Chapter 27 – Jason

'I could never hate you,' I said gently to Lucy, who was tearing up and my brain was telling me she was on the edge of having a panic attack. I edged towards her slightly, not wanting to touch her in case the slight touch of someone triggers her memories of the abuse, like Ella warned it might when the individual is upset or is remembering the incidents, but I didn't want to completely leave her. I noticed Lucy starting to shake on the river verge, one lingering duck a few feet to her left staring at her with cupboard love content, and I took my jacket off ready to put her in it.

'Luman Carnes,' She whispered to me – the name of her father – and I wanted to hit something.

Luman Carnes was well known in Savant agencies, always being referred to as "the Strong Beast". He had come forward several times to Maui to confess his crimes but because of a pardon of his name, written fifteen years ago, we cannot touch him for any crimes he commits. The list of crimes against his name was huge; included several accounts of murder, manslaughter, theft, battery, treason, adultery, arson, theft and now included abuse and child grooming against my Soulfinder. But we could not touch the slimy bastard because of his pardon he was granted back in 2000. Once upon a time, he was a multi-millionaire with three successful businesses built on corruption and blackmail. His name was highlighted in every business sector but once they paid the fee for his name. However, news came out that his wife had been murdered, and he was trailed in absentia. They found him guilty of manslaughter but a few days later, when they examined the sentence they found him not guilty on any accounts and in an apology, made the Court sign a pardon of charges valid for years. So not only could he say he did all these crimes, we couldn't touch the dick because of it. He had disappeared from the business world, never doing open meetings or press cabinets, but the companies still thrive. When I joined Maui, I researched into Luman Carnes – possibly the world's worst criminal who has been trailed for all accounts in absentia, but not yet incarcerated. He confessed being behind the whole terrorist attack that got Joe and Ella evacuated to Cornwall and said his plan all along was to kill Joe and keep Ella as a sex toy.

His location was known; in the middle of Bracknell Forest, there was a large hexagonal block of concrete flats. About thirty stories high and built on a hill, it was sealed off on every entrance. Despite being in a very public area, no one enters its grounds. People have seen going into the building being escorted in by guards in all black and bulletproof vest, but no one has seen to get out. Apart from one girl, who nearly died doing so and was put immediately under heavy guards until being moved location and loosing track of her completely on all records.

I had never thought that girl would end up being my Soulfinder.

'I'm sorry, Jason, I wanted this to work, just go. I'll find my own way back to Bournemouth,' Lucy cried, curling up into a ball and my heart broke.

'Lucy, wait,' I tried to say, moving over towards her but she flinched away curling up smaller. She continued to cry hysterically.

'Jason - just leave me alone!' She shouted through her tears and I got up, entirely confused as to what I was doing. What had I done wrong? Was this all because Lucy mentioned her Dad? How could this small, cute ditzy blonde be related so strongly to that dick? How was that even possible? Her Dad – a known murderer, created Lucy. Lucy, the most timid of people I have ever met in my entire life, who sat talking to my big-balled Syrian Hamster for a large portion of time, allowing the fat thing to run up and down her arm and lay on her hand, and allowing fusses and hand fed treats, had half the genetics of the guy I did my dissertation on and classed as a psychopath. Lucy, who automatically cuddled me in her sleep, was related to a mass murderer – and a rich one at that too.

'Leave!' She shouted again and I walked off.

Hello! It's been a while since I've left a note, and it's about to kick off again and we'll end up saying goodbye to some of our favourite characters, some temporarily and some for a bit longer...

What are you thinking so far - remember to leave a review! :)