Page 83 of Airborne
She startled. “The all-American hero?”
“We understand he was instrumental in bringing down Braden Taversty and later he offered financial aid for the virus victims as well as donated $4million to the virus research.”
“That garners suspicion?” Thomas’s attorneys would tear the FBI’s suspicions to shreds. “He plays with the kids and rocks babies. The people in quarantine have him clothed in red, white, and blue.”
“Are you vouching for him, Agent Lawrence?” Bischoff said.
“Only sharing how he’s viewed.”
“How would you characterize him?”
“Just what I’ve already said. What would be his motivation? I’ve read his background and didn’t see a thing that demonstrates a criminal mind-set. Quite the contrary. What’s the payoff? With proper evidence I could see Chad’s involvement but zilch for Thomas Powell.” She paused. “Have you found a connection between him and Chad? Other than an occasional charity event, they don’t run in similar circles.”
“We’re investigating all possibilities.”
“If Chad developed the virus, why would he need Powell? Doesn’t make sense. His lab is fully funded.”
“We have a series of discrepancies that may mean nothing. Hisfamily originated in Dallas, and he has a twin brother,” Bischoff said. “They were separated when the boys were eleven years old. The father took the brother, abandoned Thomas and his mother, and left the country. Current residence for both men is in London.”
Her interest spurred. “Does he have a relationship with them?”
“We’re digging to find out. The father’s name is Oliver Powell, and the twin is Jackson. Both are musicians and scheduled to perform this week at the Salzburg music festival. At one time, Oliver Powell played for the Dallas Symphony. An agent in Germany contacted them for interviews. Both refused to discuss Thomas, and neither used the festival’s activities as a reason.”
“Have you discovered why the family split, each taking a son?”
“No. We learned from Thomas’s elementary and middle school records that he experienced bullying. In middle school he was suspended for threatening another student with a knife. Could have been to protect himself. We’re looking for people from his school or a teacher, someone who witnessed the behavior. While in college, his mother died of complications with pneumonia. Neither Oliver nor Jackson returned for the funeral.”
“A history of being bullied doesn’t make a man a killer,” she said. “It has the potential to damage the victim’s self-esteem and lay the groundwork for inappropriate behavior.”
“Three of his former girlfriends were interviewed,” Bischoff said in his typical no-nonsense fashion. “Two women had nothing to say. The woman who had a yearlong relationship claimed he was a perfect gentleman. After their breakup, she received two hundred grand deposited into her bank account.”
“From Powell?”
“Overseas account. Our agents questioned her about the transaction, and she claimed the funds were a gift from an anonymous sender.”
“Did she expect the FBI to believe her story?”
“She’s sticking to it, and she has no criminal affiliations.”
“Sir, if he gave her the money, why deny it? Rhetorical, I know, unless Powell wasn’t the sender.”
“We were unable to find a current woman in his life. His range of acquaintances encompasses many people, but he has no close friends whom we can locate. Granted, none of what we’ve learned makes him a suspect.”
“We have a history of bullying, family dysfunction, an ex-girlfriend who doesn’t know where she received two hundred grand, and a probe into a possible link to Chad.”
“Correct. You could give us solid insight into his personality.”
Heather called Powell’s hint of involvement weak—at best. But with so many lives at stake, who was she to judge? Many times the motivation to a crime surfaced after the criminal was arrested.
“Another matter may mean nothing. Jordan reported Powell stopped by his office and complained of severe headaches since exposure to the virus. From the symptoms, Jordan concluded they were migraines with aura type. He suggested Powell take over-the-counter meds and asked if he’d agree to tests. Powell preferred to postpone the testing unless the pain grew worse.”
“What do his medical reports show?” she said.
“No issues with headaches. Jordan is concerned the H9N15 stats are in the beginning stages, and severe headaches could be part of it. But to date, no one has reported them. I wanted you to have all our information. Jordan said he’d encourage immediate testing in the event the virus has affected Powell differently.”
“I’ll approach him back at the island. We’ve had a few verbal exchanges but little else.”
“Don’t jeopardize your health in the process.”
