“I couldn’t agree more,” Bec whispered before kissing her sweet, plump lips. Hopefully, it told her how happy she was to hold her in her arms. They were just getting to the good part when the tablet started to ring.
Chapter Sixteen
Breaking the kiss, Iris grabbed the tablet and hit the red button. “Secure One, Charlie.”
“Secure Watch, India,” she responded, and Bec could tell her attention was now solely on the tablet. Cal’s muffled voice probably startled Iris, as it did her.
When Cal appeared on the screen, he wore a hazmat suit and a respirator. “We found something in the basement. I’ll turn the camera so Bec can tell us what it is.”
Bec gasped when the camera revealed a lab space in Walter’s basement. “That’s a class three biological safety cabinet,” she said without hesitation. “What is it doing in his basement?”
“I was hoping you could tell us,” Cal said from behind the camera.
“Those are well over twenty grand, Cal. I don’t know why he’d have one in his home. They’re used when working with biohazards or dangerous pathogens that can’t become airborne.”
“Like viruses?” Cal asked.
“Yes. Usually, when working on gain-of-function research,” Bec agreed.
“What’s that?” Iris asked.
“Gain-of-function research helps us understand howpathogens adapt to environmental pressures. That allows us to plan better disease control measures and explore vaccines and therapies.”
“That sounds dangerous were it to fall into the wrong hands,” Cal mused.
“It is,” Bec couldn’t help but admit. “If gain-of-function research fell into the wrong hands, it could be used for biological warfare without question. That’s why this facility is secretive. Having security around us would make us an obvious target, but we also need to protect ourselves from bad players.”
“Which is why Walter saying in the interview that you have the deadliest virus in your lab was risky,” Iris deduced.
“It was, but now I wonder if he did it intentionally. Maybe he was looking for an investor or to set up a bidding war once he had a working vaccine for Ignis Cerebri. Cal, can you pan the camera around the room?” Cal did as she asked until she said, “Stop. That cabinet. Walk to it, but don’t open it. Does it say ultra-low freezer?”
“Yes,” Cal answered. “Should he not have that, either?”
“Since they start at ten grand, it’s not there to hold his beer,” she muttered, and Iris snorted.
“I see a lot of lab equipment, too,” Cal said, pointing out a centrifuge and other pieces they use in the lab at the facility. “Does Walter work from home sometimes?”
“Yes, but not with viruses. That’s taking your life into your own hands. Not to mention your neighbors. The biosafety hood helps, but it’s seriously lacking when you don’t have the benefit of the rest of the lab’s safety features.”
“You’re saying it’s like driving in NASCAR without a helmet? You can do it, but you shouldn’t.”
“Essentially,” Bec agreed, still laser focused on the freezer. “The only reason he should have any of that equipment there is if he’s working with live viruses, which doesn’t make sense. That’s what this facility is for, and in the length of time I’ve been here, he’s never once entered a lab.”
“What’s in the freezer if it’s not drinks?” Iris asked in confusion.
“Viruses.” Saying it aloud sent a shiver down Bec’s spine.
The camera flipped, and Cal filled the screen again. “Are we in danger by being down here?”
“Not from what I can see. The hood is clean, and there weren’t any open vials inside it.”
“There’s a layer of dust on everything,” Cal interjected. “It doesn’t look like it’s been touched in at least a year.”
“Is the freezer plugged in?” she asked, and Cal nodded. “Is it running?”
“Let me check.” Cal walked back to the freezer and knelt, leaning behind the small dorm-sized refrigerator for a moment. “I can hear it humming, and the side is cool.”
“That would make sense. Those freezers go as low as minus 112 degrees Fahrenheit.”
