Deceptions

by Dana Mansfield

  “Questions about what?” Jack demanded.

  “Jack, stop,” I warned. I was afraid of retaliation and William hurting Jack. He wanted to object, made a strangled sound in his throat, but stayed silent.

  “Good boy,” William replied. “You have five minutes to eat your breakfast and then I’ll be back for Penny.”

  William and Vivienne left. Jack stood still. Anger was his face and I needed to calm him down.

  “I’m not going to try and be a hero,” I said and with stiff movements, pulled the towel off the tray. Jack’s breakfast was minimal. At most it was one scrambled egg and a bottle of water. “Please sit down and eat.” Jack’s nostrils flared and I noticed his hands were clenched. “Jack, you can’t get angry. You know if you do something, I’m the one they’ll retaliate against.” My words did the trick. I saw him relax; his breathing evened out and his hands unclenched. He sat down next to me and I pushed the paper bowl towards him. It hurt to do so but I let it not show. Jack ate the eggs in silence and then drank his water.

  “Do not be a hero,” he said without looking at me. “Tell them whatever they want to know.”

  “That’s what I plan to do, Jack,” I replied. “I don’t want to be hurt.”

  “And I do not want you to be hurt either,” he said and put his hand on my cheek. Even though his hand was cold, the touch warmed me inside and I felt a little of my anxiety ease a bit.

  William returned and Jack helped me up. He squeezed my hand and this gave me a little boost of energy.

  “Time for Penny to come with me,” William said in a voice that didn’t give me a better feeling about what was about to happen. “She will be back when we get the information we need. How long you two will be separated is up to her.” Fear filled me and I found it difficult to breathe. “I’ll give you a minute to say your goodbyes.”

  I was frozen in place so it was Jack who moved. He wrapped his arms around me and gave me a hug that made it difficult to breathe. I needed it, though. I was scared to hell.

  “That’s enough,” William warned and Jack let me go. He touched my cheek one last time.

  “Be strong,” he said. I nodded and turned my back to him as I followed William.

  * * *

  Chapter 25

  William led me to the door that was on the other side of the stainless steel cabinets. Inside, I was surprised to be in a completed room compared with the rest of the basement. Although the floor was cement, there was a striking Persian rug covering it. The walls were still brick but along one wall were dark wood cabinets. Opposite the cabinets was an ornately carved desk with a laptop. Two straight back chairs sat in front of the desk and above them, hanging from a joist, were shackles. They were so out of place with the elegance of the rug and wood of the cabinets and desk. Warm, golden light from a Tiffany-styled lamp on the desk and two floor lamps in the corners provided the only illumination in the room.

  Standing by the chairs was Vivienne. Next to her was an IV pole with a bag of fluids hanging from it. There was also a video camera set up on a tripod pointed at the chairs. There was nothing about the setup that eased my fears.

  “Have a seat,” said William and I was glad to get off of my feet. He went to the video camera and pressed a button. A red light popped on and I quickly scanned the corners of the room and noticed that unlike the cell, there was no security camera in the corner. My hell was still going to be captured, however. William confirmed my assumption. “The Employer will be observing our work.”

  “I will tell the Employer whatever he wants,” I said into the camera. Like I told Jack, I wasn’t going to be a hero.

  “And I’m glad you’re willing to share. After all, the Employee was nice enough to allow you medical attention when your shoulders were unfortunately injured.”

  “And I appreciated that,” I said, making sure it was understood I was grateful for the care even though my shoulders weren’t a hundred percent.

  “We have been warned that although you say you’ll readily give up the information, there’s a significant possibility that you won’t. There’s two things that the Employer is asking of you. That’s why Vivienne’s here with her… tools. I know for a fact you won’t be willing to talk about one of the topics.”

  William’s words confused me. He, and by extension the Employer, were playing a game. It was a game I didn’t want to play.

  “I promise to talk,” I insisted.

  “Let’s test that then,” he ventured. “Tell me about Beck.”

