Undercover Inmates

by Madison Johns

  Barlow’s face reddened. “Please, I didn’t have anything to do with this. I never told Mary that Barton and Mason were snitches. This is a set-up!”

  “I already told the warden that,” Mary said. “I had no reason to kill Trudy, although I can imagine why they would think that I had.”

  “Yes, you hate snitches,” Eleanor said. “For someone like you, that’s all the reason you need.”

  “There’s never a good reason to murder anyone,” I insisted.

  Police officers filed into the room, taking Officer Barlow into custody. There was something about the look in her eye that gave me pause, but I quickly shook it off.

  “Take Mary to solitary,” Warden Geyer said. “It will be better if we pack up her things. I don’t want any further problems with the other inmates about her departure.”

  “But what will you do with the other inmates who follow her?” I asked.

  “We’ll be sending both Frankie and Midge to different pods. That will help for a start.”

  “How is Crusher doing?”

  “You knocked her out cold.”

  “No, she tripped. I’d like to see her if I can.”

  “Why? I hope you know she wanted you dead.”

  “Or seriously injured,” Eleanor chimed in.

  “Did you even check the cameras near your lounge?” I asked the warden. “You told us you’d get back to us about it.”

  “I did. I tried to check the recordings, but apparently the cameras weren’t functional. Officer Barlow must have disabled them.”

  I gave Eleanor a sidelong look. “What about the broken lock on the storeroom door?”

  “It wasn’t broken, just like I told you. I have no idea why Officer Yates told you otherwise.”

  “Thanks for allowing us to investigate,” I said.

  “But what about Laura Keelie?” Eleanor asked. “She was part of Mary’s group.”

  “I don’t think she was all that involved. She came here when you did.”

  “Good job, warden,” Smith said. “I wasn’t sure you were ready for a promotion, but I’ll promote you when I secure the director position. I can’t see anyone else getting the deputy director job now. There aren’t any wardens I know who have broken up a drug ring like this in their prisons.”

  “I appreciate that, Smith, but it was bad enough that drugs found their way into my prison to begin with.”

  “It’s a constant battle, but we’re on the winning team this time,” Smith patted Warden Geyer on the back.

  “Where are we going now?” I asked.

  “Back to F Pod where you belong,” Geyer said. “I’ll bet none of the inmates will give you any problems now that you knocked Crusher out.” She laughed.

  “Can’t I see her before we go back. I feel awful about what happened.”

  “It can wait until tomorrow. Crusher isn’t in a position to talk right now.”

  I sighed. For some reason I felt it was important to speak with her, but I didn’t have a choice.

  Officer Schulze walked us back, and I rushed to the storeroom door, rattling the handle until it opened. “It looks like the lock is broken after all.”

  “Leave it alone, Barton,” Schulze said.

  “If you say so.” I’d let it go all right — for now.

  Eleanor and I hurried into the pod. The inmates were locked in their cells. I sat on my bunk facing Eleanor. I waited until Schulze locked us in and left before I said, “I’m not sure about Officer Barlow’s guilt now.”

  “What are you talking about?” Eleanor asked. “Barlow worked the day Trudy was murdered.”

  “I know, but that doesn’t mean an inmate didn’t kill Trudy.”

  “How?”

  “A guard could have taken an inmate out and become distracted.”

  “So you think two of them were out of their cells?”

  “I don’t know. I’m wondering how Barlow had the time to kill Lopez. We knew where she was most of the time.”

  “They found drugs in her locker, didn’t you hear?”

  “Yes, but they could have been planted while she was busy or any time she was working,” I suggested. “Besides, we know how the drugs were coming in, with the dirty laundry, remember?”

  “So where does that leave us?”

  “Why would the warden tell us the lock on the storeroom door wasn’t broken when it clearly is?”

  “She also claims the cameras near the warden’s lounge weren’t functional,” Eleanor said.

  “Meaning anyone could have murdered Lopez. But why would they kill her?”

  “We’re right back at the beginning. Why was Trudy really murdered?”

