Morgan started the car and they moved out of the isolation camp. It was already afternoon and though the traffic was still light, he drove slowly. The doctor hated the humps and bumps on the roads in the district. Besides, his boss was able to think more clearly if their ride was smooth.

"Is everything ready tomorrow, Morgan?" Dr. Alvarado asked after a while.

"Yes, Sir," Morgan answered. "I called the program coordinator early this morning and she said everything is all set already."

"Are you certain?"

"Yes, Sir. I looked into all the details and they are all good to go already. I also verified them with the decorators and suppliers."

"It is a white theme, Morgan?"

"Of course, Sir. I know you hated colors."

"And white means purity and cleanliness. I like what it represents. How about the food?"

"The coordinator already know the foods you like from your previous events. She made sure they would all be served."

"How about for the guests? The food must suit them, not only me."

"Our people made contact with them and food was one of the main things they inquired."

"That's good. I want their favorites to be served. If they enjoyed the food, then it will be easy for them to patronize me."

"That's right. They will remember you for your fondness and generosity."

"Are all the important guests coming?"

"Not everyone. The mayor and his councilors will be coming, except for Mr. Salvador, committee head on waste management and demolitions."

"Well, he is not that important anyway."

"Representatives of the Health Office will also be present. They could not miss the opening of your cutting-edge medical facility."

"How about the Science Center?"

"Yes, they will be present as well."

"Good. I want everyone to know that the Silverio Alvarado Medical Suites have everything people need for their health, especially that there is an on-going outbreak."

"Some guests also requested to see the research laboratories."

"No problem, they can see all the rooms. Except for the basement area, of course."

"I think they are more interested with the research facility. That part is what really convinced the mayor and the officials of the urgency of finishing the place."

"I know. So is our people ready?"

"Yes, Sir. Since Monday, they already started working and sort of studying the outbreak. They already have some data and analysis of existing cases."

"That's nice to hear. Just let them study this make-believe outbreak."

"I am also watching them closely. They might stumble upon something that could endanger our plans."

"Yes, you should do that. How about the clinics? Will they be occupied by tomorrow. Not one doctor was present there."

"A few of them will be opened tomorrow. I talked with the doctors and some started occupying their respective spaces today."

"How about the basement? Is it still safe?"

"Of course, Sir. Only our most trusted people has access to the area, and to what is happening there. But for tomorrow, only a few of them will remain in the basement. It would be too risky and suspicious if everyone would be there."

"Glad to know that. I could really count on you, Morgan."

By then, they were about to enter Alvarado's residence. Like their usual routine, Morgan opened the gate and drove the car to the back of the house and near the doctor's office at home.

"Are the media people informed about this?" Dr. Alvarado asked when they had parked.

"Yes, Sir. Every news outlet in TV, radio, and print were invited to the event."

"That's great, I want the inauguration to make a huge buzz."

"Yes, Sir, I made sure tomorrow's opening will stir the district."

"See to it, Morgan, that the opening will be a big news in the afternoon. Well, the morning will be quite boring as preparations will be done. Any suggestion to make the morning more interesting?"

"Well, another big news will intriguing."

"Like what, Morgan?"

"Like some death because of the outbreak?"

"You are one mean man, Morgan. But I think I like that idea. It will make the inauguration more urgent and meaningful. So who is it gonna be?"

"Some patient in the isolation camp?"

"Don't be silly, Morgan. I know what you mean!"

Dr. Alvarado laughed hard until he cried. He was enjoying himself. In fact, everything that was happening made him happy as they happened according to plan. He was still laughing when he got out of the car.

Meanwhile, news about the inauguration also reached Estella and Sonny. They were going to the market area when they received a paged message from their news chief.

"The opening of the Silverio Alvarado Medical Suites will be tomorrow," she told Sonny. "Chief says we should cover the event."

"What time?" Sonny asked.

"At five in the afternoon. There will be a short program before cutting the ribbon. Then dinner will be served afterwards."

"Is the opening of the facility really that important?"

"Maybe not during ordinary times. But there is currently an outbreak so the facility is essentially a game-changer."

"And if we think about it, establishing the facility was done so fast."

"Yes, that's really amazing. Dr. Alvarado must have pulled the right strings."

"And many, as well. Putting up that kind of establishment is a rigorous process but it took only a week's time for Dr. Alvarado to do so."

"The power of connections."

Sonny parked their car in an empty street.

"Shall we get dressed for the event?" Sonny asked. "There might be a party afterwards."

Estella laughed and slapped him lightly on the shoulder.

"The market looks lonely," Sonny commented.

"Then it must be true," Estella said. "That Loduvico did not heal anyone since yesterday."

"They say he is sick."

"Is he really sick?"

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know, Sonny. I just feel something's not right about it."

"Your journalist's guts are at work again."

"I hope I am wrong."

"You are seldom wrong, Estella. What do you feel is happening?"

"The boy is gone and people might be searching after him. Then Loduvico is not also seen here. I just feel these two things are connected."

"Two missing persons.... Could their absence be connected to the outbreak?"

"Or to someone."

Estella dared not mention any names but she believed Sonny knew who she was referring to.

"Come on, let's go inside," she changed the topic. "We have to talk to some people."

Carefully, they went inside the market area and did some interviews....