Asking around about Brianna Cordova [3]

The next person to come was the other cellmate of the two women.

Alice bowed slightly at the two detectives and sat quietly on the opposite seat. She looked obedient and ready to answer the questions.

'Unlike the first one, this one seemed reserved and quiet. Although the tattoos are scary,' Ian thought.

He began asking the inmate, "What do you think about the relationship between Bianca Acosta and Brianna Cordova?"

Alice stared at the table blankly for a while, seemingly forming her answers in her head before voicing them out. After a minute, she opened her mouth and spoke, "Quite complicated and…vague?"

"What do you mean?" Allen inquired.

Alice stared at the detective with honesty, "Bianca was known as the queen of lowlifes here. Before Brianna arrived here, Bianca was sent to solitary confinement after stabbing an inmate with a toothbrush just because she mistakenly used her things."

Ian gawked at Alice after hearing that. He had goosebumps just imagining how the deceased murder victim acted inside the prison.

Alice continued, "They moved the inmate to another room, and that was why Brianna came to share the room with us."

The two detectives listened attentively. They let Alice proceed with the storytelling and didn't interrupt her.

"What I'm trying to say was, that Bianca had little patience, was arrogant, and always seeking a fight. She always looked bored and treated the other inmates as a way of entertainment. No one dared to pull her down in her high horse because she was violent and cruel, everyone was afraid to end up dead. She had no qualms about getting sent to the isolation cell."

Alice shrugged her shoulders.

"However, the day Brianna and she first met, they fought. Brianna just shouted and pushed her away, but she choked her instead. We thought after that, the room would have another vacant bed again, but Brianna walked in, seemingly unperturbed or frightened by Bianca's appearance."

Alice looked away from Allen and stared at the table again, as though reminiscing those times.

"Not only that, but I also noticed that Bianca held back. Rather than torturing Brianna like she used to do for initiation to all newbies, she simply asked the other inmate to bully her, corner her, or make her angry."

She knitted her brows after that. Even she found it surprising that the queen of lowlifes who loves fighting chose a lighter hazing.

"Bianca didn't do anything after that, though, occasionally, she would order her around. Brianna would obey after glaring at Bianca, but that's only it. Usually, Bianca would jump everyone who dared to even bump her shoulders, but surprisingly, even though Brianna sometimes scowled or talked back at her, she didn't harm her."

Alice lifted her head and gazed at the two detectives.

"So, I think their relationship is kind of vague. I don't know if they are friends or just being civil. But I'm certain about one thing. They were both watching each other secretly."

Allen slightly raised her brows, "Secretly?"

Alice nodded, "Yes. It began after Brianna was sent to the isolation cell after beating Melissa."

The two detectives exchanged glances. Shocked etched on their faces. Allen quickly flipped on the pages as if he suddenly remembered skipping on that part.

"What happened? Why did Cordova beat her?" Ian asked eagerly.

Alice wondered why the two detectives suddenly became livelier.

"Oh. Melissa woke up with a drawing of a dick on her face, using a permanent marker. Of course, the first person she blamed was Bianca, but we all denied it, especially Brianna, she firmly insisted she didn't do it."

Ian listened carefully.

Alice continued, "However, the marker rolled from her pillow, which then angered Melissa. They fought. Brianna kept denying it, until…I think, she just snapped and smashed Melissa's head with a thick book until she bled and lost consciousness."

Ian and Allen looked at each other. Allen traced the records of the inmates entering solitary confinement provided by the prison management.

"She was locked up for a week," he mumbled.

Alice nodded. Ian asked again, "So, do you think she really did it?"

The female inmate rubbed her arms together as if she warming herself from the cold.

"If I didn't see it with my own eyes, I would have believed her. She was really determined and looked innocent…"

Alice's words trailed off as she recalled what occurred, "But the night before what happened, I woke up from scratches I kept hearing above. Then, I saw Brianna climb the stairs and draw on Melissa's face. I was shocked. I tried to ask her, but I don't know…I suddenly felt scared so I just closed my eyes again. Then, morning came and the fighting happened."

Alice hugged herself.

"I didn't say anything after that. But when I saw her do that to Melissa, I was frightened. Brianna was fearful, and trembling to the bones when she came here. But after only a few weeks, she felt like a completely different person…as if she was possessed. I didn't dare to mess with her again and I just watched from afar."

"What did you notice from watching her?" Allen asked again.

"I noticed she was always looking for Bianca. She became interested in Bianca's routines, habits, and such," Alice responded quickly.

Allen, "Did Bianca Acosta notice she was being watched?"

Alice, "I think not? She wasn't really too interested in her fellow inmates, aside when it came to egging fights, or when she got bored and incited bullying. After Brianna came out from solitary confinement, she behaved and ignored us. Bianca would sometimes annoy her but a fight between them didn't break again."

Ian, "Do you know why Cordova started watching Bianca Acosta?"

"I don't know. I thought that woman was easier to read, but after living with her in the same room, I realized just how mysterious she was. She had this gloomy aura with her, so I didn't dare ask her anything again," Alice looked frightened, as if just speaking of Brianna's name scared her already.

"I see. Thank you for cooperating with us," Allen closed the book and gave Ian a meaningful look.

Ian nodded and thanked the female inmate.

Alice was already at the door escorted by the guard when she looked back and spoke again, her voice sounding a bit hesitant, "But detective…I don't think Brianna did it."

"What made you say that?" Allen inquired, curiosity seeping at the corner of his eyes.

Alice swallowed the lump in her throat. She seemed reluctant to share it but soon did either way.

"Well…I'm sure she was watching Bianca, but not with contempt or malice. I can tell because I'm also watching her. She looked at Bianca without evil intention but somehow familiarity…? Like when I watch them together, I have this feeling they've known each other for so long. They also share some similarities…I mean, is it possible, after only a few weeks of knowing each other, to copy each other's mannerisms? I'm just saying though…"

Alice left after that.

Allen and Ian were rendered speechless. Both were lost in deep thought.