"It's more than likely Anthrax, but it's sealed tight. No one here is in any danger."
"Be careful the second one was dropped," Jeff informed one of the men.
"Well as long as no one opens it, we're safe. This is airtight steal titanium, they took precautions. All right, let's take it back to the lab and run tests. CTC will get the results when we are finished."
Jeff nodded. Two men in the blue suits shut and carried off the box. Two more men picked up the second metal box.
The paramedic knelt beside me and opened up the kit he was carrying. He looked like a young Doogie Howser who just gotten out of school and was new at this. I hoped he knew what he was doing. He nodded to Keith who moved his hands and then he examined the wound.
"Not bad. A clean shot that grazed; no major artery hit. You'll be fine. I'm going to wrap it up and give you something for the pain, but you'll have to go to CTC medical to close it up since I can't do it out in the field."
"All right."
He cut the sleeve of the shirt, applied dressing and then wrapped a thick gauze around my forearm. He then injected a shot of morphine in my arm and I immediately felt better. He handed Keith a cloth to wipe his hands.
"There you go."
"Thanks."
"No problem." He got up to go help the other paramedics.
Keith smiled at me. "Better now?"
"Much." I put my jacket back on.
He took out his two-way. "This is Shepard. Andrews will need medical attention when we return."
"We'll have a doctor ready and waiting," Amy said.
"Copy that." He put the two-way back in his pocket. "Let's get you back to CTC."
I nodded and tried to get up, but almost fell. Keith caught me and helped me to my feet.
He quietly laughed. "You've never had morphine before I'm guessing."
I shook my head and smiled. "No."
"Well, it's powerful stuff."
"Mmm...I can tell."
He put his arm around my waist to help me walk and once we were out of the main room, I leaned in and rested my head on his shoulder. It just felt right and he didn't seem to mind as his grip became firmer. We walked slowly back to the SUV. He opened the door and helped me in. He then ran to the other side and jumped in. He drove out of the alley and down Upshur.