Medical transport took off with Adara secured inside. Physically, she’d be all right. In his gut, he knew it. Psychologically—she had a long way to go. He would be there.
As the gusts from the chopper’s rotors died down, Julien turned to Nate. “Ready?” He’d briefly outlined what he had in mind. Much as he wanted to remain by Adara’s side, he’d only get one chance to complete his mission, to make certain the night’s scenario could never be repeated.
“Yep. Let’s get this done. This is definitely a first for me. Guess from now on you’ll have to call me doc.”
“Uh, no. I’ll be the surgeon on this round. You’ll have to be the assistant.”
“Ugh, okay, but don’t tell anyone I played Nurse Nancy. It offends my masculinity.”
“They’ll have him prepped and ready to give the Succinylcholine Chloride.” Julien’s tone warmed with the subject as he hurried back to his patient.
“Derivative of Curare? Vaguely familiar with that one.” Nate kept pace beside him.
“Kinda. But it’s ultra-short acting. It’ll be out of his system in five minutes. During that time he’ll be paralyzed, unable to breathe. We’ll have to ventilate him. Don’t worry, though, I brought an ambu bag.”
“Thanks to the little brother who thinks of everything. He’ll still feel what we’re doing?”
“Absolutely, he just won’t be able to do anything about it. Won’t be able to move a muscle, not even to scream.”
As they walked in the room of previous horrors, Gary lay flat on his back, pants dangling around one ankle, all four limbs tied to the desk Adara so recently vacated. They didn’t need a gag.
“Well, Gary, looks like we meet again. You do recall me telling you to leave Adara alone?” Julien’s voice embodied the ice in his veins.
“Yes! Yes! I swear, I’ll never bother her again. Please! Let me go. You’ve killed my father. It was all his idea.”
“Hmmm, you’ve just turned into a comedy pioneer, haven’t you?” Julien grimaced as he picked up a metal instrument.
“Please…” Gary looked from one grim-faced brother to the next. Sweat beaded his brow, chest rose and fell with short pants. His body squirmed within the confines of his restraints. Then his gaze fell on the device Julien held. “Oh God. Just kill me!”
“Oh, but, Gary, you’ve got so much to look forward to,” Nate said. “All those men in the prison will love you. Literally, if not emotionally.” He turned to see Julien snapping the gadget open and closed.
“How about that. Looks like our guest has seen a nutcracker before…imagine that.” Marc’s smile held nothing but malice.
“Oh yeah, you’re gonna live to be someone’s bitch. But before that, I have a few questions…let’s see how honest you can be. If you lie, I’ll know it—and be very upset.” Snap, snap with the weapon of choice.
“What? Ask me. I’ll tell you anything I know.”
“Of course you will. Did you kill Graham?” Julien closed the space between them, his face inches from Gary’s horrified expression.
“Graham? Graham who? I don’t know any Graham. And I’ve never killed anyone in my life.”
“Hmmm, I believe that to be an honest answer. What do you think, guys?” Julien glanced at his oldest brother.
“Yeah, I think he’s telling the truth on that one.” Conner frowned. “How about cutting out someone’s tongue? Has that become one of your favorite pastimes?”
“What? No, God, no. I haven’t cut out anyone’s tongue, or any other part.” Gary’s wide-eyed gaze remained on the tool glinting in dim light.
“What about Adara’s parents? Did you have anything to do with their deaths?” Julien used the apparatus to caress Gary’s cheek.
“No! That wasn’t me. That was my father. I was still a kid when they died.”
“Figures. But you did terrorize Adara, both at home and by leaving notes on her car at work…” In his mind, Julien continued to put the pieces together.
“Yes. Yes. We had to make sure she didn’t ask for help from any of you…Dad’s idea. He needed the money for his gambling debts.”
“I see. And I guess you’re gonna deny putting any listening devices on her desk at work…” Julien realized both Gary and his father lacked the intelligence and connections to do more than abuse Adara and leave her notes.
With renewed vigor, Gary nodded, then shook his head. “I didn't do any of that shit.”
“Okay, Conner, ready for the IV.” Julien’s grim determination didn’t falter. His next act constituted torture—but he also knew someday the dirtball would get out of prison—and want revenge on Adara.
At least he could guarantee the little prick would never rape her again, or anyone else. He’d make sure to inflict sufficient nerve damage. With one smooth motion, Conner inserted a needle into Gary’s basilic vein while Marc and Nate steadied his arm.
“What’s that? What are you giving me? Someday I’m gonna kill you all! What are you doing, you—” His scream died as the drug paralyzed his vocal cords.
“Somehow, your threat seems to lack a bit of flash and dash, my man.” Conner grinned as Gary’s eyes held the look of the dead.
“Okay, this is the rapist’s version of the apocalypse. You’ve just been out-crazed. I’m gonna geld you.” Julien leaned down, face-to-face with the bastard, while Conner covered Gary’s nose and mouth with the ambu bag to breathe for their paralyzed patient. Dilated pupils gave further evidence of the drug’s effectiveness.
“Well, Gary, I’ve been waiting for this moment.” Julien moved so Gary got another good look at the instrument. “Do you know what this is? Aw sorry, you can’t answer. But you’re sure gonna feel it.
“This is a burdizzo. A pliers-like device which will crush the duct and arteries to your nuts. Unfortunately, there’s frequent nerve damage, if only by accident. I assure you, it will be no accident tonight.” Julien hesitated to let his meaning sink in.
“What that means to you is first—pain. Lots and lots of pain. Surely not close to what you’ve caused Adara, but it’s the best I could come up with on short notice. Second, your cajones are gonna die, be absorbed into your body. You’re not going to rape another woman, ever. But don’t worry, we’ll take care of you, make sure the word gets spread in your cell block that you’ll need some extra TLC.”
Gary couldn’t scream, but Julien felt his fear. Smelled it. It was justice for Adara.