From: "a.p.williamson" Subject: RR Chapter 19 Hi All, Since noone seemed to object to Simons chapter, here's Chapter 19 of the RR. Hope you enjoy it :-) Andrew *************************************************************************** CHAPTER NINETEEN ================ Cliffhanger: >Fear shrouded the footsteps of more than one officer in Victoria's >Department of Corrective Services, but the stench of terror that hung >about this one was almost tangible... Joan stode forward from the >desk, beaming. "Hello, Cynthia. Welcome to Wentworth." >"Interesting." said Cynthia. She poured herself a coffee, while Joan >sipped hers, before speaking again: "By the way, how's the new >prisoner - McFadden?" Cynthia shrugged. "Very... nice. She'll need >careful watching - a drugs-pusher like that, there's no telling what >she might have smuggled in." Cynthia smiled unpleasantly. " In fact, I >think I'd better give her another search now. Better safe than >sorry..." She grinned evilly, and as she did, she reached into her >pocket and produced a well-worn pair of black leather gloves. "Coming, >Joan?" Joan smiled too, despite a tinge of apprehension. She nodded. >"Wouldn't miss it." Chapter Nineteen ================ Monday 14th November 1983 08:32 hrs, Wentworth Detention Centre Cynthia gave two sharp knocks on the door of the governors office, entering almost without waiting for permission. In the two days since her arrival at the prison, Cynthia's path had not crossed that of Ann Reynolds. Usual practice was for the governor to formally welcome new officers, but a combination of meetings and Cynthia's shift arrangement had meant that she had been greeted by Meg Morris - Cynthia was depressed to find that the stories of Morris' bleeding heart had been all too true. Now she approached her first meeting with Ann Reynolds with the confidence that came from knowing exactly what sort of regime was in power at Wentworth. At Blackmoor, Reynolds name had been a joke, and Cynthia had been less than delighted when her transfer orders came through. She had thought of opposing the transfer, but had come to the conclusion that Wentworth was far more fertile ground for what she really wanted. Ernest Craven was too firmly installed in the governors chair at Blackmoor, but Reynolds position was legendarily shaky. "You must be Cynthia," Anne Reynolds held out her hand in greeting, "I'm Anne Reynolds. Welcome to Wentworth" Cynthia returned the handshake firmly. "Pleased to meet you governor." "How are you enjoying life at Wentworth. It must be quite different to Blackmoor?" "I'm very impressed," lied Cynthia, "Governor Craven sends his best regards." Anne was discomfited at the mention of Craven. On occasion she had met Ernest Craven at official functions, and had found him profoundly dislikable. "It's funny you should mention Mr.Craven. I understand you and he have had quite close dealings in the past?" Anne had been perturbed at the prospect of a Blackmoor officer coming to the prison - particularly one of whom Joan Ferguson talked highly. She had used her contacts within the Department to check up on Cynthia Leach's background. What she had found had not been particularly encouraging. Cynthia had became more attentive, surprised at the opening of this line of questioning. "I don't see what relevance that has to my position here Governor." "Only that Governor Craven and I have quite different working methods. My information is that you were an enthusiastic believer in his regime at Blackmoor." "I gave my full support to my Governor, as you would expect of any officer in the service. His methods are right for Blackmoor. I assure you, you will have my full support at Wentworth." "And your personal views?" "Are mine," Cynthia softened her tone, "with respect Governor" Ann nodded in acceptance, though she was far from convinced of Cynthia's loyalty. Her time spent with Joan Ferguson had sharpened her instinct for deception in others. "Just be sure they stay your personal views. I will not tolerate Blackmoor methods being brought into my prison. I'm sure an officer of your calibre will soon adapt to how we do things here." Cynthia smiled. "Thank you governor. I'm sure I'll have no trouble making the change..." 