Page 120 of Airborne
Heather pointed to an adorable Shetland pony. “I’ll be over there.”
At that moment, a goat butted Thomas’s behind. He plopped knees-first onto the ground. “I’ve been humbled.” He brushed off the dirt and whatever else covered him.
Laughter bubbled up from her toes. “Wish I’d been fast enough to video that.”
“No thanks. The idea of seeing my knees inForbeswould ruin my image.”
They followed a trail to the African forest. An elephant trumpeted. A lion roared his kingship. And the temps soared right along with the humidity.
Thomas stopped at the white rhino exhibit and snapped a pic. “These are one of my favorite animals.”
“Why?”
“Ready for a few facts?”
“Go for it.”
“Rhinos are the second largest land mammal. The elephant holds the number one spot. They live to be around fifty years old. But what I like is they are semi-social and territorial. Complex. Like me. White rhinos have lousy vision but a keen sense of smelland hearing. I have a couple of blind spots, but I pay smarter people to be my eyes.”
She observed the huge animal. “How fast does a rhino run?”
“White ones have the edge with twenty to twenty-four miles per hour.”
“Don’t think I’d want to make a rhino mad, especially the bulls.”
“I’ve been chased in a jeep. All the excitement I needed.”
Heather pointed to the Twiga Café. “How about a heat break? I could use something cold to drink.”
“I’m already there.”
The air-conditioning bathed their faces, and she chose a corner table, a habit to see who entered the front door. Thomas bought iced teas and scooted his chair across from her. “I’ve cooled off just holding the cold paper cups.” He glanced around at the few people in the café. “You know, Heather, the stock market rises and falls. The weather gets hotter. The media wants to announce an arrest so people will relax about the virus.” He stretched his neck. “As much as I’m thrilled to be off Adam’s Island, I’m worried another virus breakout will take innocent lives.”
“I have the same fear.”
“Taversty is dead. Chad’s name has been cleared. Parker Karey is locked up—”
“Do you suspect him?”
“He’s one strange man. Remember when you saw him and Sonya in the hallway with me?” She nodded and he continued. “He wanted an astronomical amount deposited into his bank account. His reasoning was the quarantine had destroyed his chances to secure the job he wanted in Frankfurt.”
“Not true. The company in Frankfurt stated they’d not fill the position until they talked to him.”
Thomas took a drink of the iced tea. “He’s a parasite.”
“He’s also a widower.”
“Between us, I wouldn’t be surprised if he killed Sonya.”
From the corner of her eye, she saw Chad walk in. “Oh no,” she whispered. “We have company.”
Thomas stared. His face reddened.
Chad walked their way wearing a plastered-on smile that didn’t really look like him. “Mr. Powell, we finally meet face-to-face.”
“Heather and I were just discussing parasites. How did you find us?”
Chad pulled a chair to the table. “I still have access to her online calendar.” He tossed a glare at her. “You have lousy taste, Heather. Can’t you do any better than this?”
