Albert pulled off the freeway.
He turned onto the frontage road across the freeway. He was following the signs pointing the way to FOOD.
“There it is,” said Val pointing to the Rosie’s Grill.
Albert pulled into the parking lot and unbeknownst to him pulled in right next to Charlie’s brand new Honda Insight.
“Just look at how that inconsiderate driver parked; leaving his door open and all,” Albert said to Val.
* 2 *
Doctor Bennet no sooner left Tanya’s exam room when the code blue alert came from Seamus Murphy’s room. He rushed to Seamus’ room. The nurse was already prepping the paddles with the silicon solution.
“Set the charge to 100 joules,” Dr. Bennet ordered.
“Charging to 100 joules,” the nurse repeated back.
“Clear!” The nurse delivered the charge.
“Still nothing.”
“Set the charge to 120 joules,” Dr. Bennet ordered.
“Charging to 120 joules,” repeated back the nurse.
This continued for about 10 minutes, CPR being done in between rounds of shocks to the heart.
Time of death was called by Dr. Bennet at 7:23am. This was the official patient zero of what would become known as the Eastvale Quake Syndrome, an unexplained flu originated in Eastvale, but highly contagious via airborne pathogens.
* 3 *
Detective Cranston entered the room where Devon was being held.
“Devon Donati,” Detective Cranston began reading from the report the bail officer had written up just minutes before. “Do you know why you are being held?”
“No, I don’t. Why am I being held?” Devon genuinely inquired.
“Where did you get that envelope of cash that you used to pay for your father’s bail?” asked Detective Cranston.
“My mother, Maria Antonia, said my father had given it to her to hold for me. She said I was to hold onto it for emergency money. I thought bailing out my father qualified,” Devon said trying to hold back the tears. She was getting scared now.
* 4 *
Albert parked the car next to the Honda Insight with the open driver’s side door. He noticed a passenger all wrapped up in a blanket in the front seat. Val and Albert entered Rosie’s Grill.
Once inside he sees a handsome young man talking with an older woman. The young man turned to look at Albert and Val.
“Charlie!” said Val. “Where have you been?”
Charlie’s face went white.
“You must be mistaken. This is Tanner Cooper,” Rosie interjected.
Val smiled ear to ear, “No, that’s my twin brother Charlie Pierce.”
{The rest of Chapter Seven is coming soon.}