The Hypnotic Hand

By Patricia Bandurka and John Sliz

Manfred Schmidt is an aspiring magician in pre-war Germany. His talent is his ability to hypnotize people. During one performance, the Fuhrer himself, Adolf Hitler, is in the audience. Impressed with Manfred's abilities, he recruits him to influence foreign affairs. Knowing he cannot refuse the Fuhrer, Manfred now must use his skills and do Hitler's bidding.

For the better part of fifty years, John Henderson and Harrison Taylor have been on a manhunt to find members of an SS group who had wreaked havoc on Europe during the war and have been far more reckless afterwards. As they get closer and closer to the finish line of life, they know that time is running out. Their only hope is to find people who can carry on the mission to end the DHH once and for all. If not, they know that the DHH will continue to do more harm.

Audrey Taylor and Luke Henderson meet when they are ten-years old on vacation with their families in Jamaica. While neither takes a liking to the other at first, they form an interesting acquaintance. This acquaintance becomes forced on them when their grandfathers ask them to exchange books and write letters. Neither one of them wants to partake, but nor do they want to disappoint their grandfather. Little do they know that they have embarked on something much more than a mere book exchange.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Travelogue 219
• Release date: Nov 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9781927679968

Book preview

Part I: The Code Breaker's

Code

Chapter 1:

Jamaica 2000

The sounds of waves crashing against the shore was always the greatest symphony to Audrey Taylor. For a ten-year old, it was one soundtrack she knew she would never get tired of. The slightly pudgy girl with long straight honey blonde hair stood in the water up to her knees, with her eyes closed, so she could concentrate on the waves as they played music for her. After a twelve-hour plane ride from London’s Heathrow to Jamaica’s Montego Bay, she was finally where she belonged; in the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. She had a look of peace on her roundish face.

This trip had been one she’d been looking forward to since December. A surprise family holiday from her grandfather and a vacation she was going to enjoy. The only downside of the trip was that homework still needed to be done. How a teacher could give homework over a break was absolutely ridiculous. However, while it needed to be done, homework was the furthest thing from her mind. Lucky for her, she was an excellent student and had completed most, if not all, of her homework on the way to paradise.

Audrey Rose, a thin woman in her late thirties shouted. Out of the water now! With your fair skin, you will look like a lobster in no time at all!

She rolled her blue eyes. At least the lobster can stay in the water, she thought. Not wanting to start an argument with her mother, she got out of the water and headed to the umbrellas. She picked up the towel and dried herself off.

Happy? Audrey scoffed.

Very, her mother replied. I ordered lunch for you. It’s inside.

Beef patties? she asked.

Again? her mother rebuked.

Audrey’s mother, Lucy Taylor, was nothing if not the ideal English woman. Her fair skin was always made to perfection and her dirty blonde hair was never out of place. The Queen of England could show up unannounced and she had no doubt that her mother would be able to pull off Afternoon Tea without breaking a sweat. Even though her mother drove her crazy, she loved her. It was an interesting dynamic between the pair that clearly worked because Audrey knew that no one but her mother could sit with her for six straight hours as they watched BBC’s Pride & Prejudice. Then again, both of them loved the book and Colin Firth’s Fitzwilliam Darcy was always a treat to watch.

Yes, again! Audrey said. Upon their arrival yesterday, she had taken an instant liking to the Jamaican pastry and pepper pot soup. She liked spicy food, a rare feat for a kid, and the beef patty was unlike anything she’d ever had before.

Why not? she asked. We’re on holiday?

Yes, and at this rate, we will have to roll you out of here, pudgy, said a smug voice causing both Audrey and her mother to turn to look at a teenage girl sitting in the sun to Lucy’s right.

Annie! her mother scolded, which was ignored. Annie smirked as she went back to letting the sun warm her. She readjusted her sunglasses and closed her eyes.

Seeing that Annie had allowed herself to be vulnerable, Audrey took this moment and walked to where her older sister was lounging. With a grin and a twist of her head so that it dangled over the lounge chair, Audrey proceeded to ring out her wet hair all over her older sister.

Hey! Annie shouted as she reacted to the sudden onrush of water on her face and sunglasses. I just cleaned them you little...

Annie! Lucy cautioned.

