Redemption

The LEC series is best read in order as some stories extend over more than one volume, and the characters evolve.

People respect unhappiness and find it
especially hard to forgive success.
Francoise Sagan

And one could add, especially when a clever woman is involved. Sargenta Carmen of the Guardia Civil is definitely NOT forgiven for solving two murders (one involving the Church), plus discovering who is selling drugs in Pueblo (turns out it's the Guardia themselves). More embarrassment for Church and State. Carmen sees it's time for an exit from Pueblo.

Back in Granada, el Capo of the Guardia sends her to work for the Policía Nacional homicide department. While there, she unexpectedly makes contact with the two Romanian girls abused by the gangster Doru. She liberated them from a brothel while searching for the murder suspect. Then she loses track of them when the girls manage to disappear from the hospital before giving a statement, but now they need her help when Ioana's mother is kidnapped in Bucharest by the monster Doru. How can she help? Bucharest? At the moment, all she has is advice about getting proof that her mother is alive. They stay in touch, awaiting developments.

She is surprised to be contacted by Doru's ex-employee Jorge, the murder suspect, just back from his surfing holiday and hoping to find ways to redeem himself by helping these same Romanian girls. She, in turn, wants an interview with him about drugs and murder. Things don't work out, but when Ioana herself is kidnapped by Doru, Carmen is obliged to apply to Jorge for help. Where would Doru take her? Jorge jumps on board, on condition he isn't arrested. Will they find Ioana? And, if so, will they get evidence against Doru? And what happened to her mother?

Meanwhile, Jesús is in serious mental turmoil when Benzi, the father of his dead fiancée Ana, appears and challenges him to help assassinate the man he now knows killed Ana. Jesús begins to hallucinate an alternative world where Ana does not die, where children are born. He then realises that Ana could still die in some horrible way in that violent world, and attempts to stop the hallucinations. He cannot sleep or meditate without hallucinating. Benzi is also in poor shape. Distracting themselves results in them becoming involved in the Ioana rescue team with notable outcomes which may also have something to do with redemption for all of them. Pepe of the Guardia is also redeemed - well, somewhat at least - when he actually gets something right for once.

Juan in LEC is still keeping an eye on the Materium and the parallel Materium; still philosophising, and still trying to edge Simon into accepting Spirit. But it's Plan Bee for Simon. Oh, oh.

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This story continues in volume 5, Entanglement

Thrills and spills and Topics for Discussion.