Page 86 of Freshman

The air left Alfie’s lungs in a rush, and he sagged forward. Any relief he felt was immediately crushed by guilt, then worry.

“You think he might try to top himself?” Marie asked, darting a look to Glen, who shrugged.

Ryan turned and stared out of the office window. “As I said, it’s a precaution. I don’t know what goes through his head, but she was all he had.”

Henry wrinkled his nose and pulled an expression like he tasted something vile. “You wouldn’t want to know what goes through his head. It can’t be good. I reckon he’s faking it, hoping we’ll call a code eleven and open up his cell.”

Alfie shook his head. “He’s just lost someone he cares about. It’s grief—”

“Animals like that don’t grieve. They’re opportunists.”

Ryan squeezed the top of his nose. “Just in case, I want him checked every two hours.”

“Well, if he does kill himself, I think we’ll all sleep better at night,” Henry muttered.

Alfie’s shirt felt tight, and cold sweat gathered at the back of his neck. He dropped his gaze to the floor and forced a swallow. He couldn’t think of anything worse than Nate dying. The thought made his blood cool and congeal in his veins and his throat constrict until he consciously had to breathe. He jolted to attention when Ryan clapped.

“That’s it then. Have a good night.” Ryan strolled out of the office with the rest of the day shift following in his wake.

Henry collapsed in his chair as soon as they had faded from view, and the twins tugged out their phones. Marie fluttered her eyelashes at Glen, but Glen’s attention was locked on Alfie.

“You okay? You look a bit pale.”

Alfie rolled his shoulders and blinked himself from his thoughts. “I didn’t sleep that well.”

“Coffee?” he asked.

Alfie nodded numbly, then slumped into the closest chair. He stared at the dark corner of the prison, picturing Nate unresponsive in the bed. His stomach dropped to his toes.

Much to Alfie’s annoyance, Henry volunteered to check on Nate first. He tapped his foot to the floor as he waited for Henry to return.

His whole body felt jittery and on edge.

“Think that coffee’s got to you,” Marie mumbled.

Alfie flashed a look at her. “Just not feeling it.”

Marie pressed her lips together into a sympathetic smile.

Henry staggered into the office, spluttering into his tissue, and sank back in his chair with a sigh.

Alfie flicked his chin out. “Well?”

“Well, what?”

“Did he respond?”

Henry retrieved his glasses from his pocket and slid them up his nose. “He grunted.”

“You heard him grunt. You?”

“I’m not deaf. He’s fine.” Henry shuffled into his chair and tilted his head back.

Alfie’s chest heaved with anger, and he averted his gaze. He didn’t trust Henry.

He needed to make sure Nate was all right himself.

Ten minutes later, Henry was snoring softly, the twins had twitchy fingers, and Marie sat on the desk, opening and closing her legs seductively.

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