My Father's House

Chapter 49

As I walked toward the front entrance, I eyed the place, trying to get my bearings. Ava had arranged our escape in such a way that I could claim I had put it together quickly and on my own, although we had fail safes if Higgins doubted me. I glanced down at my pumps. A blade was hidden in the heel. The metal embellishments on the front would make a safe cover for the alarms these shoes would set off. The heels were lined in a thin panel of lead, obscuring the blade from the x-ray's view.

Trying to remain inconspicuous, I looked toward the south entrance, seeing the doors at the far end of the building. Somehow, they would unlock for us in half an hour. I hoped we could make it there unscathed. In my mind, I had the entire building mapped out from the fire escapes to the emergency exits.

Security checks went just as Ava had planned. They inspected the shoes closely, determining the metal embellishments the source of the alarm. The security officers didn't seem to notice my sweating palms or shaking hands, a poor testament to their awareness in general.

Once I was through security, I took a deep breath, praying this plan wasn't my worst mistake or my last. I remembered Ava saying that if Kael ever got caught they would deny any ties with him. I wondered if the same held true for me.

I was led to a long room with rows of rectangular tables. The quiet hum of private conversations filled the space. I took a seat at the end of one of the tables, trying to keep away from others as much as possible. The guards knew who I was here to see, and one left to bring him.

Most of the prisoners in here met my expectations, scary looking characters with more tattoos than teeth. Attempting not to stare, I tried to look casual by folding my arms and looking down.

"Not your scene?"

Kael had approached the table without me noticing, my focus so intent on the strangeness of my surroundings.

"Not really," I acknowledged. "Sit."

I tried to read his thoughts and failed miserably. His face was blank. If I didn't know otherwise, I'd have thought he expected me.

Kael sat across from me. Leaning in he said, "You can't touch me but come here." I leaned forward to hear his low voice, "What possessed you to come in here?" His whispered statement illuminated his true thoughts. He was far from pleased.

"It's ok," I started, then paused to collect my thoughts. I tried to think of what to say next. Ava hadn't told me how many of the prison guards were in on our plan. There was a number of officers in the room. One was at the far end of our table and probably out of earshot, but I couldn't be too sure. I dropped my voice even lower than his, "I know you haven't had much time, but I'm taking you and Higg. They are bringing him in to visit five minutes after you."

"What?" Kael whispered back. He looked at me now as if I were mad. I couldn't blame him. He questioned me, "Us out? How?"

"Something in my heel," I said simply. I tried to convey meaning without saying the words. I looked intently at him and explained, "You'll have to take me, though."

"I don't like it." Kael leaned back, arms folded. The guard walked down to our end of the table, now able to hear everything we said. Kael leaned forward, head in hands. After a few moments of silence, the guard moved on to a middle aged couple at the next table working up a heated debate.

Kael watched them for a moment before turning to me.

"That's our cue," I whispered. Dropping my purse, I reached down. The blade came out from the back of my heel as easily as practiced. With the blade concealed in my palm, I placed my hand on the center of the table.