Page 36 of Airborne
“Not with your FBI person of interest status.”
His words ripped off the scab. “The memo travels fast.”
“Why does the FBI suspect you?”
“Fishing.”
“What aren’t you telling me?”
Jordan could learn the reason on his own.
“Okay, you aren’t ready to talk about it. When you’re cleared, the CDC may approve you in an advisory capacity. We’re calling the virus H9N15, and it appears to be the most rapidly spreading flu virus in contemporary medical history. Authorities all over the world are on alert for another breakout. I’m sure you’ve viewed the constant updates to the CDC file.”
“Yes, I have. What can I do?”
“Have you formulated a hypothesis from your past studies?”
“For a thorough analysis, I must be on-site. Examining conclusions of other researchers is valuable, but I can’t give the problem my full attention in Houston.”
“Understandable but impossible. The only way we’re going to end the threat is to examine data.” Jordan squinted. “There’s another reason for contacting you. It’s about Heather.”
Maybe she’d confided in him about their personal problems, and Jordan planned to give him the God and family lecture. “You indicated she’s okay.” Chad softened his voice. He couldn’t stop where his heart led.
“She’s not displaying any symptoms. You requested results from her blood work, and I prefer giving them to you myself. Why didn’t you tell me your marriage was in trouble?”
“A face-to-face conversation made more sense.”
“Heather and I briefly discussed your relationship. She was unaware of your position in Atlanta.”
“Past tense says you told her.”
“Yes.”
“I hadn’t found the right time to have that conversation. Her blood work didn’t raise a red flag?”
“No signs of the virus. She’s one of the lucky passengers and crew.”
His whole body relaxed. Another problem kicked out the door.
“More good news,” Jordan said. “The baby is fine.”
Blood pumped hot through Chad’s body. “The baby? She’s pregnant?”
“From the look on your face, you aren’t the only person keeping a secret. What’s going on between you two?”
“In order to continue my work, I must eliminate all other obligations.”
“I gave you a new one, a baby. Technically two considering Heather is the mother of your child. For the record, I’d be an empty man without Erika and my daughters. Their support and encouragement empower me to be not just a CDC director, but a man who loves his family. My desire is to make them proud.”
Chad’s heart hadn’t slowed since the beginning of the conversation. What he craved was freedom from the accusations and a single life. Not another interruption, which was what a pregnancy entailed. He’d told her several months ago—no kids. “Your requirements for success and mine aren’t the same.”
“At the end of your life, what will you have to show for it? How will you answer to God?”
Jordan’s faith had always been an irritation. “My life will have been dedicated to medical research. My hope is to leave the world a better place, a healthier environment. Science is the one verifiable discipline in the universe.”
“Science is God’s tool to learn and use for good purposes. I’m working to bring good from evil in the field of medicine.”
“And I can’t answer to a fallacy.”