  My heart felt like it stopped and my lungs froze.

  “No,” I whispered as memories I fought hard to forget started inching back into my consciousness. This could not be happening. No, no, no, no…

  “As I figured,” William replied and backed away. Vivienne approached. She started an IV in my hand. I was so scared and shocked; it took great effort for me to focus on William’s words. “As you know, Vivi is not just an excellent doctor, but she is also a talented chemist. You’ve experienced Red and I am pretty sure you’ll experience it again. In addition, Vivi has created a drug simply titled Cooperate. It’ll loosen you up a bit but if we need to, we can also use Fear. Few of our past guests have ever quite recuperated from that one. You, my Pretty Penny, are in for quite the experience. Unless,” he said and leaned against the ornate desk, “you just tell us what we want. You know what Red is like. Just based on that alone, why don’t you just go ahead and tell us about Beck.”

  Just hearing the name… My stomach churned and my mouth watered in preparation for vomiting and I knew this would be a bad thing if it happened.

  “I’m going to be sick,” I announced. The memories were getting closer. I didn’t want to remember. And then I heard it.

  You’re getting what you deserve. It was the Terrible Voice. I didn’t even try to stop the tears from falling.

  “Vivienne, take care of that,” instructed William. Vivienne went to her bag, filled a syringe, and then pushed the contents into the IV. Within a couple minutes, my nausea abated but I became tired and slumped back in the chair. I wanted to fall asleep, a deep sleep to forget everything.

  “Shall I give her an upper?” Vivienne asked.

  “Will it interfere with the task?”

  “No,” she replied.

  “Proceed.”

  I was close to slumber when Vivienne pushed another drug into the IV. Within seconds my desire to slumber was gone. I found myself wide awake and my heart racing. It felt as if my lungs were filling with cotton and there was an uncomfortable pressure in my chest. The pain I had felt on and off throughout the ordeal was intense. I gasped for my next breath.

  “Oops, perhaps a bit too much,” Vivienne said without sincerity. She pushed yet another drug into me and everything evened out. I was frightened, however, and was shaking hard. The pressure in my chest did not go away but at least it did not get worse. William approached and touched my face.

  “Calm her down,” William ordered. Whatever Vivienne gave me did the trick as I stopped shaking. I felt a bunch of different things at once – fear, a little nausea, a rapid heart rate and quick breathing along with exhaustion and the chest pressure – but none took over. William’s hand moved to my stubbly head and he petted me. “Okay, final time to do this without pain. Tell me about Beck. It’s your choice, Pretty Penny. Tell me now and there will be no pain or keep your secret and…” William’s voice trailed off but mine was sure.

  “No,” I said. “I will not talk.”

  The Terrible Voice spoke. Really? You would rather be tortured than talk?

  I don’t even know why you’re asking me that, I replied to It in my mind. You know why.

  “Very well,” William said with a sigh. “Let us begin. What are you afraid of?”

  “Spiders,” I said, answering the easy question that seemed to come out of nowhere. My answer was quick and truthful. I hated the creatures. The kids would often make fun of me when a spider would appear and I was too afraid to even kill it.
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  William nodded at Vivienne and once again, she injected me with a drug.

  “Give her a couple minutes,” Vivienne said and moved away from me while William sat behind the desk.

  At first, I felt nothing. As time passed, however, I began to feel warm, a nice cozy warm, and the images before my eyes softened as if I was looking through a special filter. I leaned back in the chair and took a deep breath. I felt at ease for the first time while in captivity. The pressure in my chest went away. Even some of my worry.

  But then, I heard the Terrible Voice in my head.

  Spiders? Really? You’re a wimp when it comes to them but that’s not what you’re afraid of.

  “Yes, it is,” I said. My voice was very slurry. “Spiders.”

  “She’s ready,” announced Vivienne.

  “I am,” I responded. It was automatic. “I’m afraid of crawly spiders.”

  “Yes, you are ready, Penny,” William said and sat next to me. I turned towards him; we were going to have a conversation. “Is Penny short for something?”

