Page 48 of Anger

“Yeah, you’re done. This call will be logged with the police along with your number, asshole,” Lanie retorted and hung up.

“He’s watching, or he has got someone near,” Mac murmured. “Keep acting like a human who is being harassed by a man she doesn’t know.”

“The exit is clear!” Fisher shouted, and they began moving out. Lanie kept up a meaningless complaint, looking irate and waving her hands about. To anyone watching, she looked like a businesswoman whose day had been rudely interrupted.

Lanie pointed to the police, who were arriving alongside the fire brigade and ambulance service.

They headed in that direction, and Lanie started speaking to the officer in charge. Ranson was giving a report, and the police began setting up a cordon. Sirens wailed, and Lanie watched as the cops isolated her staff to check for potential contamination.

Lanie watched wide-eyed as governmental departments and counter-terrorism units arrived.

The media was also out in force. A government worker herded them all over to a tent that had been set up and began issuing orders.

“It was anthrax, and the packing was unstable. There has been a possible leak, and there’s the potential for contamination. Everyone needs to be decontaminated and checked over,” Mac said, glancing at Lanie.

“I’m going to give the police Alainen,” Ranson murmured.

Lanie’s brows drew together. “Is that wise?”

“It’s what a human businessman would do. They’d also give a statement about their employees’ safety. Lanie, you need to react normally,” Mac muttered.

“Okay. Set things up. Do I have to talk to the press?” Lanie hated the media.

“Yes. Let’s get you decontaminated and checked, and then we’ll deal with everything,” Ranson said.

Several hours later, after speaking to the police and telling them everything, starting with Simon Clare and ending with the two phone calls, Lanie sighed inwardly. She was now sitting at a desk after law enforcement called a media interview due to the frenzy being caused.

The police had informed Lanie what to talk about and what to keep back, and Lanie had answered a barrage of questions.

“And no blackmail call has been received?” a reporter asked for the third time.

“No. I’ve no idea what this Alainen’s problem is. But somebody out there knows who he is. I beg of you, please contact the police. This poor man is unstable and fixated. He is dangerous. The police have advised no one to approach, and after today, I strongly agree with that,” Lanie replied.

“Are you offering a reward?” someone asked.

“For someone doing the right thing and saving lives? No. Is human decency so dead that nobody would do the right thing without a monetary reward?” Lanie challenged.

“Well, it may encourage the people who know him to come forward,” a slimy reporter said.

“You might have lost faith in humanity, I haven’t. I believe if someone knows who he is, they will contact the police because they have decency in their heart,” Lanie snapped.

Inwardly, she smirked. Nobody would come forward. Alainen would be protected, but it put the pressure on the Hunters for now.

“Miss Cross, do you think this person is obsessed with you? Could be a former lover?” someone asked.

“My private life remains exactly that. But no, I don’t know an Alainen. I have no comment for you on my dating activities,” Lanie replied.

A flurry of questions was yelled at her, and Lanie swapped glances with the police officers next to her.

“That’s enough, as you’re all aware, this has been a long day for Miss Cross,” an officer said, and Lanie got to her feet.

Reporters shouted further questions, but Lanie ignored them. She’d given them enough, and now Alainen and the Hunters would feel the pressure. Ranson took her back as Mac walked by her side, keeping between her and the reporters. Fisher led the way.

Luckily, although the parcel had been completely unstable, the anthrax hadn’t leaked. Lanie intended to send an email to every member of staff and pay them a bonus this month. They’d had two major incidents already. The fire and this. Lanie could only imagine how furious Alainen was. She’d not done as he probably expected and some of the Hunters had to be doubting him right now.

“Fisher has brought the car around,” Mac murmured, and Lanie nodded. The entire affair was shocking to her. Hunters never really bothered with leaving witnesses and didn’t care if the odd innocent was slaughtered while they achieved their goal. But to threaten such a huge number of people was on a scale she’d never seen.

Alainen was clearly becoming unhinged. And that was highly concerning. Her phone rang, and Lanie looked down. Mac had blocked the number Alainen had called from on police advice, and her shoulders relaxed when she saw it was Callidora.

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