Penned In. Lynn Cahoon
from dishwasher to full-time prep cook. From the way the team was teasing her, Angie assumed Hope would always be considered the little sister. At least until they’d hired a new full-time dishwasher.
Estebe Blackstone, Felicia Williams, and Nancy Gowan were huddled around the other end of the table comparing notes on the new pumpkin salad that was in review to go onto the menu next month. And Ian McNeal, her boyfriend, was strolling back to the table with Dom, who had needed to be walked before they were locked into the jail grounds. According to the woman who’d set up their tour, Dom was welcome and they even had an inside courtyard where he could do his business. Provided Angie cleaned up after him, of course.
Dom was over a year old now and she thought he was still growing. He hadn’t gained any height, but he looked like he’d been lifting weights lately. Having a Saint Bernard as a pet wasn’t the easiest path, but Angie wouldn’t change her decision for anything. She looked up as Ian paused next to her, letting Dom lay his head on her lap.
Ian gave her a quick kiss, then sat down, looping the leash over his arm. Dom laid on the grass next to the table keeping an eye on Angie’s plate. “He was a good boy. Which meant I had to stop by the rest rooms and wash up afterwards. You could have gotten a toy terrier.”
“Who wouldn’t have been Dom. He’s my sweet boy.” Angie took a bite of the grilled chicken wrap they’d made up that morning. With the chopped peppers in the mix, the flavor profile was out of this world good. “Besides, I would have taken him. You didn’t have to volunteer.”
“I know. But I like helping. Especially since you let me crash the staff team building. I haven’t even taken a tour of this place yet. I can’t believe they’re letting us stay the night. You do know that it’s haunted, right?” He sipped his iced tea, watching her reaction.
“Of course, it is. Especially around Halloween, right?” Angie pointed over toward the Foothills. “And back there is a tree that moves from one side of the fence to the other when spooks are out and about.”
Ian smiled and focused on his own plate. “I take it you’re not a believer?”
“I don’t know. I guess I’ve never seen anything otherworldly, so I choose to believe in the here and now.”
Nancy sat down by her. “I have. I’ve seen a real, live ghost.”
“Oxymoron, but okay, I’ll bite. What’s the story?” Angie turned to her chef and studied the typically serious Nancy.
A woman paused at the table. The woman’s long brown hair was pulled back into a librarian bun. She was dressed in a guard uniform and as she squared her feet, she took in the table. Picking up a sandwich from the pile in the middle of the table, she sniffed it, then took a bite. “Good evening. I’m one of your jailers, Bridget Murphey. You can call me Officer Murphey. I hope you enjoyed your last meal because we’re opening the doors soon and you won’t be getting anything this fancy once you’re inside.”
“Are we staying near the haunted cells?” Matt raised his hand like he was in school. The officer glanced his way, then ignored his question.
“You’ll have to leave your belongings in the lockers in the lobby area. Don’t worry, we don’t have thieves around, well, not in that part of the jail that is.” She laughed at her own joke and took another bite of the sandwich. “You are permitted a camera, but not a cell phone. Which you should have been informed of when you were sentenced to attend this lockdown. You will be given a uniform shirt and a blanket for your comfort. The prison can get chilly at night. Some say it’s because of the restless spirits in the building.”
“I told you so.” Matt crowed to Hope. She slapped his arm.
“Children, please.” Angie turned back to Officer Murphey. “Can we bring in our cooler with sodas or will that be provided? I need to make sure I have water available for Dom.”
“Your dog will be provided water from the tap. No fancy bottled water for any of you.” She smiled down at Dom who slapped his tail against the table in greeting. “You may get a second blanket for him though. Any other questions?”
Matt raised his hand again. “Will we see all of the prison?”
“Your tour will include all of the safe areas. You will not be shown the cemetery. That is part of the botanical gardens.” She glanced around at us one last time. “Any important questions?”
“Man, she doesn’t like you.” Estebe fake whispered to Matt. “Are you sure you’re not acquainted with our new jailer?”
Angie saw Officer Murphey’s mouth twitch but to her credit, she stayed in character. “Okay then. There will be four staff on site tonight. We’re down from six, so you need to behave or you’ll be sent to solitary on the first offense.”
Matt looked like he was about to say something but the officer’s glare stopped him.
“We have fourteen new residents joining us tonight, but just because your group is the largest sector of those, don’t think you’ll be getting any special treatment.” She pointed to the stone front of the building and the large wooden doors. “Meet us there in thirty minutes without your picnic baskets. If you’re not there, you’ll be left outside and no one wants to be left outside alone on a night like this.”
Since the weather was a balmy warm October Idaho evening, and they were in an upscale section of Boise where the nearby houses sold in the seven figures, Angie figured she was talking about the fact they were almost at Halloween. She waited until the woman began the act again with the small group at the next table before she turned to her group. “Ready for a haunted house tour? I think they’re really going to play up the haunting angle tonight.”
“I don’t like ghosts.” Hope said as she moved just a little closer to Matt.
“I do.” Matt didn’t notice her movement. He was taking pictures of the outside of the building. “Man, I hate giving up my cell. My camera on the phone is way better than this digital I have.”
Estebe held up his camera with a set of lenses and a carrying case. “You need to buy a real camera, not rely on a device that does everything badly.”
“My phone is the newest model. I bet the pictures I take kill yours.” He snapped several pictures of the table, then of the outside of the prison. “I’m a master at this.”
“Except for the fact that you can’t take it inside the prison, I might take you up on that bet.” Estebe patted his camera case. “I guess I’ll have to share my pictures with the group so we can all have memories of this exciting outing. Thanks for setting it up.”
Matt started to say something, then swallowed his words. He’d lost the battle, everyone at the table could see that. But if he moderated his response, he might come back harder another day to win the war.
Angie rolled her eyes at Ian who just laughed. “They’re your children, not mine.”
“And that’s exactly what they are – children.” She glanced around the table. “If everyone’s finished eating, let’s pack up the coolers. Put them in my vehicle and I’ll stop at the shop and clean up in the morning.”
“Hold it,” Felicia called out. She pointed to the dark SUV at the end of the parking lot. “Just put everything into Estebe’s Hummer. He has to drop me off at my apartment anyway so I might as well take care of the cleanup. That way Angie can just go straight home without coming into River Vista.”
“You don’t have to,” Angie started but Felicia shook her head. After throwing away her paper plate, she walked over and stood next to Angie.
“I know I don’t have to, but I am a full partner, right?” When Angie nodded, Felicia continued. “Then that means I clean up at times too. Besides, you’ll probably need to hurry home to feed Precious and Mabel.”
“Actually, Erica’s coming from across the street for tonight and tomorrow morning’s feedings, so I’m good. But