First Degree Innocence (20 page)

Jet could kiss her ass. Carrie wasn’t about to go against Susanna, no matter what the penalty. She hated leaving her old cellie hanging by telling her only part of Jet’s plan, but emotions and apprehension left her drained of energy. As for her father… part of her wished he’d never showed up. Life was easier without one more complication. Still, the curious side of her wanted to see him again. What did he hope to accomplish by making the trip? How far had he come? She hadn’t even asked where he lived.

She curled on her side and sighed. If only she could tell Seth everything. Despite her growing feelings for him, their situations precluded trust—at least on her part. Even if she mustered up faith in their relationship, when and how could she find the time and place? Hopelessness curled in her stomach and weaved its way through her entire body.

“What happened to you?” Jet sauntered into the cell, grabbed her towel from the end of her bunk and wiped the sweat from her face. “One minute I looked up from my workout and you were all cozy with your buddy, and the next you were gone.”

Carrie rolled over on her back and slung her arm across her eyes. “I needed some quiet time to think.”

“About what?”

“None of your business, Jet. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I really don’t like you very much.”

“Is that so?” Jet’s voice held no emotion.

“Don’t act surprised. You haven’t given me much reason to care about you.” Carrie sat. “Oh, the burger was a nice touch, and yes, I’ve enjoyed having a pillow and working in the garden, but those things didn’t buy you my soul.”

“Actually,” Jet pulled her top over head, tossed it on the floor and crossed to the sink. “I don’t lose sleep over what you think of me.” She ran the water until it warmed then wet her washcloth and swiped at her underarms. “One thing I know, I’ve definitely helped you grow a backbone. You aren’t the same spineless little pussy you were.”

Carrie pondered Jet’s words. True, she had gained courage, but it had nothing to do with Jet and everything to do with survival. Arguing the point would only lead to a rhetoric exchange she didn’t wish to pursue. “Yeah, whatever. I’m going to sleep.”

“Good idea. You’ll need your rest because tomorrow is a big day for you.”

Carrie lay down and drew herself into the fetal position. “Did Jet actually think the hidden shiv idea was going to work a second time? Let the cell switch begin. Carrie welcomed being back with Susanna where she could tell her the whole rotten scheme.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Back in Susanna’s company, Carrie dumped her belongings on the top bed and turned. “Gosh, it’s good to be back.” She raised her arms high in the air, enjoying a relaxing stretch.

Her friend sat on the edge of the bottom bunk, her hand cupping her chin. “I’m thrilled to have you as my cellmate again, but I can’t help wondering what the catch is.”

Plopping down beside her, Carrie pulled her feet up and sat Indian style. “I know what you mean—sort of like waiting for the other shoe to drop, isn’t it?”

“Yes, but in this case it’s more like a big, heavy brogan.”

Carrie patted her friend’s knee. “Not to worry. There’s no way I’m working with Jet to plot against you.”

“I’m relieved to hear that, but I’m dying to know what in the hell I did to her that pissed her off so royally?”

“You honestly didn’t know you were shacking up with her brother?” Carrie tilted her head.

“Brother? You’ve got to be kidding. Doug is related to Jet? That can’t be. His last name is Hubbard.”

“Different fathers?” Carrie offered.

Susanna threw back her head and released a loud breath. “Oh, God, why me?” She turned a narrowed gaze on Carrie. “Now everything makes sense. I see a striking similarity between the two: self-centered, jealous, nasty temper. And she blames me for his arrest?”

“Yep, and she’s determined to make you pay. Jet’s the reason I ended up in solitary the first time.” Carrie stood, scanned the hallway, then returned and sat. “Can’t be too careful around here.” She spoke in a whisper. “I was supposed to plant a shiv in your belongings, and then Ogden was going to do a cell search and find it.”

“And you refused and took the fall for me?”

“I couldn’t be part of her stupid plan for revenge. After being in solitary, I realized there has to be more to her plan. Sending someone to solitary isn’t exactly getting even. I don’t trust her one bit.”

Susanna hugged her. “How can I thank you?”

Carrie returned the hug then held Susanna at arm’s length. “We have to watch one another’s back. I have no idea what she has up her sleeve, but as soon as she finds out I didn’t go through with her scheme, she’ll be gunning for me, too.”

