Coffee Culture: Outbreak Investigations, #3

By Jo Carey

You gotta love a great cup of coffee.

Dr. Lauren Jacobs and her partner, investigator Lane Brewster, lead the Outbreak Investigations team as they find themselves in a standoff with the Russians off the coast of Alaska.

Can Lane and Lauren work their magic once again? Can they find the source of the infection before it's too late?

Coffee Culture is the 3rd book in this series of intriguing medical thrillers. If you like exciting medical thrillers, strong female characters, and stories told with a touch of humor and a little romance, you'll love this installment in Jo Carey's Outbreak Investigations. 42,600 words.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jo Carey
• Release date: Apr 24, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386886204

Jo Carey

Jo Carey grew up in the Midwest but her curiosity and gypsy-spirit has kept her on the move. She's lived in eight US states and spent three years living in Ireland. She has always loved creature movies, so creatures and bugs often show up in her books. Jo, a former information security compliance guru, writes fast-paced, character-driven stories in a variety of genres from medical thrillers to space operas and cozy mysteries. Her novels are filled with humor, romance, and sometimes creatures or aliens, or maybe even all of the above. She often builds her stories around a strong female lead character surrounded by plenty of hunky male heroes. Jo's been under fire on a golf course and climbed out the roof of an elevator in the Netherlands. Life hasn't been boring. Now residing in Texas, setting often plays a huge role in her stories. Jo was intrigued by the League of Planetary Systems, a world her husband, Frank, created for his science fiction books, and she now writes mysteries and other types of tales sets in that world. Jo was bitten by a cat, a fire ant, and a snake, before succumbing to the bite of the writing bug.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

What did you think? Lane asked as they made their way through the crowd of people exiting the auditorium.

It was interesting. He's definitely passionate about the cause, Lauren said. I'm still not sure why we're here. This seems like an odd assignment for Outbreak Investigations.

I think it kind of fits in perfectly with our goal to train people to investigate outbreaks. In this case, we're training them how to survive an outbreak.

What do you think about all this preparedness stuff?

I think we probably all should be more prepared than we are. This has really been  a wakeup call for me. We know better than most how quickly things could go to hell if there was a serious pandemic or any major disease outbreak in the US, yet we'd be ill prepared to survive it at home.

I guess I just always assumed if there was a major outbreak, I'd be working to help others survive, and my own survival would be taken care of as part of that.

They had picked up coffees and were standing in the back of the speaker's lounge looking over the others who were on the agenda for the conference. It's odd. When I've been at conferences before I've always known most of the other attendees. Here, I look around and don't recognize anyone except the organizers who hired us.

Let's go check out the set up in the room where we'll be presenting this afternoon, Lane said, taking Lauren's hand and heading out the door.

After checking out the room and introducing themselves to the speaker setting up for the next session, Lane headed off to attend some sessions he thought sounded interesting while Lauren headed back to the hotel to catch up on email.

XXX

How were the sessions you went to this morning? Lauren asked when she met Lane outside the ballroom where lunch was being served.

Just like every conference I've ever been to—the sessions I thought sounded good, I walked out on after a few minutes, but I found others I really enjoyed. I got some good information.

Does this mean I should plan on several trips to the warehouse store when we get home?

Maybe.

When they found their seats and introduced themselves to their fellow dinners, they were peppered with questions about their work. The work they’d done for the Vice President stopping the threat against the summer Olympics had been well-publicized, and they were often recognized by the public. 

It's great that you guys are here, Mr. Smith said across the table. I don't know about the others around the table, but I know that my plans for surviving a disease outbreak are one of the weakest parts of my survival strategy. Several heads around the table nodded in agreement.

Over lunch everyone talked about the preparedness conference and what they hoped to get out of it. Lauren found it interesting but didn't have much to contribute. She was used to being the recognized expert and was feeling a little left out of this conversation. She'd been surprised when they got the request to provide a training session at this conference and was even more surprised at how excited Lane had been about it. She had to admit that she hadn't always had the highest regard for preppers, and she really didn't see this as a good fit for Outbreak Investigations. Lane convinced her that they had something valuable to contribute so here they were in Grand Junction, Colorado preparing to give a presentation on personal preparedness for disease outbreaks.

There was one time-slot of conference sessions before the Outbreak Investigations’ presentation, so after lunch Lane and Lauren found a quiet spot in the speakers lounge to review their notes. Based on the presentations you saw this morning, is there anything we need to change or add? Lauren asked.

I think we're we'll prepared, Lane said.

I guess that's fitting, she agreed.

They waited outside the breakout room until those attending the previous session filed out before going in to set up for their workshop. By the time they'd gotten everything prepared, people filed most of the chairs and more were arriving.

It's great to have such a large crowd, Lauren said. I'm sorry there aren't enough chairs for everyone, but I hope you'll stick with us. We have some good information to pass along.

Lauren did a brief intro of herself and Lane as well as their company, Outbreak Investigations. After covering the logistical stuff that was required by the organizer, Lane launched into the presentation.

The room where the Outbreak Investigations training session was being held was in the front of the conference center. There was a wide hallway outside with glass windows all along the opposite wall which looked out onto the front courtyard which had raised beds for flowers and fountains. Due to the overflow crowd, someone had propped the door open so people standing outside in the hall could see the presentation.

Lauren had just taken over the mic from Lane to talk about the most likely types of diseases they should be prepared for and the medical equipment and drugs they should have on hand, when there was a commotion in the courtyard outside the building. Lauren stopped talking and looked out the door, as did everyone else in the room when they heard the screeching of tires. Two large, black SUVs pulled right up to the glass, somehow managing to maneuver around the planters and art installations in the courtyard.

