Penned In - Lynn Cahoon Page 0,6
his eyes at Matt.
“Okay so maybe it’s not for everyone.”
The group moved into the next room. Tables and benches were scattered around the large room. It had a vaulted ceiling and Angie could see three floors of cells circling the area. The tables were screwed to the floor.
Bridget stopped in the middle of the room. “Welcome to the first great room concept. Prisoners ate, talked, and played games here. There were no televisions of course, but the prison library was just over there in that room. You’re welcome to check out a book, but make sure you get it back on time. The late fees around here are murder.”
This time the group laughed.
Tad looked offended. “Sure, laugh with the girl. I’m thinking it’s a matter of reverse discrimination.”
“Give it up Tad, you’re just not as funny as this pretty little thing is.” Thaddeus Paige nodded to Bridget. “Go ahead young lady. Tell us a story. It’s my first and probably last time in a prison, I’d like to know what it was like for inmates.”
“Okay, so I’ll tell you about the day in the life. That way you all will be sure to stay on the straight and narrow. I hear that conditions in the new prison set in the desert out south of Boise still run with an old west philosophy.”
“The last time I was there, it was more like Club Med,” a man called from the back. Everyone turned to see who’d spoken and with the attention totally on him, he blushed. “Sorry, I was joking. I’ve never even had a parking ticket.”
Angie hoped the rest of the attendees were as clean as this guy. Otherwise, their night in lockup might just turn into a mess. Besides, what kind of criminal would want to be locked up for a night?
Angie tried to focus on Bridget’s story, but she just couldn’t shake the unease that had overcome her when they entered the facility.
Chapter 3
An hour later, they were alone in their row of cells. They had four cells near the guard station, with a walkway overlooking the community room. Each cell had two twin beds so Angie shared with Ian, Felicia shared with Estebe, Hope and Nancy had a cell, and Matt had his own cell.
“I can sleep half the night in one cot, then move to the second one if it’s not comfortable.” Matt put sheets on both beds in his cell. “Unless someone wants to come share with me?”
“We’re fine where we are.” Hope said and Nancy chuckled.
Estebe stood near the bars. “Are you afraid because you’re alone in there? I could have brought one of my nephew’s teddy bears.”
“Or maybe Dom can sleep with you?” Ian offered.
Matt smoothed the blanket on the first bed. “How did my joy at being on my own get misinterpreted as me being lonely? I do sleep alone in my apartment every night.”
“Please, I don’t need to hear about your love life.” Felicia giggled.
A scream sounded down the hall toward the great room. They all quickly gathered in the hallway. Estebe pointed to the exit near the walkway. “It came from that way?”
“Are you sure? The sounds seem to echo here.” Felicia glanced down the hallway the other way. She shook her head. “I don’t hear anything that way.”
“Who has a flashlight? Maybe this is our first game of the night? We could be part of a scavenger hunt they didn’t advertise.” Matt returned to his cell and came out with two large flashlights. “Who needs one?”
Estebe took one, glaring at Matt as he did. “I didn’t bring one. I guess I should have thought this out more closely.”
“I have one on my phone.” Felicia reached for her back pocket but her hand came back empty. “And my phone is locked up.”
“I didn’t know they’d take them.” Hope’s voice seemed a little too high pitched.
As Angie stepped closer, she saw Nancy put an arm around the young chef. “Don’t worry about it. Two flashlights are enough.”
“Three.” Ian pulled out one from his backpack. “I’m glad I didn’t stuff this in the locker.”
“Didn’t you guys read the inmate list? It said we could bring up to two flashlights and that we might need them if the power went out during our stay.” Matt shook his head. “I knew we should have had a pre-meeting to make sure everyone was prepared.”
“Are we going to stand here talking, or go find out who screamed?” Ian nodded to Estebe. “You go first, then Matt,