The Soft Boy Prison Ch. 12

Finn backed his car into a space at the visitor car park. He wasn't expecting to return so soon given how things went with Louise the day before. He turned off the ignition, opened the door then stepped outside. The cold hit him immediately. A complete climate change from the heated car.

It was around 3 degrees. A thick layer of thawing snow coated the surrounding woods. The tarmac of the car park was layered with puddles and dirty slush pushed ruggedly by tyres and footprints. The clouds above were dark with sunlight breaking through in places. The first hints of daylight fading were apparent.

The prison entrance was dead ahead. Two guards stood at it brandishing assault rifles. Finn begrudgingly removed his bullet proof vest and holster with pistol and placed them under the front passenger seat. He only had to walk about a hundred yards to the door but without his armour he felt uneasy.

He'd been shot twice in the past year with the vest saving his life on both occasions. He barely took it off since, but wasn't allowed it in here. He zipped up his coat, locked the car and walked briskly across the car park to the entrance squelching slush underfoot with every step.

He walked up the steps past the guards and went through the glass doors. On the other side was a large, dull, almost clinical waiting room, filled with other visitors, young and old sitting on the long benches.

He walked over to the reception and told the woman behind the glass panel his alias "Peter Kelly" and the two inmates he was here to visit. "Casper Higgins" and "Holly Forbes".

She tapped on her computer keyboard then told him to take a seat and wait to be called through to the pre visitation security corridor. He sat down on the nearest available spot on a bench between an elderly man and a young woman holding a baby.

Everything about this place seemed bizarre. What sort of name was Soft Boy Prison? It was like a name you would find on a gay porn VHS tape from the 90's. How come they housed both men and women here? Why do the prisoners wear black and white striped uniforms as if they were in depression era America? Why were the Prison officers and staff only women and why were they wearing pencil skirts and high heel boots on duty. Surely it wasn't practical or comfortable. And Louise's allies, Casper? Named like the friendly ghost? It all seemed like a weird dream. All of it. Either way this is the place were David Shaw needed to die and Finn was here to make sure of it.

Louise had phoned him yesterday just hours after their meeting had ended abruptly when she lashed out at him. She explained how she was going to make the hit as soon as she could but needed more information first. She told him how she was revoked visitation rights after her outburst and two of her allies would represent her and relay the information back. She ensured him they could be trusted and were vital in ensuring the jobs success.

Finn had his doubts however. He told her any intel she needed he could tell her over the phone and additional personnel, especially non-IRA members being involved was too risky. However, she rebuked him saying that there was no other way since the phone lines could be tapped and that no grassing rule of inmates held stronger than he could imagine behind these walls. He reluctantly agreed but would choose his words carefully with them.

A young officer called his name along with a few others and he was summoned into security. He was pointed through a set of doors that opened into another room where other visitors were already being processed.

There, they were patted down, made to walk through a metal detector and x ray machine. He then went through a barred door to a corridor that was unlocked by a guard as he approached then swiftly locked again behind him as soon as he passed through. The corridor was long and turned at the end going down another long corridor leading to another barred door into the visitation room.

Before the guard opened it, she explained to him the same set of rules he heard yesterday regarding interaction with inmates. He zoned out nodding accordingly waiting for her to shut up so he could get on with the meeting. When she was done, she pointed him to the table he was to sit then opened the door. He walked in, put his jacket over the seat and sat down.

He sat waiting for 5 minutes. He watched as the inmates came out one by one from the door at the other side of the room and went to the other tables. He saw them straight away as the first ones in a pair. A lean young man with dark brown hair, green eyes and stubble followed by a woman with shoulder length brown hair, blue eyes and a scowl on her face. He caught their attention and smiled lightly back at them. They walked over to the table slowly, pulled out their chairs carefully and sat down across from him.

"Finn?" Asked the young man.

"I think you have the wrong table." Finn smiled. "My name's Peter."

"Pineapple." Said the woman scornfully. This was the word they had agreed on to be stated as confirmation. Finn nodded slowly then spoke.

"And you two must be Casper and Holly. Tell me." He said turning to Casper. "Are you really named after the ghost?"

