Page 7 of Free
"Any chance you'll get bailed?"
Dyson laughed. "That's doubtful. I'm here to stay."
The small slot in the door opened, and one tray was pushed through. Patrick stood and grabbed it, handing it to Dyson before taking his own and going back to sit. "Food here sucks, and there's not a lot of it. My sister puts money on my books, but it doesn't go too far. We'll order commissary tomorrow and get it Friday."
Dyson wondered who would put money on his books, if anyone. The police would track everyone who had anything to do with him. He'd had fifty bucks on him when he'd been arrested. That would get him through for a while, but having to buy shampoo, soap, and other stuff would cut into that quick. And if he was going to be here long, he wanted a fucking pillow. Leave it to him to get arrested in a jail that didn't supply them. "I'm not sure if anyone will put shit on my books. I have money, but anyone who comes in to put it on my books will become an instant suspect. I don't know how much support I'll have."
"What the fuck did you do?" Patrick stared at him.
Dyson picked at the powdered scrambled eggs on his tray. "I saved a shit load of kids from being abused."
"Well fuck, can't blame you for that. You should be a hero, not a criminal." Patrick ate a burned piece of sausage. "Not too far off from me. I killed my sister's husband. They say I should have stayed out of it and let the police deal with him, but the thing is, she'd gotten a restraining order, she jumped through all the legal hoops she could. When my sister showed up at my place, covered in blood, I'd had enough. I don't regret what I did. I may spend the next fifty years locked up, but I know that fucker will never lay a hand on her again."
Dyson thought back to how he and Xander had gone after Xander's dad. It wasn't much different. The big difference was that Bryon had stopped them from killing Xander's father, and taken them under his wing, inviting them to join STK. Things could have gone differently had Bryon not come along. They'd planned to kill the man after making him suffer.
Bryon had saved them. He'd always been there for them after that. No matter how bad they fucked up, Bryon bailed them out. He had no doubt Bryon would do what he could yet again, but this time, he wasn't even sure Bryon had the ability to save him. Dyson looked at Patrick. "You shouldn't be facing charges for that. You saved your sister's life. They have to take that into consideration."
"They are. It's why I'm not rushing to go to trial. My attorney is working to get the charges lessened. If I can get it down to manslaughter, then there's a chance I'll just serve a little time, maybe even walk out if I'm lucky." Patrick shrugged. "Whatever happens, happens. I don't give a fuck as long as my sister's safe."
Dyson knew that was a lie. Everyone in jail gave a fuck about how long they were going to be there. At least until they found out, then they would settle in and deal with it. It was the not knowing that was hard. The wondering if you'd ever taste freedom again. Dyson was already feeling it. He'd only been there a few hours, and already he was picturing this as the rest of his life. "Not easy fighting the system, but it sounds like you got a shitty deal. I can't believe anyone would punish you for saving your sister. Fuckers who beat on women and kids deserve what they get."
"Yeah, you'd think, but still here we both sit." Patrick tossed his milk carton in the trash.
"Yeah, this shit is going to get old fast. You got any books or anything I can borrow?" Dyson asked.
Patrick nodded. "Yeah, not sure what you like, but my sister sent in some different books. You can have a look. I get so bored, I'll read anything." He also gestured to one of two small boxes under Dyson's bunk. "I've also got paper and envelopes if you need to write anyone, but you'll need money on your books for stamps. I know it's hard the first week. You never know if they'll recategorize you and move you to another pod, you don't have shit with you so you're bored. Just ask if I can help with anything."
"Thanks." Dyson set his empty tray on the floor beside the door. "I don't have anyone to write to or call, so I'm good."
"What about getting an attorney?" Patrick asked.
"Yeah, guess I'll have to deal with that. I'm sure they'll be dragging me out for more questioning. I'll see if I can get them to make the call for me once they do. Like I said, I doubt I'm going anywhere. Even the best attorney couldn't fight the charges I'm facing."
"Dude, it can't be that bad." Patrick set his tray down and hopped up on his own bunk.
"You have no idea." Dyson eased back on the one-inch mat that was his mattress and tried not to think about what the next few weeks would be like.
