The Warden's Woman

Chapter Two-1

Chapter Two

Five years have gone by since the afternoon party at the judge’s farm. It is late in May. Faith has just graduated from high school. She’d been the head cheerleader in the fall and captain of the lacrosse team in the spring. She’d had the lead in the senior class play and had been voted the most popular and prettiest girl in her class. In the fall she planned to go to Cortland State Teachers. She was fiercely independent but unassuming and kind. She was athletic, bright, talented, and personable. Her long red-blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and playful disposition gave her a glowing radiance that made it a joy to be in her company.

Angel had spent the last year at Catholic University in Washington D.C where she’d received a scholarship to the School of Nursing. Her goal was to join Doctors Without Partners after graduation; she wanted to serve the poor in Third World Countries. Like her sister, she had grown into a stunningly beautiful young woman. It was often remarked how much she resembled her mother; the same curly blonde hair, green eyes, full lips, high cheekbones. The same beautifully proportioned body; tiny waist, high firm breasts, apple round buttocks, small hands and feet, shapely legs. Her mother, Mary, had not aged and the two women could easily have passed as sisters.

Angel was returning home for the summer, then she was going to work as a nurse’s aid in the local hospital. Her house on Foster Street was three blocks from the train station. She stood on the platform next to her luggage wondering why no one had come to meet her. After several minutes, she placed the smaller bag on top of the large one that was equipped with rollers. Popping out the handle, she started up Main Street toward Foster.

As she turned the corner, she stopped and her eyes widened. The town’s two police cars were parked in front of her house. Neighbors stood in small groups, whispering and looking toward her front porch. After a moment, two policemen she didn’t recognize emerged. Between them, his head bowed and his hands cuffed, was her father. As she watched, horrified, he was shoved into the back seat of the first car and both cars sped away.

Later, in the living room, Angel sat across from her mother and sister. Both had been crying, their eyes red rimmed, their cheeks stained with tears. While Faith tried to explain, Mary stared straight ahead as if in a trance.

“There’s money missing at the bank,” she began. “Lots of money, almost a quarter million dollars. They are saying Daddy took it.”

“But that’s impossible!” Angel shouted. “He wouldn’t! He couldn’t! There’s some mistake. They’ll find it right away! He’ll be home before supper.”

As it turned out, he didn’t come home for supper. He never came home at all.

Six months earlier, shortly after the judge had shared a festive Thanksgiving dinner at the home of his brother, he and several of his close friends gathered at the farm for their Saturday night poker game. In addition to the regulars; banker Grimes and doctor Conway there was Lucifer Pigeon. Because Lucifer had been such a loyal driver and because he had

discovered things about his employer that could have sent the judge to prison for life, Lucifer had, with much help from the judge and from the judge’s cronies in the State Legislature, been given the job he most coveted. Lucifer was now the warden of the prison in which he had once served time for rape and robbery.

The poker game was over and cigar smoke still hung in the air. An half empty bourbon bottle sat in the center of the table among the plastic chips. A pitcher of water and a bucket of ice stood beside it, but the men had stopped drinking. They were somewhat drunk but not as much as one might expect. The business part of this meeting was about to begin and they wanted to be clear in expressing their expectations and in understanding the expectations of the others. The judge had approached the subject a few weeks before and all had agreed to join in planning its execution.

“Well, boys,” the judge began effusively, “I guess we’ve had enough poker. Let’s get to the real reason for this gathering.”

“Yes, ahem,” banker Grimes nodded, “you saw the older girl at your brother’s Thanksgiving dinner?”

“I did indeed! She is exquisite. That girl has been giving me a hard on ever since she was a child. Years ago, before she married Joseph, I lusted after her mother Mary, but now I goddamn f*****g must have this young woman, this angel” He looked around the table, his fists clinched, “”I’d sell my soul to have her.”

“You may have to,” the doctor smiled thinly but quickly added, “But you shall have her Hugo. We stand ready to help in any way we can.” The other

men nodded their agreement.

Lucifer leaned forward, “The young cunt ain’t all we gonna take, right?”

“No,” the judge rested his hand on the huge black man’s shoulder, “the plan begins with the wife. It requires you, my friend, to gain complete control of her, absolute control. It is through her that we will get the daughters to do our bidding.”

Ed Grimes frowned, “Both daughters?”

The judge was slow to answer, “The young one is independent. She has a temper and left to her own devices would cause us mischief. I want to break her spirit and give the b***h over to my son.” He sat back and observed them through half closed eyes. “If I can’t get the girls through their mother.....well, there are other ways. The thing is, I mean to have them.”

