Page 102 of Airborne
“I trust the judicial system.”
He buried his face in his hands and clutched his temples.
“Are you okay?”
Seconds ticked by. He lifted his face, grinned, and unwrapped the ice cream bar. “This looks really good.”
A transition occurred before her, night to day... Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. If she hadn’t seen the switch, she’d swear it didn’t happen.
He bit into the ice cream bar. “Moving forward on assisting at-risk kids invigorates me. And you? What are your long-term goals?”
“Possibly instructing new recruits at Quantico. The idea of training the next generation of special agents inspires me.”
“You’re a strong woman and a good role model for others. We have no choice but to endure each day in quarantine until we’re released.”
She thanked him. “My commitment to the FBI drives me to reach out to those who are hurting.”
“It shows.”
“If you’ll excuse me, I’m heading back to bed.” Heather said her goodbye and walked back to her room.
Was this the man whom the FBI believed exposed people to a killer virus? Had he caused Trey Alvinson’s death? Did he work with Parker and Sonya Karey? What if his friendship was calculated to endear her to him and not the other way around? A game of wits for two people with opposite agendas.
She’d witnessed a glimpse of insanity that might have morphed into evil.
CHAPTER SIXTY
CHAD NEEDED TO APOLOGIZEto Jordan for his past lousy attitude and thank him for his friendship. Last night’s research on the virus provided a conversation opener—not that he needed an excuse to talk to his old friend. He’d spent most of the night contemplating the virus and his conversation with Heather. Lots of soul-searching with no results but misery. He pressed in Jordan’s number using his burner and expected to leave a message. But Jordan surprised him and answered.
“Hey, Chad. What’s up?”
“Needed to thank you for putting up with me since the virus scare. I’ve been a jerk.”
“At times, yes. You’ve also been stupid and almost got yourself killed. If the tables were turned, you’d be there for me.”
“Yes, I would. I’ve examined and reexamined Heather’s medical history to figure out why she’s immune to H9N15, other than the r-naught factor. Have we missed a vital aspect that’s shared by many of the unaffected people and those who are recovering?”
Jordan sighed. “I’m afraid this thing will take months, years to resolve.”
He’d not mention a possible antiviral... yet. “I stumbled onto a random theory. Would you mind looking at Heather’s records?”
“My computer is in front of me. Give me a sec. While I’m doing this, I’ll say 43percent haven’t been infected. The r-naught factor seems to be the biggest player here. Heather’s one unique characteristic is she’s pregnant.” Jordan’s fingers clicked on the keyboard. “Okay, I have her test results and medical history. What do you want me to see?”
“Five months ago, she received the quadrivalent flu vaccine. Her dad contracted typeA and B flu strains at the end of December and a third undetermined in February. We chose the vaccinations in February as a precaution. The vaccines may have built her immunity.”
“Give me a little time while I compare patient records. Can I get back to you?”
“Sure.”
Three hours later, Jordan returned the call. “Sorry. Been busy with a situation here in quarantine.”
“New outbreak?”
“No. A person here has complained of migraines, and I wanted to take a look at the blood tests. The person needs a neurologist, and I recommended admitting him to Jamaica Hospital for additional testing.”
“Do you have other cases that relate the migraines to the virus?”
“No, but I’m not discounting any potential symptom. Aside from why I’m late getting back to you, I have interesting data to report on our earlier conversation. None of the deceased victims’ medical records reflect vaccinations for strains A or B in the last two years. Also, of the patients in serious and critical condition, none were vaccinated for A or B flu strains in the last year. Ichecked how many who’d received the quadrivalent vaccine contracted the virus. I discovered three, and they are recovering.”
