Free Slammer by Allan Guthrie

over with.
    Normally, he just walked through and headed for the locker room. Nothing to it. He looked guilty, though. He knew he did. He expected Crogan and Aitken could see him sweating. The tea was piping hot, making it worse. His armpits were drenched. He could feel the rough, cold fabric of his shirt rubbing against him. Felt a dampness at his hairline. He clutched his bag tight. Same bag he always took in. Same bag they could check if they wanted but they never did. Not yet, anyway.
    Another sip. Spilled some on his chin. Pretended it wasn't there. Let it itch until it evaporated.
    All they'd find would be sandwiches.
    It'd be fine.
    'You okay?' Crogan asked.
    'Fine,' Glass said. Shit . Crogan knew .
    'Got a drop of tea there.' Crogan pointed at his face.
    'Thanks.' Glass wiped his chin with the back of his hand. 'Yeah, I'm fine. Couldn't be better.'
    'The thought of working with some of those wankers,' Aitken said. 'It's enough to make anyone feel like shite.'
    Glass wasn't sure who Aitken was referring to: the officers or the cons. But he appreciated the sentiment. 'I feel fine,' he said again.
    'Fox'll get his comeuppance,' Crogan said.
    Nobody liked Fox. Well, nobody apart from Ross. 'Not a fan of his?' Glass asked.
    Crogan lowered his voice. 'Between you and me. And Aitken.' The trustee returned, handed Crogan a steaming mug. 'And Moore here. Between us, what Fox needs is a good hiding.'
    'Aye,' Moore said. 'That cunt needs to get his cunt kicked in.'
    'Exactly,' Crogan said. 'Almost as bad as Caesar.'
    Glass went cold in the forehead. Why was Crogan talking about Caesar? Was it just a coincidence? Or did he know something? 'You had a run-in with Caesar?'
    Crogan laughed. 'One or two. Work here long enough, you'll have a run-in with him.' He sighed. 'All in the past now, though. Stuck here in the gatehouse till I retire. Never have to see him again. And that makes me very happy.'
    He sounded genuine. Maybe he was just letting off steam. Didn't look like he was going to push the topic anyway.
      'I really better go,' Glass said, and handed his mug to Moore .
    'You've only had a couple of sips,' Crogan said.
    Glass looked at his watch. 'Got to take a few minutes to psyche myself up.'
    'Right,' Crogan said. 'No problem. Stop by any time for a chat, though, you hear?'
    Glass stood, stepped forward, and cleared the metal detector, legs shaking.
    Just like any other day.
    They didn't suspect him. He was too normal, too boring, far too unadventurous to be a drugs mule. Too scared to be a drugs mule.
    It was only once he was in the locker room that he breathed normally again.
    He'd thought Crogan had known something was up there for a minute, thought he'd been set up. That Caesar had arranged all this just to get Glass sacked. But, no, Caesar had better things to do. And he wanted his drugs.
    No one else was in the locker room yet. Still early for the next shift.
    Glass changed quickly, put on his uniform. Distributed the foil-wrapped heroin bundles among his various pockets. Felt bulky, but he doubted anyone would notice. He took the wad of notes out of his wallet, crammed it in his pocket.
    He was ready. There was no way back now.
     
    *
     
    Glass didn't want to walk straight into Caesar's cell. He might be doing something indecent with Jasmine again. But Glass couldn't knock. So he looked through the Judas window. Saw Caesar on his bed. Alone. Jasmine was in the upper bunk. Both of them were staring right at him as if they knew he was on the other side of the door.
    Glass put his key in the lock, opened the cell door.
    Found Caesar on his feet. 'Well?'
    Glass emptied his pockets and tossed the foil parcels onto the desk.
    Caesar picked one up, grinned as he unwrapped it.
    'Hi ya !' Jasmine leaned over the edge of her bunk. 'Oh, honey, Officer Glass, I'm so happy I could suck you off.'
    'Don't let his new reputation get to you, bitch,' Caesar said.
    Glass looked at him.
    'Heard you fucked Mafia in the Digger,' Caesar