Free Time to Kill by Brian Freemantle

word against his. He’s a senior prison guard, you’re a convicted felon. I’d take a bet the records show you properly signed out.’
    â€˜Who’s got maximum, good behaviour remission. Why should I risk screwing it up trying to escape less than a month before I was going to be released anyway!’
    â€˜Your release being delayed, because of what happened?’
    â€˜Not that I’ve been told. I think that’s something you should establish.’
    â€˜At the moment you haven’t lost anything?’
    He could have predicted the conversation, thought Mason, who had no intention of pursuing any sort of claim to its end. ‘Not for Howitt’s want of trying.’
    â€˜You looking for financial compensation?’
    â€˜Don’t I deserve it, having had five years of freedom put in jeopardy?’
    â€˜Which isn’t going to be jeopardized. You beat the bastard, if indeed it was a set-up.’
    â€˜He should pay! Someone should pay.’ And you’re the key to a lot of money you don’t even know about, thought Mason.
    â€˜It could take a long time.’
    â€˜I’m used to long times, like fifteen years within the same walls. All I’m asking you to do is look into it. Decide if there’s a case.’
    â€˜I’m just pointing up practical, legal difficulties, that’s all,’ insisted Bell.
    â€˜Will you look into it, at least?’
    â€˜I’ll look into it,’ begrudged the lawyer. ‘It won’t be quick, though.’
    The last thing he wanted was for it to be quick, thought Mason. ‘I’m initially going to be under Washington parole, right on your doorstep. And we need to meet about other things, don’t we?’
    â€˜Everything’s in order, waiting,’ assured the lawyer.
    â€˜How much money is in the account?’ Bell had held power of attorney over his mother’s estate for the past ten years.
    â€˜I checked before I left Washington,’ said Bell. ‘Your mother’s house sold for $120,000 and there was $80,000 after the sale of the disposable assets and the money that was in the account. It’s all been on the highest interest deposit, in the First National. In round figures you’re looking at close to $300,000.’
    â€˜I’d like you to move, say, $50,000 into a checking account. And arrange a chequebook and cash card to be ready for when I get out.’
    â€˜Of course.’
    Mason hesitated. ‘There was a strongbox in which my mother kept things she thought important?’ And which is even more important to me, he thought.
    â€˜That’s in a safety deposit box, at the First National. Those were your instructions.’
    â€˜I’m hoping there’ll be some things, momentos, that I’d like to have. Photographs, stuff like that.’
    â€˜I can understand,’ smiled Bell.
    â€˜I’ll get in touch, as soon as I get out.’
    â€˜Of course. It’s going to take some getting used to.’
    More than you could ever guess, thought Mason. ‘I’ll admit to being a little nervous.’
    â€˜It wouldn’t be natural if you weren’t. Everything will be ready for you.’
    â€˜And by then you’ll have thought about this claim?’
    â€˜Absolutely.’
    Mason hadn’t expected to encounter Gerry Garson until the following morning at least but found the man at the far end of the library corridor later that afternoon when he closed up. Mason was within yards of the man before Garson saw him, immediately trying to hurry away.
    â€˜Gerry!’ stopped Mason. There’s something you need to hear. Something important.’
    The prison guard halted, trying – but failing – to appear surprised at Mason being there. ‘I didn’t see you.’
    â€˜Good job I saw you then. I had an interview with my attorney today. You might know about that, as you know there’s an internal