by Nesly Clerge
“Of?”
“You, man. He knows you’re back and he’s afraid.”
“You’re full of it.”
“That’s the scoop.”
“Why are you so interested in my Bo problem?”
“I hate that bastard.”
“Get in line.”
“I know how it sounds, but Bo’s scared. He’s sure you’re going to go after him.”
Starks stayed silent.
“Well, are you?”
The call for the count came over the loud-speaker. Sounds of shoe soles slapping against concrete, books and papers being put away, and toilets flushing filled the wide corridor as inmates started lining up.
Starks saw and felt inmates on his block glancing his way, though no one said a word. Maybe that was a good thing, maybe it wasn’t.
Time would tell.
***
Silence erupted as soon as Starks entered the chow hall for lunch.
He appeared calm as he took his tray but he was on full alert, not that he believed anything would be tried so soon, and not with four guards paying better attention than they had previously. Still, he made sure his facial expression let those in front of and behind him know they were to keep their distance. He noticed that Jackson had lost his place directly behind him, which did happen when inmates moved to get in line, but it caused him to fight suspicions that wanted to surface.
He didn’t doubt that some new plan was in the works by Bo and his followers, especially once word had gotten out after the attack—and it was sure to have gotten out—that he was not dead but recovering in the hospital and would be back.
And now he was.
Tray in hand, he went to the farthest table, the one closest to the door. No one was sitting at it yet. He took a seat at the end of the bench, also near the door, and faced in, where he could watch everything and everyone.
Lawson, according to Jackson, was still in isolation, so that’s where he’d get his meals. And he hoped it was true that the Weasel was fed nothing but nutraloaf. He deserved it.
Bo and his bunch were absent from the chow hall. Maybe Jackson would have information about why they weren’t at their usual table at the usual time. For now, it was a temporary reprieve.
No one sat near Starks. Jackson had hesitated before sitting down midway in the rectangular room, his indecision about whether to join his new cellmate or not evident on his face for only a moment.
Inmates facing Starks’s direction couldn’t help but stare briefly before looking away. Others initially turned to have a quick look at him then turned back to their trays.
Starks ate with moderate speed. Grateful the experience was uneventful he turned his tray in and returned to his cell, where he pondered one payback scenario after another, ditching each one in turn as their flaws became evident.
He was sure there had to be a way.
CHAPTER 75
CO TED LANDERS entered the cell smiling.
“Mr. Starks, you okay?”
Starks sat up in his bunk and grinned. “Good enough. What about you, Ted?”
The guard patted his stomach. “Except for my not-so-little middle, I’m still in pretty good shape.”
Ted stretched his arm up and handed over a note that read Jeffrey—call ASAP.
“Thanks. I’ll call him now. I’m just glad you didn’t tell me they were holding a caller on the phone for me at the guard’s desk.”
A puzzled expression crossed Ted’s face. “We never do that. We take a message and get it to the inmate.”
“That sick ruse was played on me shortly before the attack.” Starks stopped himself just short of revealing why he’d been tricked out of his cell.
“I didn’t know. Sorry about what happened.” Ted stared at his feet. “I was the first one to reach you that day.”
“You must have done something right because here I am.”
“All I did was a lot of hollering and cursing. I used my shirt to try to stop the bleeding. There was so much…” Ted looked up. “Sorry. You don’t need to hear that. Sure you’re okay?”
“Stronger than I was before.”
“I’ll walk with you to the phones. Make sure no one tries anything. Whenever I’m on duty, I’ll check on you. Offer whatever protection I can.”
Starks jumped off the bunk with his back to the guard to hide the fact the act rendered the pain nearly intolerable. He adjusted his expression and turned around.
“Ready when you are.”
They walked in silence for a moment then Starks said, “I appreciate you offering protection, but I don’t want you to compromise yourself.”
“Let me worry about that. I’ve been at this prison a while. There’s lots of shit going down. Always is. In the short time I have left here, I’ll do what I can.”
“You’re leaving? When? Why?”
“Two weeks. I can’t afford to work here anymore. My wife and I have twins. My mother took care of them while we worked. Couldn’t afford childcare, even with my wife working full-time and part-time. My wife…” He cleared his throat. “My wife was diagnosed with cancer last year. She kept working while getting treatment. Then my mother died. My wife’s gotten worse. Can’t work anymore. I’ve arranged to work two jobs so I can pay for childcare, get some help taking care of my wife, and pay on medical bills insurance isn’t covering.” Ted stopped walking, looked up and rocked on his feet. “I can’t lose her, Mr. Starks.”
“I’m truly sorry to hear this. It’s obvious you and your wife are close.”
“Love at first sight for both of us. My wife’s got a smile I can’t wait to see first thing in the morning. Smiles even with all she’s going through. And,” he chuckled, “she can’t tell a joke right for anything. Never could. But she loves to laugh.” His expression softened. “She’s my best friend.”
Starks started walking again but at a slow pace. “If things were different—financially, I mean, would you stay here?”
“And not work two jobs? Believe it. I hate the idea of having even less time with my wife than I do now.”
