Kat measured the chemical additive.Using the dropper, she carefully added it to what was already in the glass beaker, praying she didn’t pull a Todd and blow herself up in the process.
The compound she’d created wasn’t the same as the one he’d used. Unfortunately, Todd hadn’t been kind enough to include those in the grocery list from hell he’d put together for Bukhari. So she’d improvised.
After the jerk had finished beating on her in the hallway, Kat had picked herself up—having refused Walker’s offer to assist—and painfully hobbled her way back here to the lab.
Oddly, it was the only space in the entire building she actually felt safe. Sort of. It probably had to do with how familiar it all was. Crazed murderer aside, Bukhari had done an excellent job of recreating her home away from home.
The throbbing in her head and ribs were a sharp reminder she was most definitely not at home. Familiar or not, Kat was more than ready to get the hell out of here. One way or another.
When Bukhari had been hitting and kicking her, she’d felt hopeless. Ready to give up any thoughts of escaping. She’d silently cursed fate for putting her here. Then she’d cursed the bitch even more for causing Todd’s wife to get sick.
If she hadn’t, he may never have been a pawn in this horrifying game. Her co-workers would most likely still be alive, and maybe…just maybe, she wouldn’t be here.
That thought led to memories of the explosion, and those led her to where she was now. Or, rather…what she was doing.
Memories from that day had sparked an idea. One with terrifying consequences. But she refused to give those any thought, because at this point, they were moot.
Kat believed Bukhari when he moved the deadline for the serum to tomorrow. She also believed he’d make good on his promise to go after the members of Bravo Team if she didn’t follow through. Knew, without a doubt, the cold-blooded man would kill Matt as a result of her inaction.
She was left with no other choice.
Pushing past the pain, Kat had come back in here and had gone straight to work. Not making the serum as she’d been ordered. Like hell she’d give a man like him something that could help him and his crooked army.
Instead she’d remembered one of the first formulas they’d tested. One that had failed miserably. It wasn’t harmful to the human body, but it wasn’t helpful, either. A person may as well inject saline into their system for all the effect it had.
So that’s what Kat had spent the night creating. She’d filled dozens of vials with the worthless drug praying Bukhari was stupid enough to believe it was the real thing. If only she could inject his dumbass with the worthless shit.
It was a scene she’d played over and over in her mind as the night had gone on. Had imagined making the man think he was momentarily invincible, right before she jabbed him in the throat with something long…and very sharp.
While she’d always believed every person’s life was of value, this experience had taught her a hard life lesson. Some people truly did deserve to die.
Kat continued to work on the final touches to what she hoped would be her way out. Her plan was to wait for the right moment, and then boom! Bukhari would go up in flames. She just hoped like hell she didn’t go with him.
She walked over to the counter at the far end of the room to retrieve the final ingredient. Grabbing it, Kat was half-way between the back wall and where it was when the door to the lab swung open.
Speak of the devil.
“Time’s up.” Bukhari stormed toward her.
“What?” Kat shook her head, doing her best not to run for the compound. She had to add the final chemical in order for it to work, but if he suspected she was up to something, he’d most likely beat her again. Or worse.
“Y-you said I had until tomorrow.” She continued walking casually to where she needed to be.
“Close enough.” He eyed the vials on the back counter. “Is this it?” His dark eyes lit up. “Is it complete?”
“Mostly.” Kat nodded. “I’d still like to run a few tests. Make sure it works like it’s supposed to.”
“Agreed,” Bukhari nodded. He picked up one of the vials before removing a syringe from his pocket. This one complete with a needle. He flicked off the plastic tip and began filling the small tube with the fake serum.
Kat’s heart raced wildly in her chest. Her mind raced with so many questions. How would he test it?Whowould he test it on?
If he purposely injured himself, he’d realize almost instantly it wasn’t the real thing. He’d kill her for sure.
Bukhari walked over to her with the syringe.
“Y-you shouldn’t test it on yourself. There could be side-effects we aren’t aware of. Everyone’s system is different, and your body’s DNA makeup could reject—”
Bukhari’s laugh interrupted her rambling thoughts. “Oh, I’m not going to test it on myself.” He nodded to someone behind her and Kat whipped her head around to see Walker had entered the lab.
