Free Simple Intent by Linda Sands

letter in exchange for protection. He was straight-up. He was next.
    Outgoing calls from the prison were always collect and charged an enormous rate. The surcharge would put a damper on a rich man’s income. No wonder their mamas told them, “Don’t you call me from prison, boy!” They had to pay the rent.
    The cons watched whom they called and what they said. With a restricted list for each inmate, the guards listened in and could cut you off at anytime. Ray had only five numbers on his list. Two were for his attorney. He tried the first. After a series of rings, the tone was replaced by a computerized voice stating the number had been changed, and for a mere ninety cents he would be automatically connected to the new number. Ray stayed on the line. When the call went through, he had to wait for the collect call acceptance, and finally got a human voice. She sounded real pretty, too.

    Reilly walked the Mikes and Money to the elevator and said good-bye with a complicated hand slap, snap-clap combination that impressed Missy. She watched from her seat behind the reception desk thinking, it’s going to quiet around here when he goes back to school. 
    Reilly caught the look and smiled. He was about to say something clever, something like, Hey there beautiful, where have you been all my life? Or something poetic like, the sunbeam on the north shore whispers your name. Or something smart... when the phone rang and Missy answered it saying, “Montgomery, DeLuca, Banning and Scott. How may I direct your call?” 
    “What did you say? Where’s Denise? I’m looking for Mr. Herring. He’s my attorney.”
    “I am sorry, sir. Mr. Herring is indisposed. Would you like to speak with Mr. Banning?”
    “Mr. Banning? Who the hell is that? No, I need to speak to Mr. Herring—about my case. He’s my attorney.”
    “Sir, Mr. Herring is unavailable to speak to anyone.”
    “What? Is he in a meeting? You tell him Ray Bentley’s on the phone. That son of bitch hasn’t come to see me in three months!” 
    “Sir,” Missy lowered her voice, “Mr. Herring won’t be coming to see anyone. He is deceased. Montgomery, DeLuca, Banning and Scott took over the offices of Herring and Son. All the casework’s been transferred here. I can connect you to Mr. Banning’s office. He’s in charge of Herring’s cases.”
    “Deceased?’ Ray said.
    This might have been funny if Ray wasn’t calling from Graterford Prison. This might have been humorous if Ray Bentley wasn’t serving a life sentence for a crime he didn’t commit. Ray rolled his eyes to the ceiling and sighed. “He’s dead? My attorney died and no one said a goddamn thing? What about Denise? Is she there?”
    “No, she’s gone, too.”
    “What? She died, too?”
    “No sir. I believe Miss Brody is alive and well.”
    Ray pulled the phone from his ear. He was tempted to smash it back onto the hook and call it a day. Motherfuckers! 
    Mama Bell looked at her watch, and folded her huge arms over her broad flat chest. Ray exhaled loudly, brought the phone back to his ear.
    Missy said, “Sir? Sir? Shall I transfer you now?”
    “Yeah, sure. Transfer me.”

    Reilly heard the whole thing. He watched Missy send the call to Helen at Banning’s office and checked his watch. It was late. They might talk to the guy, but they wouldn’t request the files, not until Monday. If then… The law moved at a sloth’s pace.
    Reilly said, “Poor guy. His attorney died and no one told him?”
    “Worse than that, the guy’s calling from prison.”
    Reilly’s curiosity peaked, “What did you say his name was?”
    Missy smiled. “I didn’t.”
    “Come on, Missy.” Reilly flashed her a grin and reached for her hand.
    Missy looked at his hand on hers. She smiled back and leaned forward whispering, “Ray Bentley.” When the phone rang she tipped her head toward the elevator and told him, “The Herring files are in the basement. Good luck.”

CHAPTER 8
Some Beginnings Start In