Chemical Attraction (7 page)

She shut her book. “Breakfast will be ready at seven-thirty sharp. If you’re staying in, please lock the doors.”

“Okay, sure. Are you feeling all right?”

“Good night, Joseph.” She sighed and left the room.

Now, he felt like shit. He thought she liked his humor; she’d given him a hard time yesterday. Back in the Blue Room, he saw Madeline leaning against his headboard. She had taken out her ponytail; her hair fell over her shoulders. Her long bare legs stretched out along his bed. He watched her cross her ankles. Damn, he wanted her. Get your head straight, he told himself. He kicked off his Reeboks and plopped into the chair. His mood soured; he hated hurting the people he cared for.

“I think she’s upset with me for teasing her.”

“For teasing? Are you sure?”

Tiptoeing down the hallway, Sylvia heard voices inside. Smiling, she knocked hard on the door.

“Yes?” Joe asked slowly.

“Joseph, ask Madeline if she’s staying for breakfast?” She tried not to laugh.

A few seconds later, he replied, “No, she has to work early.”

“Okay, just remember my room is above this one,” she replied with a snort. She heard Joseph’s hearty laughter. That’s payback, she thought. That’ll teach that little playboy; he can’t get anything by her.

As Joe continued to laugh, Madeline pulled her knees up and seductively curved her body onto her side. She propped herself up with her elbow. “Stop that,” he said.

She smiled. “Stop what?”

Groaning, he paced the room. “Business,” he said, glaring at her. “Do you want something to drink?”

“Iced tea is fine.”

He unlocked the door. He returned with two mugs of iced tea and sat back in the chair. “Are you ready to explain the details of why I’m here?”

After taking a deep swig of her drink, she set it on the bedside table. “A few months ago, while my assistant was on vacation, I had to sign-off on our lab supplies. Being neurotically thorough, I cross-referenced the order sheet with the actual items. The undelivered item on the list was hydroiodic acid.”

“So there was a mistake?” he asked, slurping his tea.

“It was a huge mistake. First, I didn’t order hydroiodic acid. We don’t even use it in our lab. Secondly, I checked past orders. It was on those lists, but never delivered. Since my department’s charged for supplies, I called materials management. They blew it off saying they’d take care of it. It irritated me that it was for such a massive order. I asked a friend from another department if they had that problem. He laughed and said their department has mysteriously ordered iodine in bulk for years. Since it wasn’t in their monthly department expense account, they figured it was just a computer error.”

He propped his feet on the corner of the bed. “Were you charged for it?”

“No, but I asked a couple other departments. Each had different bulk items that they chalked up to computer error. The other items were ephedrine, lithium, red phosphorus, and anhydrous ammonia.”

He sat up in his chair. “Those are raw materials for making meth. How could that go undetected?”

“I don’t know,” Madeline replied.

“When congress passed the Methamphetamine Control Act in 1996, it was supposed to red flag the buying of these key chemicals. What have you found that the DEA hasn’t?”

“Joe, we’re a research facility. We can order hydroiodic acid without detection in any quantity and stay under the radar. The fact is that all those chemicals as individuals can be used for medicine and medical research.”

He gave her his full attention. “Like what?”

“Well, lithium is used for bi-polar disorders; anhydrous ammonia tests liver dysfunction; and iodine treats goiter and other thyroid conditions. When individually ordered by different departments, it shows legitimate uses, but when they don’t use or even order the products, it makes you wonder.”

“Let me get this straight. Each has a justifiable reason for use in a medical research facility. Those departments never actually ordered the items and they still showed up on the purchase invoices, but they’re not delivered. Where do the supplies go?”

“I don’t know,” she replied.

“Do you suspect the company is ordering the chemicals to make meth?”

“I have no proof. It’s just a theory. We’re supposedly ordering fifteen gallons of each chemical every two weeks. It suggests an extensive operation, not just the typical mom and pop meth lab. With the raw materials, the meth process skips steps, making it easier to produce. I thought you guys would be interested,” she replied, sitting back.