“You’ve always treated me with respect. And, you did what you could to help me that day, so I’m going to help you.” He held up the message. “I’m going make sure you and your wife are taken care of.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“I’ve done this before, help people in real need. My friend Jeffrey will set it up so you can continue to work here. Childcare will be taken care of. So will getting someone in to take care of the house and whatever your wife needs while you’re at work here, and even when you’re home, if you’d like. I can’t guarantee your wife’s recovery, but she’ll get the best medical care and other services available.”
Ted’s face registered surprise then his brow furrowed. “As much as I’d like to accept, I can’t. I can’t accept anything from inmates that might be taken as a bribe.”
“That’s not what’s happening here. This is an opportunity you can’t pass up, Ted.” He fixed his gaze on the guard until the man’s eyes met his. “Do this for your wife, for your children. There’s no reason we can’t keep this between us. We’re almost to the phones. What’s your decision?”
Ted paused and surveyed the area. Without looking at Starks, he said, “I have to. For her. I don’t know how to thank you.”
“No need to thank me. I always return favors and kindnesses.”
All the phones were in use as they approached, but an inmate ended his call soon after. No other inmates waited a turn.
Starks positioned himself at the phone then said, “I’ll tell Jeffrey what to do for you. I’ll set it up, but call him anyway, so he knows how to contact you.” He looked around. “Call him at Tandem Enterprises, but not from here. Never from here.”
“I understand.”
“You don’t have to stay with me.”
“I’ll wait over there and walk you back to your cell. At least this time, since I’m here.”
“I won’t be long.”
&nbs
p; Ted went to the observation desk and struck up a conversation with the guard encompassed behind bullet-proof glass, while Starks waited for the operator to complete his call.
“Jeffrey, any news?”
“Lewis Mason understands the urgency. Says he’ll have something for me to give to you, but his team has to get it ready.”
“That’s not exactly what I asked for but—”
“He went on and on about how he’s not a brilliant chemist for nothing, and that you’re going to owe him big-time.”
“I’ll set him straight about what I owe him later. Any idea what he’s cooking up?”
“Said he’d explain when he sees me. I’m approved for a visit tomorrow. Lewis said he’ll have his creation ready tonight. Not sure how I can give it to you if we’re separated by glass.”
“We won’t be. That was the arrangement then because I was in isolation. Now that I’m in general population, I get to meet with you in the visitation room. We just have to be careful about how you pass anything to me.”
“They’ll search me before they let me in. I’ll figure something out, as soon as I know what to figure out.”
“Really appreciate it, buddy. If I owe anyone, it’s you.”
“You don’t owe me, bro. The day you made me a partner changed my life. I was heading down a bleak financial vortex. You saved my ass. Did it in a way that saved my self-respect.”
“You’re my best friend. That’s what friends do.”
He heard Ted laugh and turned to glance his way. “There’s something else I need you to do.”
“Name it.”
“Ted Landers. He’s a guard here who’s treated me right, especially when I was attacked.”
Starks explained what was going on and what he wanted Jeffrey to take care of.
“What about Ana Ramirez?” he asked. “Did Jim get anything on her?”
“I’ll give you the scoop when I see you tomorrow.”
“Looking forward to it. Jeffrey… thanks.”
“I’m grateful you put me in a position to be able to do it all.”
“Can’t wait to see what Lewis has up his sleeve.”
“With him, there’s no telling.”
***
“For crying out loud, Jackson, turn off that damn light and go to bed,” Starks said. Instead of a click, he heard another page being turned.
“It’s a tiny light clipped to my book. It can’t possibly bother you up there.”
“I can hear the pages turning.”
“I’ll try to turn more quietly. Reading is fundamental.”
“All you do is read.”
“You should read this one when I’m done. How to Influence the Mind.”
“Not interested.”
“It pays to fill your mind with useful material.”
“My mind’s full enough.”
Tonight it was full of images: How he and Jeffrey and sometimes a few others got together for drinks after calling it a day at the office. The well-endowed—by nature or silicone—topless cocktail waitresses who’d serve their drinks at the high-end strip clubs, and who were ready to serve Starks in other ways to get the generous tips he gave them. The ease of how his Bentley responded on the road. How parking valets at his regular hangouts rushed to assist him, eager for the hundred-dollar tips he gave them for taking care of his car.
Other images wanted to occupy space in his mind but he brushed them away, allowing himself to slip into oblivion. As he fell asleep, the sounds of pages turned below him became more like gentle, slow-motion waves touching the shore.
And in that dream place, he smiled as Kayla, dressed in the tiniest bikini she could find, splashed in the waves.
CHAPTER 76
STARKS BLOCKED THE sunlight shining directly in his eyes.
“It’s already morning? Damn.”
Jackson yawned loud and long from his bunk. “You’re in a mood. Not that that’s unusual.”
Starks rubbed his face hard with his hands. “I can’t get that damn woman out of my head. Are the images ever going to stop?”
“The ex still disturbing your sleep with her nightcapades?”
“Legally, she’s still my wife.”
“Nothing more than a paper fallacy at this point.”
