Page 101 of Burn Like An Angel

“Weren’t her mum and dad married?” I question. “He’s the maternal uncle, right?”

Raine braces his elbows on his knees, listening closely. “This dickhead made Ripley change her surname when he took custody. I gather he was more concerned about his public image than being a parental figure.”

“Be quiet,” Xander orders.

He turns up the volume on the phone. We all lean closer.

“I’m appealing for information about the disappearance of my beloved niece, Ripley Bennet. She was undertaking a rehabilitative program at Harrowdean Manor until the recent violence broke out.”

Jonathan actually manages to look concerned. It makes my skin crawl.

“Ripley is unwell and has serious, long-term, mental health needs that require ongoing treatment. She’s vulnerable. I’m very worried about the delinquents my niece has gotten caught up with.”

I guffaw at his choice of words. “We’re delinquents now.”

“Been called worse,” Xander grumbles.

“Delinquent is a damn compliment for what you are, Xan.”

“Hey, idiots,” Raine redirects our attention. “Why is he going public now? Minimal information has been coming out of Harrowdean for weeks.”

Xander studies the asshole wiping away his fake tears. “He’s Bancroft’s new mouthpiece. It’s probably just another tactic to hunt us down. They’re getting desperate.”

“Ripley, please.” Jonathan bleats emotionally. “The riot is over. You don’t need to run from us. Let us provide the help you need.”

“He’s actually convincing.” I shake my head. “Fucking hell.”

“I know you didn’t mean any harm… Please come home. We only want to help.”

“This piece of shit never wanted to help Ripley,” Raine viciously snarls. “He’s treated her like damaged goods ever since she was diagnosed. The man disowned her!”

“But now his investment is in danger.” I watch the journalists throw up their hands to ask questions. “This is the performance of his career.”

The first journalist takes hold of the microphone. “How does a renowned investment banker and respected public figure like yourself justify bankrolling a criminal enterprise?”

A nasty, red flush creeps up Jonathan’s neck, spilling from his pressed collar. “I have full faith in the important work Incendia Corporation is doing in the private medical sector.”

“That’s a non-answer, Mr Bennet. Does that work include illegal human experimentation and abuse?”

“Most certainly not.” Jonathan’s sneer is a very brief crack in his façade. “You shouldn’t believe everything you hear, Miss Moore.”

He turns his attention to the next journalist, his picture-perfect smile back in place. The slick bastard’s been media trained to within an inch of his life. Though I recognise a snake when I see one.

“Sir Bancroft announced the death of Harrowdean’s warden, Abbott Davis, in his latest update. Does the disappearance of your niece and several other patients relate to his passing?”

“Son of a bitch.” I roll my head over my tense shoulders. “I can’t believe they dared to ask him that.”

Xander keeps his lips sealed shut. Cool as a cucumber. The warden’s death was publicly announced not long ago—we caught that news while moving to this location. So far, no information is being released as to the circumstances.

Xander assured me he wasn’t seen and the killing can’t be traced back to him. I’m sure all manner of violence that took place during the riot is being investigated, like the multiple guard deaths.

I can’t help worrying that this will come back to haunt us. We’re being drip-fed updates while management scrambles to make sense of the destruction we left behind. That doesn’t mean there won’t be consequences.

“Warden Davis’s death is a senseless tragedy,” Jonathan replies calmly, his fingers steepled in front of him. “One that is being actively investigated. I am confident that justice will be served.”

The questions keep coming, prying for any updates into the riot, Harrowdean’s now closed doors and the increasingly serious allegations facing Incendia. I watch Jonathan’s cool, PR-perfect mask falter again.

“Ex-patient of Blackwood Institute, Brooklyn West, has publicly accused the corporation you support of medical malpractice and negligence. Tell me, has your niece fled for the same reasons?”

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