Chapter 18

“What happened tonight?”

“The kid got a little excited and I had to calm him down.”

“With your fists.”

“I didn’t touch him. I just…I tried keeping him off me.” Joe leaned in. “But he’s insane, this one. Look, Warden, you gotta get him outta my cell—’’

“No can do.’’ Cooke sighed, rearranging some papers on his desk. His office oversaw the yard and woods, and from where he sat, Cooke could see it all. His vast empire. Guard Crawford walked back in and set a glass of water on the desk. He quickly left again.

“Have some,” Cooke said, pointing to the glass.

“No, thank you.” Joe was thirsty, but gazed out the window instead, at the black sky speckled with thousands of stars. The forest swayed under it, and for a second, he wanted to weep too. Just like Dubois had.

Was he all right?

Had Williams knocked him out?

“That young man,’’ Cooke said, “Dubois, do you know who he is?”

“I know the story. I know he’s not to be messed with.”