Fractured by Wendy Byrne Read Free Book Online

trees followed the same path as the road. On the other side sat the prison.
    Set back nearly a half mile from the road, the building could be missed if that eerie feeling didn’t creep up your back. Famous criminals like John Wayne Gacy and Richard Speck had lived behind those walls for years before succumbing to death one way or another.
    Isabella didn’t think it was the police officer in her that had her pondering all the despicable acts the men who inhabited this place had committed. Not that she necessarily believed in ghosts or other such nonsense, but there was no mistaking the sensation of pain and suffering that overwhelmed her as she made the turn into the long driveway.
    A guard stopped her as she approached the gate, requesting identification. She pulled out her detective’s badge along with CPD identification. He ushered her through without a second of hesitation. She parked in the spot marked ‘visitors’ and made her way into the prison.
    On this crisp autumn morning, several prisoners were working the grounds outside the brick fortress of a building. They tended the lawn and shrubbery along with the late-blooming flowers that had been planted. It seemed a bit of irony to ‘pretty up’ a place that housed hardened criminals, but she supposed she had to consider the people that worked here. People who had the freedom to go home at night.
    This was a maximum security prison. There had to be multiple bars, guards, reinforced doors and other things to keep the prisoners from getting out. So how did her father manage to make his way to freedom? She couldn’t help but wonder if he had the same freedoms as the men working outside. Is that how he made his escape? Did he somehow stow away on the back of a landscape truck by hiding under a load of mulch or fertilizer?
    She almost laughed at the lunacy of it. Almost.
    â€œDetective Sanchez, what is your business at the prison?” The guard seemed older than he probably was, with a gun strapped to his side and a scowl on his face. Being in a constant state of alert probably did that to him.
    â€œI’d like to talk to the warden, if possible.”
    â€œThat’s by appointment only. Besides, only the assistant warden is in today.” He asked the question out of politeness, knowing all too well she didn’t have an appointment. She could see the skepticism in his eyes as he gave her the once-over.
    â€œMaybe the assistant warden could help me. If you could check to see if he has time, I’d appreciate it.”
    â€œWhat is this in regard to?”
    Tricky question. Should she be up-front, knowing they’d been stonewalling CPD, or should she go the path of least resistance? Even though it was contrary to her nature, she choose the latter.
    â€œMy father, Tyrone Samuels, was an inmate here and died recently. It had been a while since we’d spoken and I was hoping perhaps to talk to his cellmate to see…if…I don’t know. To see if he could tell me anything about my father, like if he kept pictures of me…that kind of thing.” She gulped back the lie. “I know it’s a little unusual, but I was hoping to get a sense of my father over the last twenty-five years or so.” Out of habit, she chewed on her lip.
    â€œWait here and I’ll find out for you.”
    At least he didn’t give her an outright no. While she could still get shot down by the assistant warden, she hoped there’d be a breakdown of communication somewhere along the way so she could do a little snooping.
    To her shock, the guard reappeared about five minutes later. “I’ve got the approval. Professional courtesy. Angus is out working the yard. We’ll bring him in to speak with you.”
    â€œIf he’s outside already, maybe I could talk to him there.” she whispered conspiratorially. “To be honest, this place kind of gives me the creeps.” And it lessened the possibility