The Braille Club (The Braille Club #1)

by J. A. Kerr

  Satisfied with his work, Nick decided it was time to return Siena to her bay. He checked her face in case the tape had marked her, relieved it had left no trace of her earlier ordeal. He disposed of the syringe, the used duct tape, and gloves. Unlocking the door, he peeked out; the corridor was empty. Reassured by Siena’s passive body, he wheeled her out. He calmly pushed her down the corridor. Nick was cautious as he approached A&E and faltered, utterly shocked to see the police. Dismayed, he realised he’d been gone longer than planned. Siena was sitting placidly in the chair and instinctively he turned her around, ready if necessary to push her back down the corridor. He crept along the hallway to get a closer look. When he saw the back of Harrison’s head, he flinched, feeling his anger surge.

  ***

  Siena

  When she opened her eyes and saw Nick she immediately felt scared. At first she could not understand why she couldn’t move, her heart hammering in fright and panic. The full horror of her situation soon became clear. She had to think. She had to get away from him. Outwardly submissive, her mind frantically searched for a way to escape. Remembering the cell in her pocket, she felt her first ray of hope.

  With Nick distracted, Siena’s heart raced as she fumbled for her phone, which was still in the top pocket of her dress. Her movements sluggish and her fingers shaking, she pressed it on. It seemed to take forever, and she prayed it would start up in time for her to make a call. She knew she couldn’t outrun Nick; she was struggling just to switch her phone on, her fingers weak and uncoordinated. Leaving the phone in her pocket, she was exhausted by this small effort. Flexing her hands repeatedly, she began to feel sensation return, but she was out of time.

  ***

  Nick

  Panicking, Nick sprinted to Siena’s chair, fumbling for the roll of duct tape he had left in his pocket. Slapping the edge of the roll hard over her mouth he wrapped it tightly around her head, his body pushing the chair at the same time. He left the roll dangling as he started to run; he had to think. This wasn’t part of the plan. The plan was to hypnotise Siena and return her to the bay unharmed. With no recollection of events, she would have come to his clinic without suspicion. That bastard Harrison had ruined everything. He saw the toilet again and took a split second decision. Pushing her back inside, his nerves jangling, he locked the door behind them.

  Chapter 54

  THE BRAILLE CLUB

  Braille Club, London, Present Day: Once inside the cube, the disguised Assignees sit down. The chairs are evenly spaced and arranged in a U shape. They steal sideways glances at each other, but there is no recognition in their eyes. People outside the cube stare at them curiously until the glass turns opaque, obscuring their view.

  Hillingdon Hospital, London 2013

  Guy

  Guy, conscious of Benedict’s growing agitation, ignored him as he carefully viewed the footage, certain now Siena was still at the hospital. He froze the frame where Nick Waters entered the hospital and instructed hospital security to be on the lookout.

  With the clock ticking, he felt there wasn’t time to go through the entire CCTV; it was a risk they would have to take.

  “Let’s get started,” said Guy. Without waiting for the police, they began to search for Siena. Glad to be doing something productive at last, Benedict followed Guy’s lead. He had recorded the details and put events into a time sequence. They started to retrace what they hoped were Nick Waters’ last movements. Pinpointing Siena’s last known location, they walked along until they came to a junction in the corridor. Should they carry on or turn left? They made the decision to turn left. Neither of them looked up the hallway; if they had they would have clearly seen a disabled toilet sign.

  Chapter 55

  THE BRAILLE CLUB

  Braille Club, London, Present Day: The Assignees reach for their hoods located at the side of the chair and pull them on. In darkness now they wait nervously. When the bell rings, one Patron enters the room and starts to secure each and every one of their cuffs.

  Hillingdon Hospital, London 2013

  Nick

  Breathing heavily, Nick spun the wheelchair around to face him. Siena’s blank eyes stared back at him. He fought to keep his voice under control before he ripped off the tape. Pain shot through her face but she didn’t flinch. Utter terror had immobilised her.

  “Tell me everything,” he commanded. “Are you in love with Benedict Harrison?”

  “No,” came Siena’s slow reply.

  Nick’s breathing calmed a bit. “Did you have an affair with Benedict Harrison?”

  “No,” she sluggishly replied.

  “Who is the father of your baby?”

  “You are.”

  Nick became agitated; he wasn’t getting the responses he wanted. He turned away and felt for the second vial in his pocket. This drug was fast acting, which would let him get to the real answers he was searching for. He still felt Siena was lying, although he knew it was impossible for patients to do so under hypnosis. But he’d come this far, and one way or the other he would get to the truth.

  Siena looked in horror at the syringe in his hand and thought of her unborn babies; she already had one drug in her system. She had no idea the harm it could do to them, but she wouldn’t let it happen again. Their eyes locked as Nick realised she was faking her trance. The hypnosis hadn’t worked; the bitch was still lying, his gut instinct had been right.

  His face twisted in anger as he moved towards her but she was quicker, lunging with both hands, knocking the syringe to the floor. Enraged, he slapped her hard with the flat of his hand, her neck snapping back.

  “You bitch,” he screamed.

