Inevitable Sentences Read Online Free PDF Page B

straight to the lighthouse, and carry her to bed. Just like in one of those romantic novels. He chuckled as he inspected his rather puny chest. He turned his eyes back to the photo and said, “Sorry, Celeste. I don’t look anything like the studs on those novel covers.”
    He set the picture on the table, but continued to stare at Celeste’s radiant image. It wasn’t only the fresh air and serenity that had given Celeste a youthful and happy glow. Surely the fact that she’d finally stopped taking the blame and agonizing over Pilar’s death played a major part in her overall well-being. Plus, she no longer had to contend with Marcus. Certainly she still had to fight off some guilt, although not anything like right after Pilar died.
    “I wish you could be here tonight, Celeste.” Max again regarded the window that was now completely covered in ice. He realized it wasn’t the storm that kept her away. Although Celeste relied more and more on Adrian, she wouldn’t leave the women on their own at night with a storm on its way. He wasn’t happy about the setup, even though he knew that Celeste needed to do this work to keep herself sane, at least for the time being. “I hope not for too many years, my dear. I want to have you all to myself.” He envisioned the two of them barefoot, wandering down a sandy beach on some romantic Caribbean island. “I need to get away from here for a while to completely sever my ties with the prison,” he told her picture. “I can’t let go of it, and the people who worked with me won’t let me anyway, even if I try harder.”
    The phone rang. It was the deputy, Don Eagle, at Hawk Haven. Did he have ESP?
    “I can’t help,” Max said after listening to a lengthy explanation of the latest woes at the prison. “I know you’re having a tough time adjusting to the way the new warden does things. You will simply have to adapt, or transfer to another prison.”
    Max again listened as the deputy reported the situation: “The warden isn’t managing the prison. He’s letting everyone, including the prisoners, get away with—” He stopped.
    “Murder?” Max said, completing the statement. Chad and Pilar’s history wouldn’t soon be forgotten.
    “I’m sorry, sir. It was figurative.”
    “It’s always rough when a new boss comes on board,” Max responded. “I don’t want to sound uncaring, but I have to stay clear of all prison issues. I can’t have you or anyone else involving me in Hawk Haven business behind Warden Stump’s back. It’s not healthy for me or you.” He waited for the deputy to say something. When he didn’t, Max added, “Give it time, son. I hope you understand.” He sighed. “Don, you’re a strong man and a good leader. It’s not like you to whine.”
    “I know. It’s difficult to go against your boss without absolute evidence.”
    “Buck up, boy, and start keeping a diary on Stump.”
    “Yes, sir,” Eagle said. “Thank you.”
    “Good.” Max hung up. “This isn’t what I expected from retirement. I’m not a consultant and I damn well am not being paid as one.” He surveyed the sterile white room. The floor shone so brightly the glare hurt his eyes. “And”—he rubbed his eyelids—“this is no beach. Or what I call a fresh launch to my new life.” He checked the door. If any hospital staff heard him talking to himself, they’d put him in the psychiatric unit.
    Max thought about Billy Stump. Deputy Eagle was right. Stump wasn’t warden material. He was slow to make decisions and had a tough time disciplining employees. Max had briefly worked with him downstate. Even then Stump seemed to be a clueless prima donna. Max suspected a drinking problem, too. Stump also wallowed in the privileges of his authority but lacked leadership. Smooth-talking employees and prisoners easily manipulated him, and they knew it. That was exactly what troubled Max and Deputy Eagle. Especially in one glaring case—Chad Wilbanks had talked his way into