Dead Love

51



Max felt close to Suzy throughout the entire weekend, though he had been observing her, trying to note any deviation from her normal behavior. At times she seemed distracted, but this wasn’t necessarily unusual. Her work could be intrusive, and she often had to answer e-mails and take a few hours on a Saturday to finish up required reports or do some reading. Sometimes she mentioned non-classified work issues she was dealing with, but not often.

Only once had Suzy had complained to Max about the lab director, Dr. Adams. He was a demanding, egotistical personality type. Even though she was assistant director of Edgewood Labs, there had been difficulties. Max quizzed her playfully, but was inwardly jealous. Apparently the man was a skirt chaser, and Suzy had been his target at one time. She eventually caught on, but Max could tell it bothered Suzy, deep down, that Adams had deceived her. Although implied, she didn’t really say she had cared for him, but Max knew something significant had happened between them. She had alluded to the fact that they had been in a relationship, or at least, Suzy had felt they were in a relationship, but she was let down when she realized that she was just another of his conquests. She never admitted any of this to Max, but he sensed what went down. He wanted to punch the guy out and would have to resist doing so if they ever crossed paths.

It had been difficult for Max not to broach the topic that weighed heavily on him. He wanted to say, “Baby, tell me everything and let me help you,” but he couldn’t. Not yet. He wanted no harm to come to her or her family, and he felt he had a little more time. He knew the risks were high, but he wanted to assist in the capture of those who were behind the threats. He had to trust Greg and not let Suzy become aware of what he had been told. He didn’t know what they wanted her to do, but he was concerned.

They shared a lingering good-bye kiss that Monday evening, and Suzy embraced him so very tightly, not wanting him to leave. He responded, holding her close to him, as close as possible, feeling her love and passion all mixed together.

“I’ll call you when I get home,” he said, and pulled away, though he did not want to leave.

She was quiet, just smiled at him, and said, “You know I love you, right?”

Max said, “Yes, I know.” He looked deeply in her eyes, got into his Mercedes, and backed down the driveway.

Suzy stood in the driveway and watched his car slowly pulling away. She waved to him, as she always did when he left. This time she wondered when she would see him again. She went into the house with tears streaming down her face. They would not stop. She went upstairs, fell across her bed, and cried until she fell asleep.

The ringing phone on the night table woke her. She looked at caller ID, knew it was Max, and said a breathless, “Hey.”

Max said, “Will you marry me, Suzy?”

“Yes,” she answered, with no hesitation. She could feel her heart beating.

“That’s all I need to know.”


52



Suzy had not answered her phone or e-mails all day, missing several calls from Max. She had not had time to call him back. The trip to her mother’s had taken longer than expected, plus the drive back had seemed to take forever. Then, after sending the e-mail from Eric’s laptop, the f*cking FBI showed up. She shouldn’t have been surprised, but she had not wanted to deal with them. Damn! How did they get to Edgewood so fast? She hoped she had handled the questioning without raising suspicions. She felt unnerved by the morning’s events. Her thoughts were spinning, but she had to maintain her composure, somehow.

She needed to talk with Dr. Adams as soon as possible. She checked with Beth regarding his whereabouts. She hoped he had returned by now.

Beth said, “Yes, he is in his office.”

“Thanks,” she said, and walked down the hall, knocked on his door, and entered without waiting for an answer.

He looked up as she walked in. “Dr. Adams, I hope things went well with your son,” she said sarcastically.

“You bitch,” he thought.

“Yes, things went perfectly. Catch me up on what has been going on around here,” he asked.

“I’ve been trying to reach you. You obviously turned off your cell phone. Didn’t Beth give you my message?” she asked, very pissed off.

“Yes, but I have been busy,” he answered, indifferently. “What is of such critical importance that you interrupt me while I was taking care of family business?”

Suzy noticed his rumpled hair and somewhat dazed look. She hoped he had enjoyed his little tryst with his slut of the day, while she was here doing his job of dealing with the FBI. What a prick.

Dr. Adams could see the look of disdain in Suzy’s eyes. He should never have gotten involved with her, but damn, she was a great lay, and so gorgeous. Too bad she thought he was serious. He gave her the assistant director’s position—what more could she want? Isn’t that why she screwed him in the first place? She was smart and good at her work. Too good. But better get back to the business at hand.

