Page 10 of Fighting for Tawny

At breakfast the next morning, Tawny sat with Jo, Andee, and Yolanda. She made eye contact with Bette and beckoned her to join them, but she ignored the gesture and shuffled toward another group.

“What’s wrong with her?” Jo asked. “She’s been actin’ like we ain’t good enough for her.”

“Loose lips,” Tawny replied. A warning rang in her voice.

The others took the hint, and their conversation turned loud and bawdy.

Breakfast ended, and the women headed toward their various assigned jobs. Today, Tawny, Jo, and Yolanda volunteered for kitchen duty. The camaraderie building between them promised a bright beginning to an otherwise dreary day. Because it continued to rain, the women were stuck indoors. After spending a couple of hours in the common room watching the morning talk shows and playing games, Tawny and a few others were taken to the showers. Then, she was escorted to the infirmary, where Dr. Sadler checked her injuries and administered another dose of multivitamins and antibiotics.

“You’re doing great, Tawny. Your color is better, too.”

“I got to spend some time outside yesterday. Guess what?”

“What?” Dr. Sadler smiled at her playfulness before she turned her back to sort medical supplies.

“Warden Stoltz offered me and Yolanda spots in the fire program.”

Dr. Sadler froze a moment before she continued with her task. “Oh?” Tension resonated in the doctor’s voice.

“Is that all you’re going to say?”

When Dr. Sadler turned to face Tawny, her face was blank. Tawny studied her eyes to see if they betrayed her, but they did not. They, too, were devoid of any emotion. But she was sure the doctor knew something.

“Good luck. And be careful.”

“Why the warning?” Tawny challenged her.

Dr. Sadler answered without missing a beat, “Because fighting fires is a dangerous job.”

“I’m not afraid of dangerous work. And I don’t believe that’s why you warned me to be careful.”

“You’re free to believe whatever you’d like. It’s the truth. All I’m asking is that you heed my warning and not take any risks with your life.”

“Duly noted, Doc.”

Tawny returned to her cell for a respite afterward. On her bed, she found the book True Lies. The title reminded her of the movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis. She smiled. She’d seen it a dozen times and never tired of watching it, especially with Finnigan on date night.

Tawny picked up the book and turned to a marked page where someone had circled a message in pen.

“I know who you are.”

Tawny’s heart leaped into her throat. She shut the book and glanced around to see if anyone was lurking outside her cell. All clear. Her pulse raced in rhythm with her chaotic heartbeat. Who had figured out her real identity? And then the answer hit her.

Bette. Lucy’s cellmate.

CHAPTER FOUR

Once the weather cleared, the women were allowed outside. Tawny spotted Bette sitting in the bleachers and watching the lively basketball game between two self-proclaimed teams of inmates. She planted herself behind Bette and spoke softly, her mouth barely moving.

“Don’t look at me. I got your message. When can we talk about Lucy?”

“This afternoon. I’ll meet you in the library after you’re done tutoring and make sure we’re alone.”

“Have you told anyone else about me?”

“I’m not stupid.”

“Good. Continue to be smart and stop running your mouth about your conspiracy theories.”

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