The Braille Club Reborn (The Braille Club #4)

by J. A. Kerr

  “Because it wouldn’t be a fair fight,” said Nick, stepping nearer Guy. He lifted his twisted hand. “But then I’ve got you to thank for that.”

  “My pleasure,” said Guy. “My only regret is he didn’t break your other hand too.”

  Nick lunged at Guy.

  Guy

  Guy jumped back, heart racing. He had to get Nick Waters away from Anna. He sensed whatever he had in that syringe was deadly. Surprised when he arrived not to see DI Clark, he decided he couldn’t wait for backup. With the roller shutter locked, he’d tried the rear and found the door open. Moving quietly, he slipped inside and was stunned to see Nick Waters leaning over an unmoving Anna. Fear and outrage coursed through him. How could Nick Waters be here? The red dot had been nowhere near the garage and now he knew why. What the fuck would he do? He only had one plan, disable Nick Waters and save Anna. He hoped he wasn’t too late.

  “You’re going to have to do better than that,” Guy taunted.

  Nick lunged again. Closer this time.

  Guy never took his gaze off the needle. It had come within inches of his body. He’d moved back at the last moment but it landed closer than he would have liked. Still, the main thing, Anna was out of immediate danger…if she was still alive—he couldn’t tell. She hadn’t moved. Had she heard his voice?

  “What have you done to her?”

  Nick waved the needle back and forth. “I think I broke her neck,” he giggled. “Payback for my broken bones, don’t you think?”

  Guy didn’t take the bait.

  “What? You don’t believe me? Look at the rope around her neck. I didn’t pull as hard as I would have liked.” He held his crushed hand up again. “But hard enough,” he laughed.

  Horror filled Guy as he switched his gaze from the syringe to Anna. Nick charged at him and, moving too late, he felt the sting as the needle punctured his flesh.

  Chapter 56

  The Braille Club Reborn

  Guy

  “Police! Police!”

  Guy watched as Nick Waters’ body flew across the room and slammed against the wall; the Taser wires embedded in his chest. He fell and his body jerked as spasm after spasm hit him. Officers filled the room.

  “Guy,” said DI Clark. “Are you okay?”

  Guy looked at the needle sticking out of his arm. “I think so…”

  “Medics are coming. Hang on.” His face twisted in anger. “Why didn’t you bloody call me with the address?”

  “I thought you were tracking him?”

  “We were, but the GPS changed direction. We followed it. If Mick hadn’t called me with the exact bloody location, I wouldn’t be here.”

  “Sorry,” Guy mumbled. He was feeling strange. “Is Anna okay? Can someone help Anna?” said Guy.

  “She’s breathing,” said Evan.

  Guy let out a sob of relief. “Waters said he’d broken her neck.”

  “Excuse me, sir. Let me look at that.”

  Guy turned to see a medic looking at his arm. “No, I’m fine,” said Guy. “See to Anna first.”

  “We have people attending to her, sir. Let’s get this out of your arm.”

  “Okay,” said Guy.

  It didn’t hurt when he pulled out the syringe. “Do you know what’s in this, sir?” asked the medic, his face full of concern.

  “No,” said Guy. “Waters wanted to use it on Anna. I had to distract him.” He was finding it hard to concentrate. He gazed over at Nick Waters. A medic was attending to him. A rush of rage made him stagger towards him. He wanted to kill the bastard.

  “Sir, we need to get you to the hospital,” said the alarmed medic.

  “Bastard,” Guy yelled but was caught by the medic.

  “Guy, do as the medic says, okay,” said DI Clark. His face was worried. “God knows what he’s injected into you.”

  Turning, he addressed the medic attending Anna Dunbar. “How is she?”

  “Not good, we’ve got the collar and spine board in place now. We can move her shortly.”

  The DI nodded. “And Waters?”

  “Unconscious. We need to get him to hospital too.”

  “He’s not the priority. They are. The bastard tried to kill them.”

  The medic nodded. Feeling dizzy and sick, Guy followed the medic to the ambulance. His tears fell freely as he climbed inside. It was over and Anna was safe. She was alive. His thoughts were blurring and, no longer able to keep his eyes open, he closed them.

