Song of the Blackbird (Albatross Prison #1) Read Online Free Page A

shrugged. “Everything here takes forever. No funds and slow staff. We didn’t have a working phone for Dr. Tran for about six months, can you believe it?”
    “That long?”
    “Get used to it,” Julien warned. “The prison is over forty years old. Things break all the time. If you need anything repaired, let me know and I’ll put in a work order. They’ll eventually get to it. But prepare for a long wait.”
    “Okay. Thanks for the warning.” By this time, they’d reached the top of the hill. Julien didn’t appear quite as out of breath as she was. Emma realized she should definitely hit the gym again. The last few months, she’d been too preoccupied with Sam to do much. She inhaled the cool fresh air and resolved to do better. Suddenly, a shrill call of a blackbird greeted them.
    On-ke-kaaangh. On-ke-kaaangh. The bird perched on a low-lying branch of an oak tree close to the spot where Mr. Roberts had been beaten that morning. His pitch-black wings had two bright red patches. Emma leaned forward. White streaks bordered the red. Oh! She felt a surge of excitement, sure this was a good omen. He was the rarest of birds, the tricolored blackbird, Sam’s favorite ever since they’d gone bird-watching together as children.
    On-ke-kaaangh. On-ke-kaaangh. The bird let out another call before spreading his wings and flying away. Sam used to look that way, confident and bold. What did he look like now? Would he be downtrodden and despondent or would he be like the blackbird, proud and free, ready to fly and sing despite what life dealt him? How she longed to see her brother again.
     

 
    Chapter 3
     
    Maxim Chambers took off his suit jacket and folded his long body into the oversized office chair. What a morning. He shook his head and grimaced. Bloody stupid Roberts almost got him with that knife. Maxim flexed his shoulders and felt his muscles tighten with tension. It was a close one, almost too close, but that was what he lived for. He remembered the rush of satisfaction when Roberts had fallen as flat as a pancake. He would have kicked him harder except for that annoying doctor.
    She stood no taller than his shoulder but man did she pack a punch with that mouth. A rude brute, she’d called him. He guessed technically she was accurate on both counts but did she have to sound so disgusted? Her green eyes had spit fire at him. He’d never seen eyes that green. Coupled with her black hair, she looked like a bewitching cat. Bewitching. What the hell was he thinking? Some men might find her elfin, slender looks attractive but he preferred the tall, buxom type. Yet, those eyes. Maxim rolled his shoulders back and rubbed a hand behind his neck. Emeralds. That was what they reminded him of. Too bad the rest of the package didn’t match up.
    Regionals had been fools to hire her. She was too young and too petite. How was she going to hold up with these godforsaken inmates? All the other doctors were men. It didn’t bode well to throw her in among the prisoners. Damn. He’d have to keep an extra eye out for her, another problem to add to his plate. As if he hadn’t enough problems already.
     
    ***
     
    Back on the tour, Julien informed Emma that the inmates who needed extra protection stayed in Unit 4, the SNY or Sensitive Need Yard.
    “Extra protection? From whom?” Emma asked.
    “From other inmates,” Julien said, leading her out of the SNY facility. “The SNY guys are, you know…the child molesters, transgender patients, anyone who might be picked on. They’re all in this unit. Especially the ones who snitched on their gangs.”
    They went out to the yard, climbed up several steps and reached another locked gate.
    “Key number 527.” Julien held up his set. “It opens all the outdoor gates. And by the way, be really careful with your keys. They’re assigned to you and you have to check them in and out every day.”
    “Yes. They told me that during the tour. What happens if you forget and bring them