Page 15 of The Fall Guy

“What can you tell me about your cellmate?” she asks while picking up a pen from her desk.

I frown in confusion. What does she want to know about Rio? Other than him trying to strangle me last night, I don’t know very much about him.

“He keeps himself to himself.” I shrug, unsure what she’s wanting from me.

“Have you noticed any suspicious behaviour?” She leans forward with a kind smile.Sorry, Governor, being nice isn’t going to work on me.

“I’ve been here less than a week, what could I possibly have discovered?” I tilt my head to the side, trying to remain sincere.

She pushes out her chest, which does nothing for my libido. “If you see anything, I’d like to be informed.”

She wants me to be a snitch.Honey, you’ve got the wrong guy. “How do I get a phone call in this place?” I ask, ready to start serving my own agenda.

“You can get credit on a top-up card. Only the pay phones are permitted inside the prison.” I wait for her to give me more. “Fine,” she says, opening a drawer, and pulling out a green plastic card. “Your first five pounds is already pre-paid onto the card, but if you want more, you’ll have to give me something in exchange.”

“Thanks. Are we done?” I ask taking the card.

“You may go.” She dismisses me with her hand and goes back to looking busy.

“Thanks, ma’am.” I salute her before leaving the room where the guard is waiting.

“All done,” I say, smiling.

Maybe I’ve discovered the currency in Eastward:secrets.

On our way back to the prisoner area, I ask the guard where the phones are and chose to make my call before returning to my room.

There are only four numbers on my approved list; my mum, brother, housemate and lawyer. First, I try my brother, but he doesn’t answer. I’m not ready to forgive my mother yet, so I don’t try her number.

Dialling my old housemate, I wait for him to answer. Once I’d decided to take the blame for my brother, I told the police everything they found in our shared house belonged to me, so Brad’s a free man.

“Hello,” Brad says.

“It’s nice to hear a familiar voice,” I say.

“Am I glad to hear from you,” he replies with his usual chuckle.

“Feel free to send me a postcard. I think my days in here are going to drag on.” I lean my arm against the wall.

“That can be arranged. Callie’s titties will brighten your walls.”

I roll my eyes with a playful smirk. “For fuck’s sake man, I was joking.”

“Don’t be like that. I want to be a good friend.” He laughs.

I can’t help but let my own laugh spill from my lips. “I can always count on you to bring a smile to my face.”

“That’s what I do best. Well, that and eat pussy.”

“Too much information, bro.” I shake my head while fighting back a vision I don’t want to see.

He pauses for a moment, all of a sudden getting all serious. “Listen, man, I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for me.”

“It’s okay. One of us was coming to Eastward. I had no choice. There was no point in us both going down. Besides, youdid nothing wrong.” I add the last part in case anyone is listening into our conversation, although I doubt anyone is interested in what I have to say. I’m just an innocent man rotting away for a crime I didn’t do.

“Appreciate it, pal.”

We don’t usually have these kinds of talks, and I’m ready to change the subject.

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