Page 89 of Airborne
“I should have known. I’ve seen you with the others. Kindness, control, and restraint.”
She stared out over the water. “Thanks, but several here would disagree with you.”
“Success means controversy. Did you always envision yourself an FBI agent?”
What she’d say wasn’t hard to research. “I considered a career in psychology, but curiosity and an interest in law enforcement won out after college graduation. I received my master’s in criminal justice from Sam Houston and applied to the FBI. And you?”
“Are you analyzing me?”
She forced a laugh while concentrating on his verbal and nonverbal communications. “You’re far too intelligent for me to figure out.”
“Agent Lawrence, you wouldn’t have your current position if you weren’t outstanding.”
“I try.”
“Grow up in Houston?” he said.
“Yes, and you?”
“Austin. I did my undergrad work at Baylor and my master’s and doctorate at UT.”
Mitchell had told her he was from Dallas. “And you learned how to bake in college.”
“A skill I can always fall back on in the event the computer industry takes a nosedive.”
“Very impressive. I saw your middle name on the manifest. Interesting.”
He blew out his dislike. “Amadeus?”
“It’s charming. Was your mother a classical music fan?”
“My grandfather.” He waved his hand. “He died a long time ago.” His tone deepened.
“Do you mind my questions?”
“Not at all. Keeps both our minds off our five-star resort. Were you on the flight to Germany in an FBI capacity?”
“Yes and no.”
“Must be clandestine.”
“Just personal. Any brothers or sisters?” she said.
“Just me and Mom. No one else.”
Another lie. “I’m sorry. Every child needs a family...” She allowed the unspoken to persuade him that her thoughts were on herself.
His cell phone alerted him to a text. He read the screen. “Excuse me while I handle this.”
He walked away and lifted the phone to his ear. “This can be taken care of without upsetting the team. Our purpose is to develop a solid relationship.” He walked approximately thirty feet from her and turned his back. A problem at SDI? Personal?
A successful man leveraged his words, even used manipulation when necessary. Not a bad trait—she practiced the same. His lies about his family could be a protective measure for his dysfunctional childhood and just cause to wipe them from his life. Sometimes those wounds paved the way for the inconceivable. Did he have an unhealthy relationship with his mother? Or had Heather stumbled onto an honorable trait for a man who was innocent of any wrongdoing?
Her instincts told her something wasn’t right about Thomas. He seemed too good to be true, a man who’d overcome a dysfunctional childhood to take a prestigious place in the business world. Shrewd tactics and mastery of critical situations were characteristics of brilliant people. Some were good and some were evil.
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
I’M PROUD OF MY ACHIEVEMENTS.I initiated the development of a virus strain that incorporates the life-threatening qualities of other diseases, capable of destroying millions of people all over the world. Distribution is easy—victims simply breathe.
