First Degree Innocence (22 page)

The buzzer sounded the end of visitation. Her father hung up the phone and blew a kiss. She patted her heart and smiled, then followed the other inmates out. Her eyes lingered on her father, still visible through the glass. With any luck, her prison stay would soon be over.

Outside of visitation, the inmates lined up for escort back to their particular cell blocks. As luck would have it, Carrie was the only one from her area, and had the distinct pleasure of Ogden’s company again. While they walked the long corridor, an awkward silence hung between them. A few cells away from her own, Carrie found herself up against the block wall with Ogden in her face. “Did you have a nice visit?” She ran her baton along Carrie’s jaw.

“Yes, I did.” She refused to let the old bitch ruin her day.

“You seem pretty chipper for someone who’s about to get her comeuppance.”

Carrie squared her shoulders. “Why don’t you just come right out and say what you mean.”

“I didn’t mean anything in particular, but I would watch my back if I were you. You’ve been a naughty girl and someone is really angry with you.”

“Yeah, Jet. I know. I’m through playing games with her.”

“Well, don’t say I didn’t warn you.” She shoved her baton into the holder on her hip, then lifted her gaze back to Carrie. “Oh, and by the way, Seth Martin resigned two days ago. I don’t think you can count on him for help, if that’s what you had planned.” Ogden grabbed Carrie’s arm and tugged her away from the wall. “You can either go back to your cell, or take advantage of your rec time. Your choice. But I’d recommend you stay behind bars where you’re safe. Consider the warning a present.”

Not wanting to risk injury or death at this stage, Carrie opted for the cell. Freedom didn’t benefit a dead person, and Jet was certainly out for her blood. Ogden’s laughter bounced off the block walls as she walked back toward her office.

“Bitch,” Carrie muttered, watching the old hen until she wobbled out of sight. Some day she’d be the one on the receiving end of indignity, and Carrie hoped she was around to witness the occasion.

Her temper calming, the impact of the guard’s announcement finally dawned. Seth resigned? That had to be a lie. He wouldn’t abandon her now, especially when she needed him most. Hadn’t he sent the note that warned her to watch her back? Surely he wouldn’t quit, knowing she was in danger. Would he? Perhaps Jet sent the missive as a scare tactic…or had one of her ass kissers do her bidding.

Carrie paced the cell, half of her refusing to believe Ogden, but the other half afraid what she said was true. But how could she verify the story? Without her trustee status, she hadn’t had real access to him in months. She’d missed his sweet smile and sparkling eyes, even more the dreams of being held in his arms. Had he gotten in trouble because of her? Worry tensed her shoulders and pounded in her temples. She would never forgive herself is she was the cause of his leaving.

Maybe he didn’t resign and waited for her in the gardening shed, as he often did during rec. He wouldn’t just leave without a word. Would he? She had to see. Gathering her courage, she aimed her trembling finger at the call button on the wall and pushed.

“Yes, what is it, Lang?” a monotone voice responded.

“I’ve changed my mind. I need to go to the rec room. Can you please open my cell door?”

“You’ve only got an hour left.”

“I know, I know, but please let me out.” Carrie’s grasp on the door turned her knuckles white.

A distinct click and the doors slid apart. Carrie raced down the hall as fast as she could, smiled at the guard who unlocked the door to the rec room, then raced across the floor, headed for outside. Her pulse thudded in her head and hope blossomed in her heart as she pushed through the door, sped across the asphalt court. Clasping her fingers through the chain link fence, she willed Seth to appear. He didn’t.

Feeling the November chill, she realized he wasn’t there. Tears pooled and spilled down her cheeks. Any hope she’d had that news of his leaving was untrue faded like the sun in a fog.

A gust of wind sweeping across the empty expanse outside the fence raised goosebumps on her arms and matched the cold emptiness in her heart. Why had he left her? Why?

“Well, Lang, fancy meeting you here.” Jet’s voice knotted Carrie’s stomach. “We thought you weren’t going to grace us with your presence today.”

