And standing beside the gas chamber, holding what appeared to be a remote trigger device, was Daniel Crawford.
He was smaller than Miles had expected.Maybe five-foot-eight, thin build, thinning brown hair.He wore khakis and a button-down shirt, like he was heading to a job interview.When he saw them, he smiled as if he were greeting longtime friends.
“Federal agents, I presume?”Crawford's voice was calm, almost conversational.“I always figured I’d be found out eventually.But notthissoon.Congratulations on finding me.Very impressive work.”
Vic kept her weapon trained on him.“Drop the device and step away from the equipment.”
“I'm afraid I can't do that.”Crawford held up the trigger, a small black box with a single red button.“This activates the purification chamber behind me.One press and this entire basement fills with fluorine gas.Highly concentrated, as I’m sure you both know by now.Death would be quick but very painful.Youmightmake it back to the stairs, but that would be it.”
Miles felt a chill run through him.“Why are you doing this?”
Crawford's smile widened.“Oh, I was selected, believe it or not!My background and knowledge of the gas and chemical reactions made me a perfect fit.”
“And who selected you?”Vic asked.
Crawford looked confused for a moment, his hand wavering on the device for just a single moment.“You… you mean you don’t know?”
“Who?”Miles roared.
“The Elementalist, of course.I happen to be one of his most devoted students, actually.I've had the privilege of studying under his guidance for nearly three years.”
“Who is the Elementalist?”Miles demanded.
“A visionary.A teacher who understands the fundamental corruption that plagues our world.”Crawford's eyes took on an almost religious fervor.“He showed me how synthetic chemicals poison everything they touch.How people spread molecular contamination through their research and development.”
Miles felt rage building in his chest.“My fiancée was one of the people you killed.”
Crawford seemed surprised, but in a delighted sort of way.“Oh…oh my.I’m terribly sorry about that.Nothing personal, of course.Or maybe it was.Maybe the Elementalist knew you were looking into me and added her name to the list on purpose.Which one was she?”
Miles stepped forward, closer to Crawford as he made fists with both hands.“You killed her in her home.Elena.”
“Oh, yes!The most recent.She was creating synthetic compounds that would alter human brain chemistry.Artificial molecules designed to interfere with natural processes.”Crawford shook his head sadly.“She was one of the most dangerous individuals I was assigned to eliminate.”
“How many?”Vic asked.“How many people has The Elementalist had killed?”
“Dozens.All across the country.Each death is carefully planned and executed by devoted followers who understand the necessity of purification.”Crawford looked proud.“I’m quite proud to be part of it.”
Miles felt something snap inside him.The confirmation that Elena's death wasn't random, that she'd been specifically targeted, hit him like a physical blow.But he forced himself to stay calm.To think.They could still get information out of Crawford.If they pushed hard enough, maybe they could even get a name for this so-called Elementalist.
“Does The Elementalist know who I am?”Miles asked.“Was Elena targeted because I was tracking down his minions?Because I helped stop his little soldier in San Francisco?”
Crawford tilted his head, considering.“I honestly have no idea.My instructions were simply to eliminate sources of molecular contamination in the DC area.Elena's pharmaceutical work made her a natural target.”As Crawford spoke, Miles noticed a workbench to his left covered with tools.Screwdrivers, pliers, measuring devices.He shifted slightly, moving closer while keeping his attention focused on Crawford.“The gold murders in San Francisco… Diana Hartwell.That was you?”
“It was both of us,” Vic said.“And now we’re going to bring you in, too.”
“Not if I activate this fluorine.I am fully prepared to die if I need to.I have a list of at least five more to kill, but I have done enough to spread the message.To make sure the world sees and knows.”
Miles's hand brushed against the workbench.His fingers closed around a small screwdriver, maybe six inches long with a sharp metal tip.He palmed it, keeping it hidden.“Did you write the letters or was that someone else?”
“That was me.I wrote them and left them…hoping the authorities might understand.But here we are…my words gone to waste.”
"That was no explanation.That was taunting."
Crawford shrugged and then went on as if he was uninterested in the letters.“You know, I studied Diana’s methods extensively,” he continued.“The Elementalist shared video recordings of her work.Educational materials for those of us still learning our craft.”
The casual way Crawford talked about murder, about Elena's death, made Miles feel sick.But he forced himself to keep listening, to keep moving incrementally closer.
“You're insane,” Vic said.“All of you.This isn't purification, it's just murder.You have to see that.”