Doctor Conway poured a shot of bourbon but didn’t drink it. “We destroy the whole family?”

“It’s not the only way, but it’s the safest way to begin,” the judge said.

“So,” Grimes turned to the judge, “you get the daughter Angel, your son Eric gets the younger daughter, and Lucifer gets their mother.”

The judge smiled at them, “Yes, and there will be something in it for you two boys, like a share of the business.”

“Your private business?” Doctor Conway said.

“Yes, my private business,” the judge replied. All four men laughed. They were aware that the judge had for years been involved in some kind of activity in China.

Banker Grimes nodded at the judge, “I’ve already started arranging for Joseph to have stolen a great sum of money. It’s been sent to a private account in Switzerland. Only you and your son, Eric, will have access to it. It’s absolutely untraceable. Numbers will be changed, papers forged, and if necessary a witness needs to be coerced into testifying. I think by May we’ll be able to have the police deliver Joseph into the hands of our warden here.” He clapped Lucifer on the shoulder. “You sure Sheriff Skags is completely under your control?”

The warden laughed, “I say toilet paper and he shits his pants. Don’t have to worry none about Skags. He does what the f**k he’s told.”

The judge poured shots all around. They held up their glasses for a toast, “Here’s to my sister-in-law, Mary, who with some persuasion will deliver herself into the hands of Lucifer!” They drank to that.

They stood. The judge leaned across the table and looked at each one in turn. “With their daddy suffering the torments of Hell in Lucifer’s penitentiary and their mother forced to do all manner of favors for Lucifer, perhaps his daughters, Angel and Faith will be anxious to do whatever it takes to alleviate the suffering of poor daddy and mommy.” Smiling, the judge nodded, “If that doesn’t bring about the desired result, other means will have to be employed.”

“Yeah, Sheriff Skags and a couple of loyal boys on the force be more that willing to help,” said the warden.

“Yes, I know they will,” the judge replied. “We’ve already made a plan. Why even Father Andrew has been persuaded to be of service.” All the men laughed. They shook his hand congratulating him and went their separate ways.

Joseph’s trial was short. Banker Ed Grimes testified against him, Eric, the judge’s son, testified against him. Documents expertly forged were produced. Joseph was sentenced to fifteen years in the Stormville Penitentiary, then he was led away in handcuffs while his wife and daughters were left sobbing in the courtroom.

After two weeks of tearful phone calls to Warden Lucifer Pigeon, Mary was told she could visit her husband but she was not to bring his daughters. As was her custom, she wore only a bit of very light make up and dressed conservatively: a plain white cotton dress, panty hose, and sensible low-heeled shoes. She had never been in the prison before and was frightened and dismayed by the many barred doors and gates she was ushered through. When she and the guard came to the corridor that housed the cells, he directed her through a heavy oak door to the right. She found herself in Lucifer Pigeon’s elaborately furnished office. To her left was a long leather couch. Two leather upholstered chairs were against the wall on her right. Lucifer sat behind a huge mahogany desk before which was a plain wooden chair. He waved his hand toward the chair indicating she was to sit, then the guard left, closing the door behind him.

Lucifer leaned forward studying her. She recalled the way he’d looked at her in the past and she felt the same sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. His hard, black eyes seemed to be seeing through her, somehow diminishing her spirit, making her feel weak and vulnerable. She lowered her eyes and looked at her hands folded in her lap.

Lucifer slapped his hand down hard on the desktop causing her to gasp and flinch. “Look up here, Mrs. Abadon!” he said. When she had complied, he continued, “This ain’t gonna do. You want to see your husband, right?’

She nodded quickly, “Yes, yes, please. That’s why I’m here.”

“Visiting prisoners is a privilege. It’s always up to me. I say who gets to see a prisoner and who don’t.”

“Yes, I know, I…I thought…..”

He interrupted, “I don’t give a s**t what you thought. You want to see your husband you come back here dressed right.”

She glanced at her dress and shoes. The dress was full, even a size too big. It hung six inches below her knees. She looked up at him, “But what…”

“You come in here lookin like a nun right out of the damn convent. That ain’t a treat for nobody, not the guards, not me, not the prisoners, not even your fuckin husband.” He leaned forward, “You want to see your man you go home and come back tomorrow. You put on make up; that eye stuff, red lipstick. You wear a button up blouse, a thin one and a short tight skirt that ends at your knees. You get yourself some spike heels. They is called f**k-me shoes and you don’t wear nothin underneath, no bra, no panties, no f*****g stockings. You come back lookin right, then we talk about letting you see your husband.”

