OOM: Jail, Week 4

[latino_menace]

One thing that's nice, he has to admit, is that it's September here in LA. Which means it's still hot. He takes advantage of this during the hour a day he's allowed outside and sits in the direct path of the sun, usually smoking, sometimes high, always appreciating the heat.

It doesn't make him unaware, of course. Inmates like him are not allowed out with the general prison population - for the safety of the others, not for his own. It always makes him smirk when he thinks about it. If the rest of them ganged up on him, there's not a damn thing he could do to stop them beating the crap out of him...but he's still segregated. Partly because the guards know that he'd kill with any weapon he could, partly because he'd recruit. And no one would touch him. People are like that - he'd generate enough fear simply by saying his name. No one would dare hit him because they'd know that retribution would follow. Even if they were to kill Ramon Salazar, his brother would find them. It's just the way it works and everyone knows it.

So he's let out for an hour away from the others, usually on his own. Occasionally there's one or two others that generally try to stay away. He goes to talk to them, of course. If they know who he is, they stay polite. If they don't, he tells them. They get the idea.

This one is a little different. He can see his approach out of the corner of his eye as he reclines on the steps, resting on his elbows. The guy is pretty young, maybe not yet thirty. Doesn't have the stereotypical tough guy look about him, but there's confidence in every movement. Intelligent, clearly. And neat in appearance too. Ramon wonders what he wants because he's certainly approaching with a purpose.

'Senor Salazar.'

Hispanic too. Ramon turns his head to acknowledge him.

'What's going on?'

The man inclines his head, almost - but not quite - respectfully. It seems to say 'I know who you are and what you could do, but I'm still not afraid. I won't be kissing your ass today.'

'I've been asked to relay a message.'

'Then relay it.'

'September 22nd. There will be more to come.'

He continues to smoke, ruminating on the date and trying to work out what Hector has planned. 'From you or the usual way.'

'Probably a mixture of both Senor.'

His eyebrow quirks, just a little. 'And who are you exactly?'

The man takes on an expression that looks somewhat like he's bitten down on something sour. 'I've been sent to talk to you. Hector had me set up to get arrested and then arranged to be here - you have contacts, I'm told.'

Ramon smiles. A good move on Hector's part, using one of their own people. The man is no doubt bitter now, but he'll be taken care of one way or another.

'Anything else?'

'Si. The black guard - his son will be taken in a week. Hector asks that you have patience and he will tell you the full reason why after it is done. Needless to say, it is leverage.'

He nods at this, pleased with the information. At last, something is getting done. The days have been dragging like hell and it's been making the frustration hard to live with, especially since last week when he'd made a statement, outlining terms under which he would name names in exchange for leniency. The lawyers had gone into a frenzy over it, Bauer had been back and Annicon had thrown a fit over his demands. Entertaining but not productive. Not when he's still fucking here.

'Well then. I'll expect to hear from him soon. What's your name?'

'Juan.'

It's said with the air of one who isn't about to give up any more information than absolutely necessary. Probably a false name too. Ramon couldn't care less. He's got other things to think about now.

'Alright Juan. You'll be looked after for this.' He doesn't say in what way and the man seems to notice that. His face blanches, just a little, before it becomes carefully impassive again.

'I have means to pass a message back, if you'd like.'

Yes. Tell him to hurry the fuck up.

He shakes his head. 'No. Just tell him that you did your job but nothing else.'

Juan nods and departs for the other side of the yard. Ramon doesn't take his eyes off him for the remaining twenty minutes of his break. September 22nd is just two weeks away and he's suddenly filled with a glorious sense of anticipation.

Not much longer...