Page 113 of Airborne
“How’s the pain now?” she said.
“Only a little dull headache. The reason I was looking for you is one of the teen girls is looking for a table tennis partner tonight. Thought of you, and I misplaced your cell number. I went looking and asked everyone I met. A woman told me you’d headed into the library.”
“Glad you found me. Tell the teen I’d be glad to play.”
“She’s waiting for you in the recreation area.”
Heather fished into her shoulder bag and pulled out a business card. “Don’t lose this one.”
“I’ll make sure it’s in my contacts.” He pocketed the card, and Heather stepped into the hall. Something about the conversation sent acid up her throat. How much had Thomas heard between her and ASAC Mitchell?
CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX
THE FOLLOWING MORNINGat breakfast with Catherine, Jordan strode to the podium, his shoulders erect and his gait relaxed.
“Good morning, everyone. We are less than a week from the end of our quarantine. We’ve bonded, made new friends, and grieved an experience we never want to repeat. You are a courageous group of people, and I’m honored to have spent these days with you. With any contagion, a percentage of people exposed will not show any symptoms. Scientists are always baffled by this phenomenon and refer to it as the r-naught factor. Until yesterday, the CDC concluded you fell within this explanation. With renewed enthusiasm, I give you new and exciting information. Those working with the CDC have developed a vaccine to help with the symptoms and may even prevent others from contracting the H9N15 virus. We’ve studied the health records of all the people infected and discovered those who received the quadrivalent flu vaccine within the last six months have not been affected by the virus. Those who received the vaccine within the last ten months are recovering at a much faster rate. Much testing is ahead, but it is a breakthrough.”
Heather recalled the date she received the quadrivalent vaccine. She rose to her feet with the group and applauded.
Thank You.
“Good news,” Catherine said between claps. “A blessing for all of us.”
“Hopeful. I received the vaccine in February.” She couldn’t stop the giggle. “That’s why I’ve escaped the virus.”
“I’ve seldom heard you laugh,” Catherine said. “It’s good for the soul.”
“We all need more of it.”
“I wish your personal life held more promise.”
“My little son has made me exceedingly happy.” Heather patted her stomach. “I hope you’re a part of his life, too.”
Jordan gestured for them to sit. “We released the announcement to the media about ten minutes ago. We need a cure for H9N15, and I repeat this is not a cure.” He pointed to the back of the room. “The vaccine is available, and three of us are ready to administer the injections. We can’t compel you to receive it, but we are encouraging it as a precaution. If you’ve received the vaccine in the last six months, there isn’t a need to repeat it. Once you are home, consult your physician and adhere to his recommendations.”
Jordan instructed the crowd to form lines in the rear of the room according to their last name. There, medical workers recorded vital information and gave injections. Heather walked outside to thank God for helping so many desperate people.
“Heather, were you vaccinated?” Thomas walked her way.
“I had mine five months ago. And you?”
“I’m going to wait until my doctor in Houston evaluates my records. I’m healthy. Could be among the r-naught group, but I was a sickly child.”
She filed Thomas’s new tidbit of information, one more fact about the complex man. “The doctors strengthened your immune system.”
“Whatever they did helped me over the past weeks. What about you?”
She explained her dad had been infected with three flu viruses, and she took precaution in February. “Chad took the vaccine, too. Adds a unique spin to his FBI status.”
“My regrets.”
Carpe diem. “I’m thinking aloud here, but if he knew the vaccine would protect me from H9N15, then using it against me isn’t valid.”
“Makes sense the accusations aren’t substantial.” Thomas winced and rubbed his temples. “Migraine’s back. I need to stretch out.”
“Sure. Hope you feel better.”
He moved toward the compound. Stiffened. And stopped near a rock cropping.
