Thanks again, all, for helpful, cogent input. Finally got a call back from last carpet cleaner on my list. A nice guy, who while not willing to mess with trying to clean this mess, says he'll come out tomorrow, remove contaminated section of rug and treat the exposed contaminated floorboards with bactericide. That will give me some time to decide my next move. If he doesn't show, I'll put all the above ideas into action.

BTW, Fred, is a reciprocating saw the same thing as a Sawzall? I'm pretty sure there is one of those up in John's workshop.