I, The Accused
Chapter 4
1
Martha Webb walked down the halls in the building where Billy Rogan practiced law. She was determined to see that Ross was protected. Something had to be done. It saddened her to see the mental condition Ross was in.
Why did he have to kill his wife? In this day and age, no one would have cared it he was divorced. He still could have won his senate race. Why couldn't he see that she loved him so? Martha could have made him very happy if he only had given her the chance. Now, she saw no future with him. Was he right? Should she just forget about him and never go back to the prison? She didn't want to believe it. Men did get out of prison who killed others. It happened all the time. If he could just hold out for a few years, she was sure he could be released. Then he could make him happy. He didn't deserve to suffer this way. Norma was such a bitch to him. She was nothing but a drunk who abused him. As far as Martha was concerned, she got exactly what she deserved.
Martha entered the law office of Billy Rogan. She just had to convince him he had to move faster in protecting Ross before it was too late. The secretary looked up and smiled at her. Martha didn't know her name, and she didn't really care. She was unimportant in the matter. She couldn't help Ross.
"I have an appointment to see Mr Rogan."
The secretary smiled again. "Yes, Miss Webb, he is expecting you. If you have a seat, I will let him know that you have arrived."
Martha sat down in a one of the chairs for clients. She looked around the room. From the looks of the place, it didn't look like Billy Rogan was all that successful. The office was small. The furniture wasn't expensive and the decor was tasteful, but neither was it expensive. Rogan had been defending clients for many years now. She would have thought, if he had any amount of success, he would've had moved his office to a more prestigious location in San Francisco. A bigger and more impressive office would draw more clients. Martha wondered how Ross ended up with Rogan as his attorney.
"Miss Webb, Mr Rogan will see you now." The secretary walked her over to the private office door. She opened and gestured for Martha to enter in front of her.
As Martha entered, Billy Rogan stood up behind his desk. "Martha, it is nice to see you again. I assume you are here to see me about Ross."
"Yes, I am." She said down in the chair in front of his desk, which he indicated with a hand gesture.
"Can I get you anything. A cup of coffee or a soft drink?"
"No, thank you. I would rather discuss Ross's situation."
"Yes, well, I haven't been able to do much with that, and believe me I have tried. I went to see Judge Thatcher. I spoke with him for about an hour. He was immovable on the idea of moving Ross to another prison. He sentenced him, and like all judges, he doesn't like his decisions questioned. I could petition the court, but Judge Thatcher would be the presiding judges, so it would be a losing scenario. At this point, unless we can prove he is being abused or his life is in danger, I just don't see what we can do."
"But his life is in danger!" Martha exclaimed. "I have seen the bruises. I could testify."
"The warden says he isn't being abused. He also said there is no proof his life is in danger. I am sorry, Martha, but at this point, I don't think there is anything else I can do. I feel the same way you do, but am limited on what I can do by the law. And, right now, the law is not on our side."
"There must be something you can do, Mr Rogan."
"All I can do right now is keep visiting Ross. Believe me, if I see any signs he's been abused, I will get proof of it at the time. Then I am sure I can change Judge Thatcher's mind. Be patient, Martha. I will help Ross as soon as I can."
"Sooner or later. I have always hated that expression. If something needs to be done, it needs to be done now, not later."
"I am sorry. My hands are tied, but I promise that I will keep an eye on Ross." He stood up, indicating the session was over.
Martha left the office. She had never been so distraught. There had to be a way to help Ross. But, who could she go to if his own lawyer was not capable of helping him? She could think of no one. No one, that is, except the man who helped put Ross in prison. Robert Ironside. Then again, why would he help Ross. He had a disdain for him from the beginning. He made it obvious he didn't like him. Martha didn't realize Ironside's disdain was for what Howard did to people on his television show.
Could she really go to the detective for help? Wouldn't it be a waste of time? Ironside wasn't going to help Ross. On the other hand, he did have a lot of influence with the higher ups in the city. Maybe he could do something about the situation. It was her only chance of protecting Ross. He couldn't be the pathetic man she visited. He was always a fighter, but now he had given up on life. Furthermore, he wouldn't last in prison if he didn't fight for himself. Martha knew she had to do his fighting for him until the old Ross Howard returned.