“Depending on how long this has been going on, we’re talking about millions if not billions of dollars.” He stood and paced. “Well, the proof would be with materials management, right?”

She nodded. “They have a master supply list and shipping manifests. Getting those would be a start. The supply list would show the bulk chemicals ordered and the manifest would show the delivery of those actual items.”

“What’s their security like?” he asked, impressed by her knowledge and instincts.

She reached for her iced tea with her left hand and used her right to wipe the condensed wetness off the tabletop. She took a mouthful, swallowed, and sighed. “They have cameras all over the place. The front desk has four screens that they flip through to any area, but security has a room with monitors for every camera.”

He continued to walk the six steps from one side of the room to the other. “They have cameras in materials management?”

“That department has three. If it weren’t for the cameras, I’d walk down there and make copies of the lists. They hang on a clipboard out in the open. There’s even a copier in an alcove next to it,” she said, crunching her ice.

“Where are the cameras placed?” he asked, clenching his jaw at her distractions.

She grinned. “One picks up the clipboards and the hallway. There’s one at the gated door, overlooking the supply room, and the other is directly across from the copier. I have no idea how to get to it by myself.”

He looked at everything in the room, but Madeline stretched out on his bed. He struggled against temptation. “A lot of people work in that area?”

“Four guys are in and out of the department throughout the day except for lunch. Between noon and one, they eat in the cafeteria and leer at women.”

He moved the blue lace curtain to the side and looked at the empty street. In the window’s reflection, he watched Madeline position herself across his bed onto her abdomen. She bent her knees, putting her feet in the air. He turned back around as she propped her head on her hands. He kicked his shoe across the room and watched it thump into the door. Frustrated, he plopped into the chair, folded his arms, and stared at her.

“Why are you doing that?” he finally asked.

She smiled. “Are you mad at me? Your body language says you are.”

“You want fun, huh?” She squealed as he leapt across the bed toward her. When she tried to roll away, he pinned her beneath him. As he hovered over her, he gently moved a strand of her hair away from her face. “I told you. You are too damn tempting.”

Lowering only his head, he kissed her. The bolt of lightning shot through him again and, God, he liked it. She squeezed his biceps, making him instantly hard. Her kisses seared his lips. He was definitely playing with fire. As he slowly lowered his body, they heard pounding on the ceiling.

“I better go,” Madeline whispered as she tried to catch her breath.

Suddenly aware of his position, he scrambled to get up. “God, I’m sorry. I’ll walk you home.”

Damn, how could he be so irresponsible? He had worked with many women over the years and had always kept it strictly professional. Now, he was compromising not only his mission and career but her life as well. He vigorously ran his hands through his hair.

Too many distractions could hinder an investigation. He had learned that lesson early from his father’s actions as a detective. His extramarital affairs with the women he investigated had created havoc. His father took his frustrations from work out on his family and blamed them for his troubles. His lies increased until a woman died because of his carelessness. Joe swore that would not happen to him. He had worked too hard to get where he was.

“I’m the one who’s sorry, Joe,” she replied, smoothing down her skirt. She stared at the floor. “That was my fault.”

He cupped her face to make her look up at him. “Madeline, you’re intelligent and beautiful with a killer body. For as much as I want you in that bed, I have to do my job first. When this assignment is over, I’ll be coming after you.”

“Is that a promise?”

“Oh yeah.”

“Are you saying we only kiss in public?”

Nodding, he sighed. “You and I will be making out in front of the cameras tomorrow.”

“Like a magician’s slight of hand?” she asked.

“Exactly.” He opened his dresser drawer. He pulled out two long sleeve cotton shirts and handed her one. He then clipped his gun in its holster to his side. “It’s getting cooler out there and we have to take every precaution, starting now.”

“AMT Hardballer handgun,” she stated. “I suppose you think it’s named after you.”

He shot her a look as she laughed. He loved his gun. He’d had it since college and, yeah, that’s what he said about it.

