Burn Like An Angel (Harrowdean Manor #2)

21. Lennox

CHAPTER 21

LENNOX

SPIT IN MY FACE! – THXSOMCH

Early summer in London used to be my favourite time to visit the city. I grew up east of the capital in a working-class town but visited on occasion. Once for my grandfather to collect his military pension.

Now the glass skyscrapers, towering office blocks and crammed tourist buses glisten in the warm sunshine. Through the window of the tinted SUV, I watch the morning chaos go by undisturbed.

It’s funny how even when your own life is hanging by a thread, the world still turns. Oblivious and undisturbed. People stroll past stacks of newspapers, emblazoned with headlines that lose impact after a while.

“Headquarters is up ahead.” Warner indicates to move into a different lane. “The SCU have already arrived—they’re interviewing other witnesses today too.”

“They took long enough to decide what to do with us,” I grumble.

In the passenger seat, Xander nods in agreement. It’s been a tiresome week, hiding in Sabre’s safe house, uncertain of our own fates while the SCU deliberates over our fates.

After our interviews, Enzo and his team agreed to negotiate any charges. We’re not so worried about Raine. He was little more than a bystander. But for myself, Xander and Ripley, all bets are off.

Each of us have aided and abetted Incendia’s criminal activities over the years. Then there’s the grisly murder that Xander owned up to, though he claimed self-defence. Not to mention the altercation in the maize field. We’ve racked up a list of possible charges.

“Yours are the first to be agreed on.” Warner huffs. “The Blackwood inmates are still being questioned. So be glad it didn’t take months.”

“Why is it taking so long for the others?” Ripley frowns.

“Their situation is a little more complicated.”

The curved point of Ripley’s jawline clenches tight. I know that in her mind, we deserve whatever lies ahead. She’s feeling the guilt of all we’ve done to make it this far. I see things differently.

For every bad deed we’ve done, we prevented the suffering of our loved ones. Sometimes ourselves. Evil is justified if it’s to stave off something worse for those you want to protect, right?

While I don’t relish what we did to Holly, I also don’t feel guilty. She was a stooge too. Culpable and heartless in the name of her own survival. But I do regret what it did to the woman who’s fast become ours.

“What about Bancroft?” Raine speaks up from between us. “We can’t hide in a safe house forever.”

His lips sealed, Warner remains silent.

News reports appear daily about Incendia’s worsening legal troubles. Aside from that, we’ve been kept in the dark. The evidence appears stacked against them and calls for the remaining institutes to close are growing.

Ripley rests her head on Raine’s shoulder. “We swapped one prison for another.”

“You’re safe, fed and have around-the-clock security.” Warner stares at her in the rearview mirror. “That’s a damn sight more than those trapped in other institutes or transferred from Harrowdean.”

“Hey,” I snap at him. “She’s allowed to feel frustrated.”

“We’re doing the best we can. This is a complex investigation.”

“You need to do better.”

The dick doesn’t deign to respond.

Merging through the dense traffic, we’re deep in the business district, surrounded by cloud-kissing buildings on all sides. Bystanders wear pressed business suits and carry extortionately priced coffees on their morning commutes.

It’s places like this that gave birth to Incendia Corporation. All the country’s wealth and power concentrated into a handful of streets and buildings. Millions of lives dictated by the select few privileged enough to rise to the top.

“Jonathan’s firm is half a mile from here, in Canary Wharf,” Ripley observes.

“My team is monitoring your uncle personally,” Warner attempts to reassure her. “If he steps even a toe out of line, we’ll know about it.”

“Comforting,” Xander chuffs. “Because none of these people have done anything criminal under scrutiny before, right? They’ll stay on the straight and narrow now.”

His sarcasm aside, Xander makes a good point. Surveillance isn’t enough. We’ve warned them about Jonathan Bennet and his connections to the conspiracy they’re attempting to unravel.

“Look.” Warner sighs audibly. “We’re up against decades’ of corruption here. This conspiracy goes right to the top of the government. You need to be more patient.”

The monstrously huge building he drives up to silences our conversation. I’m gawping at the sky-high slab of polished steel and impenetrable tinted glass as the SUV slows to pull in.

Countless burly security officers surround the building, all wearing dark sunglasses and visible earpieces to match their stern expressions. Warner waves to one as he stops for a retinal scan before entering the underground parking garage.

We all pile out together on high alert. Raine unfolds his new white guide stick then takes Ripley’s arm with his spare hand. Resting a hand on her lower back, I follow Xander and Warner over to the elevators.

The ride up to discover our fate is fraught with nail-biting silence. We’re all balancing on a razor’s edge, instinctively closing ranks in the small space. Ripley and Raine end up sandwiched between us.

I have no idea how many witnesses are cooperating with their investigation but given that we haven’t been hauled in front of the authorities until now, Sabre must be combing through countless interviews and testimonies.

“What if they want to prosecute?” Raine whispers.

Considering his question, I study the back of Warner’s head. It’d be easy enough to knock him out. I doubt we could take his whole team or their reinforcements, though I’d give it a damn good shot.

“We handle it.” Xander’s voice is impassive, betraying nothing. “Like we always have.”