“Again, what has been going on? Any results on the lab samples or anything from Quantico on the canister?” he asked.

“First of all, two agents from the FBI were here, looking for you and asking me all kinds of questions. I referred them back to you,” she stated. “They are checking out any possible leads on the materials found in the New York City subway this morning.”

He asked, “The FBI visit sounds like SOP. Do we have results back?”

“Yes, it’s H5N1, and according to the lab at Quantico, the canister, so far, can’t be traced, but Homeland Security has been notified,” she stated.

“Damn, just damn.” Then he asked, “How is the subway maintenance guy they brought down from New York? Did he test positive for the H5N1?” The daze was gone now. He buzzed Beth. “Bring me some coffee. Now!”

Suzy continued, “The worker, Mr. Caruso, has tested positive. He is very sick but stable for the moment. He had direct contact with the canister, first exposure. The virus has also spread to others, including those exposed while in the subway and others with whom they had contact. The CDC chemists and our lab staff worked together and came up with the identification fairly quickly.”

Dr. Adams said, “We have samples of H5N1 in storage, as I recall. Have we started working on those yet?” He obviously had not ordered any work to be done.

She answered curtly, “No, but we should begin developing a vaccine, ASAP, agreed? Let’s stress that this will be a joint effort of our people and those from the CDC. This particular virus spreads rapidly, and the faster we begin developing the vaccine, the better.”

“Yes, of course. That was my next concern.” He nodded agreement. Adams said, “Arrange an immediate staff meeting. I’ll prepare the agenda. Let me know when everyone is ready.”

“Fine,” answered Suzy. Beth came in with the coffee as Suzy was leaving his office.

Suzy went directly to the lab and called the staff into the large meeting room, adjacent to the laboratory. About twenty were present. She said Dr. Adams had some announcements and would be in shortly. She stepped into the hallway and called him on the intercom, saying that they were waiting.

Adams breezed in, his I-Pad in hand. He stood at the front of the room, cleared his throat, and began by congratulating them on defining the variant H5N1influenza virus and then instructed them to begin working on a vaccine. This would take a great deal of time and effort but that was to be their priority. Developing a vaccine was critical. They were to work jointly with the CDC and the FBI, and he stressed full cooperation to facilitate a quick result.

Many had questions, which Adams couldn’t answer. All had seen the news reports of the outbreak and that it was possibly a terrorist event. Whoever did this was likely a scientist, or scientists, probably working for a faction, possibly homegrown, perhaps a rogue. Maybe even someone they knew. Most were silent, just listening, stunned at events that had taken place. They worried about their families, and what all this meant, long term.

He listened to them and agreed that it was a tragic attack, with New York City targeted again. The impact of the attack was beyond comprehension. None could forget 9/11, and now this? One of the questions from the group was if any group or terrorist cell had taken responsibility. Dr. Adams advised them that he had no knowledge of that, but the FBI as well as other agencies were working to find whoever was responsible, and hopefully the perpetrator or perpetrators would be found quickly. He asked them to cooperate fully with the FBI.

Dr. Chen was listening from the back of the room. It took great effort for her to maintain her professional demeanor during this discussion, but she did.

Adams concluded the meeting, saying they would be asked to work overtime. They were to conduct themselves as normally as possible. All work done at the lab was considered classified, and they all had signed confidentiality agreements. Their work was not to be discussed outside of the premises. He would be making further announcements as information became available. After thanking them again, Dr. Adams concluded the meeting.

Suzy walked back to her office. She went in and closed the door, and tears started flowing. She put her head down on the desk, her beautiful hair falling around her shoulders, her sobs uncontrollable. How could I have done this? She knew why. She thought of the “Organization” and became frightened. Their threats to kill her sister were real and terrified her. Could she trust such a sinister group? Her parents would be boarding the flight momentarily to Hong Kong, where they were to pick up Lee. She would have to focus on them and nothing else, except Max. Suzy needed to call him. He must be concerned, hearing the news of the terrorist attack, and she needed to know what was going on with him. Did he suspect? How much did he know? She grabbed her phone to call him. He must be frantic, and Suzy needed to hear his voice.

