The Braille Club Reborn (The Braille Club #4)

by J. A. Kerr

  Her body was shaking from fear and exertion. When his finger stroked her cheek, she recoiled sharply. He laughed. The bastard was playing with her, Anna seethed. Then she heard his grunt of displeasure. Anna’s moment of triumphant was short-lived as she felt the sting of the needle, and then nothing.

  Chapter 36

  The Braille Club Reborn

  Nick

  Christ, thought Nick grumpily as he put the needle in the sharps box. He hadn’t noticed the smell at first, but now looking at the pool of fluid he knew what it was. The stench of urine was unmistakable. Just his luck; the silly bitch had peed herself. He had been fascinated by her attempts to escape from him, even though she knew it was hopeless. He looked at Anna with distaste—this one was a fighter. Nick would enjoy baiting her and wondered how long it would take to crush her spirit. The thought intrigued him. However, he had work to do first. He unlocked the chair from the secure fittings and tried to avoid breathing in the smell. The pool of urine was trickling down the interior of the van. Huffing, he pulled the chair backwards and slowly eased it down the ramp. God, the chair was heavy.

  The adrenaline he used earlier to push Anna up the ramp had left him. He was cold and tired but with a huge effort he got her onto the garage floor. Removing the ramp he picked up the detergent and went back inside the van. He sprayed everything inside and was glad of the mask he pulled over his face. The detergent smell was better. He’d leave it to soak in. Jumping down he knew this would be the tricky part. He needed to take Anna outside and around the back of the garage. There was no other way to access the basement with her in the chair. Fortunately, there was a rough path down to the entrance and not stairs. Nick had checked over the cell as soon as he’d parked in the garage. Descending the internal stone steps the cold became worse. He hadn’t thought about a heater but realised he’d have to pick one up.

  The rotten exterior door had been replaced by a heavy steel one with no handle on the inside. He wrinkled his nose at the damp earthy aroma as he entered. Groping around, his fingers finally found the switch. The light was dull but lit the room well enough. There was foam padding on the floor and walls to dull sound. He shivered and rubbed his cold hands together. Taking the key from his pocket he unlocked the second door and stepped inside the small room. There was a camp bed and sleeping bag against the wall, a chemical toilet opposite and a small rusty tap. He placed the bag he was carrying on the bed. He withdrew six bottles of water all loaded with sedative. Anna would get thirsty and before long she’d be forced to drink it. Next, he took out a towel, soap, body wipes and a dressing gown. He arranged them neatly on the bed before turning and hurrying back upstairs—the cold seeping into his bones. Annoyed, he grasped a heater would be a necessity. The added problem with Anna now made matters worse. She would be wet and cold, instead of just cold.

  Nick was glad to go back upstairs where the temperature was warmer but the smell was worse. He pulled the roller shutter up and gulped down the fresh air. The odour of detergent and urine fading as he walked outdoors. It was dark and he was pleased. The darkness would help hide him. Still shivering from the cold, he took a deep breath and returned to get the chair. He checked Anna, her head was slumped against the headrest and her eyes were closed. Still holding his breath, he pushed her outside. He took the wheelchair around the side of the garage. The terrain was rough and he cursed as he manoeuvred the chair. Now and then he stopped to look around in case he’d been seen or heard, but saw nothing. Turning the wheelchair, he gradually, bit by bit, moved Anna down the slope. Locking the brakes on, he rested halfway down.

  This was turning out to be more bother than it was worth, he fumed. Eventually, he was down and, unlocking the door, he pushed Anna into the cellar. Panting, his chest heaved from the exertion and his hand throbbed as he unzipped his hoody. He fed on the pain, his hatred of Guy Walker intensifying. This was all his fault. That bastard was about to pay. Anna could thank Guy for that. She had no idea what he had in store for her. In a temper he pushed Anna into the cell and locked the door.