She stood and fished through her belongings. “The first thing I have to do is get rid of this.” Carrie allowed only a glimpse of a wooden handled blade before stuffing it beneath her mattress.

“But how … where?” Susanna shrugged.

“I don’t know. It won’t flush, and I know the bitch is going to call for a cell search. My first opportunity to ditch the knife will be when the kitchen workers come to pick up the food trays. They don’t pay any attention to what’s on them. I’m going to hide it under my plate at lunchtime.”

“Could work.”

“Better work or we’re both in a heap of shit.”

Susanna clucked her tongue against her teeth. “Such talk, Miss Lang. My goodness.”

They shared a chuckle, although apprehension still niggled at Carrie. What exactly would Jet do to her when she didn’t receive news of Susanna’s contraband bust?

She composed and sagged onto the bottom bunk. “That felt good. I haven’t had anything to laugh about since I moved in with the cellmate from Hell.” She patted Susanna’s hand. “Thanks for being such a good friend.”

“I’m just glad you’re back. I heard rumors that some changes were in the wind, and I was afraid who I might end up with.”

“Speaking of changes,” Carrie widened her eyes. “Did you hear that some of the male guards are working over on our side?”

“I heard.”

“I wonder if Seth is. Have you seen him?” Carrie stood and shook her belongings out on the floor, then with sheets in hand, scaled the rungs on the end of the bunk.

Susanna stood to help. “No, I haven’t seen any guards of the male persuasion, but he might very well be the one who tucked that warning note in your laundry.” She bent and gathered Carrie’s clothing and toiletries and crammed them back into her laundry sack.

The bottom sheet made a slapping sound as Carrie flicked it across the ragged mattress. “I’ll bet you’re right.” She stepped down and tucked the edges in, then climbed up again and added the top sheet and blanket.

Out of breath, she leaned against the bars and sank to the floor. “There is one thing I’m really going to miss about being Jet’s cellmate.”

“Do tell.” Susanna raised a brow.

“My pillow.”

* * * * *

Carrie paced the cell. “Where the hell is lunch? I have to get this knife out of here before someone finds it.”

Susanna patted the bunk. “Relax. Judging from the growing smell, we’re having beans and wieners again. Come sit down. The food is on the way.”

“Did I mention to you that I had a Big Mac from McDonald’s?”

“You’re kidding. How?”

“Jet has more pull then we ever imagined. By law, she’s an inmate, but the rules don’t apply to her. Pillows, food from outside the prison, special soaps and shampoos. God, one wall of her cell is papered with pictures. The guards are at her beck and call.” Carrie sat. “Did you know she killed a man?”

Susanna shook her head. “I figured as much. Is she a lifer?”

“Yes, but she has things a lot easier than the rest of us here. I had just a small taste of her many perks.”

A squeal from the food cart wheels sounded in the hallway, and Susanna stood and walked to the food slot. “Speaking of taste…or maybe I should say tasteless, lunch is here.”

Following Susanna, Carrie accepted her tray and sat next to her cellie. “Boy, you’re good. Beans and wieners. You could tell from the smell?”

“After you’ve worked in the kitchen for a while, identifying the meals by nose is second nature.” Susanna lifted the spoon to her lips. “The problem is knowing who handles the food. I have to blank out the image in order to eat.”

“Thanks for sharing that. Now I’m not hungry.”

“Yeah, but you’d better eat if you plan to hide that knife. Nothing like a dripping tray to grab someone’s attention.”

Carrie took a bite, chewed and swallowed. She smacked her lips. “It’s not as bad as I expected. Could be a tad warmer, but then again, this isn’t exactly a five-star restaurant.” She laughed. “That’s the first place I’m going when I get out of this place.”

Susanna smiled. “Will you bring me a doggy bag?”

“Of course, I will. But, don’t get your hopes up just yet. I have a few years to go.”

With her plate empty, Carrie stood and retrieved the knife. Using the towel hanging on the bunk’s end, she wiped the weapon clean. “Can’t be too careful,” she said to Susanna, then placed the serrated blade beneath her overturned plate.

