“Girl looked like she wanted to throw a punch at me, but I don’t think her skinny ass arms could have connected the move.” Maris laughed. This wasn’t the least bit fun
ny.
“Fighting gets you in solitary, and the hole doesn’t get us information.” I leaned over her, my jaw flexed. “Stop. Being. A. Brat.”
Sitting down, her legs crossed and swinging, Maris rolled her eyes, again, instigating me further. She knew what buttons to push as much as I did.
“Gotcha, partner.”
I was annoyed that she found this boring or above her right now. Having barely settled into this post, I didn’t need Maris’ outburst to be another complication.
“So did you find anything out in your little tantrum?”
“Yeah, the food tastes like garbage and those Tribe recruits definitely take orders from someone in here.” She picked at her nails, and I grabbed her hand to stop her. The tension eased as we talked.
My intel was limited, until we got inside the Tribe. It wasn’t the worst I had to work with, but it also wasn’t the best. We had to work as a team in here and play each side’s advantage.
“Did you get a name?” I asked.
“Evangelina Corazon as far as I know.” Maris chuckled moving a few items on my desk around.
“Stop it, Maris.” I slapped at her hands. The disorder distracted me, and the brat I’d been working with closely for years was using it against me on purpose. I moved the items back, earning me another snicker.
“I saw you looking at the girl.” She teased.
My eyes rolled as I tried to deflect. “Where else was I supposed to look except at the commotion? Anyway, I need you to be more careful.” I referred to her lunch debacle.
“Someone has to get in good with those bitches, and I don’t think they’re looking for peacocks, Cohen.” She eyed my dick, and I adjusted myself. She might be right, but there had to be someone I could bend enough to give me information. I wouldn’t always be able to pull Maris in when I needed an update.
A knock on the door startled us, and I stepped away from being so close to Maris. Any familiarity would risk blowing our cover.
“Sir.” Garcia opened the door, eyeing both Maris and me. I cleared my throat, and he resumed walking in, pulling the baby-faced boyfriend killer behind him. He gripped her arm roughly despite the shackles she wore which were unnecessary in my office right now. I wanted to pull him off her but a look from Maris stopped me. I glanced at my files for her name. Benedicta Cruz, her head down and subdued for the moment.
“Garcia, can you escort Ms. Ramos here back to her cell. I’m sure she’s contrite after the episode in the lunchroom.” Garcia’s face twisted in a cruel smile, making me uncomfortable. I masked my emotions carefully giving him no reason to suspect anything. Maris walked out the door, leaving him to follow after her ass as she sashayed down the hallway. I’d have to watch Maris, make sure my partner didn’t shank the head guard after this. That girl might be the death of me, but right now I had to attend to this one in my office.
Benedicta finally looked around the room with a curious expression. At face value, I was struck by how innocent she looked. Baby-faced was right. Plump cheeks not yet angled by age and smooth skin my hand itched to touch. Clenching my fist, I also knew how looks could be deceiving.
“Please, sit down.” Gesturing to the chair Maris vacated, the young woman sat down slowly. Her tired movements were deceptive looking like an old woman, which belied her actual age. I observed everything I could about her, wondering if this was just another shrewd contradiction to the truth of who she was according to her file.
The clock above the doorframe ticked loudly. I walked around the desk sitting in my chair.
“I called you in here because I wanted to meet you, review your file, and see how you’re acclimating.” A puff of air escaped from her mouth, the only response I got while her gaze drifted to the window overlooking the sunny yard. I found it irritating that I didn’t command her full attention. Being dismissed by two women in one day bothered me more than I cared to admit. My partner had a free pass; this one did not.
“Well?” I asked her, pressing for more than just acknowledgement.
“You read the file. I’m here for four years, seven months and twenty-nine more days.” God, she was like a reinforced brick wall guarding herself. I crossed my arms and leaned back in my chair assessing her.
“Yes, under the assumption you exhibit good behavior.” Her head snapped up so quickly, I was afraid she would wrench her delicate neck. Looking me in the eyes directly, those hazel orbs seemed to sparkle with a hint of defiance and maybe fear. Fear I didn’t like, but that defiance piqued my interest, and my cock hardened shielded from view under the desk.
“What does that mean?” A gentle voice tinged with anxiety answered back.
“It means if you stay out of trouble we won’t have to keep meeting like this.” I smiled to reassure her, but she quickly looked away, apparently tuning me out again. I hated that she gave the birds sitting on the window sill more attention. I was the person in charge of her stay here, but she didn’t seem interested in that fact at all. The only information I had on her was in the file. The investigator in me wanted to know more. How did she end up here serving a sentence for murder?
“I know that Maris provoked you. I spoke with her about that.” She snorted saying nothing more except to squeeze her eyes shut and shake her head.
“She’ll leave you alone from now on.” I promised.
“I’m sure she will.” Ms. Cruz was a tough cookie. Why would she have killed someone close to her? What happened in her life which led her down that destructive path?