Chapter 21

Caleb glared at Marcus, feeling a strong urge to ask: "Do we even know each other that well?"

In the entire Southern Prison, only Hector spoke to Caleb so casually. He wasn't very familiar with his other colleagues, and conversations between them were naturally polite. Even troublemaking inmates dared not speak disrespectfully to Caleb again after being dealt with.

But Marcus continuously intruded into Caleb's comfort zone. Despite their brief acquaintance, Marcus spoke with an ease that was almost more casual than Hector's.

"Do you think I have a really good temper?" Caleb asked.

"No," Marcus replied honestly.

Caleb glared at Marcus for a moment. Noting that Marcus had no intention of teasing him further, Caleb redirected the conversation back to business.

"The officer investigating your case is someone I know. He believes you were framed."

"Is that so?" Marcus lowered his gaze again, lost in thought.

Caleb tried to interpret Marcus' expression to figure out what he was contemplating but ultimately failed.

Marcus likely didn't know Caleb was acquainted with William since Caleb had lost contact with William after being transferred to work in Southern Prison.

However, Marcus showed no reaction to this new piece of information. His demeanor remained calm and poised, like a hunter ready to handle any sudden developments.

"Are you really not planning to meet him?" Caleb asked.

"It's like this, Officer Johnson." Marcus looked up, his hands clasped casually on his lap. "Meeting him now would be meaningless."

"Why?" Caleb asked, puzzled.

"He's limited in capability and unreliable," Marcus said bluntly.

Caleb fell silent. Marcus was right. Regardless of whether Caleb personally believed in William, objectively speaking, William couldn't even identify the mole within their own ranks. Collaborating with him might only increase Marcus' risk.

Given the state of Marcus' burned house, that fact was indeed true.

"So you're just going to wait?" Caleb pondered. "I think it's worth making an effort."

Perhaps Marcus intended to wait until he was out of prison before making plans, but Caleb felt spending a whole year like this was a waste of time.

It didn't seem like Marcus' style.

"It's not the right time yet," Marcus said. "In a chess game, the most important thing isn't attacking but positioning."

"Are you positioning your pieces?" Caleb's brow furrowed.

"No," Marcus shrugged. "A loss is a loss. I'm just waiting for the next game to start."

Losing a game without regret, calmly analyzing the advantages and disadvantages, and preparing for the next game…

Marcus' mindset was frighteningly clear.

Caleb suddenly felt he might be overstepping. Perhaps Marcus didn't need his help at all.

Yet, his curiosity got the better of him, so he couldn't help but ask, "You do have some evidence, right?"

Marcus' expression softened, no longer as focused as before. Instead, his eyes held a hint of a smile.

"Are you so concerned about my affairs, Officer Johnson?"

Alright, the man was starting with the evasive maneuvers again.

It was odd. Even though Caleb and Marcus hadn't interacted for long, he could already tell when Marcus was willing to be open and when he wanted to keep his thoughts hidden.

For instance, now that Caleb asked about the evidence, Marcus didn't answer directly. Instead, he employed his usual tactic—deflecting with a question.

Caleb knew almost immediately that there was no point in pressing further. If Marcus didn't want to share, Caleb wasn't going to get anything out of him.

"This isn't really my concern," Caleb said. "William asked me to help. That's why I'm asking you."

"Well, for your sake, Officer Johnson, I might be willing to meet with him," Marcus said.

Caleb was somewhat surprised, given that Marcus had just said meeting William would be pointless.

"Just so you know, I'm not involved in your affairs. Whether William is reliable or not, that's for you to decide."

"I understand," Marcus said. "Your charms aren't enough to cloud my judgment yet, Officer Johnson."

Caleb was speechless.

-

By noon, Marcus hadn't immediately appeared in the library, so Caleb assumed he must have gone to meet with William.

But in the library, that annoying figure was once again around—Princess.

He sat in the corner of the last row by the window, doing nothing but staring at his fingernails.

About ten minutes later, Marcus entered the library. When he saw Princess, he paused. Then, he picked up a comic book and moved towards the front row. He drove away the person who had been sitting there with a glance, as he had done previously.

Caleb couldn't shake the feeling that Princess wouldn't just sit there idly. His hunch proved correct. After Marcus took his seat, Princess stood up and moved to the first row, sitting next to Marcus in a relaxed manner.

"Hey, cutie, we meet again."

Marcus turned his head to glance at Princess, then looked at Caleb. He signaled toward the empty seat beside Caleb, his eyes seeming to ask: "Can I sit next to you?"

It was still not two o'clock, and Caleb couldn't allow Marcus to sit in his work area with so many inmates in the library.

He shook his head slightly, indicating that it wasn't possible.

Princess noticed the exchange of glances between Caleb and Marcus and raised an eyebrow, and his interest piqued as he alternated his gaze between the two men.

Marcus quickly averted his eyes, opening the comic book he was holding. Just then, Princess poked Marcus' arm with his finger, bringing his attention to the yard outside.

