Page 69 of The Presidents Shadow

THE CROWD OUTSIDE is terrifying. The news inside is worse.

Jessica immediately brings us up to date.

She begins by saying, “I can’t believe you haven’t heard about what’s going on.”

Burbank says, “Pardon me, ma’am, but between the four of us, we have been continent-tripping the past few days, and we even hit some of the water while we were at it.”

“So I see,” Jessica says, eyeing our wet clothing.

“What’s more, there’s been a universal shutdown,” Margo says, “although the monsters outside our house don’t seem aware of it.”

“Oh, they know they should be following the mandates to stay sheltered and safe inside, but these folks are so worked up about things that they’re ignoring the rules.” Then she adds, “And with the police on their side, they can do what they want.”

Then she explains further… with details that absolutely stagger us.

“Where to start?” Jessica asks, tapping her chin.

“With the mob outside my front door!” I practically shout. “Why are they here?”

“Ah, yes, we’ll start there.” Jessica clears her throat. “That’s because almost everyone in the world thinks that you, Lamont, have been spreading this god-awful virus!”

I cannot contain myself. “That’s insanity,” I shout. “Who’s saying that?”

“Everyone. Absolutely everyone,” Jessica says. “Up until last night, when they were still sending out news flashes, everyone—politicians, preachers, doctors, everyone! They’re all saying—”

Then she gives up trying to explain, thrusting her handheld video device toward my face.

Jessica pushes a button and we see a checkerboard screen of six speakers. Three men, three women. They all seem to be speaking foreign languages. The translation scrolls across the bottom of the screen.

THE LEADING BIOCHEMISTS AT UCLA, OXFORD UNIVERSITY, AND PIROGOV RUSSIAN NATIONAL RESEARCH MEDICAL UNIVERSITY AGREE THAT THE PLAGUE KNOWN AS AUSTRAVID SPREADING AROUND THE WORLD IS DUE TO THE CROSS-INFECTION CARRIED BY REVERED HERO LAMONT CRANSTON AND HIS COLLEAGUES.

BEGINNING IN A TINY BACKWOODS HAMLET IN SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA…

The newscast rattles on and on. When the checkerboard layout cuts quickly to a single screen, President of the Americas John F. Townsend, his brow sweaty, his sleeves rolled up over his elbows, is speaking.

“The inhumane villains fostering this plague will be found and brought to an end. An end as horrible as the disease they are spreading. A disease created to destroy the world.”

I toss the electronic screen to the ground. I yell. I sputter. I spit. I cry.

“We are trying to save the world, not destroy it! This is madness! This is unbelievable!”

Margo says, “But clearly people are believing it.”

“Yes,” I say. “Scum like Townsend, sure. But there must be someone who—”

“Only a few people disagree, Lamont,” says Jessica. “A scientist in Morocco, that doctor friend of yours—”

“Dr. Anna DaSilva,” I say.

“They interviewed her, I remember. She said it was impossible that you’re involved.”

“At least one friend is left, I guess,” I say.

Then Jessica, perhaps the strongest, toughest woman I’ve ever known, begins to cry.

Margo asks what Jessica is too tearful to put into words.

“What can we possibly do, Lamont?”

“Everything in our power. Anything we need to do to overcome evil.”

But for the first time, I wonder if we will.