  “She knew something that Lopez didn’t want to get out,” I insisted.

  “So you think Lopez killed Trudy?”

  “Yes. She might have shared something with Trudy that she feared would get out.”

  “And whoever killed Lopez worried that she’d talk?” Eleanor asked.

  “Exactly. We’ll have to wait until tomorrow before we can check out a few things.”

  “Like what?”

  “We have to make sure we’re the ones taking in the dirty laundry tomorrow.”

  “To see if drugs are still coming in that way?” Eleanor asked.

  “Yes, and I have a feeling they will be.”

  I pulled the blanket over me. I didn’t know who besides a guard would be able to help Lopez, but I had a feeling tomorrow we’d find out — or so I hoped. We’d been in here too long as it is.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Hello, girls,” Char said as we walked to the only available table in the chow hall.

  Yolanda and Velma were all smiles. “You’re the most admired inmate in Westbrook, Agnes,” Yolanda said.

  “Why is that?” I asked.

  “You took down Crusher?”

  “That wasn’t like it … .” Eleanor kicked me under the table, and I said, “She had it coming!”

  I glanced around the hall. “Where is Mary and her clan?”

  “I heard Mary was rushed out of here this morning,” Velma said, “along with Frankie and Midge.”

  “How would you know that for sure?” I asked.

  “Well, they’re not here now and officers packed up their belongings. That’s a sure sign that they’re gone for good.”

  “I told you that Laura was a cop,” Char said. “Kind of funny that Mary was taken down not long after she showed up.”

  “Something like that takes months to organize,” I insisted.

  “We heard Officer Barlow had drugs in her locker,” Eleanor said with a shrug.

  “No way would Barlow do something like that,” Char hissed. “I tell you it had to be that Laura. She’s gone too.”

  “She is?” I asked. “Now that is strange. Perhaps you’re right.”

  Eleanor and I were on our feet when the work assignment announcement came on. Officer Schulze simply nodded at us as we approached.

  “Can we work in receiving today?” I asked.

  “Why?”

  “We need the fresh air because yard time was taken away.”

  “I believe it will be reinstated today.”

  “Please,” I implored.

  “Not unless you tell me why you really want to do that job.”

  I was hesitant. Could I trust Schulze? “I’m not sure Barlow is guilty of bringing drugs into the prison. It comes in with the laundry.”

  Schulze’s hands moved to her hips. “And what makes you think that?”

  “We overheard Mary talking outside with a man when we were on trash detail. We couldn’t see his face, though.”

  “Fine, but I’ll have to speak with the warden about this. She won’t be happy.”

  I sighed. “I’d hate to see Barlow going to jail for something she didn’t do.”

  “But you thought she killed Lopez.”

  “I know that, but I feel Barlow was set up.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” Warden Geyer said, walking up
to us. “Bring them to my office.”

  I swallowed hard and felt absolute dread at what was about to happen. “She did it,” I mouthed to Eleanor.

  I opened my eyes as wide as I could as we passed Deputy Director Smith, but he was too busy reading through a file. I wanted to call out about who really orchestrated the murder of Trudy and then Lopez, but who would believe me?

  The warden’s office door slammed closed behind us. The warden then sauntered behind her desk and took a seat. “I see you doubt my word.”

  “No, I doubt Officer Barlow brought drugs into this prison.”

  “Well, how else would they get in her locker?”

  “You put them there,” I said.

  The warden was no longer smiling. “That’s absurd. Why would I do that?”

  “So nobody would find out that you ordered Lopez to kill Trudy Taylor,” Eleanor said.

  “And I did that because?”

  “Because Lopez mentioned that Trudy was planning to tell Mary about your plot to end her business and ship her out of here.”

  “Would that be such a bad thing?”

  “It would if you decided to frame an officer,” I said.

  “I believe Trudy found out that you were planning to use Mary to look good enough for that promotion you wanted. She was going to make it known, and you told Lopez to murder Trudy.”