She left Rogan's law office, got back into her car, and headed for the prison. Martha would make one last attempt to get him to help himself. If he refused to do it, then she would go to Ironside.
She pulled the vehicle onto the road. The traffic was horrendous this time of day. It would take her a while to get there. Martha turned on the radio and listened to music to pass the time as she maneuvered her car in and out of traffic. She swore everyone was moving at a snail's pace.
When she arrived at the prison, she was informed it wasn't visiting day and couldn't see Howard. Martha begged them to allow her to see him. The guard became impatient with her.
"Look lady, it isn't visiting day. If you have been coming here to visit Howard, then you already know when visiting day is. Give me your name and I will see that he knows you were here."
Disappointed, she would not be able to see him, Martha told him who she was. The guard recognized the name immediately. "Howard left instructions not to allow you in to see him anymore. So, there is no reason for you to come back." He turned his back on her and went back to doing what he was when she entered.
Martha was stunned. She was at a loss for words. Ross didn't want to see her any longer? How could that be? There must be some mistake. Yet, she knew there wasn't. Tears began to form in her eyes. She only wanted to help him. Why couldn't he understand that? She had no choice. She left the prison and head for Police Headquarters.
When she arrived, she parked her car and went inside. Walking up to the main desk, she said to the officer, "I would like to see Chief Ironside."
The young officer looked up. "The chief's office is on the top floor." He pointed toward the elevators. "Go straight head, but I warn you, the chief is a very busy man. He might not be able to see you."
The lieutenant in charged overheard the conversation and walked over to the duty desk. "You must be new."
The officer nodded. "Just out of the academy, actually. I was assigned here. It's not exactly what I was expecting. I thought I would be out on the streets."
"Let me enlighten you. You are correct about one thing. The chief is a very busy man. No one can come in and go right up to his office. There is a list of people who can be passed immediately. Everyone else has to be announced and passed by Ironside himself." The lieutenant smiled at Martha. "Whom may I ask is calling on Chief Ironside?"
"My name is Martha Webb. I want to see him about Ross Howard."
The lieutenant nodded at the young officer. He picked up the phone and dialed Ironside's office.
"Chief Ironside's office," Mark Sanger announced.
"Mr Sanger, there is a Martha Webb here to see the chief. Shall I pass her?"
"Just a minute." Sanger turn his attention to his boss, who sat at the table, going over prisoners to be released on the governor's orders. "Chief, there is a Martha Webb downstairs. She would like to see you."
Ironside recognized the name immediately. "Have them send her up."
Mark spoke into the phone. "The chief says to send her up."
The officer turned his attention to Martha. "Chief Ironside will see you. Go straight ahead to the elevators. Like I said, his office is on the top floor."
Martha left the officers and headed for the elevators. Pressing the button, she waited for the elevator to return to the lobby floor. When it did, she got in, pressed the button for Ironside's floor, and got out when it arrived. She looked to her right and then left. There was a ramp that went up to a door. That had to be it. With the difference in the levels of the floor, the ramp would allow Ironside entrance in to his office. Martha walked over to the office. She hesitated. Should she knock? She understood Ironside also lived here. Then again, it was during the day, and it was working hours. She decided she didn't need to knock.
Martha opened the door and entered. When she did, Ironside turned his chair toward her. "Miss Webb, I trust you are here to see me about Ross Howard?"
She walked over to a table covered in files. She noticed Ed and Eve sitting at a different table, also covered with files. She didn't know their names, although she knew they worked for Ironside.
"Do you drink coffee, Miss Webb," Ironside asked.
"Yes, thank you."
"Mark, get our guest a cup of coffee, and not the bottom of the pot either."
Sanger went into the kitchen, poured a mug of coffee, and brought it back to the table with cream and sugar. Moving files out of the way, he set it down in front of Martha.
"Thank you." Martha drank her coffee black. She had no use for the cream and sugar.
"Now, what did you want to see me about?"
She wasn't sure how to approach the subject. Martha was well aware of Ironside's feelings for Ross. She hesitated so long that Ironside spoke up.
