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brings you to my office?
One of the prisoners on Block Green is coughin up blood and
refuses to go to the infirmary, Cash explained. I also wonder if he
even belongs here. He s knee high to a piss ant, sir.
Hugh s eyes crinkled at the corners, and he offered a genial smile.
I like you, Cash. Then he turned to his computer and tapped at the
keyboard. Name?
108 Gabrielle Evans
Fisher Price.
You re kidding. Cayson chuckled under his breath. That kid s
parents definitely didn t like him.
Here we are, Hugh announced, ignoring Cayson s amusement.
Fisher Price, age twenty-one& turtle shifter. There was a pause
where it looked like the good warden was doing his best not to smile
or laugh. Hmm, it says here he was convicted and placed in Ironrock
nearly three years ago. It doesn t say what he was convicted of,
though.
Eighteen, Cash muttered. The kid has been here since he was
eighteen, and we don t even know what his crime was? Am I the only
one who finds that shady?
I agree. Hugh pushed a hand through his thick, blond hair and
sighed. I ll do some digging, see what I can find. If there s no
evidence of why he s here, I might be able to get him a pardon
much like the ones the two of you received recently. It s going to take
some time, though.
Hugh, we need to move the kid to a hospital while you re
looking. Cayson spoke before Cash had the chance. I think he was
one of those drugged by the former warden. He s not going to make it
if he doesn t get some help.
And not to tell you how to do your job, but you might want to
investigate what s goin on in the infirmary, Cash added. I thought
he was going to jump outta his skin when I mentioned it.
You guys aren t going to make this easy, are you? Hugh stared
at them for a long moment before he finally sighed and dipped his
head. Cayson, you make the phone calls and get the paperwork ready
to have him moved to a hospital. I ll sign off on it. I ll get in touch
with the IPC board about investigating any wrongdoing in the
infirmary. Cash, well, I guess you just get back to your patrol.
Thank you, sir. Cash s cell phone began to vibrate in his pocket
as he stood, and he glanced quickly at the warden to see if he d be
reprimanded. Strictly speaking, they weren t supposed to carry cell
Eight Second Fall 109
phones during working hours, but he d been worried about Cedric and
wanted his mate to have a way to reach him at all times.
It s fine. Hugh smiled and pointed at Cash s pocket. Cayson
informed me about what s happening with your mate, and I ve spoken
with King Constantine as well. I have a mate, too, son. I get it. Go
ahead and find out what he wants.
Okay, Cash really liked this guy. Nodding in gratitude, he
extracted his phone from his pocket and answered it quickly. Cedric,
what s wrong?
You tell me. I have a witchy vampire here sobbing in the corner
like some virgin hooker.
* * * *
As usual, Cedric had vastly overexaggerated the situation. Edan
did seem upset when Cash finally arrived home, but he wasn t crying,
nor was he rocking in the corner. He was simply sitting in the
armchair he normally occupied during his visits and staring off into
space.
Okay, what happened?
I called you four hours ago.
Yes, and I had to work, Cash answered calmly. I told you I d
be home when I could. Don t be an asshole.
Right, Cedric sighed. Sorry. I didn t get much sleep, and I m
kind of grumpy. He pushed up on his toes and brushed his lips
against Cash s. I really am sorry.
I know, baby. Gods, he couldn t be mad at the guy if he wanted
to. Has he said anything?
Nope. He just walked in, sat down, and hasn t moved since then.
He s kind of starting to freak me out.
Brushing Cedric s blond curls back from his face, Cash kissed his
forehead, lingering a little longer than necessary and just inhaling his
mate s warm scent. You always smell so good.
110 Gabrielle Evans
Down, boy, Cedric teased. We have a sullen sorcerer to deal
with.
He s gone, Edan whispered, though his lips were still the only
thing on him that moved. All these years, and now he s gone.
Cedric looked up at Cash in alarm before hurrying over to Edan
and kneeling in front of him. Edan, look at me. He took the guy s
hand and held it in both of his own. Honey, tell me who died.
Graham.
Cash could understand Edan s reaction, even if he didn t feel the
same. If Graham Russo was dead, he was no longer a threat to Cedric.
Somehow, he didn t think Edan saw it that way.
What happened to him? Cedric coaxed, stroking Edan s
knuckles.
I found him just outside of the city, living in an abandoned
mobile home. It was like he knew I was coming. He met me on the
front lawn, apologized for what he d done, and& and& Edan trailed
off, and his eyelids drifted closed. It took several seconds and few
deep breaths before he was able to finish. And then he drove a silver
dagger through his heart.
I m so sorry, Cedric offered quietly, sitting up on his knees and
pulling the man into his arms. I know how it feels to lose someone. I
wouldn t wish that on anyone.
Cash wouldn t wish it on anyone, either, but he was having a hard
time scrounging up any sympathy. Maybe if he d experienced the
same level of loss as Cedric it would be easier for him. Just then, all
he felt was relief, though.
Then he got up, Edan whispered.
What? Cash hadn t meant to yell, but that was beyond even his
comfort zone. What the fuck do you mean that he got up ?
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