The Chemist

by Stephenie Meyer

“It used to be Dr. Juliana Fortis, but there’s a death certificate with that name now.” She watched his face to see if any of this information meant something to him; it didn’t, as far as she could tell. “I operated under the direction of the department—it doesn’t have another name. It doesn’t exist officially. They worked with the CIA and some other black ops programs. Interrogation specialists.”

“Three years ago, someone decided to dissolve the department’s two key assets. Namely, me and my mentor, Dr. Joseph Barnaby.” Still no recognition. “I don’t know why, although we had access to incredibly sensitive information, and I’m guessing something we knew was the motive. They murdered Dr. Barnaby and tried to murder me. I’ve been running ever since. They’ve found me four times. Three times they tried to have me assassinated. The last time, they apologized.”

“I’m not positive,” she said, “but I think that’s why they did this to him. Why they fed me this whole elaborate story.” Through his teeth. “What reason?” “They haven’t had the greatest success in killing me. I guess they thought you would get the job done.”

“What I don’t understand, though,” she continued, “is why they didn’t just ask you to do it. Or order you, I suppose. Unless… you’re no longer with the CIA?” she guessed.

“Look, Daniel, what I told you before was true. I don’t like hurting people. I didn’t like hurting you. I only do that when I think the other option is much more horrible. I have never in my life done this before—hurt a totally innocent person. Never. Not every person I’ve been asked to interrogate was as depraved as the rest, but all of them were at least part of the plot. I’ve long since realized that my old bosses will stoop to almost anything, but I still can’t believe that they set me up to interrogate someone entirely guiltless.”

“No, I’m not asking for that. I would never ask for that. But I wanted you to know. I never would have hurt you if I hadn’t truly believed it would save lives. I am so sorry.”

“I’m sorry my brother is so socially inept,” he whispered. “He’s always been that way.”

“You are the reason why women think all men are dogs.

sylphid.”

“Shot in the leg. I was afraid that if someone found her, they would put her down. Speaking of, should I call Animal Control?” she asked. “I worry that when the firemen get there…” “I’ll take care of it. I’ve got a contingency plan in place for them.”

“Hm, that’s rough,” he said gloomily, and she knew what he was thinking. Facial scars were bad news when you wanted to keep a low profile. They were too easy to remember and recognize. Suddenly the search changed from Have you seen a short, nondescript female, unknown hair length or color, or a man fitting that same description? to Have you seen a person with this scar?

“Don’t beat yourself up, Danny,” she heard Kevin tell him. She wondered if Daniel had been able to hear just as clearly. “Yeah,” Daniel responded, morose, “I’m only responsible for getting Arnie murdered tonight, not to mention the dogs. Why should I suffer?” “Look, what’s done is done—” “Funny, Alex said that, too.” “Poison girl knows the score. This is a new world, kid. It’s got a higher body count. Now, I’m not saying that things like this won’t affect you. You just can’t let them cloud your vision.”

“I heard all those shots, so close together, and I thought—” “I know. Thanks for staying in the car like I asked. It’s good to know I can trust you.”

“Well, when you put it like that,” he said, sounding ashamed, “I don’t really want to admit this… but I did get out for a few minutes. I was about to go into the house, but Einstein stopped me. And then I realized that one way or another, things were decided inside, and if they had got you, my best bet to kill the bastards would be from the Humvee. I wasn’t going to let them walk away, Alex. Not a chance.”

Damn, Ollie, you need some sleep. You’re getting dumber by the second.”

“Does this hurt?” “It’s fine.” “Do you ever get tired of being tough?” She rolled her eyes. “The pain is manageable, thank you.”

“Sorry,” he said. “Wasn’t thinking.” She blew out a frustrated breath, then held her hand out for the phone. He gave it to her with a sheepish grin, his other arm still loosely around her. “Don’t mind me, I’m just trying to keep us alive,” she muttered, then spoke into the phone. “Hello.” “Good morning. I see my idiot brother hasn’t learned anything from his mistakes.”

the best thing about obsessive-compulsive disorder was the cozy high you got from a tidy space.

Her backpack, her gas mask, and the first-aid kit were by the sink. Daniel might not be a natural fugitive, but he was more thoughtful than anyone else she’d ever known.

“Is the Suburban still there?” “Um, I haven’t checked yet.” “Why not?” he demanded. “I slept in.” “You need to toughen up, sweetheart. The beauty sleep can wait for a few weeks.” “I’d like to be in top form for this.” “Yeah, yeah. When can you move?”