Translation—he goes full feral and butchers anyone standing in our way. Xander’s ability to switch his humanity off would terrify anyone else. For us, it’s like having our own personal army.

“Great plan.” Ripley scrubs her face.

“I’m aware.”

“Sarcasm, Xan. You need to rein in the stabby attitude.”

I snort at her words. “Like that’s gonna happen.”

The floor we arrive at is brightly lit with plush carpets and numerous rooms off the long corridor, hidden by frosted glass. Warner gestures for us to follow him, tucking the special black pass he scanned in his pocket.

We’re taken to an empty conference room fitted with a long, wooden table and several chairs. Ripley steers Raine to the nearest seat, glancing up to ensure we’re following. I brush her shoulder as I pass.

“Wait here.” Warner ducks from the room.

Arms folded, I lean against the wall, unwilling to relax. Xander moves to stand beside the window, studying the impressive skyline beyond. We’re high up, enough to see the wispy clouds.

“What’s the play here?” I question. “I’m not seeing anyone get taken to prison.”

“That won’t happen.” Ripley somehow sounds certain.

“You trust these people that much?”

“I trust that they know an opportunity when they see one. We have inside information. The only way to get us to cooperate is to guarantee our freedom.”

“Think they’ll go for that?” Raine wonders.

Ripley huffs out a tense breath. “They have to.”

Remaining silent, Xander stares into the distance. He’s been characteristically quiet. That never leads to anything good. It’s the kind of silence that precedes a violent explosion.

We’re not held in suspense for long. The door reopens, allowing two suits flanked by Warner and Enzo into the room. I recognise the final person from the newspapers—Hunter Rodriguez. Director of Sabre Security.

He scans two dark-chocolate eyes over our group, his steely frown pulling a scar bisecting his eyebrow taut. Tall and well- muscled, he wears an expensive, three-piece suit and a flashy watch that befit his position.

“Let’s begin.” Hunter’s tone is smooth and impersonal. “Please take a seat.”

The two suits, one male and one female, sit at the other end of the table. Hunter moves to take a seat opposite Ripley and Raine, sparing them both curt nods while Enzo leans against the wall beside me.

“This is Agent Barlow.” Hunter gestures to the female suit. “And Agent Jonas. Our representatives from the Serious Crimes Unit.”

None of us offer a greeting.

“Well, then.” Agent Barlow clears her throat. “Let’s not beat around the bush.”

“Our clients have provided written testimony to my team,” Hunter explains crisply. “They have invaluable information that will aid your investigation. And they’re willing to cooperate.”

Agent Jonas laughs coldly. “Undoubtedly to save their own skins. This is quite the rap sheet of crimes you’ve compiled for us.”

“Our clients are under no illusions about their culpability. Regardless, they’re willing to act as cooperating witnesses. Their knowledge could shave years off the criminal investigation ahead of the SCU.”

Drumming her nails against her chin, Agent Barlow stares straight at Ripley. I hate the way she’s making her squirm under the spotlight. I move to step forward, but Enzo rests a hand on my shoulder, giving a head shake.

“Ripley Bennet.”

She looks up at the female agent. “Yes?”

“You stand accused of severe crimes. It won’t be hard to trace back the history of patients’ deaths in Harrowdean’s custody resulting from your dealings.”

“Ripley was just doing her job,” Raine protests hotly.

“Hurting people?” Agent Jonas counters.

“The real monsters are those manipulating desperate patients into doing their dirty work! Those profiting on exploitation and abuse!”

“Raine.” Ripley touches his shoulder.

“No. You can’t be blamed for this!”

“It’s okay.”

“Nothing about this is okay.”

“I know what I did was wrong, and I’m prepared to accept the consequences. But there are people out there still trapped and suffering. They need our help.”

The two agents listen to their exchange, both seeming to contemplate the best path forward.

“You’re barely keeping the media on our side right now.” Xander turns from the window to address the agents. “Government incompetence has allowed an exploitative regime to torture and experiment on the mentally unwell for profit.”

A smile tugs at my mouth.

Here he is.

“We have plenty of uncomfortable details that we’ll happily take to the press. Gory, unpalatable information that will impede your efforts to tame this raging fire. You don’t want us as enemies.”

“You’re threatening to go public?” Agent Jonas laughs. “Why would that impact us, son? We’re not Incendia.”

“Perhaps not, but I’m sure the names of government inspectors who were paid a tidy profit share to ignore our dealings would cast an unpleasant light on a public-funded department such as yours.”

The agent’s smile quickly morphs into a glower.

“In fact, I saw a rather fetching photo of Sir Bancroft accepting his knighthood after a quick online search not so long ago. Plenty of politicians and public figures in attendance.”

Xander’s musings are silky-smooth. Even my hairs are standing on end. The entire room is focused on him.

“Perhaps we could talk about the man who watched us being whipped, beaten and psychologically tortured then ordered us to become his stooges when we refused to break. A man you’ve failed to catch.”

“Making the media storm worse doesn’t benefit you either.” Agent Jonas draws his silver-grey brows together. “You’ll be dragged over the coals.”