  ***

  Siena

  Siena was momentarily stunned as her face exploded in pain. She saw Nick draw back his hand again and the force of his slap took her breath away. She moaned in agony, her cheek stung and her lips throbbed. Dazed and bleeding, it took a moment for her self-preservation to kick in, and she opened her mouth and let out a loud, terrified scream. He was on her in seconds, his fingers crushing her windpipe, silencing her next cry. Siena desperately tried to pry his fingers away. Just at that moment her phone started to ring, shattering the silence in the room. She saw Nick jump in fright before tightening his grip as the phone continued to ring. Siena desperately tried to fight him as his fingers dug painfully into her skin. Her heart pumped furiously; her mind a blank as she fought her attacker.

  Staring straight into his eyes, she suspected the Nick she had known was gone forever…replaced by the man she had always suspected he really was. She could feel the blood trickling down her face, the pain in her chest excruciating. Her throat was on fire; her lungs fit to burst as the corners of her vision started to disappear. She knew then he would do it—kill her—what a bloody fool she’d been. Death was near, but she fought it, her heart breaking as she imagined her babies. Her phone continued to ring, but darkness was coming.

  Chapter 56

  THE BRAILLE CLUB

  Braille Club, London, Present Day: The row of connecting cuffs is silent as the Patron walks behind them. She gently taps each and every one on the back to indicate play is about to begin. Stopping suddenly she smiles; this Assignee seemed to shiver, perhaps sensing her close by, perhaps sensing he might be the weakest in the group.

  Hillingdon Hospital, London 2013

  Guy

  Guy stopped halfway down the corridor; was that a phone ringing? Clutching at straws, Benedict had just dialled Siena’s cell. They froze, straining their ears to locate the position of the phone. It was coming from behind them. They turned and started to run, the ring becoming clearer as they approached the junction. Confused, they scanned the empty corridor before noticing the sign. Twisting the lock with a coin, Benedict burst through the door. The pressure on Siena’s throat stopped abruptly, and she took a painful gulp before coughing uncontrollably, her eyes streaming as she tried to bring her breathing under control. She looked up, her vision blurred as she saw Benedict with h
is arm around Nick’s neck, dragging him away as she continued to take small, agonising gulps. The phone continued ringing; suddenly events seemed to be in slow motion. Guy stared at her in shock as Benedict tightened his grip around Nick’s neck. She heard Nick scream at first, but like Siena he now gasped for breath. Guy was on his phone, speaking quickly as he approached Siena.

  Nick continued to struggle, his eyes staring into Siena’s with murderous intent as she sat there, unable to move. Her fear of him was absolute; he didn’t need to hypnotise her now, she couldn’t have run from him if her life depended on it. Then Benedict punched him in the back, and she saw his legs buckle. He released the hold on his neck as he fell to his knees. Pushing him face down on the floor, he pinned him in place with his full body weight. Nick started to buck, and Siena watched emotionless as Benedict delivered several more hard punches till Nick stopped moving. Her phone had stopped ringing; the room was quieter now except for their breathing and Nick’s occasional moans.

  “Siena, help is coming. Breathe deeply and don’t move,” said Guy with a softness that surprised her.

  Siena didn’t say a word. Going into shock, her body starting to shake. The police announced their arrival, and the room started to fill with noise. She became aware of a pair of concerned eyes looking at her. The woman squatted down by the side of her chair and gently took her pulse. Siena flinched and let out a frightened rasp. The woman’s voice was soothing and calm as she explained she was a doctor, and she was going to help her.

  ***

  Benedict

  Everything happened at once; the police intervened to assist the screaming Nick Waters while the doctor started to push Siena towards the A&E department. Benedict followed her; he was not letting Siena out of his sight. The doctor continued to look at Siena with concern as she steered her into an empty bay, shouting for assistance. A neck brace was strapped into place when a nurse arrived. She looked at Siena’s cut and swollen face, probing it gently with her fingertips as she questioned her about how she felt. Siena’s reply was a croak so painful it brought tears to her eyes. The doctor immediately understood and requested a pad and pen. She asked questions that required yes/no replies, Siena nodding or shaking her head in accordance to those queries, with Benedict filling in the blanks.

  She told Siena to write down how far along she was. With shaking fingers, she wrote thirty-three weeks. The next question was the hardest one. The doctor asked Siena if she could feel the baby moving, and as the tears streamed down Siena’s face, she slowly shook her head. Benedict’s heart had been pumping hard, but faltered as panic took over. The doctor signalled to the nurse to make a call as she continued to examine Siena’s face and neck.

  “I’m going to get you transferred to maternity, Siena. Your injuries, although painful, are not life-threatening, and it’s important to check the health of the baby,” she said calmly.

  “Babies,” said Benedict hoarsely. “We’re having twins.”

  “Oh,” the doctor replied but smiled reassuringly. “Siena, we’re going to try to get you up onto the bed to make the transfer more comfortable; do you think you can stand?”

