A Heartbeat Away (2011) by Michael Palmer

Author:Michael Palmer [Palmer, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2011-03-18T05:11:37+00:00

CHAPTER 35

DAY 5

4:00 P.M. (EST)

"You wish something drink or you like order?" Sylvia Chen said in a heavy accent.

She was rail-thin, with dark eyes that were nearly lost in shadow, but Angie had no doubt whatsoever that it was she. Her uniform, a black dress shirt and black slacks, was a size too large. The nametag above her breast pocket read simply BAO.

"Sylvia," Angie whispered, "please don't react. I know who you are and I know why you are here. I need to speak with you. I came from Kalvesta to find you."

The steel pitcher in the waitress's hand began to shake. Dollops of brown tea splashed out from the spout and stained the white tablecloth.

"No understand," Chen said, avoiding any eye contact.

"Stop it," Angie said harshly. "This is urgent."

The color drained from Chen's face. Her body stiffened.

"No ... please..."

Her eyes were wild with fear as she made a furtive scan of the restaurant. Either she was searching for an exit, or perhaps, even more terrifying to her, Angie's accomplice.

"Easy," Angie said. "Please don't call attention to yourself. I'm not here to hurt you."

"Are you police? Military?"

The words were said softly. The accent was gone.

"No, I'm not. Trust me."

"Are you them? Are you Genesis?"

The woman kept trembling.

"I'm a reporter with The Washington Post. The Capitol has been quarantined. Griffin Rhodes has been asked by the president to develop a treatment for WRX3883. I'm helping him keep a record of everything that he does. We know about how he was set up before, and we know you were involved. The president has gotten him out of prison and reopened your lab. There is little time. People are dying from the virus."

Chen's knees buckled, as though mention of the past had placed too much stress on her joints. Angie reached up, supported the woman by her arm, and encouraged her to sit down. Chen refused, straightened up, and pointed to the menu on the table.

"Is there any chance that you were followed?" she asked.

"I don't see how," Angie said. "I flew in from Kansas earlier today via Denver."

"Genesis is very resourceful. I should never have agreed to cooperate with them, but they knew all about my work, and they knew that their financing was the last chance I had to keep my research going. They are also very dangerous. I am a loose end for them now. All they want is the virus. They don't care about controlling it. They tried to kill me, but I escaped and came here. If they find me, I assure you, both my mother and I are dead."

"I can help you, Sylvia. That's why I came to New York--to help you and to see if there is any way to control the virus. I'm working with Griffin Rhodes at your lab."

"He's out of prison, you said?"

"Yes, he's been out for just a few days."

"That is wonderful news. Listen, stay here. Study your menu."

Angie did as she was asked, but went on red alert in case Chen bolted.

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