  Chapter 37

  The Braille Club Reborn

  Guy

  Guy, tired but more hopeful, drove back home. He knew Anna would still be at work, so he did some shopping. Basic stuff he knew she liked. He took his time to select some nice wines and then stopped at the flowers. Selecting the biggest bunch he could find, he paid for his purchases and returned to the car. That was the downside to the flat: no parking. He was paying a small fortune for a parking space around the corner. Anna had told him to leave his car at the club but he didn’t like getting cabs everywhere. He’d rather use his car. Anna herself had been forced to sell her car when she moved back to the city. Gathering the bags, he walked to the flat. He juggled with his keys to open the entrance door and again with the flat door. He pushed it open and went inside. Dropping the bags down on the kitchen table, he frowned. The flat had a stillness about it. He unpacked the food and put it in the refrigerator.

  Preoccupied, he steeled himself for the battle ahead, unsure what Anna would decide. He wanted her involved and was certain, once she was on board with the case, she’d understand his reasonings better—his earlier thoughts about ending their relationship forgotten. He was surprised at how tidy the place was. Anna’s well-groomed behaviour stopped as soon as she got home. Usually she left her cereal bowl in the sink instead of putting it into the dishwasher. It annoyed him, and he was pleased she’d finally done it. When the phone in the flat rang, he jumped. He’d forgotten they had one. As he picked up the receiver he saw that the answer machine light was flashing. Hope soared through him, at last Anna was calling.

  “Hello.”

  “Hello...em it’s Martin Reed, sorry to disturb you but is Anna home?”

  “No,” said Guy confused.

  “Oh, I’m trying to get in contact with her. She hasn’t been at work today and it’s not like her. I rang and left a message but thought I’d try again. She’s not answering her mobile phone either.”

  Alarm bells were going off in Guy’s mind. “I’ve been away,” he lied. “Just back today. I couldn’t get her on her mobile either but I just thought she was busy.” Or ignoring me, thought Guy. “Martin, can I call you back?” Without waiting on an answer, he hung up.

  He called Anna’s mobile and it went straight to answer machine. Where the hell was she? He knew she was upset when she’d left the club but taking the day off was out of character. The tidy kitchen was out of character. Was she staying at a hotel to teach him a lesson? Did she hope Guy would wait up all night wondering where she was? If so, her plans had backfired because Guy had been oblivious. He had stayed at the club.

  They were such similar creatures. Anna wanted his attention and now she had it. Guy was furious. Had she met someone else? She’d been quick enough in the past. He pushed the thought of the BDSM club and that idiot Nightshade out of his mind but it persisted. Scrolling down his contacts he located the number. Adam answered but could not help Guy. Anna was not at the club and had not returned since their night there together. Guy pressed him and Adam invited him down to check for himself. Guy took him at his word, his relief palpable. His anger turned to unease. He went back to the phone on the side table and something caught his eye. A ripped envelope lay there. He picked it up and looked inside.

  The Decree Absolute was nestled amongst other papers. Guy knew what it was. How had Anna felt when she got it? He cursed, certain it would have upset her. The ending of a marriage was traumatic for many people. Why hadn’t she called him? He lifted the phone and pressed the redial.

  “Hello.”

  “This is Guy Walker. Who am I speaking to?”

  “Robert Dunbar.”

  Guy inwardly groaned. Why had Anna called him? Guy kept his tone cordial. “Mr Dunbar, Anna has not been at work today and I’m trying to locate her. Could you tell me why she called you and what you discussed?”

  There was a pause and then Robert replied, “she called about the divorce bein
g finalised, I think. I’m not really sure. She told me she had received the paperwork.”

  “That was all you discussed?” Guy was cold. He didn’t like Robert Dunbar and didn’t feel the need to conceal it.

  Again the hesitation. “Well, I told Anna I was getting married.”

  Guy sucked in his breath. This guy was an arsehole.

  “I wanted to tell her myself,” said Robert in a rush, like he could read Guy’s mind. “Before someone else did; we still share a number of friends.”

  “Anything else?” asked Guy stonily.

  “Yes.” Robert’s voice was quieter. “I told her Poppy was pregnant...again for the same reasons. I know Anna,” said Robert, his tone defensive. “She’d rather know.”

