“Do you recognize this man?” Simmons looked sternly at Dedrick’s expression.

He already knew the answer. Harlan Dedrick, a gloomy looking inmate built like Lou Ferrigno, had supposedly been George “Kicks Iron” White’s cell mate for more than four years. Ahmed had told him that the Chief had a “wife” in prison. The question was how much detail Dedrick would reveal. It was possible the man felt he owed the Chief loyalty, but Simmons hoped he could obtain important background information leading to White’s capture by promising and arranging for early release if he was willing to cooperate.

The twenty-eight-year-old inmate drew subconscious figures on the dusty surface of the interrogation table with his fingertip, a pained look on his face. He seemed hesitant to answer. Simmons was patient. He had arranged the interview in a private office . . . alone.

“Yeah, sure. I know him.” He studied Simmons reaction carefully.

“Is he your friend?”

“Why do you ask?”

“I understand you two were very close when he was here. Is that incorrect?”

Dedrick thought about the implications. He knew Simmons had already talked to the warden. This could be the break every con hoped might come his way–early release–if he could make the case in exchange for information.

“I wouldn’t call him that. He’s a user, cruel.”

“It sounds as though you’ve got a grudge.”

“I’d like to put a knife through his heart, if you call that a grudge.”

“He referred to you as his ‘wife’ while he was in here.”

Dedrick was a trustee, had never been the instigator of trouble, but it was known that he performed sexual favors for certain individuals, both before and after his stint as Kicks Iron’s cell mate. At the moment, Simmons could only pity him. He had learned from the case file about the botched liquor store robbery and Dedrick’s brother’s death by shotgun blast to the chest. Dedrick had been shot in the leg attempting to flee and now walked with a pronounced limp. He had been easily taken into custody by the local sheriff while receiving medical attention at the hospital. The sentence was five to ten. He’d been joined in his cell by the Chief two years later, following White’s sentencing.