Her face had turned scarlet. Her legs trembled as she stood. “I won’t. I won’t do what you say. I…I’ll report you. You...you..must be crazy! I’ll call the judge.”

He smiled. “You just fuckin do that.”

Judge Hugo sounded as if he’d expected her call. “Now, Mary,” he said after she’d described what had happened, “I have no jurisdiction over how the penitentiary is run. I do know that there’s been no trouble since Lucifer became warden. He rules with an iron fist, but he also tries to keep the staff and the prisoners content, or as least as content as one can be in such a place. I suggest you do as he says, after all it’s only clothing.”

“But Judge,” she started to protest.

He cut her off, “How are you managing financially?”

“I..I don’t know what we’re going to do. The girls won’t be able to attend college. Faith is at the skydiving school, packing parachutes and doing office work. She hopes to become an instructor. I worry so much. Angel is at the hospital as a nurse’s aid. Of course the little they bring in won’t pay the bills.”

“I know it must be difficult,” he said. “I told Ed Grimes I’ll pay your husband’s salary as if he were still employed at the bank. Warden Pigeon is also aware of this.”

“Oh my!” Mary gasped. “You don’t know how much this means to us. I was going insane with worry. Thank you, Judge, thank you!”

“How are your girls dealing with this sad state of affairs?” Before she could answer he went on, “I’m concerned about the older girl, Angel. If there’s anything I can do for her tell her to come to see me.” He paused and repeated, “Yes, if she wants to go to the local collage at night and get her nursing degree, tell her to come and see me. About that other thing with the warden, I suggest you do what he requested.” He hung up before she could reply..

With the conversation over, Mary threw herself down on the bed and wept. When she had cried herself out, she sat for a long while trying to determine what to do. There seemed to be no alternative other than obey the warden. The thought “obey the warden” caused a tremor of fear to course through her body. The girls were both at their summer jobs. The judge’s kind offer to continue Joseph’s salary relieved her of money worries, at least for the present. She remembered a fashionable boutique near the country club over in Hopwell Junction. No one knew her there.

The salesgirl smiled as she boxed the black skirt, the shear white blouse, and the black leather pumps with the four inch heels. “Must be a hot date?” she said.

Mary felt her cheeks redden. “Uh...ah…yes, a celebration, an anniversary. I want to…to…surprise my husband.” Quickly she left the store and drove home holding back the tears. She’d almost forgotten about the makeup. She stopped at one of the big chain drugstores and bought mascara, eye shadow, a tube of bright red lipstick and, on impulse, something labeled lip gloss. She had never worn nail polish but she found some that matched the shade of lipstick and put it in her basket. At home, she hid the new clothes in her closet, then started preparing dinner for the girls. They came in anxious to hear about her visit with their Dad.

“There was some mix-up,” she said. “I couldn’t get to see him. I’m going back tomorrow.”

Early the next afternoon as Mary showered she suddenly recalled the commanding presence of Lucifer Pigeon and the way his eyes bored into her. She was shocked and appalled to feel her n*****s stiffen. She made up her mind to concentrate on seeing Joseph. But what would he think if she appeared before him dressed in these provocative clothes and wearing, for the first time, lipstick and eye make up? Well, it didn’t matter. It was either that or not visit him at all. She put on her old terrycloth robe.

Her hand trembled as she painted her fingernails and toenails. ‘Why am I doing this’ she thought as she bent over her toes, ‘Those shoes with the impossible high heel are pumps and cover my toes.’ On the bed she’d laid out the skirt, blouse, shoes and makeup, then she stood for a moment looking at the things she’d bought and feeling the tears well up in her eyes. She got to her knees and, folding her hands on the bed, prayed; “Dear Jesus, please watch over and bless Joseph. Give him strength, give us all strength to get through this terrible time.” She paused and bit her lip, then continued, “And please, please, dear Jesus, drive from me these…these frightening and sinful thoughts. Amen.”

