Page 33 of Airborne
“Not yet. Additional testing will show us what strain.”
“You know this, but whoever developed the virus has more. The source has to be found before others are infected.”
“That fact is on everyone’s minds.”
“And I just reminded you. My apologies. What’s being done for those in the hospital?”
“They’re receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics, and we’re treating the symptoms. That’s all we can do without conclusive test results.”
Jordan’s words sounded bleak. She craved a taste of good news. “A German woman by the name of Mia was taken to the hospital. Can you tell me how she’s doing?”
Jordan turned to the computer on his desk. “Last name?”
“I have no idea. She sat beside me on the plane.”
He studied the screen. “Okay, we have one woman named Mia from Germany. She’s in stable condition and holding her own.”
Had it been only hours ago since she’d held Mia’s coffee while the woman placed her carry-on in the overhead bin? How had Heather escaped the virus? Except it wasn’t over yet. “What about a little boy named Frankie? I don’t have a last name for him. He’s six, almost seven years old. He was seated with his grandmother, and she left the plane on a stretcher.”
Jordan again peered into the computer screen. He typed, studied the screen, and frowned. “Frankie is unconscious. Not responding to the antibiotics.”
A well of despair rose from the pit of her soul. She sobbed and tried desperately to stop.Stay strong. Others need me.The breakdown was a repeat of when Tatum and Catherine comforted her. Jordan stood from his desk, but she held up her palm. “No, Jordan. I can handle my own problems. I’ll be okay.”
Heather fought the grief not only for Frankie, who might not see his seventh birthday, but for those who might never see tomorrow.Where are You, God? How can good comefrom young and old suffering and dying?She managed a gulp of air. “I apologize.”
He handed her a tissue. “Considering the pregnancy and everything surrounding your flight, I’m surprised you’re not hysterical.Grown men here have cried over the sick and the plight of these people. I’d be worried if you weren’t affected. In my mind, the animals who planted the virus deserve whatever punishment the court gives them.”
“Doing nothing frustrates me. My job is to analyze bad guys and help determine the why of their behavior and a method to reach them in a way they’ll understand. I want to be on the street turning over rocks and interviewing anyone who might have information. Has anything been uncovered by the CDC, health departments, or FBI?”
His gaze bored into hers. “Between us, I assume the FBI will filter all information before it’s brought to my attention. For the CDC, the process requires hours of testing and evaluation. Acquiring medical records takes time, and for those who traveled alone and died or are unconscious, we need hours, days to locate answers.”
She recalled the hopelessness in Chad’s recollections of an Ebola outbreak. The dire conditions took root in her very bones. “You’re overwhelmed and I get it, but can you keep me posted? Mia and Frankie are new friends.”
“Sure.” He peered at her. “In view of his upcoming CDC position, I regret Chad won’t be joining us here on the island. Probably not even when his name is cleared.”
“He accused me of contacting the FBI to bring him in for questioning. I haven’t talked to the FBI for a copy of the interview. No excuse except I’m preoccupied.” Confusion clouded her mind. “What CDC position?”
Jordan startled. “He didn’t tell you?”
“What’s going on?”
“Chad should discuss his decisions with you.”
“We aren’t communicating well at the moment. Please explain how Chad has a position at the CDC.”
“Guess it doesn’t matter. He has a new role in Atlanta where he’llbe working directly with the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases—the influenza division.”
Far too similar to what flight3879 was experiencing. She despised her suspicions of Chad’s recent behavior and preoccupation with... something.
His new apartment was a furnished month-by-month lease. She thought he’d chosen the apartment’s rental flexibility because of the possibility of working out their problems. “He hasn’t told me anything, much less about a move to Atlanta.” She shoved strength into her words instead of another meltdown. “When was he hired?”
“The interview process began after the first of the year.”
The same time Chad chose to distance himself. His actions made calculated sense. The coward didn’t have the guts to tell her his plans.
“When is he scheduled to start his new responsibilities?”
“Three weeks.” He glanced at his desk and back to her. “Not sure why he kept the job change from you.”
