by Susanne Beck
There was some public outcry over the decision, but for the most part, people seemed satisfied that justice had been properly served and Morgan was taken off to the Rainwater Women’s Correctional Facility to serve out the rest of her natural life behind bars.
However, there were things going on behind the scenes and Morgan’s case wasn’t left to lie in some newspaper morgue collecting dust. High powered attorneys stepped forward and, during the next five years, managed to take the case all the way to the United States Supreme Court. On March 16, 1972, the Supreme Court declared that Morgan’s sentence was unconstitutional. Four months later, on her twenty first birthday, Morgan Steele was released from prison, a free woman.
After my eyes scanned the last article, I closed the scrapbook and slid it back across the table to Corinne. "She was just a child when she came here. What happened to turn her into the person who would receive a welcome like the one I just saw?"
Corinne smiled sadly. "I think something happened to her while she was in the hospital recovering from her wounds. The person I met wasn’t the same one who murdered all those teens in cold blood. She was quiet, respectful. She just wanted to do her time as smoothly as possible. She didn’t want trouble." My friend caressed the leather cover of the scrapbook idly as her eyes took on a far away look. "Trouble managed to find her, though. In the late sixties, the gangs ruled this prison, even moreso than they do today. Racism was a big issue and there were racial riots almost every week. Beatings. Stabbings. Fires. You name it. The guards were quitting faster than they could hire new ones. The governor even threatened to send in the National Guard to restore order."
Corinne sighed. "It got to the point where you either had to choose sides or risk being murdered even by your own ‘people’. It was hell."
When my friend looked up, there was a twinkle in her eyes. "Ice was never known as a person who did things conventionally. Rather than join a gang, she started her own. The Amazons."
"Amazons? Who are they? Aside from being a group of mythical women warriors, I mean."
"You should know, Angel. Three of the top members are your close friends."
"Who?"
"Pony. Critter. Sonny."
I was shocked. In all my association with them, I had had no idea that my friends were gang members. "You’re kidding me."
"Nope. They’re members of the Amazons. A gang Ice started when she was here last."
Intrigued, I leaned closer to Corinne. "And what do these Amazons stand for?"
Corinne shrugged. "Whatever they want to stand for. They are the gang in this prison."
"But . . .but that doesn’t make any sense! They all seem so nice!"
"They are nice, Angel. They can also be totally ruthless. It all depends on where you’re standing." She caressed the book again. "Let me try and explain it to you. Like I’ve already said, the gangs were destroying this prison. No one knew what to do to stop it. Ice, who by this time had developed a reputation as the penitentiary’s best fighter, approached some other women who were also known for their fighting ability, intelligence and loyalty. These women banded together to form the Amazons, a new gang. The best of the best, and dedicated to bringing the prison back under control. It took them several months, but when it was all over, the gangs had been pushed back. The Amazons became a sort of inmate peace keeping force. They help people who need it and punish those who need that too. They make sure no one gang is overtly stronger than the others, and they help to protect the truly oppressed."
"And she did all this when she was fifteen?"
Corinne’s grin turned smug. "Yup."
"Wow." Looking at the fond smile on my friend’s face, I was moved to question further. "If you don’t mind my asking, Corinne, what’s your interest in all this?"
"Oh, that’s simple enough. Even though I was an old lady without value as a fighter, I still had some influence in this prison. The whites wanted that influence and the blacks wanted to destroy it. It was the one thing they banded together in. One night, members of both gangs came with molotov cocktails, threatening to burn me and my library down if I didn’t choose." Her eyes took on that peculiar hard shine that I had noticed from time to time before. "Ice came out of nowhere and took them all on by herself. The gangs lost eight people that night. One person’s still in the hospital. In a coma."
I gasped out, horrified. "And the rest?"
