Chapter 17 - The Last Name on the List
Renee cried when Ana asked.
Not because she knew the answer.
Because she remembered where the information had been written.
“Emergency contact form,” Renee said. “When I got here.”
“Who has access?”
“Records. Medical. Case management. Administration.”
Too many people.
Investigator Shaw pulled access logs.
Six staff members had viewed Renee’s file in the last year.
Five had legitimate reasons.
One did not.
Deputy Warden Sloane.
He had opened Renee’s emergency contact record two days before Tasha threatened her.
That tied him directly to intimidation.
Sloane was arrested the following morning on charges related to official misconduct, evidence tampering, and conspiracy.
The news hit Redwood like thunder.
Some officers were angry.
Some were embarrassed.
Some looked relieved.
Ana felt none of those things.
She felt tired.
Then Lucia made one final move.
During recreation, Tasha approached Ana near the fence.
“You ruined everything.”
Ana kept walking.
Tasha followed.
“You think they’re going to protect you when you leave?”
Ana stopped. “Walk away.”
Tasha shoved her.
Ana stumbled but stayed upright.
An officer shouted from across the yard.
Tasha swung.
Ana ducked.
The punch missed.
Women began yelling.
Cameras turned.
Tasha lunged again.
Ana could have hit her.
Every nerve in her body wanted to.
Instead, she backed toward the wall with both hands open.
“I’m not fighting you.”
“Coward.”
“No.” Ana’s voice shook. “Witness.”
Tasha hesitated.
That one word changed everything.
Two officers reached them and restrained Tasha.
Later, surveillance footage showed Tasha initiating the attack while Ana repeatedly disengaged.
In Tasha’s pocket, officers found a folded note.
MAKE HER SWING FIRST.
No signature.
No need.
When Shaw showed Ana the note, Ana stared at it for a long time.
“This was never about hurting me.”
“What do you mean?”
“They wanted me discredited. Pills. Transfer. Fight. Every move was about making me look unreliable.”
Shaw nodded.
“Because reliable witnesses are dangerous.”
Ana looked at her.
“So what happens now?”
May you like
Shaw closed the folder.
“Now you testify.”
