Dead Promise

by Linda Wells

  At least she’d gotten to see Max again. She didn’t know if he could ever understand and forgive her. If only she could hold him, touch him, and love him again. She wanted one other thing. To see Lee, a faint shadow in her memory. Then she would do what she had to do. To save Max from any more pain. She could only pray that she had the strength. To save Max. She loved him that much. More than herself.

  70

  George could see that Max’s eyes were red.

  “Colonel Graham, we brought you a sandwich and coffee,” she said.

  “Thanks, maybe later,” said Max.

  “Let’s sit over here.” George walked to the cushioned bench placed against the wall near Suzy’s room, out of earshot of the guards. Mark walked over to the window, leaving George alone to talk to the colonel.

  “Do you feel like talking?” she asked.

  “I think you know most of it,” he said. “She said the Director told her that no one would die, only get sick. She was to deliver the agent—that’s all.”

  “Are you sure?” she asked.

  “I’m positive.” Max hesitated. “At least, that’s what she said.”

  “Does she know who the Director is or where he is?” asked George.

  “No. He’s a voice on the phone,” said Max. “No location.”

  “What about Adams? Is he involved?” asked George.

  “No. He had nothing to do with it,” said Max.

  George believed him.

  “Did you know she had a journal?” she asked.

  “What kind of journal?” asked Max.

  “Suzy had a journal with personal notes. It was found in the night table next to her bed,” said George.

  “You mean like a diary?” he asked.

  “Yes,” said George. “Do you know anything about Suzy’s biological father?”

  “Only that he’s dead. Greg Hammond checked it out. Her father tried to arrange escape from mainland China to Hong Kong for himself and Rose Lin. She was pregnant,” he said. “He was caught, accused of being a spy, and arrested for treason. He was sent to a labor camp. He’s dead. The NCS checked it out, and it was in Hammond’s report.”

  “The Director promised Suzy she’d get to see her father if she did what he said,” George told him. “Suzy wrote about it in the journal.”

  “Another reason the bastard had her under his control,” said Graham. “Can I see the journal?”

  “Eventually, maybe. Right now it’s evidence,” said George.

  “What else did she say? Anything about the attack?” he asked.

  “No, except she didn’t want to do it but felt it was too late.” George paused. “And that she loved you.”

  Max got up and walked down the hall.

  Mark said to George, “I better go with him.”

  Her phone rang. Mark waited, his eyes following Max.

  “Yes?” asked George. “Where?” She listened. “Call me back,” said George. “No, we’ll stay here.”

  “What is it?” asked Mark.

  “That was Wally. Another canister.”

  “Christ!” said Mark. “Where?”

  “The trunk of Adams’s car,” George told him. “FBI tech guys found it. They said it’s sealed, but they bagged it. They’re taking it to Quantico.”

  “Where’s Adams?” asked Mark.

  “He’s still at the lab, in custody,” said George. “He’s screaming his innocence, but maybe Chen is protecting him. Or someone really hates his guts.” She paused. “Go get Max. Stay with him.”

  “Sure,” said Mark. “What are you going to do?”

  George said, “I’m going to talk to Chen.” She started toward Chen’s room, and Mark stopped her.

  “Wait, George!” he said, then lowered his voice. “You’d better check with Fran. You can’t question her without an OK from the top. And we have to follow the book. Chen should have an attorney present.”

  She knew he was right. “I’ll call Fran.”

  Fran answered on the first ring. “Yes, George?”

  “You heard about the canister found in the trunk of Adams’s car?”

  “Yes. They’re searching his house,” said Fran.

  “I want to talk to Chen,” said George. “Colonel Graham has given us most of it. Chen’s the primary suspect, and we need to find this Director and any accomplices ASAP. I didn’t want to talk to her without asking you.”

  It was day two, and the clock was running.

  “I’ll tell Hamler. Do it,” said Fran.

  71

  George was met by Colonel Ann Heath when she entered Dr. Chen’s room.

