One Breath Brings Death (An Aaron Jaycynth Mystery--Book 2) Page 7

  He walked into conference room B to find Tanni sitting between Akerheart and Robins. He didn't make eye contact, nor did he say anything when Aaron sat down at the keyboard. "Tell me how to access the security system and you can leave."

  Chapter 14

  Tanni rubbed his stubby hands together as he looked at Aaron. "You know you are going to get me fired if I do that."

  "From what we have already, I'd be thinking about a good solicitor, not whether you have a job or not," said Akerheart, shifting in his chair to be more intimidating.

  Tanni looked from Akerheart to Aaron. The fear in his eyes and the wringing of his stubby hands suggested he knew more than he was admitting to. "Use port 6375."

  Aaron was on it as fast as his fingers could hit the keys. Within two minutes, he was past the Remedcon firewall and had what appeared to be unlimited access to the system. "Okay, now how do I see all the cameras in the facility?" Aaron had already gained access to many of the Remedcon cameras but he didn't want Tanni to know.

  Tanni gave him the codes, passwords and links to every port within the security system. Aaron worked through each port and found many of the cameras he had not found on his own. Then he went to the lobby cameras and played the surveillance video from an hour prior to the carryall being discovered. Tanni was much calmer as he watched the video feed, but kept wringing his hands.

  "Look at that," said Robins. "That guy going into the lobby has a carryall." They watched as the man walked to a set of chairs, put the carryall down and took a seat. He appeared to be typing into his mobile while looking over the top, scanning the room.

  "I wonder what he is looking for," said Aaron as they continued watching the video feed. "And I wish he would look up so I can get a good face shot." As if on queue, he looked around the room, stopping to check out the information desk. His face was in full view. "Got ya," said Aaron as he froze the video and took a screen shot. "I'm sending this to Shaun and the police. Hopefully they can find him in their databases," he said as he emailed the picture.

  Tanni was staring at the still screen. His eyes suggested he knew the person looking back at him. "Do you recognize him?" Robins asked Tanni.

  "I'm not sure, but I think it could be one of the researchers who used to work here," he said.

  Natalie and Joanne talked while Tanni showed Aaron how to get past the firewall at Remedcon. Joanne was able to dig into the records for the vaccine trial. "These files are filled with legal and medical jargon to keep the National Department of Health ministers happy. Most of it pertains to how the trial will be run, who will be selected as patients or clients, and how the results will be scored. I dug a bit further and found the results from the first human trial. You were accurate in your assessments of the program, Natalie," she said.

  "How? Don't stop there, give me some details."

  "The trials were supposed to have three groups of test subjects. But during the first group trial, several subjects had severe reactions to the vaccine. According to the write up, they stopped the trial and went back to study the cause of the reactions."

  "I guess that is normal. Things look good on paper and with the lab rats, but don't always work out with humans. So why didn't they try again?" asked Natalie.

  "I'm still digging. The files are secured so it takes a lot to get them released. And without a subpoena, I am working around the barriers and restrictions. You want me to continue or do you have enough?"

  Natalie wasn't sure if she wanted more and didn't want Joanne to get into trouble. Searching secure databases was her thing, but doing it without legal authorization was a different story. "Let me run with what you gave me. Could you talk with Shaun and get his feel for whether you should dig deeper?"

  "Sure thing, Natalie. Knowing Shaun as I do, he will say dig deeper, but I'll wait until you get back to me."

  Natalie walked into conference room B as Aaron was looking through video feeds from Remedcon. Tanni sat with his hands in his lap watching his world crumble in front of him. Sitting opposite Tanni, she asked, "What can you tell me about the pneumonia vaccine trials?"

  The question brought Tanni to a full upright sitting position. "Why are you asking me, I'm not a researcher?"

  "As the head of security, you have information on everything that goes on at Remedcon. What do you know, Tanni?"

  He looked at her with hatred on his face. "I've already told you more than I should. If you want more you'll have to talk with Mr. Taylor," he said and stood from the chair. When he was not stopped, he began to walk to the door, and then turned to Akerheart. "You drove me here, so the least you can do is return me to my car."

