Part 5 (1/2)

”The procedure is as usual except that, when the prisoners go into The Cage, they are going to get an overnight conditioning treatment.

”But until they've had that treatment, you must be alert! These are all dangerous men.”

Beside the general, Thornberry whispered hearty agreement. ”Yes, yes!

Except for Rooney, everyone on that list is here for armed robbery or murder and usually both.”

Bennington lowered his megaphone. ”I almost forgot to tell you. I added a complete physical search to your metal-detectors, we're doing it right inside the door to the corridor.

”And we're keeping all their personal effects. That was bad, Dr.

Thornberry, letting them have their money. As long as a prisoner has cash, you can't trust any guard.”

Thornberry froze. ”As prison psychologist, I protest. I consider those procedures an unwarranted invasion of physical privacy and a forcing of a man into dependency with traumatic effects--”

”I would much rather make a prisoner dependent on my good will than have him bribe my guards, doctor. And I would much rather invade his privacy than have him invade my stomach with a knife made out of bone.

”A metal-spotter is, perhaps, good, but too many killing tools can get by them.”

Thornberry seemed more than willing to continue the discussion, but the tractor-trailers were pulling off the bridge. After a moment's jockeying, they turned so that the back of the trailers pointed toward The Cage.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

A corporal eased out of the white car that had led the convoy. He s.h.i.+fted his shotgun to his left arm, saluted, said, ”General Bennington? Corporal Forester, with thirty-four prisoners.”

”Thirty-four? We expected thirty-five.”

”Ralph Musto tried to get another idea in the Harrisburg terminal.

He'll be in the hospital about ten days.”

”Musto?” For a moment, the name meant nothing to Bennington.

”Connecticut, sir, one of the murder and bank cases. Are you prepared to accept delivery of the others?”

”Yes, we are. But we are unfortunately a little short-handed today....”

”We always stay around till the boys are in The Cage, sir,” the corporal said.

”Thanks. Start unloading.”

Corporal Forester saluted again and turned to face the vans. He waved his arm and another trooper unlocked the door of the trailer to the general's left. A group of men slowly jumped out and stood blinking in the sun.

A trooper opened a large compartment beneath the van and yanked out several large bags, all locked, all bulging, all the type Bennington had known too well since the Second War.

The prisoners' personal effects, Bennington decided, and lifted his megaphone.

”Form a single line facing the gate,” he commanded.

There was an excess of shuffling movement, but at last a line was formed.