Page 112 of Airborne
God, help him. Help usfind an end to all the tragedies.
Huge raindrops pelted her. “Hey, Chad. A storm’s rolling in, and it’s starting to rain.”
“Get inside and be safe. Call me when you can.”
She echoed the same for him. While he’d embraced God, he hadn’t discarded his risk-taking streak. Neither of them had.
CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE
THROUGH EAR-PIERCING CRACKSof thunder and blinding lightning, Heather jogged from her shore respite to the quarantine unit. Huge raindrops drenched her while her phone buzzed. Once inside the building, she returned a call to ASAC Mitchell.
“Why are you out of breath?” he said.
“It’s pouring, and I was outside.” Thunder shook the building.
“I hear it.”
The darkened sky pulled her attitude into an even grayer mood. The quarantine and all the heartache it tossed at the victims had to end soon. “Tell me you have good news.”
“I do. One of Thomas Powell’s ex-girlfriends gave us a statement.”
Heather scanned the hallway to ensure privacy. A cluster of people talked about fifteen feet from her. “Hold on. I’m on the move.”
“From the storm?”
“For privacy.” She found a secluded small room used as a library.About fiftyNational Geographicmagazines and a few worn copies of books were scattered on every conceivable surface. Closing the door, she gave him the all clear. “Is this the woman who had a yearlong relationship with him?”
“Right. The woman’s scared. Dated Powell for six months before he lost his temper. She didn’t agree with something he’d said. He beat her. Broke her nose and jaw. He claimed it was the first time he’d ever lost control. He paid her medical expenses and deposited a hefty amount into her bank account in exchange for her to keep her mouth shut.”
“And she still stayed with him for a year. How did you persuade her to talk?”
“The agent told her Powell may have exhibited violent tendencies with others. The agent assured her the interview was confidential, and she’d not be called to testify unless charges were brought against him.”
“The facts mysteriously appear, don’t they? All we need do is fit them together.” She picked up an issue ofNational Geographicand focused on the title of an article: “To build the cities of the future, we must get out of our cars.” The words reminded her of how she must continue to gain Thomas’s trust no matter how uncomfortable.
“Heather, once quarantine is over, where will Powell go? Will he return to Houston and continue building his financial empire? Take off to a place where we can’t touch him?” Sarcasm laced Mitchell’s words. “Law enforcement and medical researchers haven’t had a breakthrough with the virus. And there’s nothing in Powell’s records to show he has a personality disorder. You saw a glimpse of DID, but not to an extent we can link him to any crimes.”
“Sir, I respectfully disagree with your conclusion. I’ll make sure I have plenty of opportunities to view the real man once he’s backto his normal routine. I’ll encourage our friendship and encourage him to keep in touch.”
“Face it, Powell could be leading you along since you’re FBI. If what we suspect is true, he has a far-reaching network.”
“Every investigation has high stakes. He’s been in his dorm since yesterday, missed dinner last night and breakfast. If he’s absent tonight, I’ll ask Jordan to check on him. For the record, just you and Jordan Radcom know Chad and I are talking.”
“I talked to Javier earlier and learned about the relocation to Uganda. I assume you have more info than I do.”
“Thomas implied I could be hurt if Chad refused to leave the country.” Weariness settled on her. “I understand from your standpoint, Powell could be innocent and Chad the culprit.”
“I’m persuaded otherwise. But I need proof.”
“I believe in Chad. He’s not a killer. No doubts. He’ll do anything to help end the case.”
The call ended and she opened the library door. Thomas towered above her.
Heather touched her mouth. “Thomas, you scared me. Are you all right?”
His gray eyes softened. “A migraine hit me hard. I have my own meds. Knocked me out cold. But I’ve risen from the dead and am hungry enough to eat the whole dinner buffet.”
If the migraine was a new development since exposure to the virus, why did he have his own meds? Suspicions nipped at her mind. Thomas wouldn’t be the first person to ensure his medical records deleted information.
