In the morning a matron came into the cage, forcing all of us to our feet. The lights in the room were too bright, but when I shut my eyes the room around me spun in nauseating spirals. I held on to the wall for support and felt my stomach heave. I didn’t want to throw up, not on myself, not in public, but I couldn’t hold it in.

“Jesus Christ, you whores come in here with a load on and then foul up the cell. Come on, wash it off, put these on, let’s get going.”

I was cuffed to another woman who’d also been sick. We were taken to a tiny toilet where we cleaned ourselves as best we could. I put my head under the sink tap and let water run through my hair and mouth until the officer dragged me away.

“You there, Warshki, get moving.”

“I need a doctor.” I coughed hoarsely. “I have a concussion.”

“You need clothes. Put these on. You’re riding out to Coolis.”

“Coolis?” I couldn’t raise my voice above a whisper. “Not Coolis. Only arrested, not convicted.”

The policewoman pulled me away from the sink. “You have a bad fall or a rough john or what last night? Put this shirt on.”

The shirt was a bright yellow that made my eyes smart. On the back was stamped IDOC—Illinois Department of Corrections. “Your detective Lemour, he’s got to be the roughest john in Chicago. This was all his handiwork. I’m not going to Coolis. I’m waiting for my attorney. Post bond.”

“Look, Warshki, I don’t have time for games. I got four girls to get on a bus, including you, and you’re not in shape to do anything but say yes, ma’am. It’s a holiday today, no bond court; your lawyer if he calls will be told where you are. Coolis has the overflow jail for Cook and Du Page County, and we are filled to the brim with all you girls turning tricks up and down the city, so you get a bus ride in the fresh country air, which is more than I’m allowed on the nation’s birthday, let me tell you.”

I put the shirt on. I didn’t know what other choice I had. I had been so sure Freeman would be here this morning to post bail that I was too disappointed to react. Only four of us out of the cage were being sent to Coolis—did the others get a free pass, and if so, why?