"You're worried about his safety in the prison?"
She looked up quickly at Ironside. "Yes, but what would make you think so?"
"Because I believe you have reason to be worried. I visited the prison. I saw Ross Howard. It was clear to me someone beat him. His face was swollen and bloodied, and his ribs showed signs of bruising."
Tears appeared in Martha's eyes. "I could tell, from his condition, that was happening."
Ironside didn't like Howard's television show. Howard bullied and berated his guests. He twisted facts to put them in a bad light, and all for the sake of ratings. Yet, he felt sympathy for this woman. Obviously, she was in love with Ross Howard. He didn't understand how any woman could love such a bully, but it didn't stop him from feeling for her.
"I tried to convince Judge Thatcher to move him to another prison since Mr Howard chose to attack the warden, the guards, and the operation of the prison on his television show. I wasn't able to convince him to move him. I did convince the warden to move him out of the cell he shared with Burl Bricker. I have a suspicion he is the one who was abusing Mr Howard."
Martha was stunned. She never believed Ironside cared anything about Ross, but obviously she was wrong. "I thought you didn't like Ross."
"I didn't like what he did. Having said that, I am a cop. It is my job to protect the people of San Francisco, and that includes Ross Howard. He should be allowed to serve his sentence without having to worry about being beaten on a regular basis."
"I underestimated you, Chief Ironside. For that, I am sorry."
The chief waived his hand in dismissal. "The problem is, I don't think the abuse will stop by moving him to another cell. Burl Bricker is going to seek him out when he is working or in the exercise yard."
"Is there anything that can be done about that?" Martha asked.
"Ross Howard is not cooperating. By the most part, I understand that. He is trying to remain low-key. That is important in prison in order to get along. I pressured the warden to move him out of the cell with Bricker, but it might make matters even worse for him."
Martha Webb began to cry. "I don't know what to do. He won't see me anymore. His attorney says there is nothing he can do. I am unable to find out what is happening to him."
Ironside softened his tone. "You are in love with him, aren't you?"
A bit embarrassed by his probing question, red-faced, she turned away from Ironside. She took a moment to compose herself before answering him. In a voice he had to strain to hear, she said, "I have loved him almost since I started working for him. Norma treated him terribly, Chief Ironside. She refused to live with him as a wife should. When she filed for divorce, Ross didn't have aspirations to run for the senate. I know he blackmailed her to get her to stay with him, but he did it because he loved her.
"He put up with her drinking. He tried to work things out, she just wasn't willing. He lived in a terrible situation. Don't get me wrong, I am not excusing what he did. He killed her. There can be no excuse for that. He deserved to go to prison, but he doesn't deserve to be beaten constantly while he is there." She started crying again. "I feel so helpless. There is nothing I can do to help him."
"You are right. He is exactly where he belongs, but you are also right that he doesn't deserve to be abused while there. I will do what I can to see he isn't abused," Ironside promised.
"Oh, thank you, Chief Ironside," she said, wiping away the tears. "You know, you were the last person I expected to help me. Again, I am sorry for misjudging you." Martha Webb got up and left Ironside's office.
The famed detective said at the table thinking. He detested Ross Howard's television show and what he did to people. He detested even more that he murdered Norma Howard. It would be so easy to just turn his back on the entire situation. Yet, he couldn't, and why? Because he took an oath to serve and protect. He didn't have the right to decide who to protect unless someone was putting someone else in danger. Then it was his job to protect the innocent. In this case, as much as he hated to admit it, Ross Howard was the innocent one being threatened by Burl Bricker, and he had no choice but to do something about it.
"Chief," Mark said, "I don't understand why you are concerning yourself about Ross Howard. He murdered his wife. He's in prison where he belongs."
"You, of all people, know what goes on in a prison. Don't you think you should stay out of it and allow Warden Leyton to handle the prison's problem?" Eve asked.
"Serve and protect," Ed said, without looking up from the paperwork in front of him.
"What?" Eve asked.
Sergeant Brown looked up. "Serve and protect. That is what all of us took an oath to do."