Seeing that her sister was not pleased and preparing for revenge, Audrey took off running down the beach towards the villa. She leapt over a small row of bushes that lined the sidewalk and was nearing the door of her villa when she bumped into a solidly built man coming out the door.

Oy, she said. She would have fallen over, but was caught by a strong arm.

Audrey looked up and saw her grandfather, Harrison Taylor. For a man approaching eighty, his reflexes were incredible. He didn’t look nor act his age. Most people always commented how much younger he seemed. His hair had thinned a bit as it shifted from grey to white over the past few years, but he still had most of it. He had more wrinkles now, but his blue grey eyes were as friendly as ever. She gave him a sheepish grin and in turn, he gave her one right back.

I take it that you are on the run? he said. What did you do to Annie now?

I may have given her a wee bit of a shower, she replied.

May or did? he asked.

She shrugged her shoulders in response.

He smirked. Guilty as charged, I see.

Yep.

He stepped aside to allow her entrance into the villa.

Oh, by the way, I believe your lunch is waiting for you in the kitchen, Duckie, he said.

Audrey winced at his nickname for her. Only he could get away with it and he alone; well, on occasion, her father could too, but no one else could call her Duckie.

A nice spread too, he added. But, if you go into my room, you may or may not find a beef patty or two."

Thanks, Bumbles, she said as she whirled around and gave him a hug and a kiss.

Audrey ran to her room and changed into a dry bathing suit, a pair of shorts, and a well-worn Spice Girl's t-shirt. After carefully making sure that the coast was clear, she headed to her grandfather’s room and sure enough, two beef patties were there waiting for consumption. She took the plate and headed back to her room. After devouring one, she hid the other for later. Sure, it would be cold, but she didn’t care.

After lunch, she was ready to swim again. Knowing full well that she’d have to meet the minimum one-hour requirement before her mom would let her swim, which she found absolutely ridiculous, she decided that she would read on the beach instead. She placed her long, dirty blonde hair into a pony tail and grabbed a book off her nightstand: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

Audrey had read the book multiple times and could quote numerous passages from it. Still, her book report was due the Monday that they returned and like any typical student, she wasn’t going to touch the report until the plane ride home. Since she had read the novel so many times, she simply took the book casing off and placed it over Treasure Island instead. It was a habit she started doing a lot lately. It was actually her grandfather who showed her that trick.

Book in hand, Audrey walked back to the beach. She checked to see if Annie was still sunbathing. Seeing that she wasn’t there made her nervous. Her sister was nineteen, bigger, stronger, and much smarter; although that could be debated. She also had a way of enacting revenge when you least expected it.

She went for a walk with Bumbles to plan her revenge, a deep voice came behind her, giving her a fright.

Gorblimey! she yelped and dropped her book.

I prefer father if you don’t mind, Christopher Taylor rebuked and picked up her book. Here and don’t let your mother hear you talk like that, he said and gave it to her.

You gave me a fright, she said and took the book from him.

Didn’t mean to, he replied. Your mother went for a walk with your sister and grandfather. So, if you are so inclined to swim with the fish, you have a good hour at least. However, you can only do so once you have put on a healthy dose of sunblock and read a chapter of your homework.

In her head she questioned her teacher's sanity as she asked, Just one?

Yes, by then the sunblock should be dry, he said and headed up the stairs.

I curse my fair skin! she said.

While she loved her mother, she wished she had gotten her father’s colouring. He had an olive tone complexion, hazel eyes, and brown hair that was starting to grey at the temples. He was a distinguished looking man, she even remembered overhearing one of Annie’s friends saying how dreamy her father looked and compared him to Pierce Brosnan in regards to how attractive he was. Even some of her own friends thought her father was cute. Dad’s weren’t cute, they were dads and she certainly didn’t find her friend’s dads cute.

Blame your mum for those genetics, he said from halfway up the stairs.

I do! she moaned. Where are you going? she quizzed.

Homework.

What? Parents don't have homework.

Believe me, I do. He stopped on the second-floor landing to say, While I am on holiday, I do still have to check some email. Not sure what the connection will be like, but here’s hoping. Won’t be long. He went to turn away and then added, Oh by the way, we’re having dinner tonight with another family. A war buddy of your grandfather’s will be here with his family too. They have a boy about your age.

