Tales From the County Jail Box Set: Tales From the County Jail

Escape From South Max

Nearly a decade had elapsed since Donny Ray had slit that old bitch's throat and he still thought about it every day. He had no remorse for having cut her so deep that the knife scraped against her spine. She deserved it. She should have given him her money. Now that he was in jail he thought about that incident more and more. It excited him. It made his heart pound and gave him an erection. He would sometimes use the memory of that old woman gurgling and fighting for her life as the prelude to masturbation. That was when he got his first taste of blood.

Some people become killers out of necessity—they need money or they need an uncontested divorce. Something like that. Donny Ray began killing because killing was enjoyable. Taking down humans was the ultimate sport and drinking their blood gave him a sense of power. It was more than mere adrenaline. He could feel the victim's life coursing through his own veins as if  he had just added their strength to his own. Of course the blood had to be consumed straight from the victim's warm body. It was an addiction—and the frequency of his urges, killing three or four a week, that had been his undoing.

Donny Ray sat at the stainless steel table in the maximum security unit of the county jail where he was awaiting trial. He pretended to watch the television while he listened to the other fourteen inmates babble about meaningless things. They were all a bunch of mindless drones but he hoped that eventually one of them would say something useful. Maybe give him one little piece of information he could use. He was locked up for the time being but there was no way they would keep him here. Eventually someone would give up a clue that would help him escape. He listened and he watched.

##

Deputy Sharp sat at his desk in the maximum security unit looking around into the pods. He felt eyes scrutinizing him but he was unable to determine who they belonged to. There were six pods in this unit and with that many criminals in one place it was not unusual to get that feeling. He was always being watched, just like he was always watching them.

He heard the radio key up. Unit 5, this is Unit 4. The shift leader was calling him.

He pressed the button on the side of his set. Unit 5, go, he said.

Unit 5, give me a call land line. Sharp knew that meant more work and his dance card was already full. He blew out a heavy breath.

Ten four.

He picked up the phone and dialed the shift leader's intercom number. What's up?

I need for you and five alpha to take Donny Ray Tucker to the conference room for a session with a shrink. Unit five alpha was Deputy Hall—Sharp's partner.

OK. He rubbed that back of his neck.

Now listen. Tucker is a dangerous man and prone to violent behavior. I want both of you to escort him.

No problem, Sarge. Sharp's voice sounded calm and compliant, but he was getting irritated at being treated like a rookie.

And cuff this guy. I don't want any chance of him attacking anyone.

This is not my first day on the job, Sarge. I got it covered. Sharp said as he hung up the phone. He turned to Hall who was now standing beside his desk and repeated their instructions. Then he rose and pressed the call box on the wall.

Control, open Pod 346, please. The door buzzed and Deputy Hall pulled it open.

Sharp's veteran eyes scanned the pod as the stench of fifteen unwashed inmates wafted into the hall. Tucker, let's go. You have an appointment.

The inmate strolled out of the pod and put his hands on the wall. Are the showers working okay in there, Sharp asked.

Yeah. They work just fine. Why? Tucker's eyebrows crunched forward.

Never mind. Hall shook his head.

After placing the handcuffs on Donny Ray's wrists, the two deputies led him down the main hallway to the conference room—a place where inmates met with their lawyers, mental health professionals and police officers. Inside the small room, a young woman was waiting and already seated at the table. Sharp guided the inmate onto the seat opposite from her and stepped away, resting his back against the wall.

The woman stood and addressed the two deputies. I'm Marley Melloy. I am a forensic psychologist and I'm here to examine Mr. Tucker.

Yes, ma'am, replied Sharp.

I need to speak with my patient privately, if you don't mind.

Sharp gave his partner a glance. He, too, looked uneasy about leaving Tucker in here alone with this woman. You sure you wouldn't like for us to stay? Just for your safety, you understand.

Marley looked down at the inmate's cuffed wrists. He's restrained. Thank you for your concern, but I'm sure I'll be fine.

