Page 82 of Chemistry: The Chemist

“I’m aware. Inside your bag, you’ll find a very special tea. Have a cup and you’ll sleep for hours. Only a cup.”

Or half. Three o’clock is not very far away.

“Tea?”

“Get some rest, Choc.”

The line died without any more words exchanged.

Goodbye. With a groan, I made my way into the kitchen where I’d set the bag on the counter. Just as Chem had mentioned, there was a small tin of loose tea. I masked my excitement for the newest gift, prioritizing my health instead.

Without sleep, I’d be delirious. I needed the rest before I stepped foot outside of my door in anticipation of meeting my team. Their lives depended on my sharpness and so did mine.

I stared at the brand-new phone I’d placed on the counter beside the sink. It was then I realized the last phone he’d given me was no longer in my possession. He’d obviously gotten hold of it. Where it was now, I had no clue. Frankly, I didn’t care, either.

Save yourself while you can, I begged him, internally. Run.

The smell of fresh tea made my tastebuds tingle and my mouth moist. I heated water in the kettle on the stove and waited for it to begin steaming while I grabbed my favorite clear mug and a tea strainer. With both situated, I moved along my new list of things to do.

The black bag made a ruckus but eventually settled once I’d lifted the large black box from it. I loosened the bow around it, allowing it to fall onto the counter as I removed the top of the box. Paper and a dust bag covered a black, quilted bag with interlocking Cs on the flap.

I brushed my hand across the leather. The quality was impeccable. So was the man who’d purchased it. I removed the medium-sized bag and held it against my body. It was the perfect size.

The squealing kettle jarred me from whatever daydream I was in, prompting me to complete the task I’d started. I filled the tea strainer almost halfway and did the same for the cup. Honey was piled at the bottom of the glass before giving me a chance to stir it into the mixture. The purple mixture made it clear lavender was a key ingredient.

What am I going to do with you, Chem? I placed the warm glass to my lips and sipped slowly.

EIGHT

“Hey.” Macy greeted me as her arms encased my body.

Peeved by her closeness, I warned her it was too much at once. “Please, let go of me.”

Macy had joined us five years ago. Since she had been trying to prove a point that didn’t need to be proved. She wanted priority on our caseload and to be put into the field. Although she was ready because Jack knew this and kept her behind the desk, her jealous streak began. It hadn’t ended yet.

“You’re not alone, Johanson. Play the part. We’re sitting ducks until this meeting is over.”

Deciding the team’s safety was more important than my disdain, I curled my lips and accepted Macy’s embrace. We couldn’t confirm I was being tailed but we weren’t going to deny it, either.

We all knew who we were working with and their surveillance was heavy. Chem’s especially. If it wasn’t his eyes that were on me, there were eyes on me, nonetheless.

One after the other, we entered the unfamiliar home, still moving our mouths and smiling as if we were catching up. I tossed my head back in laughter just as I stepped inside. Macy closed and locked the door behind us.

She led me through the home, into the basement, and through a set of doors that opened in a long hallway. After a lengthy walk, we climbed stairs and ended up in a completely different basement of a completely different home. One that was two homes away from the one I’d entered.

“Seriously?” I sniggered, finding Jack and Bradford waiting.

My partner handed me a fresh cup of coffee and began. “Welcome to the makeshift bunker, Johanson. We have about fifteen minutes before our subject realizes no one is in the home you entered and gets suspicious due to the lack of movement inside.”

“Then, let’s get started,” I responded, sipping from the cup.

Mmm. It felt so good to have a thick, ceramic mug in my hand with freshly brewed coffee inside while chatting with the team.

“Johanson.”

“Jack,” I greeted the man who’d started it all, put together the team to close a case that would’ve forced anyone else at the firm to give up due to lack of evidence, leads, and breaks. But, patience had gotten us here, to a place I was both proud and apprehensive about.

“Alright. Here’s what we have,” Bradford began, swirling my sanity like a sandstorm in the desert.

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