Audrey grimaced at his last statement. The last thing she wanted was to socialize with strangers, especially a boy her age. She dealt with enough immature boys her age at school; she didn’t need to deal with one here too. For Audrey, boys her age were messy and gross. They teased and made fun of you. Now, if they all could look like Brian McFadden from Westlife or Ronan Keating from Boyzone; then she would be perfectly happy.

Audrey, he said. Promise me that you will behave.

Fine, she replied with her fingers crossed behind her back.

Liar, he declared. By the way, has Jim hidden in the apple-barrel yet?

No, he’s done that and is telling Captain Smollett, Trelawney, and Doctor Livesey about the mutiny.

She noticed that her father was beaming at her and then closed her eyes tight, realizing that she had been busted. He knew that she wasn’t reading Prince Capsian. She felt her cheeks redden at being caught.

How did you know? she asked.

Well, he may be your grandfather, he said, but he was my father first so I also learned a thing or two from him. He chuckled. Don’t worry, sweetheart. Your secret is safe with me. Just make sure that book report is done, and not on the plane ride home!

Audrey sighed. Somehow, he always knew what she was actually up to and it annoyed her to no end. For a boring government employee, he seemed to know about everything and anything. She made her way down the path and headed toward the hammock. As promised, she applied the sunscreen and situated herself on the aforementioned swinging couch.

Lucas ‘Luke’ Henderson hated flying with a passion. Granted, it was his first flight, but he knew going forward with the utmost certainty that he would hate being trapped in a hollow tube and flung through the air at the mercy of a complete stranger. He would rather be at home right now playing his Nintendo 64 with his friends, instead he was going on vacation with his family to Jamaica. It’s not that he didn’t like his family, he loved them. At this moment, he would just rather be at home right now enjoying the week off school instead of heading down to a hotel on a beach, far away from his gaming console.

Two rows back, his older brother and sister, fraternal twins John III, also known as Jack, and Julia, both thought he was absolutely insane for wanting to stay home in Toronto. Then again, they were six years older than he was and apparently going away over March break and coming back with a tan was a must for them. Not to mention that his brother was into the frosted tips craze going on and his sister was sporting the latest Britney Spears look, which Luke thought was embarrassing and didn't know who looked worse between the two.

Teenagers are weird Luke mused and hoped that he would never be like them. Trying to forget his annoying siblings, he looked out the plane's window at the crystal, blue water, which got closer and closer as the plane was on its final approach. It was one indication that they were coming into land.

How you doing, Lucky? his grandfather, John Henderson, asked from the seat next to him.

Luke turned and looked up at the tall man sitting beside him, held his ears and pouted.

Take this, John said and held out a piece of spearmint gum. I promise it will help.

Luke took the piece of gum and opened it. Reluctantly, he put it in his mouth. To his surprise the cool gum eased the pain. He wasn't sure how gum could make his ears feel better, but it did.

John read his thoughts and stated, The chewing motion reduces the pressure on your ears, and it is the pressure that is causing the pain.

The descent of the plane jostled Luke's stomach and his mom, Alice Henderson, reached through the seats from behind and squeezed his hand.

You’re going to be okay, she soothed. We’re almost there.

He grunted.

Remember that this vacation is a gift from your grandparents, she whispered to him as John spoke to his wife in the seat on the other side of the aisle, and all they ask is that you enjoy yourself, so no whining.

Luke remembered her first telling him about this trip that his grandfather wanted to take the family away before he would not be able to travel anymore. It was a harsh reality. His grandfather was almost eighty and even though he had a young spirit, his body was starting to show its age. His father John Junior, or JJ as everyone called him, falsely inferred at the time that his father was dying. It convinced him to agree - as if he had a choice - to go, but it also made him feel sad. He didn't want his grandfather to go anywhere.

We’re almost there, sport, JJ said as he reached over the seat and squeezed his son's boney shoulder.

Almost couldn’t come soon enough for the ten-year old who hadn't been completely comfortable during theentire flight. The plane seemed to take forever as it came in to land, with the pilot making adjustment after adjustment for the crosswinds. Luke stared out the window to see that the ground was getting closer and closer. He wasn't prepared as the plane bounced off the runway. It also seemed that the pilot had miscalculated the proximity to ground by a couple of feet. However, a few bounces later, a loud gunning of the engines and then the abrupt application of the brakes slowed the plane down to a taxiing speed.

The plane was safely on the ground after its controlled fall.

