Dead Man's Land by Jack Patterson (digital e reader .txt) 📕

Cal nodded toward Kelly to take a few pictures of Prado. “I don’t have many more questions for you other than are you going to be at this evening’s game between the Nationales and the Grapefruit Cutters? It’s the development teams in an exhibition series, but I think you’ll find it compelling nonetheless.”

Prado nodded. “Of course, I’ll be there.”

“Isabel will be with him,” Campos interjected. “And you can take plenty of pictures then.”

“Excellent,” Cal said. “Well, I think that’s all we came for.”

They all stood up. Campos shook Cal’s hand vigorously and then squeezed it tight.

“This was his choice,” Campos said. “Don’t make it sound any other way.”

Cal released his hand from the grip and shook it. “I only report facts.”

“Good. Then we have nothing to worry about, do we?” Campos said.

“Best of luck to you,” Cal said, nodding at Prado. “We’ll see you tonight. I’m looking forward to meeting Isabel.”

Prado forced a smile and gave a half-hearted wave before he sat back down.

On the way out of the police headquarters, Kelly looked up at Cal. “Think he’ll go for it?”

“No doubt. He was lying through his teeth. He hates it here.”

“Good. I’m sure he’ll be pleased with the results.”

Cal put his arm around her. “I’m sure he will be—as long as nothing goes wrong.”

CHAPTER 36

PRADO SKIDDED TO A STOP with a thud, compliments of his skull. It slammed hard into the wall. He moaned and rolled over, only to be greeted by a guard with a club. The guard kicked Prado in the ribs several times before beating his legs. When the guard went for his face, Prado held up his hands in defense.

In a few seconds it was over. Slowly moving to his hands and knees, Prado pushed himself up. He staggered for a few steps and collapsed onto his cot. He leaned over the edge and spewed a swath of saliva mixed with blood onto the floor. He closed his eyes and tried to take a deep breath. The throbbing in his side made even such a mundane task a painful one.

The door clanged shut and Prado was left alone—for only a moment—to contemplate his future. The door creaked open again and Prado sat up.

“Don’t get up for me,” General Machado said. “I’m just here for a welfare check. I want to make sure you’re still alive. The last thing we want is for you to die while the reporter is still here.”

Prado fell back onto his bed. “I might as well be dead.”

Machado clucked his tongue. “Don’t be ridiculous. You live in the greatest country in the world. Why wouldn’t you want to enjoy all of this?”

Prado grunted. “I don’t know. Perhaps it’s the tight confines and lack of light—or the fact that my daughter isn’t here with me.”

“It never bothered you much before,” Machado said, wagging a finger at him. “We all know you’re not some exemplary father. In fact, you’re nothing more than a washed up baseball player. At this point in your life, the quarry is more suited for your talents.”

“And you insist that this is the greatest country in the world?” Prado forced a laugh. “Hardly.”

“That’s not up for debate,” Machado said. “A recent magazine stated as much.”

“A magazine run by our government, I’m sure.”

“Don’t be so dismissive. The message is still truth no matter who is delivering it.”

“I doubt that.”

Machado began to pace around the room. “I don’t care what you believe or what you don’t believe. The reality is the rock quarry would be a blessing for you. Instead, you’re going to be transferred to Combinado del Este tomorrow.” Machado leaned in close. “So enjoy your time tonight with your daughter and on the baseball field because it will be the last time you’ll see either of them for a long time.”

“I highly doubt that,” Prado shot back, smirking and looking away.

“If it weren’t for that reporter, you’d already be dead. But as it stands, you’ve been granted a slight reprieve due to his presence on the island. Don’t take it as a sign of goodwill or your perceived innocence. We all know what you did.”

Prado threw his hands in the air. “I didn’t do anything.”

“Anything?”

“Anything to land me in a prison cell. You have to believe me.”

Machado walked toward the cell door and tapped on it several times, waiting for a guard to show up. “It’s not that I don’t believe you—it’s just that I don’t care. You chose this path by trying to escape our beautiful country. Now it’s time for you to deal with the consequences.”

With that parting shot, the door swung open and Machado exited. The door rattled hard behind him as he exited.

He lay on his bed for an hour until he finally decided to move. His life was over, especially if it would be devoid of Isabel. He’d never get to watch her grow up. He’d never get to hear the pop of the baseball in his glove. He’d never be as free as he was when he was chasing his dream of playing baseball in the Major Leagues. Gone—all of it. Even Liliana hated him.

He contemplated how he might get a guard to shoot him, accidentally or otherwise. He didn’t care how painful it was. He just wanted out.

Prado grabbed the bars on his cell wall and started shaking them as he screamed. He knew he’d appear as a crazy man—that was the point. And then if he made a break for it, maybe someone would gun him down.

“Shut up,” said the guard who approached Prado’s cell.

Prado ignored his command and shook even harder, rattling the cage. Down the hall, others called out, telling him to be quiet. But it only inspired Prado to rebel even more—until the guard shoved a Taser through the bars and shocked him.

Prado slumped to the ground and writhed around for a few moments.

“Maybe next time you’ll listen,” the guard said as he spat toward Prado.

Prado rolled over and stared at the