he woman stood motionless in front of him. The prisoner had leaned so close that his shadow covered almost her…
She continued down the hallway.
But when she returned to the office, her hands trembled.
Not out of fear for work.
Not exactly.
Because he knew how quickly a lie could change the way colleagues looked at a woman in uniform.
Especially a woman who already had to prove twice as much.
Vladimir found her there.
“I heard what’s going on.
“I didn’t do anything
wrong.
“I know.
“But the rumor will reach people who don’t know me.
“It’s possible.
“And what do we do?”
He sat across from her.
“We’re doing what you’ve done in the yard.” We do not give Tashev the spectacle he wants. We collect facts.
The cameras
Vladimir ordered to review the recordings.
In prison, every movement is monitored.
Who enters the common hall when.
Who is talking to whom.
Who violates the regime.
Records showed that Ralitsa helped Martin obtain a standard letter form, just as she had helped other prisoners.
There was nothing secret.
There were no conversations outside the rules.
There was no violation.
But there was something else.
One of the recordings showed Ivo talking to the two prisoners who started the rumor.
There was no sound.
But the time coincided.
The testimony of another prisoner also coincided.
Vladimir called Ivo to his office.
Ralitsa was
not inside.
That was important.
He didn’t want to turn the conversation into a personal victory.
Later, Vladimir told her only the main thing:
“He admitted that he had started the hearing.
“And what did you say?”
“That you’re too calm, and that drives him crazy.”
Ralitsa didn’t smile.
“That’s not the reason.
“No. But sometimes the person who provokes himself does not understand why he is doing it.
“That doesn’t excuse him.
“No. But it can help us prevent the next problem.
Ivo received a disciplinary sanction.
Not heavy, not humiliating.
But it is clear.
Restriction of privileges, transfer to another cell, and participation in a mandatory aggression management program.
When he heard the decision, he did not scream.
He just said:
“She wants to crush me.
Vladimir replied:
“No. It just doesn’t allow you to crush others.
The conversation
Months later, Ralitsa met Ivo in the corridor.
He
was alone, led to the psychologist’s office.
It looked different.
No less.
Not weaker.
But quietly.
He paused for a moment.
“Mrs. Doneva.
— Tashev.
“Do you think I’m a bad person?”
The question surprised her.
She could have said yes to him.
There were grounds.
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