A cheer from the other passengers informed Luke that he wasn't the only one to be thankful to be back on the ground, far away from any turbulence. He had made it.

See, came a calm voice, flying isn't so bad.

Luke nodded at his grandfather.

We'll get you on the boats next, John said and then looked hopefully at his grandson.

Boats? Luke screamed inside of his head. ‘I don't do water.’

The plane taxied to the terminal gate and parked. After a few minutes the doors opened and the rush of warm air came into the fuselage. This was a good indication that they weren't in Toronto's sub-zero climate anymore. Luke was already really hot by the time that he had walked down the stairs and he was amazed how he could be in two totally different climates in only a couple of hours. It had been snowing when they took off from Pearson. Here in Jamaica, it probably had never snowed. However, he kept hearing people mention the Jamaican bobsled team and he didn't quite understand how that was possible. He was confused, especially when they were laughing.

He found that he was now really hot.

For goodness sake, Alice told him from behind him, take your fleece off or you will melt.

Fine. He pulled the blue fleece off and carried it in his hand. Better, he thought as he started to cool down.

Still, he could feel the heat coming off the tarmac and fortunately the terminal was only a short walk away. Inside they joined one of the many long lines.

Alice tugged at his white t-shirt to straighten it.

Mom, he said, not bothering to hide the fact that what she had just done had irritated him.

Lucas...

The warning from her told him that it was best to just let her adjust his shirt.

Much better, Alice said. That will do until we get to the resort.

What are we waiting for? Luke asked.

Customs, JJ said. It shouldn't take too long. Then we will get our bags and a bus will take us to the resort.

Luke looked back to see that his grandparents and siblings were behind his parents. Jack mocked him by pretending to throw up so Luke turned to look forward again. He didn't see his sister punch Jack in the arm. Stop it, she told Jack. It was his first flight.

He's such a cry-baby.

JJ raised an eyebrow as he glared at Jack and then turned to Luke, Oh, I forgot to tell you that since we are getting a villa, you will have your own room.

Luke smiled. Really?

Yes. Jack will have his own room too.

In a different villa? Luke asked hopefully.

JJ and Alice both laughed. Um, no, JJ said.

Luke was excited that he got his own room. It was a first for him because at home he had to share a room with Jack. No more listening to Jack play video games under the covers as he was trying to sleep.

A couple of hours later Luke was enjoying unpacking and being alone in his very own room when he heard a knock.

Luke, can I come in? JJ said.

What's the password? he answered.

Penguins.

That is correct. You may enter.

JJ walked in to see that Luke had what he deemed to be his essentials to surviving this trip spread out on the bed. He had his Game Boy, a few comic books, and some other books too. His English class was currently reading Bridge to Terabithia and they had to write an imaginative chapter that could go anywhere in the book. The teacher said that it could be about anything and while Luke loved reading, writing wasn’t his strongest subject. He could do math, recall history, loved exploring geography, but give him a pen and a blank piece of paper and he wouldn't know what to do with them; he was sure that he and his imagination hadn't met yet.

Haven’t started the writing yet, eh? his dad said and picked up the book.

No, he said. Who gives homework on March break? he groaned. Don’t teachers want a break too? Or was the break really about torturing the kids while they were gone for a week?

He pictured his teachers huddled in the staff room brainstorming the best ways to make his life miserable. After all, wasn't that what PA days were for?

Well, Luke, not sure what to tell you, JJ said. Because I got news for you, I had homework too as a kid. It’s a rite of passage.

A right of what?

JJ sighed. A rite of passage. It is part of growing up.

Luke rolled his eyes and sat on the bed. He couldn’t play Super Mario on the plane and thought he’d play now.

Nope, his dad said and grabbed the Game Boy. You can play at night, but the sun is out and the only time I want you inside is for meals and homework. Go play in the sun and sand. They have some kids' activities and water slides too. I know that we will be swimming with the dolphins on Tuesday and checking out the Dunn’s River Falls on Thursday.

Luke groaned once more. He hated meeting people. Yes, he had friends at home, but he always had a hard time making new ones. He was painfully shy and would rather play video games then try to make new friends. What was the point anyway? Any friends that he made down here he would never see again.

Jack and Julia are already exploring the resort.

Good for them, he said as he shrugged.

Listen, JJ said and sat next him on the bed. I know that you would rather be in the basement playing video games, but I think for one week, you can indulge in this vacation and maybe have fun.