"We did that when we arrested Ross Howard and put him behind bars," Eve argued.
"And, it is not our job to run the prison," Mark added.
Ed stood up and walked over to the table. "You're right, it is not our job to run the prison, but it is our job to see that the laws are not broken, no matter where they occur. I agree with the chief. If Howard is being beaten, then a law is being broken. It is our job to address it."
"Oh, come on, Ed," Eve said. "It goes on in prisons all the time. By that theory, we would spend all of our time in the prison trying to stop the violence. These are violent people. That is why they are there in the first place. There are not enough guards to stop all the bullying that goes on in there. It is up to warden to address it when his guards see it happening."
Ironside sat and listen to his people discuss the issue. It was clear Eve and Mark didn't think they should do anything at all. Ed had been a detective longer than Eve and the chief knew his influence on the sergeant would be much stronger than on Eve or Mark. Still, both of them should know that everyone deserved protection from the police, no matter who they were or what they had done.
"I thought I taught you people that we protect all the citizens in our jurisdiction. Do you really think Ross Howard doesn't deserve our protection regardless of what he has done?"
"Norma Howard deserved our protection," Mark said. "She didn't get it. Howard got what he deserved. Let him reap what he sowed."
Ironside turned to his friend and aide. "Mark, you spent time in the penal system. Should I have just ignored you and decided you didn't deserve my protection?"
"I didn't murder anyone, Chief," Mark said.
"No, but I could have taken the position you are taking, that you broke the law, so I shouldn't waste my time on you. Who knows what direction you would have taken?"
"He has a point, Mark," Ed said.
"Where is this going?" Eve asked. "I don't see what else you can do. Judge Thatcher refused to allow a petition to move him without cause. The warden already moved him to another cell. What else can be done?"
"We find cause, Eve, if it is to be found," Ironside said. "We investigate and make sure he is not going to suffer abuse at the hands of Burl Bricker."
2
"Commissioner, the Mayor is here to see you," Betsy told Randall over the intercom.
Dennis Randall knew exactly why the mayor wanted to see him. There was no putting it off. He could have done that if the mayor call, but he couldn't ignore him when he was standing outside his office. "Show him in, Betsy."
The door opened and Mayor Ted Barr entered Randall's office. "Hello, Dennis."
"Mr Mayor. You could have called and saved yourself a trip here," the commissioner said.
"And have your secretary put me off? No, Dennis. I figured you couldn't ignore me if I were outside your office door."
Randall smiled. Ted Barr was a lot sharper than the previous mayor, Patrick Simpson. Mayor Barr was the deputy mayor and inherited the position when Mayor Simpson was arrested for embezzling money from the city. He got involved in the theft and resale of valuable painting and artifact by purchasing them with the city's money and replacing the money when they were sold. Of course, he made a tidy profit on each item that was sold. Unfortunately for him, when the money didn't come through on one of the stolen items, he was unable to return the funds.
Mayor Ted Barr was re-elected in the last election in a landslide. Randall had to admit Ted had much better control of the council's and the city's operations. Randall respected and liked the young mayor. He never panicked like the previous mayor, and was much better at smoothing the ruffled feathers of the members of the city council. Since he was here in his office, Dennis assumed he was unable this time to calm the city council.
"Now Ted, do you really think I would just put you off and ignore your phone calls?"
Without hesitation, the mayor answered, "Yes, because it is exactly what I would do if the situation was reversed."
Randall couldn't help himself, he laughed. "Well, am I to gather you are here because the council is being pressured by the governor to speed up Bob Ironside in his assessment of the prisoner release?"
It was the mayor's turn to laugh. "Dennis, we can't fool each other, can we?"
"Apparently not. Listen, Ted, you know fully well Bob Ironside is going to take his time with this no matter what pressure we put on him."
"I am well aware of it, and actually I am in full agreement with him. This is not something that should be rushed through."
"Then what is the problem?" the commissioner asked.
"The council, they are the problem. You know what they are like. They panic over any kind of pressure put on them. The governor has been calling each of them threatening to withhold monies to the city if they don't do something about the pace Robert is taking."
"So, what do you propose?" Randall asked.
