Dr. Taylor's eyes flickered with a mix of amusement and calculation as Sophia and Reed entered the interrogation room. She sat calmly, her posture relaxed, but there was a sharpness in her gaze that belied her outward demeanor.
"Ah, Dr. Ellis, Detective Reed," Dr. Taylor greeted them, her voice smooth and composed. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"
Sophia's jaw clenched, her eyes narrowing. "We need the antidote, Dr. Taylor. The one you created for the neurotoxin that's killing Alex."
Dr. Taylor's lips curved into a sly smile. "Ah, the antidote. Such a valuable commodity, wouldn't you agree? and saying that I created the toxin, that's a completely baseless and unfair accusation"
Reed's voice was firm. "We know you have the information we need. Alex's life is on the line."
Dr. Taylor's gaze flickered to the locket in Sophia's hand, a glint of recognition in her eyes. "Ah, the locket. A sentimental piece, I see. Given to you by my son, Liam, I presume?"
"We're not here to play games, Dr. Taylor," Reed said, his tone steely. "Tell us how or where to get the antidote and we can make this easier for everyone."
Dr. Taylor leaned back in her chair, a smirk playing on her lips. "Oh, but where's the fun in that, Detective? I have an offer for you instead."
Sophia's brow furrowed, a sense of unease settling in her stomach. "What kind of offer?"
Dr. Taylor's eyes gleamed with a dark humor. "The locket, My release, and full immunity from any future investigations in exchange for the antidote. A fair trade, wouldn't you say?"
Reed's jaw clenched, his gaze unwavering. "We can't make deals with you, Dr. Taylor. Alex's life is at stake. I'd hate for things to escalate but we can do this the hard way if you don't cooperate"
Dr. Taylor's smile widened, a glint of malice in her eyes. " I'd love to see you try. The hard way? how original. You don't prioritize Alex's safety as much as you claim, Detective"
With a final smirk, Dr. Taylor leaned back in her chair, the challenge clear in her gaze. Sophia and Reed exchanged a tense glance, the weight of the decision heavy on their shoulders.
"What's so special about this locket anyway? why would your son give it up if you wanted it so bad?" sophia inquired.
Dr. Taylor's eyes glinted, but she said nothing at first. After a pause, she gave a small, chilling smile. "I'll only say this much, certain things hold value beyond the obvious and some items are worth more than anything you could imagin especially in the right hands."
"So this is your little plan huh, Dr quasa releases the neurotoxin, someone gets infected, we come back begging you for the antidote which you're conveniently trading with the things you need. is your goal really what sacrificing Dr quasar's life and potentially others?" Reed's voice dipped with Venom.
Dr Taylor's amusement was palpable. "Do you really believe that the Toxin was Dr Quasar's cause of death? shouldn't you be asking yourself why Alex is still alive? you're not as smart as I think Detective"
Reed's eyes met with Sophia's and for a moment, the air was thick with unspoken words.
Sophia's eyes flickered with a mix of desperation and resolve but Reed looked like a storm brewing, his jaw clenched, his stare fixed on the woman before them.
After a moment of silence, Reed turned to Sophia, speaking just above a whisper, "We need to talk. Outside."
Sophia hesitated, glancing at Dr. Taylor, who smirked knowingly, then nodded. Following Reed out of the room, she kept her head low, the weight of Alex's fate pressing on her shoulders. Once they were in the hallway, away from prying ears, Reed's calm demeanor cracked.
"Sophia, we can't do this," he said, his voice laced with tension. "Granting her demands? Immunity, release, for what? She's dangerous! You know it as well as I do, she's not only behind this neurotoxin, but she's also likely involved with the Ravenswood killer."
Sophia's eyes flashed with determination. "I know she's dangerous, Reed, but what other choice do we have? Alex doesn't have time. You saw him, he's deteriorating. If Dr. Taylor has the antidote, we need to do whatever it takes to get it."
Reed ran a hand through his hair, pacing in frustration. "But at what cost, Sophia? We let her walk free, and she could unleash something even worse than this. Immunity means she gets away with everything. the toxin, her ties to Liam and his crimes, maybe even worse. You know what she's capable of."
Sophia took a steadying breath, her face resolute. "I do know. But I also know that Alex's life is on the line right now, not tomorrow, not someday. If we don't save him, we've failed. Dr. Taylor has us cornered Reed, she has the one thing we need, and that means she's in control whether we like it or not. I'm not willing to risk Alex's life over some ideal of justice."
Reed's mouth twisted, a bitter edge to his words. "And what about the people she'll hurt once she's free? You don't think she has plans beyond this? We've both seen how she operates. Alex would be the first to say not to bargain with someone like her."
"But Alex isn't here to say it, Reed! I am," Sophia shot back, her voice fierce. "And I won't stand by and let him die because we're afraid of what she might do next. We'll figure out how to deal with her after we have the antidote, but right now, she has the upper hand, and we can't deny that. If we hesitate, we could lose Alex."
Reed's shoulders slumped, frustration still simmering beneath the surface. "So we just let her go, like she hasn't done all of this? Like she won't turn around and wreak even more havoc?"
Sophia's gaze softened, though her resolve didn't waver. "We don't have to like it, but this is the only way to save him. Dr. Taylor wants something we can give her, and she's giving us something we can't get any other way. We can't afford to let pride or anger cloud what's important here. Alex's life matters more than anything."
Reed exhaled sharply, letting the weight of her words settle. After a beat, he nodded, albeit reluctantly. "Alright. But we stay cautious. If she so much as breathes wrong, we pull the plug on the deal."
Sophia's expression softened in relief, grateful for Reed's concession. "Agreed. But we need to act fast. Let's get back in there before she changes her mind."
They turned and walked back into the interrogation room, where Dr. Taylor sat, her expression one of calm amusement as if she'd known all along they would return.
"How can we trust that you're not sending us into a trap or a wild goose by revealing the antidote's location?" Reed's question is Laced with anger and irritation.
"Your assumptions are almost as pathetic as your situation. I never mentioned sending you anywhere. the solution to your problem resides closer than you think.
Reed and Sophia exchanged wary glances, confusion etched on their faces.
Dr. Taylor leaned forward, her voice low, dripping with satisfaction. "The antidote lies within the walls of this precinct."