  “Penelope. My name is Penelope Elsa Shepherd.” I looked at William. “That’s my name. That answered your question, right?”

  “Yes, it did,” he responded with a smile. I returned it; I felt proud.

  You’re doing a good job, Penny. Keep it up, the Terrible Voice said.

  “Where were you born?”

  “Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.”

  “And who is your father?”

  “My father was Charles Shepherd and was a lawyer and worked in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but he lived in Cherry Hill, New Jersey and my stepmom is Eliza Ann Shepherd and my half-sister is Amanda Ann Shepherd,” I stopped and took a breath. “They…” William held a hand up and I stopped. “Did I say something wrong?”

  “No, but let’s go back to what you’re afraid of,” he said.

  “Spi…” I stopped and frowned. Something about my answer didn’t seem right. “I’m afraid of spiders, right?” I asked William. I wasn’t so sure now.

  “Perhaps a little but I don’t think that’s what you’re truly afraid of,” he clarified. I stared at him; I was confused. “Now, Penelope Elsa, tell me about your mother.”

  “No,” I said and clamped my mouth shut. William was angry with me. I was scared but I didn’t want to talk about her. Talking about her would lead to Beck and I would never talk about Beck.

  “Penny…,” William said my name in a warning way but I shook my head.

  “No, I won’t talk about her,” I said although it was hard to get those words out, as if I was fighting an invisible barrier. “Please don’t make me talk about her.” Bad memories flooded me and the tears started flowing. “Please, please don’t make me talk.”

  William kneeled in front of me and placed his hands on my shoulders. He began squeezing. The pressure increased and pain brewed. I bit my lip to keep my discomfort in.

  “Penny, dear, you are going to talk. Vivi, perhaps a little more Cooperate?” I turned to Vivienne and watched as she fiddled with my IV. The warm feeling inside me increased. “Penny, tell me about Sunny Michaels.”

  I looked at William, confused.

  “How do you know my mom’s name?”

  “Silly, little Penny,” he said and increased the pressure on my shoulders even more. “We’re professionals. Plus, I’ve known who you are for a very long time. Now, Sunny Michaels. Did she have a sunny disposition?” I closed my eyes and fought hard against the surging warmth. It was so difficult and I whimpered as I could not stop my answer from leaving my lips.

  “No, she didn’t.”

  “What kind of woman was she?”

  “Selfish,” I replied.

  “Selfish?” William repeated. He sounded surprised. “What do you mean by that?”

  “All her actions, what she did, what she made me do, were all for her own satisfaction,” I explained. My voice was dull as the memories became more vivid in my mind. They were memories I tried for so long to forget.

  “That’s right, Penny, she did,” agreed William. Again, I looked up at him with confusion. “We know about everything. We know what she made you do and why, we know why she went to prison, we know about your father. We also know about Shane Damon.”

  “How?” I asked.

  “We’re professionals. We know all your secrets, Pretty Penny.” William let go of my shoulders and moved his hand to my cheek. “Tell me what you are afraid of.”

  I looked at William for a long time. I didn’t want to tell him but at the same time, I didn’t feel I could not tell him. He nodded to Vivienne and a few seconds later, I felt the warmth increase again. I struggled inside. A voice inside me, a man’s voice, a Warm Voice, told me to hold on to my secrets. The Warm Voice was familiar, comforting. I tried to focus on the Warm Voice but it was so hard as the warmth from the drug ushered my words out.

  “I’m afraid of Jack finding out my secret,” I said. My words were slurred. Although William smiled, I didn’t feel proud this time at answering one of his questions. I felt shame. “I shouldn’t have said that.” I turned away from William and tried to wrap my arms around myself but William grabbed them and held them tight. “I don’t want to talk anymore!”

  “I’m sorry, Penny, but you have no choice,” William said.

  “I know,” I replied out of nowhere as I grew even warmer. I was uncomfortable and the pressure in my chest returned.

