Act II — Chapter 17 17 “Asperger’s?” Danny muttered as they stepped down the interior stairs. “You told the guy I had Asperger’s?” Jason shrugged. “The best lies are based on truth.” The two of them kicked away bits of packing litter as they walked past fluid-filled vats and racks of glassware. Behind them, 55-gallon drums marked “Kerosene” and “Acetone” sat stacked against the rear wall. Julie Yen stood beside a naked mattress strewn with ragged blankets. She greeted them with a scowl. “Julie,” said Jason quietly as he approached. “Relax. We’re friends. Everything will be okay.” “Right,” she scoffed. Danny gave her a cursory glance, then shifted his attention back to the equipment surrounding him. On a metal table stood an unmarked glass bottle of clear liquid, sealed with a stop

