Brown-Eyed Boy

18: Owe A Kiss

DANIEL

One might think that I am used to the chaos and mess that comes with my title as a warden, but don't be fooled.

The kind of sh*t that goes around in prison is quite unpredictable. Take for instance now, it's just a few minutes past 4 am, and I am in my car heading to work. Apparently, I had three murders on my hands and no one knows anything. From what I understand, it started with a fire.

Three hours later and my phone is blowing up crazily. My superiors are demanding answers I don't have. And it doesn't help that I have a certain inmate to avoid.

I have four guys interviewing the inmates on the matter and Gianna, Kane, and I are working on an incident report. We need to have a convincing argument on why no one saw anything, or things will become really ugly for all of us. They might send in audits, and nothing good comes from such visits.

But at the same time, three bodies cannot be ignored.

I have three families to sadden with the breaking news, and I can't find a logical explanation to give.

“I think we should check the scene once again,” Kane suggested.

“Do you think we will find something?”

“Even if we don't, at least we will deduce our concussions. These nightly reports have lots of ambiguity.”

“Fine by me,” I agreed. “You and Gianna can proceed, I will catch up.” I needed a minute to breathe. The whole thing has me on edge.

After they left, I slumped on my chair, stretching my arms. I cracked some joints, willing my tense body to relax.

I took a few more minutes to myself before I decided to head down to the scene.

I took a left turn passing the cafeteria, and almost bumped into someone. Leonard, one of the guards, was hurrying somewhere with four inmates in tow. One of them was Liam. He peeked at me discreetly, and I looked away fast and kept moving.

Seeing him at close range made me question why I listened to logic. Those pretty brown orbs seemed inescapable. I pushed my feet forward in determination. I had more important things to steal my attention. I found Gianna and Kane assessing the scene.

“Anything?”

“These two don't add up,” Kane pointed at two different spots, which were believed to be the murder site. “This trail of blood is clean. From the appearance of the body that was recovered here, it shouldn't be.” He moved a few steps back,

“And this,” he referred to the other spot, “something is off with the blood. Look,” he used his pen to scoop up some and held it up.

“What are we looking at?” I respect his opinion on the matter. He used to be a detective, until a grisly incident took the lives of eight colleagues. Only he and another survived. PTSD kicked in, and he had to lie low and take a less risky job.

“This blood should be…” He raised his head and we followed his gaze. He didn't have to say anything, we might have just found out where the actual killing happened.

*****

I had to rewrite the incident report after uncovering a whole new story. We still hadn't found any culprit, but at least we established how it happened.

My cell rang, it was Gianna. “He is coming.” That's all she said and hung up. I heard a knock, and the door opened. Liam entered defiantly. Before my shock wore off, he spoke,

“Why are you avoiding me?” His scowl was condemning.

“I thought we…” he trailed off, seemingly lost for words. “Why am I even here?” He asked mostly to himself. “I don't learn,” he grumbled, turning to leave, I assume.

“I told you to wait for me,” I regarded our conversation before he did the opposite.

“I would have,” he retorted

“Why didn't you?” I scoffed, getting on my feet. I went round and leaned on the desk and waited to hear his brilliant explanation.

“I was almost raped.” I froze.

My harsh demeanor softened.

“When? How? “ I stuttered, combing my fingers through my hair in anger. Liam stepped forward, right into my face.

“Just hold me, please.” He surprised me by wrapping his thin hands around my waist. He placed his head on my shoulder and exhaled deeply, “I needed this.”

There was no way, I could not have him hugged back. I tightened my hold on him and dropped a tiny kiss on his hair before I stepped back.

“Tell me everything that happened,”

“I wanted to wait on you…” he started his explanation. By the time he was done narrating his ordeal, I felt like an imbecile for doubting him.

He must have been so scared.

“ Give me the names.”

“ What?” His eyes widened. “No,”

“I need their names, Liam,” I demanded, ready to send the bastards to solitary, as I work on building a case on them.

Liam seemed reluctant to reveal their identities. I understood.

He was fearing for his life.

“Under one condition,” he argued

“ I'm listening.”

“Promise me that you will not go after them,” he uttered cautiously.

“I can't,” I growled.

“Some guards are dirty,” he blurted in conspiracy, which turned into skepticism when he realized his revelation hadn't shocked me.

He attempted to talk again, but I stopped him with a simple palm raise. He frowned, but gave me a chance to speak.

“I am not one of them,” I clarified. “I've been trying to uncover them unsuccessfully, but with your help, my chances are better,” I explained truthfully, putting my ego aside.

“I will not risk your life in any way, promise,” I added, hoping it will put him at ease.

“Okay, but you must promise not to go after them on my behalf.” Something had to give.

“I promise,”

He revealed many names, including Kane's.

I was able to connect some incidents with his help.

But sadly, there was not enough evidence, leaving it as Liam's word against theirs. I can't use the knowledge to launch an official investigation, until I get Liam's witness protection, and the whole process can drag on for months.

I decided to keep it to myself until I stumbled onto something tangible. At least now I have sure guesses and one misstep is all I need to nail them down.

“Someone wants me dead.” He blurted after some stillness.

“Who?” Whoever it is will have to deal with me.

"I don't know, but one of those dead inmates last night was sent to kill me.” Everything got more complicated.

“How do you know?”

“Babbz told me so…” I was surprised to hear that the attack was ordered from outside.

I need to get in touch with that arrogant cousin of his.

“I will look into it,” I promised, making him nod with a smile.

“I am sorry I ignored you,” I added after a while.

“Why did you?”

“It's complicated,” I answered, feeling the need to hold him. I pulled him into my arms and just did as I desired. He didn't fight it, he just melted under my touch. After a while, he lifted his face, letting my eyes feast on his beauty.

His eyes widened when I lowered my head slowly and bumped our foreheads together.

“Tell me I am not crazy,” I whispered breathlessly, struggling to reign my feelings unsuccessfully.

“I feel it too,” he replied shyly, moving his hands to my neck.

“I thought I had imagined it…” he trailed unsurely, and I instinctively tightened my hold on him, swallowing hard.

His breath left a wake of goosebumps on my skin, as my heart pounded faster with every second I eyed his lips.

But for the loud blaring of the bell, I would have probably kissed Liam. He scoffed when I sighed in relief, unwrapping his arms from my neck.

“It's not the place,” I muttered, hoping it would explain my reluctance. He eyed me doubtingly, though he nodded his head in understanding.

“ Off you go,” I said as I walked to the door and held it open for him. He walked out fast but not before he whispered," You owe me a kiss, warden.” And he was gone, leaving me grinning like a nincompoop.