Caesar jabbed him again. 'Okay?'
His fingers were like rocks. 'What is it you want from me?' Glass said.
'Apart from your gorgeous body?' Jasmine said.
'Shut your fanny,' Caesar told her.
Glass flinched as Caesar's hand found his shoulder.
'Look,' Caesar said, his voice all friendly, 'we just need that bit of help we mentioned.' Glass was about to speak, but Caesar continued: 'No risk in it for you.'
'I've heard that before,' Glass said.
'And it was true, wasn't it?' Caesar squeezed Glass's shoulder.
Glass felt the scars on his shoulder burn beneath Caesar's fingers.
'Not exactly.'
'Well, you didn't get caught. And this is even less risky.'
Glass didn't want to know. He didn't want to have to say he wouldn't do it, cause then everything would start up all over again. And whatever it was, there was no way he could go through with it. He wouldn't be able to pull it off. He couldn't. Not without getting out of his head.
'What it is,' Caesar said, removing his hand from Glass's shoulder, 'is, we're a bit fed up of this place, the three of us.'
'Don't blame you,' Glass said.
'Yes,' Caesar said. 'But you get to go home to your lovely wife and kid at night.'
Glass stiffened.
'I'm being sincere,' Caesar said. 'You get to see your family. Whilst I have to bunk up with Jasmine here. Who's lovely too, but she's got a dick. Think you'd like that?'
'Course not.'
'I didn't think so. So you understand how we all might want to be somewhere else?'
'I can understand it, yeah.' Glass resisted stating the obvious.
'Good,' Caesar said. 'That's very good.'
There was a pause. Glass couldn't hold it back any longer. 'But you're all lifers,' he said. Even Jasmine. Only two years into a minimum ten-spot. She looked like skin and bones held together with lipstick but she was an accessory to a double killing. Her accomplice had torched a flat they'd robbed, killing the young couple they'd left tied up in the bedroom. Maybe he ought to be afraid of her after all.
Caesar lowered his voice. 'That's why we're breaking out.'
'I don't want to hear this,' Glass said.
'But you've no choice,' Caesar said. 'Our escape plan won't work without you.'
*
In C-Hall, once the prisoners were locked up, there was very little to do, so staffing was at a minimum. The officer on night duty was the lone guard and he'd spend most of the night sitting in the office or the staff room with his feet up and his slippers on, reading a book and drinking coffee.
Cushy number. Glass didn't mind night shift at all, not since he'd been muling for Caesar and Lorna and Caitlin were safe.
All the duty officer had to do was patrol at set intervals, check the cons were okay, and peg in at the appropriate station — 'pegging' being a simple matter of slotting a key in a wall panel and turning it clockwise or anti-clockwise, depending on what instructions you received at the gate. It was just a way to make sure you didn't spend the night asleep.
He'd be given his code for the night too. A phrase to say if everything was okay, and another to say if there was trouble. In other words, if he'd been taken hostage. But that was unlikely. The only risk arose if an inmate needed to leave his cell. And that'd only happen in a medical emergency. In which case, the duty officer would call down to the gate for assistance before unlocking the prisoner's cell.
Follow procedure and you're fine.
Caesar's plan was to create a hostage situation with Glass next time he was on nights. Jasmine would pretend to be sick. Glass would screw up, and fail to get back-up from the gate before opening Caesar and Jasmine's peter. Once Glass was inside, they'd take him hostage. And after opening Horse's peter, they'd all leave with Glass in tow. Then they'd get into Glass's car, and he'd drive them to safety.
They'd let him go afterwards. Nobody need know he was in on the break.
There was silence for a moment after Caesar finished outlining the plan.
'So, you'll do it?' Horse said.
'And get my arse handed to me? They'll cut me loose.'
'Nah,' Caesar said. 'You'll be all traumatised. Imagine how it'd look if they sacked an officer who'd been taken hostage.'
'Nobody's going to believe I'm not in on it.'
'Why not?'
'Cause it would take a total idiot to open your peter when he's the only officer on duty.'
'That's why you're the perfect choice,' Horse said.
