gate, she rattled the bars to make sure it was properly locked, a habit she’d developed years ago. Her shoes squeaked on the highly polished floor as she turned and hurried down the corridor feeling the weight of Harrison’s beady eyes between her shoulder blades.
Emily couldn’t afford to dwell on Harrison.
She had more important things to do.
Once out of sight of the wing she slowed her gait, took a long, deep breath and tried to focus on the task ahead. It was then she realized she should’ve called first. Medical staff liked to be informed when staff wanted to visit the sick. She hoped it wouldn’t lead toyet another row. Assuming Fearon was even there . Last she’d heard, he’d been shipped out by civilian ambulance to Alnwick Infirmary for treatment, attached to a burly prison officer, despite his poorly condition.
It wouldn’t be the first time an escape plan had masqueraded as a suicide attempt.
Preoccupied with that thought, she failed to notice Martin Stamp emerging from the prison library. But he saw her, more especially the look on her face, a confusion of worry and anger.
Doing an about turn, he fell into step, asking what was up.
Emily kept on walking, giving chapter and verse on her spat with Harrison, ranting about his superior attitude, how embarrassed she’d been when he slapped her down in front of fellow professionals.
‘Welcome back to the mad house,’ Stamp grinned.
Unable to see the funny side, Emily didn’t respond.
‘C’mon, lighten up! Don’t make a crap day even worse—’
‘The man’s a bloody moron! If he talks to me like that again, I swear I’ll . . .’ Emily didn’t finish her sentence. Inmates were fast approaching from the opposite direction, escorted by two prison officers who were members of Harrison’s inner circle. They said hello as they passed by. She could tell by looking at them that they already knew what had taken place. Word spread quickly in institutions like this.
She waited until they were out of earshot.
‘See that?’ She glanced at Stamp. ‘They’ll all close ranks if I go running to the guv’nor.’
‘Then use that psychology degree of yours and tackle Kent yourself.’
‘That’s easier said than done, Martin. The PO has marked mycard. He’ll be watching every move I make. It’s all right for you. For a start, you’re a bloke. In twelve months you’ll be gone. I, on the other hand, will be here banging my head against a brick wall ad infinitum with that fucking idiot making my life hell at every opportunity.’
‘Ever thought Kent might be in need of counselling?’
Emily stopped walking. ‘You know something I don’t?’
‘Maybe . . .’
She caught his arm. ‘Well? Are you going to tell me or what?’
‘I’m not at liberty to say.’ He seemed profoundly troubled all of a sudden.
Emily bristled. He knew her well enough to know that whatever was said wouldn’t go any further. Besides, she’d helped him out in the past. They had always been close. Back when they were at university, they’d dated for a while, going their separate ways after graduating. Even in those days Martin would cheerfully break every rule in the book but he would never betray a confidence. Where secrets were concerned, his sense of morality was delightfully old-fashioned. Endearing almost. She knew she’d be wasting her time trying to pry information out of him.
More was the pity .
He opened his mouth to speak and then closed it again.
For a moment, she wondered if he was going to reconsider and compromise his precious principles. But if the thought had crossed his mind, he dismissed it in a flash.
‘Have a word with Ash Walker,’ he said. ‘Maybe he can throw light on Kent’s behaviour.’
That wasn’t a bad idea.
SO Walker had always been her go-to man for help and support. He wasn’t the only decent prison officer at HMP Northumberlandby any means. There were plenty of those. But he had been her first ally on the wing when