan, Paulie and Margo as this is more along the lines of their science. Mostly Evan, I suppose. That thirteen-year-old kid is smarter than all of us combined.
“I’m just an ER doctor. If someone’s in a car accident and comes in with broken bones and blood coming out of everywhere, then I can help. Meg needs a completely different kind of science.” He paused for a moment before adding, “Wow, what I wouldn’t give to be able to think the way Evan does.”
Theo walked over to his son and put his hand on his shoulder. “You’re doing everything you can already, kiddo by making sure the house is locked up, blinds and curtains closed and lights on. Maybe you and Maze could walk through the house again? I don’t know what else to offer. You’re welcome to join us in the lab, but there’s not much for you to do there, either.”
“Yeah, right.” Cole mumbled.
“I’ve got to get back. Heck, as it is I’m just the guy they send to go get more coffee. Talk about feeling helpless.” Dr. Andrews grabbed the pot of freshly brewed coffee, three clean mugs, and began walking back down the corridor toward the lab.
“I love you, son,” he called over his shoulder.
“Me, too,” Cole called back automatically.
He got up and grabbed a broom and tray to clean up the spilled coffee grinds. “Damn it’s hard being a regular human, Maze. Most guys are worried about how much taller another guy is, or if he makes more money, or has a nicer car. It’s not even the same playing field between humans and metas. I’m not smart enough or strong enough to help when the girl of my dreams needs me.” With that, Cole threw the collected grinds into the trash.
Angry tears started to form, but Cole refused to cry. “And I’m always getting left behind,” he said miserably. “They left me when they went to get Dr. Winter back in California and they left me again flying off with that psychopath Creed to Germany.” He looked over at Maze who was lying on the tile now with his head resting on his front paws.
“I guess you get left behind, too. It sucks, doesn’t it? We both love Meg, but all she ever does is ditch us.” The coyote whined pathetically. Cole sat on the floor beside him.
“Hey, at least you get to snuggle with her in bed most every night. Don’t think I’m not jealous of you, too.” He patted the coyote’s meaty flank good-naturedly, then sighed.
“You wanna go check the house with me again? Maybe you’ll get lucky and find a juicy gecko to chase.”
Maze stood beside Cole obediently and walked the already well-worn path around the house. As they were passing through the living room, the coyote deviated from the path and walked to the back door. He scratched twice then turned to look at Cole.
“Dude, do you have to go?”
Maze whined in response.
“Hum…okay, but make it fast. We’re supposed to be in lock down, remember?” Cole walked to the door and pulled the curtains aside just enough to look out. He saw the blue of the sky and the blue of the ocean. He saw the green plants leaning with the will of the wind. He saw birds preening themselves on the telephone wires. What he didn’t see was Farrow three-quarters of a mile away in full camouflage peering through her sniper rifle’s scope.
Cole unbolted the lock and opened the door just enough to let Maze through, then closed it behind the coyote. He watched as Maze sniffed around the grassy area seven yards away from the door.
48 K.I.S.S.