  “You fucking don’t know Anna,” spat Guy. “How could you be so cruel? If anything’s happened to her…”

  “Then it’s your responsibility,” said Robert coldly, and slammed down the phone.

  Guy was reeling; his annoyance with Anna had built all day. He understood she was upset but had no time for her games. What was she trying to prove? The abduction case was personal to him. Why didn’t she grasp that? Her earlier behaviour showed how little she understood him. Their heated argument had left him hurt and annoyed. He knew staying overnight at the club was his childish way of avoiding an argument with her.

  He had resisted the temptation to call her all day, but the conversation with Robert Dunbar changed everything. Anna wasn’t just upset with Guy, that bastard Dunbar had thought nothing of twisting the knife. She must have been so hurt and who could she turn to? Not him.

  He was horribly aware he’d paid no attention to Anna’s divorce. Consumed with updating the whiteboard with their progress, he’d offered Anna no support. Instead, he’d concentrated on the case. The only reason he’d left the club early was to ask Anna for her help with the investigation. He sighed, he didn’t ask Anna why she was upset because he thought he knew. They had been fighting for weeks over his work commitments. Anna wanted him to take a step back. He argued that he couldn’t…not until Waters was behind bars.

  Guy stared at the envelope and picked it up from the table. Robert Dunbar was right. Anna was his responsibility and he’d failed her. He knew Anna was capable of cutting him off and letting him stew but then so was he. It appeared neither of them were above these childish games. In fairness, he was the one at fault. But Anna had promised to be reasonable if it was something important that kept him at work. What could be more important than working with Benedict on the abduction case? He remembered Anna’s scepticism about Nick Waters’ involvement.

  “Where’s the evidence to support your theory?” Her expression was serious.

  “I’m working on it,” said Guy grumpily.

  Anna had been patient, put up with his long hours, but only the other day she’d said he was obsessed.

  “Wasn’t it you who told me, never make assumptions,” she’d stated, frowning. “Guy, you want Nick Waters to be guilty but that doesn’t mean he is.”

  “He’s involved,” Guy snapped.

  “Fine,” she retorted. “Let the police do their jobs, you are retired after all.”

  He’d glared at her but said nothing.

  She was right, it had become an obsession. An obsession that blinded Guy to the fact—Anna was missing. His gut twisted. Where the hell was she? Guy realised he knew very little about Anna’s life. She had a sister who lived in Birmingham but they weren’t close. Anna’s father had passed away several years ago and her mother was in a private residential care home. Anna spoke little of them but Guy knew she visited her mother. She had fallen away from a lot of her friends since her split from Robert. She’d told Guy it was like divorce was a disease they could catch and they distanced themselves as a precaution. Some had sided with Robert and some had sided with her. Anna said she was too tired to care. She socialised with her work colleagues on a Friday after work but Guy knew none by name.

  Surely Martin Reed would ask his staff if they knew where Anna was? Even if Anna was upset, she was a professional. She wouldn’t go off and not inform her employer? Or would she? Headstrong and stubborn at times, Anna could be unpredictable. He glanced at his watch, it was getting late. He called Martin Reed back but he only confirmed what Guy suspected. None of her colleagues had seen or heard from Anna. Agitated, Guy went to get a coffee from the kitchen. The early evening sun made him squint in the bright light and that’s when he realised the scene was all wrong. Anna’s mug usually stood on the worktop from the morning; pink lipstick around the rim. He pulled open the dishwasher to find a solitary glass and no bowl. She was meticulous about certain things—brands in particular—and Guy frowned as he noticed her large cosmetics bag was nowhere in sight. It was normally open with its contents spilling onto the breakfast bar.

  Anna remarked the light in the kitchen was the best and had often done her makeup there in the morning which irritated him. She would move the large bag of cosmetics to the bathroom or bedroom in the evening when she took her makeup off. He pivoted and moved towards the bedroom. If Anna’s makeup bag was gone then he’d have something to go on. Surely she would not leave it behind?

