I'll Protect You

Chapter 9

Henry's cell hadn't been filled since he left. The prison guards had kept it free, waiting for the police to inspect it, and inspect it they did.

The police came early the day after searching Richard's house. Only a few officers were allowed in, so that they didn't disrupt the other prisoners, and so Madeleine, Tom and Jerry were chosen.

They had already been told that Henry had escaped via the guards, and so the cell wasn't damaged at all. There wasn't much personality in the cell, just two empty beds, the cellmate having been relocated two months before Henry's because of Henry's threat of violence. Nothing seemed to out of place, a perfectly clean cell.

"At least Henry isn't a menace in all things," Jerry snarked, "he keeps his room clean."

"Yeah, I thought there would be more blood, or pentagrams or something," Tom replied and Madeleine rolled her eyes at them before inspecting the beds. She wasn't comfortable staying in the cell. Even though Henry's didn't decorate his cell, Madeleine could still feel him everywhere. The impeccable bottom and top bunks? A reminder that Henry liked everything under control, and was violent enough to push out an inmate. The bare cell walls? Henry had designed it that way, tricking the officers into a false sense of security by showing that he wasn't digging or hiding something in the walls.

Henry masterminded every aspect of his life, and this was just another part of his perfectly controlled life.

Jerry knocked the toilet by accident as he wandered around and he saw it move a bit. He pulled the toilet a bit and it lifted up slightly, the bolts loosening from the years of it being used.

"Hey guys," he called and the two officers came over.

"What is it?" Tom asked and Jerry wiggled the toilet a bit.

"Anything under there?" Jerry asked back, Madeleine looked under and stuck a under the base of the toilet. She felt a scrap of paper and dragged it out to reveal an envelope. Jerry dropped the toilet as Madeleine opened the envelope. On the front someone had written 'Henry' in neat cursive. Inside was a collection of papers. The first seemed to be a letter, but all the officers eyes were drawn to the other papers, with names and information. The first name was the first victim, and underneath were written several notes about the investigation, ending with; 'I didn't show them the package.'

The next name was the next victim from the case, and everything that the police knew about him. Underneath the information was a quick note that said that the package was delivered to the police, with a quick note about sending more appropriate gifts next time.

The third name drew all their attention, as it was the name of their close friend. Ian's name was written there, and instead of a description of what the police knew about his murder, there was just a brief description of what had happened between Oliver and Ian, in the first person, from Oliver's point of view.

The letter, which they all read next, said:

'Henry,

I miss you. I'm sorry for not writing or visiting for so long. The police are sniffing around, and I can't wait to see you again. When you get the pack back together can you invite me too? I know I'm not a full member yet but I'm trying. Doesn't this prove it?

Also, happy birthday! I haven't gotten you a present, to be fair you haven't bought me one either, and also, I give you presents all the time. I mean, Scott and Alice and all of them. My neighbours are getting nosy, and I'm worried that Florence escaped to Europe, and is not coming back. She won't tell, she has no proof, but look out if we escape to there.

Anyway, everything had been fine at home. Everything is ready for you. Just come around and visit. I sold the company a couple of weeks ago, and the money will tide us over until we're a hundred, plus, I bought shares in the company. We're set, finally.