Penned In - Lynn Cahoon Page 0,18
going to do that before he laid down.”
Angie eyed him suspiciously. “And how do you know that?”
“We talked with sign language when I was pouring coffee. He’s not a stupid man. He worries about you guys.” Ian sipped his coffee. “And before you ask, there isn’t an exit to the back. I went through this set of cells earlier trying to find the bathroom. It’s on the other side. This blocks up to a brick wall.”
“I can’t believe we’re worried about getting killed in our sleep. This was supposed to be a fun, teambuilding activity. Maybe I should schedule all the others. We could go to the zoo. That would be safe, right?”
“Until a lion escapes and we’re stuck hiding in the monkey house.” He shook his head. “Face it Angie, wherever you go, trouble shows up. I think you have a natural attraction for problems.”
“This is really not my fault.” Angie saw the grin on Ian’s face. “Okay, so you’re teasing me.”
“And you didn’t catch on for a while. You are tired.” Ian glanced around the common room. At the other end of the room, the two couples were sitting up against a wall, with either one or both of the pair sleeping. Tamera had her head on the table, snoring. Tad was pacing the room. And Thaddeus was still playing cards. “I think our hosts found beds and are asleep by now.”
“You don’t think the guards killed Pat, do you?”
Ian glanced over at the others one more time. “Either one of them did, or it’s someone over there. Would a killer be asleep right now? Or would he be filled with adrenaline and not able to sleep?”
“He’d have to be pretty cold blooded to sleep.” She watched Tad. “He’s wound a little tightly for someone his age.”
“Unless you add in the time he spent in lock up. He’s probably thinking he’s the most likely candidate for suspect of the year.” Ian rolled his shoulders. “When I was running with Danny, everyone thought I was doing the same bad things he was. And I like it that way. It gave me street cred, but I was a dumb kid. Tad knows what it’s like to go to prison. I don’t think he’s very keen on going back.”
“You empathize with him.” Angie watched Ian’s face. The room was gloomy but she could see him clear enough.
“I do. I could have been Danny or Tad if my mom hadn’t stepped in. She saved me from a bad turn in life by just taking me out of town that weekend.” He nodded to Tad. “You never know what could have happened if someone had interceded in his life. Like a favorite uncle.”
“Sometimes people won’t let you help.” Angie didn’t mean to be critical of Ian’s choices, but she’d tried to save others before. It never worked out.
“You’re right. I believe all we can do is try.” He smiled at her. “Of course, I am the Sunday school teacher. I’m required to say this kind of stuff.”
“Whatever.” Angie put her elbows on the table and leaned forward. Dom looked up at her and barked. “Uh oh, we need to find the courtyard. Dom’s needing a break.”
“I don’t want you to go alone.” Ian glanced over at the cells. “Anyone still awake in there?”
Marty popped his head up and moved toward the entrance. “I can’t sleep. I’ve been trying but my head keeps running through the people we met and any reasons they might have wanted to kill Pat. How can I help?”
“Go with Angie to find the courtyard. Dom needs a walk.” Ian handed Matt one of the flashlights that were on the table.
They walked toward the hallway that led even farther into the prison. Angie shivered and Matt shined the light on her. “You okay?”
“I’m fine, it’s just a little weird, that’s all.” She rubbed the top of Dom’s back. More for her own comfort than the dog’s. “Thanks for coming with me.”
“I like working for you. I need to keep you around. Estebe and Felicia together would be brutal.” He pointed toward a door with a sign that read Exercise Yard. “I think we found our exit.”
“Just make sure there’s a rock or something in the doorway. I would hate to get locked outside for the rest of the night.” Angie and Dom moved through the doorway. The night was cool, but not cold. And the walls were high enough that all Angie could see were the stars above them. “This