A week later James was beginning to feel like himself again. Better than himself. He had Sammy. The boy was still frightened and nervous, but he knew he had him wrapped around his little finger. He had his mind, and it wouldn't be long until his body followed. James was patient, he knew good things came to those who waited and although he would never admit it, he had grown very fond of the kid.
Every night after lights out he would clamber up into his bed without a word and nestle into him, his head on his chest. Some nights they might kiss, fondle and grind on each other, other nights they just slept, enjoying each others warmth and presence.
That morning Sam had already left for his now assigned afternoon duties, duties James was still on leave from for a further three days. This enabled him to set his affairs in order.
'I'd like to make a phone call,' he called to a guard outside his cell, after some deliberations over a walkie talkie, he was escorted to a phone booth.
'Hello?' the familiar gruff voice answered.
'Hey Ferg- its James,' he said, smiling slightly to be talking to his old friend again.
'J! Been a while man, how you doing?' Fergus replied, his voice sounding tinny and distant over the prison phone line.
'I'm good, I'm good,' he said trying to cut the small talk.
'You still feeding all my pets?' he asked. The childish code for his drug deals was necessary over tapped lines, and was so far working well.
'Yeah, the pets are all still kicking here. Your dog Nelly is getting a bit aggressive, he was... er... barking a lot when we last fed him, I think he wants more food.'
Fucking Neil. Of course he was getting difficult. Prison guards don't cope too well with authority from those who they see as inferiors. Well we'll see about that.
'No, reduce his food, he still needs to be trained appropriately. If he's still giving you trouble we'll have a talk about putting him down if we have to.'
'Yeah, I was thinking the same to be honest. Don't want anyone getting hurt if he lashes out.'
'Of course not. Everything else good with you?'
'Yeah man, we miss you here though. How much longer you got, about another year?'
'Nearer two.'
'Fuck man, well, we're thinking of ya.'
'Thanks Ferg, I'll call again soon.'
'Bye J,' he said, and James hung up.
'Boss says you're well enough for yard time,' the guard with the walkie talkie said as he approached him.
James smiled.
'Perfect, lead the way,' he said. He had several matters that needed attending to.
To his immense pleasure when he entered the yard he saw Neil was one of the supervisors by the far fence. The fat bastard was squinting at the inmates through his little dark eyes and James felt the ripple of dislike. Dodgy coppers and guards were useful, but a lying rat is a lying rat, whatever side you are on.
James made a lazy path towards him, and casually leaned on the fence a few feet from him and Neil waddled closer in his direction.
'You're up and about again then?' he said gruffly.
'Seems that way, yes,' James said, not looking at him but rather at the inmates milling around the yard. 'I hear you've been giving my boys some trouble Neil.'
James didn't have to be looking at him to see the bristle of indignation his words caused.
'W-wh- I merely-' he spluttered, reddening in the face.
'Want more?' James asked, turning a sudden cold stare on him. Neil pursed his lips.
'Yes. Yes, I want more. If you want me to turn a blind eye to what is happening here-'
'And what is that exactly?' James said icily.
'The mind-games! The grooming of that kid for Christ''s sake! I shouldn't have helped you, I should never have... Did he really call you Sir? Sir! It's not natural, and if you expect me-'
'I expect you to keep your mouth shut Neil. Don't think for a second that I couldn't get rid of you in a moment if I wanted to.'
'Is that a threat!?' Neil said getting angry and gripping his baton.