The first call Wade made went to his brother, Montrell Tyson. Monty, as everyone called him, was the Vice President of Tyson Industries. The only person he reported to was Dan himself. As the oldest and an attorney, Monty was the brother they all turned to with personal and legal issues. Wade wasn’t sure what the procedures were to visit a prison, but he was certain there were rules and regulations.
“How are you handling the news?” Monty asked.
“It’s news,” was Wade’s only response.
“I understand. The person you will meet with is Warden Marvin Kelly. He is aware of the situation and will assist in any way he can.”
“I appreciate the call,” Wade said as he and Rachel pulled into the Fluvanna Correctional Center’s parking lot. “Were you able to get the medical examiner’s report?”
“I’m told it has not been filed. One would think a death inside of prison doors would be a priority.”
“One would think so,” Wade hesitated. “I have to agree with something Rachel stated. It is suspicious after all the years she has been incarcerated that she picks the day after a visit from a reporter to commit suicide.”
“Watch your words until you can determine where the warden comes down on this.”
“Will do.”
“Watch your temper,” Monty warned.
“I’m cool. Just want to get some facts.” Wade replied. The snort from Monty made him smirk as he disconnected the call.
When they arrived at the facility, Wade and Rachel were escorted to the administrative office. They were met by a Sargent Leigh.
“The warden was called away,” the man said as he extended his hand. “I’m Sergeant Leigh. I handle communications here at Fluvanna Correctional. What can I do for you?”
Wade looked around the open area that was a little wider than a corridor. Two other guards stood behind the sergeant. Intimidation, weak, but intimidation at the very least, he thought and had to wonder why.
“Warden Kelly was expecting us,” Rachel stated. “What? He just decided to up and leave?”
“It’s not my place to question the warden, Ma’am. He is my superior, not vice versa.”
Wade put a cautioning hand on her arm, then shook the man’s hand. “Sergeant Leigh, thank you for meeting with us.” He took a beat. “Warden Kelly is with the governor?”
“I cannot say, Sir,” Sergeant Leigh replied. “He only indicated there was an urgent call.”
“I see. Must be something important for him to ignore a request from the governor’s office.”
“The warden answers to the DOC. Not the governor.”
“Do you not understand the Department of Corrections answers to the governor?” Wade took a breath. “Clearly you do not. Let’s try this. You had a suicide here yesterday. I would like the records regarding that situation, and the name of the officer who discovered the body.”
“You do not have a right to that information,” one of the guards at the door stated.
“And who are you?” Rachel asked.
Sergeant Leigh glared at the man.
Wade raised an eyebrow at the action. Without saying a word, the two men were communicating. “That’s pretty good,” he smirked. “Does he roll over and bark when you tell him to? Or is he the one who falls to his knees at your bidding?”
“It is called controlling your men,” Sergeant Leigh’s boastful reply came without a blink.
“You are using that word men loosely,” Rachel said as she glanced around.
“The records?” Wade glared at Sergeant Leigh.
“Those records are not for public consumption. Once the report is available, you can file for a copy under the Freedom of Information Act. As a reporter, you understand the right to privacy. It is as vital to our society as your right to free speech. If the warden was here, I am certain he will advise you the same. Out of respect for the family, that information will not be provided to a news agency prior to contacting the next of kin.”
Wade did his best to rein in his temper as Monty had requested. But it seemed to him Sergeant Leigh was intentionally attempting to intimidate him.
“Sergeant, thank you for providing that stipulation. Consider the next of kin notified. The woman in question, Star Bond, is—or was—my mother.”
It was a split second, but the look Wade caught in the sergeant’s eyes was recognition. Yet, Wade was sure he had never met the man before. In a blink, the look was gone. The man was back to the straight-talk persona.
“There was only one next of kin listed for Star Bond. Wade Tyson was not the name listed.”
“You know that, how?” Wade asked. “There are at least nineteen hundred women housed in this facility. Do you know each of the names on their lists? Or is there a reason Star Bond stands out?”
There was a moment of hesitation. “It’s not every day we find a prisoner swinging from the sheet off her bed, Mr. Tyson. The case is fresh to all of us.”
The visual of his statement shook Wade to the core. “I bet it is, Sergeant.” He glanced around at the men who were now closing in on them. “Or could it be that you or one of your officers may have been a part of her death?” He took a step within a breath of Sergeant Leigh’s face. “Let me tell you what is going to happen now. You are going to go into the warden’s office, make a copy of the report, and place it in my hand. If you do not, I will have every news media outlet, the governor and the United States attorney general here within the hour.” He took a step back. “In case you are wondering, I don’t like it when people attempt to intimidate me. It would behoove you to remember that, for I promise you, when we meet again, and we will, I will not be this nice.” He looked around at the men, then back to Sergeant Leigh with a raised eyebrow. “The report.”
Wade and Rachel were walking to their vehicle with the report in hand. Rachel looked over the roof of the car. “Damn if you didn’t just turn me on with your John Shaft stance in there.”
“You’ll not old enough to know about Shaft,” Wade said as they got into the vehicle.
“My dad watches exploration films all the time. I know all about John Shaft and his badass stands. And I just want to go on record to say, damn, if that wasn’t sexy.”
Inside the facility, Sergeant Leigh watched as the two reporters drove off. Then he exhaled as a black sedan followed them.