Chapter 24
Chapter 24
A few minutes later
6:46 p.m.
I slip my phone into my pocket after showing the video of the illegal fights to the warden.
He doesn’t seem surprised by what he saw-more surprised that I know about it, and especially that I have proof.
He knew about their little schemes. He was probably part of it.
“This isn’t what you think, miss.”
“Oh yeah? Looks to me like illegal fights between inmates.”
“I can explain everything
“Explain what? That your guards are fucking pigs and would-be rapists?!”
“Ra-rapists? What do you mean?
“Why do you think I’m not wearing my uniform top? Those two sons of bitches, Anis and Franck, tore it off trying to rape me!”
He suddenly stands up and walks around his desk to face me. He pretends to be genuinely shocked and concerned.
But I know it’s all just a performance.
“I’m sorry they tried to do that to you! I’ll take the necessary steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again!”
“Necessary steps? Against who? Them, or you?”
“What are you saying?”
“Maybe you weren’t present, but you knew Anis was planning something
He puts a hand on his chest like I just wounded him.
“I had no idea! Rape is not tolerated in my prison?”
Liar. So natural at it, too.
“Maybe not officially-but unofficially, it sure is”
“These are very serious accusations”
“You think it’s serious now? Trust me, this is just a taste of what’s coming for your
Tve been a prison director for twenty-six years! Stop with these baseless accusations!”
“I know exactly what I’m saying. But don’t worry-when I talk to the higher-ups about the rape and the fights…”
I step closer, now just inches away from him.
Your guards will fall-and you’ll fall with them.”
- What do you want in exchange for your silence?”
1/3
Chapter 24
I’d been waiting for this moment since the start of the conversation. I walk around and sit in his chair, facing his desk. I gesture for him to sit down.
“Sit.”
He looks me up and down, sighs, and sits.
“Grab a pen and paper, and open your ears wide so you can write down exactly what I’m about to dictate.”
He grabs a sheet and a pen, ready to write.
“The underground fights? They stop. If they continue, this video will go not only to the higher-ups-but also to the media.”
He nods and writes it down.
My eyes fall on a milk chocolate bar-just the kind I like-hidden under a pile of papers. I grab it and savor it while kicking my feet up on his desk.
“I also want Anis and Franck transferred as soon as possible. Not to another prison, but to a psychiatric hospital.”
“But, miss, that’s very difficult to arrange…”
“And how do I explain that I don’t give a damn? I want them in the toughest psychiatric hospital in the country. If they refuse, you’ll use every contact you have to make sure they never find work again.”
I enjoy my chocolate bar under his worried gaze.
“As for you, you’re getting old. It’s time to retire-accidents happen so quickly, don’t they? A fall down the stairs or a bullet between the eyes is pretty common, no?”
The warden’s eyes widen. I respond with a provocative smile.
“Problem, Mr. Warden?”
He looks at me like I’m insane while I’m still munching on his chocolate.
And since I love provocation, I continue with pleasure:
“Inara, do you need anything else?”
He must think I’m crazy.
“I also want Mathieu to get a raise-and don’t even think about being stingy.”
He nods again, writes it down, and reads all my demands aloud. I smile as I toss the chocolate wrapper into the trash.
“I also want an early release for good behavior for the inmate named Chris Gonzalez. I want it processed quickly. You have one week to fulfill all my demands.”
I get up from his chair and lean toward the drawer I had searched last time. I grab the file. Alexander will be shocked.
“Consider this my parting gift.”
He’s speechless. I walk toward the exit, but before leaving the office, I turn back one last time:
“If my demands aren’t taken seriously, I’ll know-and I’ll carry out my threats.”
I flash a bright, joyful smile and wave like I’m saying “See you next time” to my best friend.
2/3
Chapter 24
APARTMENT
7:08 p.m.
After getting out of the shower, I slip into my sleep shorts and a tank top, then tie my hair up in a bun. I still can’t believe Anis and Franck tried to rape me-and that Alexander was the one who saved me.
He’s not who I would’ve bet on.
A smile escapes me as I remember his behavior and that moment when he asked for a kiss as a reward.
I told him I’d give him one. But that’s impossible now-because tomorrow, I sign my death sentence.
When my father finds out that Alexander is free and that I didn’t uncover what he was hiding in this prison, he might kill
I keep fiddling with my neck because I lost my necklace, and it frustrates me. It had sentimental value. It was the last gift my mother gave me when I was a child.
I check my phone. There’s a message from Mark asking when he’ll receive the weapons.
I had completely forgotten I was supposed to deliver them to him soon.
I put my phone on the dresser and bend down under my bed to retrieve the case that holds the weapons.
It’s nowhere to be found. I push the bed aside and, instead of the case, I find a piece of paper.
It’s a torn-out agenda page with tomorrow’s date.
“Thanks for the gift you gave me for my release, doll. I hope you’ll give me more of that kind.”
I read it over and over, then tear it to shreds in rage.
That bastard Alexander Graves stole my weapons!
But how? He’s locked up! I’m sure he had one of his men do the dirty work!
I kick the dresser hard, knocking it over in an attempt to release my frustration. My rage intensifies as I see its contents scatter across the floor.
If my father finds out the weapons were stolen, he’ll kill me a second time.
Mark will lose his mind when he finds out I lost them.
I have to find a way to get them back-even if I have to blow Alexander’s head off with lead.
Very big mistake, Alexander Graves.