"Nothing."
"Nothing? I don't understand. Then why are you here?"
"To placate the members of the city council, why else? I don't want Robert rushing through the list of prisoners any more than you do. He needs to take his time, and that is exactly what I told Governor Gannon."
"Oh, I'll bet that didn't go over well," Dennis said with a smile.
"Not at all. That is why he started calling the members of the city council."
"So, what did you tell the city council?"
Mayor Barr crossed his legs and sat back. "What I wanted to tell them was to grow a spine. God, I hate politicians."
"Ah, may I remind you that you are a politician," Randall said with a smile.
"You can, but I don't play politics. Some things should not be rushed because of politics. The governor threatening to withhold funds just burns me."
"So, what did you tell him?" Randall's curiosity had gotten the better of him.
"I told him I would not pressure you or Bob Ironside. Then I told the man to be patient. Bob will finish those lists, and the least likely to commit crimes again would be released. He didn't take that very well either."
"No, I don't suppose he did. What about his threat of withholding funds to the city?" The commissioner was concerned about the shortage of money to his city.
"I told him I would go to the press and tell the entire state of California he was refusing to give Bob Ironside the time to go over the list; that the governor of the state didn't care if dangerous inmates were released upon the citizens of the state. I also threatened to sue the state of California if he attempted to withhold any funds that have been advocated to San Francisco by the senate and congress of the state."
The more Randall dealt with Barr, the better he liked the man. "That will make an enemy out of the governor. You certainly aren't a typical politician. Most would not do what you just did. They would bow to the governor's pressure. All right, so where do we go from here?"
"We don't. Leave Ironside alone. Let him scrutinize that list in his own time. You have my hundred percent backing."
"What about the council? They are going to expect you to do something about it," Randall said, knowing the council would not remain quiet.
"Let me worry about the council, Dennis. I am only here to give you a heads up."
"All right then. I'll let Bob know what is going on unless you don't want me to."
"No, no, go right ahead. Tell him he has my support, and that I don't want him to just scan over those lists."
"I let him know. Good luck with the city council," Randall told him.
"I'll need it, but I will prevail." Mayor Ted Barr got up and left Randall's office.
It wasn't five minutes before Randall's intercom buzzed again. "Commissioner, the governor is on the line for you," Dennis Randall's secretary reported over the intercom.
Commissioner Randall already knew what it was about. Bob Ironside was not moving fast enough with the recommendations. The mayor made that clear. The governor wanted to release the prisoners as soon as possible to relieve the pressure on the prisons. Randall knew Chief Ironside would drag his feet on this on this. He didn't agree with it. If the truth be told, the commissioner didn't agree with it either. He agreed with Bob. Every prisoner sentenced should serve out their entire term. Releasing violent men on society was a mistake. Bob was right about that. A few of them would turn their lives around and re-enter society with no further problems. They weren't the ones Randall was concerned about. The major portion of the population would go back to committing crimes. They would come out of the prison, have a hard time finding jobs and suitable accommodations to live in, and no money would lead them back to a life of crime.
Randall picked up the phone, pressed the lighten line, and greeted the governor. "Hello, Governor. What can I do for you?"
"You can light a fire under Bob Ironside for one thing. Dennis, I have to get moving on these releases. The wardens of the prisons are calling here constantly."
"Governor, to be fair, Bob has not had the lists very long. He has his entire staff working on it."
The governor was wondering if he made a mistake putting Robert Ironside in charge of deciding which prisoners would be released and which would remain in prison. He was notorious for believing they should serve their full term. He hadn't any doubt he was taking his sweet time because he didn't want any of them released. He couldn't take it out of his hands at this point, although that is exactly what he wanted to do. Unfortunately, the press would pick up on it and report he was ignoring the advice of the top lawman in the state of California.
"Dennis, I need a time line. He has to let me know exactly when he is going to give me the list of prisoners to be released, so we can get the ball rolling."
Randall wondered if that ball was going to roll over all of them in the form of more crime in the city of San Francisco. "I'll talk to Chief Ironside and find out how far along he is with his decision."
"You do that, and do it right away," the governor said, hanging up abruptly.
