Page 121 of Airborne
“My personal life is not your concern. You walked out on me, remember? Now, please go.”
“I won’t be long,” Chad said. “Need to pack for an extended trip to Uganda.”
“We have nothing to discuss,” Thomas said.
“Neither of us do.” Heather pointed to the door.
“First, I need a moment with Mr. Powell. I’d like to celebrate my new status. Does Heather know about our deal?”
“What deal?” She reached inside her shoulder bag and trailed her fingers along the barrel of her Glock.
“If I take a permanent trip overseas, you’d be safe.”
Heather turned to Thomas. “Safe from what?”
“Don’t pay any attention to him,” Thomas said. “He’s a murderer, and it’s only a matter of time before evidence surfaces to keep him permanently behind bars.”
Chad leaned onto the table and folded his hands. “I’ve made a few discoveries. Then I’ll leave you two alone.”
Thomas held an unruffled pose. “I wouldn’t want to interfere with your vacation.”
“Five minutes is all I need.” Chad turned to Heather. “I think it’s fair for you to know he has a few skeletons in his closet.”
“And why would I believe you?”
Chad focused on Thomas. “I’ll start with a young man, Trey Alvinson, a recipient of one of Powell’s scholarships. In this case, medical school. After graduation, Powell set him up in a class2 lab so Trey could study viruses. According to Alvinson’s parents, Trey researched a cure for dengue fever and stumbled onto a new virus. Powell requested he hold back on the discovery and develop an antiviral. While employed for Powell, he applied to Lawrence Labs for a position.”
“Trey’s parents gave you unreliable information.” Thomas settled back in his chair.
“In his journal he wrote you insisted he have his own apartment. True?”
“Yes. As his mentor, I encouraged him to seek complete independence. Grow up. Mature.”
“You also asked him to break off with his girlfriend because he needed to concentrate on his research.”
“True again. She was a leech, and Trey had a promising career ahead of him.”
“Did you change the locks on the lab doors, ensuring Trey could only be there with you?”
“His strange behavior walked a thin line between endangering others or himself. Viruses can be fatal as Heather and I witnessed. I changed the locks as well as confiscated his lab notes. They are worthless scribbles.”
“I hired him after three interviews,” Chad said. “He was a good fit for Lawrence Labs. Odd thing is he drowned the day before reporting to work.”
Sadness passed over Thomas’s features. “I remember. A terrible loss. His parents requested his notes, but those are mine. Grief from losing Trey caused me to close down the lab.”
“Where is the equipment?”
“I think you’ve asked enough questions, Dr. Lawrence. I’ll answer this last one before you leave, but remember I already toldyou the equipment belonged to an investor in Europe. The person has taken possession. The end. Done.” Thomas lowered his voice. “You can leave now.”
“Don’t you think it’s remarkable Trey researches for a cure to a life-threatening virus? He chooses to leave your employment and ends up dead. An unknown virus is unleashed on board a flight of innocent people, and you’re unaffected?”
Thomas snorted. “Leave or I’ll contact security.”
“I have one more question. Have you told Heather about your twin brother, Jackson?”
She startled. “A brother? Thomas, you said you were an only child.”
“He’s a liar.”