Carrie swiped the wetness from her face and turned. Marie Collins, standing next to Jet, held a toothbrush sharpened into a menacing blade—the shiv Carrie had heard mentioned so often. The determined look Marie fixed on her left no doubt about her intentions. With Carrie’s back against the icy links of the fence and the duo blocking her way, she had nowhere to run. Visions of Seth, her father, Susanna, even her deceased mother flashed through her mind. Surely this wasn’t how things would end. But the scream she tried to muster froze in her throat the moment Marie lunged at her.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Carrie grappled for the shiv in Marie’s raised hand. Jet joined in the fracas, using her body and pinning Carrie in place. With fingers closed around her twin’s wrist, Carrie summoned all the strength she had to keep the blade from finding its mark. Her breath came in huffs and her heart raced.

“Freeze!” The word echoed through the outside recreation yard right before a rifle shot rang out. The dirt outside the fence splattered as the bullet buried itself in the ground. Jet and Marie stepped back, their eyes wide.

Carrie’s hand went to her throat. She drew a long breath. Realizing her life had just been saved, her knees went weak. She sagged against the fence, happy for the first time one existed.

“Don’t move a muscle.” A guard in the tower nearest them barked orders through a bullhorn.

Her brow furrowed, Marie took another step back and fixed her attention on the turret. She cast a sidelong glance at Jet. “What’ll I do with the weapon?”

Jet didn’t answer, but tension flexing along her jaw showed her shock at being discovered. Ogden wasn’t around to protect her this time.

Marie tucked the shiv inside her elastic waistband.

The outer door flew open, and three female matrons, one of them Ogden, spilled outside, batons drawn and pepper spray ready. The red-headed guard re-holstered her wooden club then using her radio, issued a “stand down,” to the guards in the towers.

“What the hell happened here?” Ogden locked an icy stare on Carrie.

“Why are you asking me? I was out here minding my own business when these two showed up.” She pointed at Jet and Marie. “Instead of assuming I did something wrong, I suggest you frisk Marie and see what you find. She was going to stab me.”

“Is that true?” Ogden turned to Collins.

“No, Jet and I just came out for a breath of fresh air, and Lang started running her mouth.” A seasoned liar, the woman didn’t even blink.

“Is that what happened, Jet?” Ogden slapped her baton against her palm in the annoying way she always did.

“Far as I know.” Jet shrugged and flashed a devious smile at Carrie.

Indignant at being lied about, Carrie pulled herself to her full height. “Of course, you’re going to take the word of your pet and her lackey over mine. I want to see the warden … in fact, I demand to see the warden.”

Carrie tipped her chin up. “I demand to see the warden. I’m being set up.” She screamed at the top of her lungs so the guards overhead could hear.

Ogden’s demeanor changed. She put away her pepper spray and baton. “Calm down, Lang.” She pressed her palms in mid air. “We’ll take care of this. There’s no reason to involve the warden in a minor scuffle.” She flashed a “thumbs up” at the tower.

“Minor scuffle? Are you fucking kidding me? The woman was going to stab me. It’s all part of Jet’s scheme to punish me for refusing to help her set up Susanna Crane. Ask her.” Carrie turned her gaze to her ex-cellmate. “Go ahead, Jet, tell the truth for once.”

Jet rolled her eyes. “You have a really vivid imagination, Lang. Have you been reading too many murder mysteries?”

Carrie’s blood boiled. “You’re such a—”

“Never mind,” Ogden interrupted. She took hold of Jet’s arm while the third guard grabbed Marie’s. “You two come with us. And Lang, you go about your business.”

The guards led the two inmates inside leaving her alone in the yard.

Ogden’s mock display of authority didn’t fool her. Disgust at the unfairness that reigned supreme in the system curled her lip into a sneer. Somehow, the weapon was bound to disappear, and Jet and Marie would emerge looking squeaky clean.

But the fault was her own. She never should have drifted off alone, making herself vulnerable. From now on, she planned to stick like glue to her friends, at least until
Ryan worked his magic. She only wished she knew how long it would take.

* * * * *

Carrie lay on the top bunk, with knees bent and staring at the ceiling. Thanksgiving had come and gone, and Christmas drew near. Still, Ryan hadn’t visited again, and the daily routine of eating, sleeping and avoiding Jet and her cellmate wore on Carrie’s nerves. As she suspected, Jet and Marie waltzed away from the stabbing attempt without any repercussions. Since then, she and Susanna maintained high alert when around the two. So far, so good.

