“How long was it dormant?” Elizabeth asked. Lindsey checked the label and then typed something in the computer. “Conservative estimate, three hours,” Lindsey said, then followed with, “I’m sorry.”
“For what?” Elizabeth asked.
“These are the follow-up tests for each treatment. I didn’t really check to see if the virus was alive, just whether or not it was still there, but these would have been filtered out by the host’s kidneys if they’d been given time. But they must not have all been dormant, because this is Heather’s sample from earlier, and she is still carrying replicating versions of the virus, or at least she was.”
“Order another sample,” Elizabeth said, and Lindsey clicked a few more keys on the computer. “I have one from a few minutes ago,” Lindsey said and went over to the newest samples. She pulled out some of the sample and smeared it onto a slide and slipped it under the microscope. Elizabeth practically held her breath as Lindsey scanned the slide. Linsey stepped back and shook her head before looking again. For several excruciating moments, Lindsey looked through the microscope, before pulling back and looking over at Elizabeth with pressed lips.
“They’re still alive,” Lindsey said, shaking her head. “Dormant, but alive.”
Elizabeth felt like the air had been completely sucked out of the room. “Why were the other ones dead then?” Elizabeth asked, her voice stretched over tight vocal chords.
“I don’t know, maybe the sample died off, it could be anything really,” Lindsey said, her eyes becoming watery. Elizabeth thought she had been hoping just as hard that they had found something worthwhile.
For a long moment, they both stared at the table without speaking. Elizabeth wondered how much longer she could hold on to hope. They had barely managed to slow down this virus, and actually treating or curing it seemed hopelessly far away. Guilt nagged at her as she realized that this was not something that had bothered her until it became personal. This was something that just happened in the medical community, and through hard work and diligence they would find a cure. It couldn’t be rushed, it couldn’t be anticipated, that’s just how it worked. Suddenly though, it felt like finding a cure would be worthless if Elizabeth didn’t figure it out in time to save Ava.
“Doctor Grant?” a voice called from the door. Elizabeth and Lindsey both looked up to find Dr. Stephens poking her head in.
“What is it?” Elizabeth snapped, then winced. Doctor Stephens didn’t deserve to be snapped at; she’d been working just as hard as everyone else.
“I think we’ve found something,” Doctor Stephens said, her voice timid.
Elizabeth turned to look at Lindsey. Exhaustion showed in the lines of their faces, though Elizabeth’s were much more deeply etched than the microbiology student.
Lindsey nodded quickly and Elizabeth hurried to follow Dr. Stephens out the door. They quickly made it back to the conference room and several of the young doctors were standing around the table with excitement on their faces.
“Look at this,” Doctor Stephens said, guiding Elizabeth to the head of the table. A medical report was laid out across the table, the titleDrug Resistant Viruses.
“What is this?” Elizabeth asked.
“This drug was developed as an antiseizure medication, and almost on accident, they noticed that the drug killed certain viruses that seemed resistant to other medications. It’s being used in a small HIV trial right now combined with other drugs and has had a lot of success, but one of the things on here is that the virus doesn’t seem to recognize it as a threat.”
“Doesn’t recognize it?” Elizabeth asked, hope creeping into her veins. “Do we have access to this?” Elizabeth asked.
“Yes and no,” Doctor Stephens said.
“What does that mean?” Elizabeth snapped.
“They have plenty of the drug for the trial, and the means to make more, but since it is brand new, barely a week into the trial, brand new, they don’t want to give it over.”
“What do they want for it?” Elizabeth asked.
“Credit,” Doctor Stephens answered, pressing her lips together. “They want to make sure to keep the patent on the drug, especially if they find that it works with this virus. They want to publish anything on it and more or less take all the credit for finding the ‘cure’ for this virus.”
“What’s the problem?” Elizabeth asked, but she already knew the answer. Only a few months ago she would have fought tooth and nail, possibly even letting patients suffer, before she gave over credit for a discovery like this, but right now all that mattered was Ava. She blinked as she recognized this shift in her own mentality.
“We have to take full responsibility if it doesn’t work,” Doctor Stephens said. “I think they know that we are grasping at straws.”
“Of course they do,” Elizabeth said. “Who am I speaking with?” Elizabeth pulled out her phone and dialed the number on the sticky note attached to the paper.
“Doctor Wilson or Doctor Peters,” Doctor Stephens said.
Elizabeth took the phone out into the hall as it rang through the automated menu. She waited on the line for one of those doctors to answer and when they finally did she held onto only the slimmest modicum of patience.
Elizabeth introduced herself and explained the situation, and got much the same run-around as Dr. Stephens, though it seemed that Dr. Wilson was at least aware of Elizabeth’s work.
“What kind of nonsense are you trying to pull here,” Elizabeth snapped when Dr. Wilson was done with her spiel.
Doctor Wilson sputtered on the phone for a couple of seconds before Elizabeth cut her off again.
