Sirocco by D.L. Wilson

Author:D.L. Wilson
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Mont Clair Press
Published: 2013-11-11T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter 41

The Present – Saturday, 11 A.M., New York City

BRETT AND ALICIA sat in cramped plastic chairs in the small reception area of the Eye on the Nation offices in Manhattan. When they’d first asked to speak to the producer of the Gulf War Syndrome piece they had gotten a runaround. Then they’d been told they would have to make all requests in writing before anyone could meet with them. When Brett mentioned a murder/suicide connected with someone claiming to represent their show, the receptionist got busy on the telephone. Within minutes, they were asked to wait while Penny Daniels, the producer, cleared some time in her schedule.

Brett felt his cell phone vibrate. When he flipped it open he saw Deborah’s number. “I’ve got to take this,” he said to Alicia as he got up and moved toward the door.

“Good news, I hope.”

“Not at all.” Deborah sounded tense. “Halley’s in critical condition. Whatever attacked him has caused overwhelming cytokine responses leading to severe hemorrhaging of lung tissue and swelling.”

“What’s the prognosis?”

“The doctors haven’t been able to reverse the symptoms. We doubt he’ll make it.”

“Have you identified the pathogen?”

“It’s not in any database. It’s a fast-acting virus. We’re working 24/7 to come up with something. This is going to take time. If there’s a breakout of this thing, we’re in deep trouble. I’m being buzzed. I’ll keep you posted.”

“Mr. Reynolds, Ms. Sprague.”

A young woman in jeans, an oversized long sleeved shirt and black satin vest approached them.

“Hi. I’m Penny Daniels. What exactly is the connection with this murder/suicide and my show?” She pulled a chair over in front of Brett and Alicia.

Brett could tell by her expression that she was not enthused by their intrusion into her schedule. He quickly outlined the background on Derrick’s death and the phone calls to the vets. He was careful not to offer anything about Misha or the sex angle.

“If you’re asking if I knew a Derrick Reynolds or a Terry Barnes, the answer is no.”

“How do you explain the coincidence that not a week after Derrick called the people on our list, your show contacted them as well?” Brett asked.

“Maybe he provided us with the names.”

“But you said you didn’t know him,” Alicia said.

Daniels looked away from them and cracked her knuckles. “I’m not prepared to discuss this story or our sources.”

“We’re not interested in squelching your story,” Brett replied. “All we want to do is find out why our brother called these people. If he was killed because of some connection to the vets, we want to know. And if there is a connection, I’d think you’d also want to know.”

“Who did he call?” Daniels asked. “Give me some of the names.”

Brett opened his brief case and handed Daniels copies of the computer list and Derrick’s telephone bill. She stood up and scrutinized the list. She seemed to be searching for something specific.

“Come into my office.” Daniels turned and headed into the hallway. “You may actually have something here.”

Brett and Alicia followed her

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