I ignored the twisted chorus, returning my attention to the book I was reading. My mother had told me that no matter the circumstances, I should always expand my mind. With time on my hands, I might as well escape into another world.
Normally, I could drown out the bullshit.
Not this time.
The boots stopped in front of my cell.
“Locke. On your feet.”
The jeering picked up in volume. Ever since my stunt a few days before, I’d gotten nothing but shit from one of the gangs of misfits. The others, the men swearing an oath to Rufus, thought me to be a hero. I’d saved their master from certain death. As if I gave a shit.
“Yeah?” I lifted my head, noticing there were three of them. What the hell? Did they think I’d suddenly grown another set of balls? I knew this wasn’t about having a visitor, as during my time behind bars, there hadn’t been a single person who dared make the trip to the prison.
“The warden wants to see you.”
More jeering.
More whistling.
Exhaling, I tossed my book, slowly rising from the cot. There was no need to ask questions. They wouldn’t answer me anyway. I held my arms out as required, waiting as one of them shackled my wrists. When they didn’t bother with my ankles, I was shocked. Maybe I wasn’t on the naughty list after all.
They took me the long way around, parading me in front of the others. They obviously needed a hobby. When I was finally reached the administrative area, I expected to be taken to one of the highly secured rooms. Instead, I was led down a hallwaytoward where I’d heard the warden’s office was located. This was new.
With a sharp rap on the door from one of them, I was led inside.
The warden was behind a wooden desk, barely glancing at the officers who’d brought me to the meeting. There were also two other men in plain clothes, both standing when I walked in.
Keeping my mouth shut wasn’t an issue. I wasn’t a big talker. But I was curious why I’d been summoned.
“For God’s sake. Take the goddamn cuffs off the man,” the warden barked.
Another surprise. I held my arms out, waiting while the guests sized me up, then looked at each other like what the hell did they get themselves into?
When the officers lingered in the room, the warden offered them a nasty look. “You can leave now.”
“Are you sure? The man is…”
The warden waved his hand. “Leave. Now.” He shook his head, waiting until the three officers left, slamming the door in the process. “I’m sorry about that, Rory. They obviously need some recreational time. Please sit down. Would you like a Coke, a Sprite? Something?”
“No, sir. I’m fine.”
He chuckled. “Good to see they haven’t beaten the decency out of you.”
“Contrary to what people think, my mama raised me right.”
“Yes, she obviously did. Rory Locke, this is Stoker Hansen from the Montana Forest Service. To his left is Landen Weaver, our liaison with the forest service and the conservation camp program that you’ve been involved in from almost the day you arrived.”
“Alright. You’re a big deal. Why am I here?” I asked, holding my hand out.
They seemed surprised but didn’t hesitate to shake my hand.
When we were finally seated, I realized I was nervous. What the hell was this about?
“First of all, I never had the opportunity to give my thanks for what you did on Garnet Ridge last week. Not only did you contain the fire, allowing the firefighters and smokejumpers the opportunity to finally put it out, but you also saved your entire team and Officer Dunham’s life. I heard the call you made, son. Shit. I didn’t know you had medical training.”
The warden’s smile was the warmest I’d ever gotten. I was certain the man’s face would crack if it grew any larger.
“That was my duty, sir. I wasn’t going to let a man go down. How is the officer?” While my mama had taught me well, including showing respect where respect was due, it took every ounce of control to ask about the bastard officer, a sadistic man who’d found creative methods of torture behind the scenes.
