Page 83 of Chemistry: The Chemist

The amount of red marks, clippings, strings connecting dots, images, names, occupations, and other information that filled the corkboard made me nauseous. My stomach turned with each sentence that left his mouth.

“Roulette – the madam. Not sure how we missed that one. It was right there, in our face. Rather, licensed therapists with a thriving practice. Roaman, we don’t have much on this one, but we pulled her records. Clean. Board-certified surgeon. We’re not sure how she is connected, but we’re sure she’s connected.”

I massaged my temple as thoughts collided with my feelings. I wanted to, but I couldn’t keep silent. I was battling myself as the words began to spill.

“She isn’t a factor in the operation. I can bet my money on it. She’s simply a helping hand when someone is injured and they don’t want anyone at the hospitals asking questions.”

“Bingo!” Jack yelled.

“See, four heads are better than three,” Bradford added, writing beside Roaman’s picture.

She was stunning. Every woman on the board was stunning.

“Any input on this one?”

Images of the sweetest girl, dressed in footless ballet tights, a leotard, and ballet flats captivated me. The innocence in her eyes told a story the wisdom in them wasn’t willing to.

Without a doubt, I knew she was something special, someone special to Chem. Though the others were as well, this one was different. She had his heart. A big chunk of it.

“She’s the youngest of the eight.”

That explained a lot. And because I knew her brother’s protection was something she could depend on, the job was easily delegated. I, too, found the need to protect her and the innocence I once prayed for. But, life had different plans for me.

“She isn’t involved. She’s useless,” I lied, feeling as though it was the furthest from the truth.

Some way, somehow, she was connected, but instead of trying to determine her role, I wanted her to disappear. She didn’t belong beside the others who had very clear, very crucial positions in the criminal empire they’d created.

“Jack and I thought the same thing. She’s nineteen. I doubt she’s gotten her feet wet,” Macy explained.

“They could also be sheltering her, keeping her away from the life they’ve created outside o–”

“Right. She probably has no idea what they do outside of their day jobs. Let’s not disregard the fact they all have incredibly impressive schooling. Top of their class.

“Each one of them. And we’re talking college. A doctorate in five to seven years, it’s unheard of! They’re doubling up on college credits, taking on twice the load of a normal student.

“That’s not easy, no matter how you try to spin it. But her, top of her high school class, and then goes on to Hillard? To twirl in circles?” Macy made points that we all took into consideration.

“Their dance program is the best around. Education is a factor.”

“But, these people have real—well, very complex majors that Hillard’s education just doesn’t compare to. Doctor Chemistry Childers. Doctor Roaman Childers. Doctor Rather Childers. Range Chi—” Macy explained.

“You’re right,” Jack admitted. “You’re right. They’re pacifying her. Probably don’t even want her in college, majoring in anything useless because they’ll surely use it if they can.”

“Agreed,” I replied, sipping from my cup.

“I can see that. So, no ballerina?” Bradford asked, removing her image and tossing it in the bin where I assumed they’d removed everything on the board.

“No ballerina,” we all said in unison.

I breathed a sigh of relief, pacing the floor while keeping an eye on the board and the man presenting to us all.

“Range Childers is the lawyer, who happens to be on some pretty high-profile cases. She hides behind the firm’s name, but she’s all over the cases of some of Clarke’s most notorious criminals. I can’t help but wonder if the entire firm works for them.”

“They own it,” I concluded.

“Hm?” Bradford and everyone else in the room was baffled.

I was repulsed by my knowledge and the ability to share it. I craved silence. I preferred silence. But, this had been our case for years and this had been my career even longer. I couldn’t help myself, although I felt the need to help Chem.

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