Part Eighty-Five
On the Wednesday morning, Karen went into work with a feeling of determination and hidden zeal. Reassessing her priorities would be her one resolution for the new financial year. Well, it was only the middle of April, so she wouldn't be too late in starting. The important thing on her list for today, was a meeting with Denny, Gina as her Wing Governor, and Dominic as her personal officer. They would be discussing the possibility of Denny going to visit Shell. Karen would want to know everything that had happened over the last couple of weeks that had included Denny, plus any explanations, excuses, or protests of innocence from Denny herself. If all had gone reasonably well, Karen would be making it abundantly clear to Denny, just how exemplary she expected Denny's behaviour to remain over the next month. Counting on Denny behaving for a longer period of time than this would be completely pointless. Any inmate could really only deal with small increments of time, their days being so long and tedious, that an event more than a few weeks away could seem to be years in the distance. As Karen began planning everything she would say to Denny later that morning, it dawned on her that Denny's impending visit to Shell, might provide Karen with a perfectly innocuous reason for talking to Yvonne. She wanted to see how Yvonne was holding up, and discussing something as plausible as either Denny's or Lauren's progress provided her with the ideal excuse.
At eleven o'clock that morning, Gina appeared in her office, accompanied by Denny and Dominic. One philosophy that Karen was very keen to implement, was the involvement of prisoners in the decisions that were being made about them. This would eventually span from possible transfers, (except when any ghosting might be necessary), to raise in status or promotion to red band, and possibly even as far as reassigning an inmate's security category. So, as the decision to allow Denny to visit Shell would have a direct impact on Denny, it surely meant that Denny herself should be involved in the discussion. It had long been Karen's experience that if an inmate were made to feel in as much control as possible, they were far more likely to co-operate. "So, Denny, how's things?" Karen began, once she'd arranged for her secretary to bring them some coffee, a luxury that was yet another new thing to be accorded a prisoner in a meeting with her number one. "Same as usual, Miss," Denny replied, wanting to be as positive as possible, but knowing that Karen wouldn't believe any bullshit. "So, no lasting effects from April Fools day, then?" Denny couldn't quite meet Karen's eyes. "No, Miss. What about you?" "You'd have been down the block, all four of you, if there had been," Karen replied firmly. "And do you realise, that your, admittedly brilliantly thought out escapade, could have resulted in you not being allowed to visit Shell?" "Shit!" Denny said in heart felt self-recrimination. "I didn't think about that." "And can you give me a satisfactory reason why I shouldn't now tell you, that your highly unusual request will be given a very firm no?" "It weren't only me who did that," Denny protested in offended dignity. "No, I know that," Karen said fairly. "But at the moment, it is only you who is asking for a particularly special privilege." "So, is that it then?" Denny asked miserably. "No," Karen told her, finally relenting. "But I wanted you to understand what the possible consequences could have been. I am not the sort of governing governor, who is going to object to a very successful practical joke once in a while, though I would appreciate it if the next one managed to stay on the right side of the law." Denny couldn't help smiling. "Other than that, and the little mishap in February," Put in Gina. "Denny's pretty much kept her nose clean for quite a long time." "That is something you should be quite clear on," Dominic elaborated. "I knew Denny in the old days, when fighting, bullying and drug dealing were every day occurrences. The Denny sitting here now, doesn't bear any resemblance to the Denny of a few years ago." Denny blushed under his compliment. "I'm pleased to hear it," Karen said, still not showing her hand. "But I need some proof that you're not going to ever even think of sliding back into your old ways. I'm putting myself on the line for you here, Denny, and if you screw up, it'll be my head on the block as well as yours. No doubt you can remember the red tape we had to go through, in order for you to have your inter-prison visit with Shaz," She added a lot more gently. "So, you'll appreciate that this is going to take a lot more organising, especially considering the fact that you and Shell aren't even involved." "I ain't just doing this for me, Miss," Denny said sincerely. "I know Shell, and I know she'll be going mad in that place, if she ain't gone that way already. I've got something to get out for now, when I never thought I would have again, not after Shaz. I guess I just want Shell to have something to get out of there for, even if it is only to come back here." Karen was touched by Denny's little speech, knowing how much it must have cost her to say it. "I have talked to Shell's psychiatrist, and you'll be pleased to know that he agrees with you," Karen said with a wry smile. "He is all in favour of you going to see her, so it's just area who I have to convince." "You mean Grayling?" Denny asked succinctly. "Yes, and if I know Mr. Grayling, he may want to talk to you about this too. Seeing as we're both in relatively new jobs, neither of us are going to take any risks that this might be the wrong thing to do. However, while I am pleading your cause with whoever necessary, I want a few guarantees from you. For the next month, I don't want one, single, bad report about you, not one. That's no fighting, no winding up Mrs. Hollandby, no stealing, and definitely no drugs. You've done well on the frequent testing programme so far, and you're going to stay on it for the time being. Any more dope-laced cookies, for example, and you can forget it." "I'll do my best, Miss. I promise, I'll be good." Karen could hear the clear intention to attempt to do so in Denny's voice, and simply hoped for both their sakes that Denny could fulfill her side of the bargain.
