Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 108709 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108709 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
“Yes, I have your name right here,” the security guard murmurs, waving me to the right as he hands my license to another guard who puts it through some kind of digital scanner. “Please stand aside so our K9 unit can search for any illicit materials or substances.”
I nod and step to the right, watching as another guard steps forward with a German Shepherd that looks as though it could tear me to shreds in three seconds flat. The dog approaches me, looking bored as he sniffs me all over, and I hold my breath as though one wrong move could see my whole damn arm torn off. I don’t dare take another breath until the dog walks away.
“All clear,” the guard says before leading the German Shepherd toward Jedd.
My license is returned to me, and the moment the sniffer dog clears Jedd, we’re buzzed through the first set of gates. Only a billion more to go.
The next checkpoint consists of body scanners like those at the airport, and then we’re asked to remove our shoes and jackets before being thoroughly frisked. While I find it mildly uncomfortable, Jedd looks as though the rare human touch is going to make him come in his pants.
After slipping my shoes and blazer back on, I abandon my handbag in a secure locker. Another guard flips through all my notes, thoroughly searching for hidden contraband, then we’re finally buzzed through to meet with the warden.
He’s older than I anticipated from his photo on the website. It’s probably more than twenty years old, though I get it. If I were the warden at a place like this, I couldn’t say that I would have much time to sit for a photoshoot.
He shakes Jedd’s hand before doing the same with the cameraman, Doug, and the sound and lighting technician, Andy, but it doesn’t go unnoticed how I’m only offered a curious glance. Despite the millions of emails that have gone back and forth between us regarding this very interview, he still acts like he doesn’t know why the hell I am here. It immediately puts me on edge, and within the blink of an eye, I already don’t like this guy.
“I’m Warden Marcus Brick, Chief Custodian here at Hartley Creek Maximum Security Penitentiary for Men. I believe we have a big day ahead of ourselves,” he says, already waving us through to the next checkpoint, not wanting to waste time hovering in the foyer. “We’ll get you set up with your visitor badges and give a quick introduction to the guards who will accompany you throughout your time here at Hartley. Are there any questions before we get started on your induction?”
“Induction?” Andy questions.
I bite back a groan. I sent a full rundown of the induction we will have to sit through to everybody’s email explaining that we will be signing our lives away for the duration of our time here at the prison, and because of that, there will be a strict list of policies and procedures that we will have to abide by. Obviously, Andy failed to read that particular email.
“Yes,” Warden Brick states. “It won’t take long. It’s just a quick run-through of our expectations of anybody entering the prison to ensure the health and safety of you, our staff, and the prisoners.”
Jedd nods and responds before Andy gets the chance to open his unfiltered mouth again. “Of course. We wouldn’t expect anything less.”
“Very well,” Brick says. “Follow me to our induction room, and we’ll get everything underway.”
An hour and a half later, we’re finally escorted through the long halls of the prison, and I won’t lie, every hard clang of the banging cell doors that echo through the corridors sends shivers racing down my back. Just the thought of the vile things the men in here have done makes me sick, but I’m not backing down from this. I came here to do a job, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
It’s almost a ten-minute walk, escorted by three armed security guards, to get to the conference rooms in C-block, and the moment we’re offered the largest room, my team wastes no time getting set up. Two guards remain stationed outside the door, and the third remains to watch our every move, but he’s making the most out of ogling my tits every time I lean over.
The camera, lighting, and sound equipment are set up as I organize my notes with Jedd, going over everything in order of priority, wanting to get the tougher, more in-depth questions out of the way and recorded just in case our time with Stone is cut short. At least that way, we’ll have enough content to deliver a full episode, if not a few.
We’ll start with what happened the night of the murders. The lead-up to it. Where was he, and why did it happen? Did he know the victims personally, or was this truly a violent act of opportunity as the opposition had suggested? I want to know the overall vibe of the night. What he’d done earlier in the day, and what led to him being where the victims were. I want to know if he’d been violent like that in the past or if something happened to make him snap. Was he protecting someone or acting in defense? Or hell, was he the victim in all of this? Were they the ones challenging him, and simply didn’t know what their target was capable of until it was already too late?