  Siena nodded as the nurse secured the wheelchair brakes, and both she and the doctor positioned themselves either side of her. As they gently pulled her up from the chair, she felt a gush of liquid stream down her legs, splashing on the floor. She gasped in alarm then whimpered in panic; she knew it was too early for the babies to be born, and thoughts of her brother stole through her mind.

  “Okay, looks like your waters have just broken; don’t panic, we’ll get you cleaned up,” said the nurse quickly. Benedict helped steady Siena, whose legs were beginning to shake badly as the nurse placed a large pad on the bed, and between them they manoeuvred her onto it. Once on the bed, they moved her quickly, Benedict having to jog behind them just to keep up.

  Maternity was expecting her, and they directed the bed into an empty labour suite. An oxygen mask was placed over her face and her breathing became easier. The midwife who greeted her gasped at the sight of Siena’s battered face, and regaining her composure, she set about examining her. She confirmed, grim-faced, she was in labour and dilating quickly, before leaving to get a consultant. Soon there was a huge team of people in the room, dedicated to delivering the babies safely and giving them the specialist treatment all premature babies need.

  Unlike the midwife, they had been briefed that Siena had been the victim of an assault before being admitted in the early stages of labour. They soon had her hooked up to a foetal heart rate monitor, and although it was a relief to hear the heartbeats, it also told them the babies were in distress.

  Tension filled the room and Benedict’s fury continued to rise as he watched Siena’s battered face wince in pain. He gathered her in his arms, as she wept. Huge tears leaked from her anguished eyes and rolled down her bruised face as she croaked ineffectually until he put a finger to her lips and shook his head. Benedict looked at the midwife; although he didn’t have Siena’s birth plan, he knew her wishes.

  “She wants an epidural.” His voice was terse and stressed. He couldn’t bear to see her in any more pain; she’d been through enough for one day.

  “All right, no problem, I’ll just have a look to check on baby,” she said calmly, ignoring Benedict’s glare as she moved down the bed.

  Siena moaned and squirmed as the nurse exclaimed, “Baby’s head is crowning, no time for an epidural now, this baby is ready to be born.”

  ***

  Siena

  She was very frightened now; she could feel her face swelling and stinging, her left eye now completely closed. Her throat was on fire and it was hard to breathe, except to take small shallow gulps. The first contraction had caught her by surprise, the pain intense before fading. Her pain seemed to get worse and she moaned and inhaled deeply from the gas and air she held in her hand. She cried as the horror of the day made her body shake.

  Siena’s screams were horribly silent as she pushed her baby into the world. Benedict was by her side coaxing and encouraging her as she was directed to pant, not to push and then push again, and the baby was out, a boy! Siena’s fear filled the room as the team worked on the baby until she heard the cry and more tears streamed from her eyes. She felt the need to push again, this time the baby slipped out easily, a girl! Again the wait was intense as the team worked on the baby, then the sweet, sweet relief when she started to cry.

  The room filled with an uneasy tension as the staff stared at Siena’s battered face, giving Benedict hard stares of revulsion before he shouted, “Please…my partner was assaulted by her ex-husband.” His voice broke, and it was several seconds before he regained his composure. “He’s in police custody and we need your help and support, not your judgements.”

  The tension eased after that and things moved quickly, the consultant confirming the twins’ birth weights before transferring them to the specialist baby unit. Siena had only seen glimpses of her babies before they were whisked to their incubators, but her heart swelled with utter joy and love at the sight of them.

  They were tiny, but they were perfect. She had written down her fear about the drug Nick had given her, and the consultant had been non-committal, saying they would know more in due course. Siena’s heart twisted in case it had harmed them in any way, already consumed with worry for her twins, although utterly exhausted. They had given her strong painkillers for her throat and face and thankfully she could now feel the pain easing.

  Remarkably, her diabetes hadn’t caused any issues with the birth although it had made her very ill during the flight. Siena closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep as Benedict stood guard, his face dark, brooding, and dangerous.

  Chapter 57

  THE BRAILLE CLUB

  Braille Club, London, Present Day: The Assignees feel a fist in their hair as the Patron tugs back their heads one by one. Hearts racing, acutely aware of the linked cuffs, they are anxious not to be the one to ring their bell and end the session. Ther
e are no sensory suits or devices on offer. It’s just the Patron, her skills and, of course, the chair.

  London, 2014

  Siena

  Opening night at Caligo finally arrived; the birth of the twins and the ensuing court case had delayed it by several months but it only served to heighten the anticipation. The restaurant was fully booked, offering a special opening night taster menu and accompanying wine selection.

  Filled with fresh lilies, the lounge looked spectacular, the wonderfully scented candles glowing invitingly around the room. The bar gleamed as staff moved around, checking stock and cleaning already immaculate glasses.

  Diners would be arriving from seven p.m. onwards and other guests from eight. The entrance through a locked gate to the side of the building was a temporary measure, the front of the building still out of commission due to renovations. All guests received the door code by text; it had a five hour expiry. Exclusive to guest list members, any sharing with unauthorised personnel would lead to termination of their own membership. Staff manned the entrance; cameras and mics were positioned all around for Guy and his security team who would monitor all the visual and audio recordings.