Luke looked at his dad and sighed. He knew he was being difficult and that wasn’t fair for the others. Okay, he relented. I will ‘try’ to have fun.

Thank you, his dad said and patted him on the back. By the way, we’ve been invited by the people staying in the next villa to come over for dinner tonight. It’s a war buddy of your grandfather’s. He’s here with his family too and - you will like this - I believe there’s a girl your age.

A girl? he groaned. At least if it was a boy, they would have a little more in common. Luke pouted until he remembered that this trip was for his grandfather. Luke was torn. He loved his gramps and he would do anything for him, but to be nice to a girl? That was pushing things.

If you don’t want to go to the main resort, why don’t you head down to the beach? his dad suggested. Your mom and I are meeting with the resort’s excursion booker. We’re going to confirm the trips I mentioned. Dinner is going to be around 6:30. It’s 1:00 now, go explore, Luke! JJ ruffled his hair, spun around and left the room.

Luke decided that checking out the beach didn’t sound so bad. He left his room with the intention of going to the beach, but his stomach said otherwise. Between the early flight and the fact that he didn't eat much on the plane, he was hungry.

He headed to the kitchen and saw an assorted fruit platter and some cheeses. He munched on a few and felt better.

Feeling better Luke? a voice asked from behind him and turned to see his grandma walk into the kitchen.

Yup, he said. Much.

I’m glad to hear it, she said.

I know where mom and dad are. Jack and Julia too. Where’s gramps? he asked and popped another grape into his mouth.

I think he was looking at chartering a boat for an afternoon so he could go fishing on Wednesday.

It’s only Saturday though? he said.

Your grandfather is a planner and not a last-minute man.

True, he said and ate a piece of watermelon.

I take it your dad told you about dinner? she prompted.

He did, he said. Told me to be nice and go explore. Now that I have eaten, I thought I would check out the beach. Want to come?

I would love too, but I am going to take a nap. When your grandfather gets together with his war buddies, it’s a long night of stories and reminiscing. I need the nap just so I don’t fall asleep tonight.

With that, his grandma gave him as kiss and headed to her room. He took a few more pieces of cheese and headed outside into the bright Jamaican sun.

Luke took his father’s request to heart and went to go explore. The heat hit him hard. He’d felt it earlier when he first got off the plane, but this was full force. He looked around and could hear the waves hitting the shore. He made his way to the path that led him down to the beach. The salty air assaulted him and while he wasn’t a fan, he got used to it pretty quickly. He walked down the steps and looked around. He could hear steel drums in the distance and saw some parasailers in the air over the water.

After looking around for a while he noticed a figure sitting on a hammock. He walked closer and saw that it was a girl that looked about his age. He guessed that she was the one his dad mentioned earlier. She looked like she was really into the book she was reading because he was certain that she would have heard him coming. He got closer and saw the cover, Prince Caspian? Luke had read it last year. It was okay, just not that exciting. She looked like she was literally on the edge of her seat riveted by the story by the way she was sitting. Her legs dangled as she sat on the edge of the hammock as the rest of it supported her back.

* * * * *

It didn’t take her long to get into the book. As usual, Audrey liked to immerse herself in the books that she read. She’d imagine she was friends with the main characters and be part of the group searching for treasure or be on a mystery with Nancy Drew. Even though she was supposed to read one chapter, one became two and two became three. Jim was on his own now, searching the island and she felt like she was right there with him.

What are you reading? came an unexpected voice. It startled her so much that she flipped out of the hammock onto the beach. I’m sorry, he said and tried to help her up.

You startled me, she got up quickly and brushed the sand off her body.

I said hello a few times, he replied. But you didn’t answer. Must be a good book then, he surmised.

It is.

Audrey stood and finally looked at the boy who disturbed her. She assumed that this must be the ‘so called boy about her age’ that her father referred to before. He was a bit on the lanky side. His brown hair was spiked up at the front and he wore a pair of glasses that seemed a little too big for him. He had on a pair of swim trunks and an oversized shirt that said Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Given the shirt and his accent, he was obviously from Canada.

"Prince Caspian? he said. I didn’t care for that one. I thought The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was better."

It is, she said again.

Then again, he rebutted. I don’t remember the book being that exciting to warrant the focus you had on it. What are you really reading?