They walked down the well-lit street and stopped at the street-level door of the old downtown building. Taking her key, he unlocked it, then, stepping through, headed to the top of the stairs. “Every precaution.”

Madeline followed him down the short, narrow hall on the right, which led to two doors. Her apartment in the back faced the riverfront while the other apartment overlooked the downtown area. He scanned the inside. She had one wide loft-style room with a bathroom. Her queen-size bed with a striped green comforter and matching pillows looked inviting next to her large windows.

A cool breeze came through the screens as he checked out the view of the river and iron bridge. The fire escape next to her window continued to the roof. Turning back, he saw an oversized chair with a table lamp and a small square dining table with two wooden chairs. Her open kitchen consisted of a few cupboards and an island with storage space.

“You need to keep these windows locked. I’ll see you at eleven-forty.” He quickly left the lilac-scented loft. It would be a long night.

Alone in her loft, Madeline sat on her bed and bit her thumbnail. His simple plan could work. The best-case scenario was to kiss, make copies, and get out. The worst case was to get caught and fired.
She felt herself clawing to get out of that deep narrow pit. The cold muddy water rose to her waist. A few clods of dirt crumbled on top of her head. The mud suctioned her feet like cement.

To keep the panic down, she focused on Joe and his kisses. His rock hard body and soft lips sent a thrilling shock through her system. Her body craved more. She stared at the ceiling for most of the night.

MONDAY

IN HIS DARK BLUE UNIFORM, Matt walked into the kitchen and poured coffee into his mug. While David grabbed his lunch from the refrigerator and an ice pack from the freezer, Eva sipped her coffee. “Honey, do you want to go back into the fields?” she asked.

“I’m not a baby. And it’s my job.”

She sighed and Matt continued. “David, are you sure you’re ready? I can make a call.”

“God, first she’s asking me, now you. I’m fine. I’ll be back whenever.” David threw his snack packs into his cooler and slammed his feet into his boots. He hit the screen door on the way out.

Watching the double-hinged door swing back and forth, Eva frowned. Matt followed his son out the door. After starting the engine, David backed out of the garage. Matt motioned for him to stop.

“What now?” David asked, putting the car in park.

“Turn off the engine. First, you do not refer to your mother as ‘she’. And second, I want to know why you’ve been so mean to her lately.”

“The guys keep saying stuff about how hot she is. I can’t take it anymore,” he replied, staring at the steering wheel.

“What’s that got to do with how you treat her?”

“I know, but …” David started.

Matt’s hand rested on the top of the doorframe. “But what? Your attitude is hurting her. Is that what you want to do?”

“No, I’m sorry.” David gripped the wheel. “It’s just … I don’t know.”

“You need to figure out your attitude, because you’re taking it out on the wrong person.”

“I gotta go, Dad. I don’t want to be late.”

Matt stepped back from the car. “Think about what I said, and apologize.”

Back in the house, he found his wife in the bedroom looking for her shoes. She loved David as her own, but she tried too hard to be his friend. Matt thought she gave in to their son too much.

Matt opened his arms to her. “He’s not mad at you. He’s an emotional teenager.”

She nodded. Her ear pressed against him to hear his heartbeat. She remembered growing up in a household where her mom didn’t give a damn. Her mom’s boyfriends gave her more attention. Finding a safe haven with Joe, she thought of Taylor’s parents as hers. They were much older and understood their needs. She wanted to be there for David as Taylor’s parents had been for her. They always made it seem easy, but she now realized how she had tested their patience.

“Will you drop me off at work?” she asked.

“You bet. Will you have time for lunch later?”

“With you, of course.”

In Matt’s patrol car, she pulled out a pair of nylons from between the seats. “These better be mine.”

He tossed them into a corner of the garage. “I don’t want to explain to the guys why I have nylons in my squad car. Did you leave anything else in here?”

“I will later,” she said with a wink.

“Our garbage can and screen door couldn’t take it again.” He stopped in the hospital’s circular drive.

She leaned over and kissed him. “Please, be careful.”

“I love you, too.”

