Page 90 of Psychopath

“Is…is that normal for Zane?”

“It’s the first time he’s been caught, but who knows if it’s the norm for him in this place. We try to keep that stuff out, but prisoners find a way.” Cleo shrugged. “He said it was a birthday treat. He’s on the segregation unit and has been busted back to basic.”

“Oh.” Quinn hugged his folder to his chest.

Weeks had passed from Quinn’s birthday to Zane’s, and in that time, rather than distancing himself, he was drawn more and more towards Zane. They talked about movies, books, food, their likes and dislikes, but only when the tape recorder was off. A few sessions had stretched over the allotted hour without Quinn noticing, and at home he tried to come to his senses, pep-talked himself into backing off, even found photographs of Zane all smiles with his victims to remind him why he was even talking to him in the first place, but that didn’t make Quinn like him any less. It just made him more uncomfortable with himself.

How could he like Zane Black?

“I was going to call you but got distracted.” Cleo pulled a face. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

“Maybe we could…” She came closer.

“What?” he murmured.

“Like last time. Ask David for a favour.”

That was the moment Quinn realised Zane had got caught on purpose. His heart began to thump, and time seemed to slow around him. He had a choice to make.

The right one vs the wrong.

His mouth went dry, and he avoided Cleo’s eyes.

“What do you think?” she asked him.

It was a bad idea. The worst idea. “Means you won’t have a wasted trip.”

Quinn lifted his folder and shot her a quick smile. His voice didn’t sound like his own when he finally said, “Well…I’m here now.”

“Exactly,” Cleo said, reaching for her set of keys. She led the way down to the segregation unit, and the drop in temperature was welcome. Quinn was flushed, and skittish, and he knew he shouldn’t be heading down there, but he couldn’t stop himself.

David appeared at the window when Cleo tapped.

He dropped his serious expression and smiled, his eyes darting from Cleo to Quinn.

“I guess you’re here to visit the birthday boy.” David chuckled as he welcomed them inside.

“I got distracted with some new arrivals and forgot to call Quinn to cancel his visit,” Cleo explained.

Quinn had his folder clutched in his grip. He glanced back at the door they’d just come for, knowing he should walk away, interview Zane the following week and send a clear message that the time before had been a ‘one-off’ and nothing more.

“Is thirty minutes okay?” David asked.

Quinn turned to him. “That’s great.”

“Keep the cell door open. I’ll be in the officers’ box as usual.” David strolled up to cell number eight and unlocked it. Unlike the first time, Zane wasn’t standing up facing the window; he was sat on the bed, eyes on the door.

“I’ve got a birthday treat for you,” David said.

Zane’s smile twitched. “Lucky me.”

15

Zane wasn’t dressed in his usual dark jeans and white vest top. He wore grey joggers and a grey sweatshirt. Prison issue. His eyes narrowed slightly as he stared at Quinn, still frozen in the doorway.

Cleo and David were saying goodbye to each other behind him. The door to the segregation unit latched, and the seal around the door made a sucking sound. David sang softly under his breath as he strode into the officers’ box.

---