Page 11 of Pretty Cruel Love

“Get the director of prisoner transport on the phone,” I say. “Ask him if he forgot how a calendar works.”

“Right away.” She ducks behind the front desk, makes a few calls, and hands me the receiver.

“It’s the warden,” she whispers.

“Good afternoon, Warden Burress,” I say.

“Good afternoon, Dr. Weiss!” He sounds like he’s eating something—probably another ice cream bar. “May I help you something?”

“Yes.” I glance at the calendar to confirm I’m not imagining this. “I was under the impression Sadie Pretty’s transport was scheduled for today.”

“It is, but we had a scheduling mix-up with other inmates, so she’ll be a little late.”

“How late?”

“Like it matters.”

“Itdoesmatter.” I grit my teeth. “How late?”

“Maybe tomorrow night, maybe even later than that…”

“I’ve only been permitted to work with her for two weeks.” I keep my voice firm. “Every second counts, and since I doubt the state is giving me any extensions, I need to know the exact moment she’ll be here.”

“I’m running a prison here, Dr. Weiss.” His tone is colder than mine. “I don’t have time to keep up with a murderer’s field trip. She’ll get there when she gets there.”

He hangs up in my face, and I make a mental note to handle his disrespect later.

“Get all the interns in here,” I say to Robin. “Tell them to drop whatever they’re doing and give them the same assignment on Sadie Pretty for the day.”

“Will do. What is it?”

“Find out why the fuck she’s not here… and give me an idea when she will be.”

4

SADIE

Day One

(Well, it was supposed to be)

The Start of the Cabin Experiment

Nauseating diesel fumes sift through the van’s vents and clog my throat. My eyes burn so badly it hurts to blink, and I’ve been sitting on this metal seat so long that my thighs are numb.

I’m not sure why I let myself believe the ride to Dr. Weiss would be short and peaceful—or that I’d be making the journey in the back of a patrol car—but this situation is exactly what I deserve for getting my hopes up.

This ride began with me and eleven other inmates, but after stopping at a few other prisons for drop-offs, our manifest is now down to five.

Plus the two escort guards and the driver...

“I know it’s been a long ride for you ladies,” the lead guard calls from the front. “Do I need to turn up the air conditioning, or are you comfortable enough back there?”

It’s a trick question.

There is no air conditioning back here.

There’s a glass divider betweenusandthemto ensure the cool air never reaches our side.

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