here?â
âShoplifting, sir.â
âNo, we know that. You are either stupid or youâre testing me. Go ahead and test me if you want. Do you know why you are here in this office?â
âNo, sir,â Jason said nervously as he gripped the chair to try to stop shaking. It reminded him of the time when the military police had caught him playing on the flight simulator back in Hong Kong.
âA boy has been killed. Russell Watson. Do you know him?â
âI have seen him around, sir.â
âDo you know who killed him?â
Jason had to make up his mind to either back Andrew or tell the truth. If he told the truth, he could go home and Andrew would stay locked up for years.
âNot sure, but Iâve got a good idea. I do all the mopping. I was in the bathroom andââ Jason paused.
âGo on, son. What happened?â
âIâm not a narc, sir. I canât say,â Jason replied. He thought he had better play the part.
Detective Johnson stood up and walked around the table to Jason. He grabbed Jason by his overalls and got in his face. âTell me, Steed, or it will get painful for you.â
âYou canât hurt me. Youâre the police. I know my rights. You canât touch me.â
Spencer slammed his fist down on the desk in front of Jason. The loud bang made Jason jump. âYou are a dirty, little thief. A common shoplifter. You donât have rights. What you do have is five seconds to tell me what you know.â He raised his hand to grab Jasonâs neck.
Jason blocked it, jumped out of his seat, and stepped back ready to fight.
These are the police. Donât hurt them or youâll blow your cover.
âOkay, okay, Iâll tell you. Just please donât hit me and donât tell anyone I narked.â He raised his hands in surrender.
âThen sit,â Spencer snapped.
âI was mopping the floors. Iâd nearly finished when Paul Jenkins came in and tracked dirt across the clean floor. He got undressed and washed blood off his face and hands. Then he got dressed in new clothes and told me to clean up the sink. I did as I was told. Heâs a lot bigger than me, sir.â
Jasonâs lies were believed. Paul Jenkins was arrested for killing Watson. The police also found the blood-stained clothes in his cell. Andrew was very pleased at the way it had turned out.
âThey bought your story. Well done, Jason. You and I make a great team. I owe you,â Andrew said, patting Jason on the back.
Perfect. You owe me, but when this is over, I will tell the truth.
Chapter 6
Jason was excited the following Saturday, as it was time for visitors. He kept watching the clock. Scott was coming, and he needed to tell him about Watsonâs death and how Andrew now owed him a favor. The inmates walked to the hall and stood in line.
âYour parents coming?â Jason asked Andrew.
Andrew nodded and smiled. It seemed strange to Jason that one minute Andrew was a cold-blooded killer and the next an excited schoolboy.
âOkay, boys, in you go. You know the rules,â a guard shouted.
Jason was pleased to see Scott was not dressed up this time. He sat smiling at a table in the center, waiting for his friend to join him. They gave each other a hug and sat down. Scott watched out of the corner of his eye as Jason told him about Watsonâs murder and how he had lied to the police. He also told Scott about Boudica.
âYou did the right thing, Jase. When this is over, you can tell the truth and they can have Cho on that too.â
âAny news from George Young?â Jason asked.
There was none. Instead, Scott went on and on about SYUI headquarters and how he was there every night after school.
âSchool. I forgot about St. Josephâs. How is it?â Jason asked.
âIâve been pushed around a bit now youâre not there, but itâll be different when youâre back. Theyâve been