Page 54 of Diamond in the Rough

“I can’t believe he fucked up.” Maddox clawed at his scalp. “I have to get out of here.”

“Calm down—”

“Calm down? He’s botched it. I don’t know whether he’s missed or whether he’s another traitorous bastard, but Jake’s in danger, and I need to leave this place.”

Maddox turned to the sink and snatched up his toothbrush. He snapped the head off and pressed his thumb down on the sharp plastic. His thumb bloomed with blood, and he bobbed his head.

“I’m gonna get out of here.”

Ernie puffed up his chest and blocked the door. “I’m not letting you pass.”

“Like you could stop me.”

“You go sticking that into guards, and you’ll be in solitary with another murder charge slapped on top.”

“One, two, fifty, what’s the difference.”

“The differences are in solitary, there’s no mattress to hide that phone. It’s a concrete floor and a blanket not big enough to hang yourself with. You need to calm down until you know more.”

“I’ve been waiting all morning for news, and nothing.”

“Wait a little longer.”

Maddox flared his nostrils and threw the makeshift weapon at the sink. “How can you stand being in here, not knowing anything on the outside?”

“Like I told you last night, I’m nothing and I have nothing on the outside I could lose. You do. A big fucking something apparently.”

“Ian, Lewis, Tom…they were never mine. I’ve made one mistake after another. You’re supposed to be able to delegate.”

“It’s always better to do it yourself.”

“You got me to do your dirty work, and I never stabbed you in the back.”

Maddox flexed his hands, wanting something to smash, but there was nothing satisfying to destroy. The only thing he could hit was the wall, and it did more damage to him.

Ernie waved him closer. “Come on, let’s get you some fresh air.”

“I don’t want to go outside.”

“And you’ll go crazy in this cell.”

“The cell, that room, the courtyard, it’s all the same. I’m trapped.”

“What were you expecting, a holiday? That’s what prison is, a trap. Now come on.”

Maddox rocked back on his heels, then followed Ernie out. “I’m not good company right now.”

“You’ll keep your anger in check and sit with me while I do my crossword.”

“If someone even looks at me the wrong way—”

“You’re gonna ignore it.”

Ernie placed his oxygen tank on the table, then pulled out the chair for Maddox. Gavin approached, but Ernie waved him away.

“Not right now.”

Gavin sat on a different table with Keiron and Frank, and the three of them looked over with hurt expressions. All the gangs and groups inside, and Maddox had somehow ended up with the naïve young ones. Gavin and his blushing cheeks, Frank and his soft attitude, and Keiron, the book lover. Maddox glared at them, seeing only weakness, and they bowed their heads.

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