Page 75 of The Freshman

Martin studied Alfie, tracking hiseyes over his face to record his reaction. He scribbled somethingin his notebook. When Alfie leaned back and tried to see what itwas, he quickly pressed it to his chest.

“Nate’s accomplices pulledMike from the car, then got Nate out. They cut his cuffs. Then hewent back for you. I have statements from both Dave and Mike whowere conscious throughout. Nate was cornered for your welfare, andwhen he could’ve left and drove away, he didn’t. He tookyou.”

Alfie pinched the bridge of his nose.“I don’t know why he did that—”

“Your boss told us youwere reluctant to accompany Nate on Sunday. Dave and Mike both saidNate wanted you to get out of the car and several times told you toleave. The said you were pale and distant before thecrash.”

Alfie’s gut clenched, and he curledover farther. “I had been off sick all week. Of course I wasreluctant, and Nate’s always mouthing off like that.”

“When asking yourcolleagues of yours and Mr. Mathews’s relationship, one of themtold us he enjoyed your presence. And on Monday December 3rd youwere unaccountable for at least ten minutes. When you reappeared,you were inside H-wing and stated you had been near Mr. Mathews’scell. You were not authorized to be there at the time.”

“Nate was on suicidewatch. I was checking on him. What exactly are you accusing meof?”

Martin exhaled deeply through hisnose. “We have reason to believe you aided in Mr. Mathews’sescape.”

Alfie straightened fast and gawped atMartin. The air left him in a rush, and he winced at his painfulribs. “You— You think I was involved? I smashed up my ribs and mypelvis.”

“If you’re not involvedwith his escape, then you’ve got nothing to worryabout.”

“What kind of things areyou searching my house for?”

Martin’s eyes hardened. “Anything thatindicates you had an inappropriate relationship. Anything thatsuggests you were in contact with him outside of theprison.”

Martin’s lips continued to move, butAlfie couldn’t hear the words that passed through. He shivered assomething dark and sinister wrapped around his spine, and he liftedhis eyes to the ceiling, where he imagined his bed was. The drawerwas full of post it notes, and the picture Nate drew of him tiedup. Instead of fear and arousal, there was only fear, but magnifiedto terror. He forced himself to swallow and grabbed a crutch offthe coffee table.

“Just got to take aleak.”

Martin stood. “You need some help withthat?”

“No, I’m fine. Just goingupstairs.”

He didn’t turn to Martin but hopped ascalmly as he could to the stairs. He only needed the one crutch andused the stair rail to steady himself. He realized halfway up,Martin was following and glanced over his shoulder. Martin’s thinlips were pressed in a line and his eyes wereunblinking.

“You don’t have to comeup—

“I think I do, Mr.Bridges.”

“I’m just going to thetoilet. I won’t be long. You can put the kettle on if you want.”Alfie took another step and heard the creak of the stepbehind.

“You seem a bit unsteady,I might just walk behind you, make sure you don’t fall.”

“I’m fine. I can do it. Igot pretty fed up being accompanied to the toilet.”

Martin snorted. “Still, I’m a policeofficer. It would be wrong of me to leave you if I thought you werein danger of slipping—”

“I won’t.”

“No harm on beingcareful,” Martin said.

“There isactually.”

“Not that I cansee.”

Alfie pressed his lips together andbreathed deep. He needed to get to the drawer, grab the post itsand the picture, and flush them down the toilet. He couldn’t run,even hobbling at a swift pace made his groin flare withpain.

“What is it you’rehiding?”

“Nothing,” hesnapped.

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