Weekend (28 page)

“Something important’s going on,” he said. “They’re telling everybody they have to go to the nightclub. I wanted to make sure you knew.”

“We already do. Someone put a note under our door. What’s up?”

“I don’t know. I was outside walking by the big fence and one of the bellhops told me, but just before that, I saw a bunch of cops lock a gate.”

“What cops?”

“He must mean the hotel security,” Nick said.

“No, they weren’t hotel security. I know hotel security. They were state policemen.”

“State police locked the gate? Why?” Nick asked. Grant chose to ignore him.

“Is this one of your stories, Grant?”

“Shit! I don’t care if you believe me or not!” He started to walk away.

“Grant! Stop it! Either go down to the meeting or go back to the room and take a shower or something.”

The word triggered his ire.

“Is that what you did? Do you want me to take a shower just the way you did?” He gave her a dirty look and stormed away.

“Now you know why I don’t talk about him,” Melinda said. She took Nick’s arm as if to insure he wouldn’t run away. “He’s always been a problem.”

Nick’s mind was not on Grant. “This is damn peculiar,” he said, looking again at the mimeographed message. “Let’s get a move on.”

“Maybe there’s a killer loose in the hotel,” Melinda said.

That’s all this place needs, he thought, publicity like that. Well, there was only one way to find out.

∗ ∗ ∗

There was a button outside the emergency room door. Pressing it signaled the attendant or nurse inside to open it to receive patients. Bruce practically pounded on it. Every second could be crucial. An attendant opened the door and a nurse came up behind him.

“You’ll need a roller,” Bruce shouted. The attendant went to get it and the nurse came to the wagon.

“Is this Dr. Bronstein’s patient from the Congress?” she asked.

“Yes, it is.”

“Good. We’ve been waiting for her.”

The attendant came back pushing a rolling stretcher and with Bruce’s help, lifted Fern onto it. Then Bruce pushed it into the hospital.

“Should I wait?” Gary asked.

“Definitely,” Bruce called back. “Don’t dare leave without me.” The door closed behind him and he looked about frantically.

“In here,” the attendant said, pointing to a large wooden door to the left. They rolled her into a small emergency room. The nurse went to take Fern’s blood pressure.

“Call for Dr. Elias,” she told the attendant. “You’ll have to wait outside,” she said to Bruce. He hesitated a moment, then walked out. The moment he came back into the hall, he was approached by a man in a suit and tie.

“Did you just bring a woman in from the Congress hotel?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Jesus, how the hell did you get out of there? Are you a doctor? What’s happening up there, anyway?”

“Who the hell are you?”

“Name’s Bert Young.” He flashed a press card. “I’m with the
Times Herald.
”

“I’m sorry. There’s nothing I can tell you.”

“C’mon, buddy, give me a break. You’re the only one who’s gotten out of there since that quarantine’s been slapped on. I’m trying to get a scoop.”

“I don’t have any scoops,” Bruce said. He noticed a stout gray-haired man hurrying down the corridor.

“How are the people taking it?”

Bruce ignored him. “Dr. Elias?” he called.

“Yes.”

“I’m Bruce Solomon, Sid Bronstein’s cousin.” He reached out to shake his hand. “I’m with the patient from the Congress. Her name’s Fern Rosen.”

“Yes, I’ve been expecting you. Let me take a look at her and I’ll speak to you as soon as I’m through.” He walked into the emergency room.

“Is she a cholera victim?” the reporter badgered. “How many have there been?”

“Look, I’m sure they’ll have a news conference, and then you’ll have a chance to ask all the questions you want.”

“Yeah, but why can’t you …”

“Listen, damn it,” Bruce said, pushing him back with his forefinger. “I’m here because I’m concerned about that young woman in there. My mind has no room for any scoops or news or sensational details. What are you anyway, some kind of parasite, hanging around emergency rooms? Buzz off.”

Young shook his head.

“I’m just another guy trying to do his job,” he muttered and walked away. Bruce felt some remorse, but his mind centered back on what was taking place in the emergency room. It seemed at least half an hour before Dr. Elias finally came out.

“It’s going to be a battle,” he said. “She’s lost a great deal of body fluid, and she’s still in shock. There’s no point in waiting around. It’ll be a while.” He put the chart down on a nearby desk. “How are things going at the hotel?”

