Page 56 of Airborne
“Sixteen weeks.”
Catherine shook her head. “You’re not showing yet.”
Heather patted her stomach. “Sad, and I keep checking for a bigger bump. My shape resembles a fence post. I’m sure to put on a few pounds soon—I’m looking forward to wearing maternity clothes.”
“You’ll get tired of them.” Catherine laughed. “In my pregnancies, I resembled a barn with legs. Any morning sickness?”
“Queasy a few times. Mostly tired.”
Catherine scanned the cafeteria, where others chatted and watched TV. She lowered her voice. “Bad enough you’re stuck here pregnant, but now your husband’s suspected of causing the problem. All the gossip gives people something to talk about.”
Heather peered into the older woman’s kind face. “After knowing him ten years, I thought I had him figured out.” Chad’s betrayal assaulted her. Love for him hadn’t ended or changed her desire for his innocence. But if he had developed the virus, he deserved to spend the rest of his life in prison.
“I read where his lab in Houston is closed until the FBI iscertain there are no traces of the virus,” Tatum whispered. “I can’t imagine how you feel.”
“The earliest testing results won’t be released until tomorrow.”
Tatum sighed. “I’m right here for you no matter what happens.”
God had given her friends to walk through the maze of confusion. “Friendship works both ways. You two okay? No symptoms?”
“I’m too rotten to get sick.” Tatum wriggled her shoulders like a kid. “The virus looks at me and runs.”
“Dear Roy should have given it to me,” Catherine said. “I miss him so much, and if I were with him, we’d be together in heaven.” She lifted her chin. “Except it’s a relief he’s there and not in pain, and I won’t be gloomy. He and I promised each other we’d be happy for whoever met Jesus first.”
An image materialized of the many people who’d left the plane on stretchers... faces covered with a sheet or blanket.
The TV volume increased. A male newscaster appeared on the screen. “Live to you from the CDC building in New York City.”
A hush rose over the cafeteria.
“At 3:15p.m. today, an angry mob stormed the New York CDC building with violent demands for answers in the H9N15 crisis. The protestors, many armed with hammers and clubs, destroyed the lobby area and assaulted security personnel. Three workers were attacked. An NYPD officer intervened and was struck by a ball bat. Backup arrived on the scene and rescued him. He is listed in critical condition.
“NYPD used pepper spray to disperse the aggressive mob. Shots were fired, and a CDC worker received a leg wound from one of the protestors. At least ten people have been charged. Security in and around the CDC building has been tightened. The CDC facility will maintain an increased level of security until the threat of the H9N15 virus no longer exists.
“One of those arrested claimed the CDC has failed in their investigation. The man went on to say other breakouts in the cityand in Houston have not been reported to the public. Houston has increased security at their CDC building.”
“Can the situation get any worse?” a woman said. “My husband is in isolation. My daughter’s dead. Now we hear the CDC may be covering up other cases.”
“We’ll never leave this island alive.” A man raised his fist, his voice a roar of anger. “The National Guard will see to that.”
The woman continued. “Even if we got away, where would we go? Our own country is keeping us prisoners.”
“High time we took care of our own situation,” another man said.
A male medical worker rushed to the platform. “Calm down. No new cases have been reported in other cities.”
“Prove it!” The first man lunged at the medical worker and tackled him to the floor.
A woman shouted for help.
A child cried out for her daddy.
A man and woman knocked down a female nurse pushing a tray of blood samples.
Heather bolted from the bench as soldiers reached the chaos and rescued the workers. The assailants disappeared with soldiers while others silently challenged the crowd.
The medical worker stumbled to his feet and raised his hands to garner everyone’s attention. Blood poured from his nose. “Please, we can’t be caught up in fear. The CDC and law enforcement are on our side. It does no good to turn on each other.”
