Page 19 of Airborne
“She has this God-thing going. Wants me to go with her to church, and her parents have identical ideals.”
“Do they go to the same church?”
“Yep. Every other word is religion and questions about the status of my soul. One of them sent a pastor to persuade me about God. His final words were a reminder of where I’d spend eternity.” He stretched his neck. “The man meant well. Just religion is not for me.”
“Anything else?”
“She wants to start a family, and I don’t have time for parenting.”
“Did she know this prior to your marriage?”
He stared at Rivera. “The choice not to have children was one I made after we were married.”
“I see. What else?”
“Don’t you have enough for your records?” Chad blinked. “All right. She insists Houston is the only location where she can work with her FBI team. There, you have it all.”
Rivera leaned back in his chair. “You’re a person of interest in a serious crime. Your lab is a level3 capable of developing a virus similar to what has infected flight3879. Dr. Lawrence, are you responsible for the virus that has infected numerous people, motivated by revenge against your wife?”
Chad slammed his fist onto the tabletop. “I wouldn’t hurt her. Check my background. You’ll find I’ve placed my life in danger multiple times to treat people who’ve been infected by deadly viruses. In three weeks, I’m scheduled to begin work at the CDC in Atlanta.”
Agent Tobias raised her palm to speak. “We’re on a fact-finding mission. The same knowledge required to manufacture a disease is used to develop a vaccine. The two go hand in hand.”
The implication rang loud and clear. “This is outrageous. Nothing I’ve said backs up your accusations. Your actions show the FBI’s desperation. Are you looking to save your rear before the media attacks you?” Chad rubbed his face as though he could wipe away their unreasonable line of questioning. The core of his thoughts centered on how to clear his name. “What’s next?”
Agent Tobias folded her hands on the table as if attempting to relax him. “Progress depends on many factors.”
“My name has to be erased from this insane atrocity.” He held up a palm. “Who accused me? Heather?”
“The information isn’t available to you.”
“I understand confidentiality, but this is a pack of lies.” Many agencies would be involved with the problem. If only he were among them.
Rivera lifted his chin. “Dr. Lawrence, our interview has concluded. You are under investigation until the FBI makes a determination. For now, don’t leave town. We imaged your mobile phoneand laptop, and those devices will be returned upon leaving the building. I’ll escort you to the visitor area, where the receptionist will call a taxi at our expense.”
The truth hit hard. Chad’s decision to leave Heather had made him a murder suspect.
CHAPTER TWELVE
THE THUD OF THE PLANE’S TIREStouching down on the runway offered Heather a moment to thank God for a safe landing and a prayer for healing and strength. The sick desperately needed relief and a vaccine to prevent further contagion. She longed for testing to show her unborn child hadn’t experienced trauma.... Were her ideals selfish?
She captured her last thought and tossed it aside. Anxiety for others and her unborn child was far from self-centered. She’d experienced a mother’s innate reaction like Mia had stated.
She’d weathered crises and navigated storms before, and she would again.
She glanced at a sleeping Braden Taversty seated beside her. The man wasn’t concerned his hostage plans had been foiled. He’d swung his head away from her, and she peered closer. A bead of sweat trickled down the side of his face followed by another.
An internal alarm sounded. Had the virus seized another victim? He’d complained about the lack of AC before Heather hadtaken him into custody. Taversty’s nose trickled blood. With his hands tied, he had no ability to clean his face.
“Mr. Taversty.” When he didn’t answer, she repeated his name.
He turned her way, his features pale. “What?”
“I’m going to wipe the blood from your face. Do you mind?”
“Knock yourself out.”
She retrieved the last tissue from her purse and swiped his nose, mouth, and chin, then deposited the tissue into a plastic bag. “How long have you had virus symptoms?”