"It's a Swedish name. I'm half Swedish, but that's beside the point. You need to leave Louise's mum alone!" Stated Casper. "She's heart broken. She trusted you ever since you promised her justice for her dad's murder! Now you're threatening to kill her mum!"

"How the fuck do you live with yourself!" Hissed Holly. "How can you treat your comrades like this! You're a liar and manipulator! If you touch her mum so help me, I'll fucking find you when I get out and shoot both your kneecaps off, IRA or not ya backstabbing cunt!" Casper put his hand on Holly's shoulder to caution her to calm down.

"I just want you to consider the full picture." Said Casper calm but firmly. "Is this the best way to treat your associates? What if word of this gets out and everyone knows what you're doing to her? You need recruits for your cause and they're not going to be keen to work under someone who threatens their family when things don't go their way. For her sake and yours. Call off the hit, please!"

Finn bowed his head and slowly started to chuckle. Then covering his face with his hand began laughing harder trying to suppress himself. Holly's rage was ignited further. Casper could see she was itching to throw a punch at him. He gripped her arm cautioning her again to not lose her cool. Louise and her mum's life depended on it. Finn continued laughing hard then sighed.

"You really think you're better than me, don't you? Do you think I'm fucking stupid? I know exactly who yous are and what you got up to. I had one of my men pull each of your papers." He turned to Holly.

"You ask me how can I live with myself but I'm sure you know the answer. You helped black market sellers import hundreds of weapons on to these shores, how many mums, dad's, aunties, uncles, sons, brothers and sisters were killed by weapons smuggled in by the likes of you and your folk."

"Fuck! Hahaha, there's probably some poor bastard in this room who's relative had their limbs blown off or head ripped apart by a gun or bomb you signed off on. What would YOU tell them if they asked you how you could live with yourself?" Finn turned to Casper.

"And you! A thief! You and your thugs stole food and clothes from anything and everyone. How many children went hungry the nights after your raids? Asking mummy and daddy why they've not had their tea for 3 days! Don't you come at me about threatening families! We all do what we do because we want to survive! We want our loved ones to survive! The only difference between you two and me is you got caught!"

There was a period of silence at the table. Finn spoke again.

"I have a family. My wife is pregnant with our first baby. Due in 3 months. There are many families like us in Belfast who depend on us. I didn't want it to have to come to this but believe me this is what's best. Louise made an oath, knowing full well the consequences of breaking it. What would you do in my shoes? Motivate a disobedient comrade using the only means possible or have your own family and relatives shot and or burned out of their home? This goes way deeper than the last few years and the criminal life you've known. The north of Ireland has been this way for centuries, you have no idea!"

"But I do." Said Casper. Finn raised an eyebrow.

"Because my dad served there during the troubles, in the British army." Finns' eyes opened wide and his demeanour changed to one of seething rage in in instant.

"You mean to tell me." Finn whispered through clenched teeth. "That Louise sent this Bastard soldiers son, to talk to me and do her bidding for her."

"Don't you fuckin talk to him like that!" barked Holly.

"Yes." Replied Casper calmly.

"Since being confined here and meeting Louise I've had the opportunity to study the history of Ireland. Not intensively but the best I can, From the days of the Norman occupation until today. I found it despicable. Truly, what you as a people have gone through under English then laterally British occupation, and you're right, I have no idea I can only imagine. I understand why your organisation exists and the history that led up to it, and that my dad shouldn't have been sent there."

"Yer fuckin right!" Hissed Finn.

"But this turf war you're waging against the UVF is something I can't seem to fathom where it fits in to your struggle against British occupation. Are you a Catholic finn?" Asked Casper. Finn adjusted himself in his seat and crossed his arms.

"And what if I am?" He replied.

"Well I was raised protestant. But we read from the same book. Two Verses, I'd like you to consider. First is in Ezekiel, The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father. Remember that, I don't condone my dad's actions in any way and want to work with you to resolve this situation.

