“Well, just think about it for a second.If you gradually introduce trace amounts of chemicals that cause minor health issues, people become reliant on medications, supplements, air purifiers, water filtration systems.The same companies that create the contamination also sell the solutions.”
Miles found the theory disturbing but not entirely irrational.“You're saying they're creating markets for their own products by making people sick.”
“Not sick enough to die or even realize what's happening.Just enough to feel slightly unwell, slightly anxious, slightly dependent on consumer products that promise to make them feel better.”He shrugged and then said, in a conspiratorial tone: “Not too dissimilar from Big Pharma.You see it all the time with doctors, medicines, health insurance.”
Vic pulled out her phone, opening up the Notes app—another irregular trait Miles had noticed about her.“Can you account for your whereabouts over the past three days?”
“Of course.”Thompson moved to his desk and pulled out an appointment book.“Monday I taught three classes and had office hours until six.Tuesday I taught two classes and attended a faculty meeting.Yesterday I taught one class and spent the afternoon grading papers in my office.”
“And after work?”Miles asked.
“Monday… I was at home, watching the Nationals lose.Ordered Doordash from an Indian place.Tuesday, I went to a bar—Dietrich’s on Fifth—and took part in a poorly organized Trivia Night.And last night, home again.”
“Can anyone verify that?”
“My students, my colleagues, the department secretary.I'm not exactly invisible around here.But as for the time after work…I suppose the folks at the bar, but that’s about it.I’ve got proof of the Doordash order.”He shrugged, as if he didn’t seem all that worried about it.
Miles realized Thompson's alibis would be difficult to verify precisely, but the man's entire demeanor suggested someone dedicated to legitimate academic work rather than vigilante violence.It was just a hunch he felt in his gut.He wondered if that was a natural thing for people to feel while working in the field.It could be, but surely he hadn’t been doing this long enough for such an instinct to develop.
“Professor Thompson, the person we're looking for has sophisticated knowledge of fluorine chemistry,” Miles said.“They've created delivery systems that can be deployed through building ventilation systems and activated remotely.Not only that, but they’d need to know their way around the gas intimately in order to handle the doses they’re using.”
Thompson's expression grew troubled.“Honestly, that level of sophistication suggests someone with industrial experience, not just academic knowledge.Working with fluorine gas requires specialized equipment and extensive safety protocols.”
“What kind of equipment, do you think?”Vic asked.
“High-pressure containment vessels and remote handling systems, first of all.And then…well, there’d be specialized valves and regulators.Fluorine is incredibly reactive.It attacks most materials, including glass and metal.You’d need specialized alloys and protective coatings.”
Miles felt a surge of interest.He also saw a strange mix of passion and horror in Thompson’s eyes as he spoke—passionate about the topic, horrified that someone could be using it in such a deadly way.“Where would someone obtain that kind of equipment?”
“Industrial suppliers.But they keep careful records on purchases like fluorine handling equipment.It's heavily regulated.”Thompson paused, considering.“Unless they had access to an existing industrial facility.”
“Like a chemical plant?”Vic guessed.
“Or a research lab, a university chemistry department, even a government facility.Anywhere that already has the infrastructure for handling reactive gases.”
Vic made notes in her app as Thompson spoke.“What about the delivery method?Say you want to kill just one person, and you don’t want it to linger around and kill anyone else.How difficult would it be to figure out the right dose for that?”
“It would be technically challenging, but do-able if you know what you’re doing.Too little fluorine and it's ineffective.Too much and it becomes immediately obvious.And if these people were killed by it, I’m assuming it sort of… snuck up on them, right?”
“How do you mean?”Miles asked.
“Well, if it came all at once, it would be overpowering and you’d know something was wrong right away.But if it’s a slow release, you wouldn’t be as aware of it.The smell of it and the symptoms would come on slowly and then by the time you realize something is wrong, it’s far too late.”
“I’d say it was the latter in each case,” Miles said.
Thompson nodded grimly.“Then that suggests extensive testing and calculation.They've probably been practicing for months, maybe years.”
“Professor, is there anything else you can tell us about your work since leaving Meridian Chemical?”Vic asked.“Any other activities or interests?”
Thompson hesitated for a moment.Miles assumed he felt the finger was once again pointing at him.“I've been working with local community groups on environmental health education.Nothing high-profile, just trying to help people understand the chemical risks in their daily lives.”
“What kind of education?”
“Teaching residents how to identify potential contamination sources, how to advocate for better air quality monitoring, how to interpret water quality reports.Basic scientific literacy so people can protect themselves.”
Miles felt his suspicions about Thompson continuing to fade.“Why keep it low-profile?”
“After the media attention from my firing, I realized that being too visible attracts the wrong kind of attention.I'm more effective working quietly with people who genuinely want to learn.”