  “Let’s get started on what the Employer wants to know,” he said, letting go of my arms. “Your mother and Beck can wait.” He walked back to the desk.

  “Okay,” I sighed. Sweat rolled down my face. I raised my hand to wipe the sweat away but stopped when my shoulder hurt. The pain then went to my chest. “May I have some water?” I asked.

  “Not right now, Penny,” he replied and returned with something I recognized. It was something that should not have been where I was.

  “What are you doing with that?” I questioned.

  “No questions from you,” said William. “I ask the questions and the Employer needs you to answer them. It’s very, very important. You want to help the Employer, don’t you?”

  “No,” I replied truthfully. I had no choice. “The Employer is hurting Jack. The Employer can go to hell.” The Warm Voice was very loud in my head.

  Be careful what you say! They will hurt you. Do not badmouth the Employer, my Pretty Penny.

  “I can’t help it,” I slurred to the Warm Voice. “I can’t fight it.”

  Yes, you can. You are strong. You are so, so strong. The strongest woman I know.

  “Who are you talking to?” asked William and sat next to me again.

  “One of the voices inside me.”

  “Voices? Are you mentally ill?”

  “Am I mentally ill?” I repeated. “No, I’m not crazy.”

  “You’re talking to voices. You’re crazy. You’re insane. We know you’ve received mental health treatment.”

  “I am depressed. I have anorexia. I am not insane. You are the one that is insane,” I said. The words just slipped from my lips so easily. “The Employer’s insane for kidnapping Jack and taking him from his children.”

  “Aren’t you worried about the Employer hearing you?” William pointed to the camera. I looked directly at it. I had guts now.

  “Go to hell,” I said.

  “Penny!” William screamed at me and I jumped. He slapped me once, then twice.

  “Don’t hit me,” I said with a whimper.

  “Don’t be rude,” he countered.

  “Fuck off.”

  Everything went black.

  . . .

  The first day went well. Although William did not attain any useful information for the Employer, he got the wheels moving for the next few days. Successful interrogation required delicate groundwork and that’s what he and Vivienne laid. It was a long session – they were at sixteen hours and counting – but that would work for them. Long sessions allowed for the all-important deprivation of basi
c needs. No food, no water, no bathroom break. No comfort. And no dignity.

  After Vivienne brought Penny to after William clocked her, he forced her to take off her t-shirt and strung her up from the shackles. He had yanked hard enough for her to scream from pain from her barely healed shoulders and when Vivienne checked them out, she said he had reinjured them. That had been his plan all along and the reason why Penny received medical treatment.

  William lowered her just enough so her damaged legs had no choice but to support her. He kept her in that position for the last fifteen hours. Penny struggled physically but she was still strong where it counted more – the mind and soul. The task at hand wasn’t to break her. No, that would come later. The Employer had a strong hatred of Penny and William doubted with what the Employer wanted done to Penny would allow her to keep her mind. There was a good chance she would physically live but there was a much better chance Penny’s mind and soul would be damaged. This had made the Employer giddy.

  Punching Penny wasn’t his only act of violence towards her. Successful interrogation also needed its fair share of pain. William never felt bad about hurting another person; in his eyes, their guests were guilty in the eyes of those that hired him and his team. And to be honest, he enjoyed watching James and Landon do what they did best. James excelled at historical torture methods while Landon was the team’s expert at sexual torture, including rape. Their clients up to that point had all been men and Landon was chomping at the bit to get at Penny. He would have to wait, however. The Employer was specific when it came to his expertise. Landon could do everything in his arsenal, including using objects, but he could not rape with his own body until the Employer gave the okay. And Landon could not touch Jack at all, at least not until the time was right and necessary.

  William himself excelled at traditional interrogation and torture techniques that were taught to him by the US military. He also studied the techniques of other countries. The US held back in the area of pain but other countries in the Middle East and Asia knew how to inflict extreme pain on their political prisoners. He was serious when he came to his job both during his years working for the government and then when he branched out into the private sector.