First Degree Innocence by Ginger Simpson Page A

moving you?” Susanna’s full lips pulled into a frown.
    “I told Ogden I didn’t want to go, but she was quick to remind me that it didn’t matter what I wanted. This changing of cells is all about authority and control.”
    “Isn’t everything in this place?” Susanna gave a half-hearted chuckle. “We should be glad Ogden isn’t a dog. If she was, she’d be pissin’ on us to mark her territory.”
    Carrie pulled her knees up and hugged them, laughing out loud at the image Susanna conveyed. Finally she caught her breath. “Yeah, everything around here is all about the chain of command, and I got the very distinct feeling that I have to move up ten notches to even be at the bottom.” Although it was meant as a joke, Carrie’s words failed to bring a smile to her face. She’d always heard that humor could mask pain, but not this time.
    Preferring to dwell on something more pleasant, she summoned a mental image of hypnotic blue eyes. Silly, thinking about a man she barely knew and getting so excited about the possibility of running into him again. Her teeth skimmed her bottom lip as she pictured him. She took a deep breath and interlaced her fingers across her stomach. If her dating experiences had been anything other than dismal and disappointing, maybe she wouldn’t be so desperate now. If only she had someone on her side…someone with money and power.
    She sat up and turned to Susanna. “How much do you know about the male guards?”
     
    Chapter Six
     
    Susanna shrugged. “They’re men; that’s about all I know. Why?”
    Carrie wasn’t sure why she asked. For some strange reason she couldn’t shake the image of those powder blue eyes peering at her through the fence. It had only been a look, for heaven’s sakes. The man was just doing his job by making sure the women’s yard was clear. She returned Susanna’s shrug and inched closer to her. “I was just wondering if you knew any of their names. I kinda met one through the fence in the rec yard. No biggie.”
    A smile curled Susanna’s wide lips. “Judging from the twinkle in your eye, I don’t believe you.”
    Carrie shook her head. “Oh, don’t be silly. He probably saved me from getting into trouble, that’s all. I was too busy daydreaming and hadn’t realized rec time was almost over.”
    “Gee, I thought it was something spicier. So…” Susanna stretched out on her side. She leaned her head on bended arm. “Tell me more about this proposed move to Jet’s cell.”
    Carrie rose and began to pace. “It just pisses me off to be used like a pawn. You know I don’t want to move, but evidently Jet’s interest in me is purely to prove she can get her way around here, and for some reason I’m her chess piece of the week. She must know some dark, dirty secrets about Ogden to be able to manipulate the woman like she does. Why else would a prison matron cater to an inmate?”
    Susanna looked pensive. “I never thought about it like that, but what could she possibly have on the bitch?” She giggled and a grin softened her face. “Do you suppose on her off-time she’s secretly a strip-tease dancer at a local nudie bar?”
    The image made Carrie laugh out loud. Overweight, grey-haired, varicose veins and saggy boobs. That wasn’t a sight she’d imagine anyone paying to see. She plopped down on the edge of Susanna’s bunk. “I don’t think that’s it… but what? Has Jet always snapped her fingers and made Ogden jump?”
    “Ever since I’ve been here. If anyone tangles with Jet, it doesn’t matter who’s at fault, Jet always skates and the other person suffers.”
    Carrie dropped her head into her hands. “Why does it have to be me?”
    Susanna patted Carrie’s shoulder. “I wish I had the answer, my friend. But this type of bullshit seems to happen in here all the time.”
    Standing, Carrie squared her shoulders. “Well, it isn’t the end of the world. If I get moved, it doesn’t mean our friendship is over. We’ll still