Chapter 5 - The Warden Who Sold His Badge
At 11:40 p.m., Deputy Warden Pike arrived with six officers.
“Mercer.”
Walter remained behind the bars.
“Transfer time.”
“Show me the order.”
Pike smiled.
“You don’t get to make requests.”
Walter looked behind him.
“You nervous, Daniel?”
Pike’s face tightened.
“You’re going downstairs.”
“To where?”
“Protective housing.”
“No paperwork?”
Pike stepped closer.
“You’re making this difficult.”
A voice came from the tier.
“He does that.”
Bellandi walked forward.
One by one, inmates stepped from their cells.
Dozens.
No weapons.
No shouting.
Just witnesses.
Pike looked around.
“What is this?”
Bellandi stopped beside Walter’s cell.
“Insurance.”
“For who?”
“Him.”
Pike laughed.
“You think prisoners scare me?”
Bellandi shook his head.
“No.”
Walter stepped toward the bars.
“But Sorrento does.”
Pike froze.
Walter saw it immediately.
Bellandi smiled.
“There it is.”
Pike’s hand moved toward his radio.
Walter spoke.
“Sorrento never protects people after they become useful to prosecutors.”
Pike swallowed.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You falsified transfer orders.”
Silence.
“You let a shooter inside.”
Pike looked at the officers around him.
Walter continued.
“You think Sorrento sees you as a partner?”
Walter shook his head.
“He sees you as evidence.”
Pike’s breathing changed.
Then footsteps thundered below.
Federal tactical agents flooded the tier.
Pike smiled.
“Looks like backup arrived.”
Walter looked at the uniforms.
“Not yours.”
A woman in a dark suit stepped forward.
FBI badge.
“Daniel Pike?”
Pike’s face collapsed.
“You’re under arrest.”
Two agents grabbed him.
Pike shouted:
“This is a mistake!”
The woman ignored him.
She looked at Walter.
“Mr. Mercer?”
“Yes.”
“Your daughter sends her regards.”
Bellandi looked at Walter.
“Rachel did this?”
Walter smiled.
“She always was impatient.”
The agent continued.
“We have the ledger.”
Walter exhaled.
“And Sorrento?”
“Taken into custody three hours ago.”
The tier erupted.
Bellandi didn’t celebrate.
He simply stared at Walter.
“My father finally gets justice.”
May you like
Walter nodded.
“Yes.”