“By now the guests are being told and I expect all hell’s breaking loose. You’re right. I’d better go back. Can I reach you here later?”

“I’ll be here until seven.”

“Thanks,” Bruce said. He looked at the closed emergency door for a moment, debating whether or not he should step in. He decided against it and walked back to the hospital’s emergency exit. When he stepped outside, he was shocked to find that the hotel car and driver were no longer there.

“I have met many of you personally this weekend,” Ellen began, “and some of you know me from previous visits to the Congress. I’m Ellen Golden,” she explained for the others who might not recognize her, “and I’ve called this meeting because I’m afraid we have a very serious problem. I should say, a crisis.” She paused. A loud murmur rippled through the audience. “Before I give you the details, I want to assure you that every possible precaution is being taken, and that we have the best medical personnel available for your consultation.”

Sid tapped her on the shoulder.

“Don’t let them know anyone’s died,” he whispered. “Not yet.”

“But … all right,” she said. She turned back to her audience. “Three people, one a member of our staff and two guests, have come down with what has been positively diagnosed as cholera.”

For a short moment there was complete silence. It reminded Sid of the hushed moment right before a tornado hits. He was sure the response resulted from a mixture of things—disbelief, ignorance and delayed reaction. “Now,” Ellen started, but the eye of the storm had passed. People began to scream and a few of them even cried. Hundreds of people shouted questions at her. A few had backed toward the doors. Ellen put her hands up and gestured for quiet.

“Please, we have to remain calm,” she said. “If you’ll give me a chance, I’ll answer whatever questions I can. Those I can’t, will be answered by the professionals up here with me.”

“Why did you bring us all together?” a man in the first row shouted. There were many, many seconds.

“There is no danger whatsoever in your being together. That is not how the disease is spread. The doctor will explain more about that shortly. First, let me bring you up to date on what is happening. Please.” There were attempts to quiet one another and calm the children. The noise subsided. “Public health authorities have been brought in and certain actions, under their direction, have already been instituted.”

“We all just better get the hell outta here,” someone shouted. The seconding began again.

“NO, YOU CAN’T,” Ellen’s voice bounced off the walls. The speakers had been turned up to maximum just at the right moment. It held back a mass exodus. “THE HOTEL HAS BEEN PLACED UNDER QUARANTINE.”

“Oh my God!” The words reverberated like in an echo chamber in an amusement park.

“We will explain exactly what that means in a few minutes. But first, I want you to know what’s being done to protect you.” The noise did not subside. “Please, won’t you let me speak?” Her sincerity, her composure, her firm determination to stand her ground gradually won out.

“Please, let me continue. If not, you’ll frighten yourselves unnecessarily.” She paused dramatically, seizing more control of the crowd by forcing them to grow even quieter.

“The disease is not spread through the air you breathe. It is spread through contaminated food or water. You have to take it into your mouths.”

For a good moment, Ellen had control of their attention. Then a woman fainted. She simply fell over her chair near the center aisle. All hell broke loose again.

“She must have it,” another woman screamed. Those closest to the fallen woman pushed back. Others, too far in the rear to see exactly what had happened shouted for information. Exaggerations were passed along the way. The hysteria mounted in a chorus of shouts and warnings as people got up to leave. Ellen turned with a pleading look to Sid. Two of the public health nurses had gone down to treat the woman who had fallen.

“These people are going to trample each other,” Sid said. They both looked down at the Sheriff who had taken a position in the front. He stepped forward, drew his revolver from his shoulder holster and fired a blank at the floor just where the musicians’ pit met with the stage. The blast echoed off the nightclub walls in a thunderous reverberation. Everyone grew still; even the bawling children paused.

“YOU’VE GOT TO GET A HOLD OF YOURSELVES,” Ellen screamed. “WE HAVE PROCEDURES DESIGNED TO PROTECT AND HELP YOU, BUT IF YOU DON’T LISTEN, YOU WON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO.”

“Let her talk,” a man shouted.

“Give her a chance.”

“Shut up, everybody!”

