Page 35 of Airborne
“We’ve had a similar day.”
“After dinner, I want to take a walk outside. It may help to process our situation.”
She held up her phone. “At least the CDC provides access to the world beyond our quarantine.”
“Have the authorities determined a vaccine to protect us against the virus?”
“Not yet.” If only she had promising news. “No arrests for who is responsible either. Braden Taversty is in critical condition.”
“Some reporters are labeling his stunt a suicide mission. The world is filled with fanatics, and he could be one of them. Our faces are plastered across the screen of the free world. We are being called a lot of things—fortunate, guinea pigs, victims of bureaucratic decisions. Shall I go on?”
Heather sensed his downward spiral, and hers trailed right behind his. “I’m sure a long list of groups and psychopaths are taking credit.” She sipped her coffee. “Enough gloom. We can’t allow our current circumstances to destroy us.” She pushed the plate of cookies his way. “I’ll do what I can while we’re here.”
“I found a game room and offered to spend time with the kids. Most of them have hospitalized parents or siblings.”
“They may need a sounding board. Let me know if I can help.”
“I will. Lacy Skaggs said they lacked men, so I jumped in.” He rubbed his hand over his face. “I bet the kitchen has the ingredients for me to whip up a batch of these.”
“You bake?”
“Paid for grad school by working at a bakery in Austin. Learned a sweet trick or two. Real butter. Real chocolate chips. Refrigerate the dough before baking. Correct temp.” He shook his head. “Odd how things pop into your mind when you’re away from a normal routine.” He tilted his head. Sadness settled dark on him. “The bakery’s name was Flour Power. What I wouldn’t give to be back there instead of here with the grim reaper around us.”
She nodded. “If we’re here very long, you can volunteer for a baking spree.”
“Might help me keep my sanity.”
“Do you have family in Houston?”
“No. Guess that’s a good thing. What about you?”
“My husband and parents are there.”
“I imagine they’re worried sick.”
“Thomas, hold on to a glimpse of tomorrow, no matter how thin or fragile. We’re the lucky people who are blessed to be healthy. Every minute we escape the virus ups our chances of survival.”
He captured her gaze. “You’re right. Optimism for the future is our best asset. I appreciate the reminder.” He rose from the bench with his empty cup. “Think I’ll take that walk before dinner. The fresh air may help my outlook. Thanks for taking a few minutes with me.”
The moment Thomas walked away, Chad’s words echoed through her mind.
“You’re in my way, Heather. I can’t move forward in my career with a wife.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAD SURVEYED LIFEbelow his apartment through a half-inch gap in his living room blinds. The sights and sounds reflected a world untouched by chaos while he evaluated a worthless day. He hadn’t moved ahead on research projects and neither had he heard from the FBI investigation, leaving him in a sour mood. The appointment with his lawyer added no value to the legal conundrum other than the establishment of a retainer fee and for Chad not to talk to the FBI without the lawyer’s presence.
A video call from Jordan sounded on his phone. Chad hadn’t expected his old friend to make contact so soon after the FBI questioning. Unless he bore bad news about the position in Atlanta... or Heather had contracted the virus.
Chad tapped the video messaging app. “Hey, Jordan. Good to hear from you. I assumed you’d be knee-deep handling the virus situation.”
Exhaustion spread over Jordan’s face. “Up to my eyeballs in this mess. I have an important matter to discuss with you.”
“Has Heather contracted the virus?”
“No. You must be frantic with the rapid spread of the virus. If Erika or my girls had been subjected to this, I’d be insane with worry. Our families take priority, and it’s hard to have objectivity.”
Chad fumed that Jordan doubted he could separate career and personal life. “I’d be happy to assist in New York. I’m able to dissimulate emotion.”
