Page 20 of Freshman

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“First,” Ryan announced. “The H-wing cameras were fixed yesterday morning.”

Alfie stiffened. Nate’s cell was at the end of the landing, not directly in front of a camera, but it still had one of them covering his door. He wouldn’t be able to linger during roll call; that would arouse suspicion. The disappointment weight on him, but he tried not to let it show. Ryan didn’t notice, but Henry narrowed his eyes in Alfie’s direction.

“Second,” Ryan continued after the others had expressed their relief. “They were broken during association by Tony Blair from cell one. He’s now on the segregation unit, and we’re without cameras.” He shrugged. “But that’s nothing new.”

“Why would Tony break them?” Glen asked.

Henry got there before Ryan could answer.

“He doesn’t need a reason. He’s an animal like everyone else in here, animals. This is the only way he knows how to act.”

Ryan pressed his lips in a firm line. “Tony didn’t give a reason, but he doesn’t call the shots on H-wing, Nate does.”

Marie bit her lip. “Nate told him to destroy the cameras?”

“Of course, I can’t prove that.” Ryan sighed. “But I strongly suspect it. The same way I strongly suspect he has a mobile in his cell, but every time we spin it, we find nothing.”

“Did you spin it today?” Henry asked.

“Yes, and nothing.”

A calculating smile appeared on Henry’s face.

“But why would Nate want the cameras destroyed?” Marie asked.

Henry’s eyebrow lifted. “Are you really asking that? He’s top of the pecking order on that wing. He doesn’t want accountability for how he keeps everyone under his rule. No one can pin anything on him if he’s not seen doing it. Smart, that one. I’m sure Tony will be rewarded when he gets back.”

Ryan snorted. “He won’t be going back to H-wing. I’m transferring him out of here. That's the last time he's smashing H-wing’s cameras.”

Henry folded his arms. “Nate will just get someone else to do it.”

“Probably.” Ryan yawned into his hand, then he checked his watch. “Right. Home time. Have a good night.”

He left the office with the day shift in tow. Henry waited until they were gone from view, then he pointed at Alfie, Glen, then Marie. “You, you and you.”

“Yes?” Marie said sweetly.

“Are going to spin Nate’s cell.”

They all baulked.

“Why?” Glen asked.

“Didn’t you hear Ryan? Nate has a mobile, and he hides it during the day, but I imagine he’s got it right now. We catch him by surprise, turn his cell over, and bam, we’ve got it.”

“When you say we…” Alfie muttered.

“You can’t expect me to flip beds and knock over wardrobes. I’m not a young lad anymore. You and Glen will do the cell, and Marie can—”

“I don’t want to pat Nate down,” Marie said with a shudder.

Glen pushed his chest out. “I don’t want you to pat him down either. He’s dangerous.”

Henry nodded. “Okay, okay. Glen and Marie spin the cell, and Alfie can pat Nate down outside of it, make sure he doesn’t have it on him.”

Alfie swallowed. “But—”

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