“It was in the safe-deposit box just like you said. Once I give Brian his cut, we’ll have about sixty grand.”
Rick was glad he’d put some money away for a rainy day. Missy was so used to Mommy and Daddy handling the finances that she’d let him manage everything. This had certainly worked to his advantage. A small percentage of everything they made he’d squirrel away, using some on Lily but saving some just in case. Thank God he’d thought ahead. The one unknown in Rick’s plan was the third party: Angela’s cousin Brian, an ex-con with a long list of felonies. He was going to crash into the transport vehicle that was bringing Rick to the prison, take out the guards, and deliver Rick to Angela’s family’s hunting cabin in the mountains. They’d spend a few months lying low, and once things cooled down they’d head to Mexico. Rick was still trying to decide whether it might be easier to get rid of her and Brian before then, but that was something he could improvise. He actually didn’t mind Angela. What she lacked in looks, she made up for in her enthusiasm. He’d at least keep her around until he could find a more suitable replacement.
He studied Angela intently.
“You did good. I’m proud of you.”
Positive reinforcement was crucial at this stage. He needed Angela to feel valued and respected. It was clear that his encouragement was working.
“It’s all set, Ricky.”
This Ricky business was out of control, but he forced himself not to correct her. He’d finished his workout and he moved over to Angela, allowing her to shackle him.
“Ang, I can’t wait to hold you. Can’t wait until we can be together without these bars and shackles. You know that, don’t you?”
He knew she wanted to believe him. She was imagining a life with a man like him, someone who would ease all her burdens. Any rational woman would have thought about the things Rick stood accused of, the things he’d pled guilty to. They’d have asked questions about his crimes. They’d have wanted answers. But Angela wasn’t rational. She was an uneducated woman, lonely and unfulfilled, and waiting to be saved.
She led him back inside, unlatching the gate that would take him back to his cell for one last evening. As they walked down the dark, gray hall, Rick whispered, “I love you, Angie. Don’t forget that.”
She faltered. He’d been saving the big guns for this moment, wanting to leave her with those words ringing in her ears, to remember them in case she had second thoughts.
“I won’t let you down.”
Angela picked up the pace, opening the cell door and leaving Rick alone. Rick couldn’t sit. Not now. He began shadowboxing, thinking about tomorrow’s sentencing and his impending freedom.
After Lily betrayed him, Rick realized that he couldn’t sit around and wait for a reprieve. He’d thought about escaping, maybe taking a guard hostage, but every scenario he worked out involved him winding up dead. He’d realized that Angela was exactly the person who could get him out of this hellhole. He’d eventually had sex with her. The showers were convenient and as much as he’d been dreading it, it wasn’t too bad (as long as he kept his eyes closed).
It was during one of their encounters that he’d enacted Phase One of the Plan. Angela was still breathless when Rick told her they couldn’t be together anymore. That this was their last time.
“Please, Rick. Please don’t say that. The only thing that keeps me going is being with you.”
“Angie, I’m never getting out of here. Once I’m sentenced, I’ll be transferred to a maximum-security prison. You can’t visit or write. Not if you want to keep your job. There’s nothing you can do.”
“What if there was?”
Rick knew in that instant he was golden. All he’d had to do was orchestrate a plan and make sure Angela didn’t screw things up. It was difficult entrusting details to someone else, especially a high school dropout. But he had no choice. While Angela worked on things on the outside, Rick did his best to slow down the judicial process, which was easier than he’d expected. He made all kinds of crazy demands, firing two lawyers and filing a motion demanding that he be allowed to represent himself. But it was all just smoke and mirrors. Once Angela had all the details set, he’d finally agreed to the plea.
His overworked public defender—a slick-haired twentysomething clearly using this to pad his résumé—couldn’t hide his relief.
“This is the best possible outcome.”
Rick agreed with him because what was he going to say? I’m escaping. Go fuck yourself.
No, the plea was his only choice. All because of Lily’s betrayal.