“You’ll need to stop outside Atlanta sometime after nine a.m. I found a place for Lola.” “What did you tell them? About the bullet hole in her leg, I mean?” “You were in a carjacking. Both you and the dog were injured. You’re heading to Atlanta to stay with your mother for a while, but she’s allergic. You’re very traumatized, and they shouldn’t ask about it. Your name is Andy Wells, and they know you’ll pay cash. I’m your concerned brother in this scenario, by the way.”

“This car is going to be invisible in DC! It’s like a stealth bomber. If anyone manages to follow the trail we left in the Texan Batmobile, they’ll hit a dead end now. This is a beautiful thing, Daniel, and I don’t think you’re fully appreciating what amazing luck this is.” “I don’t like stealing from friends,” he grumbled. “The McKinleys are nice people?” “Very nice. They were lovely to my family.” “So they probably wouldn’t want you to die, right?” He gave her a dark look. “No, probably not.” “I’m sure, if they knew the whole story, they would want you to borrow this car.” “Borrow implies we’re bringing it back.” “Which of course we will. Unless we’re dead. Do you think anything but death could keep Kevin from retrieving his favorite ride?”

Happiness with a deadline, just like she’d thought before. Only the happiness was greater now. And the deadline was crueler.

We both applied, and he thought he was a shoo-in. He didn’t take it well when I, as he put it, took it from him. He went in and demanded to see our scores. Something I noticed multiple times throughout my wild and crazy romantic period: lots of guys don’t like girls to be smarter than they are.”

never dated anyone outside of school. I didn’t get to explore the adult stage of the human male. Well, till now.” “Never?” he asked, shocked. “I was recruited while I was still in school. I told you what it was like after that.”

“Yeah. It frequently was. That’s why I’m so backward when it comes to interpersonal relations. But on the plus side, I got to do some really cutting-edge work with monoclonal antibodies—I’m talking about sci-fi stuff here, the kind of thing people don’t believe exists. And I had essentially no limits on my practical research. I got everything I wanted in the lab. My budget was amazing. I’m responsible for a larger chunk of the national debt than you know.”

Sometimes you cling to a mistake simply because it took so long to make.”

The woman looked exactly like the facetious description Alex had conjured up to describe Kevin’s improbable mental image of the Oleander. She had honey-blond hair, thick and long, that stood out from her head in full waves like a Disney cartoon’s. Sapphire-blue doe eyes, full red lips turned up at the corners, and a straight, narrow nose, all set with flawless symmetry in an oval face with prominent cheekbones. Swan neck over elegant collarbones. Of course, the generous hourglass figure with a tiny waist and legs that seemed longer than Alex’s entire body. The woman was wearing only a short, black kimono and an irritated expression.

“What, you want to go another round?” Kevin demanded. “Anytime, sweetheart.” “The next time I put you down,” Alex promised, “it will be permanently.” Kevin laughed—not derisively, like she expected, but with genuine delight. “See what I mean, Val?”

Kevin shook his head. “No, you’re fine. Val might kick us all onto the street when she’s tired of us, but she won’t sell us out. I’ve bought her time and her discretion. What happens with Val stays with Val. She has a reputation to protect.”

“Well, that’s nice. I’ve never had a live-in chef before. It sounds… fun.” Alex wondered how Val was able to load so many different implications into one common word.

Republican or Democrat?” Daniel asked. “Pessimist.”

“He was military?” “Yes, some kind of general, I think.” “A lieutenant general?” “Maybe.” Kevin was paying attention now. “Wade Pace. Pace with a P. That our guy?”

“No. But I’m positive that more white men in their early sixties die from health-related problems than from any other reason.”

“Obviously”—Alex drew the word out into almost five syllables—“we have to do this together. You go in with my premixed solution in hand. Actually…” Her brain started turning over options. “More than one solution, I think. We’ll have to stay in contact so I can guide you to the best application—” Kevin gave her a withering look. “You’re in command, and I’m just following orders on the ground?” Alex stared him down. “Tell me your better plan.” Kevin rolled his eyes, but then refocused. “Fine. It makes sense. Whatever.”

“Can I ask one favor?” “What do you want?” “When you’re mixing your little beakers of poison, could you make this one hurt? Hurt bad?” Alex smiled in spite of her fear. “That I can manage.” He pursed his lips for a minute. “This is weird, Ollie. I… well, I almost like you right now.” “The feeling will pass.” “You’re right—it’s fading already.”