  "Don't even think about changing passwords or access codes, Tanni. If you do, I'm sure the good people at MI5 will find a reason to detain you for a while. Do I make myself clear?" asked Aaron as he looked at Tanni standing near the door.

  Tanni said nothing as he, Akerheart, and Robins left the conference room.

  "I sent Shaun and the police a shot from the video feed of the lobby. The picture showed a clear image of the guy who put the carryall down, then walked out. Tanni said he might have worked at Remedcon but didn't know his name. What did you get from Joanne?"

  Natalie filled Aaron in on the details Joanne was able to dig up. "We need to contact former employees who might have worked on the vaccine project. My gut says one of them is behind this," said Natalie. "Right now, I'm hungry and tired. It's been a long day and frankly I don't want to make it any longer." Looking at Aaron as if he might argue, she continued, "Do I have your permission to call it a day, or do you want me to start contacting the former employees?"

  Aaron smiled at her request and said, "You don't need to ask my permission for anything, Natalie. I am your coworker not your boss, remember?"

  "Maybe so, but you are heading this case and I don't want to mess things up for you."

  Aaron sat in silence for a minute and then said, "Do you have the names and addresses of the people you want to talk to?"

  "No, I need help with that. Tanni is not about to help and I'm sure Taylor won't either. Now that you have full access into their system, do you think you can hack their personnel files?"

  It took over two hours to get a partial list of the researchers. Joanne called Natalie saying that Shaun was obtaining all the legal papers for her to continue with the clandestine research. She said she would have more information in the morning, including names of test subjects and researchers. Hearing that, Aaron and Natalie called it a night.

  "You have any plans for the evening?" asked Natalie as she walked out with Aaron.

  "I don't normally go clubbing mid week, but a friend of mine asked me to join him if I had the energy. I need to get some down time and let all this stuff gel. Clubbing might just be the prescription I need," he said as he walked Natalie to her car. "What about you, hot date?"

  "The only hot thing I'll be doing tonight is a bath. My body and my mind hurt too much for anything else. Don't stay out too late, we have to solve this before anyone else gets hurt. Want a ride home?"

  "No thanks. Walking helps me think and I have lots to think about tonight. See you in the morning."

  While walking to his bedsit, Aaron sent a text to Barry, I understand, from Tom, that you are going to the club tonight. I'll meet you there when I can.

  He sent another text to Tom, Will be at The Underground around ten. What do you have planned for Barry?

  His mobile beeped within a few minutes. Barry was pleased that Aaron could meet up tonight, Tom set this up. He said it would help me get a better understanding of my status. That's all I know, sir.

  Aaron smiled as he walked. If Tom set this up, Barry will have a lot to think about when this night is over.

  His mobile beeped again as he climbed the stairs to his bedsit. The text from Tom read, Glad you will be there. Whatever you do, don't stop what I have planned. Barry needs to go through this at least once. See you later.

  Aaron's mind went into overdrive wondering what
Tom had set up and if Barry knew anything about the events that Tom had planned. This ought to be interesting

  Chapter 15

  Dressed in tight leather pants and vest, Aaron entered the loud music filled atmosphere that he loved. No matter what was on his mind, the rush of the club scene always gave him a wonderful feeling. It was like a drug - once you experienced it, you wanted more.

  As was always the case when a hot single guy walked in, all eyes scanned him from head to toe always stopping midway down or up to see what he was packing. He sometimes felt as if he were a piece of meat being inspected for the dinner table, but had to laugh since he did the same thing.

  With a smile on his face, he approached the bar and ordered his new normal, a scotch on the rocks. Ever since Akerheart recommended he try scotch, he found it to be his drink of choice. Only one tonight, I have too much going down he thought.

  While scanning the dance floor and other areas of the club, he noticed Tom's boy approaching, wearing only a small leather jock. He always enjoyed ogling Tom's boy. He was exactly what Aaron had envisioned for himself; smooth from head to toe, a solid muscular body, well hung, and stood about five foot seven. He had the most amazing smile, too. It lit up his entire face letting everyone know he enjoyed life.