  “I need to talk with your patient,” said George.

  “I’ll tell her you’re here,” said Heath.

  George surveyed the room. The slight figure in the hospital bed didn’t look like the same woman she’d met the day before at the Edgewood lab. The lights were low, and the shades were half-drawn.

  The nurse walked back to George. “She’s awake. You can talk to her but not for too long.”

  Chen was half sitting up, a bandage behind her right ear. Her hair was long, as George remembered, and appeared to have been recently combed. She was without makeup, her skin flawless. She was beautiful, but she had a different air from what George remembered. Something about her had changed. Not just her appearance.

  Chen looked at George, expressionless.

  “Dr. Chen, I’m Georgiana Reed, an FBI agent,” said George. “We met at the Edgewood lab yesterday. Do you remember?”

  “Yes, I think so,” Dr. Chen said.

  “Can you tell me anything you might remember about what happened? How did you get hurt?” she asked, looking at Suzy’s wound.

  “I drove home from work. It was late,” she said.

  “Can you remember anything after you drove home?” asked George.

  “No, only pulling into my garage. Then everything went blank, and I woke up here,” she said.

  “What about yesterday? Do you remember talking with me when Dr. Adams was gone?” asked George.

  “Yes,” Suzy answered.

  “You were upset with Dr. Adams, weren’t you?”

  “He was late, and he should have been at the lab. He’s often late coming to work, leaving early,” Chen said, an edge to her voice.

  “What is your relationship with Dr. Adams?” asked George.

  “I’m his assistant. He’s the director of the lab,” she answered. The tone was cold, just as it had been the day before.

  “So he left you hanging quite frequently, I guess you’d say,” said George.

  “No, I can’t say that.” Suzy seemed upset.

  “Did you have an affair with him?” asked George.

  “He and I had a working relationship, that’s all,” said Suzy.

  “So you and he never slept together, had an affair? You were never in love with him?” said George.

  “Whatever happened between us is over and doesn’t matter now,” said Chen.

  “Did he know you were involved in the plot with the Director to disperse the biological weapon at the subway?” asked George.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Of course you do,” said George. She saw that Chen was getting upset. “How did you get the canister to the delivery point?”

  “I don’t know,” she answered, shaking her head.

  “But you do know who I mean when I say the Director, right?” asked George.

  “I can’t talk about it,” said Chen.

  “Look, Suzy, I want to help you.” She paused. Chen looked down. “Another canister was found today in the trunk of Adams’s car,” said George. “Do you know anything about it?”

  Suzy looked confused. “No, I don’t know. A canister?”

  “So you don’t know anything about how another canister got in the trunk of Adams’s car?” said George.

  “You’ll have to ask Dr. Adams,” she answered. “I swear to you, I don’t know.” She looked stunned, shaking
her head.

  Colonel Heath walked over, stood next to Georgiana, and touched her arm. “I think she’s tired,” said the nurse.

  “Yes, I’m sorry, Dr. Chen,” said George. “I know you don’t feel well.” She turned to the nurse. “Please let me ask a few more questions.” She didn’t wait for an answer.

  “Suzy, I know about the Director. He threatened you and Max, and your sister?” It was a question.

  Suzy began to cry. “Can I see Max, please?”

  “In a minute. Do you know how the canister with the virus got to the subway platform?” asked George.

  Suzy didn’t answer, just shook her head no.

  “Enough,” said Ann, grabbing George by the arm. “You have to leave now.”

  George didn’t look at the nurse. “We’ll talk again later,” she told Chen.

  “May I see Max, please?” begged Suzy.

  George touched her arm. “I’ll see if he can come in after you’ve rested.”

  George walked out the door, not sure of what Suzy remembered, but she knew that Suzy had told Max the truth, and that Adams had probably been set up. But she was almost certain that Suzy wasn’t involved with the second canister. That person was still out there.