08:52 hrs Cynthia entered the solitary wing with an almost perceptible spring in her step. The meeting with Reynolds had gone well for her. She judged that she had gone some way towards convincing Reynolds of her loyalty. Reynolds had started to go on about prison reform, and Cynthia had found herself having to profess support for policies which she found ludicrous. Still, it would be worth it in the end. She checked the spy window on the cell. Lynn McFadden was sitting on the cot bed. She flinched visibly at the sight of the officer. By the time Cynthia had opened the cell door, the prisoner was on her feet, backing towards the wall. "Get away from me you bitch! I want to see the Governor." Cynthia shook her head. "Don't be silly McFadden. She hasn't got time to waste on your fantasies." "Fantasies! You know full well what happened...." "Nothing happened McFadden," Cynthia moved in closer, "nothing at all." "I'm not scared of you." retorted McFadden, though her whole manner was unconvincing. "I'd think carefully McFadden." Cynthia shut the cell door. "You've never been inside before, have you?" McFadden shook her head. "Amongst the inmates," Cynthia continued, "there is a leader who they call the Top Dog. Her word is law to the scum in here. The Top Dog in Wentworth is one Myra Desmond, a convicted murdress recently implicated in the murder of another prisoner. Now, as chance would have it, both of her kids recently met with unfortunate accidents. Drug overdoses killed them both." Cynthia smirked. "I can't wait to see how she reacts when she finds out what you're in for." McFadden looked shaken, beginning to comprehend the implications of what the officer was saying. "You can't expect me to forget what you did to me." "On the contrary McFadden. You'll need protection in here. I can offer you that....for a price" "No!" McFadden was vehement, "Not that, never again." Cynthia shook her head. "Don't flatter yourself McFadden. What I want from you is information." "You want me to spy on them? That doesn't sound much like protection to me. More like a bloody death sentence." Cynthia smirked. "Only if they catch you. I'd think seriously about it. All I need you to do is give me some information now and again, and maybe plant a little information for me. In return for that I keep you alive." Lynn still looked unconvinced, but was clearly wavering. Cynthia pressed home her attack. "Consider the alternative McFadden. You could go to Reynolds with your little fairy story, and make accusations against two officers for which you have not a shred of proof. Just bear in mind that there are a lot of dark corners in this prison. It would be a real shame if you were to find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time. You understand?" McFadden nodded, clearly resigned to her fate "Alright. But you touch me again, and I swear I'll see you taken down" Cynthia detected the vehemence behind the words. "Good choice McFadden, and we'll just forget about the other matter. Now, come with me." "Why?" McFadden was suspicious. "Beacuse the time has come for you to join the rest of the animals. in the zoo. And McFadden, don't let me down. One thing I don't forgive is betrayal" 14:21 hrs Myra had been surprised to be called away for a visit shortly after lunch. She had dared to hope that it was the police with news of their investigations into her kids overdoses. She had been faintly disappointed that her visitor had turned out to be Audrey Collins, a former colleage from the PRG. Their conversation had been cordial, if lacking the easy familiarity they had had on the outside. What perturbed Myra now was the last thing Audrey had said to her before Meg Morris had brought the visit to an end. Their conversation which had ranged through the topics of Myra's kids, Audreys own family life, and the latest goings on in the PRG, had finally turned to Wentworth. "I believe you have a new screw round here?" Myra had confirmed that Cynthia Leach was indeed patrolling Wentworth these days. The name had had a nagging familiarity to Myra when she had first met the new officer. Had she perhaps seen her mentioned in PRG files? She had been unable to place the name though - to be frank she had been preoccupied by her own plight recently, perhaps to the detriment of the others. Some wild rumours had been flying around the prison - courtesy of those who had had dealings in the past, but Myra had resolved to hold back until she had checked out the veracity of the rumours about Cynthia Leach. She knew that there had been whisperings against her lack of action, but it had been so difficult recently to focus on anything since...... Audrey had begun to give her more details about Leach's background, but Morris had intervened - it was not the done thing to have prisoners passing information about officers. As Audrey had departed however, she had made one parting comment that had increased Myra's concern: "Watch -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- the Leach Myra. From what we've seen she'll give Ferguson a run for her money. Don't cross her." 15:31 hrs Ann was concerned when Meg relayed news of what Myra's visitor had said about Cynthia, taking it as some confirmation of what she had learnt through unofficial channels within the department about Cynthia