Page 27 of Before We Say I Do

She turned and disappeared down the hall into the kitchen, and Kyle dialed a number on his cell, then put his phone to his ear.

"Cooks Correction Facility."

"Is Manning available?"

The phone went quiet, then a boastful voice came through the line.

"Manning!"

"It's Valentine."

"Oh, what's up, Valentine? What did I do to deserve a call from you?"

"It's what you can do. I need an hour with Dexter Johnson, in an attorney room where no eyes and ears can listen in."

Manning cleared his throat. "You don't plan to kill the guy, do you?"

"No."

"Or even rough 'em up a little bit because I can lose my job."

"I'm not going to harm him. We just need to talk to him."

"Who's we?"

"Does it matter, Manning?"

Manning was an old college friend who got into some trouble with drugs and almost did a bid in the penitentiary. But Kyle, knowing Manning deep down was a good guy, came to his rescue with an attorney who got Manning’s charges lessened to the point of a misdemeanor.

But after doing a little time, Manning wanted to make a difference inside the jail, and he was determined not to risk his life, or his job, again. Still, he’d told Kyle he owed him one, and Manning planned to stand on that promise.

The phone became quiet,with only the clanging of steel doors sounding in the background.

"One hour. How long will it take you to get here?"

"Give me twenty minutes."

"Drive around back, and I'll let you in through the employee entrance."

"Got it."

They disconnected the call simultaneously, and Kyle pocketed his cell, then entered Mr. Jones's library.

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