The Stretch (Stephen Leather Thrillers) by Stephen Leather Page A

that was what lay ahead of her and her husband. Years of visits until there was nothing left to say, just a shared silence and single beds. She shivered.
    ‘Are you cold?’ asked Terry.
    Sam shook her head.
    Terry leaned forward, the concern clear on his face. ‘There’s a guy in here got it in for me, love. Guy called Riggs.’
    ‘Chief Prison Officer? Yeah, he was there. Said my name wasn’t on the list. Bastard.’
    ‘I’m sorry.’
    ‘Will you stop saying “sorry”, Terry, it doesn’t make me feel any better.’ She looked around the visiting room. At the far end a prisoner barely out of his teens was sobbing while his girlfriend or wife sat back in her chair, arms crossed defensively, a frown on her face. Children were running around and playing, while prison officers walked up and down, eyes forever on the move, looking for contraband. ‘Christ, I wish I was a million miles away from here.’
    ‘You and me both, love.’
    Riggs walked into the room and sat at a table by the door, glaring at Terry. Terry smiled broadly and gave him a small wave. ‘I’ll fucking have you when I get out of here,’ he said under his breath, still smiling.
    Sam turned to see who he was looking at. When she saw that it was Riggs, she turned and scowled at Terry. ‘Will you stop winning friends and influencing people? It’s no wonder they’re giving you a hard time.’
    Terry raised his hands in surrender and settled back in his plastic chair.
    ‘And don’t say “sorry” again, Terry. All right?’
    ‘All right.’
    They sat in silence for a while, then Terry leaned forward. ‘Everything’s fixed up, yeah?’
    Sam gave Terry a long, hard look. ‘You’re a bastard, Terry Greene.’
    ‘Love . . .’
    ‘Don’t “love” me. Getting me to do your dirty work.’ She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. ‘The stuff was dropped off as arranged. I picked up the GPS gizmo from the hotel and gave it to Reg Salmon. I’m meeting Kay and the rest tomorrow.’
    ‘Be careful with them, yeah? You’ve got to show them who’s boss.’
    ‘But I’m not their boss, Terry. I’m a wife and mother, not a bloody gang leader.’
    ‘You mustn’t show weakness, love. They’ll turn on you.’
    Sam sighed and nodded. ‘Okay. I’ll be okay.’ She put a hand up to her forehead. ‘I can’t believe you’ve got me doing this for you.’
    ‘Who else could I trust?’
    ‘I’m not doing the counterfeit thing, Terry. I’ll do this for you, but that’s it.’ Terry tried to hold her hand but she pulled it away. ‘I mean it.’
    ‘I know you do.’ He put his hands on the table and interlinked his fingers. ‘Andy McKinley’s taking care of you, yeah?’
    Sam nodded. ‘He’s a good guy.’
    ‘Yeah. He’s solid. None too bright, though.’
    ‘Kay said that. Andy’s not stupid, Terry. If anyone’s stupid, it’s me.’
    Terry smiled and shook his head.
    ‘Has Laura been to see you?’
    ‘Not yet. I sent a request form. Takes time.’
    A small boy fell at Sam’s feet and she bent down and picked him up. He twisted out of her grip and ran back to his mother, crying.
    ‘Remember how Laura was always trying to run before she could walk?’ said Terry. ‘Always falling over. But never cried. Tough kid.’
    ‘Toughness isn’t always a virtue, Terry.’
    Sam watched as the mother picked up the boy and cradled him against her, whispering into his ear as her prisoner husband looked on anxiously. She turned back to look at Terry. ‘Did you do it, Terry?’
    Terry held her look. Then he slowly shook his head. His eyes never left hers. ‘No,’ he said. ‘No, love, I didn’t.’
    She stared back at him, trying to see the answer in his eyes. Finally she shook her head, admitting defeat. ‘I used to know when you were lying. You’d come back at all hours and tell me it was business kept you out, and I knew. I knew Terry Greene, knew you’d been out with one of your slappers because I could see it in your eyes.