“What’d you find?” Anna asked when we were seated in her office again.

“Maybe where the body was stored until the trash was taken out.”

“Where?”

“In one of the caustic storage rooms at the end of the hallway past the infirmary. It’d be the perfect place. That hallway is almost always empty and very few people use that closet.”

“What made you look in there in the first place?”

I told her.

“And asking about Thomas?” she said. “Was that just about what Molly told you or do you think he has something to do with what happened to Johnson?”

“Both,” I said. “Maybe.”

She gave me a big smile.

“What?”

“Some men will brag when given the opportunity to do so to an attentive female.”

“I’ve heard about that.”

“I gave Ron my full attention and he told some tales—one of them about an inmate having an affair with a nurse.”

“Thomas?” I asked

“Thomas,” she said.

“Did he say which nurse?”

“I don’t think he knows, but I soon will.”

19

I was in my office making notes on the case when Merrill walked in.

“’Sup?” he said when he was seated in front of me.

I shook my head. “You’d have to ask somebody else. You’re looking at the man who knows the least about the way things work around here.”

“It a different world. But you a quick study. You rounded up the usual suspects?”

“Working on it.”

“How many brothers on the list?” he said.

“Besides you? Only have one suspect of African descent.”

“Everybody of African descent. We the first people on Earth.”

“True.”

“Nigga got a name?”

“Name and a number,” I said. “Allen Jones. Works in the infirmary. Has no real motive that I can see, but he gathers and takes out the trash. Also has access to a typewriter. Most inmates don’t. But Nurse Anderson says he didn’t take the trash out on Tuesday. Speaking of . . . what can you tell me about Shutt?”

“Not much,” he said. “He’s pretty new. Seems okay. He a suspect?”

“He picked up the trash, and he’s the one who actually did the deed.”

“Shook him up like hell too, though, didn’t it?”

“Maybe. Certainly seemed to.”

“Who else?”

“Jacobson, of course. Skipper.”

“He probably involved somehow. Bastard bad all the way down to his black heart.”

I told him what Molly Thomas had told me.

Merrill shook his head. “Like I said.”

“Seems we’re surrounded by badness,” I said. “I think Anna might be in danger. I’ve been getting threatening letters and I think they’re about her.”

“You told her?” he asked.

“Yeah. Would you keep an eye on her?”

“Always do. Will watch her with both now.”

Shortly after Merrill left, Mr. Smith brought Sandy Strickland in to see me.

It was a pleasant surprise.

“Just wanted to stop by and check on you.”