Page 99 of Airborne
“It’s your choice.” She’d think through his reading the Bible later.
“Okay, you said four things?”
“Mitchell gave me a little scary update.”
He chuckled—been a long time since she’d heard any signs of humor from him, and this was the second instance in the same conversation.
“I’m worried you’re in too deep. If Powell is behind the virus, he’s not an amateur. He’ll find a way to eliminate you or pay an assassin.”
“He’s already done that in New York. I accepted more of his repercussions when I gave him my deal.”
Her heart thumped as hard as their baby’s kick. “Tell me you’re teasing. ASAC Mitchell claimed you planned to threaten blackmail.”
“Right. May not have been my most intellectual move.”
“No kidding. You’ve chosen to anger a big dog, and his bite could be for keeps. You botched an FBI investigation. In view of your crazy plan, I’m surprised Javier hasn’t arrested you.”
“I told him his objections made sense.”
“He thought you’d changed your mind. For the record, jail is safer than your apartment. Let me hear the recording.” And he did. She bit her tongue to stop the bubble of anger. Chad hadn’t uncovered a thing that could be proven in court. “If his threats are legit, his next target is Andy.”
“If I’d taken the time to think about the conversation beforehand, I would have seen the best way to get to me is through someone else. At least it wasn’t you.”
“He’s too smart to come after me. I’m a trained agent—think through my actions.”
“I’m sorry. I had no idea he’d turn the tables on me. Watch your back. His threats against Andy may be real or he could blindside us.
“I understand your position as an agent, and other than the National Guard, you’re the only law enforcement inside quarantine. Another reason for me to push on with what I’ve discovered.”
“Stay out of this, Chad. I mean it. Let the FBI handle what they do best.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
CHAD’S MIND SPUNin a vortex of what-if scenarios. He slammed his fist into his palm and paced the hotel room. He needed no more persuasion—Powell was knee-deep in the virus scandal. Why didn’t the FBI see through the obvious?
Glancing at the late hour, he texted Andy to find out about his conversation with Leigh Masterson.
Andy returned the text.Thought it might be too late to call.
I’m awake.
Andy’s number lit up on Chad’s burner phone. “How was your evening?”
“Hard. I approached Leigh at her workplace, a high-end women’s shop near The Woodlands Mall. I told her I was a friend of Trey’s and wanted to talk. We met for coffee when she got off work, and the moment I mentioned his research, she shut me down. I went the route of our longtime friendship and the shock of his death. She kept me at a distance until I asked if Trey hadgiven a reason for ending their relationship. She said no. She cried for a long time. I didn’t know whether to wait it out or comfort her. I gave her napkins to blow her nose. Once she got past that, she said Trey had called her the Sunday morning of the accident. He told her he loved her and wanted to get back together. He’d taken steps to get away from Thomas Powell dictating his life. The power and control had gotten scary. She refused him. The next day she learned he drowned.”
“A lot of regret there. I’ll relay the conversation to Agent Rivera. Although he’s not happy with my investigation.” Chad paused. “A lawyer would discount her testimony by stating Trey didn’t give her proof of Powell threatening harm.”
“You analyze too much, Doc. Let the legal types sort out the evidence. I asked Leigh if she’d give a statement to the FBI. She wasn’t sure.”
Chad agreed with an inner voice that sounded like Heather’s. “I want you to stop the amateur sleuthing. The danger keeps mounting, and I apologize for dragging you into this.”
“What am I supposed to do with my idle time?”
“Take a vacation, read, study, work out, find a nice girl, schedule watching a Marvel marathon. Just keep your distance from me until Powell is arrested. If you need to contact me, use this burner.”
“Why? What’s the change?”
“He threatened you.”
