Page 34 of Cruel Salvation

Naz sat down opposite him, not making any sudden movements or giving away her emotions too easily. She studied him for a few moments before beginning the questioning in a gentle tone that surprised Damon with her compassion and understanding.

“Simon, what can you tell us about the last few days? We just need to know what happened, if you can remember anything.”

Simon shook his head sadly as he gripped his hair and pulled, his hands shaking with emotion. “Nothing, it’s like a big black hole in my brain.”

Naz pushed some water towards Simon, who took it and drank deeply, his hand shaking so badly that water sloshed over the table.

“Tell me the last thing you can remember.”

“I remember the kids coming to see me, and me and Elaine talking about Hannah’s end-of-year school performance and if I’d be able to attend.”

“Okay, good. What else?”

Damon could literally see the man relaxing and knew it would be much easier to get information from him in this state than the one they’d walked in on.

“Kelly was there but she wasn’t in a good mood.”

“Why?”

“She doesn’t like it when Elaine comes.”

“What did Kelly say?”

Simon blinked and frowned as if he was trying to fight for a memory. “I can’t remember. I just have these vague images in my mind that make no sense to me. It’s as if they were from someone else’s life altogether.”

“How did you and Kelly meet?”

Simon cocked his head. “In a bar, I think. It was when the doc cleared me. A few of us went out and had some drinks to celebrate. It felt like we were finally getting our lives back, taking control again.”

“Did she approach you or did you approach her?”

“She approached me.”

“Do you know where Kelly is now?”

Damon watched as Simon shook his head, defeat evident in every movement. This man had killed in a brutal and coldly efficient manner without any emotion, but it was like he was now watching two different people.

“No. I just woke up this morning in my bed and there were guns pointed at me.”

“From the facility staff?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, and what made you ask for me?”

“I don’t know. You make me feel safe when everything else is confusing.”

Damon glanced at Lotus, who reached out and gripped Simon’s hand with compassion.

“We’re gonna figure this out, Simon.”

“What did I do, Lotus? Did I really kill those people?”

“It wasn’t your fault.”

Tears filled the big man’s eyes before he dropped his head into his hands and sobbed. “You should just put me down. I’m a monster.”

“No, you’re not. A horrific thing happened and we’re going to figure this out.”