Okay Ms. Melloy. We will be just outside the door if you need us, Sharp said. He looked into Donny Ray's eyes. Mr. Tucker, we will be able to see you from out there. Don't do anything stupid.

The inmate smirked as the two deputies walked out into the hallway and closed the door. She's one fine little shrink, said Hall.

Yeah, well just keep your eyes on the inmate, Sharp responded.

##

Marley walked back toward the table and she caught the inmate fondling her body with his eyes. She hurriedly took her seat, attempting to get some of her parts out of his view before she began her evaluation.

The Commonwealth's Attorney has asked me to come and find out how you are doing. Are you okay with talking to me for a few minutes? She put on her best sympathetic smile in an attempt to put him at ease.

So you're working for the guy who wants to fry me. And you think I'm going to give you information to help him do that. You're crazy, lady. Donny Ray glanced at the door, then returned his gaze to her throat.

She understood his reluctance, but she had a job to do. It's not like that, Donny. I'm not here to talk about your charges. I only want to find out if you are capable of assisting in your own defense and in order to do that I need to talk with you. Can we do that? She twisted a pen in her fingers as she searched his face for signs of insanity.

Donny Ray stared into Marley's eyes for a few seconds. Then his eyes moved down to her breasts where he lingered long enough to make her uncomfortable. She cleared her throat and shifted in her seat. Donny Ray laughed.

Will you allow me to interview you or not? she repeated. It irked her to be treated like a sex object. She could hear her own pulse as it began to speed up.

His gaze shifted again to her throat. He could see the artery in her neck throbbing and he licked his lips. His eyes narrowed.

You look hot. I bet your blood tastes sweet, he said. The young ones always do.

Marley leapt to her feet, knocking her chair over. She moved to the side of the table and backed up to the window nearest the door. Maybe we should try this some other time, she said. Her mouth had suddenly gone dry and she was barely able to get the words out.

She turned slightly and raised her hand to get he attention of the deputies outside. They were both looking the other way; their eyes fixed on something in the pod across the hall. She decided to knock on the glass but before her hand made it to the window, Donny Ray jumped to his feet and lunged at her. He pinned her against the window with his body and thrust his face toward her shoulder.

Marley's scream penetrated the door as she struggled to push the monster away. He was too strong. Even without his hands, he kept himself pressed against her and she was unable to move. She turned her head, trying to get a glance at the deputies outside—a move that exposed her neck to the mad man.

Donny Ray shoved his mouth to the area where he had seen that artery pulsing and bit down as the door flew open. Deputy Sharp grabbed the shoulders of Tucker's jump suit and jerked him away from her, taking some of her skin which his teeth refused to release.

Wincing in pain, she watched as the officer threw him to the floor. His legs flew open as he hit the ground and Marley launched a foot directly into his groin. He screamed and his knees reflexively curled toward his chest, giving him the appearance of a baby in a womb. Panic overwhelmed Marley and the adrenaline made her heart race. She had to get away. Now. She bolted for the safety of the booking office.

She could hear the inmate crying out in agony as a call came over the radio. I need medical backup in the conference room. Her hand shook as she covered her neck.

Roger. All units, medical backup in the conference room, repeated the controller. The sound of boots pounding the floor echoed in the hallway as every deputy in the facility hustled to the scene.

The booking officer started to run past Marley, then stopped when she noticed  the blood on the doctor's collar. Her eyes flew wide open. You need medical help. Wait right here, okay?

She hurried back to her desk and called for help. Less than a minute later, a nurse rushed into the booking area, where she found Marley and began wiping the blood away to get a closer look.

What on earth happened? she asked.

He bit me. Marley braced herself on a fingerprint machine and winced when the nurse dabbed at the hole in her neck. This is going to be a tough case.

##

Two weeks later, Donny Ray limped around his cell, still feeling the kick he had taken to his jewels. He was now housed in solitary confinement where they had placed him after the incident with the psychologist.