The Cage (Book 2)

Duffel Bag

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Duffel Bag

Hallelujah for good weather. The sleek white boat cut a clean line through the azure waters, making great time without the nuisance of high waves or the threat of rain. Cool mist flew in my face. It stunned me the first time it happened, since I wasn't exactly a seasoned sailor, but now I appreciated the refresher; it kept me -or more specifically my thoughts- grounded. In the horizon, the outline of civilization grew ever closer. The silhouette of skyscrapers and tall buildings reminded me of the life I'd left behind. Once, I lived in one of those buildings and worked in another. My two biggest concerns back then were making partner at the firm and what to have for dinner after spending all day at the firm. Oh, how distant the past seemed, like the echoes of a former life now long ended. A part of me yearned to get it back. Worrying about getting shanked in the cafeteria wasn't a concern of mine back then. My seemingly monotonous life looked so appealing now.

Yet I couldn't help but look back over my shoulder. The prison was somewhere far, far behind us, and neither the dominating structure nor the island it rested atop of were visible.

I didn't make the mistake of thinking it, too, was behind me.

If I never took Aiden March's case, I never would have met Schneider Cross, and he never would have hired me as his own lawyer, and I never would have crossed paths with Kevin.

I closed my eyes as the mist sprayed my face again. I imagined what my life would have been like if I'd overslept that Friday morning instead of hopping on a boat to a prison island.

But all of that happened. No sense dwelling in the past. If wishful thinking ever saved men, graveyards would be empty.

I opened them and the high-rise outline became closer.

I pretended not to notice Cade staring curiously at me.

"What's with the duffel bag?" Cade asked with a note of interest.

We sat opposite each other as a silent captain steered the boat, our knees bumping -and it wasn't because the boat was small, it was because Cade was that big. He inclined his head toward the duffel bag I brought with me and insisted on keeping close.

"It's work," I said.

Cade wasn't satisfied with my two-word answer; he arched an eyebrow at me to tell me as much.

I decided to tell him. "Cases and appeals from other inmates."

"Ah, your 'pro-bono' work as a jailhouse lawyer."

"It's... not pro-bono." I admitted, looking now at my trimmed nails. There was nothing truly selfless or pro-bono in life, that much I'd learned. By helping the inmates, my prison 'rep' increased, elevating my status in the eyes of the criminals ironically enough. I also ensured my safety in the absence of my protector by making myself invaluable.

"Why bring it with you?"

"I didn't find a good enough place to stash it." I couldn't be sure I'd come back to find my work if I'd simply left it in my cell, and I couldn't trust any of the guards still.

"I can appreciate a man with work ethic." Cade said, then folded his arms across his massive chest and rested his eyes for the remainder of the boat ride.

Forty minutes later, we docked at a pier full of a bunch of expensive-looking boats. Cade exited first and then helped me climb out. He offered his hand for me to take, but I handed him my bag first. He took it without complaint, and as he did I jumped out and turned to thank the captain of the boat, but he was already pulling out into sea again.

I waved, watching the boat shrink in size the farther it sailed away.

"So, what's the plan?"

"It's an hour drive upstate from here."

"Is that where Schne-"

Cade clamped my mouth shut with a hand.

Surprised, I blinked twice.

"We best keep quiet about our... intentions from here on out." His eyes flashed a serious warning.

My heart rate spiked. Were we being watched? By Schneider's -our- enemies? Cade seemed convinced of it. And judging by our current circumstances, I had no choice but to believe him.

I slowly nodded my understanding. "Okay," I breathed against his hand but it came out muffled.

So, discretion was key from here on onward. Understood.

I followed Cade, who was nice enough to carry the duffel bag for me despite my insistence to carry it myself.

"You'll slow us down."

I rolled my eyes, but let him do as he pleased and followed him.

At the end of the wooden dock, a man in a red long coat was standing. He stared right at us, seemingly waiting for us.

My suspicions instantly flared, but when I looked at Cade to see if he shared my concerns, I saw that he didn't. Rather, he was headed straight for the man.

"Your... friend?" I asked in hushed whispers -and hoped to God he'd say yes. The rotted wooden panels of the dock creaked beneath our feet.

Cade grunted. "You can say that."

My eyes swept across the pier for any suspicious activity or cause for concern. There was some kind of early party happening in one of the luxury boats. I spotted a few models and a very drunk man dancing around holding cocktail drinks, too inebriated to even notice us passing by just below. Two boats down, the boat's elderly owner was sitting outside in the... um, boat outside area, spying on the loud party with military-grade binoculars. The other boats were seemingly vacant.

As we neared the man, he grunted with evident impatience, "Took you long enough. I've been waiting here for an entire hour." His face was set into a permanent scowl judging by the lines and wrinkles on his forehead. Black beady eyes peered at us through wiry glasses. He looked more like an accountant than a...

Who was this guy? Our chauffeur?

Cade without saying a word reached out his open hand.

Huffing, the man handed Cade the bag he'd been carrying and I only just now noticed.

"Is it all here?" Cade questioned.

"Yeah, what do you take me for? I'm a professional!"

A professional what?

And just like that, what I assumed was a deal concluded. The beady-eyed man was quick to make himself scarce. I waited until he was no longer within earshot to ask Cade, "Who was that? What's in the bag?"

"You'll find out soon enough. Come."

"Don't give me that. Are those what I think they are?"

But Cade ignored me and walked on, and I had no choice but to drop the subject and follow. For now.

Cade headed for the road, a bag in each hand. 

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

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