Chapter 46. Lost

“Speaking of the devil,” Lara mutters, as she gently sank into her office chair again, clearing her throat, and taking a mental note to keep calm before picking up Freeman’s call. She places the phone on the table, activating the loudspeaker.

“Hello, Lara?” Freeman’s voice echoes from the speakers.

“Freeman, what's good?” She replies, feigning ignorance of the mayhem in the media.

“Where are you?” He asks.

“I am at the office. Is everything okay?”

“Yes… Umm… Not really.” There is a short pause before Freeman speaks again. “Have you seen the news?”

“Yes, I have.” Lara maintains a calm demeanor.

“And?”

“What do you mean, and? You and Rose were supposed to take care of business! I did my part, I gave up everything! I painfully handed myself away, and you two messed up…” Lara's voice suddenly reaches a crescendo even she is not expecting.

“Lara, please calm down.”

“Don't you tell me that, Freeman! You were part o