Chapter 10

Eddie used the hoist to raise the enormous laundry bag. She wrestled the load into position and poured its contents into the drum of the industrial washing machine. Today was her one-month anniversary,

"One down, three hundred to go" She wiped the sweat from her brow.

Keeping her head on a swivel, she remained ever vigilant. She felt a sense of safety only when conversing with the visiting priest twice a week. Her cellmate troubled her, yet she rarely spoke to Eddie, hurling the occasional insult instead.

Life in prison was tiresome and monotonous. Eddie quickly adapted to her new routine behind bars. The only variation in her schedule was the identities of those who chose to attack her. Her ability to defend herself and inflict harm on her assailants had deterred any further assaults for at least this week.

"The shift has ended, ladies,"

All twelve inmates lined up, prepared to be scanned by the magic wand. Eddie stood at the back of the line, making it easier for her to keep her eyes on her potential next foe.

"Rojas, Reagan cell search, assume the position," the corrections officer instructed as Eddie neared the cell door.

With her hands braced against the wall and her feet spread apart, she listened to her cell being tossed about. Mattresses were hurled to the floor, and everything was moved and meticulously examined.

"Contraband," declared an officer.

Corrections Officer Abigail Crane smiled as she entered the cell to see what her colleagues had uncovered.

"The SIM card is hidden in the spine of this book," she said with a proud smile.

"About-turn, ladies," commanded Officer Abigail Crane with a mischievous grin. "Whose is this?" she demanded, holding up the SIM card. "Where is the mobile phone hidden?"

Eddie realised that it belonged to Luna. She had received threats of physical harm if she betrayed her to the guards after discovering it hidden in her book.

"It belongs to me. That's my bible, Ma'am," Eddie admitted

"Where is the mobile phone?" demanded Officer Crane.

Eddie shook her head. "I don't know, ma'am," she replied with a shrug.

Abigail Crane's cheeks flushed, her anger mounting. "One week in solitary, Reagan," she snarled, struggling to rein in her growing irritation.

Luna Rojas's face remained inscrutable as she observed her cellmate lead away. Handcuffed to the punishment block. The Sinaloa Cartel enforcer returned to her dishevelled cell, collecting the scattered photographs of her twin daughters.

"Why Reagan?" she asked Eddie's empty bunk.

The DEA had the guards continually harass her, particularly when she was expecting a visit from her children. Over the years, they had attempted to plant informants and undercover agents as her cellmates, trying to foster a friendship with her. She hadn't survived for so long as an enforcer without the skill to detect infiltrators and undercover law enforcement.

"Trust no one," she told herself.

She knew Reagan wasn't an informant. She had killed that half-wit candy; that blonde was a cold-blooded murderer, not an informant. For years before her arrest, Luna had a straightforward test for people she suspected of being undercover law enforcement. Hand them a gun and order them to kill a designated target. The refusal led to a bullet in the head, and that is why the DEA despised her. She had executed two undercover agents after they attempted to stage the deaths of their selected targets.

BB

Father Doyle waited for the guard to open the cell door. He visited Eddie Reagan twice a week and enjoyed conversing with the former NYPD officer, Father Michael Eguino, the head of the NYPD's Chaplains unit, who had requested his assistance.

"How long is her punishment?" he asked the guard.

"A week for contraband hidden in her Bible," the officer replied, gesturing with his replacement Bible.

"Contraband?"

"Sim card, we are facing a crackdown on contraband mobile phones and SIM cards on the island. The authorities are concerned about how effortlessly a drone can fly undetected to the island. It is the most secure method of bringing contraband onto the island, bypassing all security checks," she explained.

"Wonders of technology," he smiled as he entered the solitary confinement unit.

"You know the drill, Reagan", announced the guard through the hatch.

A pair of arms emerged through the hatch as the guard secured the handcuffs and double-locked them. "Walk to the back wall, Reagan, and do not move," the guard instructed.

"Yes, Ma'am," Eddie answered.

"I shall have to lock you in, Father. You have twenty minutes; shout if you need assistance," she instructed.

Father Doyle smiled, " Eddie will be fine, thank you, officer Woakes,"

"Come and sit with me, Eddie," He sat on her bunk as the cell door was closed.

Eddie turned, smiled, and sat next to her priest. "Hi, Chris. I wasn't expecting to see you this week while I was in solitary,"

Holding up the bible, "I brought you this," he smiled, placing her new bible onto the bunk " Care to explain why you took the fall?"

Eddie shrugged her shoulders, " her twin daughters." Was her simple answer

Father Chris Doyle smiled at the former police officer and said, "You can take the person out of the NYPD, but you can't take the NYPD out of the person." He scrutinised his handcuffed companion intently. "And?" he added, waiting for her to continue.