“Less than you will be for allowing this to go unchecked. Bancroft’s out there right now, getting his feet rubbed by countless political heavyweights and business leaders. That’s on you.”

“What do you want?” Agent Barlow intervenes.

Xander shrugs. “We’re not asking for clemency, we’re demanding it. Agree to a plea deal, and we’ll cooperate. Prosecute and we’ll cause the biggest public outcry you’ve ever seen. Enough to make your jobs hellish.”

Leaning back in his chair, Hunter looks mildly impressed. He scrapes a hand over his trimmed, chestnut beard, seemingly appraising us in a new light. I doubt any other witnesses have been so bold as to make threats.

“We can tell you everything.” Xander lands the final blow. “Supply routes. Contraband stashes. Key players in the institute’s power structure. Criminals you’ll never prosecute without our testimony.”

“With all due respect?—”

“Prosecute and you’ll never hear a word from us again,” Xander cuts the male agent off. “Not so much as an ID verification when you round up a few culprits after decades of investigative work.”

Their stunned silence causes Enzo to chuckle under his breath. “He drives a hard bargain, doesn’t he?”

“This bullshit calls for it,” I whisper back.

“Not disagreeing with you, Mr Nash. I don’t believe anyone should be blamed for the fucked up stuff that went down in the institutes.”

“We’ll need a moment to discuss and call our superiors.” Agent Barlow rises. “Excuse us.”

The pair shuffle out, their heads hanging. I can’t believe our futures are being decided by a pair of government stuffed suits. Ones who didn’t see rampant corruption staring them in the face all this time.

As soon as they’ve left, Hunter turns his attention to us. “Bold move, Mr Beck.”

Xander glares back, unrepentant. “If you had bothered to interview us yourself, you would know that we’ll do anything to protect each other. No one is going to prison.”

I bite back a laugh. The look on the famous Hunter’s face is like he’s bitten into a sour apple and spat the innards out. The man clearly isn’t used to his authority being challenged.

Stepping into the room, Theo’s familiar face causes everyone to release their held breath. He offers a two-fingered wave with his laptop in hand, the door clicking shut behind him.

“All wrapped up with Hudson?” Enzo asks.

Theo nods. “His final interview is done.”

“Tell Brooklyn and the others I’ll be out soon,” Hunter tells him.

Anger curdles in my gut. We’ve spent all week locked behind bolted doors, fearful for our lives. Not so much as a goddamn whisper about when this nightmare will end. I’ve had it.

“I suppose some witnesses are more valuable than others, right?” I look between Theo and Hunter. “While we’re being left to fend off fucking prosecutions for surviving something unimaginable.”

“Nox—” Raine begins.

“No! Enough of this! Why are we being treated differently?”

“You’re not,” Hunter replies flatly. “But your cases are vastly different.”

Ignoring his shitty excuse, I stare at Xander. “I told you we shouldn’t trust these people.”

Enzo attempts to grab my shoulder. “Look here?—”

“Lay a single hand on me, and it won’t be attached for much longer. I’m getting my family out of here before you pull out the cuffs.”

Marching over to Raine and Ripley, I’m hellbent on yanking them both up when the conference room door opens again. Agents Barlow and Jonas sidle back in with matching grim expressions.

Nope. Fuck this.

If we can get out of here, they’ll never see us again. We never should’ve come here. They’re going to take my fucking family from me, just like all the other times I’ve lost the ones I love. This is all my fau?—

“You have a deal.”

The panic dies a sudden death within me.

“For all of us?” Xander asks.

Sighing, Agent Jonas wrings his hands. “Full clemency for Ripley Bennet, Xander Beck, Lennox Nash and Raine Starling. No charges relating to the contraband, deaths or riot.”

My breath is still held, waiting for the punchline.

“In exchange, you’ll give us absolutely everything you know about Incendia Corporation’s dealings. Names. Dates. Locations. The lot. You’ll remain as cooperating witnesses until we deem your roles fulfilled.”

“And if the investigation takes years?” Xander pushes.

His shoulders rise dismissively. “Then you’ll certainly earn your freedom, won’t you? When this is over, you can have it.”

Lips parted, Xander looks at each of us. Weighing our reactions. We’re talking about signing our souls over to the authorities for an undefined period of time. Snitching on every last person doing dirty dealings in Priory Lane and Harrowdean.

But we’ll be free.

We could have a future.

Her fingers clenched tight around Raine’s hand, Ripley does her own sweep over us all before facing the two agents. Hunter, Enzo and Theo all keep quiet. None dare to speak for us.

“We want witness protection until this is over,” she calmly demands. “Our lives are already at risk. This will paint an even bigger target on our backs.”

Agent Barlow looks over to Hunter, communicating something silently. I watch the formidable director nod once, signalling his agreement. Neither Enzo nor Theo protests the decision.

“Do we have a deal?” Agent Jonas drones.

This is my chance to protest, but I don’t say anything. No matter the mistrust and paranoia brewing inside me. I trust Ripley, and if this is her decision, then I’ll respect that choice.

She rolls her shoulders, looking at the agents without fear.

“Yes. It’s a deal.”