Free Three Faces of West (2013) by Christian Shakespeare

what we are told to. No matter whatever the circumstances we always come first.”
    This was the second time John had questioned the motives of Jack’s methods. The case was rapidly becoming more complex than before, and it was showing a strain on their professional relationship.
    Chapter 5:
    Belmarsh Prison, 10:00 am, the brightness of the day outside only tempered by a slight breeze. West and Hudson arrived at the front of the prison, pulling up in the car park. The great vast high walls surrounding the compound spanned before them crowned by the main red brick gate gatehouse in the middle. Making their way across the car park took no time at all to reach the brown doors of the main reception, upon entering and looking up, John could not help but notice the obviously visible CCTV camera on the outside watching the entrance,
    “God knows whoever that camera has captured.” He thought to himself.
    Going through the automatic glass doors the reception felt quite warm inside. Obviously this was the comfortable inviting part of the prison but the rest would not be as such. Even so there was an atmosphere of gloominess about the place, the walls, white and stippled with paint, the brown out of date carpet covering the floor, those long fluorescent light bulbs you only get in hospitals adorning the ceiling. The only splash of colour to alleviate the drabness was the large A3 type statutory posters on the wall indicating the prison regulations, health and safety practices and other smaller notices. Accompanying them were the other adornments in the form of tiny posters warning of the dangers of crime.
    As soon as they were approaching the door from the outside, they were seen by the duty receptionist so upon entering the element of surprise had completely dissipated. West approached the large reception desk with Hudson in tow. The clerk on duty acknowledged them as they stood in front of him,
    “Can I help you? Have you got a visiting order?” He asked, sitting behind the large glass screen covering the desk like some kind of grandiose bank counter, John intervened,
    “Who we work for means we don’t need a visiting order.”
    “My name is Jack West; this is John Hudson, counter intelligence. We would like to see your governor; there’s one of your inmates that we would like to interview. Is there somebody we can speak to?”
    He produced his special ID as did John to prove their claim. The receptionist, while sceptical, was prepared to accept the request,
    “Can you wait there?” He ordered while disappearing through a back door into an adjoining corridor.
    Taking the time to look around the room they noticed chairs around the edges, upholstered to the same taste as the carpet. They had no time to comment as the receptionist very quickly returned from the back with a superior and both West and Hudson both introduced themselves again this time to the senior warden. Like his junior counterpart he appeared to accept them as he gestured for them to follow him around the side. Opening up a door to the rear of the reception by keypad the heavy entrance swung open as the warden stood aside for the West and Hudson to enter,
    “If you’d like to follow me sirs, I take you to the administrative block.” He said,
    “Thank you.” Replied Jack.
    He led them out of the rear of the reception down a corridor. Brick lines and painted white, the decor was somewhat lighter than the reception as the carpet had changed from brown to blue. The corridors of the prison seemed like a maze, corridor after corridor, passing office after office, the admin block seemed like miles away.
    Eventually they arrived at a white iron bar security gate. Fitted with a time lock, both West and Hudson tried not to be tempted and take a peek at the code imputed by the senior warden. The whole area was laced with security cameras so even if they did have a look, the strong chances were that they would be seen by unknown prying eyes. Passing through the gate