  72

  Danish “Danny” Shah had never been in trouble, and he was frightened. He was terrified of what was happening at the Edgewood Laboratories, where’d he’d worked as a chemist for four years. This whole thing with the virus scared him. He’d worked with various agents, many highly dangerous, from gases to viruses, but with minimal chance of exposure. The first thing students learned in Chemistry 101 was safety measures. And with the dangerous biological agents at Edgewood, the training program for new employees was extensive. Now, the news was terrifying; the H5N1 virus that had been stored at Edgewood had been weaponized and released, and it was spreading throughout various parts of the country. He was living in one of the exposed areas designated by the CDC as a red zone. And the virus had possibly mutated, becoming even more deadly.

  But he wasn’t just afraid of exposure. He was afraid of what the FBI was going to discover. He’d been on the watch list ever since he came back from visiting his family in Karachi. He’d been cleared, as far as he knew. But not enough time had passed to know for sure. They had his laptop and cell phone. He tried to remember all the e-mails he’d sent and deleted. He hadn’t told anyone what he’d done. He’d done it without thinking. It had been easy. After he and the other lab techs were sent home, it had only taken him a few stops, some driving time, and that was it. He lived alone in his apartment, and he got home after dark. No one had seen him, and who would check on him? He didn’t have any close friends at the lab, and he had no messages on his answering machine.

  He remembered his excitement at getting recommended for the job at the Edgewood labs at the Aberdeen Proving Ground. His adviser and head of the Chemistry Department at Virginia Tech, Dr. Kennedy, had taken Danny under his wing, treating him almost like his own son. He’d eaten many dinners at the Kennedys’ home and felt like part of the family. He had been far from home, had missed his parents and brothers and sisters, and he felt grateful and honored to be included in this American family. He’d been fortunate to be enrolled at the prestigious university, and with Danny’s gifted status and his family’s influence, it was a sure thing. Dr. Kennedy was a well-respected faculty member, and Danny sensed the pride that his professor felt in him. He’d proven his respect and genuine interest in Danny’s future by suggesting the job at Edgewood. Dr. Kennedy had read in a professional journal about the opening for an entry-level position at the Edgewood labs. The job would be a great opportunity for the young chemist.

  Then had come the interview that changed his life. He met Dr. Suzy Chen. She was dynamic and strikingly beautiful, and she made an instant impression. Her long black hair set off her exotic Asian features, and she wore a white lab coat over a black dress that hugged her curves, and heels. He couldn’t believe she was an assistant lab director. She looked more like a model or an actress. Without hesitation, she recommended Danny to the director, Dr. Adams, and after full security screening, he started working at the Edgewood Labs right away. He felt she saw something special in him, her eyes maybe lingering a little longer when she looked at him. He vowed never to disappoint her.

  That was not only the start of Danny’s career but the beginning of his infatuation with Dr. Chen. He looked for any excuse to talk to her but kept it strictly professional. He had to be careful not to cross the line. She was a little older than Danny, but he didn’t think it mattered. He kept thinking it would happen, that a moment would come when he could ask her out, maybe for coffee. He would sometimes linger after a meeting, hoping for a private conversation with Dr. Chen, but he would mumble something about work, become embarrassed, and make a quick exit. He was in a constant state of frustration, but he never lost hope. When he was around her, he was mesmerized. He hoped she didn’t notice. He’d done well at his job, getting raises along with more responsibilities. And he knew Dr. Chen liked him. She’d smile at him sometimes when she passed him in the hallway. But he was becoming more and more desperate for her attention.

  Then he found out about her relationship with Dr. Adams. He’d heard the gossip and didn’t want to believe it. The talk was that she’d gotten the promotion to assistant lab director because of her relationship with him, but he didn’t know how deeply they were involved. Adams was powerful, and Dr. Chen probably had to stay in his good graces. Then rumors spread that there had been a nasty breakup. He was shocked to hear the details. She’d caught Dr. Adams in bed with another woman. He knew who she was. She was a sleaze with a bad reputation. He was glad Dr. Chen found out. Dr. Adams treated women like whores, and Dr. Chen wasn’t like that. He wanted her for himself, and he hoped that she’d noticed him.

