Hayes didn't move.
Carter continued.
"And the original is already with people outside this facility."
For the first time, Deputy Commissioner Hayes looked genuinely uncertain.
Carter opened the door.
Then he delivered one final sentence.
"You should probably start thinking about what happens when the people you protect stop protecting you."
He walked out.
Behind him, Whitaker turned toward Hayes.
"What do we do now?"
Hayes stared at the closed door.
Then he slowly reached for his phone.
"Call Reynolds."
CHAPTER 11 — THE MAN IN THE HOLE
That evening, Carter returned to the recreation yard.
The basketball court was crowded.
Tank Reynolds stood near the center, surrounded by several inmates.
He was holding the basketball.
When he noticed Carter, he smiled.
"Officer Carter!"
Carter approached.
"Reynolds."
Tank bounced the ball once.
"How's your day?"
"Interesting."
Tank laughed.
"I heard you met some important people."
Carter stopped.
"Who told you?"
Tank shrugged.
"People talk."
Carter looked at him.
"Do they?"
Tank nodded.
"Especially when somebody starts asking questions they shouldn't."
Carter stepped closer.
"Then maybe you should stop answering questions with threats."
Tank laughed loudly.
Several inmates watched.
He threw the ball toward the ground.
It bounced away.
"You still think you're in control here?"
Carter looked directly at him.
"No."
Tank smiled.
"Good."
Carter continued.
"I think you're beginning to lose control."
Tank's expression changed.
"What did you say?"
Carter didn't repeat himself.
Tank stepped forward.
"Listen carefully, Officer. This is my yard."
Carter nodded.
"I remember."
Tank leaned closer.
"And if I want you in the hole, you'll be in the hole before dinner."
Carter looked at him.
"Then why haven't you done it?"
Tank stopped.
For several seconds, he simply stared.
Carter continued.
"What's stopping you?"
Tank's jaw tightened.
Then he whispered:
"Because I haven't decided what to do with you yet."
Carter gave him a faint smile.
"That's interesting."
Tank frowned.
"What?"
Carter leaned closer.
"Because I already know what to do with you."
Tank's smile disappeared.
Carter turned away.
Then Tank shouted:
"YOU THINK YOU CAN WALK AWAY FROM ME?"
Carter stopped.
The entire yard went silent.
He turned around.
"No."
He looked directly into Tank's eyes.
"I think you're going to have to learn how to live without controlling everyone around you."
Tank stared at him.
Then he slowly smiled.
But this time, there was no confidence in it.
Only anger.
And fear.
Because Tank had just realized something.
Carter wasn't trying to win an argument.
He was building a case.
And that was far more dangerous.
CHAPTER 12 — THE FILE THAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE EXISTED
At 10:15 p.m., Carter received a message from James Miller.
I FOUND SOMETHING ELSE.
Carter immediately called him.
Miller answered.
"Daniel."
"What did you find?"
"The original inmate transportation ledger."
"Where?"
"Inside the old administrative archive."
Carter frowned.
"That's inside Blackwood?"
"Yes."
"How did you get access?"
Miller hesitated.
"I didn't."
Carter went silent.
Miller continued.
"Someone sent it to me."
"Who?"
"I don't know."
"What's in it?"
Miller lowered his voice.
"Names. Dates. Transportation authorizations. And something else."
"What?"
"An inmate who was never supposed to be there."
Carter frowned.
"Who?"
Miller took a breath.
Then he said:
"Michael Reynolds."
Carter looked at the records on his desk.
"Tank's brother?"
"Yes."
"What's unusual about him?"
Miller answered:
"According to the original ledger, Michael Reynolds was transferred out of Blackwood eighteen months ago."
Carter froze.
"That's impossible. He's still listed as an inmate."
"Exactly."
Carter slowly stood.
"Then who is in Cell 214?"
Miller whispered:
"That's what you need to find out."
The call ended.
Carter stared at the phone.
Then he opened the prison database.
He searched Cell 214.
The record showed Michael Reynolds.
He opened the photograph.
A young man appeared.