Page 49 of Diamond in the Rough

“You dirty old man,” Maddox said, leaning against his bunk.

“Me?”

“Come on, let’s get something to eat.”

He held his hand out to Ernie, then eased him onto his feet. There was weakness to his grip, and it took him longer than normal to stand up fully.

Ernie patted his arm. “Yeah, gotta keep your strength up after you exhausted yourself last night.”

“I was thinking more for you, to keep you alive.”

Ernie’s laugh didn’t lessen Maddox’s concern. He walked behind Ernie as he staggered out of the cell, and as soon as he reached their usual table, he collapsed on a chair and cursed.

He flicked his head out towards the stack of trays at the far end of the room. “Don’t mind getting mine, do you?”

“You rest up,” Maddox said.

He glared at the familiar sets of eyes that followed him until they looked away, then took the first place in the queue. The porridge slapped down on the trays, and Maddox’s stomach whined in protest.

“My favourite.”

Maddox turned at the voice and gave Gavin the once-over. “Probably because your taste buds haven’t developed yet.”

Maddox strolled back to the table with a tray in each hand, then slid one over to Ernie.

“Reminds me of the good old days,” Ernie said.

Maddox stuck his spoon into the porridge, and it stayed upright. “How the hell does this remind you of the good old days?”

“Not the food, you following my orders.”

“A lot has changed since then.”

“So where did it all go wrong?” Ernie asked, leaning closer.

“For you? Burying bodies in front of a police officer, can’t weasel yourself out of that.”

“I meant you, how did you end up here?”

“I killed two people and got caught.”

Ernie hissed through his teeth. “Come on, Maddox—”

“Fine, some arsehole outsmarted me.”

“The one you’re gonna sort out?”

Maddox grabbed the back of Ernie’s neck and dragged him closer. “You wanna shut up.”

“Calm it, no one’s listening.”

Maddox loosened his hold, and Ernie squirmed away.

“You trying to break my neck?”

“If I was trying to break your neck, it would’ve happened.”

“Someone outsmarted you,” Ernie whispered.

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