"Hey, cutie, there's a show going on outside."

Marcus followed Princess' gaze out the window, and Caleb instinctively looked as well.

Since summer had started, the number of people taking their breaks in the yard had decreased. However, there were still shady spots where a few inmates gathered in the corners of the yard because it was the farthest from the correctional officers.

Now, there were three to five people gathered in the yard, and Caleb immediately spotted Samuel's towering figure.

Samuel had been in prison for over ten years and was now thirty-eight. He had maintained a robust physique through constant workouts, and his muscular arms gave him an intimidating presence.

In front of Samuel stood the young thug who had recently slept with Princess. The young thug was hunched over, nervously trying to explain something. But every time he backed away, he was pushed back by the men flanking him.

It looked like Samuel was about to take action.

That was what it looked like to Caleb, and he glanced at the correctional officers stationed in the yard. As expected, they were all pointedly looking elsewhere, indicating that Samuel had prearranged this.

Caleb sighed inwardly. Most of the correctional officers gave Samuel a certain amount of leeway because he had earned it.

Samuel's past was complex. He was initially given a death sentence, which had later been put on hold. Later, he saved a correctional officer when an inmate attacked the latter. For his bravery and good behavior, his sentence was reduced to life imprisonment.

He was usually very cooperative with the correctional officers and even helped manage the inmates. It was only when someone crossed him that he acted out of line.

Just like now, when he delivered a brutal kick to the young thug's groin. The young thug collapsed in pain and was carried off to the infirmary by the correctional officers, while Samuel was escorted back to Block 1.

The "show" ended quickly, taking only a few minutes. Caleb turned away from the window and noticed Princess's cheerful expression.

Princess hadn't always been this wild. When Caleb first started working in Southern Prison, Princess was still in his early twenties and had been imprisoned for theft.

Princess had once been bullied by several people, and Samuel had come to his rescue. Since then, Princess had been loyal to Samuel. The former even deliberately extended his sentence by committing more offenses when he neared his release date.

Years later, when Princess was due for release, Samuel anticipated that he would cause trouble again. He deliberately slept with other inmates, hoping to expedite Princess' departure.

However, Samuel's plan backfired. Princess' sentence was extended because he harshly beat up the inmates that Samuel slept with. He also ended up getting involved with other men in an uncontrollable manner.

Of course, Caleb had heard all of this from Hector. In the six months since he joined the prison, he had barely spoken to Samuel or Princess.

Compared to ordinary people, inmates' psychology was harder to decipher. Nonetheless, Caleb had habitually speculated about their relationship.

Princess was likely deeply hurt by Samuel's infidelities and couldn't let go, leading to his current behavior. Meanwhile, Samuel probably felt guilty, so he indulged Princess unconditionally and allowed him to act out.

From Caleb's observations, few of the men Princess had been involved with had dared to sleep with him. Most had been dealt with by Samuel for refusing Princess' advances.

"Did you see that, cutie?" Princess's voice snapped Caleb out of his thoughts. "The tall and imposing one is my man."

Marcus didn't respond, his expression blank as he waited for Princess to continue.

"If you make me unhappy..." Princess's fingers crept up Marcus' shoulder. "My man will deal with you."

Marcus glanced at Princess's hand and then looked at Caleb, gesturing with his chin towards Princess.

His look clearly conveyed: "Aren't you supposed to be looking out for me?"

Caleb finally snapped out of his thoughts about Princess and Samuel. He straightened up and raised his chin slightly before calling out, "Inmate 1017."

As soon as he spoke, Princess turned his gaze towards him with a hint of impatience. He evidently sensed that Caleb was about to interfere again.

"Come over here." Caleb ignored Princess's look and stared directly at Marcus. "Sit next to me."

As soon as Caleb spoke, the inmates in the library exchanged knowing glances. Their expressions showed interest as if they were witnessing a major spectacle.

Caleb was fully aware of the significance of his actions. He never meddled in the inmates' affairs, but this time, he chose to stand up for Marcus. He knew that mild reprimands wouldn't work with someone like Princess—a firm stance was necessary.

Amidst the gaze of all the inmates, Marcus walked into Caleb's work area.

The work area of the correctional officers was considered a restricted area for all inmates. Any inmate who dared to enter a correctional officer's work area could face a beating from a baton.

Marcus took a seat next to Caleb. Scanning from left to right at the inmates watching him, most of them quickly looked away, not wanting to provoke Marcus.

Only Princess continued to watch the two of them with interest, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"Officer Johnson," Marcus leaned in closer, speaking softly into Caleb's ear. "Does this mean I'm now under your protection?"

Caleb's action of having Marcus sit next to him did seem like a declaration of ownership. However, it was a necessary step. Caleb couldn't keep chasing Princess out of the library. He needed to make the latter understand that he should back off.

Caleb kept his gaze fixed forward and shot Marcus a quick glance from the corner of his eye.

Then, he replied in a professional tone, "You're under the warden's protection."