Free Silenced Justice: A Josh Williams Novel by Joe Broadmeadow Page B

to Church, 'How are you, Major?’ 'Nice to see you, Trooper.’ It was obvious Church clung to his past with pride.
    They all got coffee and sat at one of the dining room tables. Church said, "So what is this all about?"
    Josh glanced at Chris then said, "Major, this concerns the time you served as acting warden at the ACI. There was an inmate named Darnell Grey. He was--"
    "I know who he was," interrupting Josh, a noticeable change coming over his appearance. "He raped and killed a woman in Providence and raped several other women. White women. One of the victims was the daughter of a Trooper. Why are you looking into ancient history?"
    Josh decided to try to soft-pedal the questions.
    "I'm glad you recall it. We're trying to clear up some things. Since I am sure you recall he died in prison, the case is still open."
    Josh watched Church for a reaction. The Major locked on Josh, narrowing his eyes, the muscles in his jaw flexing and tightening. "Do you recall if there was any issue raised about him being in the general population, since he was awaiting trial?"
    Church shot a glance at Chris. Josh could see the tension rising. This was someone unaccustomed to having his actions questioned.
    "Do you know anything about those times in the Corrections department? What the courts were doing to us?"
    Josh shook his head.
    "I didn't think so. Let me give you a brief history lesson." Church put his coffee cup down, leaning forward in his chair. "The Governor ordered us to move a bunch of mafia guys and gang members to out-of-state prisons. We needed to regain control. Up to that point, the inmates ran the place. The guards could not, or would not, do anything. It's why they brought in the State Police."
    Reaching for his coffee, he took a sip. “Some goddamn…" Looking at Chris, "excuse my French."
    "No problem," Chris smiled. "I say goddamn shit like that all the time."
    Church raised his eyebrows, and then continued. "An ACLU lawyer went to Federal Court. He convinced a judge to order the prisoners returned, because it was cruel and unusual punishment. This same goddamn judge used to be a prosecutor for Christ's sake. He put some of those guys in the damn prison. Then he orders us to bring 'em back. The place was a shit hole once again."
    Josh said, "How does that explain an inmate awaiting trial being placed in the general population?"
    "With the limited resources I had, and the courts tying my hands, we just brought them in and put them where we could. The guy was put in the general population because we had no other place else to put him."
    "Come on Major," Chris said. "We're all big boys and girls here. You put him in the general population because you knew the inmates hated rapists. Who's gonna grieve a dead black rapist who targeted white women?"
    Josh tried to get Chris's attention; she ignored him.
    "Look, I don't give a shit if you did your fellow trooper a favor or not. For all we know, Grey did rape those women. We're just trying to find something to make his daughter feel better about her dad. If he was a shit bag, so be it. We just need to know the truth."
    Church rose, towering over Chris. "I've said enough. You think whatever you want. I know what you're trying to do here. I am not going to help you. The guy was killed because of a liberal ass Federal Judge. I will tell you this though; none of us lost any sleep over the nig---," catching himself and taking deep breath, "over the guy's death.” The major grabbed the coffee cups off the table, threw them in the trash, and said, "Find your own way out." He turned and walked away.
    "I'll tell the nigger's daughter about your kind sympathy," Chris yelled, causing a few heads to turn and stare.
    Josh stood, shaking his head. "Not helpful."
    "Well, I thought that went well," Chris said. "He didn't say it in so many words, but they used the turmoil of the time to put the guy at risk. We won’t get anything else from him. Is the victim he talked about, the trooper's