Page 65 of Diamond in the Rough

“Who’s Jake’s next of kin?”

“Sam, his boss. Zoe said he’s confused, his memory’s not good. When they told him about Carl, he couldn’t even remember who he was.”

Another phantom boot stamped on Maddox’s gut. “I need to get out of here.”

Ernie cleared his throat, a signal for Maddox to get off the phone. “Speak later.”

He hurried to shove the device into his mattress, then hopped down off the bed.

A prison guard pushed open the door. “It stays open until lockdown.”

“Understood,” Maddox said.

Ernie waited until the guard had gone, then stepped inside. “Well?”

“He needs me.”

“So we’re back to planning an escape…”

Maddox groaned. “I’ve got one person on the outside helping me, that’s it.”

“One on the outside, but if you ask nicely, you might have a few on the inside willing to help.”

“Gavin, Keiron, and Frank? You think they’re gonna be able to help me?”

“I dunno, but charging the guards with a sharpened toothbrush sure isn’t.”

Maddox exhaled out his nose, then gestured to the door. “They still serving lunch?”

“If you’re lucky. Come on.”

****

Frank couldn’t pull his gaze from Maddox’s knuckles. They were a grotesque sight for sure, but Frank looked like he verged on vomiting.

Maddox sighed and dropped the spoon back into the bowl. “Problem?”

“Looks like it hurts, that’s all.”

Maddox admired his damaged hands. “They throb, nothing I can’t handle.”

Frank shuddered and glanced away. Keiron approached, pushing a trolley of books. He smiled at Frank, then shuddered when Maddox looked at him.

“Two weeks in solitary. How was it?” Keiron asked.

“I feel even crazier than before.”

“Have any of you got books? I need to take them back.”

Maddox scrunched his nose. “Funnily enough, they don’t give you books in solitary.”

Ernie sighed. “Anyway, sit down a sec, Keiron. Maddox needs your help, all of your help.”

Keiron slid onto Frank’s lap, and Gavin widened his eyes.

“I don’tneedyour help,” Maddox said.

“Yes, you do,” Ernie said. “He wants to escape.”

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