Page 27 of Airborne
Don’t worry, little one. You are my gift, and I will take care of you.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAD SAT AT HIS LAB DESKand pressed in Heather’s cell phone number in another effort to contact her. If she’d escaped the virus thus far, surely the prognosis was good. Media reported the CDC had been inside the plane and conducted preliminary treatment of the ill. They questioned every passenger and flight crew member according to protocol. Another report claimed the FBI had arrested a man from the aircraft who’d been hospitalized. They hadn’t released the man’s name or the charges. Neither had they spit Chad’s name to the media. Not yet anyway.
What to believe... He read a report from the press secretary for New York City’s mayor. The aircraft had been moved into an isolated hangar at JFK for further analysis after the CDC and FBI examined and interviewed those on board. Every person, no matter their health status, experienced a battery of tests. A press conference was scheduled for later on. Chad longed to see the test results and evaluations, an impossibility until the FBI signed off on his potential guilt.
The phone call to Heather rang a fifth time. Panic whipped through him.... The virus spread rapidly through a victim’s system.Heather, answer.
“Chad.”
He closed his eyes and exhaled. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. I’m trying to sleep. Why?”
“I’m worried about your health.”
“How noble.”
“Five minutes from now, you’ll apologize.”
“Don’t count on it. Some people impacted by tragic circumstances choose to move on. Grow stronger. Take what life tosses them and throw it back. Learn a few things along the way.”
A nagging thought persisted. “Are you aware the FBI questioned me as a person of interest?” Silence met him. “Did you accuse me of developing the virus?”
“Who conducted the interview?”
“Agents Rivera and Tobias.”
“I know them both. They’re good agents. The FBI didn’t consult me on their decision to bring you in. The protocol indicates you’re a suspect.”
“Right. I specialize in viruses, and you’re on the aircraft.” Chad bit back his real concern... her exposure to a deadly virus. “The ordeal was extremely humiliating. I save lives. I don’t take them.”
“You’re also clawing your way to the top.”
He ignored her scorn. “You’ve seen firsthand how a virus affects victims. Maybe you finally understand why I’m committed to finding cures.”
“I forgot the world revolves around you. I’m sure you can envision the high fevers, bleeding from the nose and mouth, vomiting, and agony with some drifting into unconsciousness and death. The latter is more appealing than watching them suffer. In death, they have peace.” She’d never spoken to him with such rancor.
“I’m sorry to take my FBI ordeal out on you, so I won’t offer my thoughts on your taking a trip during a critical time of our relationship.”
“I’d be disappointed if you didn’t. But you’ve been very clear my future isn’t your problem.”
“That’s reality.”
“This is a pointless conversation. You called me.”
“I’m glad you’re not among the afflicted. Wish I was there to help.”
“Your résumé would raise a notch. Never mind. What else?”
He pictured lightning flashing from her sea-green eyes... and how the sprinkling of freckles across her nose darkened when she was angry. “You’re in a stubborn mode, which means you won’t ask for help. I’ll explain the CDC’s procedure.”
“Go for it.” Her weak voice indicated exhaustion. But as she said, life moved on, and with a little adjustment, she’d be fine.
“According to the preliminary reporting, this is a type of hemorrhagic fever virus, HFV for short. Not confirmed, but it’s a strong contender. Here are a few influenza facts—its nucleic acid is not DNA but RNA, and it exists in eight different segments. These eight segments can have mutations, and it can have mutations within the segments.”
“Will a blood test identify the flu virus?”
