Page 17 of Airborne
They were not just patients, but victims. Until a vaccine was found or developed, a medical team’s goal, his goal, was to find ways to prevent the spread of hazardous disease agents while pinpointing the causes.
Chad’s thoughts focused on his limited knowledge and mentally listed the stats.
Typical to flu symptoms.
Typical of a viral hemorrhagic fever.
Highly contagious.
Unidentified.
Deadly.
After driving through a secured gate, Agent Rivera parked the truck in a well-lit area behind Houston’s FBI. Chad glanced at his phone for the time. The passengers had spent nearly seven hours with an unidentified virus. Their mental and physical conditions nudged at him.
What kind of mindless Neanderthals accused a crusader who battled disease of biological terror?
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAD NEVER EXPECTEDto pass through security and the rear employee entrance of the FBI building as an accused criminal. He had questions, plenty of them, and every one served to billow his anger.Tamp it.Creating a scene served no purpose but to make him look like a fool. He pondered the virus dilemma and hoped plans were under way to land the plane and begin health measures.
Chad rubbed the chills on his arms. He’d treated a friend stricken with Ebola. The man’s initial struggle with high fever and body aches advanced to diarrhea and vomiting with blood. Chad still fought the nightmares that stalked him... how he’d fought day and night to ease the man’s suffering. Misery beyond words. Helplessness. The alarm of approaching death.
In the reception area, a woman behind a glass enclosure kept his phone. Rivera and Tobias disappeared with his laptop. A separate agent escorted him to a room where he sat at a table and waited for the next step. Chad refused to succumb to the depression swirling through his senses.
Agents Rivera and Tobias entered the room from another door. He carried a file folder. “Dr. Lawrence, Agent Tobias and I will conduct your interview.”
Were they aware of their role on the drive here? Was that why they let him talk? Share information that could incriminate him? “You have some answers recorded on my phone.”
“Yes, sir. Do we have permission to image your cell phone and laptop?”
“Whatever makes you feel better.” He should control his sarcasm. Should.
The agents seated themselves across from Chad. After the requisite identification questions, Rivera scooted the folder toward him. “Dr. Lawrence, in this file is the manifest of the passengers and crew on board flight3879. Please open it and scan the names in business class.”
He’d appease the man. Midway, Heather’s name shone like a neon light. He shot fire into his gaze. “Why didn’t you tell me Heather was on the flight?”
“Were you aware your wife had plans to fly to Frankfurt, Germany, and on to Salzburg, Austria?”
“Why didn’t you give me her whereabouts sooner? I asked if she was all right at my apartment. Has she contracted the virus?”
“I’m sure you’ll be notified if she’s among the stricken.”
He squeezed his fists under the table. “Are you questioning every family member of those on board the aircraft?”
“The investigation involves many agents and assignments.”
“Who?”
“That’s not information we can relay. For public information, I suggest you follow what the FBI and CDC report to the public. Dr. Lawrence,” Rivera said, “I’m waiting for an answer to my previous question. Were you aware your wife was on the manifest?”
“No.” Chad’s emotions spun to the edge of out of control. Why was he here and not assisting the CDC?
“Why?”
“Heather doesn’t tell me everything. Is she on a case for the FBI?”
“I suggest you pose that question to your wife.”
