“What is the Agency?” said Maggie.

“The Agency is an independent security service,” replied Detective John Cane.

“Independent from what?” said Flynn.

“From any other security service,” said Hugo Fletcher. “When you think of national security, you usually think of the police or MI5. The Agency operates outside of any of those.”

“So who runs it?” said Tonia.

“It was designed to be a self-maintaining organisation,” said Rachel. “Do you know the term ‘grassroots’? Because that’s how I think of the Agency. It’s a collection of individuals using their own experience and influence, coming together for a greater cause.”

“But there has to be someone in charge?” Tonia asked again.

“Well, each branch has a director. Ours is John, here. Overseeing the whole thing is the Founder, but nobody knows who that is.”

“What do you mean you don’t know?”

“For the safety of the Founder and the Agency, the Founder remains anonymous. One of the rules of the Agency is that members are forbidden to speak of any contact the Founder makes with them.”

“So the Founder chose the first members, and now you can all invite people?” Annora said thoughtfully.

“In a manner of speaking, yes,” nodded Dr Mortlock. “But someone must be a participating member for years before their Request to Invitation is granted.”

“Who are the members?” asked Flynn. “I mean, what does everyone do for a living?”

“Many work in government and national security,” said Matt. “But we have plenty of doctors, teachers, computer scientists, engineers, artists; I could go on. Members are from all walks of life.”

“And it’s not just in London?” said Annora.

“Certainly not,” replied Dr Mortlock. “There are branches across the whole United Kingdom. We have regular contact with the European division, the USA division. The Agency is worldwide, because security is a ubiquitous concern.”

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“I’m not quite following what you mean by ‘security’,” said Maggie.

“We specialise in parapsych security,” said Hugo. “The government has protocols in place that aim to protect all of the population from criminal activity, without regard for whether the perpetrators or the victims are parapsychs or laterals. And it’s a great theory, that everybody should be treated equally, but unfortunately, there are instances where parapsychs have used their abilities for ill, and that’s where we come in.”

“One aim of the Agency is to find and bring to justice parapsych felons,” said Matt.

“But one of the Four Laws says that parapsychs cannot use their abilities if the action violates legislation,” Maggie pointed out.

“The Laws do say that, Maggie, but some people do violate those rules,” said Mr Fletcher. “Unfortunately, it’s come to light in modern history that the Laws are inherently flawed. Not just the main Four Laws that everyone knows, but all the sub-sections and additional parts that contribute to the legislation. There’s a lot of problems, and some people figured out how to use those problems to their own advantage.”

“What happens to those people?” asked Tonia. “Do they go to jail?”

“Sometimes,” he said. “But it’s important to realise that there’s no easy way to prove when someone uses their abilities. The Agency is constantly utilising the skills and advanced parabilities of its members, to find new ways to monitor illegal behaviours.”

“Jessa, you’ve been very quiet,” he said gently. “Is there anything you’d like to say?” She looked at him and he smiled sympathetically. “I know it’s a lot to take in, but please feel free to ask anything. This is a safe place for your questions.”

“I’m just…” she cleared her throat, “thinking.”

“I don’t understand,” Annora said sweetly. “So there are parapsychs out there who are using their abilities to do bad things? They’re criminals?”

“In short, yes,” said Dr Mortlock.

“Why can’t the police catch them?”

“Sometimes they do.”

“But sometimes they don’t?”

“I’m sorry to say, but yes, sometimes they don’t. And that’s what we’re here for,” Hugo Fletcher continued. “The majority of parapsychs stick to the law. In fact, most parapsychs’ abilities aren’t even strong enough to harm someone. Statistically speaking, more violent crimes are committed by laterals, and the parapsychs who do commit crimes don’t do it using their abilities. Still, there are exceptions to the rule. And it pains me to have to tell you this, but those are the ones that can create the most harm. That’s what we at the Agency try to combat.”

“So the Agency is here to protect people from bad parapsychs,” said Jessa.

“And to protect the name of good parapsychs,” he added.

“But wait,” Maggie said. “Why doesn’t anyone know about this? If it’s possible to use parapsychism to do horrible things, then why aren’t people being educated differently? Why isn’t anyone changing the law? Why is it a secret?”

Mr Fletcher frowned as though reluctant to speak. “Parapsychism is accepted all over the world, but we are still the minority. Can you imagine what could happen if laterals knew that parapsychs were able to use their abilities to hurt them? And then, that it might be possible for the criminal to go undiscovered? People fear what they don’t understand. And laterals may accept parapsychs now, but if it got out that there are already parapsychs out there taking advantage of laterals… what do you think would happen?”

The silence in the room answered for them.