Sympatico Syndrome (Book 1): Infection (A Pandemic Survival Novel) by M.P. McDonald Page A

Jerry Keeling.”
    “Doctor Keeling? The dentist ?” He’d taken Hunter to the guy a few times after their regular dentist had retired. He’d also spoken to him at the annual block party, but he’d never had the impression the man would become militant in a situation like this.
    “Yeah. We’ve had outsiders trying to seek shelter in the neighborhood. They think because we’re upscale here, that we’re safe.”
    Cole bit back a retort. Their neighborhood, while nice enough, was hardly upscale. “Look, Jerry, I just need to get home. It’s only going to be for a few hours, then we’re leaving.” Crap. He probably shouldn’t have said that.
    Jerry scratched his cheek, his gaze wandering to the other two men as if seeking permission. “Okay, I guess I can let you pass, but the truck and the other car will have to stay out. Only residents allowed.” He smiled as if he was doing Cole a favor.
    Cole fixed Jerry with a hard stare. “Listen, Jerry, that’s my brother in the truck and his family in the red Ford. Now, unless you’re going to shoot m e, they’re coming, too.”
    Jerry glanced back, his grip shifting on the hunting rifle. He cast a nervous look at the other two men still on the other side of the barricade. “I don’t know. We’re only supposed to let residents through—“
    Cole had had enough of this. He put the car in park and opened his door. He looked at the other two men, their rifles pulled closer to their bodies as if they were ready to aim them. He spread his arms, palms out. “Listen, I live here. Right over there, in fact.” He pointed to his house. “We’re coming through here, getting my belongings and then leaving. We’re not stealing anyone’s stuff, and we want to keep all contact to a minimum. I don’t even want to be this close to any of you. I’d recommend that you keep back from anyone trying to approach the barricade and get yourselves some good masks.”
    “Who the hell are you to tell us what to do?” One of the men circled the barricade. He was taller and heavier than the short, slim dentist, and he shouldered Jerry out of the way. “We say who comes and who goes.”
    Cole narrowed his eyes and straightened his shoulders. “As it happens, I know a thing or two about diseases since I’m an epidemiologist. I worked with the CDC for many years and even went to Africa to help manage the Ebola outbreak. Do you have better credentials?”
    The man’s mouth dropped open.
    “Yes, that’s what I thought.” He turned sideways, jabbing a finger at the truck and the Ford. “These two vehicles behind me are my family, and they're coming in. Get those barricades out of the way.”
    The man grunted but waved at the other man to move the barriers. “Yeah, okay, but this is the only time.”
    Cole rolled his eyes, but let the man keep his dignity and didn’t press the issue. He only needed this one time. Retreating to the car, he put it into the drive and drummed his fingers on the wheel while the barricades were moved. He gave a curt nod to Jerry as he passed. He sure as hell hoped neither men had Sympatico Syndrome because they’d been within three feet of him. That was closer than he felt was safe. He wanted to maintain at least a six-foot buffer zone, preferably even bigger.
    He kicked himself for not having his mask on already. He hadn’t counted on hostile encounters, but he wouldn’t be caught unprepared again.
    The first thing he was going to do was instruct everyone to wear a mask whenever they might possibly come in contact with someone outside of their group.
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    C ole held his hand up in a stop motion. “That’s good, Sean. We need room to get the ramp down.”
    Jenna crossed the front yard, the kids trailing behind her. “Cole, is everything okay? What was going on with those men?”
    Piper darted a look at the men. “Why did they have guns?”
    “Were they going to shoot you, Uncle Cole?” Trent’s voice held a note of excitement and Cole gave him