He answered on the first ring.

“Max, I am sorry I haven’t called. It has been so busy here. You have heard, of course.”

“Yes, we are on alert, baby. How are you doing?” He had to be careful about his words.

“I’m scared, worried, and you know probably all that we know.”

“Yes, we know what the so called ‘weapon’ is. It is having the desired effect. Disrupt and possibly kill.

“Yes,” she whispered. “It can do that.”

“I want to see you tonight. Is that possible?” he asked her.

“I don’t know yet. Hold on, Max.”

Stacy buzzed her. “Dr. Chen, you better come out. The FBI is here again. They are in Dr. Adams’s office now. He wants you to report to him immediately.”

Suzy got back on with Max. “I must go. The FBI is here. Guess they have to check everything out. This is horrible, isn’t it?” she said.

“Yes. Call me when you can, and I will meet you at your place, okay?” he asked.

“Call before you leave. I don’t know how long I will be here. Have to go, Max. I love you,” hearing his “Love you, baby” as she hung up.

She knew he was concerned, but she couldn’t be near him now. Too risky, and he would be questioning her. Not now.


53



Georgiana and Mark sat in front of Dr. Adams’s desk. Lieutenant Randall, their escort, was waiting in the hallway outside Adams’s office. George explained to Adams that they needed to do a thorough search, looking at computers, all records, and they wanted a complete inventory of the specimens stored at the Edgewood Labs, and most importantly, who had access to the stock.

Eric was waiting for Suzy to join them. “Where’s the bitch?” he thought. She had talked to these two earlier, and he wanted her involved as much as possible. She could be the liaison with these clowns. They were wasting his time. He was confident that lab security had not been breached.

Georgiana said to Dr. Adams, “Our forensics investigative team is waiting outside. We must start right away.” Then added, “We will do our best to make this quick and not interfere in the operations of this facility.”

George could tell there was an undercurrent, maybe guilt or just Dr. Adams’s egotistical disdain for authority. She didn’t want to discuss their suspicions regarding Dr. Chen.

“Thank you, Agent Reed. Dr. Chen will be here momentarily. She will be more than happy to assist you,” Eric responded, showing signs of impatience.

George could see this guy was used to getting what he wanted. What a pompous, self-centered A-hole. She gave Mark a look, and he responded with a quick eyebrow raise.

“Let me see if I can find her. Please excuse me.” He walked out, heading toward Suzy’s office.

George said to Mark, sick of waiting, “Screw him. Let’s bring in the team.”

George called Wally and asked if he and his group could please come into the building. Wally and his team had been in a white FBI van, in the parking lot, waiting for the “go” signal. The technical guys had the equipment needed to access information from the computer system and look at all video recordings. Wally would supervise the team and assist in the investigation.

Eric was still looking for Suzy. She wasn’t in her office, so he went to Beth’s office and barked, “Where the hell is Chen? Find her and tell her to show the FBI around the lab. It shouldn’t take very long, and I am extremely busy.” He wasn’t going to deal with their crap.

“She went to the lab, Dr. Adams. She said she wanted to know the current status so she could direct the investigation properly,” she said, without looking up.

Eric was sick of Beth and her attitude. He had taken her out for drinks a few times and she took it seriously. Now she acted like the hurt party. She seemed to enjoy the sex as much as he had. What the f*ck. He would have to stop dating these office bitches. Adams stalked into his office, slamming the door. He had a headache and wasn’t in the mood to deal with any of this shit.

Beth reached Dr. Chen and said that Dr. Adams wanted her to assist the FBI team in whatever way she could. The eight armed agents, including Wally, entered the reception area. Lt. Randall knew how to stay out of the way, but not miss anything. George, Mark, and Wally were discussing the strategy for the investigation when Chen joined them, surprised to see the large group waiting for her.

George spoke firmly, “We need to begin. Let’s discuss what we need, and you can direct our team, all right?”

“Of course,” she replied. “Where do you want to start?”

“The computer forensic science agents can do their thing, and other team members will need to examine the H5N1 inventory to see if it has been tampered with in any way. Perhaps you can give us some details and help show them around the storage facilities. Also, any updates on your latest findings would be most helpful.”

