Page 110 of The Toymaker
Riju had to wait while the guard scrawled on parchment. The room was plain and smelled a bit like old cig smoke. Two doors led elsewhere.
The guard had him sign in two spots, said he could follow, and took Riju through the right door. Steps led down to a long hall, and he caught laughter from close by. The first cell on the left held a pair of men playing cards. They were probably thieves or guilty of something that wasn’t too serious. Murderers and rapists often spent time in The Edge before dangling from a noose. Riju had eventually learned from word of mouth that his attackers had all been hanged since they’d been seen leaving the warehouse.
Considering Riju had been found half-dead inside, it was clear what they’d done.
Prisoners who behaved were allowed old decks of cards and books. Riju’s heart thumped as he followed the guard. He hadn’t planned on visiting Trig at all, and he couldn’t wait to leave and go home. A man was doing push-ups while his cellmate counted, and one who was by himself was snoring on his cot. A guy in another cell leered at Riju.
“Hey, sweetheart.”
“Billy, shut up,” snapped the guard. “He’s not here to see you.”
Riju cringed inside. Thankfully, Trig’s cell was far enough away from the leering guy, and he was on his cot with a book. The front cover was missing, and he didn’t look up until the guard rapped on the bars.
Trig looked a lot different. The others Riju had seen all had short hair, and Trig did too. His clothes consisted of worn trousers and a baggy shirt. Prison accommodations aren’t fancy.
Disbelief showed on Trig’s face as the guard spoke and said the reason for Riju’s visit.
“You both have to sign this, and it’ll be placed with your things.”
“It’s about fucking time you came.” Trig dropped the book and got off of the cot.
So much for the fib at the bottom of the note.I miss you.If he missed Riju that much, he'd be a little nicer, right?
“Still can’t say hello when you’re supposed to,” grumbled Trig.
“Hi.” Riju rolled his eyes.
Trig stalked over to the bars and noticed the velvet box. “I see you found it without my saying anything. I thought you might toss the box of wool and lose it.”
“Hurry up and sign.” The guard poked the parchment through the bars. “I ain’t got all day.”
“Like your job is hard.” Trig ignored the note. “Why don’t you keep it, Riju? It was supposed to be yours when I decided to officially ask.”
Riju raised an eyebrow. “I don’t want it.”
Trig furrowed his brow. “I was hoping you’d wait for me. We could try again.”
“I don’t think so.”
“If you wait, things will be different and-”
“Pfft. They should have been different before. You abused me. It’s not like you were wrongly arrested for some other thing. You can keep the damn ring, sell it, or throw it down a privy for all I care once you get out. I have nothing else of yours, and I don’t want to see you when you do get out.”
“I heard about your shop-”
The guard shook the parchment. “Sign the damn thing. I’ll let you have a few minutes to talk, but I’m not standing around here while you yak.”
Trig snatched the parchment and the never-fill quill the guard handed over. He used the wall for a hard surface, scribbled his signature at the bottom, and handed it back.
“I’m going to put this with your stuff and note it,” said the guard. “It’ll be there when you get out. Don’t take too long talking because visiting hours are over.”
Trig’s eyes slid to Riju. “I heard about your shop.”
The guard walked away as Riju eyed him. “You sent a note there. I figured you heard about it somehow.”
“I bet it’s not doing well. Toy Wonderland isn’t a good name.”
“Toy Wonderland is doing great. I just finished a large order for Lord Levin’s niece who’s coming to live with him and the Countess. She’s got a dollhouse and a bunch of other toys. Someone just has to come pick it up in a day or two.”