  Quite the opposite from the way Aaron felt at the moment. He was here to witness Barry going through some kind of test. Was it just a fleeting thing or did he want Barry in his life? The thought gave him pause.

  "Good evening sir," he said as he approached Aaron. "My master asked that you wait about fifteen minutes before coming into the dungeon room. He is getting Barry ready."

  "I presume you know what is happening tonight," questioned Aaron as he pulled Tom's boy close.

  "Yes sir, I do," he said as he cuddled into Aaron's grip. "Tom is preparing Barry for the initiation ritual that many subs go through to prove their worth to their new masters."

  Aaron looked down at the boy, his mind in overdrive. "Why?" was his only word?

  The boy's eyes betrayed the lust he felt. Though he was Tom's and only Tom's, he enjoyed Aaron's touch. Held to Aaron's chest, he inhaled the intoxicating smell of a hot man wrapped up in leather. He became aroused and saw the knowing look as Aaron felt the boy's erection against his thigh. "Tom and Barry had a long talk, during which Barry said he wanted to really understand what it was like to be dominated by a strong, hot man. My master suggested he talk to you, but Barry said he was certain you would not do what he wanted," said the boy as he looked into Aaron's eyes for a hint of emotion. What he saw was bewilderment.

  Aaron knew Barry wanted more and had voiced that to him on a few occasions. He was not sure what he felt and didn't go further than he normally did with his subs. Aaron was an alpha male with strong desires and feelings about his partner. He wanted his mate to subject himself to him in many ways but not to become a puppet as he had seen so many subs become.

  Tom's boy stood quietly as Aaron thought through the situation. His master had told him that Aaron might not want what Barry wanted and to be careful as he spoke with him. Both Tom and his boy enjoyed Aaron's company and felt a growing friendship between them. When Aaron looked down again the boy said, "My master is letting Barry experience the ritual so he can gain a better understanding of what many masters will expect of him."

  "Have you experienced the ritual?" asked Aaron still holding the boy to his body.

  "No sir. Neither my master nor I want that type of relationship. We understand each other and have developed our own special bonding." After a minute of watching Aaron thinking about what he just said, Tom's boy asked, "May I ask you a question sir?"

  Aaron was rubbing the boy's back as he looked at the dance floor. Boys and men of all types and sizes were dancing, hugging, kissing and generally enjoying the music and the scene. He looked back to the boy in his arms and said, "Yes, I am not your master so you never have to ask permission to speak to me."

  "Maybe so, but I'm sure my master would not approve unless you gave me permission. My master and I talked about the boys you typically choose while here or at some of the other clubs. Barry is different." The sentence let Aaron know it was more than a statement.

  Looking back at the dance floor, Aaron said, "Barry approached me wanting to have what he thought Declan and I had. Declan is very straight but was willing to take on the role he played to help with the kidnapping case. I surmise Barry became jealous." He looked down at the boy and continued, "I agreed to help him learn what being a true sub was like. To answer your question - no he is not what I would normally choose. So I hope he finds someone he really wants to be his master. Does that make sense to you?"

  "Absolutely, sir. I think it's time we joined them."

  Aaron and the boy walked to the door of the dungeon as the music threatened to destroy their hearing. As he walked into the room, Aaron saw three X-frames along the far wall of the dungeon. Each held a naked man or boy willing to go through the initiation ritual. The center frame held Barry. His hands and feet were secured to points at the ends of the X-frame exposing his body to whatever his master offered. A ball gag was in his mouth and was secured by straps that ran to the back of his head. A blindfold covered his eyes, and noise-reducing headphones were on his ears.

  "Sensory deprivation is part of this ritual. Barry knows or at least understands what will happen tonight but will have no advanced warning of exactly what or when it will happen," said Tom as he approached Aaron who stood just inside the door. Tom's boy still in his arms, Aaron stared at the three men waiting for their individual hell to begin.