“Certainly, by computers, do you mean our individual computers?” Suzy questioned.

“Yes,” said George, “we need to check out all computers, lab stations, personal devices, smart phones, the whole deal. Let’s start with Dr. Adams’s computer, your assistant’s, and yours also, Dr. Chen. Later, we will look at other staff computers.”

“Follow me, please,” responded Suzy without emotion.


54



Suzy had left George in her office with the tech guy as they began searching through computer data. They knew how to find legal forensic evidence in computers and digital storage media. Mark and Wally had stayed with the rest of the team, waiting for Dr. Chen to escort them to the lab. It wasn’t a long wait. Dr. Adams had thrown a fit as another computer expert started on his laptop. “Tough shit,” thought Chen as she joined Mark and the other team members in the reception area.

She led them down a long corridor through double doors, which could only be opened by a coded keypad. Two armed military guards stood on either side of the doors, and they acknowledged Dr. Chen as she passed through the entrance.

She explained to the group, as they were walking through the large laboratory, that the CDC was working in unison with the ERDC, looking at the recent findings confirming the diagnosis of the H5N1 virus on the recent admissions of not only the maintenance worker but others in various medical centers in New York City, Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, and a growing number of others. The CDC was tracking the pandemic, using recently developed software that gives a snapshot, state by state, of all reported cases.

“Our containment lab is in a separate part of this wing. I will take you there and show you our H5N1 samples, all intact. We have Level A airline protective suits for your safety. I have asked one of our lab technicians to print an inventory showing every ‘bug’ or toxin sample in storage.”

Mark liked her clinical approach, but sensed she was holding something back. He hoped the investigation would expose what it was. He told her he needed the latest information and video on the delivery date of the H5N1 samples, including who received them.

“I received the samples, Agent Strickland,” she said. “And I personally placed them in the secure containment storage locker.”

“Show my men into the portal, suit them up, and let them check things out. I need to see the video of the delivery, and Hank, you stay with me, okay?” Mark requested of one of the team. Wally’s handpicked agents knew exactly what they were looking for.

Mark said, “Wally, you want to stay here for the moment?”

“Fine with me,” he said, looking around at the lab. It brought back some not so fond memories.

Mark turned his attention back to Chen and said, “Please show the guys how to safely access the storage unit so we can get this investigation moving.”

“As you can see, we are very busy, Agent Strickland. Is all this scrutiny absolutely necessary?” Chen asked. “We are a government facility and wish to fully cooperate, but we have our orders also. We must work on a vaccine, and our security is beyond reproach.”

“Your question is acknowledged. Now, let’s get on with it. We need to see the delivery records, now,” he emphasized. His patience was wearing thin.

She asked one of the lab assistants to show the FBI team into the safety portal.

Then Suzy said, “Follow me, gentlemen.”

Suzy remained coolly detached. She took Mark and Hank to the delivery dock, explaining how specific items were received, when the deliveries took place, and then proceeded to the storage room where the records and videos were kept. Hank began unpacking his equipment to search the files and video recordings. He could handle this on his own. Mark wanted to see the rest of the facility, including the vaccine storage area, so Suzy led the way. They entered the lab and walked to the rear of the room where the cold storage for vaccines was located. She opened the door, allowing Mark to enter. She was looking at the various vaccines, labeled and arranged in perfect order, in vacuum-sealed containers. Suzy began explaining about the vaccine storage.

“We store most vaccines between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit. They are to be used within a certain time frame, specifically during current influenza outbreaks. They have a very limited shelf life.”

She stopped speaking, peering at one of the storage containers. The seal didn’t appear to be secure. That was odd. She mentioned her concerns to Agent Strickland.

“I need to let Dr. Adams know about this immediately,” and she asked Mark if he would join her in reporting this to Dr. Adams.

“Yes, and I better let my team know, also,” said Mark, thinking George and Wally would be interested in this development.


