The Cooling Point

Around back, a federal logistics truck was unloading water tanks. Several people with tablets stood nearby checking names. Every time a name was marked off, someone was waved inside. It moved with the efficiency of a conveyor line. Then Erin froze. The hospital administrator had stepped out of the crowd. His shirt was wrinkled, tie loose, sweat running down his jaw. Two armed officers were with him, but he was not heading for the line. He was heading straight for the back door. “You know him?” Marcus asked. “Hospital administrator,” Erin said, her voice flat. The administrator saw them too. His gaze landed on Lin and held there as if he had just recognized a photograph that had no business being here.