Free Unbound (The Braille Club #2) by J. A. Kerr

functionality of the sensory suit had improved, allowing patrons a host of options. The connection to the Braille chair, for example, is adjustable from light to strong, depending on what the patron decides will be the most effective. The tracery pulse within the suit is now controllable; from slow to fast and intermittent. The patron must choose his approach wisely; their trial and error period is still only 15 minutes long.
     
    London 2014
    Siena
     
    Siena lay awake unable to sleep, tense and unhappy; withholding the DNA results and her impending testimony were taking their toll. She could sense the net closing in. Benedict asked her repeatedly if she was okay. God, she loved him, wanted nothing more than to share her thoughts and worries, but would he feel the same when she did? Her mind continued to churn until the familiar cry of the twins came as a relief. Slipping from the bed, she entered the nursery. She stared at the faces of the twins, for once asleep. Was her mind playing tricks on her? Turning dejectedly, she padded down to the kitchen. She sat in the darkness and let the tears come. Since she got that letter, she just couldn’t stop them, and then his warm arms were around her, strong and loving, making her sob even harder.
    “It will be over soon, I promise. Then he can’t hurt us anymore,” whispered Benedict fiercely as he rocked her.
    Siena said nothing as she watched the dawn arrive. Her parents would soon arrive to care for the twins as they had done every day since the trial began. She leant against Benedict and drew strength from him. Mentally she needed to pull herself together and conserve her energy to face that monster in court. She couldn’t bear to look at Nick knowing what he did—just being in the same room made her skin crawl. On the one occasion their gaze met, his calculated stare frightened her; like he was still in control. Nick was up to something, she knew that look—he was probably trying to scare her. Well, he excelled at that. No amount of makeup could disguise the dark shadows under her eyes and her clothes hung loose with the weight she had lost. She was so tired; she just wanted it to be over.
    Siena eventually spoke to her lawyer. Philippa told her there was an unconfirmed rumour the DNA results were out although her firm had received nothing. Had Siena received anything in the post? She told Siena her source was normally reliable, but wanted to check with her first before she contacted the DNA company directly.
    “No,” she lied. Philippa sighed and said she would look into it.
    The courtroom was quiet. Standing centre stage, Nick’s QC held the jury spellbound as he built up the suspense. Siena saw Philippa frown and lean forward. He distributed Exhibit C to the jurors, asking them not to open the paperwork until instructed to do so. His voice was clear and powerful as he gave a full and technical background into the reliability of DNA testing.
    Philippa shot out of her chair. “Objection, Your Honour. It appears the defence is in possession of information we are not privy to.”
    Nick’s QC feigned a look of shock while a smile dressed his lips. “Your Honour, do you expect us to believe that my learned friend does not have these results in her possession?”
    “Your Honour, may I approach the bench?” said Philippa urgently.
    “Your Honour, I believe this to be a stalling tactic,” the defence blustered.
    Siena watched the proceedings as fear clutched at her heart. She watched Benedict’s look of anger turn to anxiety. The court was adjourned for the day, following the judge’s ruling. Benedict took her arm as they followed Philippa. As soon as they were clear of the court, Philippa made a phone call while Siena and Benedict waited nervously.
    “Is this some kind of joke?” Benedict fumed, pacing up and down. “How did Waters get the results before we did?”
    Siena tried to speak, but a sob escaped instead.
    “Siena,” said Benedict, rushing to her