Read Pavlov's Dogs for Free Online Page A

other sources, the phenomenon is widespread and universal. Communications—”
    “What do you mean, you don’t know what this means for us?” Joshua, the male nurse, said. His co-worker Alison tried to calm him down, but he recoiled from her as if she were holding a python. “This is serious.”
    “It is serious,” Luke Jaden said, striding forward to join Dr. Crispin at the podium. “But we don’t know what’s being done. We can only assume that FEMA or Homeland Security is operating on a plan, and we may have to hold tight here for a couple of days.”
    Dr. Crispin nodded, placing his hand on the security man’s shoulder. “Mr. Jaden is correct. We all know I’ve had my falling out with the military, but that was the upper brass. We need to have some kind of faith in the men and women on the ground.”
    Lucy spoke up through her tears. “What if it’s longer than that? What if they just, I don’t know, cordon the area off and leave us to rot?”
    The other Lucy put a hand on the shuddering arm of her counterpart and patted it. At the same time, she stared over the rim of her glass at Dr. Crispin as she drank.
    “Ah, that’s one of the things I’ve gathered everyone for,” Crispin answered. “As soon as we leave this room, each of the department heads will go immediately to your respective areas and obtain an inventory of supplies. Especially the medical personnel.” He turned their way, spearing Ronald with a glare. “We need amounts, projected usage rates, expiration dates. And, maintenance...” He swiveled to take in Holly, who met his gaze coolly. “Inventory—”
    “Spare parts and consumables, yes, Doctor.” She tapped a tall, grimy man on the forearm to make sure he got it.
    Donovan kept watching the Dogs. They couldn’t keep still, as one would expect a paramilitary unit to hold themselves. Instead they were jittery, as if they could barely contain all of that mad energy he’d seen in the sparring cage.
    “Effective immediately,” Jaden said, “all watches on sonar and radar are doubled around the clock. Two bodies at all times. Coast patrol will venture no farther out than one nautical mile. Any and all trips from the main compound to any outlying buildings will be in groups of no less than three.”
    Other than the Alpha , Donovan thought, they all look ready to split out of their skins and rend something . He smiled at the thought. Magnificent creatures .
    “The medical facilities will be guarded,” Jaden concluded. Some of the looks shifted from frightened to insulted.
    “You don’t have a bunch of junkies here,” someone behind Donovan said. The sentiment was met with grunts of agreement and more dirty looks.
    “Now listen,” Dr. Crispin said, holding up his hands. “Mr. Jaden is only doing his job. I’m certain there’s nothing personal in the, ah, implementation of these security protocols—”
    “Yes, there is,” Jaden interrupted. “I know for a fact there have been thefts of hydrocodone and morphine from our medical stores.”
    Dr. Crispin’s eyes shifted from Jaden to Ron Michaels. The sweaty medical man shook his head.
    “We’ll talk about it later,” Crispin told Jaden, putting his hand over the microphone.
    “In addition,” Jaden continued as if he had never been interrupted, “the comms room will be locked and the satellite television system secured.”
    “You can’t do that!” someone at the IT table cried.
    “Hold on,” Dr. Crispin said, finally raising his voice. “I didn’t bring you here to debate the security measures demanded by protocol. I brought you here to apprise you of the situation, and to ask you a question.”
    Quiet fell over the entire room. Dr. Crispin was never one to poll for an opinion. On anything.
    This was something different.
    He looked around the cafeteria until he had each and every person’s full attention. The silence grew, bloated and pregnant, until everyone was certain they had never been anywhere more