Chapter 8 - Bait Without a Trap
At 6:40 the next morning, Investigator Shaw met Ana in a small room beside medical.
“You got a threat?”
Ana handed her the note in an evidence bag.
Shaw read it.
“Then we cancel.”
“No.”
“This is not a debate.”
“Lucia wants me away from that table because she thinks something is happening.”
“Exactly.”
“If I avoid it now, she knows the threat worked.”
Shaw stood. “I am not using an inmate as bait.”
“You’re not.”
“That is exactly what this looks like.”
Ana took a breath.
“What if I just eat lunch?”
“At Table Seven?”
“Yes.”
“That table is not assigned.”
“Then I’m allowed to sit there.”
Shaw stared at her.
Ana continued, “You said not to provoke her. I won’t. I won’t touch her. I won’t threaten her. I won’t even speak first.”
Shaw rubbed her forehead.
“This is a terrible idea.”
“Probably.”
“You understand that if she comes at you, officers may not reach you immediately.”
“I understand.”
“And if you manufacture a confrontation, the operation ends.”
“I understand.”
Before breakfast, an investigator placed an authorized recorder beneath Table Seven. Ana was shown how to remove it only if Lucia discovered the operation.
Then the day dragged.
Every hour felt like ten.
Renee barely spoke to her.
“You’re mad,” Ana said.
“I’m scared.”
“So am I.”
“You don’t look scared.”
“I’ve been practicing.”
At 11:52, the dining hall doors opened.
Ana carried her tray inside.
Table Seven was empty.
She sat down.
A minute passed.
Then two.
Women noticed.
Whispers spread.
At 11:59, Lucia entered.
She stopped in the doorway.
For the first time, Ana understood that silence could be loud.
Lucia walked toward her.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
Officer Phelps was stationed near the rear exit.
He looked at the ceiling camera.
Then at Ana.
Lucia reached the table.
“Get up.”
Ana lifted her fork.
May you like
“I’m eating.”
Phelps moved one step toward the control-room door.
