Page 16 of Airborne
“The last update quoted 45percent of the 267 passengers and crew on board. Dr. Lawrence, while I’ve answered most of your questions, we’re here to escort you to the FBI office for questioning. You have knowledge linked to the case. Please bring your laptop.”
“As a consultant?”
“No. As a person of interest.”
CHAPTER TEN
IN THE REAR SEATof Agent Rivera’s double-cab truck, Chad watched the darkened streets whiz by. He wrestled with his thoughts—the shock of the FBI’s questioning his character climbed the tower of unbelievable. Handcuffs didn’t restrain his hands, and the agents hadn’t taken his cell phone, but they had his laptop in the front seat. He’d given it to them without argument. If he had something to hide, he’d have requested a search warrant.
“Why am I on your radar? Other than I live in Houston and have devoted my life to eliminating viruses?”
Agent Rivera cleared his throat. “We have sufficient evidence to bring you in for questioning. The agents who conduct the interview will provide details.”
“You two are the gophers?” The silent agents reminded him of two marionettes. Chad attempted to manage his ire. “Look, I’m concerned the people on board the flight aren’t receiving the proper medical care. Are you recording our conversation?”
“No, sir,” Rivera said.
“Here’s my permission. If you refuse, I’ll press Record on my phone. Which is it?”
“Be our guest,” he said.
Chad hit Record. “Let’s discuss the crisis.”
Agent Tobias, a pleasant enough woman with short salt-and-pepper hair turned from the front seat. “Dr. Lawrence, there’s no reason to deny you information available to the public. You have your phone to search or—”
“I prefer your version.”
“We prefer you use your phone.”
Chad searched on one of Houston’s media sites. After reading what he’d already been told by Agent Rivera, he reached new information from a live report at IAH.
“...The FBI, TSA, and CDC have formed a task force to better handle what those on-board flight3879 may have contracted. The aircraft was inbound from Chicago O’Hare airport before scheduled to depart Houston and outbound to Frankfurt. At this time, there are no reported outbreaks in Houston or Chicago. However, the FBI has put Houston and Chicago hospitals on alert. The doctor on board suspects a severe and fast-acting virus. He has no means to confirm a diagnosis or determine what kind of virus has infected many innocent people.”
Chad stared out at a midnight-blue sky. No ceiling of stars to light up the night or his thoughts. Fast-acting viruses had an incubation period of one to two days. Others were longer. The passengers could have been exposed to a contagion before they boarded, but how did they contract the virus and experience severe symptoms within a couple of hours?
The order of occurrence caught his attention. The virus began with a severe headache, high fever, body aches, nosebleeds, vomiting with blood, pain in lower stomach, and according to the doctor on board, respiratory distress occurred prior to an unresponsive state. He’d seen firsthand how dengue and Ebolaattacked the body. None of the reports as yet indicated the victims convulsed.
So many strains of deadly viruses had a 90percent fatality. The thought of a new strain and the implications had a probable epidemic attached to it. He contemplated the minuscule information, afraid to speculate what an unknown virus might do to those infected.
Until medical professionals and researchers had information and emergency procedures were implemented, no one could be sure what had stricken the passengers and crew. If he’d been permitted to make a recommendation, he’d suggest the pilot land ASAP so the sick could be treated. The truth swarmed his logic—who would listen to him?
“I’m not the guilty party here.”
“Sir,” Agent Tobias said, her voice even, “you are wanted for questioning. An interview doesn’t imply guilt.”
“When will the FBI take me off their list?”
Agent Rivera stepped in. “Depends on verification of your answers.”
“The protocol is a waste of valuable time. Since it affected only those people on the Houston flight, business and economy, it seems the air-filtering system has been compromised. Agent Rivera, your thoughts?”
Silence, but what could Chad expect? The airlines had incorporated intricate systems, especially on newer aircraft like the Boeing777. His idea implied a level of sophistication. But anything was possible.
By now, the TSA had been instructed to view all footage of those who’d passed through security, and even reached out for interviews. Finding the source of the virus, its characteristics, and developing an antiviral would take teams of researchers—a huge concern for those impacted. The CDC, where he should be, would be working round the clock.
The extended silence raised his anger level. Didn’t these idiots comprehend he had the necessary skills? “Whether you want to hear this or not, I’m giving you a dose of the real world. If authorities are looking at a virus that’s characterized by internal and external bleeding, there’s no treatment or vaccine. Medical personnel can ensure the patient maintains proper oxygen levels, replace blood, deal with the clotting factors, treat any resulting infections, and closely monitor vitals. I’ve fought for victims to survive while my attempts were like putting a Band-Aid on a mortal wound. Now it appears we have a deadly virus on US soil?” He shivered.
In many cases, medical workers were handicapped except to support the patients and evaluate their test results while consulting with international researchers how to effectively and efficiently treat them. Until epidemiological studies were conducted, confirmation was impossible.