FRIDAY
During free association, some of the cons who might be nervous of interaction with the others preferred to stay in their peters. So did some of the cons who were just plain anti-social. And sometimes, there wasn't an obvious reason. Glass didn't know why Darko and Mafia were in their peter this afternoon, but that's where he found them.
Darko held a tortoiseshell kitten.
When Glass walked towards Darko, the kitten spat at him.
'Hey, precious,' Darko said. 'Officer Glass won't hurt you. He's one of the good guys.'
Hard to tell if there was a trace of sarcasm there or not.
The kitten wriggled, then settled down again and let Darko stroke it. After a bit, it started to purr.
Glass wanted to pet it too. It annoyed him that it trusted Darko and not him.
Mafia said, 'They only like Darko.'
Glass nodded.
'It isn't that they don't like you.'
'I didn't think it was.'
'Whatever,' Mafia said. 'What do you want?'
Painful though it was, Glass said, 'I need to talk.'
'Last time we talked, it didn't go so well.'
'I know.'
'And you're sorry?'
Glass knew he should say yes. But he was glad he'd whacked Mafia in the jaw and he'd do it again if the same situation arose. 'Can't say I am,' he said.
'Oh,' Mafia said, 'that's encouraging.'
'It is?'
'Absolutely.' He looked towards Darko. 'We might make a man of him yet.'
'Don't talk about me like that.'
'Like what?'
'Like I'm not here.'
'Even better,' Mafia said. 'I'm impressed.' He moved within a foot of Glass. Close enough for his breath to touch Glass's cheek when he spoke. 'What do you want?'
'In private.'
'Okay. Darko won't mind leaving us alone for a—'
'No, let Darko stay. We should be the ones to leave.'
'It's okay,' Darko said. 'I don't mind.'
'You don't need to do that,' Glass said.
'Yes,' Darko said. 'I think I do.'
He walked out, the kitten in his arms still purring.
*
Glass told Mafia about Caesar's escape plan.
Mafia said, 'You can't.'
'I know. But they'll get Watt to threaten my family again or blackmail me about the drugs.' He explained about the tape recording.
'You've stopped taking in gear for them?'
Glass nodded.
'That's something.' Mafia paused. 'You're a stupid fuck, though. What do you want me to do?'
'Help me.'
'How can I do that?'
'Have a word with Watt. Tell him to back off.'
'What's he done?'
'Nothing yet. But if I don't agree to help Caesar escape—'
'He won't listen to me.'
'He's your brother.'
'I'm sorry. Believe me, Nick, I'm the last person he'd listen to.'
'But he talks to you. He told you about me bringing in drugs for Caesar, didn't he?'
'You don't understand.'
'Right, I get it. Well, I suppose I still have that gun.'
'Now there's an empty threat.'
'Is it? I can't do what they want. And I can't let your brother harm my family. So it leaves me with very little choice.'
Mafia took off his shades. 'I almost believe you.'
SATURDAY
&n
bsp; 'You ready?' Lorna asked.
Glass turned off the TV. 'Just get my keys,' he said, and went to pick them up from the kitchen, yawning.
He hadn't slept much last night again. Kept waking up shaking, unable to remember what he'd been dreaming about but knowing that it was horrible enough that he didn't want to go back to sleep.
Lorna had snored through it all, occasionally kicking him with her heel as she stretched out.
He'd got up about six. Tidied the sitting room, washed the dishes. Caitlin appeared as he was finishing, and told him she'd wet herself. He washed her, stripped the bed, slung the wet pyjamas and bedding into the washing machine. Then he hoovered while she had breakfast. Afterwards, when he asked her if she would put the toys away in her room, she replied, 'I can't be bothered.'
He stared at her. 'How about if I give you a hand? We can do it together.'
'I just can't be bothered.' She stared back at him. 'I need a drink.'
Thank you, Lorna.