55



As they were walking to Adams’s office, Dr. Chen explained to Mark and Wally that the previous fall, she, Adams, and several others from the lab had attended an international scientific conference in Wilmington, Delaware. The topic of the conference was various methods of developing vaccines. Normally, vaccine manufacturing can take up to six months using the standard egg-based method, but six months is a lengthy turnaround when dealing with a pandemic. The new technique involved using various resources. They learned that the plant-based approach offers a substantially shortened production time and cost. If an outbreak is reported and the vaccine is available, the CDC can distribute it on the first day from the SNS, or Strategic National Stockpile. Plus, developing a specific vaccine and having it available for use quickly would greatly impact the response time to life-threatening bioterrorism threats and infectious diseases. This was a major breakthrough. Suzy and the others from Edgewood found it exciting, as did all those in the scientific community.

She didn’t tell him what else had happened at the conference, which was held at the luxurious Tidewater Hotel and Conference Center. The meetings would start in the morning, giving the attendees plenty of free time in the afternoon, for recreation, committee meetings, or relaxation.

Suzy and Eric, as she called him then, had been seeing each other for several months. It was inappropriate for her to be dating her boss, and she knew the dangers. But he was intriguing, handsome, and their work interests gave them a common bond that added more depth to the relationship. This made the attraction even more interesting. Suzy had felt he was a perfect match for her, though he could be restrained and even distant at times. His elusiveness increased her desire. She tried hard to please and captivate him.

They had separate accommodations at the hotel, neither wanting their colleagues to know they were having an affair. But after hours, when they thought the others in their group wouldn’t notice, Eric would slip down to her room on the third floor and find Suzy waiting for him, dressed in a provocative see-through baby doll nightie, or just a satiny silver bustier, panties, garter belt with spiked heels, or nothing at all. It didn’t matter to Eric. Whatever she wore, or didn’t wear, drove him insane and gave him an instant, throbbing hard on. Just thinking of her made him hard. They had uncontrollable sex, and she pleasured him in every way he wanted. They shared exotic tastes and loved sexual exploration. He never got enough of her hot little ass and tits. He was an aggressive, demanding lover, often ripping her clothes off, unable to wait.

She craved his attention and need for her and believed that he meant all of his declarations of love, for her alone. She had started dating him, not just because he was her boss, but for the intense attraction she felt. It was quite a compliment to know that a man of such merit and intellect would be interested in her. She honestly enjoyed the status but wasn’t after anything beyond his love and the sexual excitement. She fulfilled every pleasure he demanded to win his love.

It wasn’t until after she had been promoted to assistant director that she found out the truth. They had a Saturday evening dinner date, and he was to pick her up at 6:00 p.m. at her condominium. He was going to take her to their favorite restaurant, a small bistro that featured not only delicious cuisine but a wonderful pianist and singer. Suzy loved going there, and as regulars, they had gotten to know the singer, who always played their favorite song. It was a sappy love song, but it was beautiful and expressed lyrically how she felt about him. Eric had said he was tired, though, and needed the afternoon to catch up on his sleep from their previous all night sex romp. Suzy decided to surprise him and stopped by his house, wanting to sneak into his bedroom, crawl into bed with him, and wake him up in a delicious, intimate way. Although she had no reason to suspect, she wanted to make certain he was home alone, as he had said.

Eric always left the side door open into his kitchen. His red Corvette was parked in the driveway so she knew he was home, which erased any doubts of his faithfulness to her. As she walked into the kitchen, everything looked orderly, as usual. Soft afternoon light was coming through the window. She slipped off her heels and walked quietly to the bottom of the stairs. Placing her purse on the floor, Suzy took off her leather jacket, slacks, and rose-colored sweater and left them folded on the linen-covered chair in his foyer. Wearing only her pink demi-cup bra and matching sexy thong panties, she crept up the carpeted staircase. She was getting turned on thinking of him, eager to make love. She reached the landing and turned left, passing the guest bathroom to reach the master suite at the end of the hall. His bedroom door was closed, but as she approached, she heard voices. She froze in place and tried to hear what was being said. She recognized Eric’s voice but not the other one, which was distinctly female.

Was this possible? The words weren’t clear, but they were clear enough. She grasped the door handle, turned it slowly, opening the door and saw the unthinkable. Eric was in bed, his back to the door. He was clearly naked, and there were a woman’s legs wrapped around his waist, and his movements made it obvious that he was f*cking some whore, whoever she was.