Lauren cast a worried glance at Lane. Just get them to refocus. I'll go see what this is all about, he whispered in her ear.

Do you think this is some sort of publicity stunt for the conference?

I doubt it.

Before Lane reached the door of the room, two men in black suits pushed their way inside. The crowd instinctively pulled back from the men. Lane could see the bulge of shoulder holsters under their jackets and earpieces in their ears.

We're looking for Lane Brewster and Dr. Lauren Jacobs, one of the pair said.

I'm Lane Brewster and that's Dr. Jacobs. Were in the middle of a session here. What's this all about?

You two need to come with us. Lane noticed several of the attendees moving closer to the two suits.

Where do we need to go? Lane demanded. The crowd had moved in to encircle the two armed men.

Sorry, sir. I can't say until we're in a secure environment.

At that point there was a commotion in the hallway outside the room, and the conference organizer pushed his way in followed by another man in a black suit who looked like a carbon copy of the first two. What's going on here?

We need Dr. Jacobs and Mr. Brewster to come with us immediately.

Why?

I'm not at liberty to divulge that information. Mr. Brewster, this is not a request.

Lane stepped up and whispered something in the suit's ear. Credentials were displayed only to Lane and kept out of view of the others surrounding the men.

Lane walked up to the podium and whispered something in Lauren's ear, then turned to face the crowd. He noticed the three agents were now surrounded by the preppers who'd been attending the training session. One of the agents looked a little agitated. Lane recognized the potential for this to escalate quickly and end badly for all involved.

Ladies and gentlemen, I must apologize, Lane said over the mic. Unfortunately, Outbreak Investigation's services are urgently needed elsewhere. I do apologize. Please take your seats, and we'll wrap this up. He looked at the agent that seemed to be in charge.

After a whispered conversation with Lauren, she took over the mic, and Lane exited the room with the three agents behind him along with the conference organizer.

I do apologize for the interruption and the excitement. Put an email address on the sign in sheet before you leave. Over the next few days, we'll send you a web address where you'll be able to get the slides from our presentation and submit any questions. We'll post all questions and answers online so everyone can benefit. Again, I apologize that we have to rush off.

Lauren laid down the microphone, disconnected her laptop, and headed out the door. Those in attendance threw out questions as she went, but she ignored them. Before she reached the SUV, her path was blocked by the conference organizer. I'm so sorry about all this, she said, extending her hand to the man. We'll certainly issue you a credit for our fee.

Don't worry about it. This is great marketing stuff for us. No one will want to miss this conference next year. You call us if you need any help with whatever it is that's goin' down.

CHAPTER TWO

One of the agents opened the door for Lauren, took her bag, and stowed it in the back before closing her door. We need to stop at the hotel, Lauren said as she fastened her seatbelt.

It's been taken care of, ma'am, the driver said as the two SUVs pulled away from the conference center.

So what's going on, Lauren asked.

Hinton needs to talk to us on a secure line immediately.

Where are they taking us?

There's a helicopter waiting for us at the local airport. It'll take us to Buckley Air Force Base outside Denver, Lane said.

Lane and Lauren had both worked for the government long enough to know not to bother questioning the agents sent to retrieve them. The men would know nothing other than the extent of force that had been approved to accomplish their objective of getting Lane and Lauren to Buckley Air Force Base. When they pulled up to the helicopter parked on the fringe of the airport runways, they saw another SUV pull up to the plane. An agent got out and handed their luggage to the chopper pilot who stowed it in the rear, then waited by the steps to welcome his passengers.

Once they were on board the helicopter, it was too noisy to talk, so they both sat replaying the events of the afternoon in their heads. Lauren pulled a notebook from her purse and made a list of things they needed to do regarding the conference.  When she thought she had included everything, she passed the notebook and pen over to Lane. He read through the items but didn't add anything before handing it back. Lauren put the notebook away and tried to relax.  They both knew it was likely their lives would be thrown into chaos by whatever Vice President Hinton had to tell them. There was no point in wasting brain cycles trying to figure out what it could be. They'd know soon enough.

When they landed at Buckley, the chopper was met by a major. Their luggage was loaded into a jeep, and the major drove them to a small concrete building just off the runway. They were handed off to another officer who escorted them inside to where coffee and a general awaited in a conference room.

Welcome to Buckley, the general said. Sorry you don't have time for a tour. There's coffee over there. Lieutenant, put the call through.

Harris, the vice president's aide appeared on screen. Hello Lane. Lauren. General. Sorry for the drama, but it couldn't be helped. The Vice President will be on the line momentarily.

Harris was relegated to a small screen inset in the corner of the larger video screen when Vice President Hinton’s face appeared larger than life on the screen.

Hello everyone. I'll add my apologies for the way we got you here, but there was no time to spare. Let Harris know if we can do anything to help smooth things over with your conference obligation. General, you can leave the room. By the time this call is finished, you'll have received orders of the role you have to play in assisting the folks from Outbreak Investigations, Hinton said.

Yes, sir, the general said, leaving the room and closing the door behind him.

Just to confirm, is it just you two in the room?

Yes, sir, Lane said. What's going on, sir?

"Here's what we know. Two US senators and a congresswoman plus their spouses are on a small luxury cruise ship, The Chione Odyssey, off the coast of Alaska. This was a goodwill cruise that left from the Bering Land Bridge National preserve in Alaska. Also on board are their counterparts from the Russian government. It was all some sort of publicity thing to improve relationships between the two countries specifically as it regards the Alaskan coast and fishing waters. The ship's central office, has lost contact with them. The Russians are screaming foul. We need to find out