“We’ve got to prevent this kind of hysteria from taking hold,” Ellen said, composed again. “Now let me tell you what has been done. First, all-new foodstuff has been ordered and received. All of the old food has been disposed of. Every piece of kitchen equipment is being sterilized again and again. And our water has been analyzed and found germ free.”

“She’s holding them now,” Sid said to no one in particular. The public health nurses had brought the woman in the audience back to consciousness and had her sitting up in a chair.

“On the stage with me here are members of the county’s public health nurse department and Dr. Bronstein, our local physician. There are other doctors in the hotel as well. They will be available to you at all times to answer questions or to examine anyone who thinks he might be ill.”

“What about this quarantine?” someone shouted.

“Quarantine is standard procedure when cholera is discovered. We’re simply not sure who might have been contaminated and who might not have been,” Ellen said. Her honest reply had a sobering effect. “The quarantine will last for the next six days.”

A roar went up from the crowd. Some people were shouting their absolute refusal to cooperate. Others were expressing reasons for having to leave on schedule. Still others were reinforcing and supporting those who vocalized their dissatisfaction.

“We better get into specifics,” Sid said and went to the microphone. The sound of a new voice drew back the audience’s attention.

“Please, let us have your attention a little while longer. My name is Dr. Bronstein. Mrs. Golden’s statements are correct. The law is very specific, and it must be followed not only to protect you, but to protect other people on the outside who could possibly be infected. The hotel has been sealed off. Local and state law enforcement officers are serving as security.

“You’ve turned this place into a damn prison,” a man shouted. There were many shouts of agreement.

“I assure you,” Ellen said, taking the microphone again, “that none of the hotel’s facilities or services will be shut down. Of course, and I’m sure I don’t even have to say it, the expenses for the extra days, as well as yesterday and today, will be borne by the hotel. You must know that we regret what’s happening as much as any of you do. It’s small comfort, I know, but the bars in our lounge and nightclub will be open twenty-four hours a day and the drinks are on the house. Rest assured we will do everything possible to make this as inoffensive as possible.

“Now if I may,” Bronstein said “let me just briefly explain what we have set up in the way of medical facilities. The director of activities’ office and adjoining health office will be utilized as examination rooms. Anyone suffering any discomforts should come there for a preliminary examination. The public health nurses will be circulating among you, visiting your rooms when you request it, and they will answer whatever questions you have. Pamphlets are also being distributed at the main desk which will give you more information about the disease, its symptoms and the precautions that must be taken. I’m sure you’ll see that we have taken all the necessary precautions.

“Cholera has a very small fatality rate when treated early and we are not anticipating any serious problems. If we all stay calm, I’m confident we can keep the situation quite under control.”

He backed away from the mike and Ellen moved to it quickly before the audience had time to break out into conversation again.

“I know many of you have personal problems with this quarantine. Magda and other members of my staff will be stationed in my office to help you deal with them. And now if I may get personal for just a moment.” She cleared her throat. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am that this has happened to you. I would give all that I own for it not to have happened, but it seems tragedy has stationed himself at our gate. For those of you who are interested, Rabbi Gordon has scheduled a prayer service in the synagogue one hour from now. I know it will be difficult,” she said, her voice now nearly cracking, “but as Dr. Bronstein said, we must all try to stay as calm as possible. Thank you and God bless you all.”

She stepped away from the front of the stage. Sid put his arm around her shoulder.

“Very good,” he said, kissing her lightly on the cheek. The crowd began drifting from the club. Their voices were still loud and there were occasional shouts and hysterical arguments, but for the most part, the crowd sounded like an audience emerging from a Broadway show. They moved out single file in an orderly fashion. Most faces wore looks of utter confusion. Older people clung to one another in a new desperation. Mothers held the hands of their small children so tightly that they complained.

Guests who had come in from the golf course, the tennis courts and the pool moved out to the lobby with indecision. Should they simply go back to what they were doing? How could they frolic in the sun after hearing all that? It seemed a little indecent. Everywhere people were questioning their slightest aches and pains. A large group had already gathered around the main desk to get the pamphlets. Many wanted to go outside to see just how tight the security really was around the hotel’s entrances and exits. Others sought the safety of their rooms. There was a rush on all the available phones. Small meetings were being held throughout the premises. Opinions were being voiced and discussed. Statements were announced in headline style.