He was so engrossed that he didn’t even hear the door open until Suzy forcefully slammed it and ran down the stairs, not able to leave quickly enough. Eric managed to catch her as she was struggling to get her shoes on while racing for the kitchen door.

He had his slacks on, unzipped, barefoot, shirtless, and he was saying, “Suzy, please, Suzy, let me explain. Please.” He was pleading with her, but she was crying and wouldn’t look at him, as he tried to grab her. He kept saying, “This means nothing. Please understand. She stopped by and came on to me. I barely know her.”

But Suzy heard nothing. She raced to her car, not even sure how she got in, and drove away, but that was the end. Without trust, there was nothing.

All of this was floating through her mind as she remembered the conference and how important it had been, not only the memories of the breathless love she had felt, which had shattered her heart, but the significance of the conference to her work. She had to quiet her random thoughts and her bubbling anger over the betrayal and her own stupidity for believing everything he had said. And it was only later that she realized, she had not been the only one he had betrayed.


56



Suzy and Mark walked past Beth’s desk. Beth was stressed by the events playing out around her. She hadn’t been questioned yet, but knew she would be at some point. She and Eric had exchanged numerous intimate emails and she didn’t want to lose her job, or worse, be implicated in whatever was going on around here.

Suzy knocked on Dr. Adams’s office door and he said, “Come in,” in a louder than normal voice. He was on his cell phone, but said an abrupt good-bye. He was obviously pissed off that this FBI geek was examining his computer.

Mark asked Ray, the FBI tech, “Got anything?”

Ray said, “We can discuss this later. Okay?”

Mark knew that meant something was up, and it had to be handled just right. Mark leaned down, over Ray’s shoulder while Suzy was talking to Dr. Adams, explaining the possible problem, a compromise in the vaccine storage room.

Suzy was standing next to Eric by the bookcase, saying, “Dr. Adams, one vial of H5N1 is missing from the containment room. A decoy vial was found in its place. We’ve had a security breach.”

“Oh my God.” He was stunned. “You received those vials, right?”

“Yes. All the vials were there when I placed them in the containment room. They were stored securely,” she stated.

Eric had no reason to doubt Suzy. She was a bitch but he was certain she was not involved.

“I need to check this out. Please come with me, Dr. Chen” Eric directed.

Things were hitting Dr. Adams from all directions. He was exhausted from the afternoon at the motel, which hadn’t gone exactly as planned. It had been a cat and mouse experience with the bitch and ended in a wrestling match, but he finally got her convinced that she was the only one. She had flirted with him and agreed to the lunch date, but then played hard to get. F*ck that shit.

Now he had to deal with the subway debacle and this f*cking H5N1 outbreak. Dr. Adams was a womanizer, but he was also qualified for his job, had worked hard, and was a highly regarded and brilliant scientist, above all, who took his work seriously. His dedication and competence were the only reasons Suzy had stayed at Edgewood, though her motivation had changed abruptly after the Organization contacted her.

Adams said to Mark, “I need to accompany Dr. Chen to the lab.”

“Okay, I am going to stay with Ray.” Mark added, “Please report back here, both of you, after you have looked into the vaccine matter. It might be significant in the investigation.” He called one of the team to go with Chen and Adams to the lab.

Dr. Adams glared at Mark, not used to being told what to do by such a lowlife, and responded contemptuously,

“Certainly.”

Adams and Suzy left, walking quickly to the lab and the cold storage room.

Mark called George on her cell phone, telling her that she might want to check out the vaccine storage room with Dr. Chen and Dr. Adams.”

“Boy, I’m glad that a*shole is out of my hair, for the moment, and I think I have found something,” Ray said to Mark.

Ray knew his way around a hard drive.

Mark asked, “What is it?”

After Ray explained, Mark said, “I want this laptop sealed, and we will take it back to headquarters as evidence.”

“I assume you got fingerprints,” stated Mark.

Ray scowled at Mark, “You’re kidding, right?”

“Let’s get Chen’s computer, and I think we need to start asking them some questions,” added Mark.

“How about the assistant’s laptop?” asked Ray.

“Yes, we will look at them all. Their phones, too.”