Before I could launch a second strike, a hand grabbed the back of my hair, right down in the sensitive area and pulled upwards. I let go with both hands, holding them out to each side, to show I was cool. Nails took the opportunity and punched me in the stomach, knocking the wind from my lungs and the strength from legs. The hand in my hair let go and I dropped heavily to the ground for the second time that morning.
“Dylan, Dylan. That’s not the way to greet your brother,” Frank said above me. I was wheezing, desperately trying to suck air into my lungs.
“Don’t call him that,” was all I managed. I struggled back to my feet just as Frank gave Nails the nod to piss off. He glared at me as he walked out, one final wink before he disappeared.
“CUNT!” I screamed. Frank grabbed me by the scruff, pushed me back hard into the wall and held his face an inch from mine.
“Don’t forget where you are, kid.” He held me for a few seconds to get his point across, then released his hold. Frank turned and sat back on his bunk, watching me as he did. “Sit down,” he snarled, pointing at the chair. I hesitated, then did as he asked. As much as I wanted to leave, I knew I couldn’t.
“That kid has been to hell and back at the hands of your so-called Papa. You think he’s a lovely man? He regularly beat the shit out of him and his mother. But what a man does in his own home is his business and his alone. If the silly bitch is stupid enough to stay then that’s her fault.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. This idiot had an answer for everything, simply wiping his hands of anything that didn’t quite fit in with his own objective.
“Who’s busting out?” I asked, changing the subject. Frank’s gaze changed to one of surprise.
“Busting out? What makes you think anyone’s busting out?” he asked, my question catching him unaware. My stomach throbbed as the heat on the back of my head finally vanished.
“What else would a gun be for? Not like you’re gonna shoot anyone.” He paused, then nodded slightly.
“Sometimes I think you’re a little too smart for your own good.” I waited for him to tell me, but he never did. I guess there were some things not worth sharing with the family. “There’s to be no retribution against Nails. You hear me?” He pointed a finger at me to get his point across. “None. He did what he did for his own reasons. Just like you did with the people you attacked. I know there’s a reason for you to want revenge, but I’m telling you to let it go. Do you understand?”
I wanted to tell him to stick it. How the fuck did he expect me to let this go? He knew the shit I’d already been through.
“What’s he in for?” I asked, suddenly curious at what had brought Nails to the Palace. Frank leaned back against the wall before answering.
“Murder.” The word hung in the air like a bad smell. I was surprised, expecting more of an ‘assault-based’ charge.
“For real?” I asked.
“His mother died of an overdose. He killed her dealer. Hit the cunt with his car, then reversed over him several times, eventually doing a fucken burnout across his head. There wasn’t much left when he finished. The cops arrested him right there on the street.”
The words truly shocked me, especially learning that he was a lifer. He was someone that had nothing to lose, making him all the more dangerous.
“Is it him that’s busting out?” I asked, but again Frank avoided the question.
“Just don’t cross him, Dylan. He’s liable to end you without hesitation,” he said, picked up his newspaper and resumed his morning read, effectively ending our meeting. I didn’t respond, simply stood and walked out.
The tier outside was empty, Nails nowhere to be seen. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen with him, but believed he would come after me at some point. Maybe I would do the same.
5.
“He’s your brother?” Jack asked as he handed me a book. “Serious?”
“Half-brother. And yes, serious. He’s the one that had San shot.” I took the book, looked at the title and smiled.
Christine’s Revenge
It was exactly what I needed at that moment, something to take my mind off the endless bullshit that was happening, especially after the meeting with Frank the previous day. I needed an escape and Jack came through, just as he always did.
“Thanks, man,” I said, clapping him on the back. I didn’t wait for a reply, ready to leave.
“Hey, Dylan?” Jack asked, grabbing my shoulder. I stopped and turned back. “Maybe you should take this.” He reached down and picked something up off his bed. He handed the folded-up newspaper to me and something in his eyes told me to take it. “Don’t open it here, man. Take it back to your cell.”
The look on his face was enough to tell me what was inside. I didn’t need to ask the question. My stomach jolted into life as I looked at the printed pages in my hand. I looked back at Jack, thanked him and did as he asked.
There was a strange sensation in the air as I crossed the unit common area from his cell to mine. We were at opposite ends of the unit and I felt the eyes following me. I looked at the station and saw the screws watching me as I walked past. They all knew; everyone but me.
6.
SECOND ATTACK VICTIM SUCCUMBS TO INJURIES
The second man of a late-night attack last Thursday night has died. Francisco
