The air in there smelled of paper dust and dry cardboard.

I used the priority collection swab from the emergency kit box behind the counter, sealed the plastic vial in the biohazard pouch and slipped it into the thick padded cardboard mailer.

I pressed the sticky flap down until it held firm.

I went out to the sidewalk, where the heavy steel-blue mailbox stood by the curb.

The cold autumn night air struck my face, and I pulled my coat tight across my stomach.

I raised the heavy iron handle of the collection box.