Leach. Their meeting that morning had gone some way towards mollifying her worries - Cynthia had come across as being willing to adapt to the different regime at Wentworth, and had even been willing to talk about the possiblilty of some of the reforms which Ann wished to see implemented. The woman who had sat opposite her had certainly been imposing; tall and heavily built, perhaps looking younger than her forty-three years. Her dark hair was tied up tightly, framing a face which was far from being attractive, but hinted at a certain beauty not quite yet surrendered. Ann had noted that Cynthia tended to maintain eye contact whenever possible, giving the impression of confidence and assuredness. Ann judged that this was someone well capable of taking care of herself, and who would always attempt to dominate situations and those around her. There had, however, been no apparent trouble since the officer had arrived, but Ann was only too aware from dealing with Joan how well some officers could hide misconduct. One thing was apparent from Cynthia's departmental file - she did not lack ambition, and the prospect of having both Joan and Cynthia casting avaricious eyes over her seat concerned Ann deeply. Once again, Ann pondered why it was that the staff often caused her more problems than the prisoners. 16:30 hrs Cynthia entered the staffroom at the end of her eventful double-shift, just as Joan was preparing to start hers. Joan greeted her with a cordiality that Cynthia half suspected was forced. "How was your meeting with the glorious leader" enquired Joan. She had had time during the day to ponder Cynthia's actions since arriving at Wentworth - what she knew of them - and had come to some very unpalatable conclusions. She had resolved to watch her colleague closely. "Very well thanks. She seems to be under the impression that I actually approve of her reform plans." Joan was impressed. Reynolds was not easily fooled. "Actually," Cynthia continued, "there's only one reform of this place that interests me. How would you like to be Deputy Governor?" Joan registered the implication instantly, and realised that a critical moment in her relationship with Cynthia had come quicker than she could have expected. "Forget it," she said vehemently, "Wentworth is mine." Cynthia smirked. "Don't kid yourself Joan. Word is the department wouldn't put you in charge of a creche let alone a prison." "What do you mean? Who's been talking" "Your little moment of fame in the Winter case. Word is that the department wasn't at all pleased." "I had nothing to do with that!" Joan hoped she sounded convincing. "Mmm, of course not. But it seems that the powers that be consider you to be something of a liability as governor of a prison." Joan was reeling. "What the hell makes you think they'd appoint you?" "You know the way the department works Joan. A personal reference from a prison governor goes a long way, and Craven will be only too happy to back me. He and Mr.Dwyer share certain....extracurricular interests, if the rumours are to be believed" "And how do you plan to get rid of Reynolds and Morris? She's not as weak as she looks" "Really Joan? Maybe it's just that you've been getting sloppy. Maybe you're not up to it after all..." Realisation dawned on Joan "That's why you took me to solitary last night. You wanted to see how far I would go to back you up!" Cynthia smiled "Very good Joan. I was chatting to McFadden earlier. I think she'll prove quite useful to me...or to us" Joan recognised the tactic - brutalise a new inmate in order to secure their cooperation. "I've got to hand it to you Cynthia. You're a fast worker." "Unlike you Joan. Two years here and still no further up the ladder." "That's not my fault. I think Reynolds is holding something against Dwyer. She got her job back just too easily last time." "Excuses Joan. I'm offering you the next step." "I will not play second fiddle to you Cynthia!" Joan was vehement. "Don't be so hasty. Like I said, the backing of a prison governor goes a long way. You back me, then once the fuss has died down I can see to it that you get a chance at the governors chair somewhere else." A thousand thoughts raced through Joans head. Cynthia had moved so fast, and seemed to be holding all the cards. What to do for the best? "How do I know I can trust you?" "You know me better than that Joan. Let's put it this way. You either back me or I'll make sure it's the end of your career. Back me Joan and I'll see you alright. Oppose me......you know I'm not the forgiving kind." Cynthia's tone was as cold as ice. "One way or another I'm going to Governor of Wentworth Joan. So, are you with me or not?" "He used to bring me roses....." ***************************************************************************