While Justice Sleeps(130)
He slipped his free hand into his pocket. “Surely you’re not that innocent, Avery. Technology like Tigris has more than one source. More than one progenitor. And we would not have trusted a sole source contractor.”
“I know there are others.” She thought about the portfolio of companies. “Who else? I already know about Qian Ku.”
“I assume Dr. Ramji told you about the others when he gave you his research.”
“No, he didn’t.” She thought of Ani’s confession and his refusal to turn himself in to the authorities. “Dr. Ramji tried to stop you.”
“Perhaps. You should know that Dr. Ramji consulted with colleagues who also received funding.” Vance moved toward the desk. “His virus is one approach. One of many if genes are your target. His innovation was the use of viral vectors. Pathogens are another track we were eager to explore.” He did not blink or shift his eyes from her, the message clear. “You have no idea what we’re facing as a nation. I do.”
“Are you saying there are other scientists doing similar work?”
“I am suggesting that scientific curiosity may get the better of humanity yet again. As it always has. Oppenheimer wasn’t a pioneer. He was just another scientist afraid to stop thinking.” He considered her for a long, silent moment. Took in the steady green eyes trying admirably to hide their terror. The wide, mobile mouth that trembled despite the effort to hold still. “However, as for your accusations in court, you are correct. I broke domestic laws. That’s unforgivable.”
“Will you turn yourself in?”
“Not yet.” He dropped a thumb drive onto the desk. “But I dislike being betrayed. I will help you hold Stokes accountable for at least one of his deeds. I recorded then–vice president Stokes injecting President Cadres with an air embolism….It was the moment he seized power.”
Aghast, Avery took a minute to speak. “He murdered President Cadres?”
Vance maintained eye contact, nodding.
“And you recorded him?”
“I worked for Homeland Security, Avery. We watch everything. Usually, though, no one watches us.” He moved suddenly and placed a hand on the back of her chair, caging her. But the muzzle of the gun never wavered. “Dr. Papaleo’s remains are in a construction site near the airport. You won’t find much of her. Her husband’s body is in the trunk of his car at an abandoned lot on Wisconsin.”
She simply stared at him.
Vance placed the gun on the far corner of the desk and reached into his bag. He uncapped a small bottle and poured several clear drops of liquid onto a gauze pad.
“What are you doing?” Avery asked, straining at the zip ties on her wrists.
“I’d prefer not to hit you again. But I can’t be careless.”
“I won’t scream.”
“You won’t be able to.” With blinding speed he moved behind Avery and cupped her head. The gauze came down forcefully over her nose and mouth.
“I’ll be sure someone looks for you by morning. Goodbye, Ms. Keene.”
FIFTY-THREE
“Avery, wake up.”
The insistent tone penetrated the fog of her brain. “Major Vance?”
“Avery, look at me.”
With effort, Avery blinked away the haze and found herself staring at the Chief. “Ma’am?”
“What happened to you?” The petite woman squatted next to her. “I came to your office looking for you, and your door was closed. I’d thought you’d gone, but the light was still on.”
“Major Vance,” Avery repeated groggily, and her hand automatically closed over the thumb drive. “He was here.”
“In this office?” The Chief popped up and reached for the phone. “How long ago?”
Rubbing at her pounding temples, she replied, “What time is it?”
“A little after six. Conference ran rather long. What did Vance do to you?”
Avery’s head began to clear. “He put something over my face, and I blacked out.”
“Are you feeling okay? Should I call for a paramedic?”
“I’m fine,” she said, shaking her head.
Frowning, the Chief hesitated, then relented. “Come with me—I’ll make you comfortable in my office. There are people waiting to see you.”
She hooked Avery’s elbow and guided the shaky younger woman to her feet. “Good news, by the way. We granted your motion to void the letter of resignation.”
“Really?”
“Yes.” She checked the corridor. “There’s another one, isn’t there?”
“A real one, yes.” Avery stopped. “How did you know?”
“I’ve read Howard’s opinions too. I assume he has a real, authentic one hidden somewhere?”
“I have it, and I’ll use it when the time is right.”
“When will that be?”
“If his coma truly is irreversible. Dr. Ramji and Dr. Srinivasan hinted that we may be able to wake him, but it’s too soon to know if the research is promising.”
“I’m so glad to hear there’s hope,” the Chief said.
Avery made her way mincingly through the corridors, with the Chief’s hand steadying her at her elbow. Gary Stewart waited inside, along with Jared, Noah, and Ling. Her mother sat on the sofa. Agent Lee stood in the corner he’d occupied at their first meeting.