Page 79 of Airborne
Midmorning, Chad staggered from his bed, fighting dizziness and the sledgehammer pressuring his skull. How strange the future held more promise than ever before while his mind andbody clattered in agony. Perhaps after the FBI arrested the mystery killer, he’d regain his CDC and career focus. Yet where did the future lead? Heather wrapped around his heart, and he wanted her back. She insisted his exoneration must come first. Yet one of her terms leaped toward an inconceivable zone.
“My son deserves a father whose priority is God.”
What did the God thing mean for a man torn between his dedication to medical research and a woman he loved? Jordan made faith fit, but they weren’t the same men.
Javier arrived before noon. “Sure you’re up to a visitor?” He handed Chad a bag from McDonald’s. “Brought you a breakfast sandwich.”
Chad forced a grin. He smelled coffee and an intoxicating mix of eggs, cheese, and bacon. “Do you take food wherever you go? Or is interrogation on the menu?”
“My mom raised me to treat friends right.” He squinted at Chad. “You look awful, and the whole right side of your face is black and purple. Can you see out of that eye?” He frowned. “I should have flat out refused you to leave Houston.”
“I’m okay.” Pain, like a vise, enveloped his head. “Probably should sit.” Before he fell on his face. He eased onto the sofa, and Javier took a chair. “Want to split the coffee?”
Javier waved away his response. “Had enough today.”
“Where’s your partner?”
“Agent Tobias? This is Sunday. She’s with her family.”
“I’m surprised you’re not in church.”
“Went to the first service. Wanted to give you the latest on your email hacker.”
Chad flipped the seal on the to-go cup and inhaled the greatest creature comfort ever made. “Glad to hear we’re still in this together.”
“If you survive.”
Chad forced a smile. “Tell me what you’ve learned.”
“We noted the first hack occurred approximately seven hours after flight3879 left Houston. This would have been while the CDC evaluated the passengers and crew at JFK.”
“And during the same time, you and Agent Tobias brought me in for questioning.” Chad peered through his distorted vision at Javier. “So did the FBI bug my devices?”
“No reason. We use legal means.”
Chad rubbed his temples. “Explain what I’m up against.” He noted a thin layer of dust on the table, reminding him Heather kept their condo spotless. He didn’t need a maid or a cook—he missed his best friend.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
Javier’s words pushed him to pay attention. “Sure. What are you permitted to tell me?”
“You just heard it. Unless you want my opinion.” Chad nodded, and Javier continued. “If you’re guilty, you’ve been set up by a partner to take the fall. If you’re innocent, a guilty party has set you up. The third option is you have no clue what’s going on but have information that threatens the bad guys. You’re in danger no matter the option.”
Chad bit into the sandwich. He’d spent cycles on the first two possibilities on the flight back to Houston. Didn’t change his resolve. The third left a few holes. “How could I be a threat?”
“You tell me.”
“Any ideas?”
“I’ve tossed this around several times. Possibly repercussion from one of Heather’s cases. If you’re arrested of a crime, she looks like a lousy agent. The other stronger thought is you have upset someone who is linked to your medical research.”
Chad shrugged and drank the coffee. “I don’t have an answer to either possibility. Tell me, how is Decker Anslow involved?”
“Why?”
“Both you and Agent McNally asked me if I knew Braden Taversty and Decker Anslow. The BBC reported Anslow is in German custody with alleged terrorist activities. The report’s from Frankfurt. Not a coincidence Taversty headed to the same city, and media says he had terrorism interests. So what’s the deal?”
“As updates are made public, I’ll share.”
