Danger Calls by Caridad Piñeiro Page A

high fevers that could not be controlled. Convulsions had followed and barely three hours had gone by when the new subject died from uncontrolled hemorrhaging.
    Confusing, given the apparent healing properties and seeming longevity the cell strain had bestowed on the earlier subjects. Taken directly, the strain was virulent and deadly, which might prove useful in other applications.
    But not now.
    The current interest was in discovering how it could heal. Healing being the most imperative demand at this moment. With the failure of every other avenue of vaccination, and the final rat literally on its last legs, there were no choices left.
    Unfortunately, if Melissa had other journals, she was guarding them closely. Surveillance had shown her doing nothing other than routine hospital work.
    It was time for a personal visit to see what she was up to.
    Â 
    The news Diana had for Melissa the next day was a mixed bag.
    First, the anomaly in Sloan’s history was due to a stint he had done with the National Security Agency. His records were sealed and open only to those with the highest of security credentials, leaving Diana with no way of obtaining additional information for the moment.
    Second, Diana’s detective friend, Peter Daly, had been able to pry from the Burglary Division the fact that they had a possible suspect in the hospital break-in. An APB had been sent out for the man and the Burglary Division would let Daly know more about him as soon as they had collared the suspect.
    Last, and most important as far as Melissa was concerned, Diana had nosed around Sara’s neighborhood and confirmed Sara’s story about the santero and her mother. While the santero ’s request for human blood was a little odd, Santeria was a recognized religion. Unless he violated a law, there was little they could do about him.
    â€œSo you think we can rule Sara out?” Melissa asked, gripping the phone tightly while she waited for an answer.
    â€œThere’s nothing to connect Sara to this possible burglary suspect, but I would still be cautious around her.”
    Melissa held her breath for a moment before asking her final question. “How do we get more info on Edward? If his record is sealed—”
    â€œLet’s discuss that tonight.” There was a pause and Melissa heard someone in the background, as if they had just walked into Diana’s office. A second later Diana came back on the line. “I have to run. I should be at Ryder’s by nine. Is that good for you?”
    Melissa confirmed that it was. She’d just hung up the phone when a knock came at the door.
    â€œCome in.”
    Dr. Edward Sloan stepped in, wearing a navy blue Brooks Brothers suit, starchy white shirt, and a blue-and-red striped tie. Raising one bushy gray eyebrow, he said, “I see things are back to normal after the burglary. I hope I’m not interrupting anything right now.”
    Melissa shrugged, uncertain of the reason for Edward’s visit. “You were a great comfort that night, Edward. And it’s always good to see you,” she said even though the last thing she wanted was his company until she knew more.
    Edward’s blue eyes were alert and assessing as he sat in one of her guest chairs. “You seem worried. Was anything important taken?”
    Suddenly facing the possibility that Edward had something to do not only with the missing journal, but with her parents’ deaths sent a shiver of fear through Melissa. She fought down panic and forced a smile. “Turns out the only things missing were my scrip pad and some spare change for the soda machine.”
    â€œAre you sure?” His concern seemed real enough. For a moment, Melissa took comfort in it, recalling how his presence had been a balm since the crash that had killed her parents. And then she remembered that Edward was a suspect in their deaths.
    â€œLuckily, nothing else.” She grabbed a pile of papers and