“He was a grunt. We had millions of them. But there weren’t that many officers of my caliber. I’m certain he hurt the war effort by doing it.”

“You really think we would’ve won the Vietnam War if you’d been made lieutenant colonel sooner?” Knox said in disbelief.

“I admit I have an ego.”

“That’s not an ego. That’s freaking psychotic.”

Hayes pulled out a lighter, clicked it against an edge of the old paper and in a few seconds it crumpled to ash.

“Now let me get this right.” He pointed at Knox. “You’re an armed robber and murderer. Nasty business. If I’d only known.” He turned to Stone. “And you’re Anthony Butcher. At least that idiot warden has a sense of humor if not style. Triple murderer. How perfect, though that tally hardly does you justice.”

He rose and clicked his briefcase shut. “I believe that’s all. I’ll leave you two to serve out your debt to society. I’ve told the warden to be especially attentive to you both. I’m sure you appreciate the significance of that.”

“Hayes!” Knox screamed as he strained against the shackles. “There is no way in hell you can pull this off. Not even you.”

Hayes stopped at the door. “Well, the fact is, I just did. Oh, and one more detail. The guard who contacted Marsh on your behalf? I wouldn’t wait around for his help again. You see, we traced the call to his home phone. I’ve shared that information with the good warden. I’m certain he’ll follow up in an appropriate manner.”

He closed the door softly behind him.

Chapter 75

CHAPTER 75

“THE HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH people and Amnesty International, among others, have been trying to get into Blue Spruce for years,” Caleb said after he’d informed them of many particulars of how the prison was run. They were all back at Tyree’s house, which they were now using as a base.

“The list of alleged human rights violations there is very lengthy,” Caleb continued. “But the prison has refused all requests for visits by Amnesty and other organizations. God, even Russia has allowed those folks to visit its prisons. And when several inmates had stun guns used on them at Blue Spruce, lapsed into comas and died, additional requests were made to enter the prison, but they were denied.”

Alex looked at Tyree. “I know he’s your brother, but all that going on right next door and you never did anything about it?”

“That’s another reason Howard and me aren’t close. Who do you think turned Amnesty International on to the place?”

“You?” said Caleb.