24
EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS VISIT to Polunsky feels strange. It isn’t like I’ve never been for a visit when Mr. Masters was also there, but it’s been a while. It’s a Wednesday, and we are sitting here waiting for Daddy. I’m not sure I’ve ever been to Polunsky on a Wednesday. Plus, we aren’t in our normal visitation room. This room is saved for privileged discussions between lawyer and client. There is no physical contact here, but we will have more privacy. The room is longer, not much wider. There are still the same dingy white cinder-block walls. I chew on my nail and ask myself again if bringing Mr. Masters and Daddy together is a good idea.
The best I can hope for is that watching the two of them might give me new information or insight into the case that I haven’t had before. And at worst, I still plan to visit Daddy on Friday, so I get to sneak in a bonus visit. Which is not normally allowed, but since I’m coming in with Daddy’s lawyer during his regularly scheduled visit, and Warden Zonnberg likes me, they’re going to let me get away with it.
I nudge Mr. Masters lightly with my elbow as he flips through a couple of papers in his file. “I don’t think I’m going to bring up his—” I choke on the word affair. I’m still processing this new information and I don’t feel like I’m ready to hear Daddy defend himself in this arena yet. Plus, I don’t want Mr. Masters to be punished for telling me. The last thing I want is to let my emotions get the best of me and storm out again. Not when he has so little time left.
“Indiscretion?” Mr. Masters fills in a gentler word on my behalf and then reaches one arm around my shoulders to give me a quick hug. “This is your show, Miss Riley. And that’s your business when you want to bring that up. I just hope this accomplishes your goal.”
“Me too. I guess I mostly just want to watch the way he interacts with you. See if he’s telling you the same things he’s telling me.” I don’t know exactly what I hope to learn from this, but I’m here now, so I might as well see it through. I hug Mr. Masters back and the guard opens the door and leads Daddy in.
Daddy doesn’t look surprised to see me, and there is something wary in his eyes as he watches me step away from Mr. Masters and take my seat. The guard secures him to the table and reminds me that touching isn’t allowed in this room. Emotions fight within me as I search his face. As always, part of me feels happier just to be near him, but now that part is bombarded with so many other conflicting feelings. Worry because he doesn’t look like he’s sleeping well. Dread because the countdown to his impending execution is always present in the back of my mind. And a significant amount of anger at knowing this man cheated on Mama, betrayed our family, and then lied about it.
Daddy waits until the guard walks out and closes the door before giving us a somewhat cautious smile. “We haven’t done this in a while.”
Mr. Masters looks up from the papers and nods. “Riley wanted an extra visit, and I accommodated her.”
The concern on Daddy’s face fades away at that. “Oh, I’m glad to hear that. Thank you for letting her come with you.”
Mr. Masters nods without looking up. He must’ve found whatever he was looking for in his file because he closes it and sits back in his chair. He smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Things are coming along well with the investigation into the other case. I would even go so far as to call it hopeful.”
Daddy’s expression has gone serious and he’s staring so hard at his former law partner that I wonder if he’s forgotten that I’m here.
“That’s good. Any word on the new evidence?”
“I spoke with Chief Vega yesterday—” Mr. Masters begins.
“What did he say?” Daddy is so eager he cuts him off while I’m sitting here thinking about how bizarre my world has become. It’s so strange to hear them talking about Jordan’s father.
“He said that they don’t have evidence that specifically points to this being a copycat case—at least not yet.” Mr. Masters leans in as Daddy releases a big puff of air and his smile returns.
“I must caution you though, David. Don’t get your hopes up until we know for certain where the investigation will lead.” Mr. Masters sits back and crosses his arms over his chest. “You are too good a lawyer to fall into a trap like that.”
“I know. You’re right.” Daddy’s smile turns wry and he winks at me. “But come on, Ben, relax a little. It seems like something drastic would have to happen to change anything at this point.”
I find myself smiling back at Daddy for a moment before I remember all the things I haven’t yet confronted him about, and it slides off my face.