Susanna placed her tray on top of Carrie’s then set them on the floor for collection. The waiting proved miserable, and Carrie held her breath when a kitchen inmate opened the cell, picked up the trays and added them to the cart without inspection. As the crew made their way down the corridor, utensils clinking and wheels squealing, Carrie blew out a whoosh of air. “Oh, that was scary.”

“It’s a good thing they didn’t notice the look on your face.” Susanna chuckled. “You looked like the cat that ate the proverbial canary.”

“I’m just glad it’s over. Even if they find it now, they’ll have no idea what cell it came from.”

“Lang!” The sound of Ogden’s voice made Carrie jump. She turned. How long had the guard been standing on the other side of the bars?

“Y-yes,” Carrie stuttered, her knees trembling, her stomach knotted.

“You have a visitor. Chop, chop.”

The tension drained from Carrie’s shoulders. She took a much needed breath. “For me?”

“Yes, you idiot. Why else would I be here?” Her lips disappearing into a thin line, the portly matron unlocked the cell. “Let’s go.”

Carrie followed on Ogden’s heels, smoothing her hair and checking her uniform for any remnants of lunch. She didn’t expect her father to come for another visit so soon. Between seeing him and wondering if Ogden overheard her discussing the knife, her heart pounded in her chest.

At the visitation room, the older woman unlocked the inmate side and pushed Carrie inside. If the guard had heard, she wasn’t letting on, and that was a good thing. Maybe for once things would go smoothly.

At the first window, Carrie sat and tried to orchestrate her thoughts into conversation to share with her father. Prison life didn’t stimulate experiences one wanted to share. Was she wrong in praying her father might care enough about her to try and help her prove her innocence? The man barely knew her.

One by one, visitors streamed into the room on the other side of the glass. Carrie kept a watchful eye for her dad, and coiled away from the window when a young, good-looking man sat across from her. She followed his lead and picked up the phone. Surely he’d made a mistake.

“You’re Carrie Lang?” he asked.

“Y-yes.” Should she have lied? What could he possibly want from her? Maybe he was a bill collector here about her car.

“I’m Ryan Cullen, Seth’s friend. I’m sure he’s told you about me.”

Meeting him face-to-face stunned her speechless. She swallowed her surprise and cleared her throat. “H-hello, Ryan, it’s nice to finally meet you.”

His smile brought a sparkle to his brown eyes. “I wanted to share some information with you, and this is the only way we could speak privately.”

Her breath seized. “Have you found out anything helpful about my case?”

He nodded. “Indeed I have. I’ve spent a great deal of time on the phone, checking car registration records, verifying addresses, and doing some investigatory work on an inmate named Marie Collins. I hear she’s a dead-ringer for you.”

“So I hear, but I don’t want to make small talk. We don’t have much time. Please tell me you’ve discovered something worthwhile.” Perched on her chair’s edge, she leaned closer to the glass as if being nearer would draw the truth from him.

“I’m preparing documentation to present to the court on your behalf. I truly believe I can prove that Marie Collins was the driver of the car involved in the bank robbery. I only need to firm up a few more things and I’m pretty sure I’ll have an iron-clad case.”

“Pretty sure?” She huffed out a breath. “I was pretty sure they wouldn’t convict on such flimsy evidence, but I was wrong—here I sit, sentenced to ten long years. Please, Ryan, you have to be positive this time around.”

He grinned. “Understood. And I promise I won’t make a move until I know the outcome will get you out of prison.” He pressed his hand against the glass that separated them. “Shake on it?”

She placed her hand against the smashed outline of his. “You’re the only hope I have….” A lump choked off anything further she wanted to say.

Ryan removed his hand from the glass and fished in the breast pocket of his charcoal suit jacket. He produced a small photo and held it to the window. “Look familiar?”

Carrie gasped, her eyes fixed on the likeness in the picture. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think it was me.”

Ryan nodded. “Exactly. Now you see why I think we have a pretty good case against Marie Collins.”

Elation flowed through Carrie like champagne through a wedding fountain. Could it be true that she might soon be free? “Does Seth know?” She calmed herself and focused on her visitor.

“Of course. He’s been the driving force behind the quest to set you free. I think he has a crush on you.” His low chuckle sent a quiver through her.