Jackson shuffled to the toilet, did what was needed then prepped his toothbrush. “Same dream about her each time or different ones?” He brushed his teeth, using the mirror to watch Starks slip his scrub shirt on over his undershirt.
“They’re usually different, except this brief dream does happen often, like a film clip played over and over.” He paused then went on. “We were back in high school. Waiting at the bus stop. Kayla tripped and fell, but wasn’t hurt. I reached for her hand to help her up, which didn’t go smoothly, because we were both laughing so hard. I slipped and ended up on the grass next to her.”
“Did that happen for real?”
“Yes. I don’t know why that moment is significant enough to repeat as often as it does.”
Jackson added water to his mouth, swished it around then spit. “I think you still have a thing for her.”
Starks climbed down. “You’re wrong.”
“I mean it, man. Not to be nosy, but who actually cheated first? I know from the media that it wasn’t lack of funds that upset the marital bliss. You’re loaded.”
Starks looked straight at his cellmate. “The bitch never blames herself for anything she ever did. If she’d stayed faithful—”
Jackson snickered. “You know what’s funny?”
“Can I stop you from telling me?”
“Men dish it out but they can’t take it. Most men will have sex with any number of women. But as soon as their girlfriend or wife does anything,” he shook his hands in the air, “the balance of their universe is upset.”
“Let’s kill this conversation.”
“Truth bites, doesn’t it?”
“That’s enough, Jackson.”
“Chomp, chomp.”
“I mean it.”
Grinning, Jackson said as he slipped his shoes on, “You want it your way, fair or not.”
“Stay out of my head.”
***
“Look at this sad excuse for eggs,” Starks said. “No way they came from a chicken. Stale toast hard enough to be a hockey puck and mystery meat that came from God only knows what kind of animal.”
“Yeah,” Jackson said. “Food like this makes you glad to wake up in the morning.”
“I wouldn’t feed this to a dog.”
“That’s what we are in here. Dogs.” Fork in hand, Jackson pointed around the room. “You got your pit bulls, your Chihuahuas, your weenie dogs—”
“I get the picture.”
“Hey, there’s five guards here today instead of four.”
Starks scanned the room, stopping when he reached a particular table. “And I think I know why.” He gestured with his head. “Bo’s here today.”
Jackson followed the direction Starks’s eyes were aimed at until he spotted Bo at his usual table.
“Yeah. And he definitely knows you’re here.” He leaned forward. “No worries. The guards are watching. Even Bo’s too smart to do anything in here again. And I’ll tell you something else. We gotta get Bo before he can get you.”
“I don’t know what this ‘we’ business is about.”
“I’m in it with you, man. I told you I hate that sonofabitch.”
“What are you going to do, magic man? Pull a rabbit out of your ass?”
Jackson chuckled. “Either I will or you will.”
CHAPTER 77
STARKS WAS LYING on his bunk when Ted Landers came to the cell and told him he had a visitor.
“Thanks, Ted.” Starks slipped on his shoes and climbed down.
“If you don’t mind, I’ll walk with you.”
“I don’t mind. How’s your wife doing?”
The two men walked side-by-side and a foot apart.
Ted lowered his voice. “
No change. I called your friend, though. The one waiting for you. We’re meeting tonight. He said he’ll handle everything from now on. All I have to do is let him know what we need and he’ll see we get it. I still can’t believe this is happening; that you’re doing this. My wife and I are still stunned, and grateful.”
“Glad I can help. I hope it makes a difference.”
“It already has. Peace of mind. For both of us.”
They stopped at the entrance to the visitation room.
Starks said, “I wish I could introduce you to Jeffrey, but obviously that’s not a good idea. I don’t know if you saw him yet but that’s him in the corner, in the brown suede jacket.”
Ted gave the briefest glance in that direction. “Got it. Now I gotta go.”
Starks wound his way through the round vinyl tables surrounded by plastic chairs.
Jeffrey bounced up and gave his friend a brief hug.
“Bro! Glad to see you walking and talking.”
“Takes more than stabbing me eleven times to keep me down.”
“Eleven? Damn.”
“Maybe it was an even dozen but who’s counting?”
“You may not be huge, but you’ve always been tough. Tougher than I realized.”
Jeffrey added in a low voice. “Let me sit first then you take the chair to my left.” He positioned himself so his back was toward the wall. His expression became earnest. “How do you feel? You all healed up?”
“I feel good, except for the scars. They sometimes hurt like a sonofabitch.”
Starks lifted his shirt and undershirt with both hands. “Look fast.”
Jeffrey’s mouth dropped open. “Jesus.”
“Yep. Scarred for life. Literally and figuratively.” He straightened his clothing. “My own fucking cellmate did it. Someone else did the head damage.”
“Can anything be done to make sure nothing like this ever happens again?”
“That’s the plan.”
“You have to survive, bro.”
Starks locked his gaze with his friend’s. “I have to take out the bastards who did this. That’s the only way to guarantee—as much as that’s possible in here—that I continue to live, and in one piece, at least as far as my safety directly involves them.”