Secondly, it's said in Romans, Vengeance is mine, says the lord. Not yours, his! If you are a Catholic then I'd imagine you'd take these verses seriously. The latter especially. Louise told me that the bombing in question happened as a retaliation for one of your men killing one of theirs. If Louise kills David, then what? Will his comrades bomb somewhere else? Then will you kill them? When does it end? You say you're doing it to protect your community but these retribution killings are what's putting the community in danger in the first place! Maybe if your guys didn't kill their guys the bakery wouldn't have been blown up!"

"Shut up!" Exclaimed Finn.

"Fuck you!" Hissed Holly.

"I didn't come here to get lectured on morality by a thief." Said Finn. Casper was getting annoyed.

"Finn c'mon!" he pressed exasperated.

"This cycle of vengeance won't end until you back off! You're never going to be satisfied! You could end it here and it would save a lot of innocent people's lives! Think about that wee girl that was blown up. Do you want that to happen again!? Cause at this rate it inevitably will! Cancel the hit! Not for me nor Louise's sake, but for the sake of all the innocent people that will get hurt and killed in this that have nothing to do with any of it!"

Finn's expression remained unchanged. He looked back at Casper visibly irritated in silence for a few moments then spoke again.

"The next words that come out of either of your mouths better be about the hit. Or I'm leaving and Louise can say goodbye to her mum."

Casper couldn't hold back his anger anymore. He couldn't believe how dense and cold hearted this man was. Holly was right. You can't negotiate with terrorists.

"You stupid Prick!" Barked Casper. "You want a lecture in morality I'll bloody give you one! You're the reason we can't live in peace in this world! It's Cunts like you who started the war! Cunts like you who profit from other people's misery! Cunts like you that make life shit for everybody else! Because of your unending pride and bloodlust! You're an absolute fucking scumbag!"

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Shouted finn.

The room went silent and the murmur of conversation ceased. The whole room was looking at them. Holly smiled gently. That 'a boy Casper! She thought. You fuckin tell him. Slowly but surely people turned their gazes away and the talking resumed. The whole time Casper and Finn stared at each other with indignation.

A guard walked over to the table; it was Emily. "Do we have a problem here?" She asked sternly. Finn slowly turned to face her and looked at her apologetically with his hand raised.

"No, no, not at all. Very sorry for that outburst. It won't happen again."

"This is your first and last warning." Said Emily, her tone not dialling down. "Anything else and this visit will be terminated. Am I clear?"

"Yes, of Corse. Once again, I'm very sorry." Said Finn. Emily turned to look at Casper and Holly. They nodded back at her in confirmation.

"Good." She said, then turned and walked away. Finn turned to look at Casper once more and took a deep breath.

"David Shaw." Arrives here on Monday. The 29^th. If he's not dead by this time a week today, Louise's mum will be." Finn slowly stood up from his seat, picked up his jacket then pushed his chair in gently. "And I'm not going to forget you calling me a cunt and a scumbag either."

"Good." said Casper scornfully as Finn walked away.

Emma walked into Samantha's office through the open door holding a folder. Samantha looked up at her from her computer screen as she approached.

"That's the papers for the new inmate coming next week." Said Emma as she laid the folder on her desk. Samantha lifted her glasses off her eyes and opened the folder while Emma stood attentively. She flicked through the documents until she came upon the mugshots. She brought her fingers onto the pictures and chuckled softly.

"He's a cutie all right. I can't wait to see how sweet and helpless he'll look when we have him all cuffed up. Or when that cute little ass of his gets whipped. What do you think?"

"Errmm..." Replied Emma hesitantly. "If I'm not mistaken David Shaw is under terrorism charges. Wouldn't he be ineligible to come here given our offence requirements for male inmates?"

"Hmmm, yes, my husband told me. He wasn't involved directly in the incident in question that led to his arrest but collaborated with the group that did. My husband told me he cried like a little sweety pie the whole time he interviewed him. He was full of remorse and says he got involved with the wrong crowd by chance and couldn't leave, poor baby."

"Do you not think him being here could be problematic?" Said Emma." That Poor Baby assisted with an attack that killed a 4-year-old girl. There are a number of female inmates in here, many of them mothers themselves who wouldn't take too kindly to him for it. I'm saying this as a mother to a 2-year-old girl myself."

