Chapter one:
Days earlier...
Are you nervous? The warden asked he said as he approached a set of security doors.
No, Sidney said. Why would I be?
Warden Decker shrugged. He's dangerous. He dabbed the sweat on his brow with his handkerchief and tucked it in his back pocket. He hustled forward and swiped his card. Nothing happened. He swiped it again and again. An unseen latch popped. Ah, there we go. He opened one of two heavy metal doors and stepped aside. It's an old place. Not made for all this technology. I miss the sound of those keys jangling on my hip some days.
Thank you, she said, crossing into the next room.
You're welcome, Agent Shaw.
The pair entered a long hall made of cinderblock wall, lined with barred windows. Agent Shaw's short heels echoed on the marble floor. The prison was old, but it had it's smell of fresh paint that lingered on pale gray walls.
The thickest black man cleared his throat. I've been the warden these ten years, and I have to admit, I've never had a situation like this.
Like what? She adjusted the strap of her black leather satchel on her shoulder.
We just don't get a lot of visitors from the FBI, that's all. And you have to admit, the situation is very unique. He was smiling as he glanced over at her.
Isn't it?
For you, I suppose, but I've been doing this for a long time.
Visiting prisoners in sweat- rank prisons? He huffed. You didn't sign up for that, did you? He let out a little laugh. Sounds more like something a foolish young man would do, like me.
She showed the slightest smile on her face. Dark hair was pinned up behind her head. She wore a dark- blue pants suit with a white shirt. She reminded him of his daughter, in a white sort of way. Too confident for her own good.
My job requires me to go a lot of unique places, but I'll admit, Warden Decker, I don't think I've been to a place as humid as this.
They've been working on the A/C for twenty years, and it still never works right. I'm from the South, and I still never get used to it. He dashed the sweat from his eyes. Sorry. But this hallway has no ventilation at all.
It's all right the academy's prepared me for the worst.
He stopped at the next set of doors, readied his swipe key, and paused.
She dipped her chin and eyed him. Something on your mind, Warden?
He leaned on the door, took his blue handkerchief, and wiped his neck. I got to know. Why do you need to see him?
That's confidential.
I know that, but... it's so strange. Listen, Agent Shaw. I'm the warden. Certainly you can give me some nugget of information.
After all, he's my prisoner. I'm pretty familiar with all of them. We have the worst of all sorts here: dangerous bloodthirsty killers. Of course, I've seen some of them cry like babies before. He gave her a quick finger shake. But we don't have- and never had- anyone like him.
Sorry, she said, looking at the next set of doors.
They were painted white with the word Library stenciled in black where the window glass had been replaced with steel.
Is this really a library?
It is. He tapped the metal. This is how we make do. I don't think we get the same level of funding as the G- Men- he looked her up and down - or the G- Women do. Are you sure I can't stay inside with you?
I'll be fine. She shifted her satchel from one side to the other.
He took a breath and swiped his card. All right then.