  “How would she do that during lockup?”

  “At first I thought an officer was responsible, but now I know Lopez killed Trudy in their cell and you helped her move the body to the bathroom.”

  The warden’s eyes bulged. “I would never do anything like that to get a promotion. I wanted the drug flow stopped, but I never ordered Lopez to kill anyone.”

  “I think you killed Lopez,” Eleanor exclaimed. “We all know Officer Barlow was elsewhere when that happened.”

  “That lock to the storeroom is broken,” I began, “and you were supposed to be out of the prison, but then you appeared when the the body was found.”

  “You’re both crazy!”

  “Did Lopez threaten to tell someone?” I pressed.

  The warden eased back in her chair. “It doesn’t matter now that you won’t be here long enough to tell any more stories. I had already planned to have you relocated to Huron Valley.”

  Eleanor sucked in a breath. “So you’re admitting that you ordered Lopez to kill Trudy, and then you killed Lopez to cover it up?” She laughed hysterically.

  “What’s wrong with your friend?” Warden Geyer said.

  “Insanity plea?”

  “It doesn’t matter. None of it matters. So what if I told Lopez to murder Trudy? It was her fault for telling Trudy my plans to begin with. But Lopez had to feel guilty about it, and I knew before long she’d tell the deputy director. I had no choice. I had to kill her. I couldn’t trust anyone else to do the job.”

  “Then all you had to do was frame Officer Barlow. You probably made sure she came in early that day.”

  “Well, I had to come up with some way the drugs were coming in. It’s plausible that Barlow was covering her tracks by murdering both Trudy and Lopez. She’s not well liked.”

  There was a knock at the door and Deputy Director Smith and U.S. Marshal Cain strode into the room.

  “What is this about?” Geyer asked as she shakily stood.

  “I want to thank you ladies for your help,” Cain said. “It took some convincing before I was able to persuade the deputy director to go along with your investigation and wiretap the warden’s office.”

  “How could you, Smith?” Warden Geyer said near tears.

  “How could you Felicia? I’ve heard of some pretty far-fetched plots to get a promotion, but this was so unnecessary. You’ve been my first pick to replace me, but now you’ll be going to prison.”

  “I-It wasn’t me. I was set up, I tell you.”

  “No, you set up Officer Barlow,” I said. “The drugs are coming in with the dirty laundry,” I informed Smith.

  “Schulze told me and the truck is being gone through as we speak.” His brow furrowed. “I was shocked when the marshal told me you two were undercover inmates. Women your age should be … .”

  “I know. We’re supposed to be sitting on a rocking chair, knitting,” I interjected. “Does that mean we can get out of here today.”

  “Your husbands are waiting for you outside. They’ve been camped out in the parking lot the last few days,” Smith said.

  There was another knock on the door, and as Cain opened it one of Mary’s cronies, Laura Keelie stood there! Why was she here?

  She stepped into the office and then closed the door. “Things have certainly gotten out of hand. When I was assigned to investigate the drug smuggling in the prison, I had no idea that someone was assigned to investigate the death of Trudy Taylor.” She took a breath. “Well, while I didn’t learn much of anything, you ladies found out plenty. I’m glad that you weren’t killed by Crusher.”

  “And I’m glad that Char didn’t catch up to you before you left the prison population. She had you pegged for a cop the whole time.”

  “But how?”

  “You shouldn’t have acted quite so mousy in quarantine and suddenly pop out of your shell so quickly.”

  “I suppose you’re right, but I didn’t think anyone would notice the change.”

  “Except that Char is a regular. She doesn’t trust anyone.”

  Epilogue

  We walked with a smiling Officer Schulze to our cell. “I should have known you ladies had more of a interest in Trudy’s murder than you should have. If the inmates had wanted to riot, they would have when Trudy died. I must admit that you’re good investigators.”

  “Yes, but we’ve been doing that for years back home in Tawas,” I informed her.

  I packed my belongings and stared at the candy bars and bags of chips that I hadn’t eaten. I then poked my head out of my cell and asked, “Does anyone want our candy and chips?”

