Page 96 of Airborne
Her phone rang out its familiar summons. ASAC Mitchell.
“Free to talk?” he said.
“Yes. I’m at the shore.”
He explained Chad’s second email threat, the current state of his apartment, the situation surrounding Trey Alvinson, and Chad’s conversation with Javier Rivera.
“Was an autopsy done on Trey Alvinson?” she said.
“No. The ME ruled drowning. Testimony from the parents point to unusual circumstances. If need be, we can request the body be exhumed.”
“Is Chad no longer on your radar?”
“We’re not ready to make the announcement and won’t be until the lab’s cleared. Rivera says he and Chad agreed on a plan. Have you given him a course in Investigation Tactics101?”
Curiosity jogged across her mind. “I’m concerned for his safety. Is he in protective custody?”
“Refused.”
“I’ll talk to him.” A twinge of alarm rang through her. “What’s this plan?”
“To contact Powell and claim he has Trey’s notes. Plans to offer him a deal.”
“Blackmail? Chad’s not trained. He’ll get himself killed. We’ve been to the firing range, and he’s a terrible shot. He doesn’t own a gun. And the FBI approved his so-called crazy scheme?” Her voice rose. “Why didn’t Rivera talk him out of it?”
“He tried, which is why I’m talking to you. We don’t approve of his Captain America approach. The issue in asking you to call him isn’t a good idea when his phone’s been hacked.”
“We have burner phones.”
Mitchell snorted. “Why do two people who are separated use burner phones?”
“I suggested it after his attack. If we talked, I didn’t want to risk the bad guys finding out.”
“I don’t understand. Why wasn’t I informed?”
“Chad asked for a second chance. I said we’d discuss it after the investigation.” She hesitated, sensing Mitchell’s disapproval. “There are a few requirements on my end. But if he wanted to talk, a burner was the best option.” She calculated the days left in quarantine. “I’ll persuade Chad to forget his ludicrous plan, and I’ll move closer to Powell.”
“You’re a great agent, Heather, but be careful. If Powell, the Kareys, or someone else is the killer, they’ll have no problem eliminating those who get in their way.”
“My point. I may want to kill Chad myself. So I don’t need someone else doing the honors.” She sighed.
“What if Chad has no wife or baby?”
His words jolted her. Her baby had survived insurmountable obstacles and beat the odds. “Just send me everything Chad’s given you.”
“Okay, will send now.” Mitchell requested she check in after her next meeting with the Kareys or Powell. “Has your opinion changed about Chad’s involvement?”
She prayed for divine guidance. “Yes. A guilty man doesn’t put his life in jeopardy to prove himself innocent.”
Minutes later, Heather still looked out over the water, listening to waves rush and crash against the shore. The rhythm that relaxed her body and soul. She’d focused so many weeks and months on Chad’s faults. But had she dealt with her own? What blame did she share in their failed marriage? If she’d been gentler in her demands for him to talk about the last trip to Africa and Paul’s death, could the heartache now have been avoided?
She’d watched their relationship spiral and tried to glue the broken pieces together... cooked his favorite foods, adhered to his schedule, searched for ways to make him happy. She catered tohis every whim and ignored her own needs. No arguments. Keep the peace.
Codependency.
Heather swiped at a tear. She’d enabled Chad’s drift to work obsession. She’d fed it, and her efforts for approval had driven him away. His respect for her vanished. Her own self-respect suffered, and her need for him grew in an unhealthy way.
Oh, God, what have I done?
