Page 53 of Diamond in the Rough

“I’d be more than distraught.”

“Then you love him.”

“I’m done with this conversation.”

“Maybe you should tell him.”

“Night, Ernie,” Maddox said firmly.

****

Maddox stared at the ceiling, clicking his nails. It was a poor substitute for his lighter, softer, barely audible against the ruckus outside the door. It was Thursday morning, and Maddox was paralysed waiting for his phone to buzz with a text. He needed Tom to tell him it was done, that the untouchable Billy had been taken out, that they could start planning his escape.

“No breakfast?” Ernie asked.

Maddox didn’t reply, and he came closer.

“What time’s it going down?”

“Seven.”

“I’ll tell the guards you’re sick.”

Ernie limped out the cell and pulled the door shut.

At half seven there was still no message confirming, and by nine, Maddox was up pacing the cell, clenching and unclenching his fists. Anger, hot in his veins, fuelled his obsessive marching. He could feel the heat in his face, could see the veins in his arms and hands bulging.

The message didn’t come, and at lunchtime, Maddox risked being caught and used the phone. Tom didn’t pick up, and he cursed before trying Amber, then finally Carl.

“Boss?”

His jaw shook as he spoke, “Is it done?”

Carl blew a breath through his teeth. “I haven’t spoken to Amber or Tom, but it’s on the news right now. A shooting in a café on Keys Street.”

“Fatalities?”

“No confirmed fatalities. The news said there’s one injured with gunshot wounds.”

“How serious is he?”

“It doesn’t say.”

“He needs to die.”

“I know, Boss.”

“If Tom can’t finish the job, I need you to go to the hospital and do it.”

“Understood.”

Maddox ended the call and stuffed the phone back into its hiding place. He whirled around and lashed out at the wall. His knuckles split and left a bloody print.

Ernie poked his head through the door. “Well?”

Maddox struck again. “He botched it.”

“Shit.”

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