"I am observant, and I noticed how much she coveted her photographs of her twin daughters. They were due for a visit... how many days have I been here?"

Eddie asked, having lost track of time.

"Two and a half days, Eddie," He chuckled, " Time flies when you don't have to keep your head on a swivel, and no one attacks you,"

Eddie glared at the priest. "Stop, Chris, I won't ask for protective custody," she cautioned. "I took the hit so she could see her children. It was the right thing to do; she hardly had anything pleasant to say when she spoke to me." She went on to elaborate.

Chris understood how deeply Eddie longed to be a mother. She found it incredibly harsh to have orphaned Vanessa. She recognised that Vanessa was the main reason she had declined protective custody. She believed she deserved everything she received; it was her penance.

In defeat, he said, "Sorry, Eddie, I had to try once more."

"Chris, could you please check on Vanessa and find out what happened to her?" she asked quietly, her voice filled with remorse.

"She has been placed with a family; I believe that's all I could find out. I could ask someone to look into it for you discreetly. I am not sure it is appropriate…" He touched Eddie's shoulder, not wanting to finish the sentence.

"Thank you for my replacement Bible, Chris. I shall see you next week." Eddie stood abruptly, tears falling.

Eddie stood facing her cell wall as the guard unlocked her cell door. " God bless Eddie; see you next week," Father Doyle blessed her as he walked out of the cell.

BB

"Detective Reagan, Sergeant Reagan, good evening. I apologise for the intrusion; I assure you I mean no harm to you or your lovely wife. Please keep your hands away from your weapons. I have been sent to settle a debt," the man in their living room greeted.

"Do take a seat, Detective Reagan, Sergeant Reagan," a new voice called from the kitchen door.

Danny surveyed his living room, evaluating his odds of facing two intruders, one of whom was seated. He liked the odds; it would be like old times with Maria. A noise behind Danny stopped him in his tracks. His front door had just opened.

" All clear, boss," Announced the men as they walked into the living room.

Maria rested her hand on her husband's shoulder, stopping him, knowing he intended to confront the intruders. "Sit down, let's hear what he has to say. They've gone to a lot of trouble, considering we are NYPD detectives." Maria guided Danny to a chair.

"Leave us," commanded the boss.

Without uttering a word, three men exited and shut the front door.

"My grandfather has asked me to speak with both of you. He has some information he wishes to share. Stacey Wilson was arrested yesterday for drug possession and attempted robbery of a pharmacy in Monticello, Tallahassee." He reluctantly explained that he was not used to speaking so freely with the police.

"Who on earth is Stacey Wilson? What has it got to do with us in New York? You've gone to a lot of trouble; would you care to elaborate?" asked a confused Danny.

"Stacey Wilson is a guard at The Florida Women's Reception Centre. She became addicted to the product she helped smuggle into prison. The cartel she works for will not permit her to survive long in prison, as she knows too much about their smuggling operations," he explained.

"I still don't understand the reason behind all this," warned Danny, irritation seeping through him.

Maria placed her hand on his leg to calm him. "Get to the point, or I'll let him loose," she smiled.

"Correctional Officer Stacey Wilson worked at Rikers before transferring to the Orange State. She knows things about the correctional staff at the Rose M. Singer Centre that might be helpful. I am not prepared to tell you anything more; I feel uncomfortable doing this." He calmly explained, "My family always settles their debts,"

Maria glanced at Danny, confused. "Debt? What debt?"

"Former Officer Edit Reagan took the blame for her cellmate, landing herself in solitary confinement, which allowed her to see her twin daughters. Luna cannot appear weak in prison and will not show gratitude upon her return. This is our family's way of saying thank you," he explained as he walked to the front door.

"Are the Sinaloa Cartel responsible for Eddie?" Maria asked sharply.

"No, I know she killed a woman in prison while awaiting trial. I don't know anything else about Eddie Reagan. Earlier, I received a phone call from my grandfather, who shared only what I've just told you—nothing more. I've done everything he asked of me." He shrugged and opened the door.

"What does the Sinaloa Cartel gain from this?" Danny inquired.

"Nothing. A debt has been settled. Please refrain from following." The conversation was over. He shut the door and walked off.

Maria watched the car's tail light from the window, " What do you think we should do?" Maria asked as she watched the street.

When she heard her husband talking, she turned to face him. Then, taking a seat, she waited for him to finish.

"Thanks, Dad,"

The story will continue for a few weeks. I'm putting it on a short break due to some harsh feedback that has made me unsure about proceeding. However, I will share chapter 11 since it's already completed. Please let me know if you would like to read more

Ian