Page 42 of Airborne
“I told you the truth.” Devoid of emotion, Rivera stared into his face.
“My assistant is inside the lab. Shall I ask him to leave?” A show of temper served no purpose with the serious allegations against him.
As if timing his arrival, Andy appeared from the inner door after shedding his protective gear. He stuck out his hand to Rivera. “Dr. Andy Sheehan. How can I help?”
“Dr. Sheehan, there’s no reason for you to stay while we conduct our search.”
“I’ll stick around.”
Supportive Andy. The man deserved a raise. “I’m good. I’ll call or text you when the agents are finished.”
“Okay.” Andy clasped Chad on the shoulder. “Sure?”
“Yes. We’re good.”
Andy grabbed his backpack before leaving.
Chad forced a cooperative attitude into his facade, but he’d rather reach for a bottle of Jack Daniel’s. “With all due respect, Agent Rivera, you must take precautions before entering the lab, during your search, and afterward.”
“We’ve been briefed on the safety requirements for a class3lab,” Rivera said. “We all have experience in handling hazardous materials.”
“But I didn’t train you, and you didn’t bring protective gear. No one approaches my lab without my instructions. I’m cooperating with the FBI to prove you accused the wrong man, so placate me.” Chad led the group to a dressing area inside the first set of doors to his lab. He pulled a tan gown, nitrile gloves, a mask, and booties from a drawer for each agent and himself. A sense of control dulled the tension in his body. “Put these on over your clothes and shoes.”
“Dr. Lawrence, our work will take a while,” Rivera said. “You’re not permitted to interfere. I’d prefer you wait in your office.”
“I’ll observe to make sure no one is contaminated. Are you up to date on your vaccines?”
The agents confirmed and dressed in the gowns—each garment designed to open in the back.
“Although you claim previous experience, I intend to give you a tutorial,” Chad said. “My lab handles life-threatening microbes. Are you sure you want to continue?”
Rivera slipped into his booties. “We are prepared to conduct our job.”
Chad bit his tongue to keep from unloading a truckload of sarcasm. Instead he slipped into his own protective gear. “Put on everything I’ve given you. We have two sets of self-closing doors here for safety reasons. When we’re finished in the lab, everything comes off within the door behind me and tossed into a container markedHazardous. There are no transmittable viral hemorrhagic-fever type viruses that could cause fatal diseases here. Pathogens are clearly marked. Without precaution, someone could get sick.”
Rivera tugged on the nitrile gloves and captured the attention of the agents. “We’re ready.”
Chad released the second door and sealed it behind them. Anger at the agents who’d invaded his domain tingled his fingers.The audacity of their suspicions. He unlocked the third door and allowed them to enter the lab.
Rivera did a 180. “Spotless. Computers. Equipment. Workstations. Biosafety cabinet to work with contaminants. According to the lab’s plans, you’ve upgraded the airflow system. Are you positioning your lab to better adhere to standards before diving into your new job for the CDC?”
“Not at all. There’s a level4 lab in Galveston. My reason for adding extra safety measures was to ensure everyone inside was protected. Another safety element is the absence of sharp edges that tear the gloves.”
“Shows your dedication.”
Rivera’s somber tone caused Chad to study him. “Are you surprised?”
“No, look, Dr. Lawrence, we have a job to do. We’re not here to judge, only gather facts. We conduct our work and a separate team analyzes the results.”
Hours later, the agents removed their protective garments and tossed them into the hazardous waste receptacle. The longer Chad had viewed their test tube search and scrutiny of his refrigeration system, the more his blood pressure soared.
“I insist you examine my car.” They’d gone through his desk, briefcase, and mirrored his electronic devices. “I’ll sign whatever the protocol.”
“Vehicles in question are towed to headquarters,” Rivera said.
“Permission granted.” He kept his temper in check. “I’ll take a taxi. Why not escort me, then sweep my apartment?”
“I’ll drive you home.”