Glass understood that his wife had been through a traumatic experience with Watt, but she'd behaved exactly this way when she broke up with David. Became self-destructive, started picking fights. Drank to cope and then started to act as though she couldn't give a shit about anything. Glass knew Watt was to blame this time, but sometimes he still couldn't be sure she wasn't thinking about her ex-lover. Didn't really matter. Either way, she was telling Glass he was inadequate. And it was all starting to have an effect on Caitlin.
They'd gone to see an animated movie last week and Lorna'd talked most of the way through it. Laughing at inappropriate moments, criticising the 'stupid' story aloud. Pissed off the family in front of them. The father kept turning round, asking her to please be quiet.
Even Caitlin had got sick of her mum's snide comments and told her to shut up. Not in those words, exactly. But that's what she meant.
About halfway through, Lorna had walked out in a huff.
Today, when she got up, Glass told her about Caitlin wetting herself and about what their daughter had said.
'Promise I'll stay sober from now on,' Lorna said. 'Turn over a new leaf. Starting right now. No more drink. I've been indulging too much.'
Sounded too good to be true.
'Why didn't you say something before?' she asked. 'I've hardly been a fit mother the past few weeks.'
So now it was Glass's fault she was drinking? He knew she was goading him. He said, 'It's not exactly the first time.'
She looked at him, didn't argue.
Another day, she might have thought he was goading her back. But really he was just stating a fact.
She was responding already to being off the booze, though. More laidback. Less emotional. At least he hoped that's what it was. Alcohol was such a shit drug, but she refused to try anything else.
He could tell her about Caesar's escape plan. He wanted to. But he wouldn't. She didn't trust him to cope. She'd get upset, and that'd probably be enough to start her drinking again. Anyway, it wasn't necessary that she knew. Glass had everything he needed to deal with the situation in his biscuit tin in the tea chest in his garage.
God, though, he was tired. And his right index finger hurt, like he'd stubbed the tip of it against something during the night, and his shoulder nagged like an old injury in bad weather.
He picked up his keys, stepped out into the hall as Caitlin was stomping down the stairs. She grinned at him and he realised he was grinning too.
'Waiting on you, Daddy,' she said.
Lorna was standing by the door, ready to go. 'Get your coat on, cheeky,' she said.
'You get your coat on, cheeky,' Caitlin said back.
'Don't talk to your mum like that, babygirl,' Glass said.
'Leave her alone,' Lorna said. 'She's not doing any harm.'
'She shouldn't—'
'Nick, please.'
'I'm sorry, Daddy,' Caitlin said. 'Don't fight with Mummy.'
'That's okay,' Glass said. 'We're not fighting.'
Lorna shook her head. 'I'll wait outside.'
*
The air was cool. The sky was grey and a pleasant November drizzle sprayed Glass's cheeks.
He was about to comment on how nice it was when Lorna said, 'Foul weather. I hate this country.'
Caitlin said, 'I like rain.'
'Me, too,' Glass said. 'Mummy just likes to moan.'
Course, that wasn't the smartest thing he could have said, and he regretted it immediately. He wished she didn't piss him off so easily, but the constant negativity wasn't something he could cope with on so little sleep. Not surprising he needed some chemical help now and then.
'You think that? I like to moan?'
'I—'
'You do. You think I have nothing better to do than complain.' Her eyes grew small, her lips thinned. 'Well, you don't know what it's like to bring up a kid virtually single-handed.'
'That's not fair. One of us has to work.' He saw the hostility in her eyes and carried on before she could respond, 'I'm not criticising, Lorna. Just telling it how it is.'
'You think I don't want to work? I miss people.'
'I know.'
'You do? Do you know the kind of strain it can put on a person, being Mum all the time?'
'Not now.' Glass grabbed Caitlin's hand. She squeezed his fingers.
'Surprise, surprise. It's never the right time to talk about this farce we call a relationship.'
'It's not a farce.'
'What's a farce, Daddy?'
'Oh, yes it is,' Lorna said.
And he almost said, 'Oh, no it's not.' He laughed. Maybe he shouldn't have. He'd been provocative enough already. But what did a little extra provocation matter? Lorna was being completely unreasonable. He laughed again.
'Grow up,' Lorna said. 'You're incapable of taking anything seriously. Worse than a bloody child.'