  An anxious feeling swept through him. He walked to the bathroom first, heart hammering. Anna’s toothbrush stood in its holder. His heart thumped as he rushed into the bedroom. He looked in the wardrobe. Her overnight bag lay on the floor untouched. Guy rummaged through her things but she had so many clothes it was hard to tell if anything was missing. He tried to remain calm. Then he saw her makeup bag on the floor and his insides tightened. Had Robert’s news unbalanced Anna? Had their earlier fight highlighted their failing relationship? They weren’t exactly getting on as a couple and Guy knew under Anna’s tough exterior she was as vulnerable as the next woman. He called Martin Reed back and, after a lengthy phone call, had all the telephone numbers of the people close to Anna. Robert Dunbar was next; a more difficult conversation but he gave Guy the information.

  Guy worked systematically through the numbers. After hours of calling and speaking to various people he’d accounted for everyone on the list. All of them were shocked and worried about Anna, which made Guy feel even worse. They all said the same thing. It was completely out of character for Anna not to be at work. This one comment cropped up again and again. When he asked if it was likely Anna had gone off somewhere due to emotional stress, the answer was a resounding—no. Guy sat in the dark room and rubbed his tired eyes. Panic gripped him now. Was it possible something had happened to Anna?

  Their relationship was so temperamental, Guy hadn’t considered for a moment she was in danger. Anna could take care of herself. Independent and proud, Guy hadn’t considered an alternative. Nick Waters sprang to mind and Guy felt everything in the room tilt. He tried to calm his breathing but couldn’t—think, he urged his panicked mind. Retrieving a notepad, he searched the flat for clues. He started with the kitchen. Guilt assailed him. Was Anna in trouble while he’d thought she was punishing him?

  It was the middle of the night now and Guy was certain Anna had taken nothing with her except her phone and her coat. He groaned, he sensed something was terribly wrong. He lay in the bed and closed his eyes. His fear and guilt made sleep impossible. Where was she? He’d treated her badly but seeing Benedict so unhinged had been his focus these last weeks, not Anna. Benedict had never been a reasonable man and, now, he was obsessed with Nick Waters. Guy was his voice of reason. Although his instincts told him Waters was involved, as an ex copper he knew never to make assumptions. It was the golden rule and Guy never wavered from it. Assumptions led to all sorts of problems. Fact was fact until proven otherwise. Guy had begun his own investigation into Katie Burns and in doing so, had neglected Anna and his relationship. Now she was missing and Guy had no one but himself to blame.

  Chapter 38

  The Braille Club Reborn

  Nick

  Nick tried to control his anger. Losing his temper would not help. Cold and tired, he wea
rily climbed the internal stairs. He should have brought a thermos of coffee and some food with him. But as he shivered, he realised the most pressing matter was getting heat into the garage. It was a stupid error but first he had the van to clean. Soon he was sweating from the exertion and wondering if his actions were a mistake. As he mopped out the van floor, he knew he’d not thought things through properly but acted on impulse. Impulsive acts were dangerous. They led to mistakes and, in Nick’s opinion, he’d made too many as it was. Satisfied all trace of Anna had been eliminated from the van, he pulled open the garage door before he got inside. After he reversed out, he stopped to close the roller shutter behind him and put his hoodie back on. He needed to find a twenty-four hour supermarket. A quick Google search told him one was two miles away. He headed in that direction.

  How long did he intend to hold Anna? He had no idea but hoped Walker was going out of his mind with worry. Nick wanted to cause him the most anguish. An anonymous letter would be fun. Nick smiled. The imagination was a wonderful thing. He could write down all manner of horrors for Anna to endure. However, the reality meant sourcing paper, leaving no prints and accessing a computer printer. He discarded the thought when his hacker friend came to mind. His emails to Mr Walker would be obscure but a smart guy like him would soon figure them out. He wondered if Anna Dunbar had any distinguishing marks on her body. Her jewellery would be good to use. An email selling a ring or bracelet...he could play with Walker for years if he put his mind to it.

  He arrived at the supermarket and, rolling up the protective suit trousers, he went inside. He selected soup in plastic containers and other food stuffs. Bottles of water and an electric heater were put in the trolley. The human body could endure a long time without food. The concentration camps were testament to that but without water the body could not survive.