"Oh, they all recovered. Eventually." Corinne sneered. "I was never bothered again. I think part of me fell in love with her that night; my dark avenger. What she did, it was . . . beautiful." She turned back to look at me, her eyes full of love for the woman known as Ice. "She’s kept an eye out for me ever since. Even when she wasn’t in prison, she made sure I was safe. The library has been allowed to exist, and grow, in peace and I’ve been allowed to do the same. Thanks to her."
"That’s amazing."
"Yes, she is."
"So, do you know why she’s back in?"
"It’s not very clear. From what I’ve been able to gather, when she got out last time, she was approached by some very important people."
"Who?"
"Difficult to say, but I’ve heard that they’re the type who wear dark suits and sport very Italian sounding surnames."
"The Mob?!?"
"So I’ve heard. Somehow, they managed to get her to join up with them. I have to admit that I was pretty shocked. I felt sure she would go straight after her time here. But she didn’t."
"So what happened?"
"My contacts tell me she was able to go quite far in the organization, despite the fact that she has absolutely no Italian blood in her whatsoever. Apparently she was some sort of gun for hire, on contract with these fellows. Quite good at her job too, as if you couldn’t guess that already."
I listened to Corinne, shaking my head at her story. The mystery of why this young woman, who was given a miraculous second chance, would choose to go back to crime was one I really wanted to solve.
"From what I’ve heard, she was sent to take out a witness who was testifying at an upcoming extortion trial. The strange thing is, the witness was apparently testifying for the defense. That doesn’t make much sense. Unless, of course, there’s someone high up in one of the Families who wants this Boss behind bars for some reason. Something happened and she got caught. Word is that she was set up, big time."
"Do you think she did it?"
"I don’t know. I don’t think so. It’s just not her style. The Ice I know doesn’t take out witnesses, no matter which side they’re testifying for."
"Well, it seems like the Ice you knew changed a lot once she left prison."
"True. But still, something just doesn’t add up. I really became suspicious when I heard that she was stuck with a court appointed defense attorney. The Mob usually helps its own in these situations. Even when you screw up, they’re usually behind you all the way."
I felt my own smile spread across my face. "Well, then. It looks like we’ve got our own mystery to solve. Colombo, watch out. Angel’s on the case."
My mirth was halted by a hard hand on my wrist. "Angel," Corinne said seriously, "tread lightly. Ice is a very private woman and if you pry without her consent, you’re going to end up on the receiving end of a whole barrel full of trouble, no matter who your friends are. Though I sense that there’s going to be a very important connection between the two of you, she is a very, very dangerous woman. Above all else, you need to remember that."
Swallowing hard, I remembered the icy eyes that had met my own only an hour ago, and nodded. "I understand."
Smiling again, Corinne gently squeezed my hand. "Ice can be the best friend you’d ever hope to have, Angel. She can also be your worst enemy. Like I said, tread lightly around her. Give her a chance to feel you out, to get to know you. She doesn’t trust anyone, not completely. But if she thinks you’re worth it, and I know you are, things will come. Good things, I think."
After another moment, I nodded again. Knowing my next st
atement was going to sound totally stupid, I steeled myself against the probable laughter. "Corinne, when she looked at me just now, I . . . .well . . .I felt something. It was the strangest thing I’d ever felt in my life. Almost like I knew her. And not just that. I . . .loved . . .her." I shook my head, damning my tongue for not being able to come up with a better way to express the myriad of sensations that went through me when our eyes had locked for that one brief, perfect second. "I can’t explain it. I mean, I’ve never met the woman in my life before just now, but . . . ." My voice trailed off as I heaved a heartfelt sigh. "I know I must sound like an idiot to you," I mumbled miserably.
My hand was squeezed again. "Not at all, sweet Angel." Tilting my chin again, Corinne met my eyes. "When I was younger, before all that stuff with Arsenic and Old Husbands. . . ."
I groaned.
" . . . .I used to have a sort of talent for seeing things. Things that weren’t really there." My friend’s seamed face creased further in a grin. "Now, I suppose in most parts of the world, that would be called insanity. The good part was that those things often turned out to be true."
