Page 97 of Sinful Beauty

“We’re not the only ones. They sell them for all kinds of purposes. And there are other places like it. We weren’t doing anything others don’t do.”

“But when Dr. Watson wanted to submit her findings for peer review, you felt it would track to what specifically?”

“It would’ve exposed us. CollaGenix. Since being released, it’s made sixty-five billion dollars worldwide.”

“Does it still cause cancer?”

“It’s not as likely with the correct dosage.”

“But if this came out, sales would drop.”

“It would be pulled off the market. If Lumina is exposed, it would go under. GSK would take a significant hit. We’re talking tens of thousands of jobs worldwide. Tristan, I’m telling you, if you can keep this under wraps, it’s the best thing for so many people. So many families.“

“How many others are in on this?”

He grimaces and curls up on his side.

I lift my blade, leaning closer to start with a pinky.

“I’ll give you the names. I kept files. Evidence.”

“How long has this been going on?”

“A dozen years.” He sounds defeated. We’ll need to monitor him because he strikes me as a suicide risk.

The timing is curious. “Is that why my mother left Lumina?”

“She’d tell you it was time, but I believe she did it to distance herself should this aspect of our business come to light.”

“And you kept working with her?”

“The system she engineered helped to get life-saving drugs to market faster. It wasn’t… you can be as judgmental as you wish to be, but we saved lives.”

“Making money, was that a…what would you call it? A side effect of the business?”

He opens his eyes and studies me, really taking me in. He rights himself, so he’s sitting on the ground, defenseless.

“Tristan, when I tell you there are others involved, I’m not lying. Chances are I’ll be eliminated before you ever get me in front of a judge. You will not win this.”

“Are the others involved with the pharmaceutical companies, or did you bring these others in when you needed someone to do some fixing?”

The remorseful expression on his face says what he’s refusing to. Of course, every ounce of remorse he’s feeling is for getting caught, not for doing what he did.

“Which crime syndicate are you working with?” The real question is which crime syndicate did he cut a deal with, without realizing he sold his soul in the deal.

“The Rodina cartel. You don’t want them as enemies.”

“How’d you come into contact with them?”

“A banking connection.”

“Mr. Haussler?”

He sucks in his bottom lip and nods.

“What does the Rodina cartel get from you in return?”

“Information on drugs coming to market. Useful for insider trading.”

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