“No, but you can do something for me?”
“Name it.”
A harsh bark erupted from him, and, at first, I worried he was choking, but realized he was laughing. Between gasps he said, “And I…had…tobegyou…to see Broken…Man. Wish…you were this…cooperative before.”
“Cogon,” I warned.
“Whew. Back to your old…self. I need you to plant Broken Man’s clothes to help my alibi. Obviously, the Pop Cops haven’t found him and they think he’s moved to another hiding place. But after the next…” He drew in a deep breath. “Next round of torture, I’m going to confess to killing him and I need evidence. I’m going to tell them I shoved his clothes into the space behind storage closet two, two, one in the care facility. Do you know where it is?”
I smiled at the memory of Cogon showing me his hidey hole. “The one where you hid your…what did you call them?”
“Spirits.”
“Now I remember. So called because they burned on the way down and floated right to your head, making you feel as light as a ghost.”
“And you believed me, too.”
“Did not.”
“Did too. You used to follow me around the common room, making sure I didn’t turn into a ghost.”
“You have it all wrong.Youfollowedme. And I’m the one who keptyoufrom getting into trouble.”
“Me? Who covered foryouwhenyouwent exploring? Me. That’s who! And I’m still protecting you.”
The dagger of truth popped the warm bubble of memories. Cold reality rushed in, shocking me into the present.
A bang echoed through the cells, and a wedge of daylight sliced the yellow glow.
“Who’re you talking to scrub?” a man asked.
“The rats,” Cog said.
His harsh laughter grated on my nerves. “Did they respond?”
“No.”
“I’m not surprised. Rats wouldn’t demean themselves by interacting with a low-life scrub.”
“You’retalking to me, Vinco. Does that make you worse than a rat?”
Vinco growled. “That’sCommanderVinco, scrub. Since you’re in such a chatty mood… Porter bring me my knife!”
There was a muttered reply.
“Damn assembly. Myknifewill be talking to you on my next shift.”
The white light shrank then disappeared with the slamming of the doors.
“Trella?” Cog pitched his voice low.
“Still here.”
“You shouldn’t be. Get going before you’re marked tardy for assembly.”
“But I need to hide Broken Man’s stuff for you.”
“You have time. The Pop Cops won’t be looking for it until hour twelve.”
