The Legacy

they know and to prevent this kind of catastrophe from happening again.’
    Sophie and Michael glanced at each other. They looked pale and Julia felt a sudden kinship with them. They were sharing this moment – this moment that had changed everything. ‘So the rumours of men turning up in the dead of night, taking the il away?’ Michael asked.
    ‘Are actual y our security forces turning up to take away suspects,’ Hil ary said tightly.
    Michael looked at her searchingly. ‘And there real y is evidence that al these people are associated with the Underground?’ he asked. ‘Because we’ve had cal s from hundreds of people who say that the Missing are friends of theirs, innocent people who –’
    ‘These are not innocent people,’ Hil ary interrupted angrily. ‘They are terrorists.
    And as such, we are not interested in cal s from people who think that they are their friends. Terrorists do not have friends – they have targets and people they use. But we wil not al ow them to achieve their aims. We wil do whatever is necessary to protect the sanctity of human life.’
    ‘Of course,’ Sophie nodded, her eyes wide. ‘So are there more, do you think?’
    ‘Terrorists? Absolutely,’ Hil ary said. ‘We have been living with blinkers on, I’m afraid, thinking that everyone in this country appreciates what it has to offer.
    Evidently there are people who seek only to destroy what we have built up, and our job now is to stop them. No stone wil be left unturned in the search for these terrorists. We wil hunt them down and we wil punish them. And we wil punish anyone who helps them. We urge anyone who knows of any Underground sympathisers to let the Authorities know. The time for tolerance has gone.’
    ‘Absolutely right,’ Michael said. The camera zoomed in and a trickle of sweat could be seen wending its way down his forehead. ‘So in terms of those affected by the . . . in terms of the . . . do we know, are we safe? Are our drugs safe?’ He looked terrified. Julia swal owed uncomfortably waiting for the reply; she imagined that everyone else watching was doing likewise.
    Hil ary’s face seemed to shift slightly, as though her mask was slipping. Dread crept through Julia’s heart. If Longevity wasn’t safe, then . . . everyone was vulnerable.
    ‘We are confident that it was only one batch that was affected by the at ack,’ Hil ary said eventual y. ‘However, we know that people wil be worried. Which is why we have a special helpline number to cal if you have any concerns. In the meantime it is of paramount importance that everyone continues to take their Longevity drugs as normal. The risk of ingesting sabotaged drugs is very smal , but as we al know, not taking the drugs is . . . is not an option. For anyone.’
    Michael wiped his forehead. ‘So we’re safe?’
    ‘Everyone is safe,’ Hil ary said, nodding to reinforce the point.
    Sophie exhaled loudly. Julia felt her own shoulders relax slightly. ‘And other countries?’ the presenter asked. ‘There have been reports of Missing around the world.’
    Hil ary nodded, and her expression was serious. ‘Unfortunately, the contaminated batch included some drugs that went overseas,’ she said, lowering her head sadly.
    ‘But I can assure you that the numbers affected are smal , and we are working with other governments to crack down on worldwide terrorist rings.’
    ‘Thanks, Hil ary,’ Sophie said warmly.
    ‘And Longevity Plus?’ Michael asked, smoothing his hair back as he spoke, his forehead now sweat-free. ‘We’ve al been waiting on tenterhooks for the launch, so is there any news? I’m sure our viewers would love to know.’
    ‘Oh, I’m sure they would, and I’m very happy to say that we are at the final testing stage. Obviously we would never launch a drug until we were absolutely convinced that it was one hundred per cent safe,’ Hil ary said, her expression more relaxed now.
    ‘Absolutely,’ Michael said, his white teeth showing as he spoke. ‘Do we know when it’s going to be hit ing the shelves, so to speak?’
    ‘Very soon,’ Hil ary said brightly. ‘Pincent Pharma are working night and day on it.
    But their hard work is absolutely worth it. Longevity Plus wil , I believe, revolutionise the way we feel.’
    ‘It’s real y that good?’ Sophie asked, her eyes lighting up.
    ‘It wil do for the skin, the soul, the spirit, what Longevity does for the rest of our bodies,’ Hil ary said. ‘Cel renewal wil become