A little while later, when all business involving Denny had been discussed, Karen rang down to G wing for someone to escort Denny back, so that she could continue talking to Gina and Dominic about other inmates. But when she'd closed the door behind Denny, and was in the process of lighting another cigarette, Dominic regarded her shrewdly. "You're thinking of bringing Shell back here, aren't you," He said, not sounding all that enthusiastic about it. "I haven't decided. Why?" "Because that would be the worst thing you could ever do, for Larkhall, for your career prospects, and definitely for us officers. You know I never side with Sylvia, but I would be in absolute agreement with her on this." Karen watched him thoughtfully. She liked Dominic, because he was honest, hard-working, and because if he had something to say, he came out and said it, instead of chuntering behind her back as the likes of Di and Sylvia always did. "Let's get two things straight, shall we?" Karen eventually replied, trying to keep any anger out of her voice, but maintaining an exterior with the texture of diamond. "First, for it to even be considered to allow Shell Dockley to come back here, she would have to make a vast improvement, both in her mental stability and her offending behaviour. Second, area, in particular Grayling, would have my guts for garters if I even suggested something so maverick and unprecedented. I have only been in the job five minutes, Dominic, and any decision I make with regards to the future of any inmate in my care, will be reviewed carefully and thoroughly, and taking into account the thoughts and feelings of every person involved, including any relevant officers. Do I make myself clear?" "I know you, Karen," Dominic persisted. "And I know how guilty you felt about everything Fenner did to Shell, including getting her sectioned and shipped out, not to mention having her baby taken away from her." Karen couldn't believe she was hearing this. "Dominic, this conversation is closed," She said firmly, a slight flush staining her cheeks, because she knew he was absolutely right. "Gina, you've got to back me up on this," Dominic insisted, finally remember that his immediate superior was in the room, and unwilling to let the rat escape from his terrier-like jaws. "Oy, you fight your own bloody battles," Gina replied, seeing that Dominic had clearly touched a nerve. "Just be careful, that's all," Dominic finished a little lamely. "Thank you for the sentiment," Karen said bitterly. "Dominic, go back to the wing," Gina said, sounding perfectly calm though clearly inviting no argument. Knowing when he was beaten, Dominic got up and left. When he'd gone, Gina watched Karen as she furiously ground her cigarette out in the ashtray. "Is he right?" She asked. "Is that what you've got on the cards?" "Would it be such a bad thing if I did?" Karen replied, sending the question back to Gina. "Depends on your motives, and how successful you think we'd be at containing and rehabilitating someone like her." "And what would your immediate reaction be if I said I was considering it as a long term goal?" "I know Dockley more by repute than by experience," Gina said fairly. "I wasn't here long before she and Denny escaped, and I wasn't here when she got caught in Amsterdam. So, I haven't got all that much to go on really." "You're definitely turning into real Wing Governor material, you know," Karen said with a smile, neatly changing the subject. "You're developing the knack for sincere tact and diplomacy, something I never thought I would come to see in you."