  Danny watched Dr. Chen at every possible moment, even when she didn’t know he was there. Sometimes he followed her in his car. He’d even tried to drive past her condo, but she lived in a gated community. He’d heard she was dating someone else. He’d wanted to see if any cars were parked in her driveway. But rumors were just rumors. He knew he had a chance with her, and he wouldn’t give up.

  He’d been in the lab the night the H5N1 was delivered. It was a big deal. Most of the lab people knew when deliveries were coming, and he was going to be part of the research team. But somehow Dr. Chen was more than involved. He’d seen her in the cold storage facility, and he’d helped her move some of the equipment. She didn’t see him in the back room when she was working on the vaccine. But Danny had seen her. After she left, he looked in the case, and he saw the markings. It was H5N1 vaccine. It was easy to put two and two together. He was very bright. Everyone knew it. And she’d been nervous, especially around the H5N1.

  Now, he wasn’t quite sure of what had happened. So far, there had been no arrests, and no one had been taken into custody. The lab director was being questioned. But nothing was said about Dr. Chen. He’d been in the parking lot and seen her drive away, so she must have been in the clear. But he saw on the news that the H5N1 virus had been released from a canister on a subway platform. It could only have come from one place. He knew where. He would protect her, at any cost. But he was afraid. He’d done nothing wrong; no one would get hurt. The only person at risk was himself. But he never wanted to shame his family or do anything that might get him in trouble with the country he loved so much. But he loved Suzy more. He would do anything to protect her. He wished he could have talked to her. He could have and would have helped her. If he’d only had the chance. Now he hoped what he’d done would be enough.

  73

  Wally took the stairs down to his office on the second floor. He wanted privacy when he talked with George. Forensics had spent the day at Dr. Adams’s house. They’d found a canister in the trunk of his car. An anonymous call had come in with the tip-off.

  George answered after several rings.

  “Guess this points to Adams as a possib
le accomplice,” said Wally.

  “Possibly, but I don’t think so,” said George. “Someone else is trying to set up Adams. An accomplice we need to find. Someone who knew about the canister. Inside the lab, but not Adams.”

  “We’re tracing the call and background-checking every lab employee,” said Wally.

  “Any location or ID on the London caller?” asked George.

  “Not yet,” said Wally. “But I have an idea.”

  “What are you thinking?” asked George, waiting. He was well known for his ideas.

  “Let’s go on a fishing expedition, see if we catch anything. Two of our special agents in London could pay a visit to the Chinese embassy. Maybe somebody will get nervous,” he said, lost in thought.

  “I like it,” said George. She knew he’d probably already made the request to the London bureau.

  “What about Hamler?” asked George.

  “He’s going to call the president,” said Wally.

  He knew that just having the feds sniff around at the Chinese embassy could make someone very nervous. They might not even have to make the call.

  74

  His assistant knocked on the door.

  “Come in,” said Doug, and she opened his office door.

  “It’s the Chinese embassy calling. Ambassador Wang Jie Han, sir.”

  Doug’s heart started racing. “Thanks, Margaret,” he said.

  What the hell would the ambassador want with him now? He’d done everything asked of him. The years of planning, the intensity of his efforts had brought forth the perfect results. He was rich, the United States was in chaos, and no one suspected anything. The only trail was Chen, and she was dead. Of course, he hadn’t heard whether Graham was dead. That was the only loose end. But his friend, the ambassador, didn’t know about that. The Chinese government had gotten what they wanted. The clear path to world supremacy and the downward spiral of their greatest rival. That’s all that they cared about. Maybe he’d flirted too much with one of Han’s favorites at the dinner party the previous evening. He was sick of trying to please this fanatic. But Doug had to talk to him. Maybe he was too paranoid. Maybe Ambassador Han wanted to thank him with another invitation to a special celebration.