  “Guy, Guy, stay with me. Open your eyes, Guy. It’s important that you don’t fall asleep.”

  Guy struggled to open his eyes. He couldn’t focus, sound was fading and then…nothing.

  Chapter 57

  The Braille Club Reborn

  Evan

  A search of Nick Waters’ car revealed the vial of morphine and syringes. The police quickly communicated this with the hospital. Evan left the officers at the scene and went straight there. Rushing up to reception, he demanded to speak to a doctor.

  “How is Guy?

  The doctor looked up and paused when he saw Evan. “And you are?”

  “Evan Radley, part of the police investigation.”

  “We’re treating him for a morphine overdose.”

  “Will he be okay?”

  “It depends how well he responds.”

  “And Anna Dunbar?”

  “She’s being prepped for surgery now.”

  “What’s wrong with her?”

  “Broken vertebrae in her neck, dehydration and infection.”

  Evan was stunned. “Will she be paralysed?”

  “She’s not conscious. We’ll know more after the surgery.”

  “Shit,” said Evan, “but they’ll both live?”

  “As I said, Mr Radley, we’ll know more when they have been treated.”

  “And Nick Waters?”

  The doctor frowned. “Still unconscious from the Taser.” His disapproval was evident.

  “I wouldn’t waste your sympathy on him. He broke Anna Dunbar’s neck and tried to kill Guy Walker. If we hadn’t used the Taser he’d have done worse.”

  The doctor looked uncomfortable. “He’s still my patient,” he said. “An officer is with him.”

  “Okay.”

  “Evan.” He turned to see DI Clark. “You did a great job.” His relief was obvious.

  Evan put a hand on his shoulder. “So did you.”

  The DI raked a hand through his hair. “I couldn’t believe it when the GPS signal began to move again in a different direction.”

  “I know.” Evan puffed out his cheeks. “But I think I know why. Did you see Waters was wearing protective booties?”

  “Yes. You think he noticed the tracker when he put them on?”

  “I’m sure of it. He’s the type of guy to know what it was.”

  “Led us a right bloody dance. But when Mick called with the garage location, I had to make a quick decision. Getting to Anna was priority. I went to the garage and sent half my team to arrest Waters. When they put on the blues and twos and stopped the car they scared the shit out of the woman driver and her daughter. They had no idea the tracker was on their car. Waters must have put it there to confuse us and it worked. I was furious with Guy for not calling in the address. He had a head start before Mick called me. He put himself at risk and look at what happened.”

  Evan cleared his throat. “To be fair, he saved Anna’s life. That overdose was meant for her. Waters would have injected her and we’d never have known.”

  DI Clark looked unconvinced. “Going in there with no protection or backup was stupid. Reason and personal safety don’t apply when it’s personal. But I hear what you’re saying,” he acknowledged grudgingly. “We’ll get the full story when we speak with Anna and Guy. Doctors say I can’t question Waters until he’s conscious.” DI Clark huffed.

  “Regardless,” said Evan and gave a dismissive wave, “you have everything you need on the pen.”

  “Oh, yes, we have Mr Waters’ carefu
l notes and planning. He was even kind enough to put them in date order.”

  “Good,” said Evan.

  “The SOCO’s will go through everything. The entire garage will be processed for trace evidence. Waters was a clever bastard, so thank God we got a break with the pen. I’ve got you to thank for that, Evan.” The DI shook his head. “I feel bad I didn’t spot it sooner.”

  “How were you to know? If I didn’t own the exact model, I’m not sure I would have guessed either. Are you going to release Katie Burns?”

  “Once we can rule her involvement out, but yes it’s looking that way. She eventually admitted she’d blacked out and didn’t remember a thing. She was too scared to admit it because of the seriousness of the crime. Katie confirmed Waters’ alibi because it gave her an alibi too. We’re still going through the pen now but Waters’ audio notes detail how he intended to frame Katie. He really did a real number on her. Looks like he knocked her out with drugs, took her coat, shoes and car. He planted her DNA all over the Harrison home and when we checked her computer it was loaded full of incriminating searches. If we hadn’t discovered the pen, Anna Dunbar would be dead and Katie Burns…in prison for a crime she didn’t commit while Waters walked free.”