Samantha removed her glasses from her head, placed them on the desk then turned to face Emma on her swivel chair.

"I understand your anger." Said Samantha. Emma shook her head.

"At risk of sounding disrespectful to my superior, I don't think you do. Because You don't have children of your own."

"Emma. Let me remind you that the cell blocks out there are full of women who's crimes would make you sick to your stomach. Their punishment is the loss of their freedom. David is no different. He was not directly involved in any violence so he still fits our conditions for male offenders. It would be absurd to make an exception and reject him just because a victim of a crime he partook in made you think of your daughter. We need to look at our role with impartiality. If that's something you struggle with a lot then you could perhaps consider applying to work somewhere else. Besides, look at that pretty face of his." Samantha pointed to one of his photographs. "Don't you just wanna stroke his hair and tell him he's a cutie." Emma sighed.

"No, not particularly." She said. Emma took one of the photos of David from the open folder and walked away with it towards the door. Samantha raised her eyebrow.

"And where are you going with that?" she asked.

"Maybe you're right and he is really sweet." Said Emma. "I'm sure there's a lot of people in here that would come to like him."

Casper, Holly, Louise, Erin and Mark all sat in despair in Louise's cell. Holly told the others on her arrival with Casper what had transpired during the meeting with Finn and its disappointing conclusion. The situation was dire and none of them could see an end to it without Louise or her mum being dead. Casper felt so powerless being unable to help her, he raced through various ideas in his head but all of them seemed unviable.

"Could we not..." said Holly breaking the silence. "Have someone escort your mum out of Belfast to somewhere they won't find her?"

Louise sighed then spoke. "No." She said sombrely. "Everyone else I knew back in Belfast was a Provo. They'll be the ones keeping watch on her now. Holly grunted in disappointment.

"What about your sister!?" Said Erin with hope. "Could she not take your mum to safety?"

"No." said Louise. "She lives in Bristol with her partner. Besides, it would be a high-risk job. Getting mum out of a terrorist riddled city while she's under watch is something only a skilled security or weapons trained individual could pull off. My sister is neither of those." She lifted her gaze from the floor then looked at the others. "Unless you folks know someone?"

Mark and Erin shook their heads. Louise looked at Holly.

"Sorry." Said Holly. "Me and my mates at the docks all got busted together. I mean other than Doug, though, I don't think he could be trusted with this. He's Too baked to know which ways up half the time."

Louise turned to look at Casper. "What about you?"

Casper initially thought about the thieves then remembered that his group had all been killed in the shootout or arrested. He knew no one on the outside. No one. Apart from Jane.

He froze. Jane! he thought. He never even considered her until now. She seemed like the only Viable option for the task's success given her training and experience. But he couldn't ask her to do this. Not in a million years! She couldn't as a guard find out about this crisis, even with her and Casper having their special relationship. It risked her raising the alarm with the prison and would put Louise's mum's life in jeopardy.

Second of all Caspers friends could in no way find out that he was in a relationship with a guard. It would taint him as a grass and could lead to him being ostracized or worse. But more than anything else he didn't want his beloved Jane to go on such a dangerous journey without him by her side. If anything happened to her, he would never forgive himself. Casper looked at Louise in the eyes and couldn't help but feel sad. Her look was one of desperation and anguish. Like a dying beggar asking for anything to save Her life. He didn't have the will to tell her no.

"I...Might know one person." Said Casper begrudgingly. Louise's eyes lifted up to him with hope.

"I'll need to ask her."

Elsewhere in the cell block on the floor below, Heather was playing a game of table tennis with her friend Clare. Their other friend Lisa stood nearby watching the match. Heather had beaten her in the previous game and was playing Clare for the title. Clare was determined. She'd lost the last 3 games with Heather and was doing everything in her power to not let this match go to her again but so far it seemed in vain. Heather hit the ball past Clare again, sending it across the cellblock winning her another point.

"Yes!" Exclaimed Heather. "Go fetch!"

"Ah fuck, good one." said Clare turning to go retrieve the ball.