Page 26 of A River Red With Blood
“It is kind of you to ask, but no.I have money, which will pay for the best of care, and I have Liat.A man could have far less and be thankful.”
The two men stood.Epstein embraced Louis, and for a moment, Louis, who could not recall when last he had been held by anyone but Angel, clasped Epstein gently to him.When they separated, Louis left without saying goodbye.For the first time since Angel’s illness, he was afraid his voice might fail him.
After Louis was gone, Liat signed to Epstein.
What did we do?
“We sowed a seed,” said Epstein.
Is he one of them?
“I can hardly ask you to sleep with him to find out.”
He should not have said what he did.
“He regretted it.I could see it in his face.But I was pressing him hard, and he too has his wrath.It is cold and hard, but wrath nonetheless.”
If he is of their nature, why did he fall?
“I hoped I might live long enough to find out,” Epstein replied, “but I fear it is not to be.”
Chapter 21
Ileft Angel at the Farnsworth, with a stern injunction not to steal anything, not even a pencil from the gift store.I then drove to Maine State Prison, about which the best thing that could be said was that it wasn’t as grimly forbidding as the old institution at Thomaston, though it did lack much of the latter’s character, even if that character was all bad.
Allen Atwood Alcock was waiting for me in the reception area.Despite his many years as a defense attorney, Alcock still looked uncomfortable in the confines of a prison, like a man who feared that a single phone call detailing his failings might be enough to prevent him from leaving.I might have looked the same way, and likely with more cause.
“I wasn’t sure you’d come,” said Alcock.
“I said I would.”
“That doesn’t mean much.Christ said he’d come back and we’re still waiting.”
“That’s because he’s busier than I am.Also, he wasn’t being paid by the day.That was his father.”
Because Ward Vose had been assessed as a medium-security inmate, and Moxie held some sway with the correctional services, I was to be permitted to meet him in a bare-walled private room.Alcock decided not to join us, preferring that I speak with Vose alone.Two paper cups of water were provided in advance, but otherwise the room contained a table, three chairs, a single security camera in one corner of the ceiling, and me.
Vose was led in ten minutes after I arrived.He was a tall man in his forties, with a thick head of gray-black hair, burnt-honey-colored skin, and curiously large hands.He didn’t look to be carrying any prison weight, which was an achievement givenhow much of his life had been spent behind bars.He carried himself with confidence but not arrogance, which, if he hadn’t learned it from repeated incarceration, was a trait that must have served him well during his time inside.He grinned as he entered the room, displaying wrinkles around his mouth and eyes.I wondered how many of them were recent, because it was shocking how quickly grief left its mark.
Having secured Vose with leg irons, the guard gave the impression of being tempted to hang around, if only out of force of habit or as a chance to sit undisturbed for a while, but he’d obviously been instructed to leave us in peace.He contented himself with advising both of us that he’d be watching, and pointed to the camera just in case we mistakenly assumed him to be omniscient.Vose thanked him politely.
“I appreciate your agreeing to meet me,” said Vose, once the door had closed.
“A favor for a third party.”
“Yeah, Moxie Castin.Alcock told me.He’s a terrible lawyer.”
“Moxie?”
“No, Alcock.”
“Then why let him represent you?”
Vose shrugged.
“Because I like him.He may be a lousy lawyer, but he’s a good friend.Anyway, I’ve never been locked up for anything I haven’t done.Alcock’s best efforts have always been hindered by my guilt.”
“And what happens if you get picked up for something you didn’t do?”