Frustrated with his lack of sleep, Joe threw back the sheet. Running his hands through his hair, he sighed. In his grey boxer briefs, he reached for his shaving kit. After peeking out first, he strolled down the hall. Sylvia came out of the kitchen. To his embarrassment, she looked him up and down.

“What did I tell you about walking around like that?”

“It’s a quarter to seven. I didn’t think you’d be up yet,” he replied, trying to hide behind his kit.

“Did Madeline leave already?”

“I walked her home last night. Can we discuss this after I shower and dress?”

She chuckled. “I’ll make some coffee.”

Twenty minutes later, he walked into the kitchen wearing a faded pair of Levis and a tight pale yellow t-shirt. Sylvia started to get up from the table, but he motioned for her to stay seated. After refilling her cup, he then filled one for himself.

“For the record, we only kissed,” he said as he sat across from her.

“I believe you. Do you think you need my permission?” she asked, adding cream to her cup.

“No, but I get the feeling she doesn’t want to disappoint you.”

“Madeline’s her own woman. She had to learn that the hard way, I’m afraid.”

“What do you mean?”

“In college, her boyfriend severely beat her,” Sylvia said, wrapping her hands around her mug.

“What happened?”

She shook her head. “I really don’t know, but her father said she deserved it.”

“Jeez, why would he say that?”

“Because he’s a bastard just like that man she dated. Well, she vowed never to rely on anyone again and graduated early with her doctorate. Afterward, she disappeared for three months. When she arrived in Allenton, she was a new woman with a new job and purpose.”

“How had she changed?”

“Well, she’s more confident and in charge of her life.”

“Where’d she go?”

“I asked a few times, but she wouldn’t say.”

He held his coffee mug close to his mouth. “Why are you telling me all of this?”

“Because as wild and outgoing as Madeline thinks she is, I still see that fragile young woman.” Sylvia pushed back her chair. “Now, how about some bacon and eggs for breakfast?”

Madeline walked through the front entrance of Bennett Technology’s Research and Development building, the largest structure within a mile of the downtown area. Signing in with security, she hoped that her genuine friendliness over the years would pay off today. She and June LaValley had started working the same week and had lunch together often. They bonded through their orientation into the large and intimidating company. She had tried for years to get June to call her by her first name. June would say that even though she thought of her as a friend, she also respected her as the only high-ranking woman scientist in an all-boys club. In public, it was Dr. Pierce.

“Hey, June, how did Trevor do in tee-ball?”

“Hi, Dr. Pierce. He had a hit,” she replied.

“Good for him. Hey, Roger.” She waved to the other guard. He smiled back as he signed in employees. “June, I need to fill out a visitor’s pass for a friend. He’ll be stopping by for lunch.” She stepped closer to June and away from the sign-in sheet, so other researchers could get through.

“Sure, anyone I know?” she asked, reaching for the form.

“No, he’s a guy I just started dating. He wants to see where I work. He’s not too bright, but wait ‘til you see him. I thought I’d give him a tour.”

“Is he cute?” June whispered.

She signed the form. “Oh yeah, hardcore body with stunning green eyes.”

“I can’t wait. I’ll page you when he gets here.”

Madeline left the desk and immediately exhaled. It would be a long morning.

Allenton’s health campus consisted of a small hospital and a medical office building with emergency services connecting the areas. The Occupational Health department of the hospital, where Eva worked, situated itself next to Emergency. The two departments shared the large waiting room.

OccHealth provided pre-employment physicals, drug screens, and treatment for work-related injuries to area businesses. For the community, they organized the flu clinics as well as TB tests and Hepatitis B shots. The department’s biggest customer, BennTech, had been hiring maintenance workers and support staff, so their department had a busy schedule with physicals and drug screens.

Betty Severy and Amanda Sturgis sat at a long desk behind the sliding safety glass windows. Occasionally, Matt or the sheriff brought in an injured, irate prisoner who’d try to leave through any means possible.

“Good morning Eva,” Betty, the chubby blonde, said as Amanda looked up from a chart.

