Page 115 of Airborne
CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN
ARRIVING HOME SEEMED ODDand yet familiar. The comforts relaxed and soothed her while the tragedies slammed unbidden memories. What good would ever come from the virus’s release? Granted, Chad had found a relationship with God, and a vaccine relieved the virus symptoms for many, but what about those who’d suffered, died? How long before arrests led the way for justice?
She’d been on EDT in New York, and the transition to CDT meant she wakened at 5:30. She showered and started her day, digging into the latest updates about Decker Anslow. Curiosity surrounding Jackson Powell’s arrival to Houston’s FBI kept her monitoring time. She wanted to be early at Mercy Community Church to greet those who’d attend. Mom and Dad wanted to be there to support her, but both had doctor appointments. She’d have dinner with them tonight.
She contacted Chad to remind him to keep his distance.
“I need to help in some capacity,” he said. “I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”
“Only your life and the father of our son? Leave the problem solving to investigators. Soon this will be over.”
Thomas called at 8a.m. “Are you acclimated to the new time?”
“Not yet. You?”
“Same. Does work start on Monday?”
“Have meetings at ten and two.”
Thomas groaned. “I’d like to ask you something, but I don’t want to be presumptuous or offend you.”
“Go ahead.”
“We have the beginnings of a friendship from our ordeal. The days, weeks, and months ahead for you will be difficult, and I’d like to be your friend.”
“We both have busy lives.”
“True. I’m proposing friendship.”
She tapped her chin. “Chad used to be my best friend.”
“I’d like to fill the vacancy with slow steps. Nothing else. My dealings with women in the past have been... arm candy. That’s not how I think of you.”
She hesitated—purposely. “I like the idea of a friend. I may need a sounding board, other than my parents, through the ongoing virus investigation and the days ahead.”
“I’d like the role of your brother-friend.”
“Okay.” She forged ahead. “The situation with Chad is complicated. Sometimes I feel sorry for him.”
“Why? He abandoned you and he’s suspected of developing a virus with global implications.”
She appeared to put her words together while she hoped her concocted story showed similarities between the two men. “He had a rough childhood. Parents didn’t understand his interest in science. Bullied because of extreme shyness. He knew loneliness, ridicule—a lot of anxiety. He didn’t have friends until medical school, where he met Jordan Radcom. Jordan is troubled about Chad’s possible involvement.” She shoved believability into herwords. “As a behavior analyst, I despise how bullies victimize their prey.”
“Regretful, Heather. I admit the pity gene for him escaped my chemical makeup. If he’s guilty, he must be punished for his actions.”
“And I’d be the first to cuff him. My comment wasn’t a justification for any crime but a reason.”
“The foundation for a psychopath. That remark wasn’t necessary. I’m sorry if I’ve upset you.”
“You haven’t. I need a brother-friend.”
“Are you up to a call later on tonight? Not too late.”
“I’m having dinner with my parents. How about I call you?”
“Great. Think about a nap before your afternoon meeting.”
“First, this morning, I’m talking to a few of the victims’ family and friends.”
