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“Because Ossian has been paying off the authorities left, right and centre. Keeping law enforcement, leading politicians and influential bankers on side. You were right when you said Thorn Pharmaceuticals prints money… The reality is a lot of it goes into the pockets of those who are keeping our secrets.”
I glanced at Iris who wasn’t even trying to cover up a smug smile. She truly felt as though all these despicable moves were genius.
A chair scraped and Dexter shot up. “I’ve heard enough. I’ve held this family’s sordid secrets for too long. I didn’t know this was how Bas was grown and I don’t agree with it one bit. If no one else is going to report it, I am.”
“It doesn’t matter now,” I said, lifting my gaze. “It’s all gone. Burned to the ground, as you know.”
“So, no more Bas,” someone whispered.
“Well, not quite,” I replied. “I have a contingency plan. I’ve spent the last four years trying to find another way to grow it, and I’ve found one. It’s growing on one of the uninhabited islands north of Crow. It will take time but we’ll one day be able to produce the drug in a great enough quantity to help more people who truly need it.”
Iris coughed delicately. “If it’s Bas, my dear, it’s mine.”
“No, it isn’t,” Dexter and I said at once. I decided to let him explain since his myriad law degrees made him slightly more credible.
“You can’t claim intellectual property rights on something that is produced unethically and illegally, which Bas was. If, as Rupert implies, his new version is grown ethically, he can file his own copyright. And what’s more, I’ll help him.”
My head jerked upwards. I’d never liked Dexter. Seeing the way he always dismissed Adele in favour of her younger brother used to make my blood boil. But there was room for him to redeem himself.
Iris glided her eyes across everyone in the room. “I think it’s about time we got to the agenda. Rupert,” she flicked vicious eyes at me. “You are dismissed.”
I forced back a laugh. “From what?”
“Everything,” she replied, smoothly, panning her gaze to the face-down agenda and flipping it over in her leathery fingers. “The Consortium, the business… the family. I want you and Hector off the island as soon as possible, and you can take that little tour guide hussy with you.”
My jaw unhinged in disbelief.
“Iris…” Angelica stood. The whites of her eyes could be seen several metres down the table.
“You are dismissed,” Dexter said, bluntly. I turned sharply to face him and realised he was still staring at Iris. “As of today, the manifesto will not make any reference to a caretaker. We don’t need one and, frankly, your role in this organisation has always been toxic. We only tolerated you because of Sinclair and Aro.”
Iris had the gall to look mightily offended. Dexter nodded to one of the security guards at the door. “You’ll be escorted out of the building and you won’t return unless you have been expressly invited.”
“You can’t do that,” Iris gasped.
“Yes, I can,” Dexter said, dropping his gaze to his papers and shuffling them away. “And in the absence of Aurelias, I can end this meeting now. The conversation is over. We’ll resume in a few days.”
“Disgusting,” Angelica hissed, staring at Iris. “Get out.”
Iris stood, and even though she was several feet shorter than most members, she still somehow managed to look down her nose at them.
“I will always have Blackcap Hall,” she said with a departing sneer. “That’s something none of you will ever have.”
I glanced at Andrew. He looked largely stunned by the whole turn of events.
As Iris was escorted out of the room, I felt a buzz in my pocket. I drew out my phone, listening with one ear to the hushed conversations between Consortium members, curious but not caring, and read the message.
Unknown number: “Hey there Rupert. It’s your old friend Adele. Long time, no speak! I’ve got a question for you: are you ready to meet your parents?”
I looked up and saw Dexter watching me steadily. I gave him a brief nod and typed out a reply.
“Hello my dear friend. What can I say? Your timing could not have been better.”
Vivian
I took hold of Minty’s hand as we waited for the men to run their final checks of the boat. “You’ll be fine, I promise,” I said, squeezing her.
She bent towards my ear. “Just in case though, if I need to vomit, where is the most socially acceptable place to do it?”
