Page 11 of Grimm County Wishes (Grimm County Lawmen #4)

A few weeks later

Al squirmed in his seat, unable to get comfortable in the hard plastic chair. The cinderblock walls of the visiting room were painted white, decorated with a few posters reminding inmates to keep their voices down and that education was key.

He’d chosen a seat at the end, next to the wall.

Despite the thin partitions between booths that were meant to offer privacy, he could always hear what the visitor next to him was saying.

After a few minutes, the door on the other side of the thick window opened and several inmates entered.

Ben sat in front of him. His face was haggard, and despite his beard, Al could see his cheeks were gaunt. Ben picked up the phone.

“Al, what are you doing here? And in uniform?”

“Checking up on you, obviously. I couldn’t come as your friend because of solitary, but as official business …” Al shrugged. When he had told Christian about the situation, the sheriff was more than willing to sign off on the paperwork.

Ben studied Al’s uniform. “I know you told me you were a deputy, but until now, I honestly couldn’t see it. It looks good on you.”

“Ben.” Al smirked. “Everything looks good on me.”

Ben groaned, but Al was relieved to see some of the dullness fade out of his friend’s eyes.

“I appreciate the reprieve from the hole, however you managed it.”

“Yeah, about that. Jeannie’s been worried sick. What the hell happened? And how do you join a motorcycle club without a motorcycle?”

“They waive that requirement when you’re locked up.” Ben shrugged. “And in here, you have to be part of something. The lone ranger thing does not work out well. I learned that early on. My last cellmate was the president, or former president, so it made sense.”

“Yeah, but what about now?”

“I still have some protection.” Ben looked around and lowered his voice as he continued. “That’s how I landed in solitary. It’s not ideal, but it keeps the other guys off my back for now.”

“And later? You can’t stay in the hole for ten more years. ”

Ben scoffed. “Of course not. The Reapers have alliances with other clubs. By the time I’m back in general pop, they’ll have worked something out for me.

“And if not?”

“Then I’ll do what I have to.” Ben’s eyes narrowed, showing a hard edge that Al had not seen before.

“And what the hell does that mean?”

“Can’t tell you that.”

“Come on, Ben. Talk to me. I’m your best friend.”

“Take a look in the mirror. We’ll always be friends, and I’ll always appreciate how you’ve taken care of my sister, but we’re on different paths now. I’m happy for you, I truly am. But things will never be the same as they were.”

“So you mean you’re going to,” Al flailed his hands around, making a variety of motions that ended with him closing his eyes and tilting his head to the side with his tongue sticking out.

Ben shook his head. “No idea what the hell that was supposed to be, but yeah, probably.”

Fuck . Al rubbed his hand over his face.

His friend was not a killer. He’d gotten into a few fights growing up.

That was inevitable where they lived, but everyone had always walked away.

Prison had changed Ben, made him harder.

Al didn’t blame him for needing to protect himself, but he hated that it was necessary.

Hated that he’d been wrongly convicted and was now forced to do terrible things just to survive.

Now, more than ever, he knew Jeannie was right.

Not about them just being a one-night stand, but about needing to put Ben first.

“We’ve hired a new attorney. She’s one of the best in the state. She should be in touch this week. That’s why I wanted to meet with you first, so you’d know to expect her.”

Ben rolled his eyes, and Al fought back a smile. Brother and sister were so much alike. “I told y’all to stop with that. I’ve missed so much already that it doesn’t matter anymore.”

Al’s heart broke. “And we told you, we’ll never stop until you’re out of here. I took a new gig, and the sign-on bonus was enough for the attorney to get started. She’s requesting a transfer. Then when I get my full payment for the gig, she’ll work on reviewing the evidence and all that crap.”

Ben raised an eyebrow. “What kind of gig pays that much? You’ve got a good life now, you and Jeannie. I don’t want you doing anything to jeopardize that.”

Al snorted. “Thanks, dad. But it’s strictly on the up and up. Jeannie and sheriff approved, as a matter of fact.” And now it was Al’s turn to roll his eyes.

“Keep talking,” Ben said, the hint of a smile reaching his lips. “Now I know it has to be something good. ”

Al sighed and stared at the ceiling as he spoke. “I’m going to be the bachelor on dating show called Law of Attraction .”

Ben’s laughter was so loud, Al had to pull the phone away from his ear.

“Sorry, man, but I needed that.” Ben wiped the tears from his eyes. “We’ve watched some of that shit in here. Those women can get wild. You sure you’re up for that?”

“I’ll do what I have to.” Al shrugged, repeating Ben’s words back to him.

“And you said Jeannie was okay with this?” Ben rubbed his free hand over his beard.

“More than okay. She’s in New York right now with the production crew, helping to select the contestants.” He hoped he kept the bitterness out of his tone.

“I see.” Ben drummed his fingers on the table. “Maybe the question I should be asking is, are you okay with this? The last few times you two came to visit, I thought I was picking up some vibes.”

“Vibes?” Al’s head jerked back. “Between me and Jeannie? Your sister?” He cleared his throat, noticing his voice had risen a few octaves. “No vibes there. Nope. None at all.”

“Al, look at me. Look at where I’m at.” Ben waved his arm around the white walls. “You want to do right by me, then don’t take your relationship for granted. You don’t think I’ve seen the change between the two of you this last year? ”

Al’s face heated.

“And honestly, I can’t think of anyone better for my sister. Unless you’re some coward pussy running away from her.”

Al scoffed. “Let’s just say it’s not me running, but I’d rather not go into details.”

Ben’s lip curled and he shook his head. “Please don’t.”

“Long story short, she’s not interested.” Al rubbed his chest as the familiar ache returned.

Ben snorted. “Look, I know I’ve been stuck in here for a long time, but I still know my sister. I’ve seen how she looks at you. I’ve heard the difference in her tone over the phone when she talks about you. She’s interested. Very fucking interested.”

“Time’s up!” a guard shouted from across the room.

Ben sighed, and the light was already dimming in his eyes. “It was good seeing you, Al. Appreciate the visit.”

“We aren’t giving up, Ben.”

Ben hung up the phone and joined the line exiting the room. Al waited, not yet ready to leave. As Ben approached the door, the inmate in line behind him slammed into his back and pushed him to the ground.

“Hey!” Al shouted as he pounded on the plexiglass partition.

The line paused, and the other inmates moved back as one of the guards pulled Ben’s attacker off him. Another guard reached for Ben and pulled him through the doorway.

“What’s going on?” Al shouted. “Tell me what’s happening!

” The remaining inmates shuffled back into line as if nothing had happened.

And maybe this was just another day in Central Prison.

But one thing was for sure. Al was going to follow his contract to the letter and not step one toe out of line.

He’d do whatever it took to help his friend, even if it meant sacrificing his own heart in the process.

It’s not like Jeannie wanted it, anyway.