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“The state will never ad, Dr Lee, but you have no idea howup in your defense”

“I understand the govern, but you have no idea how ues failed to come to my defense”

Huang wrung his hands

“I don’t blame you,” he said “My silence was a clear act of cowardice I cannot speak for ies for not defending you in public At the same time, I did work behind the scenes to keep you out of jail”

Dr Lee resisted the temptation to show the doctor the harsh conditions in the ie He would soon learn that a jail didn’t need bars She decided that it would be unfair to pick on Huang Nothing he could have done would have changed the outcome

She forced a smile

“Your apology is accepted, Dr Huang I am truly pleased to see you Since you do not bear the thanks of a grateful nation forhere?”

“I coh they were alone, he lowered his voice “It has returned,” he said in a near whisper

Lee felt an icy coldness in the pit of her stomach

“Where?” she asked

“To the north of here” He rattled off the name of a remote province

“Have there been any other outbreaks?”

“None so far It is an isolated area, thank goodness”

“Have you isolated the virus to confirm its identity?”

He nodded “It’s a coronavirus, as before”