"You could see the future?"
"Some. Or the past. I wasn’t always sure. It got confusing, sometimes." She laughed lightly. "Good thing was, I was born in Louisiana, were that sort of thing is pretty much accepted as a gift, rather than a curse. In the right circles, of course. It faded as I got older, but I still get flashes now and then. And I got a most definite flash the morning you ran into my library, covered with breakfast. It was something I saw in Ice that first day as well."
I looked up at her, sure my disbelief was showing clearly on my face. "Corinne, forgive me for saying so, but I find it hard to believe that Ice stumbled in here after being pursued by a bunch of crazed inmates. Especially wearing her breakfast on her shirt."
My friend laughed again, a light, musical sound that filled the library pleasingly. "No. I’m talking about what I saw in her eyes. Ice is an old soul. Ancient, in fact. I couldn’t even begin to guess how far back she goes. Even when she first got here as a young girl, her eyes were ancient, as if they’d seen more of the world than any mortal had a right to. It was . . . disconcerting at first. I got used to it after awhile." She turned her gaze to me, appraising. "I see the same thing in your eyes, Angel. A wisdom that belies your innocence." Her grin deepened, and I swore for the second time that I could see the faintest glimpse of fangs in her mouth. "That, of course, only makes you all the more appealing."
A frightening tingle went down my spine and my skin humped up in gooseflesh. I suddenly felt very uncomfortable in Corinne’s presence, seeing her for the first time as the woman she really was, an unrepentant murderer. The walls started to close in on me and I’ll freely admit to the start of pure panic.
Seeing my state, Corinne broke the lock of our gazes, reaching down and smoothing the flesh of my arms. "Don’t be afraid, Angel. I’m not here to hurt you." Her laugh, when it came, was almost bitter. "I’m nothing but an old woman, after all. Who’s seen much too much of life."
Suddenly I felt very much ashamed of my reaction. Turning my hands, I gripped Corinne’s arms tightly. "You’re much more than an old woman to me, Corinne. You’re my friend." I’m sure I was blushing by this time. "I’m sorry I reacted the way I did. It’s just. . . all this talk about seeing things that aren’t there and ancient souls . . . . I’m just a small-town Methodist, after all. We’re not supposed to believe in those things."
Corinne’s expression gentled, changing her back into the lovable old grandmother I’d come to know. "It’s alright, Angel. I’ve been here so long that I sometimes forget just how frightening this place can be." She shrugged. "It’s home to me now, but I need to realize that most don’t feel that way." Releasing herself from my grasp, she pushed her chair away from the table and stood. "Anyway, just remember what I said. Keep your eyes and ears open, stay gentle and unassuming around Ice and you’ll do just fine."
"Thanks, Corinne."
"No problem, child. No problem at all."
The next couple of weeks went by quickly. There’d been a breakthrough with my Mexican students and teaching them had turned from a chore to a pleasure. They took everything I gave them and practically begged me for more.
Money and used books started coming into the library in regular shipments and Corinne and I kept ourselves very busy cataloguing them and sending out thank you letters to our contributors. More and more people were coming to visit the library, for a variety of reasons, making Corinne a very happy woman. She continually bustled about, preparing her famous tea and sharing stories with the other inmates. There was almost always a class going on in one corner as well, making the library, for the first time, a crowded, friendly place to be.
Ice had been released into the general population after just two days in segregation and the prison, though the excitement had settled down somewhat from her initial arrival, still remained on its best behavior. Montana, who had been the head of the Amazons during Ice’s absence, handed over her mantle of authority gladly and would sometimes come into the library, something she hadn’t had time to do before, to chat or read. Though still quite intimidated by the somber, beautiful woman, I got to know her a bit better during these quiet times and found her to be a kind, considerate, intelligent woman very passionate in her beliefs.
