Page 149 of Chemistry: The Chemist

“The damage is done, Choc. Save yourself.”

“Chemistry.” I cried, moving closer because I needed access to the cuffs.

My chest ached as I watched him scoot further away.

“Do your job.”

“This is my– this is my job.”

My words were useless. Chemistry had ended communication with his last statement. My thirty seconds were over, and Bradford was headed toward us. I shoved the bobby pin back in my hair and placed my hands on my knees in front of me.

“Chemistry.”

I was met with silence.

“Alright, Johanson.”

He wouldn’t even look at me.

“I’m sorry.”

Silence.

“Chem– Please. Say something. Anything.”

“Fuck you,” he said, calm and collected. “Disrespectfully, my love.”

Bradford ushered me away from the car. The door slammed with a thud and a gust of wind that took my heart away with it.

“You should get home and pack, Johanson.”

“Pack?” Low whimpers accompanied more tears. The pain of losing my father was nothing in comparison to what I was feeling. Everything hurt.

“Jack is setting you up in protective custody. This is– this is big. You’re not safe, Johanson. Their money is long and their reach is deep. Hell, you shouldn’t even be here right now. For your safety, we didn’t tell you.”

“Bradford, I can’t go into protective custody. That’s no life for me. I–”

“Will die if you don’t.”

“I’ll die if I do.”

“You have a better chance at life, though, Johanson. We didn’t just come to his home. Simultaneously, we busted every address listed for his siblings. No one– I mean, no one has been found except The Chemist.”

They’re not here. I doubt you’ll ever find any of them.

“Everyone else has disappeared without a fucking trace. It’s almost as if he was expecting us.”

“I didn’t,” I told him.

“I’m aware. You didn’t know, either. But, when we entered, he was sitting at the table. Fully suited. Un-fucking-bothered. I’ve never seen anything like that before and I’ve been on this fucking job for twenty years, Johanson. Our presence didn’t disturb him, not one bit. I almost turned my ass around when I saw him.

“Something about this man says he means business, man. Shit. He’s been cooperative, dictating our moves without saying a fucking word. This shit is– I don’t know. Just take the fucking protection.”

He was right. The agency was the only chance for survival.

“I will.”

SIXTEEN

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