THE ALGORITHM

16.

Penny shook her head, thinking about her life as teenager. She did do a lot of reading and stayed practicing with numbers.

"What happened?"

Penny looked off with hesitation. She didn't want to get into her situation, but didn't feel the need to lie.

"Murder." She rasped nonchalantly, her eyes peering over to the other side of the yard.

Kincaid's eyes widened in shock. She knew Penny could be a hothead, but didn't think she was crazy enough to kill someone.

"What? The fuck did you get yourself into?"

"I don't want to get into it." Penny rasped lowly. "I'm in the same boat as you...innocent."

"Have you been sentenced or what?" Kincaid continued with questions.

Penny shook her head and said, "I'm just waiting..."

Kincaid stood there watching Penny, still shocked.

"I don't know your situation, but I hope you get out of here. You don't belong in here, and you definitely don't want to go to prison."

"It looks like I have no choice." Penny shrugged.

"You don't know that." Kincaid countered, tilting her head. "They have to release you if nothing sticks to your case."

"Yeah..." Penny muttered. "We'll see."

"But I get it. They got a lot of dirty ass prosecutors who work in this district. They're throwing people away—left and right. Are you having any trouble in here?"

Penny shook her head no. No one bothered her.

"That's good. Just let me know. I got you."

There was no way Penny would let her know anything. She wasn't afraid of anyone.

###

Timothy broke down everything to Bilal about Penny's legal situation. He informed him of the reason why Penny's bond was denied. Bilal was disappointed because he assumed she would get a bond and be out by now.  He made sure Penny had money to buy whatever she needed while inside. His guilt continued to weigh heavily on him as he thought about all the persuading he did to convince her to surrender.

"You're very hardheaded." David scolded his grandson, pushing the glass of whisky closer to him. "You've always been this way...ever since you were a kid. Always doing things your way and always getting into some kind of trouble that you can't get yourself out of."

"Come on, pops." Bilal drawled. "I'm a grown man now. I don't get in any trouble."

David shot his grandson a look before throwing his towel over his shoulder. He looked good for a man in his eighties. His hair was partially black, with some greying at the temples, and he had a few wrinkles etched into his forehead.

"Don't give me that bullshit, alright?" He pushed out, his voice strong and masculine. "I've been knowing you for nearly forty years. You walk around here because you think you're running things when you really don't know what you're doing." He leaned over, eyes narrowed, "You don't listen to anyone because you always think you're right about everything. Boogie, you're still that same teenage boy who doesn't take life seriously."

Bilal tossed his drink back and set it on the counter. He spread his hands as he listened to his grandfather's words. "What are you talking about, man? I do a great job with our business. Everything is in order."

'What about the shit that comes with it? Huh? What about the overseas banking accounts? What about the run-in you had with the Chens? What about the Germains? What about the senator and his daughter? It's always something with you."