  Men with their boys stood along the walls ready to witness the events. Some boys were naked, most wore leather jocks, and all were kneeling next to their master. Tom and his boy led Aaron to a spot near the door with a clear path to see Barry. "Do you want to participate in any of this?" asked Tom.

  Aaron looked from Barry to Tom and then back to Barry. With his eyes fixed on the naked man held captive by chains and ropes, he said, "No, I'm not into this."

  Upon Aaron's answer, Tom signaled a tall burley man who was standing about five feet away to join them. "This is a friend of mine who definitely enjoys the BDSM world. He is a master with a totally submissive slave," he said as he looked to a young man kneeling on the floor near the wall opposite them. As Aaron looked at the slave, he realized he saw a man, not a boy. The man could be in his late twenties or even early thirties. He was naked, was completely shaved including his hair and eyebrows, wore a chastity device that looked very painful, and a metal collar securely fastened on his neck. He knelt with his head bowed with hands behind his back, in a fully submissive position.

  Tom continued after Aaron saw the man's slave. "I introduced Barry to Clint the other night. You were working late and I felt Barry needed to have his questions answered. Clint has agreed to stand in for you and help Barry understand what a master can do to his boy or in this case his submissive slave."

  "I'm not really into the master slave side of this community. And in my wildest dreams I would never have imagined that Barry was either," said Aaron as he looked from Clint to Barry and the other two X-frames. "What does he expect to happen tonight?"

  "Barry will not go through a full initiation, Aaron. He will feel the whip; have some cock and ball torture, and maybe a bit more. He said he wants to understand why pain seems to turn him on," said Clint. "He's been waiting for a while so I'm going to get things moving. Oh, if you are interested, you can use my slave," he said as he walked to the man/boy kneeling at the far wall.

  Aaron, Tom and Tom's boy watched as Clint lifted his boy's chin and spoke to him. The boy remained quiet, nodded his understanding, stood, and walked to Aaron. As he knelt he said, "My master has offered my services to you tonight, sir. Feel free to use me in any way you desire, sir"

  Aaron looked at the man/boy at his feet. "Thank you, but right now I want to watch the events over there." The man/boy remained at his feet in silence.

  "Remember the slave'
s safety is in the hands of his master. Nothing will happen to Barry that he does not want to happen. Clint and Barry have talked about this in great detail earlier today," said Tom as he watched Aaron's tortured face. "My boy and I don't usually watch these events as neither of us is into this side of the BDSM world. We are here for Barry tonight, and for you too Aaron. When this is over, I think Barry will have a good understanding of this world and you will fully grasp what you don't want in yours."

  As the evening progressed, Aaron watched the three captives receive the whip. Clint seemed to be holding back at first, but after a few minutes, he let the whip fly with full arm swings. Aaron felt each time the whip landed on Barry's back, thighs, and legs.

  Each captive held an orange ball in one hand. The ball represented their breaking point. Once dropped, the ball signaled the master to stop whatever he was doing and tend to his boy. To Aaron's surprise, Barry held the ball tighter with each swing of the whip.

  When Clint moved to cock and ball torture, Aaron thought, surely that Barry would drop the ball. Once again, he held it tightly. Tom's boy however couldn't stand to watch the events unfold. He buried his head in Tom's chest and placed his hands on his ears in an attempt to quiet the sounds of the flying whips and the screams of the men on the X-frames. Even with ball gags in their mouths, their muffled cries could be heard over the music coming through the open door.

  An hour into the ritual, Clint stopped, released Barry from the frame and helped him to a bench near the wall. Barry remained blindfolded, gagged and hearing impaired as Clint tended to the man. He removed the gag and gave Barry some water. Then he removed the earphones and finally the blindfold. Though Barry seemed exhausted, he smiled as Clint spoke to him. Then he turned to see Aaron near the opposite wall. He raised the water bottle in salute, smiled and attempted to stand. Clint held him in place, turned to Aaron and signaled him to approach.