Flight of the Jabiru by Elizabeth Haran Read Free Book Online Page A

overhanging doorway on C block.
    Lara dropped her hoe and trudged towards the androgynous guard dressed in navy blue, aware of the squelching mud beneath her boots. “Is it my solicitor?”
    â€œNo,” the guard said curtly.
    â€œIs it my father?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œThen who is it?” Lara was baffled as the guard jangled keys, unlocking and locking doors as they went down corridors.
    â€œDo I look like your social director? You’ll find out soon enough.”
    Lara was still taken aback each time she was spoken to with such hostility. She didn’t think she’d ever get used to being treated like a common criminal. She prayed she wouldn’t have to.
    Dressed in a tunic as gray and drab as the day, Lara was escorted into a room twice the size of her cell. Like the rest of the prison, the walls were gray, the floor was gray, and the door was gray. The room was furnished with two old wooden chairs on either side of a wooden table, but had no window. A man was seated on one of the chairs, with his back to her. She was very surprised when he turned to face her. It was Judge Mitchell. He was wearing a well-cut, black suit and a burgundy scarf around his neck, which contrasted beautifully with his snow-white hair. He actually brightened up the room, but that didn’t stop Lara’s heart from thudding wildly. Why was he here, waiting to see her?
    â€œMiss Penrose,” he said less formally than she expected, despite being quite startled by her appearance. He stood up courteously. He’d been prepared to see her appear tired, but her eyes were almost hollow in her overly pale face. Even though she was wearing a loose tunic, he could tell she’d lost a few pounds, weight she could ill afford to lose. He felt a twinge of guilt that he tried to ignore. “You’re wet,” he commented, noting her damp hair that she hadn’t had time to comb. Her tunic also had damp patches on her shoulders and back. She hadn’t seen her reflection for ten days, so she’d become unaware of her appearance. “Have you been out in the exercise yard in the rain?”
    Having someone comment on her appearance made Lara self-conscious so she smoothed her hair with her hand. “I’ve been working in the vegetable garden,” she said softly.
    Winston noted her blistered hands as she touched her hair. “In this weather? Are you being mistreated?” He glanced at the surly guard accusingly.
    â€œNo, I volunteered to go outside,” she said a little surprised he cared. “I like the fresh air.”
    â€œYou’ll catch your death of cold out there in this weather.”
    â€œRight now a cold is the least of my problems. You wouldn’t have any idea what’s it’s like to be confined in a tiny space for days on end.” Her voice shook with emotion.
    â€œNo,” Winston admitted. “I wouldn’t. But then law abiding people don’t usually find themselves in that situation.”
    Lara considered herself a law-abiding person, but she didn’t say so out loud. The look she gave the judge deemed it unnecessary. “You are the last person I expected to see, Judge Mitchell.” She immediately worried something was wrong. “Is my father all right?”
    â€œAs far as I know, Miss Penrose. I’ve no doubt my visit is unexpected. I can assure you I do not make a habit of visiting people who have appeared before me in court.”
    â€œThen what makes me the exception?” Lara asked. She was curious.
    â€œPlease leave us alone,” Judge Mitchell asked the guard who left the room and locked the door behind her.
    â€œBe seated, Miss Penrose.”
    â€œAre you aware that you are due to face me in court in two days?”
    â€œNo,” Lara said, her heart racing. She hadn’t been told the date.
    â€œYour lawyer will no doubt be notifying you later today.”
    More than likely you will receive a