Page 38 of Airborne
Parker crossed his arms over his chest. “He’s an expert in his field. Worldwide recognition. He claims the health of the world is his priority.” He tugged on his scruffy beard.
“Do you have questions? Have you read something confusing?”
He eyed her, his hostility as transparent as glass. “I don’t mince words. Looks to me like your husband might have developed the virus.”
“Where did you hear that?”
“Latest news.” He held up his phone. “Got it right here. He’s a person of interest.”
“The FBI is interested in him. Chad hasn’t been arrested or accused of a crime.”
He waved away her statement. “Doesn’t matter. Something about him has their attention. Why isn’t he in New York or here with you in this godforsaken quarantine?”
She wasn’t going to add to the conversation. He needed someone to vent his frustrations to.
Parker sneered. “A peculiar situation.”
“What do you mean?”
“Your husband is a specialist in the same field of what has attacked the plane. You’re on an overseas flight alone, and we’re exposed to a killer virus. Fill in the blanks.”
Heather hid a wave of dizzying fury and tried to eliminate anger from her voice. “I assure you, Chad has dedicated his life to the betterment of others. His FBI status is a misunderstanding, and I’m confident the status will soon be removed.”
“How can you say he’s uninvolved? Our situation isn’t an accident or circumstantial.” Disgust coated every word. “My statements about your husband wouldn’t bother you so much if you didn’t think they held a grain of truth.”
Survivor’s guilt and Parker’s implications slashed her heart.
Sonya moved closer to her husband. “You should know motive for murder comes in different shapes and sizes. And reasons.”
The two walked away as though on cue. The Kareys’ statements held a measure of truth. Yet the implications dug a ridge into her heart. The idea of Chad at the root of an evil crime bordered on ridiculous. Right?
Tuesday night, each time Heather drifted off to sleep, Chad’s insistence upon the divorce melded with motive for murder... like Sonya had insinuated.
She grabbed her phone and navigated to her secured access on the FBI site to read Chad’s interview from Agents Rivera and Tobias. Used to be she termed his sarcasm as witty, but then his comments grew caustic. His interview showed a man disturbed by the accusations against him and willing to aid in the investigation. She requested the video. Viewing it would be hard, but she had to study his face, read his actions, and analyze his responses.
If he’d developed the virus, she’d never be able to forgive herself for trying to hold on to him.
She stretched her neck to shake the doubt—and the overwhelming emotions that whirled through her. Sorting them out required time, but not while lack of sleep robbed her of good judgment. Tomorrow had to be a better day.
Backgrounds on many of those on the plane had been added to the FBI secure site. The Kareys were an average young couple traveling to Frankfurt for a job interview. Mia headed home to her family. Frankie’s story about him and his grandmother flying to meet his dad had been confirmed. Curiosity zeroed in on Thomas Powell, the man who’d helped her with Braden Taversty. She scanned his information—CEO of Software Developers International, or SDI, a software company worth millions. She studied every name and background and a few raised suspicions. But none like Braden Taversty.
Her phone alerted her to a text from Jordan. He requested they meet at his office.
The hour neared midnight. It had to be urgent. If he’d stumbled onto a viable threat and the FBI were accurate in their assessment of Chad, how did she proceed? What if she learned her tenacity to secure their relationship had killed so many people?
She typed to Jordan.
15minutes okay?
Perfect
She dressed, splashed water on her face, and tied her hair into a ponytail. Freshening up failed to soothe the anxiety about the future.
At Jordan’s office, he greeted her minus a smile. “Please sit.” He studied her face. “How are you feeling?”
She eased onto a metal chair. “I’m okay. Take a look in the mirror. Jordan, you can’t give your best without rest.” She shrugged. “I sound like Dr. Seuss.”
“He probably could make more sense out of this than I am. We’ve had four more cases transported from here to Jamaica Hospital. Three additional deaths.”
