7. Kaden
CHAPTER 7
KADEN
Max had a point about wanking off; I can’t last a month without knocking one out, but I can’t even get it hard with all these men around me. Other than at the shower pipe, I can’t look anywhere else. There are literally naked men everywhere. Old, young, hairy, bold, modest, flamboyant—anything goes in this bathroom.
Last night with Rio was a glitch. He’s a good-looking man but I don’t fancy men. I’ve never dated one or had more than fleeting thoughts about one. It’s probably because he tried to kill me, and it made my brain short circuit—that must be it.
I might be having a dry spell with women—or I guess now I’m in prison, it’s a drought—but that doesn’t mean I’m interested in just any warm body. I think back to the night we were in the sports centre; his blonde curly hair and virgin skin were alluring. I shake my head, hoping the thoughts will vanish. I’m already going mad in Eastward, and I’ve only been inside for a few days.
Once I’m clean, I go to get dressed before joining Max at the sink. The toothpaste is a cheap home brand that tastes as good as it looks.
“Where’s Ernie?” I ask after spitting into the sink.
“Our senior members get shown a little more dignity than us. He got to shower before the riff-raff.” He grins like he’s happy we’re the undesirable people.
“Good for him. There’s got to be some perks to getting old.” Ernie is important in Eastward, so his age probably isn’t the only reason he gets special treatment.
“I guess so.” Max nods, seeming to agree with my answer.
I finish brushing my teeth before returning to my room.
Placing my toothbrush on the sink, I sit on Rio’s bed so I can put my hands over my head.
Sonia was right; my brother wouldn’t have lasted in here, but I’m unsure I’m doing much better. I wish I had a user guide. Some way of knowing how to quicken the days without wasting my life away.
I need to find out how to make money for phone calls, tobacco, and shampoo. Even some decent toilet roll wouldn’t go amiss. Rio doesn’t seem to have any luxury items, but I’ve seen others with them.
One of the male guards enters the room. I get to my feet, not sure what I’m supposed to do, but he doesn’t seem to notice what I’m doing.
“The governor wants to see you,” he says, looking at something written on a scrap of paper.
I nod, moving towards the door so I can follow him.
We navigate the prison, slipping through locked gates and onto the top floor. The governor’s room smells cleaner than the ground below.
I’m gestured into a chair and take a seat. The governor takes a few minutes before she joins me, taking the chair opposite as the guard steps out.
“Mr Marsden, thank you for joining me.” She shuffles some folders on her desk, not meeting my gaze.
“What can I do for you, Governor?” I ask. I don’t know the rules here, but being polite is probably the right way to go.
“Please call me ma’am.”
“Yes… ma’am.” I hesitate before finishing.
“What can you tell me about your cellmate?” she asks while picking up a pen from her desk.
I frown in confusion. What does she want to know about Rio? Other than him trying to strangle me last night, I don’t know very much about him.
“He keeps himself to himself.” I shrug, unsure what she’s wanting from me.
“Have you noticed any suspicious behaviour?” She leans forward with a kind smile. Sorry, Governor, being nice isn’t going to work on me.
“I’ve been here less than a week, what could I possibly have discovered?” I tilt my head to the side, trying to remain sincere.
She pushes out her chest, which does nothing for my libido. “If you see anything, I’d like to be informed.”
She wants me to be a snitch. Honey, you’ve got the wrong guy . “How do I get a phone call in this place?” I ask, ready to start serving my own agenda.
“You can get credit on a top-up card. Only the pay phones are permitted inside the prison.” I wait for her to give me more. “Fine,” she says, opening a drawer, and pulling out a green plastic card. “Your first five pounds is already pre-paid onto the card, but if you want more, you’ll have to give me something in exchange.”
“Thanks. Are we done?” I ask taking the card.
“You may go.” She dismisses me with her hand and goes back to looking busy.
“Thanks, ma’am.” I salute her before leaving the room where the guard is waiting.
“All done,” I say, smiling.
Maybe I’ve discovered the currency in Eastward: secrets.
On our way back to the prisoner area, I ask the guard where the phones are and chose to make my call before returning to my room.
There are only four numbers on my approved list; my mum, brother, housemate and lawyer. First, I try my brother, but he doesn’t answer. I’m not ready to forgive my mother yet, so I don’t try her number.
Dialling my old housemate, I wait for him to answer. Once I’d decided to take the blame for my brother, I told the police everything they found in our shared house belonged to me, so Brad’s a free man.
“Hello,” Brad says.
“It’s nice to hear a familiar voice,” I say.
“Am I glad to hear from you,” he replies with his usual chuckle.
“Feel free to send me a postcard. I think my days in here are going to drag on.” I lean my arm against the wall.
“That can be arranged. Callie’s titties will brighten your walls.”
I roll my eyes with a playful smirk. “For fuck’s sake man, I was joking.”
“Don’t be like that. I want to be a good friend.” He laughs.
I can’t help but let my own laugh spill from my lips. “I can always count on you to bring a smile to my face.”
“That’s what I do best. Well, that and eat pussy.”
“Too much information, bro.” I shake my head while fighting back a vision I don’t want to see.
He pauses for a moment, all of a sudden getting all serious. “Listen, man, I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for me.”
“It’s okay. One of us was coming to Eastward. I had no choice. There was no point in us both going down. Besides, you did nothing wrong.” I add the last part in case anyone is listening into our conversation, although I doubt anyone is interested in what I have to say. I’m just an innocent man rotting away for a crime I didn’t do.
“Appreciate it, pal.”
We don’t usually have these kinds of talks, and I’m ready to change the subject.
“I called because I need your help. I need you to do some digging.” I give my cellmate’s name and the details I have on him while he writes it down. The governor has me suspicious, and I want to be ahead of the game. Plus, what I already know about him doesn’t match the persona he’s portraying to everyone else.
“I’ll get the info to our guy and be ready when you call back. Stay safe, brother.”
“Thanks, bud. Talk soon.” We hang up.
Someone called the police the night everything went south at the sports centre. I knew at the time it wasn’t one of my men. Could Rio be working with the police?
No, that can’t be right. Why would the governor ask questions about him? Plus, he tried to kill me. All I know is something isn’t right with him. I need to start sleeping with one eye open so I can find out what he’s up to and stay alive.