The moment Jack stepped off the plane in West Palm Beach, he was struck by a squall of wind rich with the scent of ozone. Shading his eyes, he gazed to the east at the remnants of a rogue storm moving offshore.
“My car’s right over there,” Mike said, gesturing to a small gravel lot protected in part by a weather-beaten chain-link fence. “It’s only about a thirty minute ride to the hospital.”
When Mike turned his SUV into the Southeastern State University Medical Center, Jack was immediately taken back. The sprawling medical complex bore no resemblance to the small hospital he remembered. In addition to the new school of medicine, the medical center now boasted a six-hundred-bed teaching hospital, a seven-story research center, and a children’s hospital. To the west, Jack noticed a modernist building nearing completion. A large banner in front of it indicated it was the future home of Southeastern State University’s Women’s Cancer Hospital.
As they approached the valet parking area, Jack’s attention shifted to the dozens of media vehicles amassed in a parking lot alongside the hospital. Their antennae spiraled upward like the towering masts of a flotilla of great sailing ships. Around the vans and SUVs, dozens of broadcast personnel congregated in small groups. Some were dressed casually and stood with cameras hoisted on their shoulders. Those who were more formally attired gripped microphones in their hands. The largest group jockeyed for a preferred position directly in front of the main entrance to the hospital. The GNS outbreak was an enormous story. He wasn’t surprised that the prediction Helen Morales had made on the phone regarding the inevitability of a media circus at Southeastern State had come true.
Mike and Jack made the short walk from the parking lot and entered the hospital through a revolving glass door. They hadn’t taken more than a few steps when a slight woman wearing a teal-colored suit approached at a brisk pace.
“Jack, I’d like you to meet Dr. Helen Morales.”
A peculiar habit of Jack’s for as long as he could remember was conjuring up an image of a person’s appearance based on his or her telephone voice. He smiled to himself. As usual, he was light-years off of the mark. Helen wasn’t matronly, stout or on the fashion police’s most wanted list. She was just the opposite.
Helen took Jack’s extended hand and gave it a vigorous shake.
“Welcome back to South Florida. I can’t thank you enough for accepting our invitation.”
“It’s nice to meet you.”
With more than subtle apprehension in his voice, Mike asked, “How’s Tess doing?”
“I just came down from the ICU. I’d say she’s about the same.”
Mike pushed out a quick breath but said nothing. As well as Jack knew him, he couldn’t be sure if he was encouraged or dismayed by Helen’s report.
“Would it be all right if I catch up with you two a little later?” Mike asked. “I have a couple of things to take care of.” Mike took a few steps forward and gave Jack a brief hug. “I almost forgot,” he said. “I had some clothes sent over to your hotel. I figured your vacation attire might not be appropriate for the hospital. They may not fit perfectly but I think they’ll be close enough.”
“Thanks. I’m sure they’ll be fine,” Jack said, wondering if Mike really had something to do or if, for the moment, he just couldn’t bear seeing Tess.
“I’ll take you up to the ICU. We can talk on the way,” Helen said to Jack gesturing toward the elevators. “As of nine this morning, we’ve admitted thirty-five women with GNS. All indications are that we can expect more…a lot more. Our facilities are already stressed. From what I hear, the same scenario’s being played out in hospitals from here to California.” The elevator doors rolled open and they stepped aboard. “The frustration amongst our physicians is soaring. We really need a fresh pair of eyes. I can assure you, Jack, that everyone on staff is excited about collaborating with you.”
Jack smiled politely. He hoped his expression didn’t betray his anxiety. He wondered if Helen Morales’s expectations of him were even remotely realistic. He was a well-trained and experienced neurologist; but he wasn’t bestowed with divine diagnostic or healing powers. It wasn’t that he lacked confidence, but his gut feeling was that figuring out the cause of GNS and how to treat it would be the greatest challenge of his career.