'Get in the car, Caitlin. I want to have a quiet word with Mummy.'
Caitlin looked like she didn't like the sound of that. 'You won't argue?'
He shook his head.
'What's a farce?'
'Something that's fun,' he said. 'Honest.'
Once Caitlin had closed the car door, Lorna said, 'So let's hear your quiet word.'
'Don't.' Glass placed his hands on her shoulders. 'You're the mother of my child. You're my wife.'
'Jesus, that's depressing.'
'We have to try.'
'I'm trying,' she said. 'Believe me. I'm always trying. Very fucking hard.'
He let his hands drop, took hold of his wedding ring between his middle finger and thumb. Turned it. Turned it again.
'And it gets harder all the time,' she said.
She was telling him she didn't love him. Well, he knew that. You didn't sleep with someone else if you were in love with your partner. He'd forgiven her. Tried to make it work. But it seemed that neither of them could forget.
There were times when it didn't hurt, when he felt numb. Like now. And those were the best times.
'Let's go,' she said. 'The rain's getting heavy.'
*
They listened to one of Caitlin's CDs in the car. By the time they got to Kinnaird Terminal, the rain had stopped and the sky had cleared.
'I've changed my mind,' Lorna said when they got out of the car. 'I'm not in the mood to watch a film.'
'Oh, Mummy.'
'You two go on. I'll wander round the shops.'
'I already booked the tickets,' Glass said.
She opened her handbag, took out her wallet, snapped it open. Thrust a fiver at him.
He looked at her. Then he took the money.
*
Inside the shopping mall, hand in hand with Caitlin going up the escalator. He had to stand sideways, but she wouldn't let go and he didn't blame her.
He looked up to the top of the escalator. And there he was.
Waving.
A gun shot. Blood. Glass looking down at his hand, the gun in it, dropping it.
Would have been nice, but Glass didn't ha
ve the gun with him so he glowered at Watt instead.
*
'Hello, Caitlin,' Watt said when they got to the top of the elevator. He looked at Glass. 'Where's the lovely Lorna?'
Glass said, 'Why are you here?'
'Why do you think?'
'Never mind.' Glass tugged Caitlin's hand. 'We're going.'
Watt said loudly, 'I said hello, Caitlin. Very rude not to answer. Doesn't your daddy teach you any manners?'
Glass turned. 'I'm not in a mood to play games.' He leaned in close to Watt and whispered, 'So fuck off.'
'Ooooh, that's scary.' Watt looked at Caitlin. 'Scary man, your dad, eh?'
'No, he's not. You're a scary man. Daddy's right. Fuck off.'
'Caitlin!'
Watt grinned. 'Smart kid. Bigger balls than you. I like her.'
'Let it rest, Watt.'
'Okay, just tell me where I can find Lorna.'
Glass squeezed Caitlin's hand, hoped she realised he meant that she should say nothing. She did. Smart kid. Watt was right about that.
Watt said, 'Guess I'll go have a look for her, then. No tips as to where I should start?'
'Daddy, let's go.' Caitlin pulled his sleeve with her free hand. 'Daddy. The film's going to start.'
'Sorry, babygirl. I don't think we can watch a film today.'
'But, Daddy.'
'Another time.'
'Not on account of me, I hope?' Watt said. 'I'd hate to spoil your day out.'
Glass started to lead Caitlin round to the opposite end of the mall where the down escalator was situated.
Watt followed. 'Hey, you'll never guess who I got a call from.'
Glass stopped.
'My brother seems to like you. I don't know why that is. You like your dad, Caitlin?'
Glass gripped her hand more tightly.
She said, 'Ow.'
'Careful,' Watt said. 'You're hurting her. You okay, babygirl?'
'Leave us alone,' Glass said.
'I can't see anything to like,' Watt said. 'Apart from your family. Those two girls are the most attractive thing about you.'
Images of Watt's wide open mouth, the sound of him screaming, flashed in front of Glass's eyes and roared in his ears.
Glass said, 'Whatever Caesar wants, I won't be part of it.'
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