Mrs. Claus in the hazmat suit walked over to the package and picked it up. She carried it out onto the back patio and closed the sliding door behind her. Everyone else had followed her through the house at a safe distance to see what was going on. She carefully set the package on the outdoor dining table and took two large steps away from it.
She turned her back to the doors and stripped out of the suit and left it on the patio.
“See what I mean,” said Mr. Claus.
“Now is not the time for your astronaut fantasies,” said Leroy.
Mrs. Claus came in through the patio door and closed it behind her.
“The package is sent from Bindslev, Denmark, if that’s a help,” said Mrs. Claus.
“Bindslev? That’s way up in Northern Jutland,” said Leroy who was a long-time resident of Copenhagen.
“You don’t really think it’s that special strain of corona virus that infected the wood elves, do you?” said Liz.
Leroy shook his head and then pulled out his phone and made a call. He explained the situation and their fear of the contents. At the end he gave the address for the house.
“She’ll be right here,” said Leroy.
“Another friend with a unique skill set?” asked William.
“It’s someone I’ve known for a while and is an expert on viral diseases and their potential use as weapons of terror. We’ve worked together before,” said Leroy.
“And she happens to live in Berkeley- or what?” asked Mr. Claus.
“The city,” said Leroy.
“That means she has to cross the bridge, maybe we should send a sleigh,” said Mr. Claus.
“She’ll be here fast enough,” said Leroy.
“And, in the meantime, honey, you can try to think about who you pissed off this year,” said Mrs. Claus.