She told me that she had once headed a Women’s Separatist community in Montana, hence her prison nickname. When the Equal Rights Amendment came up for ratification, she headed up an all-out campaign to get it placed within the Constitution. That campaign eventually led to charges of black-mail and extortion, and she was convicted of those crimes in Pittsburgh. She’d been in The Bog for seven years, an abnormally long sentence for her crime, and hoped to be released soon. The women’s community still existed and she missed her home terribly. I enjoyed listening to her stories of an entire community that existed without the presence of men.
My little side business of being the person who got things for you started to really take off after the shower incident and I was busier than I’d ever been in my life. Despite the fact that I was locked behind high walls, I started to actually enjoy my life for the first time in a long while.
Taking Corinne’s advice to heart, I stayed far away from Ice. As the days passed, my memories of our first encounter began to fade slightly and I chalked most of the bizarre feelings up to some sort of post traumatic mental lapse combined with whatever special herbs were in Corinne’s magic tea. Strange stories of past lives and old souls gradually took up space in some far, darkened corner of my mind, to be taken out and examined only in the deep quiet of a prison night.
As late spring passed into early summer, I ventured outside the dim cave of the library one fine day. The feeling of warm sun on my skin was pure bliss and I sank down into a small patch of soft grass with a feeling of pleasure. Relaxing my body and turning my face up to the sun, I let my eyes drift closed and listened to the sounds of insects and birds as they wove their natural song around the sounds of weights being pressed and balls being hit. The sweet smell of new life perfumed the air around me and I took in deep breaths of it, humming with pleasure.
As I’m sure you’ve noticed often happens with me, I was so wrapped up in the pleasure of the moment that I didn’t notice that things had changed around me. My first clue came when part of my fuzzy brain suddenly noticed the absence of human sound in the yard. Then, feeling a very warm presence behind me, I whirled, managing to get to my knees and bring my hands up in a defensive posture as I did so. Breathing heavily, I managed to look up, then up again, till I met the fierce blue eyes of Ice, who was smirking down at me, apparently quite pleased with herself for catching me unawares.
After a moment, she squatted that long body of hers down in front of me, plucking a blade of grass and twirling it idly between her beautiful, tapering fingers. Then, casually, she met my eyes again, capturing me totally within her icy blue regard. "I hear you’re the woman who can get thi
ngs."
If I hadn’t been trapped before, the sound of her low, resonant, melodious voice rolling through my senses did the trick. I’m afraid I blinked at her stupidly for a moment, trying to wrap my totally befuddled mind around her words. "What?"
As opening lines went, that one had to rank at the very bottom and my brain received a mental high kick for that particular piece of literary brilliance.
Ice smiled, then. An oddly endearing and achingly familiar little cockeyed grin that sped my heart right up. "Was I wrong about that?"
"Uh . . .no. Not at all." Now if I could only figure out what she wasn’t wrong about, I’d be ahead of the game. An old axiom of my mother’s came into my brain. ‘When in doubt, always try honesty.’ I gave a mental shrug, figuring at this point, it was better than nothing. "What were we talking about again?"
An ebony brow lifted as she regarded me more closely. "Is something wrong?"
"No! No. Nothing’s wrong. Nothing at all. I . . .ah . . .just didn’t hear you the first time." Brilliant, Angel. Just brilliant. "Could you . . .um . . .repeat your question? Please?"
A long arm tossed the blade of grass away and Ice clasped her hands between her spread legs. "I asked if I was wrong in assuming you were the person who could get things."
Oh! "Oh! No. You weren’t wrong at all. About that, I mean." Taking in a deep breath, I tried again. "What I mean is that I am the woman who can get . . .things. For people."
To this day, I can still remember praying harder than I’d ever prayed in my entire life. I prayed that a huge riot would break out in the yard, or that a sudden rogue tornado would touch down suddenly, sweeping me away from this Oz I’d suddenly found myself in. Even an earthquake would do in a pinch, just so long as I was close to the fissure and could throw myself into the breach. The vivid flash of falling into a pool of bubbling lava went through my mind, shutting that particular fantasy down but quick.