  “He was planning to leave the country,” said Evan.

  “He was, there was a passport in a rucksack in his car. The clever bastard had booked flights to Spain and a parking space online for us to find as a decoy while he made his way to France. He had a Euro Tunnel ticket confirmation in his bag.”

  Evan shook his head. “I’m glad he’s no longer a risk.”

  “Once we’ve been through all the evidence, we’ll have a clearer picture.”

  “I doubt Nick Waters will cooperate,” said Evan.

  “With the evidence we got against him, he doesn’t need to. He’s going to prison for the rest of his life. Abduction and attempted murder of two children, abduction and attempted murder of Anna Dunbar, attempted murder of Guy Walker. No judge will show leniency and no parole board will let him out again.”

  “When you say it like that—I agree. I need to update Benedict Harrison. I said, I’d keep in touch. He’ll be worried.”

  “Okay,” said the DI Clark, “but I’d appreciate you kept the details of the investigation to yourself for the moment. I want to be absolutely sure our case is watertight before I make any promises to the Harrisons.”

  “Understood,” said Evan. With some trepidation, he lifted the phone to make the call.

  Chapter 58

  The Braille Club Reborn

  Guy

  Guy was out of it for a few hours. When he awoke he was hooked up to an IV.

  “W-w-what’s wrong with me?” he slurred.

  “Mr Walker, we are pumping opioid reversal medication through your system,” said a voice to his side. Guy tried to focus on what the doctor was saying.

  “Morphine is an opioid. Opioids kill by depressing respiration, a slow mode of death that leaves plenty of time for effective medical intervention. So thankfully an overdose is rapidly reversed by the administration of a safe and inexpensive drug called naloxone. It works by stripping clean the brain’s opioid receptors and reverses the respiratory depression causing almost immediate withdrawal,” smiled the doctor.

  Guy nodded but was finding it hard to stay awake.

  “Your body will still have to deal with side effects…” said the doctor, but Guy’s eyes closed as he slipped back under. He slept fitfully throughout the night, plagued by a horrible nightmare were he stood by watching Nick Waters inject Anna again and again. He jolted awake bathed in sweat, disorientated and dizzy. Confused, it took a moment to realise where he was. He tried to slow his hammering heart. Fear gripped him and made him ring for the nurse.

  He was convinced Nick Waters was trying to get to Anna again, trying to kill her. The nurse struggled to calm him but his agitation only increased. He wanted to know if Anna was okay. The nursed sighed and nodded, promising to check. She came back ten minutes later and found Guy trying to get out of the bed. Gently, she persuaded him to lie back while adding Anna was poorly but stable. She was still dehydrated but the surgery had gone well. Exhausted, Guy sagged in relief and soon fell asleep. The nightmare returned as did the fear—Guy’s eyes snapped open and he lay sweating and exhausted. He must have finally dozed off because when he awoke DI Clark was in his room. He knew at once something was wrong. The detective inspector’s face was ashen. Fear clutched at his heart.

  “Anna. Did he get to Anna?” he said in a panicked voice, trying to sit up.

  “No, Guy. Anna is okay. It’s not Anna,” said DI Clark.

  Guy frowned. “What is it?” His voice was stronger.

  “It’s Nick Waters.”

  “He’s escaped?” said Guy incredulously.

  “No, Guy. He’s dead.”

  “Dead,” Guy repeated.

  “Yes, dead. He went into cardiac arrest during the night.”

  “Dead.” Guy repeated.

  “Yes,” sighed the DI. “The doctors could not revive him.”

  Guy was stunned by the news. DI Clark looked miserable. It was never good when a suspect died in their custody.

  “What happened?” Guy asked in amazement. Inside, he suddenly relaxed. The threat to Anna had been removed forever. The bastard, at last, got what he deserved.

  “The doctors say it might be complication of the Taser, they’re not sure. A post mortem will tell them more.”

  “What do you think happened?” said Guy, more alert now.

