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