“Look, Val, I would never question your understanding on anything remotely feminine. That’s your world. This is mine. I am not exaggerating when I say that everyone breaks. It doesn’t matter how strong Kevin is or how much he loves his brother. It may take a while, but he will tell them where we are. And for his sake, I hope it doesn’t take that long.” It would, though, and she knew it. Rocky as her relationship with Kevin had always been, she had learned to trust him, to know him. He would buy her the time she needed to get Daniel and Val somewhere safe. Partly because he did love his brother, and partly because of his pride. He’d never give Deavers what he wanted easily. Kevin would make them work for every word they pried out of him.

Val was on the floor with the dog. Einstein was curled in her lap with his head on her shoulder, and Daniel knelt beside them. Val looked up at her, still wearing the hard-doll face. “Now is when you get to say I told you so.”

septuagenarian.

“I know, but people age, lose hair. You can toss the glasses, shave, dye your hair back to brown. And if things go badly, you’ll need to do all of that. Then get to the nearest airport. Get on any plane that’s leaving North America, okay?” “I won’t leave you behind.” “When I say go badly, I mean that I won’t be around for you to wait for.”

Kevin lay on the table under the one light, handcuffed and shackled in place. He was naked, his body gleaming wet with sweat and blood. Long burns blistered a multitude of uneven parallel lines down his chest. Thin slices ran up his ribs, ragged skin blanched at the edges—probably with acid. The soles of his feet were covered in blisters and bleached white as well. Lindauer had poured acid into those burns. Kevin was missing another toe on his left foot, the one next to the first stump.

She stabbed the needle through the plastic and depressed the plunger. The response was nearly immediate. She heard his breathing accelerate, and then he started shrieking. Lindauer’s head snapped up. She could tell he’d never gotten a reaction like this from Kevin, despite his best efforts. She heard movement behind the glass as the audience edged closer, and the faint murmur of voices. She thought she could pick out a surprised tone, and it was gratifying. Though, honestly, it was all due to Kevin’s acting.

She knew how he would be feeling now as the strength raced through his veins and all the pain vanished. She’d used more than double the highest dose of Survive she’d ever used on herself, taking into account his greater mass and need. His screams were primal, almost triumphant. She hoped she was the only one to notice that nuance and that he’d remember that the damage done to his body was still very real, whether he felt it any longer or not. She waited only five minutes—tapping her foot and watching him dispassionately—while he did his part, keeping his screams loud and constant. She wanted him to have as much time with the drugs in his system as possible. When they wore off, he would be incapacitated.

“Who are you?” he whispered. “A specialist, as I told you. I believe the gentleman”—sarcastically, with a nod toward Lindauer—“had some questions for you?” “If I talk,” he said, still in a whisper, “do you go away?” “Of course, Mr. Beach. I am merely a means to an end. Once you have satisfied my employers, you will never have to see me again.”

“No, no, see, it’s his heart, Kev. It’s on the wrong side—the right side. That’s why the shooter missed.” She choked out another laugh. “He’s alive because he’s your opposite.”

“If I could get you to an operating space… if I could get you the things you needed… Could you fill in for the thoracic surgeon?” “It’s not my specialty, but… I could probably handle the basics.”

“You can do this, Ollie. I know you’ll save his life. Because you have to. And then we’ll all be safe. This isn’t going to happen to Danny again, so you pull him through it.” She wondered if he really did have that much faith in her or if he was just trying to keep her from panicking. But would he have allowed himself to pass into unconsciousness if he hadn’t believed his own words?

“Carston took the gun from the guy next to me when Deavers pulled a gun on him,” Daniel explained, his lids pulling back just a few millimeters. “He moved fast for an older guy. They were shouting at each other, but all the soldiers lined up with Deavers.” Alex nodded. “Those were their orders.” “Deavers gave the order, and one of them shot Carston and then me. Carston fell to his knees but started shooting. I didn’t have a gun, so I grabbed the ankles of the people near me with your ring.”

“I wanted to get to a gun, but the two guys I hit fell on me. I couldn’t lift them. My arms weren’t working right.” “The one on your chest probably saved your life, actually. He kept the wound covered till I could get there.”

If Alex had any energy left, she would have sighed with envy. Val looked absolutely ridiculous for someone in a ponytail and no makeup who’d gotten no more sleep than the rest of them.