Penned In - Lynn Cahoon Page 0,3
Ian stared into her eyes. “I’ve got a small confession.”
Chapter 2
Angie stared at him. “What are you talking about?”
He shook his head and pointed to the guard. “Better we talk after we get out of here. I’d hate for that guy to think I was a serial offender. He might not take a liking to my melodious British accent.”
“You’re messing with me, right?” Angie tried to push the question, but Ian just stepped away and stood by Estebe. “Men. Go ahead and avoid the question.”
Felicia stepped closer to Angie. She leaned close and whispered. “Are you two fighting? You never fight.”
“We’re not fighting.” Angie started to tell Felicia what happened but then the lights went out.
A woman screamed behind them. Angie could hear rustling as people tried to find out who had screamed. The lights came back on and Angie saw Hope’s bright red face.
“Sorry everyone, I overreacted. I’m fine.” Hope called out to the crowd.
“Well, that’s a relief,” Bridget said but her tone seemed mocking. She let the group settle. “First we’ll take a tour of the facility. We have a large gun collection in the gallows room. I think you’ll be impressed. Then we’ll do the general population quarters and finally, we’ll take you to your cells. You can hang out there, or we’ll be having coffee and dessert in the dining room at the end of the tour.”
“See, Hope, nothing to worry about. We’re just touring a building.” Estebe patted her back like an inexperienced father trying to burp a baby.
“I have to admit,” a dark-haired man standing near Estebe grinned at Hope, “I’m a little nervous too. Did you know that there were over 13,000 prisoners in this place during the time it was opened, but only ten executions? I think we’re fine. Unless there’s a killer in our midst.”
“Tad, you always know how to make people feel comfortable. Please excuse my brother. He has a sick sense of humor.” An older woman took Tad’s arm and leaned into the group. “I’m Tamera Johnson. We’re from Boise but have never taken the time to tour the prison. Our uncle, Thaddeus, is here from Utah and he suggested we take a family field trip.”
Angie stepped forward. “I’m Angie Turner and this is my crew from The County Seat. We’re in River Vista.”
“I’ve been to your restaurant. A very nice setting for such a small town. It was a surprise when my husband got us dinner reservations. You have quite a following in the area.” Tamera looked around the group. “I don’t think I’ve ever met so many chefs before.”
“I just started.” Hope explained.
“Hope is our newest addition to the kitchen. She just graduated from the Boise State culinary program.” Angie smiled at the girl who, apparently, felt uncomfortable being called a chef. “And this is my boyfriend, Ian. He runs the Farmers’ Market co-op in River Vista.”
“We’re surrounded by food experts. I may just have to bend your ear on this recipe I’ve been trying to figure out. I can’t get it to work like it does at my favorite restaurant.” She smiled and nodded to the guard motioning them into the next room. “Looks like we’re getting started. See you on the inside.”
Ian moved over so the family could follow the guards. Angie noticed a few couples behind them, but they didn’t seem in the mood for chatting. In fact, it looked like they were waiting for the lights to go down to get a little closer.
Ian fell in step with Angie. “I think this is going to be an interesting evening.”
“I think ‘interesting’ is an understatement.” Angie shivered a little as they went through the open iron gate. When they were all in the large hallway, the guard that brought up the rear pulled the bars closed and clicked the locks shut. The sound echoed in the stone room.
“You are officially residents of the Idaho Penitentiary for the evening. I hope you enjoy your stay.” He called over our heads. “Step forward to the light. Harry Orchard was one of our most famous residents. He confessed to killing over seventeen people, including a former Idaho governor. By the end of his life, he was living outside the prison walls in a cottage he’d built himself. He started a shoe shop and a poultry farm inside the prison.”
An old sepia photo of an elderly man near a small rock building was posted on their left. A small placard described Harry’s crimes, as well as his