On the Shawshank prison yard.
It was recreation time again.
Andy wasn’t his usual relaxed self today, he sat in a corner, eyes fixed on the distant crowd, He had been worried ever since he received the news yesterday that someone wanted to kill him.
The cigarette vendor’s started wandering around the yard again, selling cigarettes, and made his way to Andy.
Andy thought, I’ve already told you I don’t smoke, why keep offering?
At that moment, the vendor lowered his voice and said, "Your problem has been solved, you’re quite something."
He patted Andy on the shoulder and walked away.
Yesterday, this same lackey told him someone wanted to harm him, and today he came to tell him the matter was settled.
Solved, who helped him solve it?
Andy reviewed the whole situation and felt that the most likely person to have resolved this matter was Mr. Henry or rather, Mr. Hardy, his boss behind the scenes.
Although he had never met him, Andy had already felt the immense power of Mr. Hardy.
Why did Mr. Hardy help him?
He couldn’t figure it out.
Five days passed in a blur.
On this day, Andy received notice that he would be transferred to the state court detention center to prepare for the upcoming trial.
Upon receiving this news, Andy was so excited that he couldn’t sleep all night.
Finally, he could leave this place.
He quietly told Old Red the news, and the two sat together, chatting in low voices.
"I don’t know what my feelings are right now. I’m excited but also a bit melancholic. I loved my wife back then, I just wasn’t good at expressing it. She always complained that I spent too little time with her. In a way, I ruined her, my temper ruined her. The only difference is that I wasn’t the one who pulled the trigger. Actually, during my time in prison, besides feeling wronged, I also had a slight sense of redemption. Spending seven years here was a punishment for my mistakes in that marriage."
Old Red shook his head slightly.
"I don’t think your wife’s actions were right. Enjoying the money and benefits your work brought while seeking solace in a lover is a disgraceful act."
"You’re not a murderer. Maybe you weren’t the best husband, and you can regret that, but you’re not guilty. You shouldn’t be here."
Andy was silent, then turned to look at Old Red. "If there’s a chance, would you like me to help you get parole?"
This time it was Old Red who fell silent.
He wasn’t as excited as one might imagine about the prospect of leaving.
There was even a trace of worry.
"Unlike you, I have actually killed someone. I don’t feel wronged. I’ve been here for over twenty years and am no longer suited to life outside. I’m afraid I couldn’t survive out there. You know, a bird kept in a cage for too long can no longer adapt to the sky outside, nor does it have the courage to soar."
"If you did have the chance to leave, what kind of life would you want?" Andy asked.
Old Red thought for a moment.
"Open a small hotel, keep a dog. The hotel doesn’t need to have too much business. Just meet guests coming and going every day, sit idly by the door when there’s nothing to do, and let the dog lie beside me. Perhaps that would be the life I long for the most."
Andy left. He left Shawshank Prison.
When he left the cell block with his luggage, many inmates watched him from behind the bars.
They watched him leave.
The warden stood at the window, watching Andy being taken away by the state court police car, not sure what he felt at that moment.
Finally, he no longer had to agonize over whether to get rid of Andy.
But the torment would continue.
The sword of Damocles was in someone else’s hand, ready to fall at any moment. He had no idea what his fate would be next.
This constant fear was unbearable.
Perhaps he wasn’t as happy as those inmates lying in the prison yard.
The conditions at the state court detention center were much better than at Shawshank Prison: double rooms with private bathrooms, softer beds, and meals that were a notch above those at Shawshank.
Lawyer Bob and Henry came to see him again.
Lawyer Bob smiled and said, "There will be a process, but I can tell you that the evidence in your case is sufficient. Unless something unexpected happens, you’ll be released in court next month."
Henry added, "Mr. Andy, just wait patiently during this time. If you need anything, just let me know."
Andy thought for a moment. "Could I get some newspapers and books? I’ve been isolated from the outside world for too long and would like to catch up on what’s happening outside."
Andy thought again and said "Mr. Henry, can I talk to you alone?"
Lawyer Bob smiled and stood up. "I’ll go outside for a smoke."
After the lawyer left, Andy looked at Henry and asked, "Mr. Henry, I want to ask, was the thief who confessed arranged by you?"
Then he understood what Andy meant.
"Yes, his confession was arranged by us. But that man is indeed the one who killed your wife and her lover. My boss learned about this incident and arranged for me to meet you and then had that thief confess."
Andy finally felt relieved.
If the thief had been fake, he would have felt extremely guilty.
"Mr. Henry, may I ask about Mr. Hardy? I’ve been curious why Mr. Hardy helped me all this time."
"I don’t know either. Maybe it’s just a sense of justice."
A large number of books and newspapers were moved into the cell. There were about thirty to forty books, all requested by Andy, including a significant number of economics books.
Andy read through all the books in the prison, including the ones that arrived later. Among them were several economics books, which were his specialty. This time, he compiled a long list of books for Henry to purchase.
Books of this era, especially professional works, were expensive. One book could cost dozens of dollars, making this collection quite valuable.
As for the newspapers, there were two large bundles weighing dozens of pounds, including the New York Daily News and the Wall Street Financial News, covering the past six months.
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