Her thoughts turned to Seth. What happened to make him leave so abruptly? And why hadn’t he at least written to her? Incoming mail went through an inspection process, and he most likely didn’t want anyone knowing he was connected in any way to an inmate. The reality she was nothing more to him than a passing phase jabbed at her heart. The spots in the acoustic tiles overhead blurred through her tears.

Susanna returned from showering, her towel covering her hair like a turban. She walked to the sink, but glanced at Carrie. “Everything all right?”

“Fine, just fine.” Sarcasm in her voice belied her words.

“You don’t sound fine. Talk to me.”

Carrie rolled to her side and propped herself on her elbow. “I’m sick of waiting. Why did Ryan get my hopes up and then leave me hanging? It’s been over a month…almost two and I’m still here.” She knuckled away a tear.

Susanna unwound the terrycloth from her head, bent and let her wet locks hang free. Using her comb, she pulled the teeth through the snarls. “Sweetie, I wish I had an answer for you. All I can advise is don’t give up. Legal issues take time.”

“How can I keep clinging to the hope that Ryan completed what he started? The least he could do is come for another visit and let me know if he’s stalled, given up, or just doesn’t care anymore.”

Her cellmate straightened, her face flushed from hanging upside down, and pushed her hair behind her ears. “Why would he give up on something he seemed so sure he could prove? Maybe he’s just run into a wall and has to find a way around it. Like I said, these things take time.”

Carrie rolled onto her back again and draped her arm across her eyes. “I wish I could feel as positive as you sound. Seth left me hanging without giving me a reason, so why shouldn’t Ryan? They are friends, after all.”

“It’s almost time for rec. You going today or are you gonna stay here and carry on your pity-party?” Frustration tinged Susanna’s voice. “Honestly, Carrie, it doesn’t do any good to fret over your problems. You need to spend time with your friends and find something to laugh about.”

“And just what do I have to laugh about?” She didn’t bother removing her arm.

“Well, let’s see. You survived an attempted stabbing, you found out you have a father and family who care about you, and maybe it’s selfish of me, but I’m happy for every day you’re here because you’re like the sister I never had.”

Carrie sat up, inched to the bed’s edge and dangled her legs over the side. “After spending time with Jet, I know what you mean, and I don’t see that as being selfish. I’ve grown pretty fond of you, too. It looks like you might be stuck with me.” She forced a grin.

“C’mon and go to rec with me. The girls have been asking about you.”

“All right. I’m sick of this cell anyhow.” She slid to the floor. “I once heard a saying, ‘Life is an attitude, have a good one’, maybe I should use that as my mantra. Whadda you think?”

* * * * *

Carrie finished breakfast and put her tray next to the door. She’d never seen the guard who had earlier escorted Susanna to the kitchen, and several other new faces cropped up on swing and graveyard shifts. Ogden had been absent for days, giving the inmates a respite from her nastiness. Vacation maybe? Hopefully a cruise on a boat filled with holes.

Retrieving a piece of paper from the stash Susanna shared with her, Carrie settled down with a magazine on her lap to write a letter to her father. She had barely gotten the salutation down when she caught movement from the corner of her eye.

“Inmate Lang?” The red-headed guard with a severe case of freckles stood outside the cell.

“Yes.”

“Would you please come with me?”

Carrie put her letter aside and stood. “Why? Where are we going?”

Suspicion made Carrie’s short hairs stand on end. It wasn’t visitation day, too early for rec, not shower hour; her shoulders tensed. Was this a set up so Jet could finally achieve what she set out to do?

The guard unlocked the door. “I was instructed to bring you to the booking area. I believe there’s someone there to see you.”

Wary, Carrie slipped on her shoes and exited the cell. Her gaze wandered the hallways and her body readied for defense. There were few people she trusted anymore, and none of them wore uniforms.

Passing through the double doors into the guard’s territory, Carrie’s heart quickened. She dared not get her hopes up, but why else would she be summoned to an area she hadn’t seen since she checked into the joint? Bad memories of her processing and first encounter with Ogden flooded back. Faces of newcomers peered through the glass windows in the holding cells. Were they as frightened as she had been?