Page 57 of Airborne
Like the woman at the beach pulled from the water, people wanted a quick solution.
For now, the chaos had ended... but not the pounding in Heather’s heart.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
JORDAN WELCOMED HEATHERinto his office. He’d texted her, said it was important. Most likely to hear what she’d witnessed in the cafeteria. She’d rather hear the case moved forward on all fronts.
The lines that once fanned from his eyes now reminded her of Midwest plowed fields, and the loss of sleep aged him each time they met. Her last look into the mirror showed she didn’t look much better.
“What happened in the cafeteria?” he said.
She filled him in.
“I’ve asked for increased security.” He motioned for her to sit, and he took a seat behind his desk. “The FBI requested your participation in a conference call.”
She inhaled professionalism. No excuses for the bereaved wife and hormonal mother-to-be. “Has the FBI completed the initial testing of Chad’s lab?”
“I’ll let them explain the—”
“Have they found additional evidence against him?”
“No. But the CDC has Chad’s job on hold. I contacted him earlier, so he’s aware.”
She imagined him fuming and pounding his fist into his palm. “The conference call isn’t about the lab?”
“They will explain the investigation on their end.” He pointed to his phone. “Three people are on the line—FBI SAC Fielder from here in New York, SAC Bischoff, and ASAC Mitchell.”
“Can you brief me first?”
He sighed. “I’d rather not.” He pressed a button. “Heather Lawrence is with me.”
Fielder led the discussion. “Agent Lawrence, our conversation is to be held in strict confidence. Once I’ve finished, SAC Bischoff and ASAC Mitchell may have additional insight regarding sensitive intel.”
“Yes, sir.” Her pulse shifted into overdrive.
“Decker Anslow, the man being held by German authorities, confessed to his relationship with Braden Taversty,” Fielder said.
“Tell me they were behind the virus.” She held her breath.
“Pending. Taversty and Anslow were on a mission to fly to New Delhi, then drive to a remote area of Pakistan where they’d been recruited by the Taliban. Anslow claims they were interested in weaponry and training to bring down the US. Their specialty wasn’t biowarfare.”
“Sounds fuzzy to me. Evasive,” she said. “Did he admit to meeting with Chad?”
“Said he’d never met or heard of Dr. Chad Lawrence, but Taversty had been advancing their cause and hadn’t relayed his actions. Has Chad ever mentioned Braden Taversty or Decker Anslow?”
“No, sir.”
“Had you ever come in contact with Taversty before the flight?” Fielder said.
“No, sir.”
“Decker Anslow?”
“Not until his pic on the FBI secure website.”
“When we make our statement this evening regarding Lawrence Laboratory’s status, we’ll confirm that the image of Taversty and Chad was Photoshopped.”
“Is there evidence they were working together?”
