‘Yep,’ Marsh said as he released Jax. He stood up and crossed the cell. As the guard appeared at the cell door with a set of keys, Marsh stopped and turned back to Jax. ‘I’ll make the arrangements,’ Marsh said again, baring his teeth in a wide grin. ‘And I’ll catch up with ya soon.’

Jax exhaled when Marsh was finally gone. He wanted to chase after him and tackle him. Probably would have if he’d been given another minute, but fear had temporarily paralysed him, forced him to make an unconsidered decision. And although it was nothing more than a nod, he knew his mistake could determine his standing in prison. Even cost him his life.

Still, right now Jax had a more immediate concern. The herd was thinning, with only a couple of men left in the cage, and he would soon be called and taken to another room where he would be stripped and searched. Jax wasn’t overly concerned about the humiliation – dignity had long ago deserted him. He was, however, dreading the possibility of a cavity search. He was also no longer so sure that the reception biff was a practice of the past. Minutes ticked by.

‘Let’s go.’ The guard didn’t even need to call his name – there was no one else left in the cell.

Jax pushed himself to his feet and followed the guard. It was the out-of-shape officer Marsh had called Dodge. No other inmates around, Jax took the opportunity to carefully examine his surroundings. There wasn’t much to see. The only thing that was of any interest in the hallway was the camera. The little red flashing light was a comfort as he followed the guard across the filthy linoleum towards a double set of sliding doors. The second set did not open until the first was shut. Two guards. Both with batons. Another behind the counter. Jax continued his scan. Two cameras. One blind spot. Fuck.

‘Riley Jax,’ Dodge grunted as he and Jax approached a scruffy-looking guard behind the counter – a surfer, judging from the tan and salt-matted sun-bleached hair. ‘No MIN.’

The young guard got straight to it. ‘Strip,’ he said flatly. ‘Everything off.’

‘Here?’ Jax asked.

‘Yep.’