"Robert Ironside," Randall sighed. "You are going to be the death of me yet." He pressed the intercom. "Betsy, get Bob Ironside on the phone for me."
3
Ross Howard wondered how he could be so lucky not to have anyone beating on him so far today. Usually someone shoved him into a wall, or timed it so he would fall over a bench. No one stuck their foot out and tripped him either. He wondered if maybe Ironside interfering was the reason. He was now in a different cell. His cellmate, Danny Lester was just a kid, and a meek one at that. Ross didn't have to worry about being beaten up by him.
He was in the prison for all the reasons he had been fighting on his show. Why didn't the justice system realize that one could be driven to murder. He tried everything with Norma. It wasn't long after they were married, she stopped sleeping with him. He had loved her, oh how he loved her. Actually, he still did. He didn't want to kill her. She drove him to it. Norma knew he wanted to run for the senate. Why couldn't she have waited a few short months? Once he had been elected to the senate, if she still wanted a divorce, he would have granted it. Ross hadn't wanted a divorce. He tried everything to draw her out. Trying to get her to stop drinking had been impossible. The more he tried, the more she drank; the more she withdrew from him.
Why didn't she love him as much as he loved her? He just didn't understand it. Ross knew he had been a good provider. They lived in a beautiful home. She could spend money endlessly. His salary for the TV show ran into the millions. If he hadn't killed her, how much of his hard-earned money would she have gotten from him? She didn't work. He was the only bread winner of the two of them. It simply wouldn't be fair for him to give up millions to a wife who refused to be a wife, and one who hadn't earned a single penny during their marriage. All she did as far as Ross could see, was spend money and shop. . . with his money. Would that have been fair?
The law didn't take into consideration she blackmailed him into the divorce. If it had come out he took credit for another man's heroics, he would never have been elected senator. Something that was nothing but a shattered dream now. He would spend the rest of his life rotting away in prison. He hadn't wanted to kill Norma; she gave him no choice. What bothered him was he assumed the explosion that killed her and destroyed the car was due to a gas leak that caught fire. Ross didn't set a bomb in the car, or did he? He was so upset with her at the time, everything was now fuzzy. He wanted to stop her, but kill her? Oh, she deserved it all right. He just was not sure he was the one who killed her.
Damn Ironside! He was to blame for putting him in this hell-hole! And now he decides to intervene to help him. Why? What was his motive? None of it made any sense to him. Ironside hated him, of that, he was sure. Why then, would he try to help him in any way? Ross would have thought Ironside would be gloating over putting him in prison. Dare he hope he wouldn't have to suffer at the hands of Burl Bricker any longer? Who was he kidding? He knew Bricker would seek him out whenever he was in the general population. The beatings would probably be worse than they were when he shared a cell with him.
Howard finished with the laundry a bit earlier than his work shift ended. As he was putting things away, Guard Phil Brody walked over to him. "You're supposed to work right up to quitting time, Howard."
"I would if I was given enough to do," Ross said.
"Everyone else got the same amount of laundry as you did. They are not done yet." Brody got directly in his face.
"They'd be done if they didn't spend so much time messing around and talking to other inmates."
"Shall I tell them you said so?" Brody taunted.
"Go ahead. I don't care. In the meantime, if you are going to get in my face, you might try using mouthwash."
Brody's expression change. With the stick that was used to control violent prisoners, he jammed it as hard as he could into Howard's stomach, driving the air out of his lungs.
Howard bent over in pain, allowing the air to return to his lungs. He stood up. "Does that make you feel like a big man? Shoving that stick into a man twice your age. Why don't you try one of the guys in here your own size and age? I know why. They'd kick your ass." Howard received another blow to the back to his knees, driving him to the floor.
"You better learn to keep your mouth shut, Howard. This is not some TV show where you can go after innocent people. In here, people will react to your big mouth. Now, I believe it is your turn to shower. Get moving." He turned and shouted at the guard he wanted with Howard. "Hey, Smith, escort Howard to the showers."
Jeremy turned around. "What are you talking about? He is scheduled to take a shower at the same time as the other prisoners."