It was strange getting into the blouse and skirt without first putting on her bra and panties. The spike heeled shoes, too, were both uncomfortable and unnatural. She walked back and forth unsteadily in them, then stood before the bathroom mirror as she applied the light blue eye shadow and the mascara. She was surprised at how much bigger and brighter her emerald green eyes appeared. Although she’d worn a pale pink lipstick before, the bright red was startling. It seemed to emphasize the fullness of her lips. The gloss gave them an oily shine. Back in her room, she stood before the long mirror. Again, she was surprised at the transformation and not entirely displeased. She’d always known she had a good body and a pretty face but with the makeup and these clothes she was what Faith might call “stunning”. She’d been afraid the short skirt, heels, and bright red lipstick would make her look like a cheap hooker, but that wasn’t how it turned out. A bit provocative perhaps but not cheap. She caught herself wondering if the big black prison warden would approve.

A half hour later she was once more seated before him. Her blouse was buttoned up to the neck; her skirt pulled down as far as it would go, her bare legs primly together, her hands folded in her lap.

Lucifer had watched her cross the room still a bit unsteady in the heels. After she was seated, he fixed her again with the unblinking stare forcing her once more to lower her eyes. “You got anything on under that skirt?’ She shook her head. “When I ask a question I expect an answer,” he said.

“No, there’s nothing under it.” The color had risen to her cheeks.

“What about a bra? No bra either?”

“No, I didn’t wear one.”

“Well, I gotta say you lookin hot, not like some old married lady with grown kids.”

Again the blood rushed to her cheeks. She didn’t know whether from embarrassment or because of his compliment. She raised her eyes to meet his. “Thank you,” she said. “Now, can I please see my husband?”

“Like I told you, visitation ain’t a right. It’s a privilege. I’d say you halfway earned it.” He leaned back and smiled slightly. “If I was a betting man I’d bet your sweet white cunt is a little juicy about now. Am I right?”

Involuntarily, she squeezed her legs tighter together. Her face was scarlet. “Please… you…you have no right…”she began

“I got every f*****g right!” he yelled. “I’m the one who says you get to visit your loser husband or not.” She bowed her head and felt her heart pounding as if it might explode. He leaned across the desk, “Now, Mrs. Abadon, spread your legs and let me see if your p***y’s wet.”

She stood up quickly swallowing hard trying to find words. “No!” she shouted. “What kind of a man are you? My God…I…I can’t believe…” She turned and moved toward the door.

“You leave now, b***h and you ain’t never gonna see your fuckin husband. Not ever.”

Her hand was on the doorknob. She knew he wasn’t bluffing. She stood for a moment, her legs trembling, her heart racing, her breath coming fast. She also felt her n*****s poke against the shear blouse. Without speaking, she turned, her head bowed, and walked unsteadily back to her chair. When she was seated he said, “Now, goddamn it, spread!” Without looking up, she parted her legs as far as the tight skirt would allow. “Hike that skirt up around your ass and spread wide.” It seemed a part of her had gone numb. She did as he had ordered, pushing her skirt back until the full length of her legs and the tight blonde thatch of her pubis were exposed. “Open it for me,” he said. Still, almost as if she were in a trance, she obeyed spreading her cunt lips knowing now he could see what she’d been feeling, the glistening ooze of her secretions. He nodded, “I thought so,” he said and gestured to her indicating that she could pull her skirt down. “OK, I guess I’ll let you visit the dumb bastard,” he said. When she had straightened herself out and brought her legs together, he leaned back in his chair and folded his hands across the huge expanse of his belly. “Tell me, b***h, did you like showing me your cunt?”

She shook her head violently. “No, how could I? It was humiliating. I only did it so that I could see Joseph.”

“Yeah, then how come your p***y is drippin wet?” She didn’t answer. Lucifer stood and accompanied her to the door. “One more thing,” he said taking her by the arm and turning her toward him. “You’re gonna walk down a long corridor with cells on each side. I like to give the boys a little treat from time to time, let them see a hot piece of ass so they have something to jerk off to at night.” He held both of her arms. Her head was bowed—she looked pitifully small before this huge black man. He put his hand under her chin and made her look up at him. “I want the boys to see a little cleavage and you got this blouse buttoned up to the neck. You gonna unbutton it, or am I?”

Mary didn’t respond. She stood submissively before him while his thick black fingers unfastened the top three buttons, exposing the upper swell of her breasts. Between the thumb and index finger of each hand he squeezed her n*****s. She closed her eyes and suppressed a groan. He chuckled, “Juicy cunt and hard n*****s, now they be telling us something, ain’t I right Mrs. Abadon?” He opened the door and handed her a slip of paper. “When you want to see your husband, call for an appointment.” Before the guard reached them he whispered to her, “Next time I’m gonna want you to strip for me.”