  Char was the first through the door, followed by Yolanda and Velma.

  Char looked down at our packed bags. “Cops, just like I knew the whole time.”

  “Aren’t we a little old to be cops?” I asked.

  She shrugged and made off with the Snickers.

  “Will we ever know who you really are?” Yolanda asked.

  “We’re simply undercover inmates.” I winked.

  Eleanor gave Yolanda and Velma a quick hug. “I’m sure going to miss you girls. Thank you for being so kind to us.”

  “Yes, I don’t think we’d have been able to do it without either of you, and Char. I wish we had time to say a proper goodbye,” I said.

  “Char would never admit that she likes both of you. It’s just not who she is,” Yolanda explained. She then moved in. “Is it true what they say about the warden? That she was responsible for the deaths of Trudy and Lopez?”

  “And she set up Officer Barlow by putting drugs in her locker,” Eleanor added.

  “Actually, the warden ordered Lopez to murder Trudy,” I began, “She was the one who murdered Lopez.”

  “Wow, I had no idea the warden was so twisted,” Yolanda said.

  “I wonder which prison she’s going to?” Velma asked.

  “I’m not sure, but Huron Valley sure would be cozy — she sent Mary there,” I said with a shrug.

  “Really, so Mary is gone for good?” Velma asked. “I’m not sorry to see her leave.”

  I swiped at the tears that appeared. Schulze cleared her throat. “That’s our cue to leave. Tell everyone I said goodbye.”

  “I will,” Yolanda said as she sniffled.

  “There are never long goodbyes here,” Schulze explained. “Somehow I knew word has been leaked to the inmates, but they deserve to know who was responsible for Trudy’s death. After all, that’s why you came here.”

  “Yes, and I’m shocked we made it through. I think I’ll carry my memories of this place for a long time.”

  “Who are you kidding?” Eleanor la
ughed. “You’ll forget by tomorrow. She forgets gals our age have trouble with our short-term memory.”

  My Andrew was waiting for us when we went back to the offices. He didn’t say a word; he didn’t have to, but he did enclose me in quite a hug. I gasped. “I can’t breathe.”

  “That will teach you to leave me for so long.”

  “Where is Mr. Wilson?” Eleanor asked, searching the hallway.

  “Here he comes,” I pointed out.

  Mr. Wilson shook his head as he pushed his walker along. “You’d think a place like this would at least have a handicapped bathroom.”

  “Oh, Mr. Wilson. Come here and give me a big sloppy kiss,” Eleanor exclaimed.

  I averted my eyes when they embraced and pointed out the hospital wing. “I have to say goodbye to someone,” I told Andrew and he merely nodded. That’s part of the reason I love Andrew. He knows when I need time to myself.

  I spotted Dr. Wright and smiled. “Can I see Crusher? I won’t be but a moment, I promise. Eleanor and I are leaving.”

  “I heard. She’s in the last bed.”

  “How is she?”

  “Just a little concussion. She’s had worse.”

  I crossed the room and peeked behind the curtain and waved at Crusher. “Is it okay if I speak with you for a moment?”

  “Go ahead. It’s not like I’m going anywhere soon. That doctor insists I stay here a few days.”

  I walked to her bedside. “I’m really sorry about what happened. I never meant to hurt you.”

  She cocked one brow. “You do know I wanted to kill you, right?”

  “Yes, but that doesn’t mean I wanted to see you hurt.”

  “No problem. I’ll just tell the other inmates I took a dive so they think you’re invincible. Especially since everyone called you a snitch.”

  “Thanks to Mary.”

  “I heard all about everything that happened. You’re both pretty gutsy going undercover in a place like this.”

  “Or stupid,” I replied.

  Smith was waiting for me when I walked back into the lobby. “I wish I could have spoken to Officer Barlow before we left. She might not even want to come back after what happened.”

  “She’ll be back, especially when she finds out she’ll be the deputy warden when she returns.”