Read Online Pieces of the Past (Witness Security Book 1) by Jamie Hill - Free Book Online
Authors: Jamie Hill
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priority.”
She gazed at him. “I do.”
Doug blinked. “Excuse me?”
“ I do believe you. And I thank you. I haven’t said that yet. But I appreciate what you’re doing for us.”
He forced his breathing to remain even. The way she looked at him a moment ago, when she said ‘I do’, a world of other thoughts raced through his mind. Ideas that scared the hell out of him worse than the situation they were in. “You’re welcome.” He started to add I’m just doing my job but he wasn’t sure that was true anymore. Things were fast becoming personal, for better or worse. The unfortunate choice of words made him groan again.
Glancing out the window again, he focused on the black SUV which stopped in front of the house. Doug turned back to Christine. “Are you ready? Because things are fixing to get interesting.”
Chapter F our
Metropolitan Correctional Center
General Population
Chicago, Illinois
The noise was interminable. Incessant banging of cells doors, arguing, laughing, television—there was never a quiet moment. Sometimes he wanted to curl up in ball and shut the world out. Other times he wanted to find something sharp and slice it across his wrists. If it wasn’t for the thought of his family, out there waiting for him, he would have done that long ago.
His lawyer said the trial was going to take place soon. There had been delay after delay, until he seriously thought he might lose his mind. A freaking year had passed but finally, finally, he’d get his day in court. That’s all he’d ever wanted, to be able to tell his story.
The prosecution said they couldn’t offer him outright immunity, but he knew in his heart once the truth came out he’d get a reduced sentence. And once the judge saw that he’d been a model prisoner, perhaps he’d be released in lieu of time served.
That small sliver of hope kept him plodding along, day after day.
Time dragged.
Twice a week he got to go outside, to an exercise area on the roof of the triangle-shaped building.
Twice a week he was allowed library privileges.
Besides his family, he missed his computer and phone most of all. He was given weekly, ten minute access to the prison phone line, but those calls went to his lawyer. He didn’t try to call his family any more. He understood why they didn’t take his calls. Once he got out, he’d explain it all to them in person.
He prayed his wife would come to the trial. He needed to see her face, to see that she still loved him. Still had faith in him.
It was all that kept him going.
His roommate stuck his head in the cell. “Cubbies are on TV, man. I got five pretzel sticks says the Dodgers kick their ass.”
He felt his jumpsuit pocket. “I got a stick of gum says they don’t.”
The black man’s face lit up. “Juicy Fruit?”
“Is there any other kind, Raymond?”
“You’re on!” Raymond motioned the way to the TV area.
They headed out and he glanced up at the large clock on the wall. Lights out in two hours. They wouldn’t get to finish the game, which was probably being played on the west coast. Oh well. Two hours of distraction never hurt. He’d take whatever small measure of solace he could get.
* * * *
Topeka, Kansas
Doug opened the front door to the pretty, blonde-haired marshal from his office. “Hey Olivia. Thanks for coming.”
“ Anytime, cowboy.” She entered and glanced around.
He closed the door and locked it. “Christine Scott, this is Marshal Olivia Newman. She’s going to drive your car to the airport and leave it in long-term parking. While she does that, I’ll pull my Expedition into the garage and we’ll load up.”
“ Oh.” Christine blinked, appearing surprised. “I guess that makes sense.”
He exchanged glances with Olivia. “Every now and then, something we do makes some sense.”
“ Occasionally.” She nodded.
Christine rubbed her temples. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—oh, never mind.”
Doug smiled.
She gazed at him. “I do.”
Doug blinked. “Excuse me?”
“ I do believe you. And I thank you. I haven’t said that yet. But I appreciate what you’re doing for us.”
He forced his breathing to remain even. The way she looked at him a moment ago, when she said ‘I do’, a world of other thoughts raced through his mind. Ideas that scared the hell out of him worse than the situation they were in. “You’re welcome.” He started to add I’m just doing my job but he wasn’t sure that was true anymore. Things were fast becoming personal, for better or worse. The unfortunate choice of words made him groan again.
Glancing out the window again, he focused on the black SUV which stopped in front of the house. Doug turned back to Christine. “Are you ready? Because things are fixing to get interesting.”
Chapter F our
Metropolitan Correctional Center
General Population
Chicago, Illinois
The noise was interminable. Incessant banging of cells doors, arguing, laughing, television—there was never a quiet moment. Sometimes he wanted to curl up in ball and shut the world out. Other times he wanted to find something sharp and slice it across his wrists. If it wasn’t for the thought of his family, out there waiting for him, he would have done that long ago.
His lawyer said the trial was going to take place soon. There had been delay after delay, until he seriously thought he might lose his mind. A freaking year had passed but finally, finally, he’d get his day in court. That’s all he’d ever wanted, to be able to tell his story.
The prosecution said they couldn’t offer him outright immunity, but he knew in his heart once the truth came out he’d get a reduced sentence. And once the judge saw that he’d been a model prisoner, perhaps he’d be released in lieu of time served.
That small sliver of hope kept him plodding along, day after day.
Time dragged.
Twice a week he got to go outside, to an exercise area on the roof of the triangle-shaped building.
Twice a week he was allowed library privileges.
Besides his family, he missed his computer and phone most of all. He was given weekly, ten minute access to the prison phone line, but those calls went to his lawyer. He didn’t try to call his family any more. He understood why they didn’t take his calls. Once he got out, he’d explain it all to them in person.
He prayed his wife would come to the trial. He needed to see her face, to see that she still loved him. Still had faith in him.
It was all that kept him going.
His roommate stuck his head in the cell. “Cubbies are on TV, man. I got five pretzel sticks says the Dodgers kick their ass.”
He felt his jumpsuit pocket. “I got a stick of gum says they don’t.”
The black man’s face lit up. “Juicy Fruit?”
“Is there any other kind, Raymond?”
“You’re on!” Raymond motioned the way to the TV area.
They headed out and he glanced up at the large clock on the wall. Lights out in two hours. They wouldn’t get to finish the game, which was probably being played on the west coast. Oh well. Two hours of distraction never hurt. He’d take whatever small measure of solace he could get.
* * * *
Topeka, Kansas
Doug opened the front door to the pretty, blonde-haired marshal from his office. “Hey Olivia. Thanks for coming.”
“ Anytime, cowboy.” She entered and glanced around.
He closed the door and locked it. “Christine Scott, this is Marshal Olivia Newman. She’s going to drive your car to the airport and leave it in long-term parking. While she does that, I’ll pull my Expedition into the garage and we’ll load up.”
“ Oh.” Christine blinked, appearing surprised. “I guess that makes sense.”
He exchanged glances with Olivia. “Every now and then, something we do makes some sense.”
“ Occasionally.” She nodded.
Christine rubbed her temples. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—oh, never mind.”
Doug smiled.
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