Page 24 of The Bathhouse
The other man had not been convicted, yet he’d been incarcerated for months.Like so many others, including Joseph himself, he was a pretrial detainee.“We are forgotten men.Some spend years waiting for a trial because of the crowded court system.”
Already, Joseph felt like he would die here.Still, he figured he deserved whatever happened to him.He refused to complain.
The cramped conditions forced the prisoners to sleep close together, like sardines in a can.It was awkward, but unavoidable.On the fourth day of Joseph’s incarceration, the man sharing his cardboard bed on the floor shook him awake.Sleep was a precious commodity in the jail, and Joseph woke angry.
His new friend urged him to calm down.“The guards are looking for you.Maybe you will get your chance to be heard.”
“I don’t think so.It’s too soon.”This couldn’t be good.Joseph’s stomach turned over with fright, but hopefully he would soon learn his fate.Better that than living in limbo.He called out.“Here.I’m here.”
Two officers approached and without a word, they pulled Joseph to his feet.
“What’s going on?Where are you taking me?”
No one answered.The guards escorted him to the warden’s office in silence.They shoved him inside and left.Joseph stood trembling before a man with a face like granite.
“Joseph Castro?”
Joseph struggled to keep his voice steady “Yes, sir.”
“Your case is dismissed.”
Joseph’s jaw dropped and he blinked at the warden uncomprehendingly.
The man looked at him with a thunderous expression.“What are you waiting for?”
“I-I-I don’t understand, sir.”
“I put a rush on your case.You’re free to go.”
Joseph stood frozen, trying to make sense of it all.
The warden looked up and scowled.“I suggest you leave before I change my mind.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Joseph beat a hasty retreat, but before he got to the door, he heard the warden call out behind him.“Must be nice to have friends in high places.”
What did he mean?Joseph had no friends in positions of power or influence.But there was no time to think about it, because the guards were waiting at the door to escort him outside.
Joseph took a deep breath, his first taste of freedom in days.When he looked up, he saw Reed.Surely he was having hallucinations.Reed should be back in the States by now.Shock, guilt, sadness, every emotion went through him, and he stood rooted to the spot.
Chapter Five
Reed stared at Joseph with eyes that burned from the sleepless nights he’d spent thinking about this man.He couldn’t help but feel concern and pity.Dark circles ringed Joseph’s eyes and patches of sunburn reddened his cheeks.The dirty bandage covering his leg showed spots of blood.It had been less than a week, but Joseph didn’t look well.It was hard to see him that way.
Reed had fought for Joseph’s freedom, used his money and influence to speed up the investigation and get Joseph released.He hadn’t planned to be here waiting for him, but at the last minute, he’d changed his mind.Now that he was here, he didn’t know what to say.
Joseph approached him slowly.“I guess I have you to thank for my release.”
“I had no choice.News of the arrest traveled quickly.Workplace gossip was unavoidable and devastating.Rumors were rampant.Morale and productivity took a big hit.I had to find out the truth and address it in a professional manner, so I went to the police.When I found out that you’d been shot, I persuaded them to do a thorough investigation.”
“Thank you, Reed.I owe you my life.God knows how long I would have been in there if it wasn’t for you.”
“I would do the same for anyone.”That wasn’t exactly true, he didn’t care for anyone the way he cared for Joseph, but he hid those feelings.
He handed over Joseph’s watch and wallet, the few items he’d been arrested with.“You look horrible.I have my rental car here.I’ll drive you home.”
No one spoke during the ride, although Reed kept sneaking glances at Joseph.When they reached the apartment, Reed pulled over, but he didn’t make a move to shut off the ignition.
