CHAPTER 3
1994 AD
Rural Louisiana
When the phone rang, he let his answering machine take the call as he often did on his days off. After the infamous beep, he recognized Warden Holloway's voice.
"Thane this is Tim Holloway. If you would give me a..."
Thane Connally snatched up the receiver and interrupted, "I'm not giving you anything old man. Besides . . . you've got everything a man could want and then some."
The warden laughed. "I only wish that were true. How you doing son?"
"I'm fine," Thane answered. "How about yourself?"
"Can't complain either," Holloway stated. Then he abruptly cut to the chase.
"Thane, do you remember an inmate who got away from us about two years back? His name is Schwann. Rudy Schwann."
All pleasantries ceased. Thane sensed a subtle change in Warden Holloway's voice when his boss spoke Schwann's name. The warden had become gravely serious.
Thane remembered the name Rudy Schwann, and he felt sure he would never forget it. Schwann was a true hard ass. The man was tortured and disturbed—easily the meanest son-of-a-bitch Thane ever recalled housing at Gale Parish Penitentiary.
How Schwann busted out, nobody knew. The official report stated "unknown" as the inmate method of escape. The man simply vanished from his iron cage. The warden had taken the escape personally, and Thane could tell the old warrior was all business now.
"I know Schwann," Thane said.
"Well N.O.P.D. gunned him down less than four hours ago," Holloway continued. "He's at Big Charity now with a half dozen holes in him. Bastard still won't die though . . . save us all a bunch of trouble."
"I suppose I'm going to the city tonight?"
"For the first twelve hours Thane. We're going to guard him around the clock, but I'd like someone experienced and responsible to go in first and get a good grasp of the situation for the department. Plus, you never know with Schwann. Even all full of holes."
"I understand boss, but I'm not very familiar with New Orleans."
"It's a straight shot son. Come by the jail and pick up the van. I'll leave directions and the paperwork for you. Schwann won't be getting out of surgery until ten-thirty or so tonight, so if you get to Charity by eleven you'll be fine."
"Sounds good Warden. I'll call you from the hospital in the morning and fill you in."
"Thanks. Oh . . . and Thane."
"Yes sir?"
"Be careful son."