"Shit," Julie mumbled. "So we don't just have one problem on our hands. We have two?"
"At least," Rissa agreed. "But I know what that is. I know how to make it, and they should have asked me to design it." She paused to glance back to Sin. "I could make the whole thing better."
"And not conflict with the patent?" Zan asked.
Rissa nodded. "They discovered that chemical. It's much less efficient than designing it and planning out the reactions necessary to create it."
"Lemme get this straight," Sin said, pointing at his hand. "One shot, one time, and this is mine?"
"Yes."
"God works in mysterious ways," Trent breathed, his eyes locked on Rissa.
"Amen," both Davis and Julie added.
Sin just rubbed his hand across his mouth, trying to take that in. "What are the negative consequences?"
Rissa's eyes went distant as she thought about that. It didn't take long. "Increased desirability of body modifications. Potential for abuse."
"What abuse?"
"That formula?" Rissa indicated the one pasted on the screen. "The backside of the active section is a near-perfect match for dopamine."
"English, brainchild," Trent reminded her.
"It'll get the user high, and it's cheap to make."
"Hence the jackings. It's a fucking street drug." Sin yanked the elastic from his hair, letting it fall loose. "Riss, are you sure?"
"Positive."
"And you think he's going to use it at the church?"
She nodded. "Yes, someone is unless you find a way to stop them. I need to see the rest, but if they slip it to your…" She waved her hand, looking for the right word. "...followers? They will feel euphoria and then simply be cured of their need for anti-rejection medications."
Trent chuckled. "I'm starting to like her. Think we should keep her?"
"She doesn't believe in God," Sin reminded him.
Trent just shrugged. "She can't be perfect, and I'm pretty sure you can fix that." Sin glanced at his friend, and Trent looked back, feigning innocence. "I take confession for my brothers."
"Fuck off," Sin groaned. "And we all know Joshua is looking for any excuse to break us. He can't be blind to our suspicions."
"He could be," Rissa said. "Narcissism often has that effect."
"No, he used to be a Legate," Davis reminded her. "We're required to pay attention."
Zan shrugged and tapped at the screen, examining the molecule. "If what she's saying is right—and I have no reason to doubt her—then I think Sinclair's assignment might have been divine."
"You mean her?" Julie asked.
Zan looked at Sin, his face completely serious. "We've been stuck for a month, Sin. Clueless. We just got a fucking miracle in a very cute hoodie. Do not question His methods."
"But we can't really use her on a regular basis," Sin reminded him. "She's locked up in that damned hellhole, and getting her out will take some work, unless we all want to be on the run."
Which was when Rob returned, his hands filled with paper bags, the smell of food wafting in with him. "What did I miss?"
"Pretty much a miracle," Trent told him. "Davis, fill him in. Sin, we need to get your girl back. The rest of us? We need to do some serious planning, and Zan, that means you."
