involved in this. She and the director dated for a short time, but something happened and she ended it,” stated Max. Max sounded like he was trying to convince himself.
“He is being interrogated. He is denying any knowledge or having any information that could link him to the H5N1 outbreak, though evidence is pointing directly to him. They think he had an accomplice. At least preliminary evidence indicates that, but we don’t know who, as yet,” said Greg.
Greg had to ask Max, “Do you think she is still involved with Adams?”
“Fuck no, no way,” answered Max, angry that Greg had even gone there. “Motive?”
“Adams had an expensive divorce, so he could use some money, or he could have a hard-on for the US or he could be a fruit fucking cake,” said Greg. “Maybe all three,” he added.
“Evidence?” asked Max.
“E-mails,” said Greg. Then he continued, “From Adams to a dead drop, indicating a completed task, and other incriminating stuff. Of course, he denies any knowledge of this.”
“Maybe a set up?” asked Max. He prayed to God that Suzy wasn’t part of this shit. He had to see her right away.
Max was tired of waiting for Suzy to call. She wasn’t answering her cell phone, and he knew she was no longer at the lab.
“Shit,” Max exclaimed. “I guess that’s all you can say, right?”
“Right, except stay away from her for now. Do you understand?”
Greg was being forceful and cared about his longtime friend, but he knew Max would not listen.
“I’m on the way to her place,” said Max, ending the call.
“No!” yelled Greg, but Max had already hung up.
.
66
Max was driving as fast as he could, sensing something was seriously wrong. He hoped that Suzy wasn’t involved. His mind couldn’t conceive of that possibility. He would know when he saw her, held her, and she would tell him everything. All he had to do was look in her eyes. He knew of Suzy’s desperate need to save her twin sister, Lee. Knowing what he had learned from Greg about her sister and other emotional entanglements, he understood more fully how tortured and damaged Suzy’s life had been.
The drive seemed to take forever, but he finally made it to the Bayside Retreat entrance. Normally he would just key in the security code, and the gate would rise. Instead, he was being questioned by a Maryland State Trooper asking for his identification.
“What the fuck,” he thought as he pulled out his military ID.
“Good evening, sir. What is your business here, Colonel?” asked the state trooper.
“I am here to visit a friend, officer. What’s going on?” asked Max.
He is alarm bells were going off, big time, and he was getting impatient, as well.
“I am not free to say. What is your business here, sir?” the officer repeated.
Max tried to relax and smiled, “My girl, she lives just a few blocks down from here, 62 Sandpiper.”
The officer studied Max, his high-ranking Army uniform, and said, “One moment, Colonel.”
The trooper pulled out his radio and spoke for a few moments. “Yes, ma’am,” was all Max heard.
“You may proceed,” and he raised the gate, knowing what was ahead for this guy.
.
67
Max couldn’t get near Suzy’s condo. He parked as close as possible and then ran to the edge of the cordoned off area. He was stopped by a muscular guy, dressed in a dark suit, wearing an earpiece, and obviously carrying.
“What’s going on? My girlfriend lives in this building,” Max said loudly, and was struggling with the big guy, trying to see over the flashing lights and people, many in uniform, some on cell phones. Suzy’s condo was brightly lit, and he could see the open garage door.
“My name is Agent Walker, FBI. What is your name, sir?” asked the big guy.
“Colonel Max Graham.”
“Some ID, please,” requested the agent.
He was inspecting the military ID while Max continued to look at the activity near the building.
“Hold on, Colonel. Let me contact the agents in charge of this investigation.”
Max backed down, hands on his hips, impatient to understand what was happening.
“What’s taking so long?” he thought.
“Sir, Agents Reed and Strickland would like to talk with you. Just follow me,” he requested.
Max followed closely behind Walker, heading toward the condominium.
“Thanks, Walker,” said George.
They introduced themselves to Max. “I’m FBI Special Agent Reed and this is my partner, Agent Strickland.” They shook hands.
Max said, in a commanding voice, “What’s happening here? I would like to see Dr. Chen, Agent Reed.”
She responded, “Let’s go to the police van. It’s a bit