Page 29 of Night Watch
Finally, she put on a fresh mask and opened the door before disposing of her gloves in a biohazard bin. “You’ll need to go in this way and try to avoid the final decontamination bath on the way in. I think you can get in without touching anything by stepping on the sides.”
“Sure. I can do that.”
She clutched the sample to her side. “Then head into the shower and shed your clothing. Scrub down any area that was exposed, and be careful not to cause any abrasions where an infectious agent could gain access.”
He nodded.
She tilted her head. “You wouldn’t happen to have a change of clothes in the SUV, would you?”
He nodded. “We all keep a set just in case we need it.”
“Good.” She let out a long sigh. “Before you remove your clothes, I’ll have Clay give me your things to set outside the shower, and then I’ll step out with him.”
Erik opened his mouth to object. He didn’t like her going outside and into potential danger, but he respected her need for decency, and the only real danger to her life would occur in the distance from the door to the SUV. “He’ll put you in the vehicle for safety. It has bulletproof doors and windows.”
“Fancy.”
“More like lifesaving.”
She nodded. “Wait to strip down until I bring in your bag.”
“And here I thought you were just trying to get me out of my clothes.” His joke barely cut the tension, but even with the mask on, he could see a smile in her eyes.
The good mood immediately evaporated as she spun for the door. She poked her head out and explained the situation to Clay.
Erik couldn’t hear his brother’s words, but his tone was sharp and pointed. A moment later, Kennedy brought Erik’s tote bag to the shower door.
“Be sure to focus on your hands first,” she said. “And use lots of soap and water.”
“No special liquid needed?”
She shook her head. “Recent research says soap and water work as well as, if not better than, other chemicals. Just be sure to wash well, but again don’t break the skin.”
“And your hands are okay? Especially the one with the punctures from the turtle?”
She nodded. “No worries there, but if it makes you feel any better, I’ll get treated for exposure too.”
“How bad is this?” he asked, unable to resist.
“If you don’t have any open sores, washing it off should take care of any cutaneous exposure.”
“I’ve always got a cut or two from the job, but I don’t think any of them are open.” He gave his hands a thorough inspection, finding nothing worrisome. “And if I inhaled it?”
“Then the doctors will start you on antibiotics, and we’ll have to monitor you carefully for symptoms. If it’s anthrax, just a few spores inhaled is enough to make it replicate, as it likes the moist warm areas in the lungs.”
He swallowed. “But I’m not going to die, right?”
“Not if we get treatment for you right away.”
Her tone continued to hold concern, and her hands were trembling. Not a good sign.
“You should get started. The sooner you disinfect, the better. And put on a mask before exiting, just in case.” She gave him a tight smile and marched to the door.
She stepped outside, and he slipped through the footbath area and into the shower. As he shed his clothes, he hated that she wasn’t in view, and his gut ached to protect her. He trusted Clay. All of his brothers for that matter, but she was special. Far more special than he was willing to admit.
He understood the physical attraction to her. She was a beautiful woman. But was it more? Was he still in love with her?
He shook his head, sending water flying, and focused on cleaning his hands, arms, and face. Washing once. Twice. Three times for good measure and looking to see if he had any open cuts. He didn’t find or feel anything, but he couldn’t be certain a small one didn’t exist.
