Although Thomas Stephenson and Cassandra Borden worked together in the past, the two forensic microbiologists meet unexpectedly in Prishtinë, capital of Kosova in 2001. Tom, it appears, is there as a magazine features writer while Cassie, a novice in foreign assignments, is helping the World Health Organization re-establish a diagnostic microbiology laboratory service at the University of Prishtinë Health Centre. Things are not always as they appear. It becomes apparent that Tom is working undercover for the Microbiology Intelligence Network (MIN), a Canadian organization with links to government. Tom's role with MIN involves assessing possible bioterrorist threats. He accepts that some organisms commonly thought to be agents of bioterrorism are merely bi-products of social and physical upheaval in a post-war situation. Then, he and his driver/interpreter, Agron Shalla, encounter a mysterious illness in young adults with fever and influenza-like symptoms manifesting as severe arthritis. In the newly established virology laboratory, an unusual virus is grown that Tom recognizes as chikungunya virus. Tom and Agron pull together sufficient information to theorize a Soviet involvement, suggesting the likelihood of Kosova's use as a testing ground for biological weapons. They realize the Yugoslav government of the day had to be actively or passively complicit. Tom and Cassie's relationship develops over the two years following their meeting in Prishtinë. Official interference ensures that Tom and Cassie are seldom able to schedule their Kosova work sessions at the same time, so much of their relationship evolves through e-mail correspondence. When Tom finds evidence that Cassie is also an agent for MIN, an e-mail argument ensues severely straining their relationship. By the time Tom is assigned to Somalia, Cassie confides to sister, Karen, that they are no longer together. The effect of war, international service, life from an ethnic Albanian point-of-view is explored via Tom's magazine articles, interviews, e-mail correspondence with friends and family in Canada and through Tom and Cassie's conversations with some of the many characters appearing throughout.
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