"Yeah, well, he stinks. Besides, his buddy, Ironside, wants him kept away from the prison population as much as possible. So, take the little girl to the showers."
Smith didn't like it. Brody was targeting Ross Howard constantly. And, when the other prisoners saw him do it, they assumed it was perfectly all right for them to do the same. He was going to have a chat with the warden. Brody was out of control. Someone had to reign him in. Jeremy walked over to Ross Howard, who was still on the floor. After helping him to his feet, he said, "Come on, Howard."
Ross looked back at Brody, then left with Jeremy Smith. He was in no mood for small talk. He hoped Smith would keep him mouth shut. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be the case.
"Look, Howard, you have to do a better job of fitting in around here. Brody has it out for you. Don't antagonize him. It just gives him an excuse to clobber you with that stick of his."
"He doesn't need an excuse," Howard said.
"I know that, but it doesn't help with you mouthing off to him. Don't say anything. Don't converse with him. Don't even look at him. Listen, I am going to talk to the warden and tell him what is going on. He can get Brody to lay off you."
Ross stopped and faced Smith. "Great, so then he tells the other prisoners to take up the slack. No thanks. I appreciate what you are trying to do. Don't! Just stay out of it. I can take care of myself."
"I'm sorry, but I don't have a choice. You are being abused by Bricker and it is my duty to report it. We'll get Bricker off your back and anyone else who decides to take up the slack."
Howard shook his head. He knew he was in for more beatings worse than what he already was getting. They arrived at the showers. There were no other prisoners there.
"Ok, Howard, go ahead take your shower. I'll wait outside the shower room door."
Ross removed his prison uniform and went into the shower room. There was a large window allowing the guards to keep a close watch on the prisoners as they showered. If there were any incidents among them, the guards could intervene immediately. They would also be witness to any injuries inflicted on any of the men by another prisoner. Jeremy, as required, stood at the window watching Howard even though he was the only one in the shower. He supposed his only duty at this point was to make sure Ross Howard didn't harm himself.
Behind him, Burl Bricker and his guard, Chuck Baldwin entered the room. Baldwin, using gloves, handed Bricker a knife. Also using gloves, Bricker quietly came up behind Jeremy Smith and stabbed him with the knife. Knowing exactly where to insert the knife, Smith died almost instantly.
"Okay, we have to hurry," Baldwin said. He went over to the Bricker, handing him one of the towels he was holding. "I'll join you as soon as you take care of Howard. Remember, you are not to kill him. Just knock him out. He'll demand to talk to Ironside when he is blamed for the murder."
"I got it," Bricker said. When he turned to go, Baldwin called out to him. Burl Bricker turned around.
"You really didn't expect to keep it, did you?" He put out one hand, with a gun in the other. He didn't trust Bricker, not even for a second.
Bricker walked back over to him and handed over the knife, then went into the shower. He came back moments later, dragging an unconscious Ross Howard.
"You didn't leave any marks, did you?" Baldwin asked.
Bricker turned to look at him. "Of course not. Do you have any more stupid questions?"
Ignoring Bricker, Baldwin pulled out the cloth he put in his pocket earlier and wiped it clear of any possible fingerprints. Bricker just shook his head, since both of them wore gloves. "Position Howard behind Smith. That way, when he wakes up, he'll be behind him with the knife in his hand."
After Bricker did as instructed, Baldwin placed the knife in Ross Howard's right hand, making sure his fingers were pressed against the handle. Turning toward Burl Bricker, he spoke to him in an authoritative voice. "Go back to the laundry room, and make sure you are not seen entering."
"You and Brody better keep your end of the deal. You know I am in here for life. I have nothing to lose if I admit to killing Smith and why."
Chuck Baldwin took that as a threat, and knew he was right. He was beginning to wonder if he and Phil had been wrong in using Bricker to kill Jeremy Smith. He had a feeling it would come back to haunt them. "We'll keep our end of the deal. You just make sure you keep your mouth shut. Now, get back to the laundry room."
Bricker gave him a look of disdain before he left the room. Baldwin followed him out, cracked the door open slightly, waiting for Ross Howard to awaken.