“That party was wild. So what’s the scoop on Madeline and your brother?” Amanda asked.

After setting her purse in the back room, Eva pulled her lab coat off the hanger. “They came to our barbecue together yesterday. I think they’ll be joined at the hip while Joe’s here.”

Amanda fanned herself with a chart. “Only at the hip, I could think of better places to be joined.”

Betty laughed. “Can you get him to stop by for a visit?” Single, young, and horny, both gals had little else on their minds.

“I’ll see if he’ll stop over for lunch sometime this week,” Eva replied, looking at the day’s schedule.

As a physician’s assistant, Eva performed the pre-employment physicals and treated work-related injuries. Amanda’s job entailed the initial weight, height, blood pressure, and eye exams. She also proctored the urine screens, which tested for specific drugs like amphetamines, marijuana metabolites, methadone, and opiates. The occupational physician, Dr. Ellis, reviewed work injuries and then told Eva what he wanted done. He was odd, but so were most of the doctors around here. He also liked working as the M.E. with the sheriff, the probable reason for his unfriendliness. He had the same gaunt look as his patients in the morgue.

Eva spent most of the morning giving physicals to men who hoped the various companies would hire them. She checked eyes, nose, and throat, then listened to the lungs and heart. Most men felt uncomfortable when they had to drop, turn, and cough, but a few enjoyed showing off their package. She didn’t understand why, they didn’t have much.

Amanda did the drug screens for the physicals in addition to other walk-ins from the smaller businesses that would send in employees for a random drug screen and sometimes a breath alcohol test. With Amanda busy in the lab and Betty on the phone, Eva slid the window open as the young guy stared.

“Uh, I’m here to take a piss test.” He leaned on one leg, then the other. “Um, how long does this take?” He twitched and shifted.

“Not long, I need a photo ID, and you have paperwork to fill out.” She took his driver’s license and made a copy. After closing the window, she leaned over to Betty. “I’m so glad he’s not here for a physical. He’s filthy and smells.”

Amanda came down the hallway carrying a chart. She slapped it down on the counter. “Is it a full moon? We’ve had some really bizarre people in today.”

“It’s getting freakier. That guy’s here for you.” Betty nodded to the twitchy man holding the clipboard and unsuccessfully hiding something in his pants.

Amanda snorted. “I am not touching him.”

“He’s only here for a drug screen,” Betty replied.

“Thank God, but why is he sitting like that? No, don’t tell me. He’s got something hidden in his jeans. I am not in the mood for this.”

Amanda took Sam Turley back to the open lab. When he came out of the drug screen bathroom, she looked at the temperature strip on the full cup. “I can’t accept this specimen. It’s not within the temperature range. It’s too cold.”

“What do you mean? I just pissed.”

“You can have a seat in the waiting room until you can go again. There are vending machines with pop if you need the extra help.”

“I am not going to wait and do this again.” He kicked the base of the sink cabinet.

“We’re required to report the cold specimen to your employer.”

“No, you won’t.” He shoved her hard against the counter.

Overhearing the exchange, Eva walked into the area. She grabbed his hand and bent it backward, bringing him to his knees. As he started screaming obscenities, she bent his arm behind him farther. The move forced him facedown on the lab floor. Taking her left foot, she placed it between his shoulder blades so her pointed heel dug into his back if he moved.

“Sir, you have just assaulted my assistant. Amanda, please call Matt and ask him to come over here.”

Seven minutes later, Matt strolled into the lab to see his petite wife pressing her left heel into a now subdued six-foot tall guy. “Hi, honey, what’s new?”

“Hey, baby.” Smiling, she dropped her hold and lifted her foot off the guy. “This man assaulted my assistant because he had a cold specimen.”

He folded his arms. “I see. Do you still need the drug screen?”

“No, he’s all yours.”

The guy moaned on the floor and tried to work the feeling into his arm and shoulder.

“I’ll pick you up after we process him and get our own drug screen. Let’s go, buddy.” Matt helped him up and cuffed him.