Chapter 11
“From what I can tell, this device is using a highly unstable, dirty version of Oblivium,” Emily said. “It’s not as clean and lacks efficiency. Yields will be considerably lower. The rapid decay will limit the useful life of the device.”
“You mean it will lose potency over time,” I said.
“Yes. Unless they can clean it up and stabilize it or get their hands on true Oblivium. That’s not going to happen. Trust me, that is highly secure.”
“So somebody cooked this stuff up in a bathtub?” an ATF agent asked.
“Sort of. It’s a little more complicated than that and would take superconductors and cryogenic chambers.”
“We’re dealing with someone who has advanced knowledge and skills, along with resources,” I said. “Potentially access to classified information.”
“Yes.”
Thompson said, “We’re looking at everyone at DRI with knowledge of or access to Oblivium.”
“I did publish a graduate paper detailing the theoretical possibility of quantum pulse technology a few years ago,” Emily admitted. “It’s possible that paper has influenced the perpetrator.”
“This guy is not stupid,” I said. “He had to anticipate the analysis of the device. It’s almost like he handed it to us.”
“Sometimes these assholes are egomaniacs,” Thompson said.
“Maybe he wanted us to know what he’s capable of.
Why else would he play these games? He could have just blown up the pizza joint.
He likes the attention. The feeling of superiority.
” He paused, then motioned to me. “Deputy Wild is our point of contact with the scumbag. It shouldn’t be hard to put a profile together on the perp.
Let’s track purchases of everything needed to synthesize bathtub Oblivium.
Let’s figure out who this guy is and put a stop to it. ”
Chatter erupted as the meeting ended.
JD and I pushed away from the table and meandered through the crowd to Emily after she answered a few questions from other agents.
She gave me an intrigued look as we approached.
Dare I say there might have been a thin smile on her face.
“I was briefed on your actions yesterday. Impressive. Brave. Perhaps stupid.”
I chuckled. “We make the best choices we can with the information available.”
“And to think you were out last night casually having a drink as if nothing happened.”
“Life goes on.” I introduced her to Jack, and the two shook hands.
"I didn't figure you for a designer of weapons of mass destruction," I said.
She sighed. "Well, I don't think that was the original intention. But here we are. This technology is revolutionary. Imagine if we could completely eliminate the threat of nuclear war.”
"By replacing it with this?”
"I'd rather not see the world become an uninhabitable blob of radioactive fallout.”
"Seems like this kind of weapon at scale could do the same amount of damage.”
"Pick your poison, Deputy. At least with these kinds of weapons, there's a chance to rebuild afterward.”
I couldn't argue with that. "Looks like we'll be working together on this project. Perhaps we should exchange numbers.”
She gave me a curious look.
"For professional reasons, of course.” I dug into my pocket and handed her a card.
"I'll keep this handy in case I need it,” she said as she took it. She didn’t offer her number.
"So, when's the wedding?”
She gave me a confused look, then snapped to it. “Oh. Uh, I don’t know. We're still courting."
"How long have you been courting?”
She cleared her throat. "Three years.”
"What's the holdup? Is it you or him?" Then I muttered. "How crazy are you?”
Her brow knitted. "I am not crazy.”
"So it's him? Not ready to settle down?”
"I think we’re still getting to know each other.”
"Smart, beautiful women such as yourself don't stay on the market long."
"I'm not on the market. I'm not a commodity that can be traded.”
I smiled, watching her get riled up. "Well, he seems like a great guy," I said, trying not to sound too insincere.
"He is," she said, coming to his defense. "He's a great catch, and any woman would be lucky to have a man like that," she said, mostly to convince herself.
"Well, congratulations.”
"I don't see how this conversation is in any way relevant to our work. I would prefer if we kept our discussions professional from here on out, if you don't mind.”
"Of course. Just making small talk.”
"I’m not a fan of small talk. It's mostly a waste of time, wouldn't you agree?”
I smiled again. “Yes. Direct and to the point is better.”
There was an awkward silence.
“I should be getting back to the lab.”
“Thank you for the debrief. It was nice to see you again,” I said.
"You're welcome. I'm sure we’ll be in touch," she said before stepping away to say a few words to Special Agent Thompson. She ducked out of the conference room afterward.
"She seems a little socially awkward," JD said. "She needs to get out more.”
I laughed.
We talked to the sheriff for a bit, then Thompson approached. "I want you to come up with a list of everyone you know, every perp you’ve put away, anyone you've interacted with that might have the necessary skills. There's a good chance this guy has singled you out for a reason.”
I shrugged. "I thought the reason was obvious. He wants to go up against the best."
I said it just to get under his skin, and it did.
He took a deep breath, and his jaw tensed. He stifled his urge to snap back. "Careful, Deputy. Pride cometh before the fall.”
Thompson stepped away and rejoined his fellow agents. They had a little huddle before leaving the conference room.
When the room cleared, the sheriff said, "Please find the perp,” he begged. “The sooner, the better. The less I have to deal with Thompson, the better.”
We were all in agreement on that point.
JD and I left the station and headed up to Oyster Avenue to grab lunch. We chowed down at Totally Tubular and kicked around theories.
Isabella called during the meal. "I found something. I don't know if you’ll agree, but it's interesting.”
“I'm listening.”