Chapter 13 - Morgane's Price
At morning count Morgane returned to the unit. She walked stiffly and had a split lip. No one cheered. Even the women who hated her stared with the solemn attention people give a storm that's not finished.
"You look terrible," I said when she reached our table.
"You sound disappointed."
"I thought they moved you."
"They tried to make me sign a statement saying Leah never came to Redhaven. I asked for counsel instead."
She sat across from me, ignoring the empty seat beside her. "You have something they didn't count on. People outside who believe documents matter."
"I also have a transport order with my name on it."
Morgane reached beneath the table and placed a chess pawn beside my hand. The felt on its base was loose.
"I stole a dispatch memory card the week Leah vanished," she said. "I was scared to use it. Too scared to hand it over. So I hid it."
"What's on it?"
"A clip from a loading-bay camera. No sound. I don't know whether it's enough."
I wanted to ask why she'd waited. She saw the question before I said it.
"Because I was useful to them," she answered. "I scared women into being quiet. They let me have privileges. I told myself it was better than getting hurt. One day Simone begged me not to put her on the bus. I did it anyway."
For the first time, the prison queen looked like an ordinary person capable of being ashamed.
"You have to tell the truth about that too," I said.
"I know."
We arranged through Brooks for the pawn to be turned over to Rae with its handling documented. Morgane insisted on making her own signed statement. She would not ask me to forgive her.
As she stood, an announcement sounded: "ALL UNIT MOVEMENTS SUSPENDED. SECURITY RESPONSE IN THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING."
May you like
Through the high dining-room window, I saw two officers carrying cardboard boxes toward a waiting truck.
The labels said RECORDS TO BE SHREDDED.