  The DI shrugged. “Not sure. Tasers have killed before. The doctors said he never came round. He wasn’t in distress. His heart just stopped.”

  “Well, it couldn’t have happened to a nicer bloke,” said Guy. “Don’t beat yourself up. You did nothing wrong. He was under the care of the hospital.”

  DI Clark suddenly looked shattered. “Yeah, I know…”

  “Don’t worry about a piece of worthless shit like Waters,” said Guy angrily. “You and your team did a great job. You should be proud of yourself.”

  The DI stood. “I hope that’s the way the chief will see it.”

  “He’ll back you one hundred percent. You stopped a dangerous criminal. Remember that.”

  DI Clark nodded but still looked dejected. “Rest up, Guy.” He turned and walked out of the room.

  Guy couldn’t stop the smile, his initial feelings of disbelief had turned to relief. Nick Waters was dead. He cried, letting the tears and pent up emotion out. Finally, he could relax. Anna was safe and he desperately wanted to see her. The drugs pumped into him had saved his life and he was feeling better. Still not one hundred percent but better. He ate his breakfast slowly and decided to get up as soon as possible. He closed his eyes and revelled in the knowledge Nick Waters was dead.

  To his dismay, when he awoke it was several hours later, Nick Waters is dead, was his first thought. Had it all been a strange and twisted dream? Something his imagination had conjured up? Still groggy, he hadn’t realised how tired he still was. Looking up, he sighed to see he was still hooked up to the IV. He rang for the nurse.

  “You’re awake,” she said smiling.

  “Yes, sorry…could you tell me when I can get up? I want to visit my partner.”

  “Well, that’s for the doctor to decide. Rounds will be in an hour. You can ask her then.”

  Guy groaned. An hour seemed like a long time to wait. There was a knock at his door and he turned to see the concerned faces of Siena and Benedict.

  “Guy…are you okay?” said Siena, rushing towards him. He was enveloped in a perfumed hug. Benedict was behind her.

  He smiled. “I’ll live. How did you get in here?”

  “DI Clark told the nurse at the desk to expect us,” said Benedict. “Not that anything would have stopped us.”

  “How are you really?” said Benedict, his face intense. “No bullshit.”

  “Have you heard what happened?” said Guy, changing the subject.


  “Yes, Evan told us Nick Waters was in custody. He also told us about the encrypted files. You were right all along, Guy.”

  He covered his eyes with his hand. “No, it was Evan.” He couldn’t seem to keep awake. Had he dreamed the conversation with DI Clark? “I haven’t seen Anna. I need to find out how she is.” He yawned. His eyes were heavy.

  “She’s doing okay, Guy. We checked. Get some rest. We’ll come back later.”

  Guy tried to fight it but sleep claimed him.

  “Mr Walker?”

  Guy opened his eyes. The woman in front of him was smiling. “How are you feeling?”

  “Better,” he replied honestly. “When can I get up?”

  The doctor looked at his chart. “You are responding well to the treatment. That was a large overdose you were given. You may feel the after effects for up to two weeks.”

  “But I’ll be okay?”

  “Yes, but you need to rest and let the drugs come out of your system.”

  “I want to see my partner, Anna Dunbar. She was admitted last night.”

  “Yes, we can arrange that.”

  Guy smiled. “Good. I really need to see her.”

  When Guy was wheeled into Anna’s room he gasped at what he saw. The porter left him at the side of her bed.

  “The brace looks scary but it’s only there to keep Anna from moving her head,” said the nurse writing up a chart. “It will allow her neck to heal. Anna, you have visitor,” she said gently.

  Anna opened her eyes and looked straight at Guy. He smiled at her as his heart soared.

  “What happened to you?” she croaked.

  “Nothing, I’m fine,” he lied.

  “You don’t look it,” said Anna.

  Guy gave a weak laugh. “I’ve been better,” he said. There was nowhere to hide with Anna and, yes, he felt shit. “I’m more interested in how you are,” he managed.

  “Bloody sore,” she groaned.

  “Do you need more pain relief?” asked the nurse.

  “Yes,” she snapped.